Transcript Highlights:

• Department requests $10 million in 2026-27 to implement the last two video surveillance systems.
• It was recommended by the State Fire Marshal, given our systems were failing.
• So we all know that our state prison system has a lot of institutions that are aging in place.
• roof affects the fire alarm system.
• CDCR has evaluated its institutional footprint to ensure the system is appropriately sized.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety heard updates on CDCR’s population projections and the preliminary fiscal impacts of Proposition 36. CDCR said its fall 2025 projections show continued declines in the institution and parole populations through June 2030, while noting Prop. 36 admissions are increasing but remain uncertain. The LAO said the administration’s Prop. 36 estimates may be somewhat low because they were based on only six months of implementation data, and the Department of Finance agreed the methodology is still developing. Committee members asked about the offenses driving admissions and the sentence-length impacts, and CDCR identified the main qualifying offenses and enhancements it is tracking. No votes were taken. The committee then discussed CDCR’s request for $91 million ongoing for lump-sum leave cashouts for correctional officers and nurses. CDCR said vacancy reductions and prison closures have reduced the salary savings historically used to cover these costs. The LAO supported the funding only on a limited-term basis and urged more oversight and reporting on CDCR’s structural shortfall, while the Department of Finance argued ongoing funding is needed because leave liabilities are mandatory and salary savings are less stable. Members raised concerns about transparency, asked about leave buyback practices and accrued leave balances, and requested more information before the May Revision. Members also heard CDCR’s proposals for $10 million for the final two statewide video surveillance projects and $15.2 million for Fire Watch coverage and related fire alarm work. The LAO supported the Fire Watch request as a one-time health and safety cost, while CDCR explained the aging prison infrastructure and the need for interim safety measures while longer-term replacement planning is developed. The committee then reviewed CDCR’s proposal to close the California Rehabilitation Center, which would produce a net General Fund reduction of $99.6 million in 2026-27 and ongoing savings of more than $150 million starting in 2027-28. CDCR said the closure is driven by sustained population declines and will include retention and realignment funding; the LAO recommended approval. Public comment focused on county funding for Prop. 36 implementation, opposition to using Prop. 36 as a reason to keep prisons open, and support for community-based rehabilitation programs. The hearing adjourned without any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Retirement Systems indicated no fiscal impact. Excellent. Thank you.
• There is a fiscal note from the Department of Retirement Systems in the electronic bill book for this
• The Department of Retirement Systems indicated no fiscal impact. Excellent. Thank you.
• Also coming as a request to the Department of Retirement Systems.
• to increase this lump sum payment. changes to the data processing systems to increase this lump sum

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the mortgage lending fraud prosecution surcharge on recorded deeds of trust from $1 to $5 and remove the 2027 sunset on the surcharge and account. Committee staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors; King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys testified in strong support, saying the current funding has eroded and the bill would better sustain mortgage fraud prosecutions. A question was raised about whether other budget funding could serve a similar purpose, but supporters said the dedicated surcharge/account structure was the best fit. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study in addition to the market rate survey. Testifiers from Child Care Aware of Washington, child care providers, and the early education design team supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the true cost of providing quality care. Staff said the bill would have a small fiscal impact for DCYF. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 5834 and Senate Bill 5835, both Department of Retirement Systems request bills: one would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses beyond the 2025-27 biennium, and the other would raise the threshold for lump-sum payment of small monthly benefits from $50 to $250. Neither bill drew public testimony, and staff said the fiscal impacts were minimal. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which would create the Pre-K Promise Account for ECAP funding and allow gifts, grants, and donations to be used solely to expand the program. Supporters including rural health coalitions, the Balmer Group, and Snohomish County said the account would help expand access to early learning, especially in child care deserts; DCYF estimated staffing costs to administer the account. Substitute Senate Bill 6007 would direct WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a reported cost of about $234,000; there was no public testimony. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019 would clarify home care agency rate-setting and require that no more than 20% of Medicaid home care rates go to administrative costs, with DSHS saying there would be no fiscal impact. Labor and caregiver witnesses supported it as a parity and accountability measure. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education representative supported the bill, and staff said OSPI would incur only modest administrative costs. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are owners and operators of the transportation system: 12,000 lane miles of highways, 1,850 bridges
• We actively manage the construction program for our highway system with the planning, the design, the
• These investments in transportation, The state highway system.
• That's one reason why it's so important: these investments in transportation modernize the system.
• Then when they go in to get their driver's license, it's already in the system.

