Transcript Highlights:

• And so we had reduced it to one. And so we had reduced it to one.
• But either way, you know, I know we don't want to be passing duplicate laws, and there would be no reason
• Either way, you know, I know we don't want to be passing duplicate laws, and there would be no reason

Bills: HR118 , HB1120 , SCR11 , SB73 , SB89 , SB128 , SB149 , SB180 , SB191 , SB196 , SB238 , SB318 , SB340

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, tobacco tax, excise tax, smokeless tobacco, vapor products, public health, FDA, risk-proportionate, tax credits, higher education, workforce development, brain drain, economic incentives, SB 73, Act 10, Act No. 774 of 2024

Transcript Highlights:

• we have removed primarily is a restatement of Idaho code, which we were required to remove any duplications
• of Idaho code that was in rule. ...remove any duplications of Idaho code that was in rule.
• and the bit of response we got from the public, we do not feel if there's any changes that would reduce
• So I'm understanding you to say that nothing in these proposed rule changes would reduce revenue to the

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Subsection 1 of section 4, we believe, is duplicative with current law.
• Yeah, it's the duplicative part, right?
• It manifests as reduced services for the entire community.
• clinic hours. ...already a problem in Washington, and reduced clinic hours.
• And California recently reduced judgments from 20 years to 10 years with a five-year renewal.

Bills: SB5720 , SB5833 , SB5936 , SB5993 , SB5735

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: consumer debt, judgment, uniformity, legal standards, debt collection, pets, motor vehicles, animal welfare, public safety, legislation, human trafficking, prevention, remedies, victims, law enforcement, support services, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• Because those provisions in the agency rule are duplicative of the provisions in the rating rules that
• are filed by the NCCI with the department, The department proposes that the duplicative provisions be
• I've been told that during the pandemic, at least at some of our prisons, the visitation hours were reduced
• operational procedures from the administrative rule, consistent with the governor's executive order on reducing
• In addition, we have removed outdated, duplicative, and obsolete provisions, and the manual has been

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:

• Conversion to a drought and climate-resistant landscape will reduce both water and maintenance costs.
• Protecting public health minimizes harmful exposures to pollutants, reduces long-term healthcare costs
• However, we believe, or the Chamber believes, that House Bill 34 unnecessarily will duplicate work that's
• Second, the bill duplicates existing efforts, and businesses in New Mexico are working very diligently
• That's what the problem is, in addition to the duplicative regulatory schemes that others have talked

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• It reduces the burdensome 7,000 hours to 2,500 and 3,500 respectively.
• Board, it gives the person the opportunity to test 365 days a year, gives them an appeal process, it reduces
• you know, down-the-middle compromise, but I do want to stress to the plumbing board that we are reducing
• And I would also say, traditionally, we don't pass duplicate bills. We have one bill that we pass.
• And I would also say, traditionally, we don't pass duplicate bills. We have one bill that we pass.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on May 6, 2026, with five members present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first heard HB 750, a “click-to-cancel” consumer protection bill requiring subscription cancellations to be as easy as sign-up and to be available through the same method used to subscribe. An amendment was adopted, testimony included support from labor and consumer advocates and opposition from some business groups, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up SB 414, which was narrowed to cap interest on medical debt at 3%. After reconsidering and replacing prior amendments, the committee adopted the new amendment set and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 799, concerning inspection licensing for elevators, escalators, and boilers, was presented by the State Fire Marshal and reported favorably with little discussion. The longest discussion centered on HB 953, a major plumbing workforce and licensing reform bill. The bill was amended substantially: the original proposal to move plumbing oversight to the Contractors Board was removed, the plumbing board remained in place, apprenticeship and journeyman/master plumber hour requirements were revised, penalties and reporting requirements were added, and language was included to support workforce development and reentry training. The committee heard both support and opposition, including clarification from the State Plumbing Board that it already has an appeals process through the courts, and HB 953 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, HB 220, the “PROTECT Act,” was heard to require covered online platforms to maintain a clear and usable mechanism for reporting child sexual abuse material and exploitation. An amendment was adopted to account for platforms that require registration to access content, testimony was supportive, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 952 was deferred, and HB 827, a related plumbing workforce bill, was amended to align more closely with HB 953 but then failed a motion to defer by roll call vote, allowing it to remain pending. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• FROM THE COMMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND THE REASON FOR THAT RECOGNIZED IN 1971 THERE WAS A REASON TO DUPLICATE
• REDUCING THE DIVERSITY OF THE STUDENT BODY THROUGH SOME EXEMPTIONS TO TITLE IX AND RESTRICTING HOW MANY
• WE ARE TAKING OUT DUPLICATION. THEY STILL TO FOLLOW TITLE IX. THIS IS ABOUT ENFORCEMENT.
• IT ALSO REDUCES INFORMATION SILOS AND IDENTIFIES INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY BE A THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS
• REDUCING THE LETHALITY WHEN A SCHOOL SHOOTING IS HAPPENING.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs overall for the system by not duplicating surveys.
• costs overall for the system by not duplicating surveys.
• ><c> by</c><00:30:22.480><c> not</c><00:30:22.720><c> duplicating</c><00:30:23.760><c> uh</c> for the
• system by not duplicating uh for the system by not duplicating uh surveys.<00:30:24.399><c> So</c><00
• ><c> improve</c><00:34:37.359><c> stability,</c> models reduce crises, improve stability, models reduce

