Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:26.240><c> For</c> awareness. This is about perception. For awareness.
• I'm BJ Kmini, for again for the record.
• for the year 2027-28 to pilot a metal career pathway for middle school through high school as a feeder
• for the year 2027-28 to pilot a metal career pathway for middle school through high school as a feeder
• for the year 2027-28 to pilot a metal career pathway for middle school through high school as a feeder

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met without a quorum and heard presentations on several workforce and school-safety funding requests. The first item was a proposal for a school mapping data program, presented by Rep. Steve Bratcher with law enforcement and mapping partners. They said the plan would move money to the 911 system so school maps could be embedded there and kept current for all schools, public and private, to improve response times and officer, student, and teacher safety. The request was described as a $10 million one-time appropriation, with an estimate that the work could be completed in about a year. The committee then heard testimony on the Be Proud Initiative, a mobile workshop program aimed at exposing students age 13 and up to skilled trades and related education and career opportunities. Speakers from the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, MI2, the Kentucky Treasury, and the Associated General Contractors said the program would improve perceptions of manufacturing, construction, and metals careers, connect students to training and employers, and help build the workforce pipeline. They said private industry would contribute $1 million in FY 2026-2027 before state funds are released, and requested $3 million in state funding in FY 2027-2028 contingent on that match. A Treasury official said handling the funds through the Treasury would have minimal impact on the office. Committee members responded favorably, including a comment from Rep. Bojanowski about the value of hands-on learning for students who struggle with test-focused instruction. Speakers also explained that the program includes classroom materials before and after the truck visit and ongoing outreach for students and parents. The final presentation was on an MI2 metals career pathway proposal, which cited economic impact data for Kentucky’s metals industry and asked for a $3 million one-time investment for FY 2027-2028 to pilot a middle- and high-school pathway in Carroll and Logan counties. The proposal would be matched by industry funds and used for curriculum, equipment, dual-credit and apprenticeship connections, student stipends, and parent outreach. The chair closed by noting it was the final scheduled meeting of the session and moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a win for the businesses, a win for the people.
• , works for the works for the businesses, works for the people.<00:04:42.880><c> Um</c><00:04:43.199>
• </c> &gt;&gt; for my age. &gt;&gt; for my age.
• </c><00:25:34.880><c> a</c> for a while, then it was the SAT for a for a while, then it was the SAT for
• It is hope. hope that now is not grief.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we hope to continue to put an additional request for next year, because it is a program that
• I would hope that a part of this is also setting goals for response times.
• Because I hope all of them. Madam Chair, Representative Block, thank you for that question.
• I know that medical debt for physicians is incredibly high. How does that rank nationally?
• And so we're hoping the people that respond to our requests for proposals will come up with some very

