Transcript Highlights:

• been so controversial, the MDC has stopped targeted removal for the spring of 2026 as they do more research
• If you need a little more data or research, you might check Kansas.
• They're trying to do, like I said, more research.
• They're trying to do, like I said, more research.
• They're trying to do, like I said, more research.

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1885, Representative VanSkoik’s bill. The committee moved the bill “do pass” and approved it by roll call vote, 22-0. After that action, the committee held a special presentation by the Grundy County R-5 FFA agriculture issues team. The FFA students presented a skit and discussion on chronic wasting disease (CWD) and the Missouri Department of Conservation’s targeted removal practices. Their presentation laid out competing concerns from farmers, deer hunters, families using venison, and conservation officials, including crop damage, hunting economics, deer population health, food safety, and the spread of CWD. Committee members asked questions about CWD prevalence in Grundy County, the Wisconsin and Kansas experiences, human health risks, Share the Harvest, testing practices, and the economic effects of deer hunting versus deer damage and collisions. Members praised the students’ preparation and presentation, and several offered suggestions about strengthening their factual support and economic data for competition. The committee also discussed the controversy around MDC’s CWD policies and the decision to pause targeted removals while more research is done. The meeting ended with thanks to the students and adjournment of the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• couple of the things that are in the LFC recommendation include an additional 40 million for the Research
• corpus up to 80 million and that's going to help our early stage capital, emerging technologies, and research
• recommendation includes 16 4 million for the state's commitment to work with the Defense Advanced Research
• when the state works in collaboration with our national laboratories, private industry, and our research
• importantly, to continue to build, if you will, sustainability in all that we do, whether it be the research

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I did a bunch of individual research, and I went to the Idaho State Archives.
• I used, you know, I did a bunch of individual research, and I went to the Idaho State Archives.
• I'm based in Twin Falls at the Research and Extension Center there, working with the Twin Falls dairy
• My research with Dr. Shaheen is focused on the inclusion of beef genetics in dairy.
• My research with Dr.

Summary: The Senate met with all 35 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the corrected journal. Several guests and school groups were recognized throughout the day, and the chamber later paused for an Idaho Day celebration featuring historical remarks, music, and presentations on Idaho history and agriculture. In floor action, the Senate adopted House Concurrent Resolution 24 honoring fallen firefighters Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison, Jr., and recognizing the recovery of Engineer David Tisdell. It also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 120 encouraging advancement of used nuclear fuel reprocessing in Idaho and supporting the state’s role at the Idaho National Laboratory, and Senate Joint Memorial 112 urging Congress to pursue a balanced budget amendment and fiscal discipline. The Senate then introduced several new bills, including measures on appropriations, administrative rules, elections, pharmacy benefit managers, utilities, abortion trafficking, educator disclosure, and whistleblower protections. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1241, as amended, which protects working animals and clarifies its applicability; supporters described it as preserving Idaho’s agricultural and Western heritage while preserving local authority over health, safety, and animal care. The Committee of the Whole later considered Senate Bills 1224, 1326, and 1340, adopted amendments to each, and reported them back without recommendation, while several other bills were held in place or reported as progressing. The Senate adopted the committee report and then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see it as a practical pro-business policy that helps local companies turn New Mexico research into
• We now have a 4,000-square-foot research facility here in Albuquerque, and we continue to grow every
• Trigger doesn't just fund research. It bridges the gap between discovery... Yes. Okay, so. Okay.
• Localities in our research have not been able to solve this issue on their own.
• He's the Pew researcher that helped inform a lot of the work that we've been doing.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• public regional in the South, which is a wonderful position to be in, and we're also named a Carnegie research
• 00:02:27.280><c> named</c><00:02:27.599><c> a</c><00:02:27.760><c> Carnegie</c><00:02:28.319><c> research
• </c> and we're also named a Carnegie research and we're also named a Carnegie research and<00:02:29.040
• Even some of the instructors are embedded in the research and development contracts that we get.
• It's a very challenging program. are embedded in the research and are embedded in the research and development