Summary: The committee first approved the January 20 minutes without objection. It then received a lengthy update from Idaho Transportation Department Director Scott Stokes, who described ITD’s responsibilities, staffing, budget sources, major highway and bridge projects, winter maintenance, DMV and aeronautics services, and the department’s safety and innovation efforts. He emphasized the department’s focus on operating, preserving, restoring, and expanding the transportation system, and answered questions about funding growth, freeway and work-zone safety, emergency repairs, and workforce needs. Members then considered several RS drafts for introduction. RS 32984 would eliminate the requirement to display vehicle registration stickers, with the sponsor citing reduced cost and redundancy; it was introduced. RS 32869 would allow parents to teach driver’s education even in urban districts, restoring flexibility after prior changes; it was introduced after discussion about safety and possible fiscal effects tied to Idaho Digital Learning Alliance enrollment costs. RS 32834 would consolidate proof-of-identity and DMV registration processes for out-of-state customers; it was introduced. The committee also heard RS 32841 C1, a cleanup bill to streamline distribution of vehicle registration fees and taxes and to raise the annual transfer for local bridge inspections from $175,000 to $300,000 to help draw down federal matching funds. After questions about the funding flow and match requirements, the committee voted to introduce the measure. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote no on AB 534. ...over Nevada's election system.
• contract if they feel the election systems are not working for their counties.
• contract if they feel the election systems are not working for their counties.
• This bill looks more and more. systems are not working for their counties.
• that our political systems and international, national, and state election systems continue to be under

Committee: Senate Legislative Operations and Elections

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The same systemic failures allowed this murder access to our loved ones.
• HB 1825 aims to improve information sharing between child welfare and juvenile justice systems to better
• serve vulnerable youth who move between these systems.
• These two systems.
• and juvenile justice systems, uh, together.

Bills: HB 660 , HB 4845 , HB 3902 , HB 5396 , HB 4615 , HB 1825 , HB 1403 , HB 4336 , HB 4585 , HB 4371 , HB 863 , SB 1589 , HB 5223 , HB 3195 , HB 2734

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• STATE LAND RECORDS AND OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS THAT REQUIREMENTS HAVE BROUGHT IN THE SCOPE OF THIS SYSTEM
• THIS SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY DEP IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES IS KNOWN AS
• THE FLORIDA STATE OWNED LANDS AND RECORD INFORMATION SYSTEM OR SOLARIS.
• DATA WITHIN THE SYSTEM COMES FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES INCLUDING INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY STATE AGENCIES
• SINCE BEING DIRECTED TO DEVELOP A COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM FOR STATE LANDS RECORDS TECHNOLOGY HAS OF COURSE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're starting a highway system, and we don't have a road built yet. And we're not that far off.
• So on slide 10, we have the same sort of system set up for these particular comparison charts.
• We see upgrades to lift stations or collection and distribution systems.
• Our drinking water systems went from a C-minus to a D-plus, and our wastewater went from a solid D down
• systems will cost... water and clean water infrastructure will total just over $21 billion.

Bills: SB7

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> everyone, including hospital systems everyone, including hospital systems that<00:42:22.800><c>
• </c> afford how much can our system afford? afford how much can our system afford?
• </c> system has today. This is one component. system has today. This is one component.
• </c> was in the big [clears throat] system was in the big [clears throat] system was<01:31:34.800><c>
• </c> parts of our health care system. parts of our health care system.

