Transcript Highlights:

• sure everyone understands our committee procedures to ensure we maintain order and run a fair and efficient
• And I appreciate, Assembly Member, your efforts to make sure that we have the resources that we need
• in times of crisis, which we know California is just... ...resources that we need in times of crisis,
• So we can only spend so much resources on our overhead and administrative burdens, and also just the
• So HR 1 is coming, so less resources in the system in general. And so we just have less resources.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just fewer resources and much, much fewer people.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions increases energy efficiency, resource conservation, and helps... ..
• .energy efficiency, resource conservation, helps to slow climate change while improving public health
• New Mexico's methane intensity, that's a way of showing the efficiency of oil...
• Oil and gas revenues have built our budget from the resources that the land has offered.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is an entirely new idea and a new set of resources to go to that, sir. It sunsets in June.
• So this is an entirely new idea and a new set of resources to go to that, sir.
• Chairman, a couple of your members are past members of our Wildlife Trust and Natural Resource Trust
• As the contractor goes into each community, if that community has the resources to do some potholeing
• Uh, consider it a resource for when you're on the floor.

Bills: HB0078 , SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0052 , SF0069 , SF0070

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, funding, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment, referral bonus, military service, eligibility expansion, incentive program, wildlife management, environmental restoration

Transcript Highlights:

• The third project is the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
• The third project is the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
• </c><00:09:10.240><c> waste</c><00:09:10.560><c> services</c> and wildlife resources waste services and
• wildlife resources waste services realy<00:09:12.320><c> uh</c><00:09:12.640><c> property</c><00:09:
• </c> and family resources and family resources uh<00:19:37.280><c> with</c><00:19:37.520><c> their</c

Keywords: 0:00:08 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:38 Approval of Minutes 0:01:02 Information Items 0:02:17 Lease Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:06:42 Project Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:15:03 Lease Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:24:00 Rpt from OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 0:42:55 Economic Development Fund Grants 0:53:38 Rpt from OFM – New Debt Issues 1:16:33 Remaining 2025 Meeting Dates 1:16:45 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I offered resources after we resuscitated her.
• I offered my resources. I gave her and her family Narcan.
• They're more the resource base.
• So she's working on compiling a resource guide.
• Funding resources are scarce.

