Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that there's a deficiency the rate that there's a deficiency the rate payers<00:10:21.240><c> would
• payers can benefit or perform the rate payers can benefit or the<00:10:42.519><c> rate</c><00:10:42.800
• </c> consultants in relation to say a rate consultants in relation to say a rate case<01:01:52.160><c
• capacity rating of 6 to 18.
• capacity rating of 6 to 18.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> rates and it doesn't it does two things. rates and it doesn't it does two things.
• </c> indicated and rates to the providers. indicated and rates to the providers.
• </c> 2024 base rate. 2024 base rate.
• </c> insurance rate increase. Okay. insurance rate increase. Okay.
• </c> to pay an hourly rate for an internship. to pay an hourly rate for an internship.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the policy-covered staff, the estimate is looking at inflation rates.
• Non-resident tuition rates. I made that point pretty clearly last year.
• Are at some market rate? Is that what is happening? That is correct.
• The remaining beds have to pay for the market-rate bond on that project.
• Which are bonds that are repaid with the student rental rates.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard about the rate adoption.
• be paid for by a rate.
• Employer rates is another issue because, you know, it's going to be paid for by rate changes.
• And so the asset smoothing has been a methodology for ensuring that our rates are also stable.
• Instead of having these rates, even though we have minimum rates language, the asset smoothing is another

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> higher rates, and lower availability. higher rates, and lower availability.
• But right now we have a negative growth rate on our birth rate. We have a high vacancy rate.
• </c> We have a high vacancy rate. We have a high vacancy rate.
• rate.
• We have a rate on our on our birth rate.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rates rates and<00:16:23.279><c> to</c><00:16:23.519><c> me</c><00:16:23.759><c> that's</c><00:16:24.160
• And you talked about people being taxed at different rates.
• And then there's jurisdictions that have school tax rates.
• And then there's jurisdictions that have school tax rates.
• </c> didn't really change because the rate didn't really change because the rate went<01:50:02.400><c

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:37.600><c> that</c> per active member per month rate that per active member per month rate
• </c> and we were able to get much lower rates and we were able to get much lower rates of<00:13:26.800
• </c><00:27:56.960><c> of</c> got you've assumed too high rate of got you've assumed too high rate of
• And the far as pass rates for our INLEX.
• Our college career readiness rates the Our college career readiness rates the highest<01:26:25.199><c

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe these measures proposed in this bill will help improve those student graduation rates.
• We believe these measures proposed in this bill will help improve those student graduation rates.
• We believe these measures proposed in this bill will help improve those student graduation rates.
• </c><00:15:55.480><c> And</c> passing rate in those classes. And passing rate in those classes.
• </c><00:20:24.840><c> and</c> at colleges has a low passing rate and at colleges has a low passing rate

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• “We continue to struggle with a high violence rate.
• We continue to struggle with a high violence rate.
• I know if they get an AA degree, it drops to an 8% recidivism rate.
• Those with a BA or a master's degree when leaving prison have a 0% recidivism rate.
• For our correctional officers, I believe that vacancy rate had come down to...

