Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program.
• The state program provides program.
• The existing available for the program.
• This bill authorized under the program.
• </c> have to be enrolled in the DMC program. have to be enrolled in the DMC program.

Bills: HF3298 , SF3832 , HF3528 , HF3516 , HF3972 , HF4118

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the program director for a rural family medicine residency training program based out of a tribally
• We took out a second mortgage and paid $48,000 for a 28-day program.
• Trent Murphy with the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives.
• And we have a strong record of promoting other types of programs.
• USDA organic, perfect USDA organic, perfect example of different products that grocers do prominently

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. AB 1825 by Krell would clarify California’s offenders with mental health disorders program by tightening the standard for determining “substantial danger of physical harm,” improving exit planning, and expanding Medi-Cal access for people released after a successful challenge. Supporters, including psychiatrists, prosecutors, and medical groups, said the bill would close gaps in care and protect public safety; county behavioral health directors and Disability Rights California registered concerns. AB 1696 by Stephanie would state that nurse midwives do not need physician supervision when providing care within their existing scope, including EMTALA-related evaluation in labor and delivery settings. Nurse midwives and nursing groups supported the bill, while emergency physicians opposed it unless amended, arguing emergency department screening should remain under physician supervision; the author said she would keep working on the issue. AB 1949 by Lee would make acupuncture a separate Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. The author and supporters from acupuncture, health access, and integrative medicine groups said the current monthly cap is too restrictive and that acupuncture is an effective, cost-saving alternative for pain management and other conditions. There was no opposition. AB 2330 by Patterson would create a distinct regulatory category for cold spas, with standards for construction, operation, and disinfection. Fitness and wellness groups supported the bill, environmental health administrators had no formal position but thanked the author for amendments, and a committee member raised concerns about local officials interpreting the bill to require separate enclosures from saunas; the author said she would continue working on the language. AB 2000 by Aguirre-Curry would limit mid-year changes to prescription drug formularies and add notice, exceptions, reporting, and enforcement provisions. Family physicians, chronic care advocates, nurses, pharmacists, and patient groups supported the bill, citing non-medical switching and treatment disruptions; health plans and insurers opposed it, warning of higher costs, reduced flexibility, and premium increases. AB 1929 by Ortega would require health plans to disclose investments, including in private prisons and immigrant detention centers. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure tied to patient premiums and public values, while opponents argued the bill was duplicative, burdensome, and potentially harmful to investment confidentiality. AB 2746 by Schiavo would classify medical credit card debt as medical debt so it would not appear on credit reports. Consumer advocates and legal aid groups supported the bill, describing abusive marketing and housing harms; banks, debt collectors, and industry groups opposed it as unworkable and privacy-invasive. The committee took roll on AB 2746 and passed it on a due pass motion to Banking and Finance, with several members voting aye and a few no votes recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• a mechanism to detain and... ...rehabilitation, the OMHD program was created to provide a mechanism
• I'm the program director for a rural family medicine residency training program based out of a tribally
• We took out a second mortgage and paid $48,000 for a 28-day program.
• Trent Murphy with the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives.
• And we have a strong record of promoting other types of programs.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been thought of years ago when I was working with USDA on some fair...
• But we know that this program is oversubscribed.
• So we actually have programs like this also in my district that are needing help as well.
• We see the program grow. We see people being able to invest in what we're doing now.
• I'll just close by saying, again, this program...

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met and heard a full agenda of bills, beginning with AB 1674, which would create a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program and require grocery-store capacity to be preserved or mitigated in certain housing developments. The author and local residents from Sunnyvale testified in support, describing the loss of neighborhood grocery stores and the impact on seniors and low-income families. Business and building groups opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could add costs and create housing barriers, especially in Section 3. The committee discussed rural and urban food-access differences, and the bill passed the committee 5-0 and was re-referred to Housing and Community Development, with members noting continued work on amendments. The committee then approved several consent items and heard AB 2264, which would allow district agricultural associations to use fairgrounds property for affordable housing by extending lease terms from 55 to 99 years. Supporters said it would unlock underused public land without displacing neighborhoods, and the bill passed to Housing and Community Development. AB 269, the “Fair Act,” would provide a targeted sales and use tax exemption to spur development projects on fairgrounds; it drew broad support from members and fair association testimony and passed to Revenue and Taxation. AB 2143, which would prohibit online marketplaces from accepting payment for noxious weeds shipped into California, received strong support from academic and agricultural witnesses and passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee also heard AB 1731, creating the California Healthy Food Procurement Fund and an approved-vendor program to connect schools with California farmers. School nutrition, farm, and food-policy advocates supported the bill as a way to reduce procurement barriers and expand local food in school meals; it passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 1848 would raise seed-law fees to fund inspection and enforcement of California’s seed regulations; the California Seed Association supported the increase, and the bill passed to Appropriations. The meeting concluded with roll calls on absent members and adjournment at 2:53 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I don't want to say that these programs don't work.
• There's another program that I think is very useful.
• In Alabama, we have a great example through our fortified. program.
• We're talking about in one program, the program that oversees the field offices, we're talking about
• So how can these programs?

