Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Albritton. >> No. Senator Carnley. Senator Chambliss. Senator Coleman. >> I.
• Senator Gudger. Senator Hatcher. >> I. Senator Kelly. Senator Coleman-Madison. >> I.
• Senator Cornley. Aye. Senator Chambliss. Senator Coleman. No. Senator Geter. Aye. Senator Hatch.
• Senator Kelly. Senator Coleman-Madison. No. Senator Hovey. Aye. Senator Elliott. Aye.
• Senator Hatch. No. Senator Hatch. No. Senator<00:34:14.320> Kelly. Senator Kelly.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will come to order. Senator Murphy. >> Mr. President, I oppose a call of the Senate.
• Senator<00:33:01.760> Liur. Senator Liur. Senator Liur.
• >> Senator Senator Port. >> Senator Senator Port.
• Senator Pappas, Senator Dibble, Senator Frentz, Senator Gustafson, Senator Clark, Senator Johnson Stewart
• ,<02:58:16.479> Senator Senator Dibble, Senator France, Senator Senator Dibble, Senator France

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a call of the Senate, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and moved to messages from the House. The chamber received several House-passed Senate files, including SF 2814 (real estate appraisers), SF 3637 (transportation), and SF 4244 (technical corrections), and took up SF 1714 on payment transparency and public contracts. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to SF 1714, advanced it to third reading, and then passed the bill 65-0. The Senate also received House amendments to SF 3432 on public safety, but instead of concurring, it voted to send the bill to a five-member conference committee. The Senate likewise agreed to a conference committee request on HF 4188, a commerce bill dealing with consumer protections for insurance and financial products. The Senate then handled additional House messages and routine business, including first reading of several House files and adoption of committee reports. A committee report on SF 453, relating to thermal energy networks as public improvements and water works, recommended amendment and passage under Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, and the report was adopted except for the referenced resolution item. The chamber also completed second readings of several Senate bills and one House bill, and approved a motion to withdraw SF 4464 from the Committee on State and Local Government and return it to the author. The main floor debate centered on HF 1141, the housing finance and policy omnibus. Senator Port described the bill as focused on affordability, including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota infrastructure grants, manufactured housing protections, limits on large institutional investors buying single-family homes, and increased oversight of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The Senate adopted several amendments, including a technical A12 amendment, A7 to dedicate $5 million of bonding to manufactured home park improvements, and A4 on manufactured housing protections such as rent receipts and longer move-out time after eviction. Senator Abler then offered A14, which would limit rent increases in certain non-market-rate, tax-credit housing for seniors to CPI-based increases; supporters framed it as a humanitarian measure for elderly residents facing steep rent hikes, while opponents raised concerns about rent control, the scope of the amendment, and the need for more detail. The transcript ends during continued debate on A14, with no final vote shown on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Senate District 36. It's nine cities.
• I'm Senator Good morning, everybody.
• I represent I'm Senator Liz Boldon.
• <00:08:51.280> We have in the Senate Tax Committee. We have in the Senate Tax Committee.
• So this is a real plan that the Senate So this is a real plan that the Senate DFL<00:10:13.760><

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate DFL leaders held a press conference focused on affordability, federal cuts, and end-of-session negotiations. Senators Heather Gustafson, Erin Maye Quade, Liz Boldon, Grant Hauschild, and Majority Leader Erin Murphy highlighted prior DFL accomplishments such as universal school meals, North Star Promise, paid family and medical leave, property tax relief, the child tax credit, and Social Security tax cuts, while arguing that House Republicans have not shown enough urgency on current affordability issues. A major theme was the impact of federal policy on Minnesota, especially cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, rising health care and energy costs, and cost shifts to counties and local governments. The senators said the state is spending heavily to backfill federal cuts and protect Minnesotans from higher costs, with particular concern for rural communities, hospitals, EMS, food shelves, and county property taxes. Hauschild emphasized that rural counties and seniors would bear added burdens from federal mandates, while Murphy said the Senate is trying to put money directly into people’s pockets through rental assistance, heating assistance, food support, and targeted property tax relief. The leaders also discussed a Senate Tax Committee proposal for about $100 million in direct property tax refunds, and Murphy said the Senate’s position on HCMC funding is the strongest, while also needing support for rural hospitals and providers statewide. In response to questions, she said the Senate hopes to reach a global deal before the weekend and by Sunday midnight, described the Senate’s proposals as public and already passed, and said some items, including rental relief for people affected by an ICE operation, still have support and may move in the House. No votes were taken at the event.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Womack. Here. Senator Cloud. Here. Senator Boudreaux. Senator Edmonds. Here. Senator Fesi.