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to hear from Morehead State University President Jay Morgan, who outlined the university’s budget and capital priorities. He described Morehead as a Kentucky-serving, largely low-income student institution with an aging campus, and said the university’s long-term plan is to renovate existing facilities, decommission older buildings, and replace outdated space with more efficient construction. He thanked the General Assembly for prior support, especially asset preservation funding, fire and tornado insurance premium support, and a prior university inflationary adjustment. On the operating side, Morgan asked that insurance premium support continue, that the earlier inflationary adjustment roll forward, and that the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s request for a minimum distribution in the performance funding formula be supported. He noted Morehead has received little or no performance funding in recent years and said that if no additional formula funds are added, the university would prefer a line-item appropriation. On the capital side, he requested continued asset preservation funding and outlined several construction priorities: a new applied science building, a new agriculture science building, a new space science technology building, and a cost-share replacement for the aging Maze Hall residence hall, with the state covering $10 million of a $20 million project and Morehead matching the rest. Morgan also discussed the Craft Academy, saying the current appropriation supports 200 students and that the university would like to increase the line item to expand enrollment by about 20 students. In response to questions from Chairman Tipton, he said Morehead had previously explored but ultimately rejected a public-private partnership model for housing, preferring to own and control its residence halls to keep housing costs manageable for students. He also explained that the land surveying courses in the applied science proposal are a popular part of related programs and that Morehead’s space science program is a major research-and-contracts-driven operation with about 250 students, federal and private research ties, and graduates working both in Kentucky and elsewhere. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes and discussed that upcoming postsecondary budget meetings would continue over the next several weeks to gather input on the new budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• In short, it aligns very nicely with research-based best practices in mathematics. Thank you. Mr.
• In short, it aligns very nicely with research-based best practices and mathematics, T.
• This bill requires educator prep programs to align with research and ensure teacher candidates in our
• Also, there's extensive national research that shows that proficiency in mathematics in grade 3 is a
• I don't know of specific research.

Bills: SB29 , SB64

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• And also with us today is Eduardo Velasquez, senior director of Research and Development, ...and also
• with us today is Eduardo Velasquez, senior director of Research and Development, San Diego Regional
• For research and creative problem-solving.
• So as a data and research guy, I'm going to hit you with a lot of facts, a lot of stats, so bear with
• Obviously, federal budget cuts to science and research are impacting everything from that basic research

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in San Diego focused on “Making Sense of California’s Economy: Real Cost Pressures and Household Impacts Facing San Diego.” Chair Salas and Assemblymember Darshana Patel opened by emphasizing affordability, housing, and the importance of bringing state policy discussions into the community. The first panel featured leaders from Cal State San Marcos and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, who described the region’s innovation ecosystem, the university’s role in social mobility and workforce development, and the importance of partnerships with K-12 schools, community colleges, military installations, and industry. They also highlighted regional strengths in life sciences, aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and venture-backed innovation, while warning that housing costs, federal research cuts, permitting delays, and small-business fragility threaten growth and talent retention. Committee members asked about collaboration among higher education institutions and what state policy changes could help. Panelists said the region’s universities are complementary rather than competitive and stressed the value of public-private partnerships, social innovation, and aligning academic programs with employer needs. On policy, they urged faster permitting, possible regulatory sandboxes, stronger research investment, support for cross-border trade and manufacturing, and more housing affordability to keep workers in the region. The second panel centered on small business and entrepreneurship, with testimony from Hydrostasis founder Dr. Debbie Chen, Amai co-founder Sven Davison, and Asian Business Association San Diego CEO Jason Pagal. Chen described building a hydration-monitoring wearable, the barriers women founders face in accessing capital, and the importance of SBDC, Stella Foundation, and university internship support. Davison described Amai’s edible cup business and how tariffs, supply-chain costs, and financing constraints forced the company to pivot manufacturing plans. Pagal presented survey data showing high relocation intent, difficulty hiring, and low confidence among businesses, and recommended expanded technical assistance, regional cost-of-living adjustments, and small-business affordability zones. During questioning, members discussed targeted procurement and local incentive models, the role of SBDC and other support networks, and how to better tailor state programs to local conditions. Public comment came from the California Southern Small Business Development Corporation, which stressed that access to affordable capital remains a major challenge and noted the volume of loan guarantee requests coming from San Diego. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks from both members underscoring the need to use local testimony to shape future state policy and support California’s economy, families, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Almost all of these products start at some phase as research or as new products into the marketplace
• And so these small businesses, emerging companies have the ability to go to the Small Business Research
• The researchers created an account posing as a 13 year old in the United States, the UK, Canada, and
• We have research on data harms, um, some of the questions about enforceability.
• Disseminating their artistic expression, uh, researching assignments for schools.