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard several health-related measures. SB 3132 on syndromic surveillance drew support from the Department of Health, healthcare organizations, and others, with DOH explaining the bill would formalize a surveillance program that has helped with real-time flu tracking and response to events like the Maui fires. A member raised privacy concerns from opponents, and DOH responded that the data are deidentified and do not include Social Security numbers or dates of birth. No votes were taken on the bill in the portion provided. SB 3134 on emergency medical systems of care received broad support from SHIPA, DOH, military and EMS representatives, and others, who said it would modernize the EMS system. SB 3136 on lead materials and water infrastructure was also supported by DOH and SHIPA; members asked whether the bill would allow Hawaii to keep stronger standards if federal drinking water rules were weakened, and DOH said the state would not have to follow weaker federal standards as long as Hawaii remained as stringent or more stringent. SB 3138 on independent audits of deposit beverage distribution drew support from DOH and several industry groups, but with amendments to reduce burdens on small businesses, raise the audit threshold, and modernize reporting; opponents also testified. DOH later clarified that the measure would affect a limited number of distributors and said it is working on an electronic submission system, though not yet for audit filings. SB 3139 concerning SHIPA was supported by SHIPA and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, while HMSA suggested one provision should remain under the insurance commissioner’s purview. SHIPA said the bill is about collaboration and a broader health vision, not regulation, and members indicated they were comfortable with removing the disputed portion. SB 3207 on background checks drew support from healthcare providers but opposition from the Attorney General and DOH. Supporters argued the FBI fingerprinting requirement is costly, duplicative, and difficult to schedule, while opponents said the bill would improperly shift fingerprint collection authority to hospitals and other facilities and could conflict with federal law. The committee engaged in extended questioning about costs, federal requirements, and whether the mandate would be passed on to patients; no final action is reflected in the excerpt. The committee then began SB 2271 on hospital licensing, with support from SHIPA, the Developmental Disabilities council, healthcare groups, Kaiser Permanente, and DOH, and commenters said the bill would allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance through CMS-recognized accreditation, with a suggested wording change to “approved” accrediting organization.

Transcript Highlights:

• CURRENT RECOVERY EFFORTS IN A PROACTIVE CALCULATIONS THAT WE USE AND ARE MITIGATION ACTIVITIES DUPLICATIVE
• FIGHTS DEFINITION ITS ACTIONS TO REDUCE LONG TERM RISK TO PEOPLE AND PROPERTY.
• WE HAVE 4.8 BILLION WITH A B FOR TAKING ACTION TO REDUCE LONG TERM RISK TO PEOPLE AND PROPERTY.
• TO ASSIST STATES GOVERNMENTS IN CERTAIN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO REDUCE
• ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND AS WE HAVE TO DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THERE IS NO DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:33.280><c> So</c> Duplicate copy of a full human.
• And the polygraph is what I'm told is the real key to reducing recidivism.
• And the polygraph is what I'm told is the real key to reducing recidivism.
• And the polygraph is what I'm told is the real key to reducing recidivism.
• And the polygraph is what I'm told is the real key to reducing recidivism.

