Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment simply reincorporates the automatic mobility language that was part of the bill last session

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills, all of which were reported favorably. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was presented as a negotiated “glitch bill” to narrow statutory language so co-ops can choose generation and power purchases based on cost and reliability without exposure to lawsuits aimed at banning fuel sources; it was supported by the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association and passed without debate. SB 364 on public accountancy was described as a modernization and licensure-efficiency bill to increase the supply of CPAs; an amendment correcting a drafting error and restoring automatic mobility language was adopted without objection, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. A public comment on the bill was briefly redirected after it appeared to address a different subject. The committee then took up SB 200 on utilities, which addresses solar decommissioning and storm protection plans. Chair Bradley said the bill would authorize counties to require decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar facilities at the end of their useful life, direct DEP to develop best management practices, and require the Public Service Commission to consider whether storm protection plan costs are reasonable relative to expected customer benefits. County and consumer groups spoke in support, and the Small County Coalition said the bill was a needed step that did not restrict solar development; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 126 on the Florida Public Service Commission, which was presented as a reform and “glitch” bill and amended to add CPA and financial analyst expertise, require stronger PSC order explanations, tighten intervention requirements, cap returns on equity at the national average for comparable utilities, set periodic ROE review schedules, and require affordability to be considered in rate-related proceedings. The PSC staff deputy executive director answered extensive questions about storm hardening, cost recovery, risk, and affordability. Several members and public speakers supported the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the affordability standard, the ROE cap, and comparisons to other states; others said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 126 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are very highly mobile in water.

Summary: The committee first received a Department of Environmental Protection presentation on Florida Forever and the sale or exchange of conservation lands. DEP described Florida Forever as the state’s main conservation land acquisition program, funded in recent years at high levels, and said most acquisitions since 2019 have been within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The presentation also explained the legal process for disposing of conservation lands: requests are reviewed by the Acquisitions and Restoration Council, then the governor and cabinet decide whether land is no longer needed for conservation or whether an exchange provides a net conservation benefit. Senator Smith asked several questions about recent land-swap proposals, public notice, political influence, and whether any transactions had bypassed the usual sequence; DEP said applications can be withdrawn before ARC review, notice is posted seven days in advance, and the council and cabinet are the decision-makers. Senator Harrington asked about the difference between Florida Forever land sales and water management district surplus lands, and DEP said the reported 2.3 acres sold referred only to Florida Forever-funded projects. The committee then heard presentations from the Department of Health and DEP on PFAS and PFOA. DOH outlined what PFAS are, their common uses, possible health impacts, and ways Floridians can reduce exposure, including water filtration and avoiding certain products. DOH said it conducts well investigations, health consultations, fish consumption advisories, and monitoring in coordination with DEP and FWC. DEP followed with a more technical overview of PFAS regulation and cleanup, explaining federal testing and drinking-water standards, Florida’s provisional cleanup levels, and the state’s response at contaminated sites, including bottled water and filtration for affected residents. Senators asked about testing requirements for public systems and private wells, disposal of used filters, and how federal rulemaking and litigation could affect Florida’s standards; DEP said public systems are required to test under EPA monitoring rules, private wells are not directly required to test, and Florida may adopt its own standards if federal action does not occur by the statutory deadline. Finally, the committee took up SB 150, which would designate the flamingo as the state bird and the scrub jay as the state songbird. The sponsor argued the bill better reflects Florida’s identity and conservation values, noting the flamingo’s iconic status and the scrub jay’s status as a Florida-only species. Members asked lighthearted questions about mockingbirds, flamingo color, and feeding costs, and an appearance card was filed in support by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The committee debated the bill briefly and then passed SB 150 favorably by roll call vote, with all members present voting yes except Senator DiCeglie, who was excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• strides to reduce emissions and address air quality, including investments in cleaner practices for mobile

Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance. Members also made several guest introductions and memorial recognitions, including tributes to labor leader Louisa Blue and a Memorial Day moment of silence. The body adopted a motion to suspend Assembly Rule 63 for certain Appropriations Committee bills, and later took up a second-day consent calendar and several resolutions. The chamber adopted ACR 68, declaring July 2025 as Parks Make Life Better Month, and ACR 83, proclaiming California Maritime Day; both received broad support. On the floor file, members passed a series of bills covering child passenger safety, student financial aid, downtown office-to-housing conversion districts, rental vehicle theft prevention, fire hazard zone reviews, medical data protections, UC admissions transparency, office-to-housing streamlining, inoperable RV removal, domestic violence and child welfare, insurance classification for social service workers, sustainable aviation fuel CEQA review, UC hiring background checks, accessory dwelling units, fish and wildlife exemptions for Sutter County infrastructure, speed limit assessments, geothermal permitting, special education transfers, recorder fee adjustments, and a BIT program exemption for farmers and ranchers. Most measures passed with little or no opposition. AB 435, which would have implemented a five-step test standard for child passenger safety laws, was later reconsidered and failed on a vote of 36-12 after the call was lifted. The Assembly also adopted the second-day consent calendar, including multiple bills and resolutions, and added co-authors to several resolutions. The session ended with adjournments in memory and an adjournment until Tuesday, May 27 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was aimed at trying to solve some real problems on mobile. The pilots seemed to work real well.

Bills: HB103

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• None of these carriers are working for BP, Valeto, Mobil, uh, all the big players that we all know.

Transcript Highlights:

• But right now we have tenants who are mobilizing and exerting and practicing their rights to make sure

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Many seniors are homebound, living alone, or struggling with mobility issues that make congregate meals

Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on April 22, established a quorum, and adopted its 2023-24 committee rules. The hearing then considered five bills focused on aging, long-term care, immigrant seniors, nutrition, and emergency preparedness. AB 450 would create a task force to study the needs of undocumented Californians age 55 and older; supporters from CHIRLA and other advocates described barriers to housing, health care, retirement, and digital access, while members raised questions about eligibility and process. The bill was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services. AB 508 would require residential care facilities for the elderly to disclose staffing information upon request at admission and when rates increase. The author and supporters argued that staffing levels are closely tied to quality of care and that families need transparency to make informed choices; a witness described her father’s death in an understaffed facility. Assisted living industry representatives opposed the bill as burdensome but said they were continuing discussions with the author. The committee adopted amendments and passed the bill to Appropriations. AB 1476 would allow senior congregate meal programs to continue offering to-go meals, a practice expanded during the pandemic. Supporters said the option improved access for homebound and food-insecure seniors and helped bring people into senior centers; there was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1068 would create a working group on evacuation and sheltering needs for older adults and people with disabilities in long-term care during disasters, and AB 1069 would ensure area agencies on aging and aging/disability resource programs have access to emergency shelters to provide services. Both measures drew broad support from aging, disability, and advocacy groups, with testimony citing recent fires and evacuations, and both were approved and re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. The committee also left rolls open for additional members to add votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• As your hands and feet mobilize us to reach out and care and concern to those who have been discarded

Transcript Highlights:

• have members that are working on storage container pools, where they could actually put a pool on a mobile
• have members that are working on storage container pools, where they could actually put a pool on a mobile
• have members that are working on storage container pools, where they could actually put a pool on a mobile
• have members that are working on storage container pools, where they could actually put a pool on a mobile
• Testimony and support from the East-West Center and the East-West Center Employees Association, who are

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is her last day as a full-time employee, but retirement for Debbie doesn't mean an end to a busy
• Debbie was my very first hire employees.
• ><c> retirement</c><00:37:01.599><c> for</c> full-time employee, but retirement for full-time employee
• Americans have mobilized in unprecedented numbers from protests to town halls across our nation.
• Americans have mobilized in streets.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who is going to implement this, and they're not going to just push it down on already overworked employees

Bills: SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention, private child-placing agency, Title 10A, Oklahoma

Transcript Highlights:

• Absorb that cost or pass it on to employees. Thank you for the question. No, it does not.
• If they want to force it on their employees, that's their decision to make.
• And to the tune of the $11 million fiscal impact that was put on this bill for the State employees' plan
• Onto their employees. Can you help clear all that gray up for me? I will try.
• We were told about one county that only had two sheriff's employees, a sheriff and a deputy, for the