Bills: HB 186

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, almost all of these products start at some phase as research or as new products into the marketplace
• And so these small businesses, emerging companies, have the ability to go to the Small Business Research
• This session, because after researching and participating in study committees in this body, I firmly
• The researchers created an account posing as a 13-year-old in the United States, the UK, Canada, and
• The researchers found that after taking short pauses on and liking videos related to body image, and

Bills: HB186 , HB517 , HB 1093 , HB 1268 , HB1395 , HB186

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, property owners' association, residential watering restrictions, vegetation, fine limitations, drought, technology, innovation, economic development, grants, Texas Economic Development, business funding, HB 1395, private passenger vehicle rental, car rental, vehicle rental

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a researcher and early career fellow and leadership facilitator with the Consortium for Diverse
• The research I've been involved with for the consortium is critical for coalition building across the
• When I was laid off from my research position on conservation science curriculum development at UCLA
• The research I've been involved with for the consortium is critical for coalition building across the
• Plugged into opportunities for community-focused research and coalition building.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a researcher and early career fellow and leadership facilitator with the Consortium for Diverse
• The research I've been involved with for the consortium is critical for coalition building across the
• When I was laid off from my research position on conservation science curriculum development at UCLA
• The research I've been involved with for the consortium is critical for coalition building across the
• Plugged into opportunities for community-focused research and coalition building.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s May Revision TK-12 education proposals, beginning with Proposition 98. The Department of Finance explained that the minimum guarantee rises by about $6.4 billion relative to the January budget across the three-year window, with a total of $124.9 billion in 2024-25, $125.1 billion in 2025-26, and $127.1 billion in 2026-27. Finance also described revised settle-up and reserve actions, including maintaining a $3.9 billion settle-up balance, increasing discretionary deposits into the Prop. 98 reserve, and ending with a projected reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the overall estimates were reasonable but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget actions or reserves to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the rationale for leaving the $3.9 billion unsettled, and Finance said the amount reflects revenue uncertainty and the risk of overappropriating Prop. 98 if revenues later fall. The committee then reviewed the Department of Education portion of the May Revision. Finance said the budget adds positions and state operations funding for CDE and includes trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, and other programs. The LAO highlighted concerns and recommendations on several proposals, including the size and structure of the LCFF increase, the special education base-rate increase, additional one-time community schools funding, literacy coach and math professional development augmentations, the multilingual screener, inclusive college grants, homelessness grants, and the proposed paid pregnancy disability leave mandate. CDE supported the special education increase, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, literacy and math investments, and preschool parity, while urging more support for county offices of education and clearer definitions and implementation details for some programs. Finance said the paid pregnancy leave proposal would cost an estimated $218 million annually and is intended as a recruitment and retention measure. In the Commission on Teacher Credentialing item, Finance proposed funding for legal staffing tied to SB 848 and educator misconduct cases, plus funding and fee changes to support a statewide transcript review platform for subject matter competency and additional support for the residency technical assistance center. The LAO said it had no concerns with the staffing for misconduct and SB 848, recommended the transcript review platform and related fee increase if the platform moves forward, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because current funding lasts through 2029. CTC said the misconduct workload has grown over the last five to six years and that AI would be used only as a backstop to human review in the transcript system. Public commenters were split, with unions and education groups supporting special education, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, and literacy investments, while opposing the $3.9 billion settle-up delay and the reduction to preschool COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a real tough, long type of research.
• So the appropriation that we request for a million dollars will assist with that research and provide
• um and so the long type of research um and so the appropriation<00:09:33.800><c> that</c><00:09:33.959
• and provide staff and expertise research and provide staff and expertise to<00:09:40.600><c> help</c
• <00:09:49.839><c> and</c> research and research and policy<00:09:51.680><c> in</c> policy in policy in

