Video & Transcript : 'homeless students' :

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FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Fiscal Policy Apr 17th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The state is facing challenges supporting students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms.
  • This bill expands housing support for students formerly in foster care or experiencing homelessness by
  • I was adopted at 15, and shortly thereafter, I became an unaccompanied homeless youth.
  • Homelessness is a war, and it's just a seemingly impossible battle.
  • We, as former foster and homeless youth, often endure housing instability.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • These teams have been successful at decreasing unsheltered homelessness and reducing encampments.
  • As Neighborhood Services Manager, I oversee homeless policy and encampment management for the City of
  • The City of Berkeley has the second-highest homeless population in Alameda County, behind only Oakland
  • Since 2022, Berkeley has reduced unsheltered homelessness by more than 40%.
  • Since 2022, Berkeley has reduced unsheltered homelessness by more than 40%.
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several bills focused on homelessness, child care, food security, public assistance, immigration legal services, and veterans’ benefits. SB 479 would allow city-based local health jurisdictions, including Berkeley and Oakland, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; supporters said the change would improve coordination and outcomes, and no opposition testified. SB 902 would allow electronic signatures for child care and development services paperwork while preserving paper options; supporters said it would reduce burdens on families and providers, and the bill passed to the Assembly Education Committee 4-0. The committee also heard SB 1025, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate California’s food assistance efforts, and SB 1030, repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule. Supporters of SB 1025 said the state’s food system is fragmented and needs a coordinated strategy; SB 1030 supporters argued the rule is outdated, redundant, and rooted in racist and sexist assumptions. Both bills received no opposition testimony and were approved on 4-0 votes, with SB 1025 sent to the Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee and SB 1030 to Appropriations. The committee then approved SB 1077, which would require CDSS to create a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions during federal government shutdowns, including a public webpage and planning for state-funded benefits; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1194 would codify the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project to expand immigration legal services in underserved areas, and supporters emphasized the need for legal representation in rural and Central Valley communities; it passed 4-1 to Judiciary. SB 1201 would seek federal waivers to protect veterans from CalFresh time limits, require referrals to county veterans service officers, and adjust treatment of job-search expenses; it passed unanimously 6-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The consent calendar, including SB 557 and SB 1051, also passed unanimously. After all items were heard, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Just yesterday, Carleen, after that hearing, I had a nice young student from PLU in here, and her mom
  • Just yesterday, Carleen, after that hearing, I had a nice young student from PLU in here, and her mom
  • She said that her mom woke up one morning, walked out the door to let her students in, and there was
  • a homeless person, you know, laying right there in the door in front of the school.
  • So if the homeless person feels like there wasn't a bed or shelter space, they weren't offered it, and
Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders used the media availability to focus heavily on affordability and to criticize a newly unveiled Democratic income tax proposal. Leaders John Braun, Drew Stokesbary, and others argued the bill would function as a broader income tax, harm small and medium-sized businesses, include a marriage penalty, deny loss carryforwards, and ultimately raise costs for Washington residents. They also said the proposal would do little to offset regressive taxes and would not meaningfully improve affordability. In response to questions, they said the bill was a non-starter for Republicans and warned it could contribute to business and household outmigration. Republicans also highlighted a range of other bills they said would increase costs or worsen public safety, including proposals related to insurance, tires and 6PPD, textiles, local taxes, social media, cigarettes, and solid waste. They criticized housing-related bills on homelessness and camping near schools and parks, saying they could limit local control and expose cities to lawsuits. On public safety, they said Democratic leaders were not advancing Republican-backed bills on sexually violent predators, family safety, and related issues. Braun also said his bill on oversight of NGOs and suspected fraud had a good hearing and remained a priority, while Republicans said they were watching fraud-related bills and a SNAP-related bill on restricting purchases of unhealthy foods. The leaders said they were holding listening sessions on the initiatives because they believe the legislature must give them precedence, and they said they invited both supporters and opponents to participate. They also discussed Senate Bill 602 on automated license plate readers, saying it had bipartisan support in committee but still faced concerns from cities, counties, and law enforcement. On the governor’s statement that he could not support the income tax proposal as written, Republicans said it showed there may be room for negotiation within the Democratic side, but they doubted Republicans would be included in those talks. No votes were taken during the media availability.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • He suffered unnecessary neurological damage as he cycled through homelessness and prison.
  • Our education equity team serves many students of color, students with disabilities, and gender-expansive
  • SB 998 recognizes that students often fall into more than, ...protected categories.
  • Every student has the right to feel safe and be seen on a school campus.
  • Stay Housed L.A. is an innovative homelessness prevention initiative.
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on civil rights, housing, public safety, and administrative process. Early items included SB 46, which would authorize the Secretary of State to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice presidential candidates from California ballots; SB 1078, requiring notice to the Civil Rights Department when court filings involve civil rights violations; SB 989, expanding access to Care Court by letting first responders refer cases through county behavioral health agencies; SB 998, clarifying and expanding discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights; SB 1146, requiring disclosure for AI-generated health advertisements and giving physicians a limited private right of action; SB 1164, a California Voting Rights Act expansion responding to federal voting-rights rulings; SB 1256, a housing bill aimed at limiting repeated litigation over the Harmony Grove Village South project; SB 1267, addressing HOA liability and indemnification for EV charger installations; and SB 1425, authorizing an encroachment permit program for high-speed rail right-of-way management. The committee also later heard SB 873, restricting ICE arrests near courthouses, and SB 1160, requiring eviction data reporting by zip code. Most bills drew support from sponsors, advocacy groups, labor organizations, or local officials, while opposition centered on concerns about county workload, due process, fire safety, civil liberties, or the scope of the policy changes. Members generally expressed support for the bills while noting unresolved issues and the need for amendments or further stakeholder work, especially on SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, SB 1425, and SB 1160. The Judicial Council opposed SB 1160 because of the burden of adding zip-code reporting to court systems, while the author and supporters argued the data would help target eviction-prevention efforts. SB 873 drew strong support from public defenders, immigrant-rights groups, and court-related stakeholders, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department opposing. SB 989 drew support from firefighters and family advocates, while Disability Rights California opposed, arguing Care Court is too costly and diverts resources from community-based services. SB 1164 received broad civil-rights and voting-rights support, with cities opposing unless amended over definitions, cure periods, and litigation risk. SB 1256 drew support from housing and labor interests and opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about fire safety and evacuation. SB 1267 was supported by the HOA and utility stakeholders after amendments addressing liability concerns. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass a consent calendar and then approved the listed bills, sending them to the appropriate committees or to Appropriations, including SB 46, SB 873, SB 989, SB 998, SB 1078, SB 1146, SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, and SB 1425. The transcript ends with SB 1160 still under discussion, with members indicating support for the bill’s goals but acknowledging the Judicial Council’s implementation concerns and the need for further work.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 26, 2026 - 09:00 AM