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:49.360><c> the</c> with just a moment of silence for the with just a moment of silence for
• </c> Senator, I hope you know that you and Avette and Hope have been surrounded by the prayers of an
• For starters, our schools have never been in better shape, as evidenced by our record-high graduation
• </c> for those who serve us. for those who serve us. Let Let Let Look. Look.
• A major structural overhaul of the way this is administered for these programs for decades.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• for many years.
• Recognized for three minutes. Recognized for three minutes. Thank you for the chance to speak. Yes.
• Thanks for the opportunity, although I hope that doesn't count against my time. No.
• Thanks for the opportunity, although I hope that doesn't count against my time.
• Thank you for your time and have a great day. Thank you for your testimony.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis held a hearing on a package of cannabis bills focused on equity funding, delivery expansion, advertising restrictions, medical use, first responders, and ownership limits. Testimony strongly supported S. 87/H. 184 to direct a larger share of cannabis revenue into the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund and related equity programs, with speakers arguing the current funding is insufficient and that automatic transfers would better support businesses and communities harmed by the war on drugs. Several witnesses also backed H. 145/S. 89 to allow licensed cannabis delivery into municipalities that ban retail sales and to hotels, saying current rules unfairly limit social equity delivery operators and consumer access. There was also support for H. 176 on medical cannabis eligibility and S. 76 on cannabis use by first responders, while H. 177/H. 178 on new taxes drew opposition from several business owners who said the industry is already heavily burdened and overtaxed. A major point of debate was S. 94/H. 157, which would prohibit billboard advertising for non-prescription marijuana. Public health advocates, parents, and neuroscientists argued that cannabis billboards normalize use, are seen by youth, and are difficult to regulate effectively under the current 85% adult-audience standard. They urged a public health approach similar to tobacco restrictions. In contrast, several industry witnesses opposed further advertising limits, saying cannabis businesses already face strict marketing rules, billboards are privately owned, and additional restrictions would hurt small operators and raise First Amendment concerns. Some witnesses also criticized the proposed increase in ownership caps and consolidation provisions in the broader cannabis bill, warning they would favor large multistate companies over small and social equity businesses. Committee members asked questions about billboard ownership, enforcement of the current advertising rules, and the legal basis for restricting sign content. Witnesses and members also discussed the Cannabis Control Commission’s role, the difficulty of enforcing audience-composition standards, and whether delivery should be treated more like alcohol. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• for an effective date, and to provide for related matters.
• Medicaid coverage for certain services, to provide for reimbursement rates, to provide for rulemaking
• , to provide for enforcement, to provide for applicability, to provide for an effective date, and to
• , to provide for funding, to provide for reporting, and to provide for related matters.
• , to provide for funding, to provide for reporting, and to provide for related matters.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 28 with a quorum and took up several Senate bills, beginning with SB 113 on the local health care provider participation program in Calcasieu Parish. The committee adopted a technical amendment and heard that the bill would shift the local sponsor from the parish to the city if needed by a June 1 deadline. After brief discussion and no opposition, SB 113 was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then approved SB 23, which exempts certain assisted living facilities licensed by LDH from the definition of food service establishment, and SB 150, which would allow LDH to scan and electronically store vital records supporting documents and return originals to citizens. SB 221 also advanced after testimony that it would allow EMS providers to be reimbursed by Medicaid for emergency responses where treatment is provided on scene but the patient is not transported. Members discussed that the bill could reduce unnecessary ER use and likely would require some rulemaking, but it was reported favorably. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 404, a broad vision benefit plan reform bill. Supporters, including optometrists, said the measure would improve transparency, patient choice, and access to eye care by limiting restrictive plan practices; opponents from the vision care plan industry argued it was an unprecedented, provider-driven overhaul that could raise costs and reduce flexibility. After extensive testimony and an agreed amendment clarifying network participation, the committee reported SB 404 favorably with amendments. The committee also reported SB 32 favorably with amendments after emotional testimony from parents and advocates about perinatal bereavement care, cooling devices, and training for hospitals to give grieving families more time and dignity after infant loss. Finally, the committee heard SB 43, which would create a psychedelic-assisted therapy initiative within LDH for clinical research and treatment involving ibogaine and psilocybin, with testimony from veterans, researchers, and advocates describing potential benefits for PTSD, substance use, and traumatic brain injury. The bill was reported favorably with amendments and set to pass a courtesy sheet. The committee then began SB 253, a bill regulating peptides and compounding pharmacies, adopted technical amendments clarifying provider liability, and continued discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would hope that you'd have a way for them to... ...acknowledge, 'I have read and received what has
• I hope that's where we can get to. ...operability, and I've had this conversation for years now and am
• We had to wait for the water to go down for high water vehicles to go in or boat teams.
• There's hope there for a while, you know, statistically speaking, there could be hope.
• Well, I hope we're working on a bottleneck for the crime lab problem this session.

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that.
• </c> target for the pensions bill this year. target for the pensions bill this year.
• </c> state aid for the benefit changes for state aid for the benefit changes for the<00:09:05.160><c>
• /c> have a job lined up for the to work for have a job lined up for the to work for the<00:24:46.960>
• so stay tuned for decided for Monday, so stay tuned for what<00:25:11.080><c> may</c><00:25:11.200><

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Look for your support and hope to lay the bill over. date to December 27.
• Look for your support and<00:01:53.439><c> hope</c><00:01:53.680><c> to</c><00:01:54.640><c> lay</c><
• This is I'm looking for for feedback on.
• So, thank you for<01:27:37.120><c> that.</c> for that. for that.
• </c> works for people, what doesn't work for works for people, what doesn't work for people<01:41:26.639

Bills: HF3738 , HF2295 , HF3520 , HF3666

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• how we manage waste so that we don't continue to hope for a place that we can pile it up, where it's
• <c> to</c><02:21:18.640><c> hope</c><02:21:18.880><c> for</c><02:21:19.040><c> a</c><02:21:19.240><c>
• for a place that we can continue to hope for a place that we can pile<02:21:20.319><c> it</c><02:21:
• were not high enough. the basis for a strong economy it the basis for a strong economy it strengthens
• The safety net will remain in place in our emergency rooms for failed home births, but it is my hope