• Senator Harris. Senator Jackson-Andrews. Senator Miguez. Here. Senator Pressly. Here.
• Senator Selders. Senator Stine. Here. Senator Pressly. Here. Senator Selders. Senator Stine.
• Senator Womack, Mr.... I'm going to, you know, say some different things. Senator Womack, Mr.
• Senator Stine makes a motion to adjourn because Senator Womack is not here. Thank you.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Edmonds. Here. Present. Senator Hodges. Here. Present. Senator Barthelemy. Present.
• Senator Jackson-Andrews. Senator Miguez. Senator Mizell.
• Senator Jackson-Andrews, Senator Miguez, Senator Mizell, present. Senator Owen, present.
• Welcome to Senate Education. Thank you.
• Thank you for all comments, Senator.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the new State Senator of the 47th Senate District.
• The first bill on our agenda is Senate Bill 457A by Senator Sanders.
• The second bill on our agenda is Senate Bill 5084 by Senator Sepulveda.
• The fifth bill on our agenda is Senate Bill 8472A by Senator Cleare.
• The sixth bill on our agenda is Senate Bill 9866 by Senator Fassad.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Cities 1 met on May 7, 2026, with Senator Erik Bottcher presiding and Senator Chan offering brief opening remarks. The committee considered seven bills dealing with New York City and related municipal issues, including stormwater and groundwater analysis in southeast Queens (S.457A), a neutral-arbiter process for NYPD disciplinary decisions (S.5084), notice and inspection requirements for battery energy storage systems (S.5208), adjacent neighbor rights (S.6847), annual certification of school towers (S.8472A), and a publicly available list of people convicted of illegal dumping (S.9866). Members generally spoke in support of the measures, with comments emphasizing public safety, community impacts, and quality-of-life concerns. Each bill was moved and approved by the committee, with the bills then reported onward to either the Finance Committee, the floor, or another committee as noted during the meeting. The final bill, S.9955, sponsored by Senator Bottcher, would establish a parking placard review board; it was also approved and reported to the Transportation Committee. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are joined by our ranking members, Senator Borrello, Senator Chris Ryan, Senator Helming, and Senator
• Senator Fahy. So I think we have a motion by Senator Helming, seconded by Senator Borrello.
• Senator Bryan. Seconded by Senator Fahy and Fernandez.
• Motion by Senator Fernandez. We love farmers markets. Motion by Senator Fernandez.
• Good by Senator Borrello. Seconded by Senator Ryan. All those in favor? Aye.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food met to consider a short agenda of seven bills. The committee first advanced S.1742, which would increase penalties for knowingly violating dog shelter requirements, though one member noted concern that the definition could be applied too broadly and might affect unhoused people. The committee also reported S.4769, authorizing a study on vertical farming; S.5159A, adding duties to the Community Gardens Task Force; S.6573A, concerning recovery of deceased dogs or cats from public roads, with discussion about whether state employees should be included; and S.6848, expanding regional farmers markets. The committee then took up S.9478, a bill to prohibit state incentives for siting or operating commercial renewable energy systems in sensitive environmental areas. Members supporting the bill said it would help protect farmland and environmentally sensitive land from large solar and wind projects and would remove financial incentives without changing the underlying permitting process. Questions focused on how the bill would interact with ORES, local IDAs, and existing state subsidy programs; sponsors explained that it would not stop permits but would cut off state funding and incentives for projects in protected areas. The committee agreed to report the bill to the Energy Committee. All bills were approved by committee vote, with no recorded opposition noted in the discussion, and the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• 4572<00:04:48.600> Senator This bill Senate File 4572 Senator This bill Senate File 4572
• >> Senator<00:15:09.200> Bahr. >> Senator Bahr. >> Senator Bahr.