Education & Employment Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Can you just explain to me the homeless student fee waiver?
  • What are homeless students, what's waived for homeless students who are in Florida and are not distance
  • learning students?
  • Not sure that your bill addresses homeless students, but you're welcome to... Thank you.
  • sure that what we're providing in the state of Florida, they are actually homeless students in the state
Summary: The committee first took up PCS for CS for HB 1279, a higher education bill focused on Florida’s preeminent universities. The sponsor said the measure would increase access for Florida students, strengthen accountability and transparency, update accreditation references, adjust performance metrics, and address issues such as GPA weighting, engineering credit-hour differences, and certain fee-waiver and dental-program provisions. Members raised questions about the 95% Florida-resident enrollment target, possible funding impacts, Pell Grant metrics, and whether the bill would affect community college pathways; the sponsor said the bill was aimed at first-time-in-college students and that the 95% standard would be measured on a three-year rolling average. After an amendment removing an adjustment to the four-year graduation metric was adopted, the bill was reported favorably by a 17-2 vote. The committee then heard PCS for CS for HB 1059, which would strengthen speech and debate education by designating the Florida Debate Initiative as the statewide organization, supporting coach and judge training, statewide data collection, tournaments, and a Florida Speech and Debate Week. The sponsor and several students and advocates testified that speech and debate builds confidence, civics knowledge, leadership, and opportunities for English learners and other students, with multiple speakers describing how the program changed their lives. Members from both parties spoke strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee considered PCS for HB 725 on political activity at public institutions of higher education. The sponsor said the bill would standardize campus policies, require notice to students and employees about free-expression and political-campaign rules, and align state practice with federal guidelines while preserving free speech and nonpartisan voter engagement. An opponent argued the bill could create barriers to civic engagement and student organizing, while supporters said it would clarify existing rules and prevent institutions from favoring one viewpoint over another. The sponsor closed by emphasizing that the bill was about information and neutrality rather than restricting speech.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Feb 6th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • By way of background, the students experiencing homelessness pilot program was established in 2019.
  • By way of background, the students experiencing homelessness pilot program was established in 2019 to
  • provide assistance and accommodations to students experiencing homelessness and to students who were
  • Access to this grant would strengthen programs that aim to support students experiencing homelessness
  • Access to this grant would strengthen programs that aim to support students experiencing homelessness
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

