Video & Transcript : 'University of Montevallo' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Employment Relations May 8th, 2026
Joint Committee on Employment Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- This nearly 20 percentage point drop was a de facto cut to the university of over $3.5 million.
- Okay, I'm not seeing any, so let's hear from the folks from the University of Washington. Great.
- The University of Washington employs 54,347 individuals across three primary workforce groups: academic
- ASEs are critical to our teaching and research missions of the university, but are increasingly costly
- Any questions for the folks from the University of Washington? Okay. Okay. I don't see any.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met on May 8, 2026, to review goals and objectives for the 2027–2029 master collective bargaining cycle and to hear updates on higher education and Washington Management Service bargaining. OFM’s Jenny Sheehan outlined the state workforce, noting that most employees are represented, the workforce remains heavily governed by civil service rules and CBAs, and the state is entering bargaining under a constrained hiring and budget environment. She described the bargaining timeline, the role of the June revenue forecasts in determining whether targeted compensation increases can be funded, and the state’s goals of affordability, maintaining labor relations, supporting equity, and addressing non-economic issues such as AI use, leave, immigration-related workplace concerns, and union access in a hybrid work environment.
Sheehan also reviewed the 2025–2027 bargaining cycle, including the prior WPEA ratification issue and the requirement that tentative agreements be submitted by October 1 for financial feasibility review and possible legislative funding. She said the 2025–27 agreements cost about $1.2 billion in general funds and $1.7 billion total, excluding the later-funded WPEA agreements. In response to a question, she explained that paid family and medical leave is not bargained over directly because it is governed by statute and ESD rules. She then presented on Washington Management Service bargaining, explaining that only certain WMS employees are eligible to bargain, that representation remains small, and that current WMS contracts are handled through addenda to existing agreements. She also described interest arbitration for certain groups, including ferries and public safety-related employees, and said arbitration awards still must be financially feasible and submitted by October 1.
The committee also heard from Western Washington University and the University of Washington on higher education bargaining. Western described its locally bargained contracts, the importance of local bargaining for workload, tenure, grievance, and safety issues, and the impact of the state fund split on budget planning. Western said it has no state funding for student compensation and has requested inclusion of student employees in the wage base. UW outlined its large workforce and the different bargaining frameworks under RCW 41.56 and 41.80, emphasizing that state funding and tuition make up only a portion of its budget and that the fund split and health care cost increases significantly affect compensation planning. UW also highlighted its request for state funding for academic student employee compensation, saying rising costs are reducing the number of positions and affecting class sizes and the academic pipeline. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members discussed the upcoming bargaining and arbitration timelines.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the CEO of University Lands, which is a department of the University of Texas System.
- for Lease of University Lands.
- University Lands, on behalf of the University of Texas Board of Regents, is the fiduciary steward of
- as the chair; two members of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas; and one member of the
- Board of Regents of the Texas A&M University System.
Committee:
House Land & Resource Management
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-03 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As a Floridian and a two-time graduate of the University of Florida, I am incredibly proud of what we've
- We have one of the preeminent universities, Florida International University.
- This will impact Florida State University, Florida International University, University of Florida, of
- In 2024, out-of-state students at the University of Florida made up around 33% of the student body, approximately
- University Florida International University University of Florida of course University of South Florida
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum verification. Members then adopted the special order report and a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also recognized Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano as law enforcement officer of the day and several visiting groups in the gallery.
On the floor, HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously, 109-0. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about surplus conservation lands and oversight by the Acquisition and Restoration Council; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign-country-of-concern restrictions, critical infrastructure, gifts, contracts, sister city agreements, and related ethics and criminal provisions, passed 80-20 after debate and a germane amendment was adopted over objections.
The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197 on information technology procurement and contracting, aimed at modernizing oversight of major IT projects, by 109-0. CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations passed 71-38 after extensive debate over development fees, manufactured homes, and reducing local supermajority requirements for comprehensive plan changes; an amendment to preserve Orange County’s rural boundary vote failed, and a strike-all amendment was ruled out of order. Members then adopted a technical amendment clarifying manufactured homes language.
Several local bills also advanced: HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed 109-0; HB 4051 and HB 4053 on Santa Rosa County fire protection district assessments passed 84-25 and 83-27, respectively, after compromise amendments; HB 4081 on the East Point Water and Sewer District passed 110-0; and HB 4093 on the Felsmere Water Control District passed 109-0. The transcript ended as the House moved on to HB 4095, with no final action shown.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (2-3-26)
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- kind of alleviate some of the help um kind of alleviate some of the shortages<00:03:55.040><c> in</c>
- Jenny Sand, Executive Director of Government and Community Relations for Northern Kentucky University
- And as Representative Baker mentioned, that is one of the things that the universities recommended for
- The only other additional piece of information that I'll say is, number one, Northern Kentucky University
- I know we've spoken to multiple folks about that; it is a great service to all of the universities.
Committee:
House Postsecondary Education
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Feb 2nd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Higher Education & Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- the Washington State University Board of Regents?
- community affairs for the Associated Students of Washington State University.
- the University of Washington's Board of Regents?
- I am also a PhD candidate at the University of Washington.
- University Board of Trustees?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a lot of laws that apply to both public and private universities.
- Vincent Rosset with the University of California Student Association.
- I'm a UC Santa Barbara student with the University of California Student Association.
- Tribal colleges or universities, or TCUs, are a vital part of that process.
- Jessica Dawn, the University of California, also in support.
Committee:
House Higher Education
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Number seven is University of Arkansas with Campus Guard.
- for University of Arkansas Online.
- for University of Arkansas Online.
- Yes, I have a question on item 10 for the University of Arkansas.
- our University of Arkansas at Fayetteville online programs to get the word out with them. ...our University
Committee:
All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
Summary:
The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants.
In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services.
The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee - 03/02/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Add $180,000 for new child psychiatry residents in the University of Utah Medical Education Program as
- Budget request for the colleges and universities, which consists of Boise State University, Idaho State
- University, Lewis-Clark State College, and the University of Idaho.
- ; Lewis-Clark State College, $481,500; and the University of Idaho, $2,266,800.
- And what this does is we're looking at the University of Idaho not being able to build...
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-11 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of the University of South Florida, go Bulls, and congratulations, Don.
- IDs from state universities... ...the use of student IDs from state universities that have a signature
- They might be, you know, all of our universities are not public universities.
- the University of Central Florida, the largest university by student population.
- Obviously, that's a kind of decision, again, that is in the hands of the college or the university, but
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, interns, public safety officials, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up several bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others substituted with House companions before final passage. No committee reports, governor messages, or House messages were on the desk at the start of the regular order of business.
The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric emergency care policies, training, pediatric equipment, a designated pediatric emergency care coordinator, and participation in the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment. Senators also passed CS/CS/HB 1113 on public records, clarifying confidentiality protections for victims and for law enforcement officers who become victims in the course of duty, though that bill drew questions about access to information in misconduct cases and received four no votes. The Senate then passed CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, creating a Florida Digital Service-administered program to help local governments obtain cybersecurity services and grants, with amendments shifting the grant-award deadline and rejecting House differences such as locating the program at USF and adding a sunset date.
The chamber also passed CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above Article V projections and revising related fee distributions, despite concerns from some senators and municipalities about revenue shifts. Additional bills passed included CS/CS/HB 679 modernizing trademark registration, and CS/CS/CS/HB 589 on septic system permits, which addresses long permit delays and clarifies liability if construction begins before a permit is issued. Several other bills were taken up, including elections legislation (SB 1334/HB 991) that generated extensive debate and multiple failed amendments on voter ID, citizenship verification, student and senior IDs, and implementation timing; the transcript ends while that bill is still under consideration, after the Senate adopted one amendment and rejected several others.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Center for Nursing Equity and Excellence funding 3/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Healthforce is part of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and in partnership with the University
- With our support with the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and Healthforce, the center has Universities
- 23.960><c> School</c><00:05:24.200><c> of</c> University of Minnesota School of University of Minnesota
- </c> University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota and the challenges<00:09:41.600><c> that
- c> to</c> and the University of Minnesota needs to and the University of Minnesota needs to come<00:09
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- universality and the importance of connecting with something beyond the material world.
- I live in Boise, and I'm representing AAUW, American Association of University Women.
- At the University of Idaho, there had not been a single American on the team.
- I am Terry Golic, athletic director at the University of Idaho.
- My name is Pauline Theros, Director of Athletics at Idaho State University.
Committee:
Senate Education
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- the university of what they do with that information?
- At the University of Florida, I'm trying to find it here on my list, it's 24%; 76% of those who apply
- to the University of Florida are not admitted.
- I think the point I was trying to make there is that we have many of our universities, if not all of
- University of Florida.
Committee:
Senate Appropriations
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee took up SB 2B, a major immigration bill by Senator Gruters, described by supporters as a Trump-aligned package to strengthen Florida’s role in immigration enforcement. The bill would create a grant program for local law enforcement, expand jail-ICE agreements beyond sheriff-operated jails, establish a chief immigration officer and a state immigration enforcement council, require more coordination on E-Verify and detention-bed reporting, allow immigration status to be considered in bail decisions, increase penalties for certain offenses tied to illegal reentry and voting, and repeal in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Much of the sponsor’s presentation and debate emphasized focusing on criminal offenders, improving coordination with federal authorities, and using state resources to support detention and enforcement.
Committee questioning focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, reimbursement for jail costs, E-Verify coverage, and whether the bill could lead to street-level immigration enforcement in schools or churches. Senator Smith, Senator Pizzo, Senator Polsky, Senator Sharief, and others challenged the tuition repeal as unfair to students who were brought to Florida as children and argued for grandfathering current students or studying the fiscal impact first. Senator Fine defended the repeal as ending a state subsidy for people who are not lawfully present and argued the change would save tens of millions of dollars. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified that the bill was limited to jail-based enforcement, said there was no current street-level 287(g) program in Florida, and stated he did not believe the bill raised concerns for law enforcement or schools/churches. A representative of the Florida Supervisors of Elections supported the voting-related section, while a Florida Highway Patrol representative said state agencies would need additional funding if they were expected to take on more enforcement duties.
The committee adopted Senator Gruters’ late-filed amendment correcting a drafting error. Senator Smith’s amendment to require an OPAGA study on the tuition-waiver policy was withdrawn after discussion, and his handwritten amendment to delete the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented students failed on a roll-call vote. The bill then advanced as amended, with several members speaking in debate both for and against it. Supporters framed it as a focused public-safety and enforcement measure; opponents criticized the special-session process, the cost, and the tuition repeal’s impact on students already enrolled.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So you kind of start with a baseline there, and if you have more students attending one of the universities
- And so we look at that across all four of the three universities in Lewis and Clark, and we look at that
- Almost half of what University of Idaho gets, and about a third less than what Idaho State University
- And so I was looking at how can we try to get some additional funding to some of our universities without
- one stealing it from another one, Get some additional funding to some of our universities without one
Committee:
House Revenue and Taxation
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Jan 8th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Transcript Highlights:
- All three findings were the result of the University of Arkansas System's internal audit division, which
- The university was able to recover $6,700, leaving an outstanding balance of $1,800 as of the audit report
- This concludes the findings for the University of Arkansas System.
- I'm the Chief Audit Executive for the University of Arkansas System.
- Ben Beaumont, Director of Policy for the University of Arkansas System. Good afternoon.
Summary:
The House and Senate Legislative Audit committee met to approve prior minutes and review four higher education audit reports. Staff first presented the University of Arkansas System report, which included three findings that had been certified and referred to the Governmental Bonding Board, the attorney general, and the appropriate prosecuting attorney: unauthorized purchases at UAPB totaling about $37,000, a fraud scheme involving falsified FAFSA/transcript records at East Arkansas Community College with about $66,000 in losses, and unallowable charges in the Veterans Upward Bound program at UA Fayetteville totaling $8,500, of which $6,700 was recovered. Committee members praised the institutions’ internal audit and management teams for identifying the issues and asked detailed questions about how the fraud was detected, especially the online student identity-theft scheme at EACC and the safeguards now being used to verify student identity and prevent similar cases.
EACC officials explained that the fraudulent admissions involved online applicants using falsified transcripts and identity-theft tactics, that 39 suspicious students were identified, and that seven slipped through far enough to receive federal aid, resulting in a $2,500 reimbursement obligation to the university. They said the college now uses a cross-departmental student validity team, extensive red-flag protocols, direct outreach to high schools, ID verification, and other checks, and that the issue has been shared across the UA system and with other campuses. UA Fayetteville also clarified that no veterans were harmed by the Veterans Upward Bound finding; the program was closed and students were redirected to other veteran support programs in the state.
The committee then deferred the Northwest Arkansas Community College report. Staff next summarized two additional reports, from Southeast Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University Tech, which contained only financial statement misstatements corrected during audit fieldwork; SAU Tech also had a finding involving unauthorized withdrawals that the college discovered and recovered. With no further questions, the committee voted without objection to file the reviewed reports and adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The university then proceeded the next year to ask for additional revenue of $7.5 million and now is
- A lot with online will be done in-house, not using an external OPM at the University of New Mexico.
- among all of the universities to make this work.
- I'm a board member for KNME, which is owned by the University of New Mexico.
- So it is licensed to the Regents of the University of New Mexico, which I found kind of okay.
Committee:
Senate Senate Education
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- But to have the scholarship and the credibility of Cal State University and the other university systems
- At the other end of the spectrum, the University of Phoenix, I'm sure you will hear from, has also been
- Julie Greenwood, who is the Dean of Continuing and Professional Education at the University of California
- Scott Governor here for University of Phoenix.
- Scott Governor here for University of Phoenix.
Summary:
The committee heard several higher education bills. It first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 67 and SB 619. The main discussion centered on SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters said the bill fills a gap left by the Reparations Task Force and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process; opponents argued genealogy methods already exist, the bill would waste money and delay action, and some raised constitutional concerns. The committee took a vote on SB 437, but the roll was left open after the initial tally showed three ayes and three noes.
The committee then heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters said the bill would improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses and help California institutions compete more effectively by reducing the burden of seeking separate state approvals. Opponents, including University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not actually secure California’s entry into the agreement. The committee voted 3-1 to pass SB 790 as amended to the Business and Professions Committee, with the roll left open.
The committee also heard SB 391, which would authorize the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge fees for research partners seeking access to data. Supporters said the office is absorbing significant unfunded workload from data requests and that fees would help recover costs; opponents, including the California Teachers Association community college association, warned the fees could create barriers for faculty and smaller researchers. Members discussed possible exemptions and implementation details. The committee voted 5-1 to pass SB 391 as amended to the Appropriations Committee, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said it would help students cover housing, food, and transportation costs and reduce dropout risk; members asked about eligibility and implementation, and the author explained the bill would use McKinney-Vento homelessness designations and target students at risk of “summer melt” and college homelessness.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-03 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As a Floridian and a two-time graduate of the University of Florida, I am incredibly proud of what we've
- We have one of the preeminent universities, Florida International University.
- This will impact Florida State University, Florida International University, University of Florida, of
- In 2024, out-of-state students at the University of Florida made up around 33% of the student body, approximately
- University Florida International University University of Florida of course University of South Florida
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- of the University of South Florida, go Bulls, and congratulations, Don.
- IDs from state universities... ...the use of student IDs from state universities that have a signature
- They might be, you know, all of our universities are not public universities.
- the University of Central Florida, the largest university by student population.
- Obviously, that's a kind of decision, again, that is in the hands of the college or the university, but
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (1-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- One is with the University of Kentucky, one is with the University of Louisville.
- University of Kentucky one is with the University of Kentucky one is with the University<01:31:48.080
- of Louisville the uh University of Louisville the uh University<01:31:51.000><c> of</c><01:31:51.719
- </c><01:32:06.199><c> of</c> the contract with the University of the contract with the University of
- the University of Trends and disparities the University of Kentucky<01:32:27.320><c> contract</c><01
Summary:
The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it.
The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward.
The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection.
Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair and members, Steve Hanson, on behalf of Northeastern University.
- We have a lot of laws that apply to both public and private universities.
- Vincent Rosset with the University of California Student Association.
- Tribal colleges or universities, or TCUs, are a vital part of that process.
- Jessica Dawn, the University of California, also in support.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a long policy agenda focused largely on student access, equity, and institutional oversight. Bills discussed included AB 2236 on common course numbering and streamlined articulation across the community colleges, CSU, and UC; AB 2422 on protections when financial aid is delayed; AB 1669 on medical and mental health leaves of absence; AB 1713 on accepting IEPs and 504 plans as proof of disability for accommodations; AB 2766 on priority housing and related supports for foster youth and students experiencing homelessness; AB 2212 on tech-facilitated sexual harassment and AI-generated intimate images; AB 2504 on a pilot to upskill creative-industry workers for AI-related changes; AB 1734 on preserving and expanding California food insecurity data collection; and AB 2771, the sunset bill for the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. The committee also took up a consent calendar of three bills earlier in the hearing.
Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from student groups, advocacy organizations, and system representatives, with many speakers describing personal experiences with transfer confusion, delayed aid, mental health crises, disability documentation barriers, housing instability, and online sexual harm. AB 2236 drew support from community college, CSU, UC student associations, and college-opportunity advocates, while the CSU Academic Senate registered opposition. AB 2771 drew a notable exchange over the cost and scope of the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, with Vice Chair DeMaio opposing the extension on fiscal and bureaucracy grounds; the author responded that the bureau is fee-funded and that its fees had not been raised in years. AB 1734 also prompted skepticism from DeMaio about the survey’s cost, methodology, and whether the work should be competitively bid, though supporters argued the existing California Health Interview Survey infrastructure was the most efficient way to preserve critical food insecurity data after federal cuts.
The committee voted to advance the measures it heard, generally on party-line or near-party-line votes, with several bills held open for additional members to add on. AB 2236, AB 2422, AB 1669, AB 1713, AB 1734, AB 2766, and AB 2212 all received do-pass recommendations and were re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees. AB 2771 was also moved forward to the Committee on Business and Professions after debate over the bureau’s reauthorization and fee structure. The hearing ended with the committee beginning consideration of AB 2504, the AI-related workforce upskilling pilot for creative industries.