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee heard five bills on January 24, 2025. SB 1 would phase out disposable air filters and require reusable air filters by 2030; testimony was limited, with one supporter urging clearer definitions of fiberglass and paper and several opponents listed, and the committee later deferred the bill indefinitely for lack of support testimony. SB 13 would create an aquaculture investment tax credit beginning in 2026; state agencies and several industry groups supported it, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about loose definitions, internal inconsistencies, and blanks that made the bill hard to estimate or vet. The committee passed SB 13 with amendments and technical changes, and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2015 as stated on the record. SB 177 would shift aquatic livestock import and movement permitting to the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Division, require a risk-based assessment and biocontainment standards, and seek a $1 million appropriation for research and staffing. The Department of Agriculture said the bill would help expand aquaculture while managing risks to native species; aquaculture and farm groups supported it, while Animal Rights Hawaii was listed in opposition. The committee passed SB 177 with amendments, blanking the appropriation for committee report consideration, and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 184 would raise the beverage container deposit and refund from 5 cents to 10 cents. Supporters said the higher deposit could improve recycling and environmental outcomes, while opponents, including the Tax Foundation, cited fraud concerns, the program’s existing fund balance, and practical challenges in redemption; the Department of Human Services also noted potential impacts on blind vendors. The committee took the bill up but deferred decision-making until Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10:01 p.m. in Room 224. The committee also heard SB 250, which would increase the income tax credit for interisland transportation costs for agricultural products. Agricultural and industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to offset rising shipping costs and preserve access to markets, while the Tax Foundation preferred direct appropriations over tax credits and objected to missing bill details. The committee passed SB 250 with amendments from the Department of Agriculture and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2050. Separately, a joint hearing on SB 240, the Right to Farm bill, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Agriculture supported further study and raised concerns about the bill’s fragmented approach, while farm, cattle, and other industry witnesses split between support for protecting customary Native Hawaiian subsistence farming and opposition to excluding CAFOs and certain business structures. No vote was taken on SB 240 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Usually that's SIDS, but actually our research has shown that there's tremendous commonality between
• It is imperative to raise public awareness about SUDEP, to improve SUDEP surveillance, research, and
• And while this bill is focused on education, it holds a promise to inspire research.
• By raising our collective voice on SUDEP, we don't just inform, we ignite the curiosity of researchers
• As an educator and researcher, I have written extensively about how As an educator and researcher, I

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care. Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I... for the summer at UC San Diego, where they participate jointly in research projects.
• The Count Hunger Act recognizes the importance of food insecurity research and the need to raise the
• Research shows that only 18% of coaches feel highly confident...
• Research shows that only 18% of coaches feel highly confident Thank you.
• Research consistently shows that equipping young people with digital literacy tools and open lines of

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you think House Research can provide some better identification what notwithstanding section 16A.1283
• Do you think House Research can provide some better identification what notwithstanding section 16A.1283
• Do you think House Research can provide some better identification what notwithstanding section 16A.1283
• Do you think House Research can Chair.
• Do you think House Research can provide<00:41:34.280><c> some</c><00:41:34.800><c> better</c> provide