04/13/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This information is not intended to help Arizona students become critical thinkers.
  • And it will also not prepare our Arizona students for college or the workforce.
  • Not to prepare our Arizona students for college or the workforce. Therefore, I vote no.
  • We would safeguard student privacy. We would preserve resources for the classroom.
  • We would safeguard student privacy. We would preserve resources for the classroom.
Keywords: 1182, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Jan 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Early Learning & K-12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • According to the OSPI State Report Card, there are 337 homeless students in my district alone and nearly
  • improve their engagement in learning, 75% of students improve their attendance, and 80% of students
  • This bill increases MSOC allocations by $100 per student or $100,000 per school district. $100 per student
  • And, as was mentioned, 14% of students do not... ...incidence of asthma among our students, and, as was
  • As a student in high school, this bill matters to me because I want to make sure that all students can
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • In our continued fight against veteran homelessness, we remain committed to our end veteran homelessness
  • homeless veterans.
  • And the fact that it's, you know, ...challenges around homelessness and homeless veterans.
  • Again, veteran homelessness campaign is a great example, right?
  • We advocate for deaf students and hard-of-hearing students in school.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Feb 24th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am proud to serve such a unique and diverse student population.
  • For example, I started the school year with 32 students in my class.
  • Student progress is limited when class sizes are that large.
  • Homeless Housing Alliance of Washington.
  • And currently, Washington state students are funded around $19,600 or more per year, and yet student
Keywords: 904, all
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Perhaps the most devastating statistic of all is that homelessness has hit.
  • Last year, we effectively ended veteran homelessness by ensuring that any veteran who falls into homelessness
  • And a record number of people are experiencing homelessness.
  • Number one, number two, compound question here, is the housing, the homelessness crisis.
  • sure that homeless veterans are housed.
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.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session Mar 3rd, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 27 by King relating to courses of personal finance, literacy, and economics for high school students
  • Bear, relating to the issuance of certified birth records to homeless individuals.
  • HB 515 by Troxclair relating to the public school policies regarding student use of personal electronic
  • HB 538 by Bernal relating to student access to certain academic records, authorizing a fee.
  • HB 593 by Bernal relating to the compensatory education allotment for homeless students or students in
Summary: The House met for first reading and referral of a large number of bills and joint resolutions, with no substantive debate on the measures themselves. The filings covered a broad range of topics, including agency rulemaking and regulatory deference, occupational licensing reciprocity, business entities, eviction procedures, higher education, public education, health care, elections and voting procedures, criminal justice, property tax and appraisal issues, transportation, agriculture, energy, and local government authority. Several proposals also addressed constitutional amendments on matters such as Medicaid expansion, property tax limits, quorum and special-session rules, voting citizenship proof, parental rights, reproductive autonomy, and state funding allocations. Many of the measures focused on education, public health, and election administration. Examples included bills on financial literacy in schools, school nurses and librarians, student meal debt policies, suicide prevention notices, menstrual products, and community-based learning programs, as well as election-related bills on voter registration, disability access, ballot corrections, political advertising, and voting equipment or procedures. Other notable bills dealt with housing and property issues, including evictions, homestead tax exemptions, and land ownership, along with criminal justice measures involving sentencing, juror challenges, trafficking-related nondisclosure, and firearm reporting or transfer restrictions. The House also referred a set of resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. At the end of the proceedings, Mr. Bell moved that the House adjourn until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in memory of James Edward Cook of Eustace, Texas. There was no objection, and the House adjourned.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Health and Public Affairs Jan 26th, 2026 at 01:45 pm

Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So are UNM or NMS, do students give priority? So, Madam Chair.
  • But your question is about medical students.
  • Number one, medical students, we have a four-year program.
  • If you want to expand medical students, that's great.
  • ...this new school, and would we look at maybe having more in-state students, students from our tribal
Bills: SB5, SB6, SB8
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Feb 24th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Curry is passionate about preparing students for higher education guided pathways, bringing the digital
  • At the Police Department, she is the Senior Community Affairs and Homeless Liaison.
  • Homeless Council. Please welcome Cinder Eller-Kimble. Our next honoree is Jasmine Nelson.
  • This past December, one of my 17 year old Angelina Gonzalez, a high school student with the world ahead
  • She was living homeless in a homeless shelter when she actually came to and ran into this program, entered
Keywords: 988, house, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