Bills: HF4493 , HF3133 , HF4595 , HF4143 , HF4142 , HF3756 , HF4289 , HF1724 , HF2291 , HF4568 , HF4547

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: opioid use disorder, OUD, medication-assisted treatment, MAT, pharmacist prescribing, pharmacy practice, controlled substances, Schedule III, Schedule IV, Schedule V, DEA registration, Board of Pharmacy, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, buprenorphine, naltrexone, harm reduction, prescription authority, pharmacist intern, Minnesota pharmacy law

Transcript Highlights:

• I should note there were claims edits in the system MMIS, our claims processing system, ahead of this
• MMIS our claims uh edits in the system MMIS our claims processing<00:10:59.040><c> system</c><00:10:
• </c> notifications through our minute system. notifications through our minute system.
• </c> system. So that's that's the concern. system. So that's that's the concern.
• So trying to flag that whole process because we're trying to get into a system, a claims editing system

Bills: HF3378

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Many have our odd-year election system.
• </c><00:08:01.680><c> that</c> right for local choice in a system that right for local choice in a system
• It elections to optical scan systems.
• </c> important for our public school system. important for our public school system.
• </c> protection and juvenile court systems protection and juvenile court systems with<01:26:05.679><c

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We do that in an integrated delivery system.
• </c> that in an integrated uh delivery system that in an integrated uh delivery system we<00:08:02.479
• </c><00:09:30.880><c> uh</c> environmental science I es systems uh environmental science I es systems
• , as well as the MNSU system.
• The remaining allocations in the state and in the system special are on this slide.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> foundation for our health care system foundation for our health care system and<00:14:14.959><c>
• </c><00:43:15.119><c> So,</c> system that that was occurring. So, system that that was occurring.
• </c><01:31:45.120><c> the</c><01:31:45.360><c> people</c> system this system is about the people system
• So Trisha Brisbine, you’re next on Zoom. health record systems that are widely health record systems
• </c> computer systems. computer systems.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next slide just gives a quick overview of the turnpike system, which is an enterprise system.
• </c> a quick overview of the turnpike system a quick overview of the turnpike system uh<01:40:31.880>
• </c><01:40:33.280><c> so</c> uh which is an enterprise system so uh which is an enterprise system so
• </c> system so it's an Enterprise System system so it's an Enterprise System meaning<01:40:47.880><c>
• </c> some figures about the turnpike system some figures about the turnpike system there<01:41:25.679

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we know that we have a tremendous system of foster care.
• We know that there are many, many dedicated families and individuals that participate in that system.
• And so element two of this amendment... ...that we have a tremendous system of foster care.
• We know that there are many, many dedicated families and individuals that participate in that system.
• , most specifically those who have been youth involved, ...in the system, to provide their insight as

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas youth-led research and innovation play an important role in shaping programs and systems
• bill says a school district may not provide access to a school district's internal communication systems
• This says you cannot use school communication systems. Already covered.
• We were working on a new pay system, a compensation system. Best communicators.
• We were working on a new pay system, a compensation system, and the administration threw an idea out

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and routine journal and appointment actions. Members also made brief announcements about caucus meetings and recognized guests from AIM Youth Mental Health, including a proclamation by Senator Epstein designating May 31, 2026, as Youth Mental Health Day in Arizona. The chamber then met as the Committee of the Whole to consider House Bill 2995, relating to legal decision-making and parenting time in domestic relations cases. A committee amendment and a Mesnard floor amendment were adopted; the floor amendment emphasized child and victim safety in domestic violence cases, tightened standards for rebutting presumptions, and added an emergency clause. The bill was then reported out of Committee of the Whole with a do pass as amended recommendation. Members next considered House Concurrent Resolution 2040, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning labor organization use of public resources in school districts. Supporters argued it would restrict use of district communication systems and public resources for union-related materials and work stoppages, while opponents raised constitutional, due process, contract, pension, and free speech concerns, and argued it would harm teachers and union communication. The Government Committee amendment was adopted, and after debate the resolution was reported out of Committee of the Whole with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 12-11 division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and adjourned until May 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas youth-led research and innovation play an important role in shaping programs and systems
• bill says a school district may not provide access to a school district's internal communication systems
• This says you cannot use school communication systems. ...already covered.
• We were working on a new pay system, a compensation system. ...best communicators.
• We were working on a new pay system, a compensation system, and the administration threw an idea out