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have had great experiences interviewing Minnesota State staff and students, completing policy research
• </c><00:12:17.079><c> and</c> students complete policy research and students complete policy research
• With that said, thank you for the opportunity to share this qualitative research about the campus food
• </c><00:13:15.680><c> the</c> 2024 I started researching the 2024 I started researching the hunger-free
• Crawford, who heads up their research area, has been very involved in getting this research institute

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> of</c><00:23:51.160><c> uh</c><00:23:51.200><c> I've</c> the research, especially out of uh I've
• the research, especially out of uh I've seen<00:23:51.480><c> is</c><00:23:51.560><c> that</c><00:23
• </c> and policy research centers are doing. and policy research centers are doing.
• We're looking into updating our public opinion research on this issue.
• </c><00:45:48.920><c> for</c><00:45:49.080><c> you</c> updated public opinion research for you updated

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:26 Approval of Minutes 00:02:27 LIHEAP Presentation and Public Hearing 00:02:42 Conservation Opportunities in Kentucky 00:29:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide. Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify. After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 56, a reduction for economic development research of $58,000 in both bienniums.
• Line 56, a reduction for economic development research of $58,000 in both bienniums.
• </c> the research innovation office at the U. the research innovation office at the U.
• of $58,000 in both development research of $58,000 in both bananiums.<00:03:22.800><c> And</c><00:03
• to the Center for Cannabis Research in the School of Public Health.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But what many people are not aware of is that the International Agency for Research on Cancer actually
• researchers and the California Fire Service.
• While this has been a great start, these are relatively small research grants.
• , allowing the full breadth and depth of California's cancer research expertise to engage with the fire
• Like currently we're conducting a... ...research study called the California Firefighter Cancer Research

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly labor committees held a hearing on the Los Angeles wildfires and their impact on workers, employers, and recovery efforts. Chairs and members emphasized that rebuilding should prioritize worker safety, equity, local hiring, and strong labor standards rather than simply moving quickly or relying on the lowest bidder. They also stressed the need to learn from past disasters and to create a more coordinated state response for future emergencies. Worker advocates described how domestic workers, day laborers, firefighters, and other frontline workers were affected by the fires. Testimony focused on workers being trapped in evacuation zones, lacking timely information in Spanish, losing jobs and income, and facing exposure to toxic debris without adequate PPE. Speakers called for expanded outreach and education, stronger Cal/OSHA enforcement, broader occupational safety coverage for domestic workers and day laborers, recall and transfer rights, childcare and transportation support, and a centralized disaster relief system that can quickly deliver cash aid and equipment regardless of immigration status. Firefighter Derek Irwin said California firefighters face serious carcinogenic exposure and urged continued funding for the firefighter cancer prevention and research program, along with a long-term state health monitoring and research effort similar to the World Trade Center Health Program. Building trades and labor representatives argued that cleanup and rebuilding should be done through community workforce agreements, prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, and local hire provisions, and said the state already has trained workers available. They also said federal debris-removal work through the Army Corps has limited the state’s ability to impose some standards, but that state and local funding or subsidies should trigger labor requirements. Employer and business representatives described major losses to property, inventory, revenue, and jobs, especially in Altadena and nearby areas. The Altadena Chamber said it is coordinating recovery resources, while a construction business owner said small local firms are being shut out of disaster contracts and proposed a more accessible procurement process for local and minority businesses. LAEDC presented preliminary estimates of billions in property damage and business disruption, tens of thousands of potential job losses, and a recovery timeline of five to ten years, warning that low-income communities will be disproportionately affected and that workforce retraining and upskilling will be needed alongside the broader economic recovery.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we have research multiple?
• </c><01:09:41.279><c> that</c> When I asked about the research that When I asked about the research that
• can have research on opioid addiction<01:10:44.880><c> and</c><01:10:45.199><c> research</c><01:10:45.520
• and research on this and research<01:10:46.480><c> on</c><01:10:46.719><c> that.
• I just think that this research on that.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 21 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all