Bills: HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261 , HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• And it reduces the energy load on that building by 30%. The...
• And it reduces the energy load on that building by 30%.
• Turning to the bill before you, it reduces, beginning in 2027, the emissions threshold from 25,000 to
• First, it reduces the frequency of reporting under the Energy Independence Act.
• Third, it reduces the number of state energy strategy reports.

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for several House bills, then took up public hearings on HB 2426, HB 1742, HB 2215, HB 2575, HB 1903, and HB 2606. HB 2426 would allow the Pollution Control Hearings Board, with party consent and board approval, to hear permit appeals in alternative smaller compositions to improve efficiency; the sponsor and supporters from Greater Grays Harbor and FutureWise said it would speed up reviews without harming environmental protections, while the bill was described as cost-neutral. HB 1742 would create a Center for Environmentally Sustainable Urban Design at Ecology to promote sustainable building and design competitions; the sponsor emphasized regenerative, biophilic design and a proposed showcase project, and the bill was presented as budget-neutral through outside funding, though the fiscal note was still pending. HB 2215 would tighten Climate Commitment Act compliance for certain newer fuel suppliers by lowering the emissions threshold for post-2023 suppliers, exempt lubricants, and add procurement and transparency requirements. The sponsor said the bill targets “paper distributors” and loopholes used to avoid coverage; Ecology supported closing the loophole but raised concerns about reporting thresholds, implementation, staffing, and rulemaking. Testimony was mixed: the propane association and Washington Oil Marketers Association were concerned about the two-tier threshold and urged stronger upstream enforcement instead, while Climate Solutions and Washington Conservation Action supported the bill as a way to prevent gaming and strengthen climate policy. HB 2575 would reduce several environmental and energy reporting obligations, including less frequent utility reporting under the Energy Independence Act and state energy strategy updates; Commerce and the sponsor said the changes would reduce duplicative reporting and save money, while preserving core protections and oversight. HB 1903 would establish a statewide low-income energy assistance program in the Department of Commerce, phased in by 2027, to supplement existing utility programs and target households with the greatest energy burden. The sponsor and many advocates described the bill as an affordability measure to address a large unmet need, while community action agencies, utilities, and rural representatives supported the goal but asked for clearer language on voluntary utility participation, funding sources, allocation formulas, and how the program would interact with existing utility and weatherization efforts. Several speakers stressed that the program should not replace local assistance and should be designed to avoid shifting costs onto ratepayers. HB 2606 would update the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and reporting requirements, including adding review of agency AI projects and aligning the office’s work with JLARC recommendations; the chief privacy officer testified in support, explaining that the bill would formalize AI risk review, human oversight, and existing privacy/security review processes, with no fiscal impact. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is duplicating that federal language.
• That is duplicating that federal language.
• It reduces lawful deterrence and creates confusion in enforcement.
• It reduces lawful deterrence and creates confusion. enhance safety.
• It reduces lawful deterrence and creates confusion in enforcement.

