Transcript Highlights:

• We work very collaboratively across many fronts and look forward to working with you as we tackle these
• In collaboration with... ...the federal Veterans Administration, the department is creating this medical
• The model that the C-BAS programs use is really a collaborative one.
• CDA worked collaboratively with provider associations, including CADS, to develop the grant program,
• And it was clear that the collective commitment, ...collaborative approach to leading this report and

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This process is collaborative, and we are collaborating with you right now in this committee.
• This process is collaborative, and we are collaborating with you right now in this committee, and that

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Collaborative courts are a tool that many counties use to take people out of the traditional criminal
• This collaboration yielded three key findings. First, tenant participation remains strikingly low.
• Last year, we convened an eviction diversion roundtable to work collaboratively with city and county
• Last year, we convened an eviction diversion roundtable to work collaboratively with city and county
• The detention and deportation collaborative that you heard about today is the first and unique here in

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:42.240><c> to</c> work together in collaboration to work together in collaboration to protect
• Basically, it provides collaborative care psychiatric services to adults and kids in a collaborative
• </c> be not uh part of a collaborative be not uh part of a collaborative approach.<00:57:00.480><c> And
• </c> about how we need to have collaboration about how we need to have collaboration on<01:10:50.960>
• </c> anything done without collaboration. anything done without collaboration.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we're all working collaboratively we're all working collaboratively trying<00:16:32.480><c> to</
• </c><00:36:46.880><c> between</c> needs to be great collaboration between needs to be great collaboration
• </c> collaborative level. So, thank you. collaborative level. So, thank you.
• things</c> collaboration, everything, but things collaboration, everything, but things don't<01:07:56.480
• We need more than just collaborating.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard several governor’s message nominations to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s advisory board. The first nominee, Daniel O’Leary, received strong support from HTA leadership and Deputy Director James Kunane Tokioka, who praised his visitor-industry knowledge and work on brand marketing and tourism planning. O’Leary said he hoped to contribute his experience and strengthen the organization’s integrity. Joel Guy was also supported by HTA, Tokioka, and several community testifiers, who highlighted his long work in Hana, his film-industry background, and his role in community-focused tourism planning. During questioning, Guy said the advisory board should still have influence, especially on strategic planning and community concerns, even though its role is advisory rather than decision-making. The committee then considered Linda Wong’s nomination. HTA and Tokioka strongly supported her, citing her long community experience and familiarity with HTA work. Wong said the new advisory board was collaborative, had no conflicts so far, and was trying to balance resident concerns with attracting higher-value tourists. Senator Kim questioned her about the advisory structure, and Wong said she believed the Legislature had reduced HTA’s authority because of past conflicts but that the new board could help turn things around and possibly regain more authority in the future. The committee also heard testimony on Kimberly Algos and Terry Fisher. Algos was described by HTA and Tokioka as a strong leader and solid board member; Tokioka explained that she and another co-chair were selected because of their busy schedules and that the advisory board’s committees were created so members could contribute beyond the single statutory duty of selecting the chair, president, and CEO. Fisher was supported for his tour-operator experience and strategic planning work. In questioning, he endorsed performance-based contracting and accountability for contractors, while acknowledging that external events can affect results. He also said the convention center is critical infrastructure that should be repaired and used to help fill tourism lulls and attract major conferences. The hearing included supportive testimony from industry representatives, but no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And shout out to Senator M for her ongoing stewardship and collaboration around REACT.
• We really appreciate the collaborative effort and the opportunity to have these conversations.
• </c> American Indian mascots to collaborate American Indian mascots to collaborate with<01:37:46.080>
• </c> read act we appreciate the collaborative read act we appreciate the collaborative efforts<01:38:
• I want this to truly be a collaborative effort and a collaborative process, so if you had any epiphanies

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This process is collaborative, and we are collaborating with you right now in this committee.
• This process is collaborative, and we are collaborating with you right now in this committee, and that

Summary: The committee considered a mass motion finding Senate Bills 1110 and 1618 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004 constitutional and in proper form. Staff from the Rule of Attorney Office explained that SB 1110 concerns home confinement eligibility and electronic monitoring, SB 1618 concerns the Military Affairs Commission, and SCR 1004 concerns photo enforcement systems voter approval. They stated all three measures had been reviewed and were in proper form. During discussion, one member objected to the process, criticizing the lack of a posted agenda and the rapid sequence of recesses and caucuses. Another member responded that the bills had been public for months, had already received multiple readings and committee hearings in both chambers, and had been fully vetted with public testimony. The member also said the absence of a joint caucus was due to the other side’s preference. After comments ended, the committee voted on the motion. The roll call resulted in seven ayes and one absent, and the committee recommended the measures as constitutional and in proper form. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• manage valuable habitats in places like the Grasslands and the surrounding areas and to work collaboratively
• out the importance of supporting working lands for grazing and managed timberlands, requiring a collaborative
• out the importance of supporting working lands for grazing and managed timberlands requiring a collaborative
• Additionally, it fosters collaboration with local tribes on ancestral land stewardship. ...farmlands
• Additionally, it fosters collaboration with local tribes on ancestral land stewardship and encourages

