Transcript Highlights:

• And as those revenues have declined, the General Fund has stepped in to backfill those declines.
• Enrollment capacity for calendar year 2025 is 12,574.
• As of March 6, there were 9,672 people enrolled, with 932 individuals pending enrollment.
• As of March 6, there were 9,672 people enrolled, with 932 individuals pending enrollment.
• Collectively, they've successfully supported hundreds of thousands of Californians in enrolling and re-enrolling

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their present enrollment is 126 students.
• So if Trona County School District is seeing a decline in enrollment, their calculation will be based
• <01:00:11.920> in District is seeing a decline in District is seeing a decline in enrollment
• that your enroll your enrollment for that your enroll your enrollment for that school<01:02:08.720
• <01:08:09.039> or the greater of last year's enrollment or the greater of last year's enrollment

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The university has been laser focused on achieving enrollment growth.
• From 2022 to fall of 2024, there has been a 13% increase in enrollment. enrollment headcount, 17% increase
• our largest spring enrollment.
• with a 12% enrollment increase.
• Last fall, we celebrated a 17% enrollment increase.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the analysis noted, we already have a decline in teen pregnancies, but this will help with the STIs
• leaving many students behind, especially low-income, Black, Latino, and English learner youth who enroll
• While 62% of high school graduates enroll in college within a year, only 34% of Californians hold at
• Additionally, our system is failing to address the state's declining workforce and trade industries,
• Additionally, our system is failing to address the state's declining workforce and trade industries,

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student health, access, equity, and career preparation. SB 608 by Sen. Menjivar would expand access to condoms and related sexual health resources for students in grades 7–12 and direct the Department of Education to align with the California Healthy Youth Act. Supporters argued the bill would help address high STI rates among youth and remove barriers to access, while opponents raised concerns about parental authority, local control, and encouraging early sexual activity. The bill was approved on a 6-1 vote and sent to the Health Committee. SB 965 by Sen. Blakespear would prohibit libraries from requiring a parent to be physically present for a 16- or 17-year-old to obtain a library card, while still allowing libraries to require parental consent or signature. Supporters said the current rule creates unnecessary barriers for teens and school research projects, and the California Library Association said it was now neutral after amendments. The committee passed the bill 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 998 by Sen. Gonzalez would define and expand the duties of discrimination prevention coordinators in the state’s Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability coordinator and deputy coordinators focused on anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Latino, and anti-Native American discrimination. Testimony emphasized the need to address rising hate incidents and discrimination in schools, especially for Black, LGBTQ+, AAPI, and other marginalized students. The bill was approved and sent to Judiciary with amendments to be processed there. SB 845 by Sen. Perez, which expands work-based learning and youth apprenticeship opportunities, also received broad support from education, workforce, and industry groups and passed unanimously to Labor and Employment. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills and adjourned after all items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• A decline in vaccination rates, particularly among low-income individuals.
• We enrolled her at this school shortly after her 10th birthday in March of 2021.
• Public school enrollment dropped by 6%, a loss of 400,000 students.
• In Maine, homeschooling increased by 57%, and public school enrollment declined by 5% after similar policy
• Supporters have also claimed that kindergarten vaccination rates have declined.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• The university has been laser focused on achieving enrollment growth.
• in college students, and a 126% increase in dual enrollment students.
• fall, and we've just realized our largest spring enrollment.
• with a 12% enrollment increase.
• Last fall, we celebrated a 17% enrollment increase.