Bills: HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard SB 264, which would create state criminal and civil penalties for election interference, including stationing armed personnel at polling places or drop boxes, changing voter qualifications or election procedures contrary to state law, and obstructing or intimidating voters, poll workers, or election administrators. The sponsor and Secretary of State staff said the bill was a response to concerns about possible federal interference in New Mexico elections and was modeled largely on existing federal law, while also adding emergency-related provisions for counties affected by disasters. Support came from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the Center for Public Policy; there was no opposition testimony. After questions about enforcement, federal conflict, and the role of local law enforcement, the committee passed SB 264 on a due-pass motion. The committee then took up SB 261, a related bill revising firearm restrictions at polling places. The sponsor said the bill would remove most exemptions that had allowed firearms in or around polling locations, while preserving limited exceptions for election administrators to request law enforcement assistance and for certain rural or co-located law enforcement offices. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and the Center for Public Policy, argued that firearms at polls can intimidate voters and poll workers and that the bill would create clearer, safer rules. Opponents, including representatives of a rifle and pistol club, a county sheriff’s office, and the New Mexico Business Coalition, argued that concealed carry holders and officers should not be treated as threats, that the bill could create confusion or criminalize lawful conduct, and that law enforcement needs to remain armed to respond to emergencies and protect polling sites. Committee members debated constitutional tailoring, rural enforcement issues, and how the bill would interact with the earlier election-interference bill. The committee ultimately passed the Judiciary Committee substitute for SB 261 on a due-pass vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 221, which would add a new crime and racketeering predicate for theft and misappropriation of petroleum products and oil and gas equipment. The sponsor, the Attorney General’s office, and industry and law enforcement witnesses said oilfield theft has become more organized and dangerous, causing environmental damage, safety hazards, lost production, and revenue losses, and that existing laws are not sufficient to address the conduct. An opponent questioned whether the conduct was already illegal and argued that the bill singled out one industry and could overcriminalize conduct already covered by other laws and regulations. After discussion about proportionality and whether the bill was necessary, the committee voted on the Judiciary Committee substitute and the motion failed on a tie vote, so SB 221 did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it could reduce the total amount of harvest, but it could also, you know, ...counties in identifying
• So it could reduce the total amount of harvest, but it could also, you know, ...reduce the total amount
• So if we do have reduced sales and reduced harvest, how will we make up for that to reduce the fuel load
• so we can reduce the severity of our wildfires?
• These exclusions will not reduce costs or increase efficiency.

Bills: HB2170 , HB2544 , HB2578

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: natural climate solutions, ecosystem services, revenue generation, economic opportunities, environmental policy, water rights, adjudication, Columbia River, environmental impact, natural resources, tribal members, fish and wildlife, commission, indigenous rights, state regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• These investments are reducing future public costs.
• These investments are reducing future public costs.
• So the underlying bill had reduced those standard ranges.
• This would reduce the ESIT multiplier from 1.2 to 1.0.
• Often those agencies have duplicating parts of the conversation.

Bills: HB2104 , HB1903 , HB1909 , HB1982 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2210 , HB2215 , HB2271 , HB2345 , HB2355 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2397 , HB2418 , HB2429 , HB2442 , HB2479 , HB2481 , HB2681 , HB2688 , HB2714

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, energy assistance, low-income, utility costs, state program, energy affordability, court unification, task force, Washington courts, judicial administration, court reform, access to justice, local court rules, uniformity, centralization, rural courts