Bills: HR1051, HR1048, SB2074, SJR39, SJR47, SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• Or the employers who self-insure to absorb that cost or pass it on to employees?
• If they want to force it on their employees, then that's their decision to make.
• And to the tune of the $11 million fiscal impact that was put on this bill for the state employees plan
• And going forward, every single year, we are expected to save $15 million in the state employee health
• business owners would very much take it in the shorts and really have to pass that fee onto their employees

Bills: HR1051, HR1048, SB2074, SJR39, SJR47, SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of special presentations and introductions celebrating Oklahoma State University, the Cowgirl Wrestling Club, the OSU livestock judging team, military children, poster contest winners, and several visiting groups and honorees. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Kurt Emerson, and the Nurse of the Day, Beverly Felton. Much of the floor time was devoted to OSU Day remarks, including a citation honoring the university and comments from Speaker Hilbert, Coach Eric Morris, and President Jim Hess. The House then took up Senate Bill 2074, a pharmacy benefit manager measure intended to regulate PBMs and support pharmacists. An amendment by Representative Jenkins to remove a section of the bill was tabled, and members questioned the bill extensively about reimbursement rates, consumer costs, employer options, transparency, and the impact on independent pharmacies. After debate, the bill advanced and passed the House by a vote of 87-7. Members also considered Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to cap property tax growth. The measure, as amended, would set a 1.75% annual cap on homestead property tax growth and a 4% cap on other properties, with a stair-step senior freeze. The resolution drew debate over effects on local government revenue, schools, roads, jails, and inflation, but supporters argued it would provide strong taxpayer protections. The House passed the resolution 85-9 and then took the additional vote required to refer the constitutional amendment to a special election.

Transcript Highlights:

• who is going to implement this, and they're not going to just push it down on already overworked employees

Bills: SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention, private child-placing agency, Title 10A, Oklahoma

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and then heard a long series of Senate bills, many of them agency request or cleanup measures. Early bills included SB 1983, directing DHS to provide foster care data to resource family partners to better identify foster family needs; SB 444, allowing hospice personnel to control or destroy controlled substances after a patient’s death; and SB 1503, a PCS related to pregnancy resource center outreach and in-state referrals, which drew discussion about virtual versus face-to-face support and was reported out after members agreed to continue working on the language. Other measures advanced included SB 1561 on progressive discipline for certain M.T.M.S. personnel, SB 592 and SB 1946 on alcohol-related licensing/sales issues, SB 1501 and SB 1567 as cleanup or implementation bills, and SB 1833 codifying a SNAP waiver barring candy and soft drinks purchases. The committee also considered several health and human services bills. SB 2026 expanded access to military discharge papers to grandchildren; SB 904 addressed public funds and state facilities, with members raising concerns about legislative interference in medical decision-making and liability; SB 2178 modified alcohol licensing insurance requirements; SB 1651 updated Oklahoma Medical Board license language; SB 1558 clarified the definition of a child for level E group homes; SB 1565 promoted Food is Medicine efforts to improve maternal and infant outcomes; and SB 1553 required psychologist review of appealed adverse determinations involving mental health claims. SB 1257, with a policy recommendation, expanded THC/controlled substance language to align with federal guidelines, and SB 1749 made a cleanup change related to food trailers and LP gas inspections. Later in the meeting, the committee advanced SB 65 with a policy amendment adding fentanyl and xylazine test strips; SB 1242, which included OMMA education and abandoned grow cleanup provisions; SB 1642, allowing shorter acute prescriptions to help reduce addiction risk; SB 640, treating abandoned grow facilities as public nuisances so local governments can abate them; SB 667, clarifying accreditation language for chiropractic programs; SB 1436, requiring hospitals to provide information on obtaining records after stillbirth or miscarriage; SB 1484, codifying medical examiner practices in infant or child deaths; SB 1562, addressing hospice patient solicitation; SB 1794, creating a mental health bed-availability database; SB 1644, seeking data on alpha-gal syndrome to support federal research funding; SB 1533, ensuring burial assistance for Oklahoma veterans who die out of state; SB 933, creating a right-to-try pathway for individualized treatments; and SB 1555, aligning the definition of intellectual disability with federal law. Most bills were reported out do pass, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to a few nays on some measures. SB 1304 was laid over, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, this bill simply adds contract employees to those that, under the OJA, if there's a salt and
• First, it directs a school district to immediately notify law enforcement if a school employee has inappropriately