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: affordable housing, government investment, barriers, legislative solutions, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing the significant issue of affordable housing in America. Members expressed concern over the persistent barriers faced in the housing sector, despite substantial government investment aimed at alleviating these issues. It was highlighted that government interference plays a critical role in complicating the housing landscape, and discussions revolved around potential legislative approaches to mitigate these challenges. Several witnesses provided testimony, contributing to a thorough exploration of the topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• California has developed its approach to provide these new early intervention and prevention programs
• This grant program created by this bill will ensure that that can happen.
• In just one example, we wish to highlight a tribal prevention program that received just a small amount
• With the important benefits for children, families, and tribes this program could make, we ask you to
• As mentioned in September of last year, the USDA announced it would terminate future data collection

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard four bills and one consent item. AB 1574 by Assemblymember Chris Rogers would expand tribal access to prevention and diversion services aimed at keeping Native youth out of foster care. Supporters, including tribal representatives and child welfare advocates, said the bill would help address the overrepresentation of Native children in foster care and strengthen culturally relevant, tribally run services. There was no opposition, and the committee passed the bill 6-0 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee then heard AB 1618, also by Assemblymember Rogers, which would require California to continue a household food insecurity survey if the federal government does not. Supporters from End Child Poverty California, AARP, food banks, and county and local government groups said reliable data is needed to track hunger, target services, and respond to expected federal cuts to food assistance. The bill was approved 5-0 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. AB 1688 by Assemblymember Carrillo would require notice to additional attorneys when there are allegations of abuse or neglect in a foster placement, including attorneys for parents and other children in the same home. The author and the Children's Law Center said the measure would close a safety gap and improve coordination to protect foster youth. Committee members also spoke in support based on their professional experience, and the bill passed 6-0 as amended to the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The committee also approved the consent calendar, including AB 1602, and adjourned after completing its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• California has developed its approach to provide these new early intervention and prevention programs
• This grant program created by this bill will ensure that that can happen.
• In just one example, we wish to highlight a tribal prevention program that received just a small amount
• With the important benefits for children, families, and tribes this program could make, we ask you to
• As mentioned, in September of last year, the USDA announced it would terminate future data collection

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We get a $15 million grant from the USDA, secured late in 2022, to set up a revolving program to do direct
• We get a $15 million grant from the USDA, secured late in 2022, to set up a revolving program to do direct
• We get a $15 million grant from the USDA, secured late in 2022, to set up a revolving program to do direct
• We get a $15 million grant from the USDA, secured late in 2022, to set up a revolving program to do direct
• We get a $15 million grant from the USDA, secured late in 2022, to set up a revolving program to do direct

Bills: HF770 , HF857 , HF38 , HF1500 , HF43

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• when they graduate, we will have graduated 1,019 individuals, so almost 1,200 individuals from the program
• So we're really pleased with that, and it's been a very productive program for enhancing leaders in agriculture
• I'm employed with USDA Rural Development in Caldwell. Good morning.
• And that's why the 4-H programs and the FFA programs—I wish we could focus on our younger kids, too,
• Well, you know, there's another organization that's called Potatoes USA, which is... ...a USDA organization

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Laws and programs can be revised. They can be changed and updated.
• In just the first quarter of operations, the Farmers Feeding Florida program has recovered over 4.6 million
• Everyone I've spoken to about the program supports making sure the children in Florida don't go to bed
• In fact, I've had an opportunity to discuss with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans to make our legislation
• ... ...to discuss with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans to make our legislation a national model for