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1672 seeks to remove provisions of Florida law that are duplicative as it pertains to labor pools.
• Federal protections don't go far enough, and this bill isn't duplicative of them.
• The simple amendment is to reduce the quorum of the council from requiring 11 members present to nine
• This bill could greatly reduce that statistic.
• This bill could greatly reduce that statistic.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and considered a wide range of bills, including early learning and special needs funding (SB 1102), Israel bond investment authority (SB 1674), Parkinson’s disease research at USF (SB 1800), mental health and substance use disorder reforms (SB 1620), veterans nursing home beds (SB 788), securities regulation updates (SB 988), labor pool regulation (SB 1672), Alzheimer’s awareness (SB 398), educator preparation (SB 1590), student mental health reporting (SB 1310), specialty license plates (SB 824), financial institutions and IOTA-related issues (SB 1612), transportation facility designations (SB 1408), utility worker protections (SB 1386), DNA testing grants (SB 1072), the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (SB 364), housing support for former foster youth and homeless students (SB 584), sex offender registration changes (SB 1654), migrant vessel disposal (SB 830), commuter rail indemnification (SB 916), juvenile justice revisions (SB 1344), aggravating factors in capital cases (SB 984), and a criminal offender substance abuse pilot program (SB 1140). Most bills were explained by sponsors, often with supportive testimony from affected agencies, advocacy groups, or industry representatives, and several were amended before final action. The committee adopted amendments on many measures, including clarifications and effective-date changes for SB 1102; technical changes to SB 1620 implementing mental health commission recommendations; a delete-all amendment for SB 1620; an amendment to SB 988; a consumer-disclosure amendment on SB 1612; and multiple amendments to SB 1408, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, and SB 1344. SB 1672 on the Labor Pool Act drew extensive public testimony in opposition from worker advocates, who argued repeal would weaken protections for temp workers and formerly incarcerated workers, and the bill was temporarily postponed to a later meeting without a vote. Several bills received notable testimony in support, including SB 584, where former foster youth described housing instability and the importance of campus housing and federal voucher coordination; SB 1386, which was backed by utility and industry groups seeking stronger penalties for assaults on utility workers; and SB 984, which drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops over expansion of death penalty aggravators. The committee also heard support and opposition on SB 1612 regarding IOTA interest rates and legal aid funding, with bankers and civil legal aid representatives disputing the proper rate structure and whether the bill conflicted with Florida Bar rules. At the end of the meeting, the committee reported all voted-on bills favorably, including SB 1102, SB 1674, SB 1800, SB 1620, SB 788, SB 988, SB 398, SB 1590, SB 1310, SB 824, SB 1612, SB 1408, SB 1386, SB 1072, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, SB 830, SB 916, SB 1344, SB 984, and SB 1140. Members also requested to be recorded on various bills, and the committee adjourned after noting one remaining meeting would be lengthy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we duplicating that? And if so, is the level of expectation of the reporting equal?
• So not just the form created by Regents, which would reduce some of the duplication and the duplicative
• So not just the form created by Regents, which would reduce some of the duplication and the duplicative

Summary: The task force met with a quorum to review and adopt final recommendations responding to the death of Caleb Wilson and broader hazing prevention concerns in Louisiana higher education. Members and the Wilson family discussed the need for clearer legal definitions and stronger accountability, including whether Southern University’s expulsion of the Omega Psi Phi chapter was permanent; leaders said the current law leaves ambiguity and a legislative fix is needed to define suspension and expulsion. The committee also approved the November 3 minutes and received updates on hazing sanctions and hearing panel processes across the public postsecondary systems. A major portion of the meeting focused on recommendations for annual hazing-prevention training for students, advisors, faculty, and staff, plus training for conduct panel members. Witnesses from LSU and other systems described current practices, including online modules and in-person training, while members raised concerns about scope, mandatory reporter obligations, and whether all employees should be covered. Several recommendations were adopted, including annual student training, annual advisor training, annual faculty and staff training with an amendment to apply to “appropriate” personnel, and a sustainable funding mechanism to support training and reporting. The task force also adopted an amnesty policy recommendation to encourage reporting and help-seeking, clarified that it would be left to legislation whether organizational amnesty is included, and supported reverting the evidentiary standard in institutional hazing proceedings from clear and convincing evidence back to preponderance of the evidence. The committee further approved recommendations to add hazing incidents, prevention efforts, and compliance data to the annual power-based violence report, to impose clear penalties for noncompliance tied to bond commission consequences, and to align hazing reporting penalties with existing power-based violence reporting rules. For K-12 schools, the task force discussed expanding bullying and hazing materials to nonpublic schools, updating educational materials, and improving data collection. Closing remarks from student members, university leaders, and the Wilson family emphasized that hazing is a culture problem requiring education, accountability, and sustained leadership, and several system presidents and LSU representatives pledged to implement the recommendations and continue working with the legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• record may be added with data that does not match the already existing voter record, resulting in a duplicate
• SVRS has a series of reports that flag these potential duplicate voter records for review, and matches
• The duplicate report identifies potential duplicate registrations within the state by comparing voter
• This report functions similarly to the duplicate voter reports that are available in SVRS and conducts
• So it always strikes me when we have These conversations about election integrity tend to reduce it to