Bills: SB137, SB504, SB1213, SB1216, SB1221, SB1224, SB1232, SB1238, SB1255, SB1256, SB1258, SB1264, SB1266, SB1325, SB1441, SB1448, SB1450, SB1460, SB1496, SB1543, SB1589, SB1597, SB1621, SB1655, SB1679, SB1687, SB1716, SB1730, SB1733, SB1769, SB1921, SB1932, SB1936, SB1980, SB2011, SB2030, SB2084, SB2112, SB2170, SB2182

Keywords: electronic monitoring, Department of Corrections, criminal justice, rehabilitation, public safety, SB504, marriage, child marriage, minor marriage, age of consent, minimum marriage age, underage marriage, teen marriage, parental consent, judicial approval, marriage license, Oklahoma Title 43, family law, juvenile justice, Department of Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, this bill simply adds contract employees to those that, under the OJA, if there's an assault
• First, it directs a school district to immediately notify law enforcement if a school employee has inappropriately

Bills: SB137, SB504, SB1213, SB1216, SB1221, SB1224, SB1232, SB1238, SB1255, SB1256, SB1258, SB1264, SB1266, SB1325, SB1441, SB1448, SB1450, SB1460, SB1496, SB1543, SB1589, SB1597, SB1621, SB1655, SB1679, SB1687, SB1716, SB1730, SB1733, SB1769, SB1921, SB1932, SB1936, SB1980, SB2011, SB2030, SB2084, SB2112, SB2170, SB2182

Keywords: electronic monitoring, Department of Corrections, criminal justice, rehabilitation, public safety, SB504, marriage, child marriage, minor marriage, age of consent, minimum marriage age, underage marriage, teen marriage, parental consent, judicial approval, marriage license, Oklahoma Title 43, family law, juvenile justice, Department of Human Services

Summary: The committee heard a long series of Senate bills covering criminal justice, public safety, family law, and administrative changes. Measures discussed included penalties for impersonating a notary or law enforcement officer, consolidating DUI charges, allowing motor carriers to represent themselves at Corporation Commission hearings, drone trespass penalties over critical infrastructure, expanding protections for contract employees under assault and battery laws, copper theft felony penalties, raising the marriage age to 18 with no exceptions, expanding the definition of great bodily injury for domestic abuse cases, post-adoption contact for services, driver’s license and testing changes, expungement system automation delays, consumer protection clarifications, gambling penalty updates, OSBI authority and fee changes, gift card protections, medical parole eligibility decisions, firearm transport on boats, caps on wrongful termination settlements at public institutions, GPS monitoring for certain domestic violence defendants, mandatory school reporting of inappropriate employee contact with students, expedited driver’s license delivery and tracking numbers, DOC credit modifications, drug court discretion, repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording penalties, open pasture signage requirements, supervised visitation after DHS findings of sexual abuse, and victim notification by email from the Pardon and Parole Board. Most bills were presented by members as request or cleanup measures, with brief explanations and limited debate. Several bills drew questions about implementation, due process, costs, and scope, especially the domestic violence GPS monitoring bill and the DOC credit bill. The committee also discussed a bill to lower the age for marriage, which was reported out 10-1, and a domestic violence-related GPS tracking bill that passed 12-0 after questions about monitoring and payment. Another domestic violence bill expanding great bodily injury definitions passed 12-0, and a bill requiring supervised visitation after a DHS sexual abuse finding passed 13-0. Nearly all measures were reported out with unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including multiple 11-0, 12-0, 13-0, and 14-0 recommendations. A few bills had split votes, including the marriage-age bill at 10-1, the gambling penalty bill at 12-1, the OSBI record-check fee bill at 13-0, and the wrongful termination cap bill at 8-5. Several bills were laid over for a later meeting, and the committee adjourned after announcing it would continue work on Thursday.