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from the Board of State and Community Corrections on its budget change proposal for 11 additional permanent positions, which BSCC said are needed to manage a rapidly expanded grant workload, increase technical assistance, and strengthen oversight and audits. BSCC also updated members on its new In Custody Death Review Division, created under SB 519, reporting that it has begun collecting and reviewing local jail death investigations, has hired about one-third of its staff, and has received access to medical records and related documents. Members raised concerns about family notification practices, local jail deaths, and whether BSCC’s increased administrative use would reduce grant dollars; BSCC said the change is intended to be permanent but should not substantially affect local assistance. The LAO supported the position authority request but flagged a methodological issue in the administration’s Proposition 47 savings estimate, and Finance said it would update the estimate by May Revision. The committee then reviewed CDCR’s overall budget, population, and facility issues. The Secretary said the incarcerated population is holding around 90,000, parole around 33,000, and described major cost pressures from retirements, workers’ compensation, medical transport, violence, and aging infrastructure lacking air conditioning and ADA features. He defended prison closures as creating overcrowding and reducing programming capacity, while also highlighting successes such as declining recidivism, expanded college and reentry programming, and the completion of the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Members pressed CDCR on fiscal discipline, the effect of closures on savings, community impacts from prison shutdowns, vacancy and staffing issues, and climate-related facility needs. CDCR said it clusters medically vulnerable and ADA-needing populations at more suitable facilities, uses heat plans and temperature monitoring, and is developing a 20-year infrastructure plan. A separate item addressed CDCR’s request for $91 million ongoing for lump-sum leave payouts for correctional officers and nurses. CDCR said these costs have historically been covered by vacancy savings, but declining vacancies and facility closures have reduced that source. The LAO said the funding is reasonable in the near term but recommended limited-term approval with reporting, and urged the Legislature to scrutinize unallocated savings assumptions and the ongoing Boston Consulting Group efficiency contract. Finance argued the lump-sum request should be ongoing because the costs are recurring and vacancy savings are less reliable. Members questioned whether CDCR is doing enough to reduce leave liability and whether the department will actually achieve the budgeted savings from the consultant work. Finally, CDCR presented updated population projections through June 2030, estimating a 6.5 percent decline in the institution population and a 10.4 percent decline in parole, while revising its Proposition 36 methodology based on actual admissions data. CDCR said Prop. 36 admissions are increasing but at a lower level than previously projected, and that the law’s long-term effects remain uncertain. On the California Rehabilitation Center closure, CDCR projected about $99.6 million in net General Fund savings next year and roughly $150 million ongoing, with 522 positions eliminated. The LAO said the state could close another prison within a few years and identified the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad as a strong candidate, recommending against approving new capital projects there unless another closure is identified. Finance said the administration has not proposed any additional closure at this time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to put this in a little bit of perspective, right now maternal death rates are 62% higher in states
• Black women are disproportionately affected by barriers to reproductive care and suffer staggering rates
• of transmission and saves lives without increasing rates of drug use.
• , decreased C-section rates, increased breastfeeding rates, and over $2,000 in cost savings to Medicaid
• , decreased C-section rates, increased breastfeeding rates, and over $2,000 in cost savings to Medicaid

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 54 on medication abortion access. The author and supporters, including the Attorney General’s office and reproductive justice advocates, said the bill would protect California’s medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and manufacturers from civil, criminal, and professional liability. Opponents from the California Family Council argued the bill removes safeguards and increases risks. The bill was moved forward on a committee motion. The committee then heard several reproductive and public health measures, including AB 551 to create a pilot program supporting emergency departments in providing reproductive health services, AB 260 to protect medication abortion access and telehealth, AB 309 to remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacy syringe sales and lawful possession of sterile syringes, AB 536 to preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal guidelines are challenged, AB 804 to make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit, AB 594 to address student health insurance billing and transparency, AB 836 to study and expand the midwifery workforce, AB 1418 to collect data on health coverage for eligible employees, and AB 1500 to maintain and expand the abortion.ca.gov information site. Supporters emphasized access, preventive care, workforce shortages, and public health benefits, while opponents raised concerns about abortion, syringe distribution, and the focus of state resources. Most measures were advanced by committee vote, with roll calls showing broad support and a few no votes from members on some bills. The final bill discussed in the transcript was AB 1037, which would update substance use disorder laws to reflect evidence-based, harm-reduction approaches and remove barriers to treatment. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate response to overdose and treatment access problems, while law enforcement opposition argued it would encourage drug use and endanger communities. The transcript cuts off during testimony on AB 1037, so no final committee action on that bill is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we learned last week, our graduation rate is officially the highest it has been in decades.
• At our community colleges, the average completion rate is 35%.
• First, completion rates reflect graduation rates of students enrolled in our community colleges in 2021
• And again, I'm grateful that we're fully funding at least the 75% reimbursement rates.
• We need adequate rates to support reasonable teacher salaries. Please.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:16.159><c> have</c> And in fact because interest rates have And in fact because interest rates
• </c> took advantage of the interest rate took advantage of the interest rate environment<00:39:20.400
• ><c> environment</c><01:10:43.280><c> would</c> this interest rate environment would this interest rate
• We also did interest rates will go down.
• </c><01:22:35.120><c> of</c> what I'm trying to get to the rate of what I'm trying to get to the rate

Bills: SF2434

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing, development fund, affordable housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, expenditure provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• Our staffing is currently 40 positions below what was budgeted for 2025, a 12.13.2% vacancy rate.
• Our staffing is currently 40 positions below what was budgeted for 2025, a 12.13.2% vacancy rate.
• with the statute that says we should move towards a 15% vacancy rate.
• Knowing, though, that impacts on workload, the vacancy rate, as you heard Mr.
• That relates back to what we're doing related to the vacancy rate.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was one level at 70% and then there was another level at 100% disability rating.
• There was one rating of at least 70%.
• per month. aware, a 70% disability rating through aware, a 70% disability rating through the<00:02:40.800
• In rural Minnesota, the values have gone up, but not at the same rate as here in the metro.
• In rural Minnesota, the values have gone up, but not at the same rate as here in the metro.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Their rate is below $275? Their rate is below $275? Be sure you're using microphones, folks.
• We rely on the auditor's office to do the rate, to calculate the rate rollbacks and where the assessments
• They don't calculate the TIF or the tax abatement into your new rate structure.
• This isn't going to raise your tax rates.
• So every year we have a tax rate hearing.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met for an open discussion, with no public testimony, to reset its work after the prior combined bill was separated back into two standalone measures. The chair outlined the current direction: House Bill 2780 would include Murphy’s Hancock fix, levy-by-subclass, commercial protection language, the 275-to-150 levy adjustment, and abatement provisions; House Bill 2668 would carry clear ballot language, no-tax-increase ballot measures, clarification of SB 190, and the SB 3 fix. Members also discussed whether additional ideas, such as taxpayer appeal protections and electronic filing, might be added later if they can be worked out. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Hancock-related “275 fix,” with members clarifying that the proposal would not move all districts to 275, but would prevent two known districts below that level from being forced down and losing significant revenue. Several members raised concerns about confusion in the field and the need to communicate clearly to school districts and superintendents what the proposal would and would not do. There was also discussion of new construction under Hancock, including whether certain redevelopment or replacement projects should count as new construction and how that affects school and other local taxing entities. The committee spent substantial time debating tax abatements, especially TIFs and similar economic incentives. Supporters of the language said the intent is to prevent taxing jurisdictions from treating abated revenue as if it were still available and then shifting the cost to other taxpayers; opponents questioned whether the language would improperly reduce revenue that communities had already decided to collect. Members also discussed whether the language should apply only to the entity adopting the abatement, and whether some abatements are better handled through separate legislation. Several members urged that any new ideas be referred through committee so they can receive proper vetting and fiscal analysis, and there was broad agreement to keep the main bills relatively streamlined while continuing to work on additional concepts separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...very well that we'll probably get into the reimbursement rates portion of that or doctor's fees.
• And that had a lot to do with payouts from our insurance providers and not paying an equal rate on the
• We have that contract in place, and so our rates during the contract term are fixed.
• You have the highest rates in the area for any surgery.
• So when you're looking at the average reimbursement rates, the only way to account for the difference

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 1714, adopting an amendment that clarified the bill would not apply to hunting dogs or animals not under direct control of the hunter and would not affect a specified section of law. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee Substitute and voted the substitute do pass, with the roll call showing passage. The committee then heard House Bill 317, which would authorize MU Health Care to collaborate with hospitals and providers in a 25-county area and seek state-action antitrust immunity for those transactions. The sponsor and MU Health Care testified that the bill is intended to help preserve rural hospitals and keep care local, citing multiple hospital closures in Missouri and examples from Alabama and other states. Supporters from MU Health Care, rural hospitals, and local business and health leaders described the bill as a way to stabilize struggling facilities, maintain emergency access, and protect rural economies. Opponents, including the Missouri Insurance Coalition and the Missouri Health Plan Association, warned that the bill could codify monopoly power, raise prices, and reduce competition, and argued that the language was too broad and not limited to distressed hospitals. Some committee members also raised concerns about antitrust immunity, facility fees, market share, and whether the bill should be tightened to ensure voluntary participation and clearer limits. No vote was taken on House Bill 317 before the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This exception was created to bring down rates relating to medical malpractice.
• Medicare's cutting rates.
• We pay the highest malpractice rates in the country.
• Now the caps are gone, and the rates have crept back up.
• You know, we talked about the high rates.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee considered one bill, HB 603, which would repeal section 768.21(8), the Florida medical negligence wrongful death exception often referred to by supporters as the “Free Kill” law. The sponsor argued the current statute unfairly bars certain families—especially adult children or parents of unmarried adults without minor children—from recovering non-economic damages when a loved one dies from medical negligence, while such damages are available in other wrongful death cases. Supporters, including family members, AARP, and some legal advocates, testified that the law is discriminatory and denies equal access to justice for grieving families and vulnerable adults. Opponents, including physicians, hospital and insurer representatives, and business groups, argued that repeal would increase malpractice exposure, raise premiums, worsen access to care, and accelerate physician retirements or departures from Florida. Several urged that if the bill moves forward, it should be paired with caps on non-economic damages to balance the impact on the health care system. Supporters countered that negligence must still be proven, that the law creates unequal treatment, and that existing tort reforms have not lowered premiums. The sponsor closed by rejecting claims that the bill is “jackpot justice” and emphasizing that families deserve court access and accountability. After debate, the committee voted on HB 603 and passed it 16-2. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> for</c> units of government's credit rating for units of government's credit rating for um<00:49:
• Bond houses and rating agencies came up with these first two guidelines.
• </c> exceed it would the credit rating exceed it would the credit rating agencies<00:59:39.440><c> immediately
• </c><00:59:55.200><c> downgrading</c> they got a credit rating downgrading they got a credit rating downgrading
• > agencies</c><00:59:57.680><c> but</c> from the major rating agencies but from the major rating agencies

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:52:23.359><c> of</c> are taxed at the high rate of are taxed at the high rate of $5.98<00:52:
• Uh and again, it's regardless of rate.
• I and it's taxed at a different rate.
• Both of them are made different rates.
• </c> right is actually taxed at the same rate right is actually taxed at the same rate as<01:03:38.240

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 302, which would expand access to medical cannabis by removing the in-person provider-patient relationship requirement and related restrictions. The Department of Health supported the bill, and multiple advocates and organizations testified in support, including the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform, Marijuana Policy Project, and others. Supporters said the measure would improve access for patients, especially on outer islands, and some urged broader amendments allowing providers to certify cannabis for any medical condition and to speed registration and treat in-state and out-of-state patients equally. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left with no questions after testimony. The committee also heard HB 1052 HD1, which clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission may use universal service fund monies to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the DCCA Division of Consumer Advocacy, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, the Public Utilities Commission, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii. Witnesses described the program as an important accessibility service that has been operating under prior appropriations and should continue under the universal service program. HB 1482, relating to controlled substances and hemp/synthetic cannabinoids, drew support from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, and others, with some comments from the Attorney General’s office. Supporters said the bill would clarify that delta-8 THC is a controlled substance and help enforcement against illegal hemp products and synthetic cannabinoids. Testimony and questioning focused on the need for better lab testing capacity, retail registry and age-gating, seizure authority, nuisance abatement, and possible use of special funds or appropriations to support enforcement. Members also discussed enforcement of illegal hemp businesses and whether additional funding or statutory changes would be needed. Finally, the committee took up HB 712, a 340B drug-discount measure affecting safety-net providers and contract pharmacies. Hospitals, health centers, and provider groups testified in support, saying the bill would protect access to discounted drugs and preserve funding for services such as chronic disease management, transportation, and specialty care. Pharmaceutical-industry representatives opposed the bill or sought amendments, arguing the 340B program has expanded beyond its original intent and lacks transparency, and they requested reporting or audit-like provisions to verify claims and revenues. Members questioned both sides about alleged abuse, the growth of contract pharmacies, and whether the bill should include transparency requirements before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Utility rates are going up, garbage rates, electricity rates are going up, insurance rates are going
• It changes the maximum millage rate calculation.
• The maximum millage rate determines what millage rate can be levied by a government with a majority vote
• This bill aligns the maximum millage rate with the rollback rate. The rollback rate is...
• The rollback rate is the millage rate that would provide a taxing authority with the same tax revenue

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax relief, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses. Senator Avila presented the measure as a major property tax reform intended to provide relief to homeowners and restrain local government spending, while opponents argued it would shift costs to fees, services, and state appropriations and could harm local budgets, public safety, schools, and other services. Several senators also raised concerns about the ballot language and the lack of a completed fiscal analysis. The chamber considered and rejected multiple amendments. Senator Sharif’s income-based “circuit breaker” amendment failed, as did Senator Smith’s sunset clause amendment and Senator Berman’s amendment to rewrite the ballot statement for greater accuracy. During questioning, Avila said the revised language was meant to preserve flexibility for local governments and that future legislatures could set implementing procedures and, if necessary, prohibit certain local expenditures by general law. He also confirmed that the proposal would not affect refinancing or portability, and said the measure would not prevent local governments from continuing to fund many services such as libraries, parks, animal control, code enforcement, mosquito control, public housing, county health departments, and elections. Debate on final passage was extensive. Supporters described the proposal as overdue relief for homeowners and a way to force local governments to prioritize spending, while critics called it a risky tax shift that could reduce local revenue by billions and force cuts or higher fees. Some senators emphasized concerns about public safety funding, mental health and social services, and the accuracy of the ballot summary; others argued the measure would give voters a chance to decide on property tax reform. After debate, the resolution was rolled over for third reading and the Senate continued discussion, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the joint resolution.