Transcript Highlights:

• We have 451 miles of roads and 152 miles of trails.
• I believe that to be true from your statement that said for your four core missions, you spend 97% of
• I believe that to be true from your statement that said for your four core missions, you spend 97% of
• It represents a reduction of about $13 million off of the FY 2025-2026 budget of $83 million.
• lot of repair work on some of our locks and dams.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think it is in the best interest of the Taxpayers of the state of New Mexico and the legislature
• And so I think it is in the best interest of the people of New Mexico to create This committee.
• Again, I do believe that you're going to see some interesting work come out of the WIP committee that
• And as I look through a lot of these committees, a lot of them are special interest ideas.
• We got to take care of this special interest group.

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• But of those, 889 of the unanalyzed kits were outside. of the statutory time frame of 90 days, and 277
• Yeah, I agree with some of the statements that were made before that this is a federal issue. that the
• You kind of hit on it when you opened up your statement, but just out of curiosity, since you did mention
• Yeah, a lot of interesting testimony.
• And what those say is that the statements you are giving cannot be used against you in a court of law

Bills: HB1583 , HB1775 , HB1832 , HB1836 , HB1837 , HB1866 , HB1983 , HB2029 , HB2217 , HB2318 , HB2363 , HB2486

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, I'm very interested in the foster care system, and these types of issues discourage
• Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to...
• Like, in terms of the types of interactions a family had with the Department of Family and Protective
• was a member of ADA's board of directors.
• This results in a loss of quality of life, a loss of productivity, and it is extremely expensive for

Bills: SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I hear the concerns regarding the amount and kind of the financial assurances.
• What I'm aware of is any kind of early financial assurances from refineries are typically through the
• And part of the RCRA financial assurances does include, and it addresses post-closure and corrective
• There is a minuscule amount of financial assurance associated with waste management unit cleanups at
• It was kind of laid out there, not talked about extensively, but it would be interesting to see what

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and planning considerations associated with refinery closures. In opening remarks, the chair framed refinery shutdowns as a complex part of California’s decarbonization transition and said the committee would focus on environmental and land-use issues, while Vice Chair Gunda argued closures reflect years of policy-driven disinvestment and warned that supply disruptions and higher prices could harm working families. State agency witnesses from the Energy Commission, CARB, and the Water Boards described the state as being in a “mid-transition,” with declining gasoline demand, growing zero-emission vehicle adoption, and increasing conversion of some refinery assets to renewable fuels, but also with abrupt capacity losses that can force greater reliance on imports and storage. They emphasized the need for proactive planning, transparency, and coordination across agencies, and noted that refinery closures can stress pipelines, terminals, and other linked infrastructure, with potential liabilities falling to the state if those assets are not financially supported. The Water Boards explained their cleanup authorities and tools for refinery decommissioning, including investigation, monitoring, remediation, and enforcement under the Water Code, and said site-specific cleanup plans depend on contamination, groundwater conditions, and future land use. They noted that decommissioning can reveal previously inaccessible areas and require additional sampling or wells, and that cleanup costs can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Committee members pressed the witnesses on whether the state has enough information to plan for land transitions, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more standardized procedures or financial assurances are needed. The witnesses generally said existing tools are useful but that more transparency and better data sharing would help communities and policymakers understand liabilities and long-term redevelopment opportunities. Members also questioned the relationship between California policy, refinery closures, imports, and global emissions. CARB said its programs apply to transportation fuel suppliers whether fuel is refined in-state or imported, and that its climate and air-quality rules are designed to reduce emissions and avoid leakage. Some senators argued that California’s policies have accelerated closures and that demand has not fallen fast enough to offset lost refining capacity, while agency witnesses responded that closures are also driven by global market forces, aging infrastructure, crude quality, and changing fuel demand. The committee then heard from outside experts, including a Notre Dame professor who said closure costs are often underestimated and that stronger financial assurance requirements can shift company behavior, a Stanford/SLAC researcher who outlined five drivers of refinery closures, and an environmental attorney who discussed community impacts and lessons from the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational and focused on testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, we are very supportive of the proposal.
• And if the Legislature is interested in providing additional funding to cover some of the costs associated
• a cost-of-living adjustment of 2.41%.
• the special ed needs of all of our students?
• I am a recipient of the Golden State Teacher Grant, and this grant transformed my life by removing financial