Summary: The task force heard extensive testimony on recovery support, harm reduction, and community-based care. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he said recovery housing, peer support, employment, accountability, and stable housing are what help people stay sober and avoid relapse. Members asked about funding, housing shortages, transportation, treatment courts, and support for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Haniken said Into Action relies on a braided mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private funding, and that recovery housing needs longer-term support than many current funding streams provide. He also said Missouri should expand recovery housing, peer recovery support, and recovery community centers, and improve awareness and access to MAT in recovery settings and after incarceration. Matt Cushman, a community paramedic with Raytown Fire Protection District, urged Missouri to expand harm reduction, including syringe service programs and broader access to clean needles and drug-checking tools. He argued that stigma and abstinence-only approaches keep many people from seeking help, and said harm reduction reduces disease transmission, overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and other harms while creating pathways to recovery. He cited naloxone distribution as a successful example and said similar strategies should be decriminalized and expanded. Members asked about naloxone access, community paramedicine funding, and whether safe consumption sites should be considered; Cushman said syringe exchange should be a near-term priority, while safe consumption sites are a longer-term policy question. Representatives from Ozarks Medical Center/COMC and Four Rivers Community Health Center focused on the need to reimburse peer support specialists and community health workers, especially in rural and underserved areas. COMC’s Monet Lehman shared her trauma and recovery story and described her jail reentry work, helping incarcerated people with housing, benefits, IDs, employment, MAT, and community supports before release. Four Rivers said its care coordinators and CHWs provide wraparound services such as transportation, housing help, Medicaid enrollment, clothing, and same-day MAT access. Members and staff discussed confusion over reimbursement rules, noting that CCBHCs can bill for peer services through Medicaid while FQHCs generally cannot, and that CHWs are often funded through grants rather than reimbursement. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of testimony and member questions, with several requests for follow-up information on funding, transportation, and reimbursement rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Crisis response and resources. Notification and support are provided.
• They see it as a resource allocation.
• But we don't necessarily think about the other resources that are available to us.
• We've tried so many things, and I feel like I'm out of resources.
• But can we work collaboratively to centralize those resources?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to discuss special education funding and retention, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then hearing a presentation from North Dakota United on a statewide special education survey and retention rubric. Presenters described how the rubric and survey were developed from special educator input around four domains: paperwork and due process support, workload, student and staff safety, and paraprofessional management. They reported high levels of stress and burnout, including increased workload, difficulty taking prep and lunch time, concerns about mental health, and widespread difficulty filling special education positions. Committee members questioned the survey’s lack of a general-education comparison group, the interpretation of terms like “rarely” and “sometimes,” and whether results could be broken down further by district size, unit, or disability area. The survey results showed the weakest area was workload, with respondents reporting caseloads increasing without corresponding adjustments, little additional support or compensation when workloads rise, and few negotiated-agreement protections. Paperwork and due process also scored poorly, with many teachers saying they rarely receive dedicated time during the duty day, often work outside contract hours without compensation, and take work home on evenings and weekends. Student and staff safety scored somewhat better but still showed gaps in crisis follow-up, notification about violent behavior, protective gear, and leave options after incidents. Paraprofessional management also drew concern, especially low pay, insufficient staffing, limited administrative support, and the burden placed on teachers to supervise and train paras. Several teachers then testified directly about the practical impact of these issues. One special education teacher described the job as combining instruction, legal compliance, and paraprofessional supervision, often requiring work beyond contracted hours and contributing to burnout and turnover. Another testified that special education case managers are effectively doing three full-time jobs and that the paperwork and caseload demands are a major reason people avoid or leave the field. Committee members discussed whether the problems are primarily local or state-level, whether more funding would solve them, and whether changes to the funding formula or weighting for high-cost students might be needed. No formal vote or action was taken beyond a recess and return to order for the next presentation, which continued the discussion of possible special education study objectives and potential policy directions.

Transcript Highlights:

• work of the chair to make sure that the spirit of Joint Rule 10 is being respected and that the efficient
• work of the Chair to make sure that the spirit of Joint Rule 10 is being respected and that the efficient
• this case, in the area of pet protection and preventing animal abuse, we do not have the kind of resources
• The reporting would be made to MDAR, the Division of Agricultural Resources, and the reporting would
• The reporting would be made to MDAR, the Division of Agricultural Resources, and the reporting would

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items and several unanimous or voice votes, including adoption of a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout. It then enacted two bills: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a police officer applicant. The chamber also handled a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while on Navy training, and it printed that statement in the journal. The Senate next considered multiple local bills and committee reports, including third-reading and engrossment votes for a Rutland recall elections bill, a Boxford liquor license extension bill, and another Boston police age-waiver bill. It also adopted several extension orders for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Committee on Health Care Financing, with senators explaining that some matters were late files or required additional stakeholder input, hearings, or coordination with larger bills. Most of these procedural motions were adopted by voice vote after brief debate. A major portion of the session focused on H. 2145, designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, which passed to be engrossed by roll call, 38-0. Senator Feeney gave an emotional floor speech describing the bill as a way to create space for awareness and support for families experiencing pregnancy loss. The Senate then adopted a resolution recognizing March 2026 as Endometriosis Awareness Month, with Senators Kennedy and others highlighting the need for greater awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis. The chamber then took up the omnibus “Pets Act,” S. 3014, which combined several animal welfare measures. Senators Montigny, O’Connor, Todd, Rauch, and Payano spoke in support of provisions banning retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits from pet shops, strengthening animal cruelty enforcement, expanding protections for pets in housing, and prohibiting breed discrimination in certain housing and insurance contexts. Senator Keenan offered amendments on renter insurance, nuisance/quiet enjoyment, and property damage; one nuisance-related amendment was adopted, while the insurance and property-damage amendments were rejected. Senator Tarr’s amendment on research animals was adopted, as were amendments expanding animal welfare standards and, after negotiation, a compromise amendment broadening tethering protections to all domestic animals and directing related funds to the homeless animal fund. The Ways and Means amendment was then adopted as amended, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and the Senate began a roll-call vote on engrossment when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• to lift those teachers that are really doing a great job at moving the needle and providing the resources
• devices responsibly into a web-based location with other digital citizenship and media literacy resources
• devices responsibly into a web-based location with other digital citizenship and media literacy resources
• , including future non-state resources, by November.
• Neural efficiency is the key, not decoding neural efficiency.

Bills: SB6192 , SB6206 , SB5346 , SB6125 , SB5841 , SB5907 , SB5951

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: education, reading, mathematics, student intervention, instruction, academic standards, child care, first responders, incentives, pilot program, mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones, school phones, classroom distraction, digital citizenship, media literacy, internet safety, cyberbullying, student mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really about whether they will be able to gather the resources to purchase a park at the market
• Perhaps not; it could be a friend who knows the property well and has the resources to buy it outright
• The Permian is our resource. The wind that we're considering is our resource.
• These labs are a New Mexico resource. And that work cannot be done anywhere but maybe Tennessee.
• I think that the labs are going to be the place where they put a lot of resources.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• just coming to the ED when you have a cold or are in an emergency, and to provide those additional resources
• Again, the agency must approve so we have to receive resources in the community.
• These resources and forms continue to be actively promoted within a variety of program stakeholder groups
• These resources and forms continue to be actively promoted within a variety of program stakeholder groups
• House Bill 415 charged the department with creating a pregnancy and parenting resource website with the

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee received updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Health on implementation of 2024 health care laws. AHCA reviewed progress on workforce and reimbursement measures in Senate Bill 7016 and related bills, including FRAME and TEACH funding, graduate medical education reporting, behavioral health teaching hospitals, acute hospital care at home, advanced birth centers, non-emergent care access plans, and rural emergency hospitals. Agency officials said several programs are already operational or have begun payments, while others are still in rulemaking, federal approval, or report-preparation stages. Senators asked about timing, funding reversion concerns, and whether appropriated dollars would be spent on schedule, especially for behavioral health teaching hospitals and the new birth center category. The Department of Health then reported on practitioner licensure and public health programs. MQA described implementation of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Mobile Act licensure pathway, massage therapy enforcement changes, background screening expansion, liposuction safety requirements, pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis authority, and chiropractic dry needling. Public health staff updated the committee on FRAME and dental loan repayment, the Sinati screening grant program, the cancer research and innovation changes, the health care innovation council and loan program, the pediatric rare disease grant program, telehealth maternity care expansion, newborn screening for congenital CMV, the sickle cell registry and grants, and the swimming lesson voucher program. Members focused questions on how practitioners were being recruited to underserved areas, the pace of licensure approvals, and whether new programs were on track to use appropriated funds. The committee also heard a lengthy update from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The director reported more than 900,000 qualified patients, real-time seed-to-sale tracking now integrated across most dispensaries and labs, and ongoing compliance work on product testing, advertising, diversion, and patient safety. Senators questioned the decline in qualified physicians, how THC potency is labeled and verified, and what the agency can do about diversion to non-patients. The director said the office relies on complaints, inspections, lab audits, and coordination with law enforcement, and that patients can be suspended if violations are confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> potentially</c> that's taking resources potentially that's taking resources potentially away.<01:
• So, what does that do resources, right?
• Um and I think you have the resources.
• </c> Barnstead strapped for resources Barnstead strapped for resources and<01:46:58.400><c> entering<
• </c> company and they've been run efficiently company and they've been run efficiently and<02:33:33.680

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They simply don't have the same resources.
• They simply don't have the same resources. resources. resources.
• Um, that is putting to work Minnesota's dollars and our limited resources.
• </c><02:09:18.079><c> Anything</c> efficiency, get rid of waste.
• Anything efficiency, get rid of waste.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, it's a good little resource.
• So, um, it's a good little resource. I take great pride in this.
• So um it's a good little<01:10:16.239><c> resource.
• We'll try to keep this as efficient as possible.
• </c><01:28:23.199><c> just</c> this as efficient as possible. just this as efficient as possible. just