• Senator<00:15:16.120> Matthews. Senator Matthews. Senator Matthews.
• Uh Senator<00:36:09.760> Matthews. Senator Matthews. Senator Matthews.
• Senator >> Thank you, Senator Matthews. Senator Johnson-Stewart. Johnson-Stewart.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do Senate Bill 10-221 by Senator Serrano. And I'm not making appropriations.
• Moved by Senator Myers, Cigamas, and Frenas in favor of those bills reported straight to the floor for

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Rules considered Senate Bill 10-221, sponsored by Senator Serrano. The discussion was brief and focused on whether the bill should be reported directly to the floor for passage. A motion was made by Senators Myers, Cigamas, and Frenas to report the bill straight to the floor. The speaker noted that the bill was not making appropriations. The motion was rejected, and no further action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will Senator yield for some questions? >> Senator Serrano, do you yield?
• Thank you, Senator O'Mara. Senator Helming, why do you rise?
• Senator Ortt.
• Senator Gianaris. >> At this time, please call on Senator Rolison for an introduction. >> Senator Rolison
• >> CALENDAR 289, SENATE PRINT Calendar 289, Senate Print 2208C, Senator Webb, an act to amend the

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on May 6, 2026, approved the prior journal, and accepted a Rules Committee report advancing the government appropriations bill to third reading. The chamber then took up the tenth budget extender, which sponsor Senator Serrano said would keep state government operating through Monday, May 11 and contained $482 million in new spending, bringing the total across extenders to $20.3 billion. In questioning, Senator O’Mara and Senator Helming pressed Serrano for details on the reported $268 billion budget deal, policy outcomes, revenue raisers, and whether local governments, schools, and rural health programs would receive certainty; Serrano said final budget bills were not yet in print and declined to speculate on unresolved issues. The extender passed 60-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the North Tonawanda High School girls varsity basketball team, the Tappan Zee High School girls basketball team, and SUNY student Chriss-Ann Pryce. Members praised the teams’ state championships and Pryce’s academic and leadership achievements through the Educational Opportunity Program. The chamber then returned to legislation and passed a bill designating May 9 as Overdose Awareness Day in New York; Senator Fernandez said it recognized the harm of overdose and the need to continue funding harm reduction and recovery services. Additional bills passed included a statewide domestic violence lethality assessment measure, with Senators Murray, Rolison, Webb, and Ramos describing it as a tool to identify dangerous situations and prevent fatalities; a mental health insurance bill limiting step therapy/prior authorization for serious mental health medications, supported by Senator Fahy; and measures on education, real property tax, election law, general business law, kitchen incubator economic impacts, public buildings, state finance, and mental hygiene. Several bills drew recorded opposition, including the real property tax bill and the election law and general business law measures. The Senate concluded by adjourning until Monday, May 11 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated legislative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Limmer, would you like to begin? We're going to hear Senate File 5200, Senator Limmer.
• Senator Limmer moves that Senate floor.
• Senator<00:02:49.080> Franzen. Senator Franzen.
• I am Senator Sieberger, here on Senate File 4667, and I've invited Senator Howe to present this with
• Thank you Senator Howe. Thank you Senator Howe.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Rober, yes. Senator Lang, yes. Senator McCunki, yes. Senator Waters, no.
• Senator Apprentice, no. Senator Gray, yes. Senator Inis, yes. Senator Ward, yes.
• >> Senator Ward, yes. >> Senator Rashard's excused. >> Senator Fettton, no. >> Senator Mcu, yes. >> Senator
• Senator Rober? No. Senator Lang? Yes. Senator McConi? Yes. Senator Waters? No. Senator Apprentice?
• Senator Gray? Yes. Senator Inis? Yes. Senator Ward? Yes. Senator Rashard's excused. Senator Fenton?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please call the roll. >> Senator Awana. >> Here. >> Senator Chang. >> Here. >> Senator DeCoite. >> Here
• . >> Senator DeCourt. >> Here. >> Senator Dela Cruz. >> Here. >> Senator Elefante. >> Here. >> Senator
• Favela. >> Senator Fevella. >> Here. >> Senator Fukunaga. >> Excused. >> Senator Gabbard. >> Senator
• Hashimoto. >> Senator Ihara. >> Present. >> Senator Inouye. >> Present. >> Senator Kanuha. >> Here.