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification. For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the blessings of serving here is learning One of the blessings of serving here is learning something
• of $2.07537 per thousand of assessed value, and requires that tax statements identify the state property
• In the interest of time and to prevent tedious repetition, I won't provide background on this bill since
• In the interest of time and to prevent tedious repetition, I won't provide background on this bill since
• In the interest of time and to prevent tedious repetition, I won't provide background on this bill since

Summary: House Finance met in executive session on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, the proposed “millionaires’ income tax” package. Staff reviewed the bill and a long list of amendments affecting the new income tax, related business tax changes, and several exemptions and implementation provisions. The committee adopted amendments to exempt diapers from sales tax, allow certain tribal income treatment clarifications, create an advisory group to help implement the tax, move up the repeal date for some business tax changes, and require the measure to go to the voters; several other amendments on federal conformity, agricultural income, pass-through entities, and the marriage threshold were rejected or withdrawn. The committee then adopted the striking amendment as amended and advanced the bill on a 9-6 do pass vote, with supporters arguing it would fund education, health care, child care, and tax relief, and opponents warning about competitiveness, capital flight, and the state’s spending growth. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6097, which would add federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible entities for county Conservation Futures Program funding. Staff said the bill would not change the tax levy structure and would have no state revenue impact, while tribal witnesses said it would improve voluntary conservation partnerships for habitat, farmland, and open space. Members asked about the bill’s scope, and staff confirmed it applies only to federally recognized tribes. House Finance also heard Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform measure that would consolidate the state school levy, expand senior and disability property tax exemptions, raise income thresholds, and simplify the application process with a standard deduction. The prime sponsor and county assessors supported the bill as a way to help seniors, disabled persons, and disabled veterans stay in their homes and reduce administrative burden, while several testifiers opposed it as a tax shift that would raise costs for others and potentially strain local revenues. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6113, an administrative and technical tax cleanup bill related to last year’s tax changes; the Department of Revenue supported it and noted a possible clarifying amendment, while nonprofits, schools, libraries, health care groups, workforce training providers, and trade associations asked for additional exemptions for live presentations and related educational activities. The chair announced that Senate Bill 6097 would be added to Monday’s executive session, Senate Bill 6114 was removed, and amendments for Monday’s bills were due by 5 p.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• of.
• But one of the interesting aspects that he brought up, the previous speaker, was the fact of their safety
• title due to denial of the claim, lack of coverage, or lack of cooperation from the vehicle's owner.
• title due to a denial of insurance claim, a lack of coverage on the policy, or a lack of cooperation
• Let us get out of you. Who are we get out of you? Come on. We get out of you.

Bills: HB2163 , HB2256 , HB2305 , HB2367 , HB2369 , HB2669 , HB2772 , HB2916 , HCM2007 , HCR2004 , HR2003

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• It also specified that any statement misrepresenting the scope of damages, including repair costs or
• an interesting read and I think for right now at least it's probably the best kind of a baseline for
• Is that a topic of interest to the task force that research support?
• Is that a topic of interest to the task force that research support? Uh,<01:26:32.719><c> Mr.
• task</c> Is that a topic of interest to the task Is that a topic of interest to the task force<01:28:

Transcript Highlights:

• of interest rates being update because of interest rates being higher.<03:32:19.200><c> Today,</c><03
• ><03:32:47.279><c> the</c> interest rates and some of the interest rates and some of the refinancing<
• Our interest is over 3% of GDP this year.
• Our interest is deficit to 3% of GDP.
• </c> $2.1 trillion of that is just interest. $2.1 trillion of that is just interest.