Summary: The Florida Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session with prayer, presentation of colors by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance led by children in the chamber, and a performance of the national anthem by the FAMU Marching 100. Newly elected Senator Ralph Massullo was certified and sworn into office by Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz, and several current and former state officials and senators were recognized in the chamber. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 1466 to convene in joint session with the House to receive the Governor’s message, waived the rules to immediately certify the resolution to the House, and notified the House and Governor that the Senate was ready to proceed with the 2026 regular session. In remarks, Senate leadership and the President discussed priorities including rural Florida, agriculture, citrus recovery, food insecurity, affordability, tax relief, balanced budgets, and the importance of deliberation and checks and balances. The President also highlighted recent and planned initiatives such as the Farmers Feeding Florida program, rural health care investment, and property tax relief, while emphasizing faith, service, and cooperation in the chamber. Senator Gates announced that 52 executive appointments would be taken up the following day. The session concluded with a benediction by Senator Massullo and adjournment until the next scheduled meeting, with the Senate set to meet later in joint session with the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs help families balance. 5% and 27%.
• The Technical Assistance Program, TAP, and the Capital Infusion Program, SIP, are extraordinarily important
• comes to the success that we've had with that program.
• You are very familiar with the farmer program.
• There are people currently going through that program.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact and Agriculture, held at Fresno State, focused on cost pressures in California’s food system, household affordability, and the Central Valley’s role in agriculture. Opening remarks emphasized Fresno State’s regional importance, the Central Valley’s outsized contribution to food production, and the connection between agricultural health, food security, and the broader economy. Members also noted the impact of the federal shutdown on CalFresh benefits and the state’s efforts to respond with food assistance funding and National Guard support for food banks. The first panel featured academic and policy experts who described agriculture’s economic importance in the San Joaquin Valley and the rising pressures on farms and households. Dr. Conduro highlighted agriculture’s large share of regional GDP, farm receipts, jobs, exports, and food manufacturing, while identifying water scarcity, SGMA-related land fallowing, labor shortages and rising labor costs, market volatility, invasive pests, and production cost inflation as major barriers. Caroline Danielson of PPIC said food prices remain about 30% above 2019 levels, food insecurity affects about 1.8 million California households, and nutrition programs such as CalFresh, WIC, and school meals are essential in reducing poverty, especially in the Central Valley. Susie Pryor of the Central California Small Business Development Center described technical assistance, capital access, and training for small food and farm businesses, while warning that reduced funding limits support for rural and immigrant entrepreneurs. The second panel brought testimony from a small produce business owner, a food entrepreneur, and the Fresno County Farm Bureau. They said input costs for fertilizer, fuel, irrigation, labor, land leases, and compliance have risen sharply while commodity prices have remained flat or fallen, squeezing small farms and food businesses. Panelists stressed the need for small-batch processing facilities, local supply chains, education on food manufacturing compliance, land access for small farmers, and more pathways into agriculture through trade programs, community colleges, and FFA. Ryan Jacobson said California agriculture is facing a prolonged downturn, with farm bankruptcies, weak commodity prices, export-market uncertainty, water reliability problems, and costly ag-burning rules all contributing to financial strain. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible policy solutions and continued engagement with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• The major one for rural communities is the USDA 502 Direct Loan program.
• </c><00:29:52.120><c> this</c><00:29:52.240><c> is</c><00:29:52.360><c> a</c> USDA 502 Direct Loan program
• this is a USDA 502 Direct Loan program this is a federally<00:29:52.960><c> funded</c><00:29:53.399>
• </c><00:47:58.960><c> is</c><00:47:59.079><c> a</c> program and this education program is a program and

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• We have before you today a similar program called Continuous Living Cover, which is a program that works
• </c> is an uh an economic development program is an uh an economic development program uh<00:04:58.240
• </c><00:08:42.479><c> inspected</c> processing uh our USDA inspected processing uh our USDA inspected
• </c><00:15:05.000><c> recognized</c> can include USD USDA recognized can include USD USDA recognized
• or competitive grant programs.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• once the USDA approves the pilot<01:08:29.199><c> program.
• out of the program.
• out of the program.
• </c> 529 savings program through Fidelity. 529 savings program through Fidelity.
• </c> program. Yeah. program. Yeah.

Summary: The committee first revisited HB 781, the cell phone bill, after previously retaining it. On reconsideration, members moved to OTP the bill, and it passed unanimously. The committee then moved into the budget tracking packet and adopted an amendment to HB 2 to add the same cell phone policy language, also unanimously, and separately reduced HB 1 by $1 million to match the policy change. Members noted the cell phone language had already been stripped of grant funding language in the House version and that the policy and funding pieces were being aligned across the budget bills. The committee then took up a Department of Education technical amendment to HB 2 on charter school grants, which made timing and administrative changes without altering grant amounts, and adopted it unanimously. Members also discussed but held other education-related items, including adequacy grants, pending broader decisions on overall education funding. Another HB 2 item concerning E-911/state police radio communications prompted a longer discussion about whether E-911 surcharge funds were being used for purposes that should instead be general-funded. After debate over whether to leave the current practice in place or split the funding 50/50 between E-911 and general funds, the committee adopted a joint HB 1/HB 2 change to shift the funding source to a 50/50 split and delete the HB 2 language authorizing the prior use; the motion passed 7-0. The committee also discussed but did not act on several lottery-related provisions, including the video lottery terminal amendment, the increase in maximum ticket price from $30 to $50, and related tax split changes, with members planning to hear from the Lottery Commission on Monday. The meeting ended with the committee beginning review of new amendments in the tracking packet, including a Department of Education request related to Public School Infrastructure Commission grant administration, but no action was taken on that item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• front of me, but the majority of your retail pet shops purchase all of their animals from a licensed USDA
• Talk about a licensed USDA entity. I think we need to look into that a little further.
• just today in continuous numbers of animals being euthanized because we could use funds to have programs