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• migratory students and for students experiencing homelessness or high mobility under the McKinney-Vento
• for students experiencing homelessness or<00:05:04.800><c> high</c><00:05:05.200><c> mobility</c><00
• A number of states have established high school diploma programs for veterans who have served in active
• school diploma for establish a high school diploma for veterans<00:43:08.520><c> program</c><00:43:09.040
• the state, providing, at request, high school diplomas for veterans who left school before graduating

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those are for our justice-involved, and they may not have a high Medi-Cal population.
• They may have a high Medi-Cal population, but they may have other funding sources that are used for that
• our safety net, and we hope that this will be seriously considered in the future as we face cuts for
• Also, in January 2026, we anticipate releasing updated coverage requirements for high-fidelity wraparound
• High-fidelity wraparound services for youth.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to say thank you to Kayla’s Hope, which stands for helping others protecting everyone.
• ><c> stands</c><00:19:45.919><c> for</c><00:19:46.559><c> helping</c> Kayla's hope which stands for helping
• Kayla's hope which stands for helping others<00:19:47.760><c> protecting</c><00:19:48.520><c> everyone
• So this committee is the only hope for broader support for an issue similar to what happened on R.K.
• So this committee is the only hope for broader support for an issue similar to what happened on R.K.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and really making the case for the need for more innovation.
• So for the past...
• for many years.
• Operating expenses are still pretty high, for that matter.
• For instance, as the state has done for some elements of local zoning, it could decide for the state

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's just, it gets us very prepared for the next step after high school.
• the next step gets us very prepared for the next step after<00:15:03.680><c> high</c><00:15:04.000><
• I hope you'll stay for a few minutes and let us socialize with you afterwards. >> And we're gonna bring
• I hope you'll stay for a few minutes and let us socialize with you afterwards. >> And we're gonna bring
• 54:17.839><c> high</c> unemployment rate and uh high high unemployment rate and uh high high homelessness

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September meeting minutes, and heard presentations from Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington and related school programs in Fayette County Public Schools. School leaders described the academy as an all-male public school option focused on culture, belonging, and opportunity, with a mission to educate, empower, and equip young men academically, socially, and morally. They emphasized culturally responsive instruction, restorative practices, mentorship, brotherhood circles, and access to advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career pathways. Student speakers highlighted school culture, leadership opportunities, and clubs such as SGA, Beta Club, FFA, and the Bow Tie Club, along with service and community engagement. Presenters said the academy began in 2012, is housed with Frederick Douglass High School, uses an application and lottery process, and can serve up to about 350 students but is intentionally kept near 300 because of space. They reported 302 enrolled students, about 38 seniors, a 100% graduation rate, 95% average attendance, 100% postsecondary success, and $1.8 million in scholarship offers last year. They also shared demographic and achievement data, noting growth in MAP scores, strengths in reading and writing, and math as an ongoing focus area. The school said 90% of high school scholars are taking at least one dual credit class this year, and some students have earned opportunities at selective programs such as Gatton Academy and Craft Academy. Committee members praised the school’s results and asked about enrollment, funding, and whether the model could be replicated statewide. School leaders said the program is fully funded through Fayette County Public Schools, could be replicated with committed staff and training, and that teachers receive preparation through the Gearing Institute to better understand how boys learn. They also noted that Fayette County has other specialized programs, including girls’ academies and other options for underrepresented students. Members expressed interest in long-term tracking of graduates, and the school said it is preparing to study outcomes as the first graduating class approaches its 10-year anniversary.

Transcript Highlights:

• When these grants are paused or terminated, it leaves many high school students who are coming for a
• Federal support is important for faculty development, for student learning, and for the pipeline for
• For women, for Hispanics, for Blacks, that sort of thing.
• So that gives us a cause for optimism. Applications are still there, so there's still hope.
• And certainly the encouragement that we're doing for the next generation as well for our high school