Transcript Highlights:

• had expressed concern over how much this would cost in terms of financial responsibility for the penalties
• And what's interesting here is none of those young ladies are from a military family.
• And what's interesting here is none of those young ladies are from a military family.
• Senator Martin has a bill in front of us for us to vote on to reduce the amount of time of statute of
• One of the things that is very interesting about these types of cases, we're all familiar with the headlines

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including remarks from Senator Berman on Democratic priorities and introductions of military leaders and an intern. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with many bills substituted to House companions, amended, and passed, while several others were temporarily postponed. Major measures approved included the dangerous dogs/Pam Rock Act (SB 572/HB 593), which tightened penalties and procedures for dog attacks and passed 36-0; local government land regulation (SB 1080), which was amended to remove agricultural enclave language and passed 26-8; vessel/freedom-related legislation (SB 1388/HB 1137), which passed 35-0; blood clot screening and treatment (SB 890/HB 1421), which added registry and training provisions and passed 36-0; fleeing or eluding law enforcement (SB 468/HB 113), which increased offense levels and passed 36-0; concealed carry/licensing for certain officers and service members (SB 490/HB 383), which passed 33-3; timeshare management (SB 496/HB 897), which clarified governance and annual meeting requirements and passed 36-0; background screening education (SB 614/HB 531), which created a public webpage and passed 36-0; utility service restrictions (SB 1002/HB 1137), which preempted local energy-source restrictions and passed 36-0; Medicaid oversight (SB 1060), which created a joint oversight committee and passed 35-0; health facilities authorities (SB 68), amended to make fentanyl urine screening more discretionary, and passed 36-0; and veterans’ nursing home beds (SB 78/HB 797), which authorized veteran- and spouse-designated beds and passed 36-0. The chamber also passed disability history and awareness instruction (SB 540/HB 447), a highly personal bill honoring Evan Hartzell that drew extended debate about disability language, inclusion, and education; it passed 35-0 after 35 co-sponsors were added. Manufacturing policy bills SB 600 and SB 602 were approved after amendments to add reporting, ranking metrics, and fee-use restrictions, both passing 35-0. Educational opportunities for military children (SB 1528) passed 36-0 after testimony from student sponsors and senators praising the bill’s origin. Several other bills, including Medicaid oversight, mammograms, Parkinson’s disease, condominium/cooperative associations, waste management, human trafficking, and Bright Futures, were postponed or not taken up during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• concern over how much this would cost in terms of financial responsibility for the penalties, the administrative
• sources of energy of Restrictions that could affect the types of sources of energy available to consumers
• And what's interesting here is none of those young ladies are from a military family.
• of statute of limitations to a year.
• One of the things that is very interesting about these types of cases, we're all familiar with the headlines

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including remarks from Senator Berman outlining Democratic priorities such as education, health care, environmental protection, and opposition to rollbacks on child labor, book access, and gun safety. The chamber also recognized military guests and an intern before moving to the special order calendar. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, Medicaid oversight at one point in the flow, and mammogram coverage, though the Medicaid oversight bill was later taken up and passed. The Senate passed a series of bills, often after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. Among the major measures approved were the dangerous dogs bill (the Pam Rock Act), which tightened penalties and procedures after fatal attacks; a local government land regulation bill that streamlined comp plan review and defined impact-fee circumstances, though members raised concerns about quasi-judicial hearing limits and local costs; a vessel-related bill combining boating safety and voter-freedom provisions; a blood clot screening and treatment bill creating the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act; fleeing and eluding penalties; concealed carry and firearm possession rules for certain officers and service members; timeshare management reforms; and public education on background screening requirements. The chamber also approved bills on disability history and awareness instruction, manufacturing and a related fee bill, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, health facilities authorities, and veteran and spouse nursing home beds. The disability instruction bill drew extended debate about the use of the term “disability,” inclusion, and whether the measure was consistent with broader DEI debates; it passed unanimously after emotional testimony from the sponsor and families. The manufacturing and utility bills focused on statewide economic policy and preemption of local restrictions, while the military children bill was presented as a student-driven proposal. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to 33-3 on the firearm bill and 26-8 on the land regulation bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Management endowments: some of our state partners, specifically WDFW, are interested in holding management
• area and other counties that surround Spokane, and there’s a huge amount of interest from the county
• I'm kind of interested: do we actually provide state money for the operation of the state veterans cemeteries
• And then I also am very interested in some of the legislation that Dr. Not.
• And then I also am very interested in some of the legislation that Dr.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining its voluntary conservation work to reduce encroachment around the base by protecting prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and managing sensitive species. He described REPI funding, recent and proposed projects, and possible policy support such as state designation, dedicated funding, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-right transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. David Puente of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs updated the committee on plans for a new state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and a replacement Spokane Veterans Home. He said the cemetery project has two candidate sites near Richland/West Richland, with pre-design funded by the legislature and a future request expected for land purchase and construction; he also noted the current cemetery funding source is limited and would not support a second cemetery without additional state operating funds. On the Spokane home, he described the current facility’s limitations and said the replacement would be a 120-bed, small-house model on a larger site, with the VA expected to cover 65% of construction costs if the state provides the match. He also reviewed agency budget reductions, including vacant positions, reduced outreach, cuts to counseling and wellness funding, and reduced support for veterans service organizations. Blue Star Families’ Puget Sound chapter also presented on its programs for military-connected families, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor programming, career support, and Blue Star Welcome Week. The group said it is expanding beyond the South Sound and is using local outposts and online networks to reach more families, while also helping with food insecurity through grocery gift cards and partnerships with local nonprofits. Committee members discussed the need to expand the organization statewide and the ongoing food-security challenges facing military families. During the final discussion on potential legislation, members raised ideas including restoring Washington National Guard retention efforts, expanding E-CAP eligibility to military families, revisiting the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and addressing veterans’ preference issues for service members who have not yet received a DD-214. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions, but members and presenters discussed future policy and budget requests, and the chairs thanked the presenters and staff before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, as a follow-up, what's the most recent interest rate that we've had on the issuance of bonds?
• Yeah, as a follow up, what's the most recent interest rate that we've had on the issuance of bonds?
• Lots of conversations. Yeah, lots of conversations.
• of this year.
• I think as of the effective date of the bill by $50.

