Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes we think of this as long-term supports and services.
• Sometimes we think of this as long-term supports and services.
• So, we're excited to support Go North's efforts and any community's efforts.
• c> tools</c><01:29:00.560><c> that</c> interesting um support tools that interesting um support tools
• </c> whose entire role it is is to support whose entire role it is is to support somebody<01:29:08.719

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. It then received an update from DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver on the department’s rural health transformation grant submission. Weaver said the grant was submitted ahead of the deadline, reflected input from communities and providers statewide, and would now enter a CMS review and negotiation phase. She explained that the governor’s office will oversee the grant with DHHS, that some proposals may be limited by federal parameters, and that the department may need to hire some staff to administer the grant, within the grant’s administrative cap. Members also discussed DHHS budget pressures and staffing. The department’s CFO, Nathan White, reviewed the agency’s budget mix, noting that DHHS accounts for a large share of the state’s operating and general fund budgets, and explained projected general fund lapse estimates, which he said are currently just under $20 million for the department. He also described why lapse projections are difficult to predict in DHHS because many costs are driven by utilization and because some funds are statutorily non-lapsing. White reported that vacancy rates have risen, citing about 400 unfunded positions in the current biennium and the department’s hiring freeze, while emphasizing that direct-care positions are being prioritized. Committee members raised concerns that back-of-the-budget cuts and weak revenue collections could affect the department’s ability to manage lapse projections. The committee then heard from Division of Public Health Director Ian Watt on vaccine policy and federal changes. Watt said New Hampshire continues to support access to safe and effective vaccines, including through the universal purchase program and seasonal respiratory virus guidance. He explained a recent CDC change regarding the MMRV vaccine, which now discourages the combined shot for the first dose in children under four because of febrile seizure risk, while still allowing it for the second dose. Watt said New Hampshire’s school and child care vaccine mandates remain stable, with nine vaccines required for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, and that the state continues to review federal recommendations cautiously. He also said there have been no supply or funding disruptions affecting vaccine access, and that childhood vaccine funding through commercial insurers remains intact. Finally, the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias presented its annual report. The subcommittee said it met about six times, heard presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and began work on updating the state’s Alzheimer’s plan, which had last been updated in 2015-2016. To gather more direct input, the subcommittee formed a needs-assessment work group to develop a survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers. It recommended integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease, aging, and public health outreach; embedding cognitive health into systems of care and the state health improvement plan; adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS; and continuing partnerships with aging and advocacy organizations. Members praised the report and suggested it should clearly identify the subcommittee and include page numbers in future versions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any member of the audience in support of the measure? Okay. Anyone in opposition?
• I thank you for the opportunity to speak today in support of AB 1982.
• AB 1982 is practical, prevention-focused policy and strengthens the coordination and support needed to
• Anybody in support in the audience? Please come up. Thanks. Hi, good afternoon.
• Any other members of the audience in support? Okay. Any members in the audience in opposition?

Summary: The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee at first because quorum was not initially present, then later established quorum and proceeded with votes. Assembly Member Dixon presented AB 1593, which would require state agencies that impose monetary charges, including fees, to annually report on their websites the revenue generated from those charges as a transparency measure. The bill was described as having no opposition and was framed as improving public accountability and fiscal visibility. The committee also considered consent items AB 1719 (Ward) and AB 1754 (Pacheco), both of which were moved together and sent to the Committee on Appropriations on consent. Later, Assembly Member Lowenthal presented AB 1982, which would remove the sunset on existing laws requiring Type 48 licensees, such as bars and nightclubs, to provide drink-spiking test strips/devices and lids upon request and post notice of their availability. Supporters said the measure helps prevent drug-facilitated sexual assault and other crimes, improves nightlife safety, and is a practical, low-burden prevention tool; no opposition testimony was offered. All three measures received favorable committee votes. AB 1593 was passed as amended to Appropriations, AB 1719 and AB 1754 were passed to Appropriations on consent, and AB 1982 was passed to Appropriations. Several members requested to be added as coauthors, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the second part of this rule is clarifying child support enforcement requirements for pregnant women
• And the rule is clarifying that women can be referred to child support while they are pregnant.
• And in our good cause section for good cause for not cooperating with child support, we have just removed
• If there is an absent parent, if the parent is not in the home, and we do a child support enforcement
• If the adult is on Medicaid, we refer to child support.

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the prior minutes and then took up two Department of Human Services rules. Mary Franklin of DHS’s Division of County Operations presented a Medicaid/CHIP rule that removes the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarifies child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women, and updates good-cause language to say “rape or incest” rather than “forcible rape.” Members asked about how child support referrals and sanctions work during pregnancy and the postpartum period; Franklin explained that sanctions would not be imposed until after the 60-day postpartum period and that good-cause determinations can prevent sanctions in appropriate cases. The rule had no public comments and a small fiscal impact, and it was reviewed without objection. Elizabeth Pittman of DHS’s Division of Medical Services then presented a medication-assisted treatment rule. She explained that the change simply removes an expired federal end date from the state plan and updates the CMS template, while leaving existing coverage for counseling and lab services tied to substance use disorder treatment unchanged. In response to questions, she said the rule does not add new benefits or costs because the coverage was already required by federal and state law. The committee reviewed the rule without objection. The meeting also included an informational presentation from Jenna Goldman of UAMS about a culinary medicine experience for legislators, scheduled for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. She described it as a food-is-medicine program where participants would learn about healthy cooking and how to apply it in communities with limited food options. Members discussed its connection to rural health and potential grant opportunities. The meeting ended with a brief visit from a Monticello sixth-grade class, who asked Capitol trivia questions before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the second part of this rule is clarifying child support enforcement requirements for pregnant women
• And the rule is clarifying that women can be referred to child support while they are pregnant.
• And in our good cause section for good cause for not cooperating with child support, we have just removed
• If there is an absent parent, if the parent is not in the home, and we do a child support enforcement
• If the adult is on Medicaid, we refer to child support.

Summary: The committee met briefly to approve prior minutes and then reviewed two Department of Human Services rules. The first, from the Division of County Operations, would remove the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarify child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women and postpartum sanctions, and change the good-cause language from “forcible rape” to “rape or incest.” DHS said there were no public comments and only a small fiscal impact for system changes. The second rule, from the Division of Medical Services, updates the Medicaid state plan for medication-assisted treatment by removing an expired federal end date and adopting a new CMS template; officials said coverage does not change and there is no financial impact. Both rules were reviewed without objection. Members also heard an informational presentation from UAMS about a culinary medicine experience planned for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. The program is intended to show how food can be used as medicine and to connect with the state’s rural health transformation priorities and possible grant opportunities. Members were encouraged to attend, wear comfortable shoes, and participate in the kitchen-based activity. The meeting ended with special recognition of a Monticello sixth-grade class visiting the Capitol for a scavenger hunt. A student asked several questions about the Capitol building’s materials and architecture, and members responded informally before the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those reasons, I support the budget, support the 2002 budget. Thank you.
• And so I am with full support, supporting this measure, supporting this bill, so that we can... ...start
• So I do ask for support on House Bill 2007, and I appreciate, again, the body of support.
• Appreciate the body support.
• But I certainly support it.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and numerous introductions of visiting groups and guests, including schoolchildren, Republican women’s organizations, county commissioners, and family members of legislators. Members also suspended House Rule 98 to allow baseball apparel in celebration of opening day, with the motion passing 118-22. The chamber then took up the state budget bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2002, covering elementary and secondary education and child care, drew the most debate. Supporters said it maintained record funding for the foundation formula, transportation, and early childhood programs, while critics argued it still fell short of fully funding the formula and underfunded child care subsidies by about $51 million. After extended debate over statutory obligations, school funding, and child care policy, the bill passed 85-70. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2003, the higher education and workforce development budget, also prompted substantial debate over a proposed shift to an FTE-based funding model for colleges and universities. Supporters called it a fairer, more equitable system that follows students and encourages efficiency, while opponents warned it would sharply reduce funding for some institutions, including community colleges and regional universities. The bill passed 83-66. The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2004, covering revenue and transportation, 91-50, despite objections over a public transit cut and constitutional concerns raised about MoDOT appropriations. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration and employee benefits budget, passed overwhelmingly after members discussed state worker compensation, deferred compensation, and benefits funding. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2006, covering agriculture, natural resources, and conservation, passed 133-17 after members highlighted restored funding for agriculture business development and food insecurity grants, while others criticized cuts to natural resources and parks funding. The chamber then moved on to House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2007, covering economic development, commerce and insurance, and labor and industrial relations, with the budget chair introducing the bill and outlining its major departmental appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had 28 letters of support.
• So I just stand in strong support.
• I also rise in support.
• I rise to support this.
• I stand in support of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, NH does not support or oppose this bill.
• Um, so cost to teach people better ways to manage kids' behavior.
