Transcript Highlights:

• That's a pretty standard process for us. Anything you would add?
• This proposal brings California into federal compliance and standardizes the process across the state
• We need rates that account for higher costs in our hours outside on standards hours.
• We've also issued key guidance for stakeholder input, which includes the standard of care framework,
• We also provided standardized guidance.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shouldn't we be holding every buyer, every developer, and every future homeowner to the same standard
• That's a different standard.
• These are civil lawsuits and shouldn't be subject to that heightened criminal standard.
• Your amendment has no evidentiary standards, no process. It only helps the defendant.
• They asked for us to change the standards as to safe storage, to include situations like his.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report for the day. The chamber took up House Bill 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill removes strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is completed at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, led by Rep. Cross and others, argued the bill relies too heavily on buyer-beware principles and does not adequately notify future buyers or renters. The bill passed 87-24 after debate. Members then considered House Bill 145 on suits against the government. Rep. McFarland said it updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident, with a later automatic increase, while preserving the liability shield and improving access to compensation for people harmed by government negligence. The bill also aligns the statute of limitations with private claims and allows entities to settle above the cap. After brief debate, the House passed the bill 104-7. The House next debated CS/HB 289 on wrongful death for an unborn child, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow claims involving unborn children and their parents. The bill prompted extensive questioning and debate about damages, definitions, medical care, surrogacy, and whether the measure could affect abortion access or expose doctors, friends, family members, and surrogates to lawsuits. Multiple amendments sought to carve out protections for mothers, health care providers, abortion care, perinatal professionals, surrogates, and victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking, but each was defeated. The final vote on the bill itself was 33-78, so the motion failed and the bill did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been in my practice 20 years, and it's been that standard across all rheumatology practices across
• Based on current professional standards, this is a simple and thoughtful solution that incorporates the
• By certifying quality recovery residences under nationally recognized standards, AB 255 creates real
• However, there's no standard process hospitals must follow to ensure that...
• However, there's no standard process hospitals must follow to ensure that patients who may be eligible

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• But looking at educational exemptions, we have to look at what the standards are that the courts have
• </c> we have to look at what the standards we have to look at what the standards are<00:37:22.839><c>
• </c> establishes through uh standard establishes through uh standard responsible<00:49:11.400><c> gaming
• </c><00:49:41.640><c> across</c> um and game um this is a standard across um and game um this is a standard
• A New Jersey report found a market that is often heard as the gold standard.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This language was about appliance efficiency standards, as the national standards may be changing.
• standards that producers have to meet.
• The standards are being pegged to 2025.
• standard standard um<01:42:42.560><c> there</c><01:42:43.040><c> was</c> um there was um there was the
• Um that it um standards for an outlet.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We both introduced one having to do with raising the standards of ethics in public office.
• He has moral courage and the highest ethical standards.
• But you set a standard, and I thank you so much for that.
• But you set a standard, and I thank you so much for that.
• of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and doctor-of-the-day introduction, then moved through a long special-order calendar. Early proceedings included a resolution honoring former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also heard several member introductions and recognitions before taking up bills. The most substantial debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid/SNAP reforms. The bill would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid pharmacy purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Senators Berman, Smith, Bracy Davis, Osgood, and others argued for Medicaid expansion and added protections for vulnerable SNAP recipients, while Gates defended the bill as a compliance and cost-saving measure. Multiple amendments were offered, including Berman’s Medicaid-expansion condition and Osgood’s SNAP photo-ID safeguards; both were defeated. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading after extended questioning. The Senate then passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions before final vote. These included tax conformity legislation (7031/7048), technology and computer science education (1503/1694), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public-records measures (1443/1684), designation of the SS American Victory as the official state flagship (249/1656), electronic payments for local governments (967/1612), legal tender and related public-records exemptions for gold, silver, stablecoins, and virtual currency kiosks (1311/1588/1087/7044/1568), local government finance and spending transparency (1329/1566), digital voyeurism (1536), insurance customer representative licensing (1343/1504), and medical freedom legislation (1756) with amendments on anti-kickback rules and vaccine information materials. Most bills passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with several amendments adopted and some withdrawn; the medical freedom bill was still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Darryl introduced his, and I, Standards of ethics in public office.
• He has moral courage and the highest ethical standards.
• But you set a standard, and I thank you so much for that.
• But you set a standard, and I thank you so much for that.
• of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• using the same equipment and the same standards that the FAA does.
• </c> the same training to the same standards the same training to the same standards using<00:25:38.640
• </c><00:25:45.039><c> In</c><00:25:45.200><c> other</c> standards that the FAA does.
• In other standards that the FAA does.
• These credentials that are<00:49:51.359><c> standard</c><00:49:51.760><c> across</c><00:49:52.160><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs. The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform. Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The main takeaways from the Ninth Circuit's opinion is that under section 12406, the judicial standard
• It didn't define the exact standard of review beyond saying that it's highly deferential, being in an
• of review is quote the judicial standard of review is quote highly<00:37:47.599><c> differential.
• It didn't define the<00:37:49.040><c> exact</c><00:37:49.359><c> standard</c><00:37:49.680><c> of</c>
• standard of review beyond saying<00:37:50.960><c> that</c><00:37:51.119><c> it's</c><00:37:51.280><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on federal and state authority over National Guard deployment in response to civil protest or unrest, prompted by recent federal actions and the California litigation in Newsom v. Trump. The chair explained the purpose was to help lawmakers and the public understand the legal background, the status of the California case, and possible Hawaii policy responses. David Day of the Attorney General’s office outlined several recent federal immigration-related executive actions and enforcement directives, then described Hawaii’s participation in multiple lawsuits challenging federal funding conditions, data-sharing demands, and the birthright citizenship order. A major portion of the briefing focused on Newsom v. Trump. Day summarized the June 2025 Los Angeles protests and the president’s memorandum federalizing National Guard units under 10 U.S.C. 12406, which California challenged as ultra vires, procedurally improper, and violative of the Posse Comitatus Act, the Tenth Amendment, and the APA. He said the district court initially granted relief, but the Ninth Circuit stayed the TRO and held, in a published decision, that review under section 12406 is highly deferential and that the president lawfully exercised authority under paragraph 3. He also noted California-law issues about orders being issued through the governor, and said Hawaii had supported California through amicus briefs and would continue to do so; the bench trial was scheduled for August 11-13. Members then asked how Hawaii law differs from California’s and whether the Ninth Circuit ruling would control here. Day said the standard-of-review aspects would likely apply, but the California-specific procedural language about orders issued in the governor’s name does not appear in Hawaii law. The committee also heard from Colonel Lloyd C. Phelps of the Hawaii Department of Defense, who explained that National Guard activations generally occur under Title 10 federal orders, state orders, or other statuses, and said the June 2025 federalization mechanism was a Title 10 call-up. He began addressing the president’s authority, the Posse Comitatus Act, and Hawaii’s own preparedness, but the discussion was cut short and members indicated they would return to the topic later. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's working to develop a plan to incorporate that into existing standards.
• literacy, discussing it in schools, and it follows the pilot program and works to develop state standards
• So all in all, I ask that the body support it, but that's what the amendment does. ...standards.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just needed to clarify that this is a one-time COLA increase when it meets the proper standard.
• So if it ...meets the standards, if the income is greater than 2% above their goal, then this COLA would
• So if the next year it met that same 2% standard above it, then they would get a 13th check probably

Committee: House Pensions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are both open shop and union Department of Apprenticeship Standards apprenticeship programs in
• But it's an example of, you know, this is a standard that we apply to our institutions, and whether..
• So we're subject to compliance standards with accreditation.
• This bill would also preserve all applicable prevailing wage and labor standards.
• , and apprenticeship standards.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or something like that would be the standard protocol.
• So you would think that, though, about 25 is about where the standard would be.
• So what is a caseload standard? What do we like to see?
• Well, we have two different caseload standards that we look at.
• Overloaded the standard.

