Video & Transcript : 'wage increases' :

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NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/08/2026)

Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> increases over a longer period of time. increases over a longer period of time.
  • </c> increases, this is not a viable product. increases, this is not a viable product.
  • </c> what's causing these increases. what's causing these increases.
  • </c> the rate increases. That's all it was. the rate increases. That's all it was.
  • </c> would increase to 90. would increase to 90. &gt;&gt; Okay? &gt;&gt; Okay? &gt;&gt; Okay?
Summary: The subcommittee focused primarily on a bill concerning long-term care insurance rate increases and consumer notice. Members and staff discussed replacing or supplementing a proposed public hearing requirement with annual reporting, website updates, and consumer-facing disclosures about approved rate increases, carriers writing the products, and how the products work. Several participants emphasized that long-term care policies are long-term products, that rate increases can be spread over many years for actuarial reasons, and that consumers need better information about trends and the impact of increases. A major point of disagreement was whether the bill should try to cap premium increases. One member argued the real problem is unexpected increases of 15% to 20% and urged a statutory cap to protect consumers. Insurance department representatives and others responded that hard caps had been struck down in prior case law, that the department’s core responsibility is solvency, and that carriers need sufficient premium to pay future claims. They also said the market is struggling because many carriers stopped selling the product, leaving in-force policies to bear the cost, and that overly restrictive caps could cause insurers to withdraw from the state. The discussion then shifted toward a compromise requiring carriers to notify policyholders before a rate increase is approved and allowing a 60-day comment period. Participants debated whether the notice should come from the carrier, how confidentiality rules would apply before approval, and what the department should do with public comments. The department said it already reviews filings carefully and that submitted rates are often adjusted before approval; lawmakers noted that prior commissioners had pushed back on increases in some cases, including a seven-year moratorium. No final vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly tried to move the subcommittee along to other bills.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Higher Education Funding Review Committee Jun 3rd, 2026 at 09:00 am

Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The rest of them saw increases.
  • Yeah, 4% to, yes, the rate increased by 4%.
  • increase in what the appropriation is in 2025-27?
  • There's some with increased weights.
  • There's some with increased weights.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Mar 3rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • What's included in the governor's recommendation is an increase in the per diem rate.
  • This motion also makes the supplemental increase one-time, and so this adds that amount and then adds
  • So that'll increase the number of total Department of Correction beds to 100, and so that's the reason
  • for the increase for fiscal year 2027.
  • You'll see the corresponding increase on the IDJC budget during budget setting this Friday.
Summary: The committee took up a series of Idaho Department of Corrections budget supplementals and FY 2027 enhancement requests. Members approved supplemental or ongoing funding for Hepatitis C treatment authority, county and out-of-state placement costs, medical services, management services replacement items and IT hardware, state prisons replacement items, and community corrections replacement items, with several motions passing by due pass recommendation after roll calls. In community corrections, the committee approved a reduced amount that excluded some vehicle replacements. The committee also approved a technical correction to the college and university budget to restore four FTP that had been omitted from yesterday’s motion. The committee then considered several Department of Health and Welfare items. It approved a budget-neutral fund source change for substance abuse treatment and prevention, moving $650,000 from the Liquor Control Fund to the Cooperative Welfare Dedicated Fund. In the Division of Welfare, members discussed SNAP administrative cost changes tied to H.R. 1, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and Medicaid eligibility system changes; the motion to fund all three items failed in the House committee, so no language advanced. The committee also approved psychiatric hospitalization supplemental funding to shift Idaho Behavioral Health Plan revenue from federal funds to dedicated funds. For FY 2027 mental health services, the committee approved a compromise package that reduced funding for a juvenile corrections clinical transfer and restored some mental health services staffing and Idaho Behavioral Health Plan costs, while adding Allenbaugh House funding through opioid settlement dollars. It also adopted language allowing certain transfers under state law and requiring separate reporting for children’s and adult mental health spending under the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan. For psychiatric hospitalization, the committee approved ongoing fund shifts for employee benefits, the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan, replacement items, and endowment fund adjustments. The meeting ended with notice of upcoming budget-setting work and a reminder for members to get any new motions to staff by early afternoon.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 4/11/25

Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:04:57.280><c> emissions</c> mitigate or offset increased emissions mitigate or offset increased
  • increases are VMT increases and our cost increases are disproportionately<00:29:04.799><c> from</c><
  • In 2021, the increased much.
  • </c><01:07:15.520><c> We</c> electric vehicle fee increase. We electric vehicle fee increase.
  • We increase that by 0.75% of 1%.
Bills: HF2438
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Finance May 27th, 2026

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • The financial burden would be increased.
  • The financial burden would be increased.
  • Increased. I will say, though, that I'll go on record anytime Remy wants me to.
  • The fiscal note, for us, the bill is simple: it increases the rates, so the impact should be an increase
  • It increases the rates, so the impact should be an increase in the cost.
Committee: Senate Finance
Summary: The Finance Committee met on May 27, 2026, with six members present and took up a series of House bills, most of them dealing with education funding, criminal justice staffing, transportation, health care access, and economic development. HB 325 was reported favorably after testimony that it would expand TOPS eligibility by allowing dual-enrollment credits to satisfy eligibility criteria and by making part-time students eligible for TOPS Tech, with supporters saying the program has been underused and the change would help working students. HB 719 was amended and reported favorably to increase assistant district attorney positions in various judicial districts; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association said the changes were based on workload data and local input, and members discussed the need to coordinate any expansion with public defender funding. The committee also reported HB 749 favorably, which would move Louisiana’s 529 savings accounts to a more secure online platform after a cyber incident, and HB 1028 favorably, which concerns transportation reimbursement for providers and was described as already subject to appropriation. Several bills focused on food access and local economic development. HB 1222, the Grocery Initiative Act, was reported favorably to let LED use existing grant resources to map food deserts and develop a program, with members noting it could return for funding later if needed. HB 1194 was amended and reported favorably to define food deserts and direct the LSU AgCenter and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to identify and map them, with authors emphasizing it was a study and not a government-run grocery program. HB 755, which would create IDIQ contracting for architects and engineers on smaller state projects, was reported favorably with no fiscal impact. HB 823, a local diversion pilot for Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably after the fiscal note was revised to remove state impact and reflect only local costs. The committee spent substantial time on HB 488, a proposal from Plaquemines Parish to use severance-tax revenue to help buy out a private toll concession on the parish’s bridge. The author and local officials described severe toll burdens, economic harm to local businesses, and what they called an unfair contract, but members noted the bill was not funded and ultimately deferred it without a motion. HB 797, the Bayou Gold/Louisiana Sound Money Act, was amended to make implementation subject to appropriation and then reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 198, which would raise Medicaid reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers for certain outpatient procedures; after extensive discussion about fiscal notes, access to care, and potential long-term savings, the bill was amended to narrow its scope and make implementation subject to appropriation, then reported favorably as amended. The meeting ended with the chair noting it would be the committee’s last meeting and asking members to spread the word.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
  • Increasing housing affordability is laudable, but not if it fails to reduce the number of people living
  • Are you increasing or are you decreasing?
  • And the federal government actually says, well, those are increases in income.
  • The proposed amendment would increase the threshold amount for review from $50,000 to $2 million.
  • One of the public comments was asking us to increase it.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-02-06 - 9:30AM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:14:50.320><c> significantly</c><00:14:51.120><c> and</c> has recently increased significantly
  • and has recently increased significantly and and<00:14:51.760><c> provide</c><00:14:52.160><c> those
  • </c><00:14:59.519><c> from</c><00:14:59.839><c> drug</c><00:15:00.160><c> manu</c> price increases from
  • drug manu price increases from drug manu manufacturers. manufacturers. manufacturers.
  • Section 7 directs the Agency of Human Services to amend its rules and procedures to increase the amount
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 26th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:
  • FTEs has also increased by 856.7 or 7.3%. Please turn to page 2.
  • Recommendation for driver license services include 539.5 million in all. funds, reflecting an increase
  • This net increase is offset by $5.3 million in general revenue. for one time startup costs associated
  • In addition, DPS is requesting five million in general or revenue to increase automation and self-help
  • That's not so in our in our non-commissioned positions and there's no step increase.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Human Services - 03/23/26