Transcript Highlights:

• Enrollment in the Pelham school district has had an average 3% decline over the past 5 years, from 2019
• Enrollment in the Pelham school district has had an average 3% decline over the past 5 years, from 2019
• Enrollment in the Pelham school district has had an average 3% decline over the past 5 years, from 2019
• An increasing amount of money is being requested and spent while enrollment is sharply declining, and
• enrollment rates um which have declining enrollment rates um having<03:47:49.439> more<03:47:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective. Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator. Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nearly every state saw steep declines Nearly every state saw steep declines and<00:49:46.880>
• address changes in student enrollment. address changes in student enrollment.
• enrollment has you know set increased enrollment has you know set increased incredibly<01:33:55.120><
• enrollment rates? enrollment rates?
• I tried to enroll my 2-year-old.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, we had a six-year decline of 230 drivers.
• <00:21:35.679> Uh decline of 230 minus 230 drivers. Uh decline of 230 minus 230 drivers.
• potentially using fall 2026 enrollment potentially using fall 2026 enrollment data<01:35:18.960>
• >> Because you're looking at enrollment, right?
• <01:44:57.119> count beginning of official enrollment count beginning of official enrollment

Bills: SB2024, SB896, SB2613, SB494, SB2391, SB2125, SB2614, SB2615, SB3262, SB3325, SB3118

Keywords: charter schools, public-private partnership, school facilities, education funding, community need, education, capital improvement, reporting, transparency, technical expertise, public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139

Transcript Highlights:

• As I stated just a moment ago, costs continue to increase, and despite a decline in Medicaid enrollment
• Now, that is in the context that enrollment for Medicaid has gone down. So what does that mean?
• Whether it's to impacts from enrollment or the state-directed payment, that's its own.
• We're spending way more, and there are fewer people who are actually in Medicaid enrollment.
• ...and which funding sources or program cuts would be first in line if federal aid declines.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I think the last is just repeat maltreatment and as Rachel said, those numbers have declined
• ever so slightly but have declined.
• As shown on page 8 in chart 5, most students today are enrolled either with small or with very large
• If you'll turn to page 10, chart 7 shows enrollment versus slots since fiscal year 19.
• We've taken out the ones that are noted here that are dually enrolled.

Transcript Highlights:

• After a decade of declining enrollments in Minnesota, to have a robust workforce and a strong state economy
• After a decade of declining enrollments in Minnesota, to have a robust workforce and a strong state economy
• After a decade of declining<01:08:39.359> enrollments<01:08:39.920> in<01:08:40.239>
• Minnesota,<01:08:41.600> to declining enrollments in Minnesota, to declining enrollments
• > full-time enrolled in full-time enrolled full-time enrolled in full-time enrolled full-time in<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so now those members of the tribes that are enrolled in Medicaid get reimbursed 100%.
• Um, that's that's an enrolled member.
• Um, so they either an enrolled member.
• let them know that you're an enrolled let them know that you're an enrolled member<02:36:13.680>
• So, we have a—you know, it really depends on whether the individual is an enrolled member or not.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does she see he declined?
• Does she see he declined?
• Does she see he declined?
• This is just our enrollment trend.
• We have over 69,000 enrolled below.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Health and Family Services committee heard an informational presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults, often with serious mental illness, who do not meet nursing home criteria but need structured supervision, medication assistance, meals, and daily support. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and are supported largely through state supplementation payments and residents’ SSI income. The presenters argued that the current reimbursement rate of about $50.70 per day is no longer sufficient to cover staffing, food, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and other costs, and said the sector has shrunk significantly over time. They cited figures showing a decline from 64 to 34 homes serving the seriously mentally ill since 2002, with 30 closures over 23 years, and said the loss of beds contributes to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer psychiatric stays. They also gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before being successfully placed in personal care homes, which they said can prevent more costly institutional care. Committee members asked about staffing credentials, fraud controls, referral processes, and how reimbursement works in other states. The presenters said Kentucky does not require licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use certified medication technicians or an LPN, and they described a county case-manager-based assessment process used to set individualized rates in other states such as Minnesota. Members expressed support for the work but emphasized the need for documentation of savings and budget offsets. The presenters said they are seeking an incremental reimbursement increase over two years, roughly 25% to 50% in the first year and another 50% after that, and urged the committee to support the homes to prevent further closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• How prepared is your decline further.
• Something to flatten out and decline.
• <01:42:11.920> rather based on a child's enrollment rather based on a child's enrollment rather
• obtain address information for enrolles. obtain address information for enrolles.
• Enrolles have to We do that already.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Employees' Retirement System employers, like other state agencies, and all eligible employees must be enrolled
• Until 2011, the Higher Education Retirement Plan law required that all new employees be enrolled in the
• The retirement plan law required that all new employees be enrolled in the HIRP plan rather than PERS
• We see declining rates for all plans except for State Patrol on the bottom there.
• But generally declining rates, which has been the trend for the last few biennia.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to enroll uh they will be able to enroll to enroll uh they will be able to enroll as<00:16:37.639
• so what is your enrollment like campus so what is your enrollment like on<00:27:47.679> in<00
• <00:28:03.120> on<00:28:03.240> our increase enrollment on our increase enrollment
• What is your enrollment projection?
• enrollment, right?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing covered Senate Bill 426, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Human Services, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, the Attorney General’s office, the Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the University of Hawaiʻi’s early childhood educator project, and a Zoom testifier who described the importance of investing in high-quality early childhood education. Committee discussion focused on the program’s estimated cost, with figures of about $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15 million in 2026-27, and on whether the program would require ongoing base-budget funding. The committee recommended technical, non-substantive amendments, including a statewide-concern amendment and a deferred effective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1622, which would appropriate funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaiʻi to support statewide artificial intelligence initiatives. University representatives described the proposal as the product of campus-wide input and outlined five pillars: governance and policy, outreach and engagement, research and development, workforce development, and AI tools for key sectors such as health care, creative industries, manufacturing, data science, astronomy, and climate change. Members questioned staffing distribution, tuition, enrollment timing, housing, campus placement, and whether positions would be permanent or temporary; the university said it planned about 10 positions across campuses, would start with internal resources, and would house the effort under the Vice President for Research and Innovation initially. The committees recommended an SD1 with the appropriation amounts blanked out, a July 31, 2050 effective date, and committee-report language on housing and West Oʻahu, and the higher education and labor/technology committees adopted the amended recommendation. Finally, the Higher Education Committee took up Senate Bill 1488, a housekeeping measure to consolidate existing University of Hawaiʻi conference center statutes into a single revolving fund structure, and Senate Bill 636, which would fund retention and internship coordinator positions and broader enrollment management efforts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. SB 1488 drew university support and no opposition. SB 636 prompted substantial questioning about Hilo’s declining enrollment, current retention rate of 72.8 percent, and the scope of the request, which includes not only two named positions but also about $432,000 for enrollment management initiatives such as data analysis, IT support, and other student services. Hilo said it is targeting 3 to 5 percent annual enrollment growth and that the positions would support recruitment, retention, internships, and data-driven enrollment strategy. The committee pressed for a clearer broader plan, but the discussion in the transcript ended before a final vote on SB 636 was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community colleges also, we have seen enrollment growth in community colleges.
• Community colleges also, we have seen enrollment growth in community colleges.
• California's incarcerated population has declined significantly, and responsible stewardship of public
• Also, as co-chair of the Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment and Nutrition, I would like to thank
• Many revenues would decline significantly.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the fertility rate has declined there as well.
• We enroll more than 21,000 students.
• LSCO is an open enrollment two-year state college.
• , we expect another full enrollment this semester.
• With over 700,000 students currently enrolled, Enrolled, community colleges are the state's largest sector

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen positive results: in just this last year, enrollment in BeWell has broken all records.
• As mentioned previously, during the 2026 open enrollment, 82,403 New Mexicans enrolled in medical coverage
• Can children 14 and over decline placement? Can children 14 and over decline placement?
• Children 14 and over cannot decline placement.
• They can decline behavioral health treatment services. I'm sorry, Madam Chair, representatives.

Keywords: 996, all