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology met on August 19, 2025 to examine the effects of federal grant cuts, tariff uncertainty, and related policy changes on California’s biotech, medtech, and academic research ecosystem. The chair and panelists emphasized California’s outsized role in the industry, describing major clusters in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and explaining how research, startup formation, manufacturing, and clinical trials are interconnected across the state. Speakers from Biocom California, California Life Sciences, Farma, UC, Stanford, CSU Biotech, and UCLA all argued that NIH and NSF funding are foundational to discovery, workforce training, and commercialization, and that disruptions are already chilling venture capital, startup formation, and hiring. Witnesses described several concrete impacts: suspended or terminated grants, reduced doctoral admissions, fewer training opportunities, canceled retreats and internships, and anxiety among graduate students and early-career researchers. UC reported hundreds of millions of dollars in suspended or terminated NIH and NSF funding, while Stanford said more than a thousand training and career-development grants nationwide have been frozen or ended, affecting multiple trainees per grant. CSU Biotech said 133 federal grants had been terminated, scaled back, or canceled, totaling about $140 million, including nearly $30 million from NIH and NSF. Industry representatives also warned that proposed antitrust limits on mergers and acquisitions could undermine the standard biotech exit path and further deter investment. Committee members asked about the duration of the disruption, the possibility of state action to offset federal losses, and whether California could better support workforce development, manufacturing, and R&D tax credits. Panelists urged the Legislature to preserve and expand state support for STEM education, internships, apprenticeship pathways, manufacturing incentives, and the R&D tax credit, and to consider infrastructure and housing as part of competitiveness. They also noted that tariffs are already raising costs for medtech components and building materials, and that China is increasingly competing for R&D, talent, and licensing deals. No formal votes or bill actions were taken at the hearing; the meeting was informational and focused on testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
• THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT NOT JUST FOR JOBSEEKERS AND TRAINING FOR BUT ALSO FOR THE BUSINESS
• NAVIGATORS FOR HOPE FLORIDA FOR MILITARY FAMILY EMPLOYMENT AND RAPID RESPONSE COORDINATORS.
• THOSE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE HIGH SKILL HIGH WAGE OPPORTUNITIES.
• I HAD A QUESTION FOR YOU AND IF THE CHAIR ALLOWS A FOLLOW-UP FOR BOTH OF YOU.

Transcript Highlights:

• planning, for financing, for marketing, for everything that we do.
• for development.
• The proposal that you have in front of you for the $96.5 million will focus on high-trafficked areas
• But these investments for the state are for a long-term basis and for the state of California at large
• This is a very high priority and need for us in the small farm and farmers market industry, especially

Summary: The meeting began with a lengthy opening discussion with Secretary Karen Ross of the Department of Food and Agriculture, who reviewed the department’s proposed budget, emphasized California agriculture’s record output, and highlighted major priorities including climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, local food systems, farm-to-school, food hubs, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety. She also warned about federal budget cuts, especially at USDA and FDA, and discussed market access challenges abroad, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the need for automation and workforce training. Members raised questions about the future of Farm to School, the California Nutrition Incentive Program/Market Match, local food procurement, and how to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and food hubs; Ross said the department had strong evidence the program benefits small farms and Title I schools and noted continued interest in building out local food infrastructure. The committee then took up item one on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee previously rejecting 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. LAO and Finance said the vacancies represented a source of budget flexibility, but warned that eliminating them could create program impacts; LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance argued the reductions were part of a broader budget-resiliency exercise and that departments could reclassify or shift vacancies to higher priorities. Members focused heavily on the practical impacts of the cuts. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris argued that Fish and Wildlife staffing shortages were already slowing permits needed for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects, and questioned the value of saving relatively small amounts of money. Fish and Wildlife officials said the department had prioritized mission-critical work and could still meet permitting obligations, but acknowledged limited-term staffing constraints. State Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow maintenance and eventually worsen deferred maintenance. Food and Agriculture said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection and eradication, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate and reclassify positions if needed. The chair and several members signaled concern about the Fish and Wildlife and Parks cuts, while also noting the broader need for budget reductions. The committee then moved to item six, hearing an overview from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Staff described the office’s role in CEQA implementation and said the budget requests were baseline funding to maintain existing functions, including IT services and administrative/legislative support, rather than new programs. The chair asked the presenters to move quickly through background material so the committee could get to questions, and the item began with no votes taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move for the approval of the House Journal for the 42nd day, Thursday, March 26, 2026, and I ask for
• Charles for a motion on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2230 and 2978.
• for standards.
• What is the purpose for the carve-out in there again? For Boone County?
• We will clean your fish for you and fry it for you.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy to mix it up in committee for you today, and thanks for hearing it to start up.
• Are there any questions for... Are there any questions for Jacob?
• So we're hoping to see some adjustments to the bill to help account for that.
• So we're hoping to see some adjustments to the bill to help account for that.
• Any questions for this panel? Thank you. Thank you for providing that.

Bills: HB2090 , HB2215 , HB2245 , HB2272

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, energy strategy, sustainable development, state energy policy, climate change, fuel regulations, compliance obligations, sustainability, environmental policy, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes