Video & Transcript : 'AI literacy' :

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NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 15th, 2026 at 01:32 pm

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • If we have all these AI companies competing in New Mexico, and I know they are.
  • I really think they need to, you know, if they have enough money to open up an AI facility, then they
  • I get that we're all into AI. You know, I'm talking to people off the grid.
  • , and Those, and really, I'm going to say AI because that's what we were told, and that's what we can
  • For that, I just, you know, I mean AI already took my job, so I don't even have a job anymore.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Can you tell us, is AI being integrated into EDD Next?
  • So we have three use cases for which we are using AI today.
  • So these are the three tools that we use AI for.
  • We are not using AI to validate any claims, whether they're valid or not.
  • No determination of eligibility are being made using AI at this point in time. Okay.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • goal and the intent of the original state investment of $68.2 million in 2022 was to promote early literacy
  • United Way of California Capital Region, as well as Read to Me Stockton and the San Diego Council on Literacy
  • You could ask AI to do that in like 30 seconds.
  • And I think we can all agree on delivering books to children to improve literacy is, I think, a shared
  • goal amongst... ...to improve literacy is, I think, a shared goal amongst most folks in the state and
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The goal and intent of the original state investment of $68.2 million in 2022 was to promote early literacy
  • United Way of California Capital Region; as well as Read to Me Stockton and the San Diego Council on Literacy
  • You could ask AI to do that in like 30 seconds.
  • And I think we can all agree on delivering books to children to improve literacy is, I think, a shared
  • goal amongst... ...to improve literacy is, I think, a shared goal amongst most folks in the state and
Summary: The follow-up informational hearing focused on the State Library’s oversight of the statewide Imagination Library and the Strong Reader Partnership (SRP), including how the original $68.2 million state investment was spent, why funds were not redirected sooner to the Dollywood Foundation, and whether spending complied with AB 157 and later SB 105. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns that SRP and the State Library had been slow to provide documents, that quarterly reporting and other contract requirements were not met on time, and that the State Library did not escalate issues earlier. State Librarian Greg Lucas said the library sent one demand letter, relied on counsel’s view that SRP could continue spending its $4.8 million so long as it furthered the program, and later redirected about $55 million to the Dollywood Foundation after paperwork was submitted. He also acknowledged the library should have shared SRP’s final report with the committee sooner and said the materials eventually received appeared satisfactory, though the chair and Senator Grove remained concerned that there was still no clear accounting of books delivered by SRP. A major portion of the hearing examined SRP’s expenditures and vendor contracts, including Shipyard for marketing and web services, SAGE Strategies for management consulting, Lotus Financial Solutions and other financial vendors, and United Way California Capital Region for a small marketing grant. Committee members questioned whether some spending, especially Changecraft’s work during the AB 157 period, amounted to lobbying or attempts to influence legislation, which the grant agreement prohibited. SRP representatives said the work was communications and stakeholder outreach, not lobbying, and that invoices reflected the board’s oversight and the nonprofit’s startup and closeout phases. They also said some work continued during the rescission and closeout period to unwind contracts and return funds, and that any reporting delays were due to transition, lack of a reporting mechanism from the State Library, and the need to collect records after vendors were canceled. Members of SRP said the nonprofit was created to build the infrastructure for a self-sustaining statewide program, expand local partnerships, and support multilingual outreach in underserved counties. They described a working board that met regularly, selected vendors collectively, and used multiple financial and administrative contractors to maintain checks and balances. However, committee members pressed them on the lack of detailed invoices, the absence of clear metrics showing how many books SRP actually delivered, and the limited apparent return on spending such as the $581,708 Shipyard contract, the $125,000 website work, and the $5,000 United Way grant. No formal vote or legislative action was taken during the hearing; it was an oversight session aimed at obtaining explanations and additional documentation.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hied Committee Meeting - 2025-04-03

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • leaders from the largest companies in the state of Minnesota, and all they can talk about is we need an AI
  • we'll let the testifier speak, but I want to mention that, you know, when we talk about things like AI
  • But the language became so expansive that I was like, "Whoa, wait a minute, we're talking about AI."
  • is good for all kids of every age and background, to have every opportunity to develop financial literacy
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Nine - Monday, March 23

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that is so we can prosecute people if they are utilizing AI depictions of children.
  • This is a truth-in-advertising bill for AI when it comes to mental health.
  • It actually, the first thing, it clarifies or gives a definition of what AI generation is.
  • This adds AI to it. The third thing, give me a second. The third thing, give me a second.
  • We have AI getting into the hands of our minors right now.
Summary: The House approved the journal and recognized several special guests and departing staff before moving to bills on perfection and printing. House Bill 2636, the Mortgage Modification Act, was explained as a banking measure to keep a first mortgage in first position when modified, and it received bipartisan support and was ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1718, dealing with sovereign immunity caps and the inflation factor under section 537.610, was also advanced after questions about whether the cap should be measured at the time of injury or judgment; the sponsor said the bill would use the injury date and that trial attorneys were the main opposition. House Bills 2120 and 1698, combined as an anti-bullying measure known as Sawyer’s Law, were then taken up and advanced after extensive debate. The bill would require prompt reporting and investigation of bullying, reporting to administrators and school boards, and protections for staff and schools acting under the policy. An amendment from the Lady from Boone sought to remove zero-tolerance references, limit identifying information in reports, and give school boards more flexibility, but it failed on a voice vote. Supporters of the bill cited tragic bullying cases and argued schools need stronger reporting and accountability; opponents of the amendment and some speakers warned about due process, school board overreach, and potential liability. House Bill 2748, requiring daily physical activity for students, was then brought up with an amendment that would remove the emergency clause, delay implementation, and specify weekly activity minutes and how some activity time could count toward class requirements; members debated scheduling, teacher workload, and whether the proposal would reduce instructional time, but the discussion was still ongoing at the end of the transcript.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 29th, 2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • AI.
  • Okay, but on the AI, that would- It is not opt-in. On the AI, it's automatically there.
  • One of the newest and most potentially harmful uses of AI is companion AI.
  • to train AI models.
  • to policies like the EU AI Act and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.
Committee: House Judiciary
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, privacy, reparations, and AI transparency. AB 54, AB 1137, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 62, and AB 853 were all presented with testimony from authors, state agencies, advocates, and industry representatives. Supporters generally framed the measures as protecting access to care, shielding vulnerable communities, improving online safety for children, limiting government or commercial misuse of sensitive data, addressing historical harms, and increasing transparency around AI-generated content. Opponents raised concerns about safety, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, privacy, law enforcement access, and the impact on existing industry practices or state privacy law. AB 54 would protect medication abortion access and shield providers and others from liability related to transporting and administering abortion medication; it passed to Appropriations, with one no vote. AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and audit requirements for child sexual abuse material on social media platforms, allowing broader reporting and public third-party audits; it passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 49 would restrict immigration enforcement activity at California public schools and require warrants and school approval before such actions on campus; it passed to Appropriations with one no vote and one member not voting. AB 82 would protect health data and expand Safe at Home and related confidentiality protections for gender-affirming care providers and patients; it passed to Appropriations. AB 1355, the California Location Privacy Act, would restrict collection, use, and sale of precise location data; after extensive debate over privacy, security, and law enforcement concerns, it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 62, addressing restitution for families displaced by racially biased eminent domain, also passed to Appropriations. AB 853, requiring more provenance transparency for AI-generated and authentic content on platforms and devices, passed to Appropriations after discussion of technical feasibility and First Amendment concerns.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (05/07/2026)

New Hampshire Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thirdly, at least for this year, it has had a focus on technology, on AI.
  • What are the likely effects to be and what global risks might be created because of AI, whether it's
  • </c><04:57:02.080><c> instruction</c> with evidence-based literacy instruction with evidence-based literacy
  • </c><04:57:22.560><c> The</c><04:57:22.718><c> Senate</c> foundational literacy skills.
  • The Senate foundational literacy skills.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> and your commitment to our literacy and your commitment to our literacy future. future. future.
  • </c> Literacy isn't just an academic issue. Literacy isn't just an academic issue.
  • I teach literacy courses.
  • I teach literacy courses.
  • Going on to the next bill, which is HB 1894, Braille Literacy. HB 1894, Braille Literacy.
Summary: The committee on Education met on February 17 and announced it would limit public testimony to one minute because more than a thousand testimonies were expected on one measure. The first bill heard was HB 1934, relating to the Imagination Library of Hawaii. The state librarian and Friends of the Library supported the bill, saying the program is a proven, cost-effective way to improve early literacy and should be expanded statewide for children ages 0 to 5. Friends of the Library said the current 50/50 match requirement would be too difficult to meet immediately and asked for state funding for the first few years to help launch the expansion. Testimony included eight supporters and one opponent, and members asked whether the proposal was an expansion of an existing program; the state librarian said it would expand service beyond currently targeted communities. The committee then heard HB 20004, which would extend the floating librarian pilot program. The state librarian, Department of Education, HSTA, and several individuals testified in support. Supporters said the program helps address staffing needs and improves student readiness, especially for college and information literacy. One retired community college librarian said school librarians help students prepare for college and are increasingly important in teaching critical evaluation of misinformation and AI-generated content. Members asked about implementation of the existing pilot, including recruitment of certified librarians for neighbor island and Oahu complex areas; DOE said those positions had been identified and recruitment was underway, and existing funds remained intact. The final major discussion was HB 2398, which clarifies the library system’s role in RNMSP-related projects and public library construction on or near school land. The state librarian and public library system supported the bill, while the Department of Education and Attorney General’s office raised concerns about vague language, especially the phrase “land controlled by the board,” and suggested amendments. In questioning, the state librarian explained that the bill was prompted by conflicts on shared or adjacent school/public library sites, including traffic, pickup and drop-off access, and other operational issues. DOE described significant disruption from one project’s traffic changes and said planning for such projects should involve early coordination and formal agreements. The state librarian responded that the new bill would clarify oversight and help avoid delays and disputes over property control and future renovations.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Appropriations Committee May 23rd, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • AB 979, Irwin, AI Cyberbook Playbook, do pass out on an A-roll call.
  • AB 1454 Revis literacy instruction professional development due pass out on an A roll call.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • and live performances needed in an era of increasing automation and regulatory challenges posed by AI
  • literacy program.
  • the placemat that you all had in front of you—bets and accelerate sectors that include things like AI
  • and quantum, cloud and data platforms, robotics. ...that include things like AI and quantum, cloud and
  • which represents California's leading innovation economy companies and next-generation startups in AI
Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development on the state’s Jobs First economic development strategy and related budget requests. Go-Biz described its regional planning process, priority sectors such as ag-tech, space defense, life sciences, and semiconductors, and requests including an extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional film commission staff, innovation and emerging technology capacity, and a California brand campaign. Members questioned the campaign’s purpose, with some supporting efforts to counter misinformation about California and others warning it should not obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns. Go-Biz said the campaign would be nationally focused, could include business attraction efforts, and was intended to complement—not replace—policy work on permitting and workforce development. The item was informational only. The committee then heard from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and the Technical Assistance Program/Capital Infusion Program. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first round awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively increased revenue, secured contracts, and employed thousands of people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with a new administrator and expanded services. For the performing arts payroll fund, the office said all 100 awardees had been paid, but demand far exceeded available funding, and the program was oversubscribed within days. California for the Arts testified that the sector remains fragile after COVID and urged statutory changes to simplify eligibility and stretch dollars further. SBDC representatives described TAP/SIP as a statewide network supporting small businesses, capital access, and disaster recovery, emphasizing their role in underserved communities and the leverage of federal matching funds. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach smaller or disadvantaged businesses. Questions centered on long-term job retention in California RISE, outreach to ethnic and community media in the civic media program, and whether TAP/SIP are accessible to entrepreneurs with limited capital or capacity. CalOSBA and its partners said they rely heavily on local community organizations for outreach, provide one-on-one counseling and training, and are working to collect more longitudinal data. The committee also discussed the film and television tax credit program, for which Go-Biz requested funding for three permanent positions and ongoing program support. Film Commission staff said the expanded program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with most productions opting into new diversity provisions, and that a formal report to the Legislature is expected in 2027. The item concluded without a vote, as the hearing was for oversight and budget discussion.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 80 Apr 1st, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, these fraudsters are getting ever more advanced in their technology with AI and everything else
  • With AI and everything else that's coming down the pike, they're a lot smarter than a lot of the people
  • I had to do some AI search because I don't know what a typical joint size is, but according to AI, and
  • Senate Bill 1362 continues: directing the use of monies for literacy programs, intervention services,
  • requirements for technology, content, and curriculum; providing for statewide training for early literacy
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representitives Mar 9th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill by Representative Weibel, literacy, certain teacher education programs, adolescent literacy
  • Landry, required disclosure of political materials and communications, provides relative to the use of AI
  • Landry, required disclosure as political materials, communications, provides relative to the use of AI
  • House Bill, Barberts, and Mani, Land. to the use of AI, criminal penalties, 459.
  • 639 by Representative Bayham, require disclosures for political materials and communications; use of AI
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • As a reminder, 100% of net lottery proceeds after a $3 million appropriation for literacy initiatives
  • And I know you all have talked about the importance of financial literacy.
  • AI and smart logistics analysts make $75,000 to $120,000 a year, and that's just as a start.
  • AI and smart logistics analysts make $75,000 to $120,000 a year, and that's just as a start.
  • AI and smart logistics analysts make $75,000 to $120,000 a year, and that's just as a start.
Summary: The committee met to review KHEAA’s student aid programs ahead of the upcoming biennial budget. KHEAA officials outlined the agency’s role administering state grants and scholarships, emphasizing that net lottery proceeds are statutorily dedicated to student financial aid after a literacy appropriation. They focused on the College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), and KEES, and explained that the FAFSA simplification changes significantly expanded eligibility for Pell and CAP recipients. KHEAA said the General Assembly’s additional funding this biennium allowed CAP to be fully funded, and that FY25 spending for CAP reached about $232 million for roughly 72,000 students, up from about 55,000 recipients the prior year. Officials said they are watching current-year application trends closely and expect a clearer funding picture by late fall as awards are actually disbursed and enrollment data comes in. Members asked about how CAP eligibility works, the difference between applicants and recipients, and whether KTG is tied to Pell eligibility. KHEAA explained that CAP is essentially aligned with Pell eligibility, while KTG uses a different need formula and is limited to private colleges in Kentucky. They also noted that schools verify final eligibility after KHEAA’s initial review of application data. Questions about the FAFSA simplification act and federal changes led KHEAA to say they do not expect major effects on state grant and scholarship programs, though federal student loan changes may affect students, especially at the graduate level. The committee also discussed KEES, which KHEAA said has been fully funded since its creation, and dual credit/work-ready scholarships. KHEAA reported that dual credit participation continues to grow and that FY25 spending for dual credit and Work Ready Kentucky totaled about $26.4 million, compared with a $13.1 million appropriation, with transfers from Work Ready used to keep dual credit fully funded. Officials said they will seek growth funding for dual credit in the next budget because the program has expanded and now includes the work-ready component under one statute. Members asked about transferability of dual credit courses and whether students actually use the credits toward degrees; KHEAA said it does not have hard data on every credit’s transfer, but it is seeing positive trends in bachelor’s completion and more high school graduates earning associate degrees. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the July 15, 2025 meeting minutes.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 21st, 2025

Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • I sit on privacy, and in every committee hearing, I've heard about AI curing cancer.
  • account before you go write a check, or if you had an ATM, or even just understanding financial literacy
  • with credit unions and other banks that do serve lower economic areas of our state, and financial literacy
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 10 February, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> Senate Bill 2487, literacy in grades 4 through 8, develop intervention strategies to support the
  • </c> Senator Hill did back in the literacy Senator Hill did back in the literacy literacy-based<00:52
  • :09.400><c> promotion</c><00:52:09.920><c> act</c> literacy-based promotion act literacy-based promotion
  • promotion act back in literacy-based promotion act back in '13,<00:56:25.160><c> we</c><00:56:25.280
  • When you start looking at the AI component and the data centers, solar has become more appealing.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Mar 23rd, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, it's a wonderful program for our students who need help in literacy. It's tremendous.
  • Farm Ed is an educational program, and we provide classrooms with industry-grade AI-powered grow chambers
  • So I just want to say also that quality child care starts with early literacy.
  • Early literacy is the foundation for everything that follows.
  • Early literacy is the foundation for everything that follows: graduation, workforce readiness, and even
Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several budget requests tied to health and human services. Louisiana Children’s Advocacy Centers asked for continued support and a supplemental appropriation of $1.173 million for infrastructure and standardization, explaining that the money would expand use of the Guardify digital evidence system, improve chain of custody, and reduce reliance on DVDs. Baton Rouge and statewide CAC leaders said prior funding helped eliminate a therapy wait list and speed services for abused children. Members asked detailed questions about the digital system, MDT coordination, and how the request related to SB 237, which would strengthen multidisciplinary review of child abuse cases. The Alzheimer’s Association sought $824,000 to sustain the dementia care specialist program, saying it helps families navigate services, keep loved ones at home longer, and reduce Medicaid costs. AARP and the Live at Home Coalition also testified for 750 additional Community Choice waiver slots at a state cost of $3.3 million, arguing that home- and community-based care is cheaper than nursing homes and that the current wait list is more than 11,000 people. Legislators discussed the size of the need, the state’s long-term care spending mix, and whether more support should go to family caregivers and community-based options. Testimony also focused on disability support services, substance use treatment, and developmental disability provider rates. A parent and direct support worker described the Children’s Choice waiver’s 20-hour cap and low pay, saying it makes it hard to retain caregivers and meet the needs of medically fragile children. Odyssey House and O’Brien House asked for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates under ASAM 4, warned that removal of room-and-board payments and weak Medicaid eligibility pathways are reducing access, and called for more oversight of sober living homes; members questioned outcomes data, length of stay, and links to homelessness. Finally, the Arc of Louisiana said the LDH rate study confirmed underfunding and supported a $53.6 million increase in state general funds, with local ARC leaders describing the services they provide and the need for higher direct support professional wages.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:52:00.400><c> impact</c> now to talk about how can AI impact now to talk about how can AI impact
  • Now we'll move to specific leadership opportunities for literacy.
  • Uh we opportunities for literacy.
  • </c> districts involved in the early literacy districts involved in the early literacy leadership<01:
  • </c><01:40:36.800><c> We</c> literacy and the letters program. We literacy and the letters program.
Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Education met for its first interim meeting and established a quorum before taking up its first topic, Kentucky’s new assessment and accountability model. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, joined by KDE staff and superintendents, described a multi-year effort involving the Kentucky “Now We Learn” Council, more than 50 educators and stakeholders, at least 18 pilot districts, surveys, focus groups, town halls, and four prototype frameworks. He emphasized three priorities for the new model: vibrant learning experiences, innovation in assessment, and collaboration with communities. Fletcher said the state accountability portion would continue to meet federal requirements and identify CSI/TSI/ATSI schools, while shifting toward more emphasis on individual student growth, grade-level equivalency in reading and math, career and technical education, graduation rate, and English language proficiency. He also said science would remain a required assessment but be reported separately rather than counted in the CSI/TSI calculation. He stressed that the model should focus on growth, local flexibility, and meaningful measures that reflect community expectations, while still preserving a statewide framework. The committee also heard from Bullitt County superintendent Jesse Bacon, who described his district’s local accountability work. He said Bullitt County formed a community coalition with broad representation from across the district, business leaders, and community members, met six times during the school year, and worked toward a public-facing dashboard that would show community expectations, evidence of accountability, and areas for improvement. Bacon said the district identified six community-defined pillars, beginning with student learning and foundational academic knowledge, as part of a system intended to communicate strengths and improvement areas to the public.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jan 12th, 2026

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • because there's always going to be people who have the need for adaptive assistance or need help with literacy
  • And it probably won't, because nationally these people know that in 10 years, you know, AI and a lot
  • employers sort of looking at people for the skills they need right now versus looking forward maybe to the AI
Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nick Moore, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Education, focused on integrating workforce, education, training, and human services systems. Moore argued that WIOA, Perkins, and ESSA should be aligned more closely, with fewer federal and state bureaucratic layers, more state flexibility, and a stronger emphasis on labor force participation, postsecondary attainment, and training tied to in-demand jobs. He said the federal agencies are moving toward combined plan timelines for 2026, encouraged states to pursue combined plans and waivers, and described efforts to streamline reporting, reduce administrative overhead, and expand tools such as integrated intake, cross-training, virtual and mobile service delivery, apprenticeship, and talent marketplaces. Moore also emphasized accountability and outcomes, saying states should measure training-related employment, retention, and the share of funds going to direct services rather than administration. He criticized the current workforce system as too costly and ineffective, and said states should use primary labor market information, better wage records, and employer input to align training with actual job demand. Members asked about balancing flexibility with accountability, the role of employers versus postsecondary institutions, serving rural “training deserts,” state waivers, and data-sharing systems such as Mississippi’s workforce technology efforts. Moore said states can use waivers and technology to create common intake and co-enrollment across programs, and that enhanced wage records are key to better workforce planning. The committee then received a separate update from DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Director Jay Hill on reimbursement rates for aging and adult behavioral health services. They said DHS had compiled more than 100 public comments, submitted a recommendation to the governor to hold current rates, and was awaiting executive review, which they estimated could take 30 to 60 days. Members asked about the timeline and the scope of the legislation requiring monthly reports. The meeting ended with notice of a later audit presentation scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Big Mac building.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jan 8th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • on landmark legislation to create the nation's first rules for responsible, ethical, and safe use of AI
  • Look, more hours of enrichment, more literacy coaches, more reading specialists, healthy meals for all
  • Culture, food, music, AI, biotech, quantum computing, and agriculture all happen here first.
Summary: The Assembly met, initially lacking a quorum, and the Clerk called the roll until a quorum was established. The chamber then proceeded through routine opening business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, recognition of Native lands, approval of procedural motions, and several unanimous-consent actions to re-refer bills and allow committees to notice bills pending re-referral. The Assembly also recessed regular session to convene a joint convention for the Governor’s State of the State address. In the joint convention, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of the State speech, focusing on California’s economic performance, education investments, housing reforms, public safety, homelessness, climate policy, insurance issues, and the state’s response to federal actions. He highlighted budget plans, including a proposed $248.3 billion general fund, increased reserves, major education funding, child care and after-school investments, housing and affordability measures, mental health and homelessness funding, infrastructure projects, clean energy goals, and wildfire recovery efforts. He also praised legislative collaboration on AI regulation, tax credits, and other policy areas while criticizing federal policies and calling for continued state action. After the address, the Governor’s speech was ordered printed in the journal, the joint convention adjourned sine die, and the Assembly returned to regular session. The Speaker announced the desk would remain open for introduction of the budget bill, noted the next floor session would be Monday, January 12 at 1 p.m., and the House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader.