Transcript Highlights:

• And currently, a veteran rated at 100% disability by the VA with a spouse is awarded around $50,000 annually
• This bill is about recognizing the difference between being rated 100% disabled and being rated both
• California has approximately 83,000 veterans rated at 100% disabled through the Department of Veterans
• Total means the veteran is disabled at the 100% level and compensated at the maximum VA rate.
• Maria is a veteran rated 100% permanent and total due to military sexual trauma.

Summary: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard several veterans-related bills, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services officers, and local government representatives; there was no opposition. The bill was moved to Appropriations and later recorded as passing 4-0. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for maintenance endowments for veterans’ cemeteries, with the state matching private or local contributions up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. Supporters emphasized the need for sustainable perpetual care funding for state and county cemeteries, and there was no opposition. SB 1407, the chair’s bill, would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax; supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the economy, while members noted similar bills had previously stalled in Appropriations. SB 1034 would streamline disabled veteran parking placard eligibility for certain 100% permanent and total veterans, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and related changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and connect applicants to county veterans service officers. All of these bills received support from veterans groups and related organizations, with no opposition heard. SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, with supporters framing it as a safeguard for state authority and civil liberties. The committee asked about legal testing of the proposal, and the author said it had not yet been tested in court. After roll calls and a brief recess to regain members, the committee recorded 4-0 votes to pass the bills and consent calendar items, and the meeting adjourned after thanking veterans for their service.

Transcript Highlights:

• And currently, a veteran rated at 100% disability by the VA with a spouse is awarded around $50,000 annually
• This bill is about recognizing the difference between being rated 100% disabled and being rated both
• California has approximately 83,000 veterans rated at 100% disabled through the Department of Veterans
• Total means the veteran is disabled at the 100% level and compensated at the maximum VA rate.
• Maria is a veteran rated 100% permanent and total due to military sexual trauma.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When I have an accident, what happens to my rates? Well, often your rates will increase.
• What happens to my rates? Well, often your rates will increase. Okay.
• And my rates are going to go up. So, yeah, I think this does affect me.
• Then my rates don't go up because I paid it back. That's correct.
• the cost of service that any of us receive in our rates.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, their methodology assumes that the admission rate for Prop. 36 for the first six months
• If I could respond to just one of the comments that LAO made regarding our Prop. 36 assumed rate, Kathy
• And these salary savings, given vacancy rates, do fluctuate as the LAO notes, especially for a department
• The vacancy rates can be influenced by the rate of prison admissions, the composition.
• The vacancy rates can be influenced by the rate of prison admissions, the composition of them, broader

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety heard updates on CDCR’s population projections and the preliminary fiscal impacts of Proposition 36. CDCR said its fall 2025 projections show continued declines in the institution and parole populations through June 2030, while noting Prop. 36 admissions are increasing but remain uncertain. The LAO said the administration’s Prop. 36 estimates may be somewhat low because they were based on only six months of implementation data, and the Department of Finance agreed the methodology is still developing. Committee members asked about the offenses driving admissions and the sentence-length impacts, and CDCR identified the main qualifying offenses and enhancements it is tracking. No votes were taken. The committee then discussed CDCR’s request for $91 million ongoing for lump-sum leave cashouts for correctional officers and nurses. CDCR said vacancy reductions and prison closures have reduced the salary savings historically used to cover these costs. The LAO supported the funding only on a limited-term basis and urged more oversight and reporting on CDCR’s structural shortfall, while the Department of Finance argued ongoing funding is needed because leave liabilities are mandatory and salary savings are less stable. Members raised concerns about transparency, asked about leave buyback practices and accrued leave balances, and requested more information before the May Revision. Members also heard CDCR’s proposals for $10 million for the final two statewide video surveillance projects and $15.2 million for Fire Watch coverage and related fire alarm work. The LAO supported the Fire Watch request as a one-time health and safety cost, while CDCR explained the aging prison infrastructure and the need for interim safety measures while longer-term replacement planning is developed. The committee then reviewed CDCR’s proposal to close the California Rehabilitation Center, which would produce a net General Fund reduction of $99.6 million in 2026-27 and ongoing savings of more than $150 million starting in 2027-28. CDCR said the closure is driven by sustained population declines and will include retention and realignment funding; the LAO recommended approval. Public comment focused on county funding for Prop. 36 implementation, opposition to using Prop. 36 as a reason to keep prisons open, and support for community-based rehabilitation programs. The hearing adjourned without any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• has to be to maintain the current credit rating that we have.
• The rating agency looks at a number of different things.
• the current credit rating that we have.
• The rating agency looks at a number of different things.
• And so when that happened, we had passed the bill to increase royalty rates.

Bills: SB190 , HB247 , HB8

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• WE LOOK AT GROWTH RATE ACROSS OCCUPATIONS BECAUSE HE WANTED TO IDENTIFY OCCUPATIONS THAT WOULD CONTINUE
• IS A KEY FACTOR IN OUR THINKING AND THEN OUR GRADUATION RATES ARE ALSO ANOTHER KEY FACTOR.
• I THINK FOR YOUR GRADUATION RATES WE ARE IN THE TOP FIVE OF ALL STATES.
• I THINK OTHER STATES ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT A SIX YEAR GRADUATION RATE AND IN FLORIDA WE HAVE BEEN
• THIS PARTICULAR RATE WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE AVERAGE GROWTH RATE FOR JOBS. >> Chair: REPRESENTATIVE GANTT

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides $93.6 million in Medicaid provider rate increases, $13.3 million in additional resources
• It provides $93.6 million in Medicaid provider rate increases, $13.3 million in additional resources
• We spoke briefly about the methodology for the room rate.
• foster youth to ensure those rates support the quality of life.
• There is a more consistent rate applied throughout the state.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee met to review and advance the Senate’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget proposal for the committee’s portfolio. The presentation highlighted a $1.8 billion increase over the current base budget, including full funding for Medicaid and KidCare, investments in IT modernization, Medicaid provider rate increases, mental health and substance use services, opioid treatment, foster care and guardian assistance, elder care, veterans’ services, cancer research, school nurse staffing, and other public health initiatives. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical adjustments and then approved the budget proposal to be reported to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 152 on surgical smoke protection required hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt smoke evacuation policies; nurses testified in support, citing workplace and patient safety risks, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 958 on early detection of type 1 diabetes required the Department of Health to provide educational materials to schools and, by amendment, early learning coalitions; it was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home oversight added consumer satisfaction surveys, reporting requirements, quality incentive changes, and financial reporting penalties, with an amendment exempting state-operated homes and directing a study of best practices; it passed after questions about dementia, language access, and retaliation protections. CS/SB 738 modernized child care regulation by streamlining DCF processes and reducing obsolete requirements, and was reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved CS/SB 1356 creating the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a Sunshine Genetics pilot to expand rare-disease screening and research, with support from members emphasizing early detection and data collection. SB 1370 separated ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute, with testimony that the change would better reflect the industry and help avoid burdensome regulation; it passed favorably. Finally, CS/CS/SB 1626 made a range of child welfare changes, including codifying DCF coordination with military installations, adjusting shelter certification, refining criminal-background exemptions, extending licensing compliance time, addressing room-and-board rate methodology, and clarifying missing-child procedures; after adopting three amendments and hearing both support and concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also recorded a member’s affirmative vote on SB 958 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• AS K-12 STUDENT SCHOOLS WITH A LOW STUDENT MOBILITY RATE, ENGAGE IN LONGITUDINAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
• TO REPAIR COLLEGE READINESS, EXAMPLES OF OUR WORK INCLUDE 100 PARTICIPATION RATE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
• EARNING CTE CREDITS, 100 PERCENT PASS RATES FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS, 98
• PERCENT PASS RATE FOR NATIONAL REGISTRY, CONTINUED INCREASING ENROLLMENT IN CTE AREAS AS WELL AS ALL
• RISING OBESITY RATES, INCREASING RATES OF DIABETES AND A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE AND ADOLESCENT MOVEMENT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We receive an enhanced Medicare reimbursement rate because of its rural designation.
• We receive an enhanced Medicare reimbursement rate because of its rural designation.
• , which would have a material impact on the MCO contracts and the capitation rates.
• unique rates for our community separate unique rates for our community mental<03:00:52.080><c> health
• </c><04:08:01.520><c> and</c> establish a certain effective rate and establish a certain effective rate

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For all the services that do exist, the rates of trafficking is through the roof and missing people as
• For all the services that do exist, the rates of trafficking is through the roof and missing people as
• The victims suffer from traumatic brain injury at rates higher than NFL players.
• And they suffer PTSD rates at the same...
• And they suffer PTSD rates at the same rate as combat veterans.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: Washington State Sen. Manka Dhingra opened a press conference focused on survivor-centered policies and funding for victim services, saying the state should continue supporting survivors despite a difficult budget climate and reduced federal support. She highlighted prior state actions such as extending the statute of limitations for sexual assault, restricting firearms for abusers, protecting survivors from discrimination, easing access to protection orders, and addressing female genital mutilation, while emphasizing the need to fund services that are trauma-informed and victim-centered. Much of the event focused on the request to restore about $21.38 million in victim services funding. Colleen McIngles of the King County Children’s Justice Center warned that without the funding, programs statewide would close, eliminating forensic interviewers, advocates, and coordinated response teams. Kate Garvey of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center said agencies have already laid off staff and are triaging clients, and that the money would only maintain existing services. Several speakers tied the need for funding to broader public safety and survivor support, including references to federal VOCA cuts and the national reckoning over the Epstein case. Legislators also discussed several bills. Sen. T’wina Nobles described SB 5169, which would reduce the need for child victims and witnesses to repeatedly relive trauma in court. Rep. Jamila Taylor and Rep. Roger Goodman discussed HB 1591, which would provide mitigating treatment, resentencing options, and possible vacatur for survivors whose criminal conduct was connected to coercion or abuse. Rep. Chris Stearns and Sen. Tina Orwall discussed court-process reforms in SB 6017 and related efforts to prevent retraumatization of sexual assault survivors, along with recognition of female genital mutilation as sexual assault. Rep. Lauren Davis shared her personal experience with domestic violence and argued that cuts to system-based victim advocacy have left many survivors without support. The press conference also celebrated unanimous Senate passage of the Ebony Alert bill, which advocates said is needed to improve responses to missing Black women and girls; speakers urged the House to pass it next.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislature, specifically the increase in formula rates of our universities and state colleges addressing
• The second cohort had the highest first-time pass rate. on their board exams.
• That's a 99 percent pass rate.
• Currently our placement rate varies between 89 and 90 percent upon graduation.
• We appreciate greatly the form... the formula funding rate from the past session.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Losing our local pharmacies at a quick rate, and we have some bills today that will help remedy that.
• and transparency so that employers employers, taxpayers, and health plans are charged appropriate rates
• The rates they're paying their subsidiaries, I suppose, as a result of them being vertically integrated
• Is there a way to do that rather than base it on the federal reimbursement rate?
• Is there a way to do that rather than base it on the federal reimbursement rate?

Bills: SB1673 , SB1500 , SB1447 , SB1646 , SB2007 , SB1275 , SB2074

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: prosthetics, health insurance, medical necessity, patient rights, insurance liability, pharmacy benefits manager, healthcare providers, claims processing, reimbursement, insurance regulation, employees insurance, contract awarding, certifications, state procurement, insurance plan, mental health, substance use disorders, utilization review, benefit coverage, pharmacy

Transcript Highlights:

• But most the top rated TV show and Happy Days the top rated TV show and Happy Days premiered<00:58:49.520
• </c> trading partners at verifying rates trading partners at verifying rates subject<05:36:32.480><c>
• rather than regular rates.
• </c> gains rates rather than regular rates. gains rates rather than regular rates.
• </c><07:51:52.718><c> for</c> having a lower tax rate for having a lower tax rate for manufacturing<07

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and protect the rate and protect the rate payers<01:02:55.240><c> and</c><01:02:55.400><c> the</
• </c> interestate 71 access rate interestate 71 access rate filings<02:32:46.920><c> and</c><02:32:47.680
• </c><02:34:31.120><c> Center</c> that's the rate Center that's the rate Center consolidation<02:34:33.120
• rate case first is the Liberty electric rate case doc<04:23:36.520><c> at</c><04:23:36.680><c> De</c
• </c> to this regulatory process and the rate to this regulatory process and the rate payers<04:33:30.240

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then from that if... the rates are the rates are between<00:19:08.880><c> Tricare</c><00:19:09.320
• There's a big priority rating model.
• :29.400><c> was</c> An experience modification rating was An experience modification rating was never
• Um rate than let's say New York City.
• </c><01:44:05.560><c> that</c><01:44:05.760><c> is</c> a rate that is a rate that is based<01:44:07.800

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the bill revises the procedures for applying to the CTF benefit in tandem with the federal E-Rate
• E-Rate is the federal counterpart to CTF.
• E-Rate is the federal counterpart to CTF.
• initiated and created 30 years ago, it was designed to be in compliance and consistent with the federal E-Rate
• the and created 30 years ago, it was designed to be in compliance and consistent with the federal E-Rate

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with Chair Tasha Berner presiding and reviewed one item, AB 2790, a committee bill concerning the California Teleconnect Fund. The chair opened with extensive ground rules on orderly conduct and public comment, then the committee secretary called the roll and established a quorum. The bill was described as updating eligibility and administrative procedures for the CTF, clarifying treatment of non-instructional facilities, and revising how applicants coordinate CTF applications with the federal E-Rate program. Supporters said the measure responds to concerns raised in a prior oversight hearing about CPUC rulemaking that could make the program harder for schools and other eligible entities to use. Kim Lewis of CENIC said the bill would preserve continuity, stability, and fairness for broadband support to educational and research institutions, while Christina DeCaro of the California Library Association and Kimberly Rosenberger on behalf of Superintendent Tony Thurmond also voiced support. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee then voted to pass AB 2790 and refer it to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The roll was left open briefly for additional votes, and the bill ultimately passed 9-0 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> utility rates, and local sales taxes. utility rates, and local sales taxes.
• Um, and the rate is less than 50%.
• Um, and the rate is less than 50%.
• Um, and the rate is less than 50%.
• </c> and the the rate is less than 50%. and the the rate is less than 50%.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• supervision rates in the nation for decades, and that the incarceration rate currently stands at half
• </c> improved Minnesota's violent crime rate improved Minnesota's violent crime rate remains remains
• </c><01:09:55.760><c> has</c> national violent crime rate has national violent crime rate has decreased
• ><c> offenders</c><01:10:20.480><c> being</c> the rate of repeat offenders being the rate of repeat offenders
• for person crimes that rate sentenced for person crimes that rate has<01:10:47.880><c> exploded</c><

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, seeing minutes at this rate, guys.
• </c> &gt;&gt; um marginal rate something like that. &gt;&gt; um marginal rate something like that.
• . percentages but the um marginal rates.
• </c> &gt;&gt; It can be as productive as B-rated &gt;&gt; It can be as productive as B-rated lands.<01
• My my rate of statute before.

Bills: HB1719 , HB1742 , HB1737 , HB2049 , HB1725 , HB1726 , HB1738 , HB1799 , HB1700

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: housing crisis, manufactured homes, factory-built housing, zoning, relocatable housing units, farm employee housing, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes, agricultural districts, land use, regulation, renewable energy, community development, housing, affordable housing, real estate, state regulation, building codes, construction, permitting

Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are individual district rate maximums and aggregate rate maximums to keep the total tax rate for
• There are individual district rate maximums and aggregate rate maximums to keep the total tax rate for
• The rate is calculated by multiplying the applicable local renewable energy tax rate by the excess levy
• And as Jay mentioned, the higher rates we would expect to be passed on in an electricity bill.
• Many never reach the point of payment, which is why collection rates are already low.

Bills: HB1316 , HB2401 , HB2557 , HB2720 , HB1073 , HB2685 , HB2640 , HB2403

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access