• >> Senator Keohokalole. >> Senator Keohokalole. >> Here. >> Senator Kidani. >> Senator Kim. >> Senator

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Putnam on the amendment. Senator Putnam on the amendment.
• <00:05:22.240> have Senator Johnson, Senator Kupec have Senator Johnson, Senator Kupec have
• Sure, Senator Putnam. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator French.
• Senator Franzen. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator Putnam.
• Um, Senator Pratt, no.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Richardson? Present. Senator DeRazzo? Present. Senator Seyarto? Senator Seyarto, present.
• Senator... Senator, we have multiple proposals on the legislative changes that we asked for.
• We brought it up last year as well, Senator, and so I think Senator Wiener was kind of leading the charge
• We'll be happy to work with Senator Cortese and others.
• The Senate Budget Subcommittee, number five on corrections, public safety, judiciary, The Senate Budget

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard an update from the California High-Speed Rail Authority on its 2026 draft business plan and related budget proposals. The Authority said work in the Central Valley is advancing, with 59 of 92 major structures complete, 80 of 119 miles under construction finished, utility relocations 93% complete, and track-laying expected to begin later this year. It said the revised plan targets completion of the Merced-to-Bakersfield early operating segment in 2032-33, and it highlighted a new strategy focused on ancillary revenues, public-private partnerships, and possible value-capture tools such as real estate, energy, broadband, logistics, and tax increment financing. The Authority also asked for reappropriation of $423 million in Prop 1A funds for the Link Union Station project and $246 million in federal trust funds to avoid expiration. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said it had no specific concerns with the two budget change proposals but raised broader concerns about the draft business plan and the project’s finances. LAO said the plan appears to assume optimistic cost savings, immediate approval of major statutory changes, and reliable future cap-and-invest revenues, while actual funding may be insufficient even for the revised Central Valley segment once borrowing costs are included. LAO also said the draft business plan was missing several required elements identified by the Office of the Inspector General, and it suggested the Legislature could wait until the plan is finalized before acting. Department of Finance had no additional comment. Members questioned the Authority about whether all proposed financing and policy changes are necessary, how tax increment financing would affect local governments and school districts, and what authority the Authority has to enter public-private partnerships without further legislative approval. The Authority said utility relocation authority is its top legislative priority, that value capture is a longer-term tool not needed to complete Merced-to-Bakersfield, and that any state backstop beyond the current $20 billion commitment would require returning to the Legislature. It said a private partner is expected to be selected around June 1, with more detailed financing analysis to follow over six to eight months. Public testimony was split: labor groups and project supporters backed the budget request and urged action on utility relocation and job creation, while local government and special district representatives strongly opposed tax increment financing and related land-use proposals without local consent. The hearing ended with no vote taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Senate Bill 1175 by Senator Rubio. Secretary, please read.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Laird, you are recognized.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Laird, you are recognized.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then took up Assembly Bill 108, a budget bill providing a one-time $25 million grant program through HCAI for hospitals in immediate financial distress, along with a technical fix for the property tax postponement program. Senators Laird and Jones spoke in support, and the bill passed 36-0 with immediate transmittal. The Senate also adopted several resolutions by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SCR 162 recognizing CASA Appreciation Day, SCR 165 designating California Wildfire Preparedness Week, SCR 84 proclaiming California Rail Month, SCR 153 for the National Day of Prayer, SCR 167 recognizing Mother’s Day, and SR 106 memorializing Black April Month. Floor remarks highlighted the work of CASA volunteers, wildfire preparedness and local fire mitigation efforts, the importance of rail to California’s transportation and climate goals, the role of faith and prayer, the contributions of mothers, and the history and sacrifices of Vietnamese refugees and Vietnamese American communities. Most of these measures passed on unanimous roll calls; SCR 153 passed 31-1. The Senate also passed SB 1175, which requires lobbyists to file registration changes directly with the Secretary of State to improve transparency and reduce delays; SB 949, designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape of statewide significance; SB 1038, strengthening CalPERS audit notification for unions; and SB 965, easing library card access for 16- and 17-year-olds by prohibiting a parent’s physical presence requirement. All of these bills passed on roll calls with no opposition. The consent calendar was then approved, committee announcements were made, and the session ended with an adjournment in memory of Dan Hughes, a former public safety officer and local parks district member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hurtado. Here. Senator Nilo. Senator Cabaldon. Here. Senator Smallwood-Quavis.