Summary: The committee heard briefings and public testimony on three transportation bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6170 would raise WSDOT monetary thresholds for doing repairs in-house and for contracting work intended to support small, veteran-, minority-, and women-owned businesses, increasing the regular repair limit from $60,000 to $100,000, the emergency repair limit from $100,000 to $160,000 with annual inflation adjustment, and the contracting threshold from $100,000 to $160,000. The sponsor and WSDOT supported the bill as an efficiency measure; the fiscal note indicated no fiscal impact. Washington Federation of State Employees also supported it, saying the higher limits would let highway maintenance crews do more work in-house while preserving the existing work split with contractors. Substitute Senate Bill 6225 would authorize new and expanded transportation general obligation bonds, including $1.1 billion for highway projects in the Move Ahead Washington account, $400 million for listed highway projects with cost increases, and a $500 million increase to the SR 520 bond authorization, while also ending issuance of certain older unissued bond authorizations after June 30, 2026. Committee members asked about debt service, bond capacity, and how the money would be allocated; staff said the projects would be handled through the budget process and that the bill was intended to provide flexibility. Labor and business groups supported the bill as a way to fund preservation and maintenance and provide predictability, while Transportation Choices Coalition said any bonding should be limited and paired with broader transportation funding reforms and protection for multimodal programs. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would allow certain qualifying U.S.-based battery electric vehicle manufacturers that have Washington service facilities and no prior franchise agreements to own and operate dealer licenses and sell directly, while also raising the dealer documentary service fee from $200 to $250 until the end of 2026 and directing part of the increase to an EV rebate program and the multimodal transportation account. Rivian and Lucid supported the bill as a compromise that would expand EV access and direct-sale options; Climate Solutions and the Port of Seattle also supported it, citing emissions reduction and affordability goals. Washington State Auto Dealers Association supported the compromise, saying it strengthens franchise protections while allowing limited direct sales. Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed the bill, arguing it creates special treatment and weakens the franchise system, and some urged added consumer protections, service requirements, or bonding. The committee took no final action and closed the public hearings after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• financial guidance and connecting them with some of the home buyer programs, they were able to finally
• Obviously, they're strapped financially, as a lot of smaller cities and towns are.
• the directors—I mean, of course, I'm particularly interested in Holyoke, but also in Chelsea, too—how
• So we have a complex process for assessing people in terms of their interest in being foster parents,
• the documentation of those medical expenses or household expenses, your mortgage statements, anything