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• critical treatments, but their high price tag is putting a real strain on patients and our health care system
• The health care system is broken. It's too darn expensive. Let me be blunt.
• The health care system is broken. It's too darn expensive. It's bankrupting consumers.
• And chief among those elements of the delivery system that are broken is the pharmacy delivery system
• prescriber approval, like the previous witness from Sharp Healthcare, if they are in an integrated system

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee heard SB 1094 by Senator Weber Pearson, which would expand pharmacist and health plan authority to substitute biosimilars for reference biologic drugs in order to lower prescription drug costs. The author and supporters, including Blue Shield of California, Sharp HealthCare, and several business and health groups, argued that biologics are a major driver of rising health care spending and that biosimilars can provide substantial savings while maintaining safety and efficacy. The bill also included transparency provisions and committee amendments, including notice requirements and clarifications around substitution and exceptions. Opposition came from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the California Rheumatology Alliance, and Biocom, who said the bill was not scientifically justified, could undermine FDA standards, and might lead to unwanted switching, side effects, or delays in care for patients with chronic conditions. They emphasized that pharmacists can already substitute interchangeable biosimilars and that non-interchangeable products can be changed with prescriber contact. Committee discussion focused on patient safety, the meaning of “do not substitute,” the 30-day notice provisions, and the distinction between biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars. After debate, the committee adopted a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Health Committee. The bill passed the committee on a 10-0 roll call vote and was sent onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is in the system as our base for funding.
• And the former system basically had a birthday bump.
• It'll assist with retaining those folks so that they can stay working in the school system instead of
• ... ...if we are able to attract industry folks into the K-12 system, it is cheaper for us to hire them
• Because you have these two systems going at the same time, if you think about it, if you come to work

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , who depend on the system to ensure that the promise of a pension, when they accept their job, is there
• Thanks to them, our systems are in a much healthier place now.
• Our systems are in a much healthier place now.
• California Public Employees' Retirement System, CalPERS, is not just a pension fund.
• When they retire, they should have the The system that makes California work.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement held a joint hearing required by law to receive an independent report from the California Actuarial Advisory Panel on CalPERS. Chair McKinnor and Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opened by emphasizing CalPERS’ importance to retirement security for public employees and to the state budget. Scott Tarando, CalPERS Chief Actuary and a CAP member, presented on the statutory disclosure requirements in Government Code Section 2029, including the use of CalPERS’ 6.8% discount rate and the need to show how changes in investment return assumptions and amortization periods affect liabilities, contribution rates, and budgets. Tarando explained that lower investment returns increase contribution rates and unfunded liabilities, while higher returns reduce them. He also described CalPERS’ 20-year amortization period for new unfunded liabilities, comparing it to a mortgage and noting that shorter periods raise near-term costs but reduce long-term interest costs. He said the CAP has recommended a 15- to 20-year range and that CalPERS’ current approach is intended to smooth volatility for a large, ongoing plan. Members asked about the meaning of average service lifetime, the timing of valuation data, whether more current data could be used, the effect of AI and workforce changes on assumptions, and whether contribution changes affect retiree benefits. Tarando said retiree benefits do not change with annual valuations, that CalPERS uses audited year-end data because it is the most reliable basis for rates, and that AI impacts are being monitored but are too early to quantify. Committee members also discussed CalPERS’ funded status, with Tarando saying it had improved from the mid-60% range about 10 years ago to around 79% at fiscal year-end and over 80% more recently, reducing pressure on employers and the state budget. Michael Cohen, CalPERS’ investment operations chief, said CalPERS had complied with federal information requests and that its annual audits are publicly available, but no formal federal review had been released. In public comment, a representative of the California State Association of Counties praised the improved funded status and the role of PEPRA reforms. The chairs closed by reaffirming CalPERS’ fiduciary duty and the goal of protecting retirement security for public workers; no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• , who depend on the system to ensure that the promise of a pension, when they accept their job, is there
• Thanks to them, our systems are in a much healthier place now.
• Our systems are in a much healthier place now.
• California Public Employees' Retirement System, CalPERS, is not just a pension fund.
• When they retire, they should have the The system that makes California work.

Keywords: 987, senate, all