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> are outdated obsolete rate increases are outdated obsolete rate increases that<00:26:55.840><c>
  • </c> system for rate change or rate increase system for rate change or rate increase to<00:31:51.360>
  • </c><00:32:29.120><c> in</c> those things going up increasing in those things going up increasing in
  • So this increase that we're talking about doesn't even pay one of our areas of cost increase.
  • :33:57.679><c> about</c> increase that we're talking about increase that we're talking about doesn't<
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (02/09/2026)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> related to the BFA um it will increase related to the BFA um it will increase to<00:09:36.399><c
  • </c><00:14:49.600><c> So,</c> keep increasing and all of that. So, keep increasing and all of that.
  • was also an increase in there. >> That was my recollection, is that we had already increased it for
  • So approximately 25% increase. 27% increase with the... okay.
  • </c> 27% increase with the DK. Okay. 27% increase with the DK. Okay.
Summary: The committee first heard testimony from State Treasurer Monica Misipelli on House Bill 1042, which would increase the contingent credit limit for the BFA. She explained that under RSA 66 the state’s debt capacity is capped at 10% of unrestricted revenue, and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is not direct debt. She said the state currently has about 65% of its capacity used, roughly $120 million of remaining room, and that raising the BFA contingent credit limit from $200 million to $450 million would reduce that capacity. She noted the state’s debt-to-revenue ratio is about 4.2%, that the state’s credit rating is not immediately affected by the guarantee program unless the state actually has to assume the liability, and suggested unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Peace Development Authority, could be reviewed in the future. Members asked whether a credit guarantee affects bonding ability like actual debt, what the usual debt level is relative to the statutory cap, and whether the increase would crowd out future capital borrowing. Misipelli answered that guarantees are included in the formula and do affect available capacity, though the current ratio remains manageable. She also said she had been using a $120 million benchmark for capital budget planning and was now modeling $130 million in future state debt. When asked whether the full $250 million increase was necessary, she deferred to the BFA, saying the question should be answered by the agency. James Key Wallace, executive director of the New Hampshire BFA and interim commissioner of Business and Economic Affairs, then testified in support of the bill. He said the request was driven by larger project costs over the last several decades, with construction inflation causing guarantees to be used up in bigger chunks, and by the fact that the BFA has been close to its current cap. He said the agency does not use taxpayer funds, has never had a payout on a guarantee in nearly 35 years, and requires collateral, reserves, and an 80% loan-to-value buffer. He told members the Senate had a similar bill to raise the limit to $400 million and that the BFA considered that range acceptable. In response to questions, he said a smaller increase such as $150 million would cover known transactions but might not provide enough runway for future opportunities, and he confirmed the bill was brought at the BFA’s request. He also said businesses consider housing availability when deciding whether to locate in New Hampshire, since housing and workforce are key location factors. At the end of the work session, the chair closed House Bill 1042 and opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage of pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Nagel began introducing the bill and asked for copies of the treasurer’s debt-capacity report, but the transcript cuts off before any further action on HB 241.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Health and Human Services (01/29/2025)

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • And also, has it increased...
  • </c> doing that we could probably increase doing that we could probably increase our<00:49:40.119><c>
  • That increases premiums.
  • </c> deny coverage deny access increase deny coverage deny access increase premiums<01:55:47.040><c>
  • </c> testing before use helping to increase testing before use helping to increase both<02:17:47.599>
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • But we're also seeing an increased meal service efficiency of 76% in those that reported, increased lunch
  • participation of almost 60%, increased meal service capacity, increased breakfast participation, and
  • increased menu variety.
  • Increased breakfast participation and increased menu variety.
  • grocery prices significantly increasing.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means Mar 30th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And because of this complexity, this increases administrative costs.
  • And because of this complexity, this increases administrative costs.
  • One of them was increased revenue to locals. You said that a minute ago.
  • I wanted to increase revenue for our locals.
  • He's the increasing. He can speak on that part. Thank you for that information.
Summary: The committee first took up HB 620, a constitutional amendment and companion legislation to centralize collection of state and local sales taxes. The author and supporters from the Tax Foundation, COST, NFIB, and LABI argued that Louisiana’s decentralized system creates high compliance costs, inconsistent administration, and lost revenue, especially for small businesses and out-of-state sellers. Several members raised concerns about the recent rollout of the hybrid e-file system, the effect on local cash flow and auditability, and whether the state could implement a fully centralized system without disrupting parish and municipal revenues. The author ultimately agreed to voluntarily defer HB 620 and its companion HB 658 so the committee could see how the current system performs and continue working with local stakeholders. The committee then heard HB 898, which would dedicate a portion of surplus revenue to reducing and eventually eliminating the state income tax. The author described it as a gradual, revenue-triggered approach to tax elimination, while another member suggested pairing it with reductions in tax exemptions and credits. The bill was voluntarily deferred for future consideration. Next, the committee considered HB 217 and HB 214, a bill and constitutional amendment creating an optional property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict properties. Support came from local government and law enforcement groups, who said the measure would give parishes and municipalities a tool to encourage redevelopment and reduce blight. Members discussed safeguards, including local option, whether the exemption should follow the property for 20 years, and whether a step-down at the end of the exemption period should be considered. HB 217 was reported favorably as amended, and HB 214 was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 514 and HB 561, both by Rep. Farnum, which expand property tax relief for seniors and certain trusts. HB 514 creates an optional additional ad valorem tax exemption for homeowners age 65 and older, and HB 561 extends eligibility to certain trusts when the qualifying owner occupies the home. Both measures were described as local-option tools to help seniors remain in their homes, and both were reported favorably as amended. Finally, HB 812, by the vice chair, was heard to allow limited annual compensation increases for parish assessors. Assessor representatives said their duties have expanded and their pay has fallen behind clerks of court; members questioned the lack of direct local voter input, but the bill was presented as optional and funded locally, with discussion of transparency and a possible task force to coordinate future compensation policy.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on the Census Feb 10th, 2026

Senate Committee on the Census

Transcript Highlights:
  • Immigration increased. And then 2023 increased again.
  • Immigration increased, and then 2023 increased again.
  • The median age in Massachusetts and the U.S. is increasing over time.
  • Both are projected to significantly increase.
  • Increased dramatically.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Jan 13th, 2026

Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there an intention with this supplemental money to increase the total grant awards in cases beyond
  • As mentioned earlier, we also hope you'll increase investments in DCR.
  • It will bring good jobs, more housing, and increased climate resilience for all, including trees.
  • So we thank the legislature for recent increases in DCR's operating budget.
  • increase in the line for Parkways, 2890-7036, from $177 million to $400 million.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a hearing on S. 2542, the Mass Ready Act, the Healey-Driscoll administration’s environmental bond bill. Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper and Undersecretary Jen Sullivan described the bill as a $3 billion resilience package to protect drinking water, farms, fisheries, roads, bridges, parks, and communities from flooding, heat, drought, wildfires, and other climate impacts. They highlighted major authorizations for flood and coastal resilience, DCR infrastructure, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, open space and land protection, food security infrastructure, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund for low-cost loans to municipalities, tribes, and water districts. Committee members asked about project lifespans, flood and salt marsh permitting, wastewater and combined sewer overflow funding, parkway maintenance, land acquisition priorities, Quabbin stewardship, and how the revolving fund would be capitalized and administered. The administration said the fund would be modeled on the Clean Water Trust, use existing trust resources rather than new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds; they also said the bill would streamline certain permitting and improve flood-risk disclosure and climate-related building standards. Many witnesses urged the committee to strengthen the bill’s funding levels or add related policy provisions. Labor, contractor, and plumbing groups supported creating a water reuse and graywater recycling commission, saying it could conserve water, reduce stormwater and sewer burdens, and create skilled jobs. Boston Harbor Now asked for higher authorizations for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program and resilient coast work, plus permitting reforms for nature-based and waterfront projects. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance backed the bill but also urged inclusion of drought-management legislation, a water reuse commission, a statewide flood buyout program, and more support for community resiliency. Environmental justice advocates from Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements in schools and public housing, while conservation and tree advocates sought larger investments in urban forestry, local nurseries, and workforce training, along with clearer language to ensure municipal reforestation funds go to cities and towns. Agricultural and food system witnesses emphasized the importance of the bill’s food security and farmland provisions. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative supported the $125 million food security infrastructure grant program, saying it has funded critical facilities and equipment for farmers, fishers, processors, and food access organizations, but warned that without the bill there could be a funding gap in fiscal year 2027. They also supported farmland protection and asked for more funding for agricultural capital programs, used-equipment eligibility in grant programs, and a next-generation farmer fund. Water utility representatives said the bill still falls short of the state’s long-term drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater needs, citing EPA estimates of nearly $37 billion in needed investments over 20 years and urging dedicated recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. No votes were taken at the hearing.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Consumers who can't afford the related increase in rent or the increase in the cost of the home will
  • Agencies often increase housing costs without any change in statute.
  • , a nearly 57% increase.
  • In fact, if SCSs were fully implemented, we would expect to see an increase in housing production.
  • this was increasing timelines, and that in some cases it may be overly stringent.
Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing production, affordability, and timelines. Chair Pacheco and Assemblymember Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage and the need to reduce costs while maintaining environmental, safety, and community protections. The first panel featured housing experts and industry representatives who argued that state regulations, code complexity, utility constraints, and agency review processes add substantial cost and delay to development. Bill Fulton described overlapping state and local land-use authorities and the tension among housing, coastal protection, climate, and wildfire goals. CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and California Apartment Association representative Bob Raymer said building codes, energy mandates, and agency processes have materially increased per-home costs, and they urged more centralized affordability analysis and greater scrutiny of regulatory impacts. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger timelines and accountability for state agency reviews. The second panel brought in state agencies to explain their roles. HCD said its housing element enforcement, streamlining laws, and technical assistance have helped increase production, shorten entitlement timelines, and improve compliance by local governments. CARB said SB 375 is a planning law that does not directly regulate land use, and argued that regional housing assumptions in sustainable communities strategies are not being fully implemented on the ground. The Coastal Commission said it works with local governments to balance coastal protection, sea-level-rise risk, and housing, and noted recent guidance and pilot efforts to streamline housing approvals in the coastal zone. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are designed to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design and documentation complexity. Fish and Wildlife and DTSC both emphasized early engagement and collaboration to reduce delays while protecting natural resources and public health; DTSC said it is refining vapor intrusion guidance and using brownfield grants to support redevelopment. The State Water Resources Control Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to provide predictable permitting while balancing water quality, water rights, and housing needs, and noted billions in grants and loans for water infrastructure and site remediation that can support housing affordability. In response to questions from Assemblymember Haney, several agencies described ongoing coordination across departments, including regular meetings among HCD, CARB, the Coastal Commission, and transportation agencies, as well as broader interagency efforts to reduce redundancies and identify pinch points in project delivery. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the main outcome was informational testimony and discussion of possible future reforms to improve coordination, predictability, and affordability in state regulatory processes.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Land & Resource Management May 8th, 2025

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • So if we increase the cost of pipeline and move water, that increases the cost to the end consumer at
  • build more natural gas power plants, and that would then increase the cost of natural gas and increase
  • Seven increases.
  • It may increase the cost a little bit.
  • It may increase the cost a little bit.
Bills: HB5489 , HB5695 , HB5699 , SB291 , SB292
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Feb 4th, 2025

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • A large rate increase.
  • Absolutely, that needs to be increased.
  • This also included funding for additional FTE and contract increases.
  • The other increase that we have is for the Office of Broadband, a slight increase.
  • We have increased that to 196 positions. We have increased our FTE and lowered our vacancy rate.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Transportation Committee Jun 23rd, 2026 at 09:00 am

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • The state did increase the fuel tax rate in 2025, and cities will receive a share of this increase.
  • Annual property tax increases are limited, as you know, with proposals to increase this... ...cap discussed
  • to increase this cap discussed in recent sessions.
  • Our final goal here is to increase local funding options.
  • So the voter outreach could be in place of that 1% increase. Yeah, absolutely.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • successfully increased student CalFresh enrollment by 38%, reflecting an increase in successful applications
  • successfully increased student CalFresh enrollment by 38%, reflecting an increase in successful applications
  • demonstrate that when counties have sufficient staff to increase touch points, we are successful.
  • In 2024, that number increased to 1,300.
  • Over time, the stress increased, causing sleep disturbances and self-doubt.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused on the impacts of federal HR1 on CalFresh and Medi-Cal, along with related state mitigation efforts. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, county representatives, LAO, and Finance discussed automatic exemptions, data-sharing between departments, county workload, and the timing of implementation. CDSS said about two-thirds of adults ages 18 to 64 are already known to be exempt in CalFresh, and that administrative data matches could newly exempt about 200,000 of the roughly 955,000 adults potentially at risk. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would begin in 2027 and the department is working to automate exemptions, including for IHSS recipients and some caregivers, while DDS said its population is expected to be covered by auto-exemptions. County welfare directors emphasized that individualized worker contact is critical, that counties need more staffing and stable funding, and that without it they expect delays, higher error rates, and reduced exemption screening capacity. Members pressed for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and clearer guidance; the administration said it would provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. No votes were taken. The committee then heard a separate discussion on a proposed CFAP expansion or “CFAP Plus” concept to provide state-funded benefits to additional populations affected by HR1, including lawfully present non-citizens and ABODs. CDSS said implementation could not occur before October 1, 2027 because of policy and system-design constraints, and that adding unique eligibility rules would increase complexity and cost. Finance cautioned that any expansion would have General Fund impacts likely in the hundreds of millions to multiple billions. Members asked for cost estimates and technical feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS said it would review the proposal and respond. The hearing also covered CDSS’s CalFresh strategic plan and mandated reporter training updates. CDSS said it is hiring a strategic plan lead to develop a long-term, data-informed CalFresh plan, and that the revised mandated reporter training is on track for launch in fall/winter 2026, ahead of the July 1, 2027 statutory deadline. The training will include updated content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting families. Members praised the work and asked for continued updates. Later panels focused on Promise Neighborhoods, Stop the Hate, and housing programs. Promise Neighborhood advocates and CDSS described the state’s prior $12 million investment, a positive evaluation showing roughly a 4-to-1 return, and a new proposal to support place-based partnerships and community schools through AB 1969. Stop the Hate grantees and CDSS reported that the program has provided direct services, prevention, and statewide coordination to millions of Californians, and urged reauthorization before funding expires; members asked for best-practice language and discussed focusing future funding on solidarity work, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS presented on the CalWORKs Housing Support Program and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, saying proposed General Fund investments of $105 million and $55 million would prevent funding cliffs and allow the programs to continue through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in housing assistance, subsidies, and enrollments.