04/13/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It really denies students the opportunity to learn the science behind all of these things.
  • This information is not intended to help Arizona students become critical thinkers.
  • And it will also not prepare our Arizona students for college or the workforce.
  • Not to prepare our Arizona students for college or the workforce. Therefore, I vote no.
  • We would safeguard student privacy. We would preserve resources for the classroom.
Summary: The Senate met in Committee of the Whole on several calendars and advanced a series of House bills, mostly on party-line or voice votes after brief committee reports and some floor debate. Measures considered included HB 2028 (licensing timeframes/court assessments), HB 2047 (forcible entry and detainer), HB 2168 (nuisance actions), HB 2411 (coerced abortion/abortion-inducing drugs), HB 2557 (patient records), HB 2060 (educational facilities), HB 2086 (vaccination mandates and mask prohibitions), HB 2144 (child support), HB 2830 (fetal and prenatal development instruction), HB 2015 (tax administration), HB 2100 (small subdivision requirements), HB 2327 (records confidentiality), HB 2460 (business property theft/shopping carts), HB 4056 (public records fees exemption for legislators), HB 2417 (speed-detecting devices), HB 2601 (I-11 environmental engineering study), HB 2660 (health boards/licensure investigations), and HB 2975 (state land soil maps). Several bills were amended in committee before being recommended do pass, including HB 2028, HB 2557, HB 2060, HB 2086, HB 2830, HB 2327, HB 2460, HB 4056, and HB 2660. Floor debate focused mainly on HB 2086 and HB 2830, where Democrats argued the bills would undermine public health guidance and education expertise, while supporters framed them as limiting mandates and directing curriculum. HB 2100 drew criticism over water supply concerns and the Rio Verde Foothills example, and HB 2975 drew opposition over concerns it would hinder renewable energy development. HB 2460 prompted debate over whether shopping carts were abandoned or stolen and whether the bill improperly preempted local control. HB 4056 was criticized as giving legislators special treatment on public records fees and potentially enabling harassment of schools and local governments. The Senate then took up third-reading roll-call votes. HB 2016, HB 2140, HB 2195, HB 2439, HB 2028, HB 2557, HB 2086, HB 2830, HB 2327, HB 2460, HB 4056, and HB 2660 all passed, with recorded votes ranging from 16-10 to 26-0. Members explained several no votes on public health, education, tax, and transparency grounds, while supporters emphasized enforcement, local control, or administrative efficiency. The chamber also adopted Committee of the Whole reports and transmitted the passed bills to the House, then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Eight - Wednesday, April 8 - Morning Session

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have some very special guests, some FFA students from District 62.
  • I have some very special guests, some FFA students from District 62.
  • Today I have the third grade students and their teachers, Mrs. McCallum and Mrs.
  • per student per year.
  • Another $1,000 per student is not a lot of state money.
Keywords: 959, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Session (01/30/2025)

New Hampshire Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:53:03.000><c> services</c><00:53:03.440><c> and</c><00:53:03.640><c> homeless</c> for homeless
  • services and homeless for homeless services and homeless prevention<00:53:05.079><c> having</c><00:53
  • </c> stain sustain the existing homeless stain sustain the existing homeless shelter<00:53:23.880><c>
  • a staggering 52% rise in people experiencing homelessness.
  • This bill takes real, concrete steps to address homelessness at its root.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • An unacceptable number of students are homeless.
  • An unacceptable number of students are homeless.
  • We have over one million students who are English learners.
  • That's about 20% of our student population.
  • their data to improve programs for these students.
Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition. Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency. The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jun 25th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've already spent $24 billion on homeless housing in the state of California.
  • or unsheltered homeless has increased in this state.
  • It's a homeless bond. And it does include some veterans benefits, but it is not a veterans bond.
  • And it turned into chronic homelessness because we didn't step in in the beginning and stop it.
  • And I hear my colleagues from the other aisle and their concerns about veteran homelessness.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • These young students who are just graduating from college can't afford it either.
  • And second, for the substantial investment in the housing and homelessness prevention program that is
  • And second, for the substantial investment in the housing and homelessness prevention program that is
  • Those dollars ensure that our students can go to university and college and focus on their studies.
  • Debt for higher education students in UC has been wiped away in a major way.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the June 8–11, 2026 journals, and adopted floor amendments. It also referred several bills to Rules and approved motions affecting Budget and Fiscal Review Committee procedure, including second-reading treatment for budget measures and suspension of Joint Rule 62A to allow budget hearings on short notice. Both motions passed on roll call after some protest votes. The chamber then considered several appointments to the Delta Stewardship Council and the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators discussed the Delta, water policy, and the proposed Delta Tunnel, but the confirmations of Julie Lee, Ann Patterson, and Sheriff Christopher Clark all passed. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 17, authored by Senator Choi, honoring Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam and urging Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries. The main floor debate centered on Assembly Bill 109, the 2026 Budget Act. Supporters highlighted a $355.9 billion budget with $253 billion General Fund spending, $36.5 billion in reserves, a reduced structural deficit, and investments in child care, Medi-Cal, hospitals, housing, IHSS, education, transit, and other services. Opponents criticized the budget as relying on future tax increases, leaving a structural deficit, and failing to do enough on affordability, public safety, Prop. 36, unemployment insurance debt, and gas prices. After extensive debate, AB 109 passed 28–9, and the Senate later approved a consent calendar of six Assembly bills. The session ended with adjournments in memory of Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie, and the Senate adjourned until June 18, 2026.