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or Massachusetts capacity resource.
• Massachusetts capacity resource or Massachusetts capacity resource.<00:35:46.079><c> There's</c><00:
• There's just capacity resource.
• </c><00:35:49.280><c> And</c> resources in ISO New England. And resources in ISO New England.
• </c> everything from energy efficiency everything from energy efficiency projects<00:41:11.520><c> to

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it seems like we're continually discussing pressures on state financial aid resources.
• But it is state financial aid resources.
• financial aid resources across multiple states<00:43:08.800><c> uh</c><00:43:08.960><c> throughout</
• are added, that additional resources are added, that even<00:43:47.599><c> balloons</c><00:43:48.079
• ... ...additional resources.

Bills: HF4362 , HF4252 , HF4440

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun rights, gun control, campus safety, public college, university, postsecondary institution, higher education, visitor carry, concealed carry, open carry, campus policy, Minnesota Statutes 624.714, petty misdemeanor, parking lot carry, firearm possession, public safety, college campus, student carry

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no cost to it because they would be using the resources they already had.
• We don’t want districts to have to pull out of district resources another 1.25% to have an increased
• We don't want districts to have to pull out of district resources another 1.25% to have an increased
• The limited resources that we do have as a government at the state level, the federal level, if more
• program or do they affect your efficiency or...

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2300 by a unanimous roll call vote of 18-0. The substitute combined a number of previously approved professional registration items, including emergency suspension authority, chiropractic and massage therapy provisions, accountant regulations, the athletic trainer compact, social worker regulations, a speech-language pathologist fix, telehealth, nonprofit pharmacies, and the physician assistant compact. Members noted that work was still ongoing on bell bondsman language before the committee moved into public hearing. The main public hearing was on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ authority to perform certain laser and in-office procedures. Representative Farnan and optometry supporters argued the bill is about patient access, especially in rural areas, and said it would allow three laser procedures—YAG capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, and laser iridotomy—plus clarify other already-performed office procedures, while still excluding major surgeries such as cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal transplants. Supporters said optometrists already receive relevant training, that a 32-hour certification course would serve as a safeguard, and that patients often face long waits or long travel times for care. Opponents, including ophthalmologists, argued the bill would blur the line between optometry and surgery, create safety risks, and rely on insufficient training and ambiguous language. They cited complications from laser procedures, questioned emergency care claims, and said optometrists should not be regulated as surgeons unless placed under the State Board of Healing Arts. No vote was taken on HB 2897, and the chair recessed the hearing for later continuation. The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education then took up House Bill 3239 and adopted Amendment 0.01H, which capped the program at $4 million to keep it from becoming an open-ended cost. The committee then adopted the House Committee Substitute and voted the bill do pass by 11-7. The committee also combined House Bills 2913 and 3228 into one substitute and voted that combined measure do pass by 19-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create the Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program and encourage school districts to incorporate driver-safety content into existing courses without adding a fiscal note or mandating a standalone driver’s ed class. Sponsor Representative Reedy and supporters from AAA Missouri and the Missouri Driver Education Coalition said the bill would address teen crash rates, improve access to driver education, and help schools use existing curriculum time more flexibly. The hearing remained in discussion with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it the hubs are resource the hubs.
• </c><00:40:46.079><c> for</c> also another way um resources for also another way um resources for community
• Um I know that we valuable resources.
• </c> and um sharing of funds and resources and um sharing of funds and resources because<01:08:44.799
• </c><01:13:14.960><c> knowledge</c> of resource sharing and knowledge of resource sharing and knowledge

Bills: HB2437 , HB1815 , HB1614 , HB1613 , HB1612 , HB2411 , HB2597 , HB2583 , HB2474 , HB1863 , HB2590 , HB1813 , HB1838 , HB2138 , HB1967 , HB1576 , HB2139 , HB1605 , HB2113 , HB812 , HB1831 , HB1707 , HB2561 , HB1805 , HB2469 , HB2472 , HB2387 , HB1658 , HB1661 , HB1664 , HB1859 , HB2276 , HB2335 , HB1656 , HB2116 , HB2272 , HB2273 , HB2340 , HB2158 , HB2339 , HB2489 , HB2159 , HB2171 , HB2338 , HB2005 , HB1952 , HB1872 , HB1676 , HB2384 , HB2614 , HB20 , HB1776 , HB1565 , HB2310 , HB1975 , HB1801 , HB1668 , HB2114 , HB1972 , HB1546 , HB1518 , HB1131 , HB2208 , HB2156 , HB2268 , HB2622 , HB2581 , HB2498 , HB2443 , HB1577 , HB2033 , HB2031 , HB2023 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2315 , HB2343 , HB2501 , HB2505 , HB816 , HB1562 , HB1591 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1871 , HB1965 , HB1966 , HB1537 , HB1541 , HB276 , HB2606 , HB2270 , HB1920 , HB1756 , HB1727 , HB1718 , HB1715 , HB1713 , HB1711

Keywords: arts education, student engagement, cultural literacy, public schools, funding, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund, one percent for art, public art, art in public places, relocatable works of art, DBEDT, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, DAGS

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that some communities have more resources and others.
• But I really appreciate the testimony on all of our questions and continue to be such a great resource
• How much resources a district puts into funding those alternatives so that they're done effectively.
• How much resources a district puts into funding those alternatives so that they're done effectively.
• “...doesn't look like an economically efficient program, right?

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on diversion programs and services for high-risk youth, with no bills before the committee and no votes taken. The chair and members emphasized that the session was intended to hear from invited testimony and discuss how to strengthen diversion, reduce court involvement, and improve outcomes for youth. The committee heard first from the Office of the Child Advocate and diversion providers, who described the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program, its statewide expansion to 10 of 11 court counties, and its reported success rate of about 80% completion without reoffending. Testimony highlighted that diversion keeps youth out of court, connects them more quickly to community-based services, and can address needs such as mental health, education, and substance use. Witnesses also pointed to racial and ethnic disparities in arrests versus summonses, regional variation in diversion access, and the need for clearer statutory authority, more funding, and broader use of pre-arrest diversion. Committee members asked about the difference between arrest and summons, who can initiate diversion, why arrest rates have increased relative to summonses, and how diversion might prevent harmful downstream consequences such as detention or immigration enforcement involvement. Witnesses said police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges can refer youth to diversion, and argued that local policy, training, and legislative changes could expand use. They also discussed the impact of detention on youth, including stigma, lost school time, and the lack of credit for time served in the juvenile system. Testimony from Citizens for Juvenile Justice focused on prevention, school discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline, arguing for more restorative practices, better data, and legislation to limit suspensions and expulsions, especially for younger students and nonviolent conduct. They also raised concerns about DCF-involved and foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the juvenile system. The final panel, the Children's League of Massachusetts and transition-age youth providers, shifted to child welfare and young adult supports. They supported reducing court involvement in child requiring assistance cases, expanding family resource centers, and strengthening services for transition-age youth leaving DCF or DYS custody. Providers described housing instability, homelessness, and the need for education, employment, behavioral health, and supportive housing services for young adults ages 18 to 23. Across the hearing, witnesses consistently argued that early intervention, community-based supports, and diversion are more effective than court processing or detention for most youth, and that the legislature can help through funding, statutory clarity, expanded eligibility, and stronger data collection.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're also seeing an increased meal service efficiency of 76% in those that reported, increased lunch
• where those needs are, and especially during turbulent times, where people aren't maybe using the resources
• These resources support a projected total of 910 million meals in 2026-27.
• However, given federal policy impacts, the proposal also allows funds to support resources and implement
• They connect families to resources and strengthen their communities.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just a potential resource that could be used.
• Potential resource that could be used.
• Well, if you plan it, well, we're going to run this for 20 years, we can do this more efficiently by
• Well, if you plan it, well, we're going to run this for 20 years, we can do this more efficiently by
• This is the same issue the Department of Water Resources gets into with all these state projects.

Keywords: 908, all

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