Summary: The committee first heard the Office of State Treasurer’s FY27 budget presentation from Treasurer Vivek Malik. He highlighted record investment earnings, growth in MOBUCK$ linked deposits, record unclaimed property returns, expansion of the MOST 529 plan, and changes to the MoABLE disability savings program. Members then focused heavily on two budget requests: $750,000 for the Show Me My Retirement Savings program and additional spending authority for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (MOST Scholars) program, along with a staffing request for compliance and communications positions. Much of the discussion centered on MOST Scholars’ rapid growth, how applications are prioritized, whether income is reverified, how funds flow through educational assistance organizations, and concerns about marketing, geographic distribution, and the use of public dollars for private schools. The treasurer also answered questions about the 529 plan, the pending lawsuit over the ESA general-revenue transfer, and whether funds should be swept back to general revenue when unused. Several members raised policy objections to MOST Scholars, including concerns about discrimination by participating private schools, the lack of annual income requalification, and whether the program shifts money away from public education. Other members defended the program as a parent-driven choice option and asked about expanding access, improving outreach, and ensuring the program is fully funded. The treasurer said the office was following the statute as written, that the program’s demand could exceed available resources, and that the office would continue to seek more funding and better outreach. The committee then concluded the treasurer’s budget hearing. The committee next began the FY27 budget hearing for the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Commissioner Bennett Boggs introduced the department’s leadership team and gave a brief overview of the department’s role in aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs through its coordinating board and strategic planning. The hearing had just started when the transcript ended, and no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes a rule with no teeth and establishes clear, fair, and enforceable standards that protect both
• In June of this year, the EAC released draft standards for VVSG 2.1.
• </c><00:58:20.160><c> and</c> leader in adopting higher standards and leader in adopting higher standards
• here in the um to the Kentucky standards here in the Commonwealth.
• :30.880><c> that</c><01:24:31.120><c> if</c> non-standard external ports so that if non-standard external

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two on page six of the bill, Distributed Solar Energy Standard.
• optional for our state's standard optional for our state's largest<00:19:11.200><c> utilities.
• On the point around the concern with the distributed standard.
• Pearson. the concern with the distributed the concern with the distributed standard. standard. standard
• </c> the implementation of the standard the implementation of the standard established<00:21:11.920><

Bills: HF4308 , HF4153 , HF4703 , HF4711

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF4308, Monticello nuclear plant, Prairie Island, renewable development account, RDA, nuclear waste, spent fuel, dry cask storage, utility tax, commercial-industrial property tax, state general levy, property tax exemption, residential heating fuels, natural gas tax exemption, electricity sales tax exemption, year-round sales tax exemption, distributed solar energy standard, solar mandate, community solar, grid modernization

Transcript Highlights:

• What has been standard is it's community-based living. We've went to a home-based model.
• c> that</c><00:03:04.720><c> would</c><00:03:04.880><c> be</c> standard break times that would be standard
• What has been standard meal in the car.
• Minimum labor standards create a floor so that no worker is left behind.
• </c><01:36:30.920><c> for</c> law to create a a minimum standard for law to create a a minimum standard

Bills: HF4110 , HF2113 , HF4569 , HF4414

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:33.320><c> chapter</c> health uniform service standards chapter health uniform service standards
• On page standards.
• HCBS licensing standards in paragraph B.
• HCBS licensing standards in paragraph B.
• licensing standards in outdated HCBS licensing standards in paragraph<00:37:25.480><c> B.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> actions to a much higher standard, actions to a much higher standard, ultimately<00:17:00.160><
• Do they have to meet the legal standard before they do that? Like, should it be prescribed?
• This $10,000 penalty amount is standard across many consumer protection statutes. bill.
• ><c> consumer</c><01:21:42.719><c> protection</c> standard across many consumer protection standard across
• :25:20.400><c> there's</c> robust federal standard and there's robust federal standard and there's another

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we continue our journey on the pathway to meeting our 2040 energy standards, we can more than double
• </c><00:11:13.279><c> so</c><00:11:13.440><c> we</c><00:11:13.680><c> do</c> proper accounting standards
• so we do proper accounting standards so we do keep<00:11:14.240><c> track</c><00:11:14.560><c> of</c
• in this sector there seems to be a disproportionate amount of reliance upon other nations' lower standards
• Typically for a wind project, a 1,000-foot setback was standard, and now it's risen to 1,500.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> encounter this as just a standard encounter this as just a standard practice<00:08:44.360><c> that
• And so we define some standards and general specifications, but then we have a more flexible process
• And so we define some standards and general specifications, but then we have a more flexible process
• And so we define some standards and general specifications, but then we have a more flexible process
• And so we define some standards and general specifications, but then we have a more flexible process

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all