Bills: SB255, SB199, SB47, HB605, HB216, HB621, HB148, HB389, HB509, HB248, SB255, SB199, SB47, HB605, HB216, HB621, HB148, HB389, HB509, HB248, SB336, SB293, SB43, HB420, HB60, HB188, HB106, HB105, HB11, SB336, SB293, SB43, HB420, HB60, HB188, HB106, HB105, HB11

Keywords: SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8, retail license, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Industries, testing and labeling, third-party laboratory, product safety, public health

Bills: HB426, SB24, SB106, SB254, HB505, HB458, HB535, HB509, HB320, HB518, HB261, HB426, SB24, SB106, SB254, HB505, HB458, HB535, HB509, HB320, HB518, HB261, SB316, HB228, SB318, SB260, HB132, HB347, HB405, HB86, HB263, HB302, SB336, SB316, HB228, SB318, SB260, HB132, HB347, HB405, HB86, HB263, HB302, SB336

Keywords: Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee, ad valorem taxes, property tax, real property, personal property, tax assessment, tax collection, county tax officials, Department of Revenue, Commissioner of Revenue, taxpayer representation, resident taxpayers, local government, property tax administration, Association of Alabama Tax Administrators, tax policy, advisory committee, public input, governance reform, body-worn camera

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> There is a company in Northern New Hampshire who is looking for 20 places to live for their employees
• It seems as if it's going to be treating, you know, defining this new mobile home that's built prior
• defining going to be treating, you know, defining this<05:42:05.520><c> new</c><05:42:05.680><c> mobile
• home</c><05:42:06.878><c> um</c><05:42:07.040><c> that's</c><05:42:07.440><c> built</c> this new mobile
• home um that's built this new mobile home um that's built prior<05:42:07.920><c> to</c><05:42:08.160

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 1598 and an amendment, 2026-0463H. Elliott Barry and Nick Norman testified that the amendment reflected a hard-fought compromise balancing concerns from all sides, and they urged no further changes. With no questions from members, the subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend the bill with the amendment to the full committee, 3-0, and closed the subcommittee. The housing committee then moved through several executive session bills. HB 1010 was amended with 2026-0274H, described as clarifying and implementing prior housing law (HB 631) governing residential units above office and retail space; the amendment was adopted unanimously and the bill was reported ought to pass as amended on a 17-0 vote and placed on consent. HB 65 was then voted ought to pass and also placed on consent, with members saying it was duplicative of the compromise reached on HB 1010. HB 1349 was reconsidered for a clarifying vote and again received unanimous support for its prior disposition, 17-0, and was placed on consent. The committee next took up HB 1523, which concerned homeowners associations. An amendment, 2026-0380H, removed Section 5’s Attorney General enforcement mechanism, added HOA conflict-of-interest approval language, and delayed the effective date to give stakeholders more time; it was adopted unanimously. The bill then passed 18-0 as amended and was put on consent. The committee also voted ITL on CACR 16, a constitutional amendment related to sleeping or homelessness issues, after debate over unintended consequences and whether it protected a basic right; the vote was 10-8, with a majority report assigned and a minority report to be written. Later, HB 108, dealing with inclusionary zoning, was voted ITL 10-8 after members argued the bill imposed unrealistic burdens and could halt development; a minority report was noted with amendment 0149H. HB 7, concerning ADUs and restrictive covenants, was also voted ITL 10-8 after discussion of unintended consequences and a proposed amendment to encourage second ADUs; it was sent to the regular calendar with a minority report and amendment 0289H. HB 1120, on water-related subdivision requirements, was ITL’d 17-1 and placed on consent, with one member noting a study amendment had been offered. HB 1143, addressing housing-provider obligations and municipal enforcement powers, was ITL’d 17-1 and placed on consent. Finally, HB 1145, a fee/tax proposal tied to housing development, was ITL’d 11-7; members debated whether it would discourage development, and a minority report was assigned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Child care is essential to workforce participation and economic mobility.
• Child care is essential to workforce participation and economic mobility.
• to other important resources: family urgent response services, high-fidelity wrap services, county mobile

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.