• Senator Cabaldon.
• Senator Smallwood-Cuevas.
• And so, as both the Senator, Senator Becker, and the supervisor have indicated, the mechanism that was
• There's not a cultural district designated in most of the Senate districts that adjoin my Senate district

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget item on vehicle license fee backfill funding, where the Department of Finance said the administration was not proposing the requested $119 million for San Mateo County, Alpine, and Mono, arguing the payment is discretionary and that existing excess ERAF formulas should remain unchanged. Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier testified that the money is owed under the VLF swap arrangement and that San Mateo County faces major service cuts without the backfill; Senator Cabaldon raised broader policy questions about county boundaries and the structure of the formula. The chair held the item open after public comment. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department requested funding for SB 851 implementation, including additional duties related to election litigation notice, voting system standards, and vendor reporting, with $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software. Members asked about election security, federal HAVA funding, staffing, and implementation timing; the department said current federal funds are expected to run out in 2027-28 and that it hopes to hire quickly once funded. The item was held open. The Secretary of State also presented the Cal Access Replacement System (CARS), seeking $11.8 million General Fund to finish the project and begin operations, and the notary automation replacement project, seeking $9.795 million in Business Fees Fund for continued development of the outdated notary system. Members focused on project delays, stakeholder input, and whether the funding requests matched prior plans; the department said both projects were still on their original funding tracks but had shifted timelines due to planning needs and election-related workload. Both items were held open. CalVet presented its department overview and then discussed the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility at Yountville, which is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building. Members asked about the future of Holderman, other campus capital projects, and a payroll/fringe-benefit issue affecting some employees; CalVet said Holderman will continue to house some functions, the roofing and steam projects remain in progress, and the tax issue has been addressed with new procedures and repayment arrangements. The committee also discussed eliminating vacant positions under Control Section 4.12, with CalVet saying the positions were long-vacant CNA and related jobs and the LAO noting the Legislature had not concurred; Senator Cabaldon said he had no objection, and the item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an overview of its work and its cultural districts program, describing grants and technical assistance in all 58 counties and citing examples of local impact. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas strongly supported additional funding, including a proposed $50 million General Fund investment and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts, arguing the program supports economic development, preservation, and community identity; council staff said the program is currently unfunded and has only been able to designate a fraction of applicants. Senator Cabaldon noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural districts and urged broader geographic representation. The item was informational and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And good morning, Senators.
• Thank you, Senator Coy. Senator McNerney.
• Yes, Senator McNerney, of course. Yes, Senator McNerney, of course.
• Senator Allen. Senator Allen. At least we’re on our way on that part. Thank you so much.