Bills: HB3419 , HB3624 , HB3748 , HB4335

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: corruption, nonpublic information, government accountability, criminal law, public office, counties, property taxation, watercourse, boundaries, effective date, county government, administration, local resources, public institutions, construction, maintenance, animal welfare, pet shops, commercial breeders, county regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• But the other those programs going.
• Um programs we're moving forward with.
• What does this program look for?
• What does this program look for?
• So what does this program look program. So what does this program look for?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:23.120><c> how</c><00:10:23.399><c> to</c> program how to market the program how to program
• , Research, and Innovation Program, or AGRI program.
• , Research, and Innovation Program, or AGRI program.
• </c> student on the free lunch program student on the free lunch program program<00:41:57.680><c> when
• </c><01:07:45.079><c> a</c><01:07:45.359><c> program</c> the free School meals program a program the

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• because I was preparing for education, about $11 million to $12 million between grants and loans from USDA
• So the subfund will be part of the solution, the USDA loan, the water sector commission funding, and
• But the USDA is both a loan and a grant, and I will thank Magnolia Water Systems for them fronting well
• So if they're going to spend, if USDA, water sector, we're going to find $28 million, they want to make

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on the City of Tallulah’s water system and a request to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the water utility. Senator Jackson and state officials described a long-running water crisis, including repeated failing grades from LDH, a public health emergency declaration, joint receivership efforts, and the need to expand the project beyond plant repairs to include the distribution system. They said the total cost is now estimated at about $26 million, with funding expected from USDA loans and grants, water sector funds, possible Delta Regional Authority assistance, and an emergency subfund that becomes available through limited fiscal administration. Chris Province of the Legislative Auditor’s Office explained that the system had received F grades from 2022 through 2025, that the city entered joint receivership in 2024, and that the governor declared a public health emergency in February 2025. He said the city adopted a resolution in April 2026 to enter limited fiscal administration, which was the basis for the committee’s action. Governor’s office staff and the mayor supported the request, saying the state partnership had improved water quality and that the limited administrator would help secure additional funding and move the project toward completion over roughly 24 months. Two residents spoke in opposition. One argued that Tallulah had recently elected a new council and that the committee should wait for new local leadership. Another said the state had mismanaged the project, questioned the use of funds and contracts, and argued that the city should receive the full amount of promised state funding without deductions. Committee members said the legal standard was met by the system’s failing grade and the emergency conditions, and they emphasized that the limited fiscal administrator would control only the water system finances. A motion to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the Tallulah water system was made, seconded, and passed, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• because I was preparing for education, about $11 million to $12 million between grants and loans from USDA
• So the sub fund will be part of the solution, the USDA loan, the water sector commission funding, and
• But the USDA is both a loan and a grant, and I will thank Magnolia Water Systems for them fronting well
• So if they're going to spend, if USDA, water sector, we're going to find $28 million, they want to make

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the troubled water system in Tallulah and whether to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the water utility. Senator Jackson described the system’s long-running failures, the need to expand repairs beyond the treatment plant to the distribution network, and the growing project cost, which he said had risen to roughly $26 million. Legislative Auditor’s Office staff explained that the system had received failing grades from LDH for several years, had entered joint receivership in 2024, and was placed under a public health emergency in 2025; they said the city’s adoption of limited fiscal administration in April 2026 made it eligible for additional state funding. Governor’s staff said the state, GOSEP, Magnolia, and the city had worked together to restore service and that the limited fiscal administrator would help unlock an emergency subfund and other financing sources. The mayor of Tallulah supported the appointment, saying the state’s work had improved water quality and that the limited role would focus only on the water system rather than the whole city. She said the city was preparing an RFQ to move the project toward bidding. Two residents spoke in opposition. One argued that the city had recently elected a new council and should wait for new local leadership before proceeding. Another questioned the need for the appointment, criticized past management and contract arrangements, and objected to using emergency funds to pay prior project costs. State officials responded that the F grade and public health concerns justified the action, that the administrator would control water-system finances, and that the distribution system needed repairs to address leaks and water quality issues. After discussion, a committee member moved to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the Tallulah water system. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. The committee then moved to public comment and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agri and farm-to-school institution program.
• That is an incredible, incredible program.
• programs to promote and serve locally produced foods in schools and other child nutrition programs.
• Local Food Purchase Assistance Program to the tune of $4.7 million.
• These programs are absolutely critical, and these appropriations are a stopgap.