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held an FY27 Health and Human Services budget hearing in Mattapan, hosted at the Boston Public Library branch. Chairs Lydia Edwards and Russell Holmes, along with Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid, emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing ever in Mattapan and highlighted the importance of bringing state budget deliberations into a majority-Black neighborhood. Several legislators introduced themselves as they joined, and the committee noted that public testimony was not part of the format, though agencies were invited to discuss priorities and challenges. MassAbility opened the agency testimony. Leadership described the agency’s mission to support people with disabilities through employment, training, home and community life services, and disability determination. They said Governor Healey’s FY27 budget funds MassAbility at $93.3 million, a 1% reduction from FY26, and explained that the agency is responding to federal funding uncertainty and shifting program needs by redesigning services internally. Members questioned a proposed $1.3 million reduction to the Home Care Program, staffing changes, and whether services could be maintained with fewer resources. MassAbility said it was reviewing data on who uses the program, that it does not provide nursing or personal care, and that it is working with a transition plan and a working group. The agency also discussed federal uncertainty around vocational rehabilitation funding and said it had received delayed federal awards but remained in contact with national associations and federal partners. The testimony included a personal story from a participant, Joshua Corcoran, to illustrate the impact of services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing testified next, requesting $11.27 million, about a 6% increase over FY26. The commission said it serves about 1.4 million residents and focuses on communication access in health care, courts, public safety, and other public systems. It highlighted interpreter and captioner workforce shortages, a mentorship program to expand the provider pool, and a modernized referral platform funded through capital contingency money. Members asked about interpreter availability, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL access for students and families, and training for police and emergency responders. The commission said staffing remains limited, especially for after-hours services, but that it is expanding training, school outreach, and partnerships with DCF and other agencies. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind then presented its FY27 budget request of $30.8 million. The commissioner said the agency serves nearly 9,000 legally blind residents, provides training and peer support, and placed 190 consumers in competitive integrated employment this year. It also described services for older adults, vocational rehabilitation, and the Turning 22 program for young adults with additional disabilities. Members raised concerns about a 7% cut from the prior year and asked how the agency could maintain services; the commissioner said the agency had no waiting list, had trimmed overhead, and could manage the budget through internal efficiencies and strong partnerships. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the session, describing expanded legal and support services for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, citizenship and financial literacy programs, and the Family Welcome Center in Mattapan. Members asked about federal funding losses and the structure of the new legal services program; ORI said FY26 funding is stable but FY27 federal cuts remain uncertain, and that the legal program uses a centralized intake system with priority for emergencies and first-come, first-served access.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them is an interest area of mine because I've seen the impact of it, and that is the Support Inclusive
• One of them is an interest area of mine because I've seen the impact of it, and that is the support inclusive
• So we'd be interested in your feedback at revision on that, reflective of the comments of the committee
• I'd be interested in seeing where some of those increases, you've maybe identified some data points of
• I've personally been a member of the board and have seen the list of requests, but the interesting thing

Summary: The committee heard opening public comment and then took up several K-12 budget items in the Governor’s January proposal. On LCFF and necessary small schools, the Department of Finance described a 2.41% COLA, a roughly $2.2 billion increase for districts and charters, and a $30.7 million ongoing augmentation to raise necessary small schools funding by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA and said the small schools proposal had merit, but questioned the 20% figure and warned about a sharp funding cliff around the enrollment thresholds. Members and witnesses repeatedly raised declining enrollment, attendance, and the need to align funding with outcomes and local cost pressures. The chair and several members also asked whether consolidation, shared administration, or alternative formulas could better address small district costs, and the issue was left open for further discussion. The panel then discussed special education equalization. Finance proposed $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 funding to raise the statewide special education base rate to $999 per ADA, which would fully equalize SELPA base rates; the LAO said the same target could likely be reached with less money under current assumptions. CDE strongly supported equalization as an equity issue and said about 15% of students are identified with disabilities, with identification rising by roughly 20,000 to 25,000 students per year. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, high caseloads, and the need to use any additional funds for inclusive practices, alternative diploma pathways, and the extraordinary cost pool. The committee also discussed whether the budget language should reflect the $509 million amount or the $999 rate, and the item was held open. For the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring $757.3 million one-time to complete the program, while the LAO recommended approval because learning loss remains unresolved and districts have generally used the funds for tutoring, supplemental instruction, and other academic supports. CDE explained that LEAs must revisit their needs assessments and that many districts are using the funds alongside other support systems, but members pressed for clearer accountability and better data on how much money actually goes to tutoring or other direct services. The committee then reviewed the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant, with Finance proposing $2.8 billion one-time and the LAO saying discretionary funding can help districts address local priorities but should be paired with fiscal oversight and possibly more targeted priorities. Members split between supporting flexibility for local needs and worrying that the grant could be used to cover ongoing structural deficits without clear evidence of student-outcome gains; the issue was also held open. Finally, the committee heard a high-level overview of school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance proposing to continue $1.5 billion in bond spending in 2026-27. OPSC said that at the current pace all Prop 2 K-12 funds would likely be exhausted around 2029-30, and that demand is shifting toward modernization as enrollment declines in many areas. Members asked about school closures, reuse of unused sites, and the new small school district facilities program, which OPSC said is moving toward proposed regulations and would begin accepting modernization applications in November 2026 and new construction applications in January 2027. The committee also briefly noted community college facilities funding and asked for more information later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under this bill, it is established that temporary guardianship must also be in the interest of the child
• And it actually, to me, I'm interested if I'm kind of reading this right, it kind of acknowledges the
• Interested if I'm kind of reading this right, it kind of acknowledges the existence of cases where a
• Alfaro was convicted of seven counts of sexual assault of a child under 14 and one count of lewdness
• An interesting point, and I believe the Chair commented about this as well, what about classes of crimes