• Um but I to manage kids behavior.
• often to support one account versus<00:46:08.720><c> another.
• So I people to support your programming.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair also in support. Carla Allison in support. Thaddius Fam in support.
• </c> support. Uh Thaddius Fam in support. support. Uh Thaddius Fam in support.
• Why Why do you guys support this? head. Why Why do you guys support this?
• Next is Frank Schultz in support. Linda Rich in support. Denise Boyceford in support.
• </c> in support. Linda Rich in support. in support. Linda Rich in support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 126, which would change civil asset forfeiture law. The Attorney General’s Office, Honolulu Police Department, and county prosecutors opposed the bill’s proposed SD1, arguing that requiring a criminal conviction and changing how forfeiture proceeds are distributed would weaken or effectively end the tool, create fiscal and law enforcement problems, and make it harder to address organized crime or cases where an owner cannot be identified. The Public Defender’s Office, Community Alliance on Prisons, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters argued the measure would improve transparency and accountability, protect property rights, and reduce abuses that disproportionately affect low-income people. The chair questioned law enforcement about fairness, storage of seized property, and access to counsel, and the discussion focused heavily on whether forfeiture should depend on a conviction. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 280, which would make the Community Outreach Court permanent and appropriate funds for it as a division of the First Circuit district court. The Department of the Attorney General and Judiciary supported the concept and described the court’s success in helping people resolve cases, clear license stoppers, recall bench warrants, and access services, but suggested amendments to remove the Attorney General from the bill’s definition and funding mechanism. The Public Defender, Department of Human Services, mental health and substance use advocates, neighborhood and community groups, and others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing its benefits for people facing housing instability, behavioral health issues, and transportation barriers. No opposition was voiced, and no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 370, which would increase partial public campaign financing for elective offices. The Campaign Spending Commission supported the original bill and asked the committee to restore the original percentage amounts, keep the proposed funding increases, and reinstate funding for two additional full-time staff positions. Supporters said the public financing system has not kept pace with inflation and needs modernization to be viable; a few testifiers opposed the measure. The committee reported 30 in support, two opposed, and one comment, and then moved on without a vote. Finally, HB 371 was heard, a campaign contribution bill that would bar state and county contractors, grantees, and certain related persons from contributing during the contract period. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is intended to address pay-to-play concerns and false-name contributions, while the State Procurement Office raised concerns about the burden of requiring agencies to provide contract information for all contracts regardless of dollar value. The testimony ended with the commission saying it was working with procurement and the Attorney General on implementation details; no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today in support of S. 30 and H. 4229.
• I'm here today in support of S30 and H4229.
• We strongly support S. 30 and H. 4229.
• We need digital navigators that are well trained to support this new reality and help folks get the support
• So I'm asking the state to support this work.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on a large docket of technology, internet, cybersecurity, broadband, and media bills. Early testimony focused on community media funding legislation, with lawmakers and local access advocates arguing that as cable subscriptions decline and streaming grows, revenue tied to cable franchises no longer supports community television and PEG programming. Supporters said community media remains a key source of local news, government meeting coverage, and civic transparency as newspapers disappear or consolidate. A related bill on cable contract oversight also drew support, with testimony that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable is backlogged and should more actively review municipal-provider agreements and report its workload to the committee. Another major topic was a proposal to create a Massachusetts Innovation Fund for state IT modernization. The Alliance for Digital Innovation backed the bill, saying agencies need flexible upfront capital to replace outdated systems and improve cybersecurity, and pointing to the federal Technology Modernization Fund as a model. The witness noted that funding for the state program still needs to be identified. The committee also heard strong support for a bill requiring free broadband in public housing, with Rep. Emmela Goodwin and MAPC describing internet access as essential for jobs, school, telehealth, and civic participation. They said the digital divide in Massachusetts is driven largely by affordability rather than infrastructure, though questions were raised about costs, wiring, and whether all housing sites already have broadband access available at the curb. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on bills to limit addictive social media feeds for minors. Supporters, including lawmakers, parents, teens, and advocacy groups, argued that algorithmic feeds contribute to addiction, anxiety, body image problems, and other harms, and said the bills would restrict surveillance-based curation and overnight notifications while leaving search and followed accounts available. Opponents, including FIRE, CCIA, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, argued the bills would require invasive age verification, threaten privacy and cybersecurity, burden adults’ anonymity, and likely face First Amendment challenges. They also warned the measures could disadvantage smaller businesses and may be unconstitutional based on recent court rulings in other states. The committee also heard support for blockchain-related bills creating a commission, a pilot program, and consumer education efforts, with testimony that Massachusetts has the talent but needs a coordinated state strategy. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Johns River Water Management District, waves in support. Adam Blaylock, FDEP, waves in support.
• Waves in support. Ryan Matthews, National Stormwater Trust, waves in support.
• That show up then at our meetings and either testify or wave in support or not support.
• waive in support or not support.
• I am also a former union member, and I support unions because they support hardworking people.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, many of them amended. Early action included PCS for CS for HB 639, which would expand an existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to all Floridians, tighten specialty plate rules for future applicants, require financial projections and reporting, and create several new specialty plates. After questions about Florida nexus requirements and a successful amendment adding a Florida Film Legacy plate, the bill was reported favorably 26-0. PCS for CS for HB 1169, limiting local governments’ use of excess building-code enforcement funds for construction of the code-enforcement building, also passed unanimously after testimony from the Florida Home Builders Association. The committee then approved HB 139, expanding whistleblower protections for state, local, and contract employees who file ethics complaints, with support from the Florida Commission on Ethics. PCS for HB 273, which would make special districts eligible for certain state and federal grants and direct pay options, passed 24-1 after testimony from both supporters and opponents. Members also approved CS for HB 1087, a public-records exemption for certain stablecoin issuer information, and CS for HB 1085, updating the local government cybersecurity grant program by moving it to Cyber Florida at USF, adding a sunset, and limiting consecutive awards. Several environmental and local-government transparency measures drew extended debate. CS for CS for HB 1417, a broad environmental bill, was amended to remove several provisions, retain others on the Environmental Regulation Commission, springs, solar facilities, Indian River Lagoon septic deadlines, and coastal resiliency partnerships, and then passed 24-0 amid mixed testimony from DEP, water management districts, and environmental advocates. CS for HB 1457, creating a framework for regional stormwater management systems and water quality enhancement areas, passed 24-0 after discussion of port impacts. CS for HB 1329, requiring local budgets to be posted earlier, retained longer, and made searchable, and adding a 10% budget-cutting exercise, passed 17-6 after strong opposition from local-government groups who argued it would be costly and duplicative. The committee also approved CS for HB 4091 creating a special district for stormwater and flood control in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and then took up CS for HB 995, a major overhaul of Public Employees Relations Commission and union-related procedures, including registration, dues disclosure, election rules, leave-time limits, and expedited bargaining over legislatively appropriated salary increases; that bill was still under questioning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've supported our public libraries in rural communities.
• So that bipartisan support has been historically strong.
• How they're going to support and sustain themselves.
• We have very different changes in audience behavior, right?
• is worthy of unequivocal support.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair Ramos, and committee members for your support.
• There will be economic support. There will be, for example, housing support.
• And then there's a lack of support services for those children.
• Where is their mental health support? Where is... ...their mental health support?
• And as was just mentioned in terms of supporting our families, in terms of supporting youth to feel safe

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an informational hearing on the state’s response to the missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) crisis, with an added focus on foster youth and child welfare. Opening remarks from the chair and members emphasized that California has made some progress through the Feather Alert, DOJ coordination, grant funding, and MMIP summits, but that the crisis remains severe and requires ongoing, not one-time, investment. Members repeatedly noted the need for stronger statewide coordination, better data, and more consistent attention to tribal communities and foster youth. Tribal leaders described the crisis as rooted in jurisdictional gaps, poor data collection, and lack of urgency from law enforcement. Witnesses from Hamul, Chachancey, Tahon, Yurok, and Hoopa tribes shared personal accounts of missing and murdered relatives, criticized inconsistent responses, and called for regional response agreements, direct tribal access to data, sustained funding, and clearer law enforcement protocols in Public Law 280 settings. Several leaders said Feather Alert and state grants have helped build infrastructure and partnerships, but stressed that trust-building, training, and accountability are still uneven across the state. The second panel featured the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Justice’s Office of Native American Affairs, both of which reported on implementation improvements. CHP said it has tightened Feather Alert practices, increased activations, improved outreach and training, appointed a tribal liaison, and expanded human trafficking training. DOJ described work under AB 3099 and AB 1334, including a Public Law 280 advisory council, improved crime reporting and data systems, MMIP outreach, and a tribal police pilot program with the Yurok Tribe. Members also raised the need to better support tribal courts and ensure protection orders are enforced. The final panel focused on foster youth as part of the MMIP crisis. Advocates from Pitt River, the California Tribal Families Coalition, and Coyote Valley said Native children are disproportionately represented in foster care and are at heightened risk of going missing or being exploited. They argued that foster care, trafficking, poverty, housing instability, and historical trauma are all connected to MMIP, and called for stronger ICWA implementation, culturally grounded services, better coordination with social workers and law enforcement, and immediate use of Feather Alert when Native children are missing. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with continued calls for legislative, budgetary, and policy action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I'm in support of this bill, and I hope that you will support it.
• I urge you to support this bill.
• I urge you to support this bill.
• I can't support the bill. I can't support the bill.
• So, thank you and ask for your support. So, thank you and ask for your support.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• RYAN ROBY I GUESS WAIVES IN SUPPORT. RAY PEARSON IN SUPPORT. LINDSAY SHOCK IN SUPPORT.
• IN SUPPORT.
• KAREN GOODALL, SIERRA CLUB, WAIVES AND SUPPORT, WILLIAM HORN AND SUPPORT.
• MIKE DUFFY WAIVES IN SUPPORT. MELISSA IN SUPPORT.
• DYLAN WELCH IN SUPPORT, AND ANDREA WELL IN SUPPORT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The American Heart Association is in support of House Bill 290.
• A price increase could help support their efforts in doing that.
• </c><00:45:00.319><c> the</c> did um answer it and we we support the did um answer it and we we support
• In summary, for the reasons provided, we cannot support this bill.
• We are here in support of this legislation.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing focused on HB 290, which would raise cigarette and e-cigarette/vaping taxes and create a committee to study tobacco and nicotine tax policy. Representative Jerry Stringham introduced the bill as both a public health and revenue measure, arguing that nicotine use causes health harms and public costs, and that New Hampshire’s cigarette tax has been unchanged at $1.78 per pack since 2013. He said the bill would raise the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to $2.78, still below most New England states, and would also adjust vaping taxes, which he described as having been set as placeholder rates in 2019. He said the bill would also establish a study committee to review broader tobacco and nicotine taxation, including products such as premium cigars. In response to questions, Stringham said the proposed cigarette tax would be roughly equal in real dollars to the 2008 rate after inflation, and he suggested that a smaller annual increase could be considered, though he believed a larger increase would have a stronger public health effect. He explained that the vaping tax structure differs between closed and open systems because one taxes a fixed hardware product while the other taxes reusable liquid, and he said the proposal would move the rates toward a more uniform approach. He also said New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase, though members raised concerns about cross-border shopping, business impacts, and preserving the state’s competitive advantage. Several members questioned whether the bill’s main purpose was revenue or reducing smoking and vaping. Stringham said he viewed it primarily as a public health bill, but also as a revenue measure, and said he would consider it successful even if consumption fell enough to reduce revenue. Other members emphasized personal freedom and argued the committee should focus on taxation rather than cessation, while some supported the bill as a way to capture revenue from out-of-state buyers and keep New Hampshire’s rates below surrounding states. The hearing consisted of testimony and questions only; no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• May our behavior stand in stark contrast to that of the wicked, whose souls love violence, and may the
• MAY OUR BEHAVIOR STAND IN STARK CONTRAST TO THAT OF THE WICKED WHOSE SOULS LOVE VIOLENCE AND MAY THE

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Appreciate the support for the Governor's proposal.
• Appreciate the support for the Governor's proposal.
• I'm here in support of item number one and in support of these panel attorneys that Mr.