• Also, as a sponsor of Senate Bill 601 by Mr.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extensive discussion on the Governor’s proposal to eliminate vacant positions across several environmental and natural resources departments, including Fish and Wildlife, Parks, the Coastal Commission/BCDC, DPR, DTSC, CalRecycle, and the State Water Resources Control Board. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the JLBC had already not concurred with 650 of roughly 1,000 positions under review, citing concerns that many of the vacancies support core functions such as law enforcement, permitting, public safety, sea-level rise planning, and implementation of recently enacted laws. The Department of Finance defended the vacancy reduction exercise as a way to capture savings from a statewide pool of about 40,000 vacancies, arguing that departments need flexibility to manage operations and that some vacancies are used to cover operating costs or hard-to-fill roles. Several department representatives testified that the cuts would reduce capacity and could slow permitting or enforcement, though they said they would try to reclassify positions and prioritize the highest-need work. No vote was taken and all items were held open for a future hearing. Members focused heavily on the practical effects of the cuts. Senators questioned whether vacant positions should be treated as a budget savings tool, whether special-fund positions should be eliminated when they do not affect the General Fund, and whether long-vacant positions should simply be removed if they have not been filled for years. Fish and Wildlife and Parks described impacts to permitting, wildlife conflict response, and law enforcement; Parks said its academy can train only about 50 rangers a year, leaving many vacancies even after the proposed reductions. The Coastal Commission said the affected positions support SB 272 sea-level rise planning with local governments. DPR said the proposed cuts would affect multiple branches involved in pesticide registration, enforcement, and safety review, while DTSC said it was still hiring from a large 2022 reform package and had reduced its vacancy rate from about 30 percent to 15 percent before the drill. The State Water Board said its proposed reductions would be spread across programs and could lead to slower permitting and backlogs, though it would protect drinking water functions as much as possible. The committee then moved to a State Water Resources Control Board overview and a new budget proposal tied to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision. Chair Esquivel described the board’s responsibilities for water quality, water rights, drinking water, and financial assistance, and said the board is updating the Bay-Delta Plan while also pursuing voluntary agreements and broader water-rights administration. He said federal workforce reductions and the Sackett ruling have increased pressure on state programs. The board requested $2.6 million and 12 permanent positions from the Waste Discharge Permit Fund to address permitting and enforcement gaps created by the narrowing of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. The LAO said the request met its high bar for new proposals because it was supported by the board’s data and would help maintain water-quality protections, though it noted that state processes are less efficient than the federal framework they are now partially replacing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, Senators.
• Good afternoon, Senator.
• Senator, two quick things.
• Good afternoon, Senator.
• Hi, Senator Men Driver.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and then took public testimony from the administration, LAO, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and an aging/disability advocacy group. The administration described IHSS as a large Medi-Cal long-term services program serving more than 900,000 recipients and proposed three changes: shifting some growth costs tied to authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the statewide backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The administration also discussed the earlier CFCO reassessment penalty change for counties and said overdue reassessments had dropped significantly. LAO said the governor’s overall IHSS cost estimates appeared reasonable, but raised concerns about the hours-per-case cost shift, including unclear root causes for growth, limited county control over statewide averages, and uncertainty about the eventual savings. County Welfare Directors Association, SEIU, and consumer/advocacy witnesses opposed the hours cost shift, arguing counties use state tools, the proposal would pressure counties to cut services, and it could harm older adults and people with disabilities by increasing institutionalization and shifting costs elsewhere. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the rationale for the proposal, the lack of a defined baseline, and whether the current assessment tools or MOE structure should instead be revisited. On the backup provider system, the administration said the program is underused and costly to administer relative to service spending, while LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced instead of eliminating it. County, labor, and consumer witnesses opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical emergency safety net even if utilization is low, especially for rural areas and people with complex needs. Members also asked about data quality, county backup systems, and whether consumers know the program exists. On the Medi-Cal/IHSS alignment proposal, the administration said automation would stop General Fund-only spending when recipients lose Medi-Cal and restore IHSS automatically when Medi-Cal is regained; LAO and others noted the proposal had been rejected before and urged better notices and safeguards. Witnesses warned that automatic termination could create gaps in care and unpaid work for providers, while the department said counties already manually terminate in some cases and that automation is ready if approved. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair indicated the committee would continue with public comment and later items before a hard adjournment time.

Transcript Highlights:

• , no. >> Senator Bondard, yes. >> Senator Brennan, no. >> Senator Brock, no. >> Senator Kitney, yes.
• Senator Harvey, yes. >> Senator Harrison, yes. >> Senator Hashim, yes. >> Senator Herman, no. >> Senator
• >> Senator Bahoski, yes. >> Senator Watson, yes. >> Senator Weeks, no. >> Senator Westman, no. >> Senator
• > Senator Bard, yes. >> Senator Brennan, no. >> Senator Brock, no. >> Senator Kitten, yes. >> Senator
• > Senator Mats, no. >> Senator Mley, no. >> Senator Norris, no. >> Senator Pers, yes. >> Senator Plunkett

Keywords: 927, senate, all