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It specifies that the purpose of the framework is to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and increase
• It specifies that the purpose of the framework is to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and increase
• Representative Callan: And the way we do that is making sure that we're reducing our restraint to the
• environments and wanting to come back to learn, and the way we do that is making sure that we're reducing
• Representative Rude: So the reduced use of isolation restraint should be the indicator that professional

Bills: HB1795 , HB1634 , HB1662 , HB1683

Committee: House Education

Keywords: restraint, isolation, public schools, educational programs, student rights, mental health, behavioral support, education, school districts, student assistance, education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance

Transcript Highlights:

• sharing between and within its divisions when performing monitoring and oversight activities to avoid duplicate
• sharing between and within its divisions when performing monitoring and oversight activities to avoid duplicate
• notification period before release to a community facility or community transition program to be reduced

Bills: HB2230 , HB2364 , HB2389 , HB2429

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, poverty, task force, legislative, executive, social programs, juvenile justice, youth sentencing, juvenile rehabilitation, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, community supervision, community transition services, suspended disposition, less restrictive alternative, sentencing grid

Transcript Highlights:

• So in other words, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office, this would be duplicative of a program
• So in other words, according to the Legislative Analyst Office, this would be duplicative of a program
• duplication.
• Obviously, finally, it would definitely reduce our workload slightly, and we're appreciative of that.
• So, however we can streamline and not make things duplicative, I completely agree with you all.

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals for higher education, beginning with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Finance proposed a one-time $10 million General Fund backfill to repay a special fund loan used to cover litigation costs, plus provisional language to allow budget flexibility for a remaining legal expense and to repay the loan without interest. The LAO opposed shifting the litigation costs to the General Fund and raised legal concerns about waiving interest on the loan, noting that special fund loans have historically been repaid with interest. Members asked about the litigation amount and the estimated interest savings, which Finance said would be about $245,000. The committee then discussed University of California funding, including the Governor’s proposed compact funding and a $1.5 million one-time increase for the First Star foster youth program at UC campuses. UC said the program has strong outcomes at UCLA, including a 100% college-going rate and high college completion rates, and that the new funding would expand the program to additional campuses and eventually be self-supporting through fundraising. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing that UC already has overlapping outreach programs, including the Early Academic Outreach Program, and that the new initiative would duplicate existing services. Several senators questioned whether the state should expand a new program instead of strengthening existing ones, while UC and Finance emphasized the program’s focus on foster youth and its high success rates. For the California Community Colleges, Finance outlined the May Revision’s increase to the Student-Centered Funding Formula COLA from 2.41% to 4.31%, along with enrollment growth funding, categorical COLAs, deferred maintenance, and other ongoing and one-time investments. The Chancellor’s Office supported the flexible “super COLA” approach and asked for more enrollment growth funding, arguing that many districts are already above current targets and that unfunded growth restricts access. The LAO recommended funding at least the statutory COLA, redirecting some ongoing funds to enrollment growth or one-time priorities, and rejecting the $9.7 million Adult Learner Demonstration Project because districts already have incentives to do similar work. Senators pressed Finance and the Chancellor’s Office on the use of COLA funds to cover the new paid pregnancy disability leave requirement, the impact on hold-harmless and basic-aid districts, and whether the state should fund actual enrollment growth rather than a flat COLA. The committee also reviewed California Student Aid Commission proposals, including adjustments to Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship funding, continued Golden State Teacher Grant funding, and implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance said the Middle Class Scholarship changes reflected updated caseload estimates and that the higher 35% unmet-need level had been one-time funding, while CSAC urged continued support and noted the importance of financial aid for student success. The LAO recommended rejecting additional Golden State Teacher Grant funding as not well-targeted and urged caution on Workforce Pell trailer bill language, citing uncertainty about federal rules, ongoing administrative workload, and the need for clearer implementation planning. Members also raised concerns about declining CADAA applications and the need to better promote state aid for undocumented and mixed-status students. No votes were taken during the transcripted portion, and the committee moved through the agenda items with questions and testimony.