• to backfill the lost federal VOCA funding to support critical victim services, and in support of $34
• to backfill the lost federal VOCA funding to support critical victim services, and in support of $34

Summary: The subcommittee met to hear budget-related updates from the Judicial Branch and the Office of Emergency Services, with no votes taken. The Judicial Council supported the Governor’s proposed budget, highlighting $70 million for increased trial court operating costs, additional funding for court-appointed counsel, Court of Appeal case processing, and courthouse construction and facilities. Trial court representatives emphasized staffing retention problems, especially in counties like San Bernardino, and said stable funding is needed to avoid delays and maintain access to justice. Members also discussed the branch’s remote proceedings program, which has been used in more than 6 million hearings statewide since 2022 and was described as especially important in rural areas and for vulnerable litigants; several members urged making the authority permanent rather than extending it temporarily. A major portion of the hearing focused on Proposition 36 implementation. Finance said the Governor’s budget maintains the $130 million provided in the 2025 Budget Act for court workload and pretrial services, but adds no new Prop. 36 court funding. Judicial Council staff reported nearly 35,000 felony Prop. 36 filings in 2025, with most cases still pending and only a small share of treatment-mandated cases already dismissed after treatment. Witnesses said courts are using the funds for staffing, coordinators, clerks, and treatment-court operations, but that workload varies widely by county and that data collection is limited because courts report aggregate information rather than case-level outcomes. The LAO raised a technical concern about the Department of Finance’s Prop. 47 savings estimate and recommended revising the methodology at May Revision. The committee also reviewed the Orange Central Justice Center facility modification project, where the Judicial Council explained that hidden construction deficiencies and fire-life-safety issues caused costs to rise substantially after demolition began. The LAO said the project itself was supportable but recommended that the Legislature set an ongoing funding level for court facilities, require a long-term facilities plan, and consider more oversight of facility modification projects. Finance said it continues to fund courthouse projects individually and through the State Public Works Board, while acknowledging project delays and cost increases. Finally, Cal OES and advocates discussed victim services funding. Cal OES said it administers about $315 million annually for victim service programs, including VOCA-funded services, but federal VOCA allocations have fluctuated sharply and the state has used one-time General Fund backfills to maintain services. Trauma recovery center advocates warned that an 85% reduction in funding would sharply reduce services for survivors of violent crime, while human trafficking advocates urged reauthorization of the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program before funding reverts to pre-pandemic levels in July 2026. Members asked about federal and state funding stability, referral pathways, and the long-term value of these programs in preventing worse outcomes and reducing public costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I really focused on the behavioral health that we need in our state.
• Our wait time for behavioral health services is also very long.
• Let's just see in support of the committee endorsement.
• I support that idea, and I think many of us did.
• All right, those in support of the endorsement of this legislation?

Transcript Highlights:

• THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS SUPPORTS THE PHASED DEMOBILIZATION PLAN FOR THE FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD THAT BEGAN
• GRANT CATEGORY AND THE AMOUNT OF $318,319 TO BE USED TO SUPPORT PROVIDING EXTERNAL GRANTEES AND THE
• THESE FUNDS WILL SUPPORT THE DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE HOSPITAL FUNDING FOR THIS MENTAL HOSPITAL FLORIDA
• AND $1,231,307,005 IN THE MEDICAL CARE TRUST FUND TO SUPPORT THE PAYMENTS. >> Rep.
• THE PROGRAM SUPPORT ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY CARE PROVIDED BY DOCTORS OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY AS WELL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I would be supportive of the probation area.
• I just wouldn't be supportive of you denying someone licensure based upon a drug offense.
• I mean, I would be supportive of the probation area.
• We urge your support.”
• “We urge your support for a standard of care model to modernize pharmacy regulation.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate business committees held a sunset review hearing on the California State Board of Pharmacy, with board leadership describing the board’s consumer-protection role and its priorities around access, enforcement, and updating pharmacy law. The board emphasized a proposed shift toward a standard-of-care model for pharmacists, arguing it would reduce rigid protocol requirements and improve access to services such as HIV PrEP/PEP, contraception, and naloxone. Board representatives also discussed pharmacy deserts, possible fee waivers for pharmacies in underserved areas, concerns about payer practices contributing to closures, continuing education audits, and a request to restore more flexibility in licensure decisions and probationary monitoring for applicants with certain criminal histories. A major focus of the hearing was the board’s ongoing compounding regulations, especially the treatment of sterile versus nonsterile compounding and substances such as glutathione and methylcobalamin. The board said the proposal was not a ban on those substances and described the rulemaking as grounded in federal law, USP standards, and public comment, noting the process had gone through multiple modified texts and hearings. Testimony from stakeholders was sharply divided: pharmacists, veterinarians, firefighters, naturopathic doctors, and patient advocates warned the rules were restricting access to compounded medications and harming patients and first responders, while the California Medical Association, psychiatric physicians, and PhRMA raised concerns that the board’s proposals could expand pharmacist authority beyond training, affect physician practice, or create safety risks. Other public comments addressed pharmacy technician ratios, remote processing, flavoring medications, hospital-specific regulation, budget and enforcement transparency, and whether the board should add members with community compounding or pharmacy technician expertise. Committee members also asked about the board’s oversight priorities and the rationale for its standard-of-care proposal. Board staff explained that consumer protection includes education, licensing, policy, and enforcement, with the highest-priority enforcement cases being those posing imminent public harm. After public testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and adjourned the sunset review hearing, announcing an immediate transition to the joint informational hearing on the Department of Cannabis Control.