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• the funders as real parties with financial interest in the case.
• the funders as real parties with financial interest in the case.
• the funders as real parties with financial interest in the case.
• Funders as real parties with financial interest in the case.
• He thinks it's clear that when you take away the financial impact of litigation and sort of pass that

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• interest in this topic and lots of questions.
• I think one of the things that I am very interested in making sure that we're focused on is the fact
• I think one of the things that I am very interested in making sure that we're focused on is the fact
• We're here as living examples of resiliency of our people, of our elders, of our songs.
• We're here as living examples of resiliency of our people, of our elders, of our songs.

Summary: The joint Assembly Health and Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an oversight hearing on AB 988, California’s 988 crisis line and mobile crisis response system, followed by a discussion of suicide prevention and intervention in California Indian communities. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that AB 988 was intended to create a true alternative to 911 for behavioral health crises, with “someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go,” and that Native communities continue to face disproportionately high suicide rates and barriers to culturally responsive care. The first panel of call center and stakeholder witnesses largely argued that implementation is falling short of the law’s intent. They said 988 call centers are underfunded, text/chat answer rates remain far below call answer rates, staffing is strained, and the system still lacks meaningful statewide interoperability between 988 and 911. Several witnesses said mobile crisis teams are not being dispatched through 988 as envisioned, and that funding formulas and governance are too opaque. San Joaquin County was presented as a local success story, with integrated 988, access lines, and mobile crisis handoffs that have reduced reliance on emergency departments and involuntary holds. Witnesses also discussed the need for better tribal outreach, the role of CCBHCs, and the importance of culturally competent services. State officials from CalHHS and DHCS described the five-year 988 implementation plan, the current governance structure across multiple agencies, and efforts to support training, public awareness, and referral tools. They reported growth in 988 contacts, ongoing training with the Trevor Project, a statewide resource directory, and a tribal awareness campaign. DHCS also outlined proposed trailer bill language that would create a formal designation process for 988 centers, set statewide standards, and require existing centers to obtain designation by 2029. Officials said current funding includes SAMHSA grants, block grant dollars, and an expected $67.3 million from the 988 fund in the next budget year, with a large share earmarked for Medi-Cal mobile crisis services. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and of course all of you are familiar with the Office of Risk and Resilience, which operates under
• It's a department all of its own and does a lot of things.
• Um do explanation of of what it uh does.
• Some of those in the state of Alabama.
• of of it and and lateness of the of of it and and whatever<00:41:12.240><c> discussions</c><00:41:12.880

Bills: HB424 , SB63 , SB269 , HB424 , SB63 , SB269

Committees: House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce , House Insurance

Keywords: HB424, Montgomery County, sheriff, county sheriff, salary increase, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, public official compensation, law enforcement pay, elected official salary, Montgomery County legislation, sheriff compensation, term-based salary, immigration, law enforcement, fingerprints, DNA collection, illegal aliens