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, wildlife access, and coastal protection. SB 1108 would create the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in Merced County to coordinate land, water, habitat, and wildlife corridor protection in the largest remaining wetland/grassland complex west of the Mississippi. Supporters, including the Grasslands Water District and Audubon California, emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, groundwater sustainability, and voluntary conservation easements; there was no opposition. The committee members generally praised the bill’s regional coordination and ecological significance. The committee also heard SB 1021, which would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create a program allowing youth with physician-certified life-threatening illnesses to participate in hunting and fishing opportunities under structured supervision. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate, tightly limited program with conservation safeguards, hunter education requirements, reporting, and a sunset. There was no opposition, and members expressed support for the bill’s intent. SB 949 would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance, with an emphasis on biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, public access, working lands, and collaboration with tribes and private landowners. Support came from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, and several local and conservation organizations; no opposition was heard. The committee also considered SJR 12, which urges the federal government to remove California from proposed offshore oil and gas leasing plans and calls for stronger environmental review and public engagement. Supporters cited spill risks, coastal economic harm, and prior local and state opposition to offshore drilling. All measures were approved by the committee, with the bills and resolution moving forward on recorded votes, and the consent calendar items were also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• With this facility, it always takes us to another level when we collaborate on this technology.
• Programs like Trigger, and Trigger in particular, allow strong collaboration between the national labs
• Chair and Representative, can you talk about some of the businesses that have, due to collaboration here
• Some of the businesses that have, due to collaboration here, resulted in this, and who they are and what
• Being able to work collaboratively with this business has been huge.

Bills: HB248 , HB309 , HB332 , SB48

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Keywords: general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we've been working so hard all session to try to be collaborative, both with Democrats and also
• uh both with Democrats collaborative uh both with Democrats then<00:05:31.319><c> also</c><00:05:31.639
• We would have members that would vote on something that we would collaborate on, but this was a...
• floor sessions that would last, you know, for days, was because we never had an opportunity to collaborate
• of his son and those for folks, you know, those are ruled... ...we never had an opportunity to collaborate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go to Tab 12, SB 294 on collaborative pharmacy practice for chronic health care conditions.
• And in that expansion, we allowed for collaborative practice.
• The Board of Pharmacy, in collaboration, not with permission or assent from the Board of Medicine, may
• The Board of Pharmacy, in collaboration, not with permission or assent from the Board of Medicine, may
• David Winchester says that Senator Harrell has concerns with the collaborative practice statute, and

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 108 on administrative procedures. That bill, as amended, would require agencies to review all rules on a five-year cycle, submit regulatory plans and annual reports, publish intended agency action within 90 days of new rulemaking authority, improve public access to incorporated materials, and streamline rule publication and correction procedures. After brief testimony from the Florida Bar’s Administrative Law Section and support from Americans for Prosperity and the James Madison Institute, the committee adopted two amendments and reported CS for SB 108 favorably. The committee then approved several other measures, including the Senate veterans package (CS for CS for SB 116), which made technical changes and was supported by veterans and advocacy groups; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempts local barriers while preserving state and federal law and building codes; CS for SB 126 allowing mail distribution of prescription hearing aids after a Florida-licensed professional examination; CS for SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” making it a third-degree felony to abandon restrained animals during declared disasters; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice expansion for complex cardiac conditions; SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure; CS for SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process to remove unauthorized persons from commercial property; CS for SB 348 on ethics, addressing false military rank claims and delinquent ethics fines; SB 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day; CS for SB 160 expanding CPA licensure pathways and clarifying administrative outsourcing; and CS for SB 50 promoting nature-based coastal resilience measures. Most of these bills received supportive testimony and were reported favorably. The committee also considered and reported favorably the annual reviser bills SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42, which adopt the 2025 Florida Statutes, conform statutory names, remove expired provisions, and clean up obsolete language and cross-references. Throughout the meeting, members asked questions on a few bills, but no roll-call votes were recorded as opposed; each measure was approved and reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested that a few missed affirmative votes be recorded, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they have a corporate economic development organization that's a collaboration between the private
• Thank you. ...organization that's a collaboration between the private sector and the public sector there
• Physicians have trained me, and supportive physician colleagues have collaborated with me throughout
• So with me to testify in support is I've certainly appreciated their collaboration.
• I just want to emphasize again, I truly appreciate the collaboration from all the stakeholders.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then took up a series of bills on business, professions, health, cannabis, and consumer protection. AB 72, creating an electric vehicle economic opportunity zone in Riverside County, drew questions about whether the state should target one region over others, but supporters argued it would help bring EV manufacturing and related jobs to the Inland Empire. The bill passed on a 8-1 vote to Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. AB 685, which would create the Small Business Resiliency and Innovation Fund to support technical assistance and capital infusion programs, drew broad support from small business networks and chambers, but some groups raised concerns that the June amendments could affect eligibility and that the funding should be clearly supplemental rather than replacing existing support. The author said discussions were ongoing, and the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 173, a resolution, on a 7-0 vote, and AB 1760, a Dental Practice Act cleanup bill sponsored by the Dental Board, on a 10-0 vote. AB 1637, which would limit changes to physician-authored medical records and make unauthorized alterations a misdemeanor, was supported by physicians and labor groups who said it would protect patient safety and professional accountability; it passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations. AB 1785, allowing online sales of pseudoephedrine products with existing age and quantity safeguards, passed 10-0. AB 1973, expanding the ability of advanced practice clinicians to perform procedural abortions within their training, drew strong support from reproductive health providers and strong opposition from anti-abortion witnesses who raised safety concerns; after questions about training and oversight, it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations. The committee then considered AB 2025, requiring disclosure when rental listings use digitally altered or AI-staged images. Supporters said it would prevent renters from being misled, while the California Apartment Association said it was working with the author on implementation; the bill passed 8-1 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection. AB 2697, allowing drive-through cannabis sales with local approval and security requirements, was supported by cannabis businesses and operators as a way to improve access and compete with the illicit market, while narcotics officers opposed it over ID verification and public safety concerns; it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations. Finally, AB 2249, responding to a state audit on cannabis packaging attractive to children by defining prohibited imagery and creating a public rubric and pre-review process, received support from the cannabis operators association and the state auditor’s office, while small independent farmers raised concerns that some categorical bans could sweep too broadly. The transcript cuts off during that bill’s opposition testimony, and no final action on AB 2249 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Phoenix strengthens public health innovation, collaboration, and communication across sectors and at
• Phoenix strengthens public health innovation, collaboration, and communication across sectors and at
• Another huge area of progress and response has been collaboration.
• Another huge area of progress and response has been collaboration.
• It's wonderful for us to collaborate across state lines and create these initiatives.

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on Health heard an overview of the California Department of Public Health budget, including a $5.1 billion department budget and 19 non-IT budget change proposals spanning environmental health, healthcare quality, infectious disease, healthy communities, health statistics, preparedness, and laboratory sciences. CDPH also presented estimates for WIC and the Genetic Disease Screening Program, both of which were described as relatively stable, with WIC food costs rising mainly due to inflation and participation holding near 1 million monthly participants. Members and public commenters raised support for several proposals, including funding for the California Reducing Disparities Project, AB 1264 implementation on school food standards, childhood lead poisoning prevention, the hospital bed capacity registry, sickle cell care networks, and WIC protections amid federal policy changes and shutdown-related uncertainty. Dr. Erica Pond then presented the 2026 State of Public Health report, highlighting major gains such as record-low mortality rates, all-time high life expectancy, and the first decline in overdose deaths in 14 years, while warning about persistent disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, rising severe maternal morbidity, and worsening mental and behavioral health trends, especially among younger adults. She emphasized racial and geographic inequities, the role of social drivers like poverty and education, and the importance of prevention investments through the Behavioral Health Services Act. Members discussed the need for upstream public health spending, environmental health preparedness, and how to translate data into action, while public comment largely focused on sustaining community-based prevention and equity programs. In a separate update on federal actions and public health partnerships, Dr. Pond and CDPH staff described California’s response to federal funding threats, vaccine policy changes, and measles outbreaks. They outlined new collaborations such as the West Coast Health Alliance, the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, the WHO outbreak network, and the FACT Coalition, along with CDPH’s process for reviewing and updating immunization and preventive service recommendations under AB 144. Members questioned the rise in measles and declining vaccination coverage, and CDPH said it is using trusted messengers and tailored outreach while continuing to evaluate federal recommendations. The committee then heard an ADAP estimate showing lower projected budget authority needs due to reduced caseload and one-time funding expiring, followed by public support for using ADAP rebate funds to expand HIV prevention, PrEP, testing, and disease intervention staffing. The final issue focused on public health information technology systems, including Sapphire, CalReady, CalConnect, CARE, MyTurn, MyCAVAC, and the digital vaccine record. CDPH explained how these systems support disease reporting, contact tracing, immunization tracking, vaccine ordering, and outbreak response, while the Department of Finance said only Sapphire and CalReady are funded in the Governor’s budget and the rest are under review because of the state’s budget deficit and declining utilization. Local health department representatives strongly opposed losing the systems, arguing that lower usage reflects post-pandemic conditions and that the tools save staff time, improve outbreak response, and prevent a return to manual spreadsheets and phone calls. Members echoed concern that cutting the systems would undermine public health capacity and waste prior state investment, and urged the administration to present a funding plan that matches its stated commitment to public health.

Transcript Highlights:

• supporting and improving the behavioral health and well-being of children and families through collaboration
• dedicated tribal behavioral health system and innovative initiatives that leverage cross-agency collaboration
• dedicated tribal behavioral health system and innovative initiatives that leverage cross-agency collaboration
• Getting services into the schools, strengthening our prevention work, the collaboration that we do with
• DSHS hosts the Washington Economic Justice Alliance, a collaboration between experts with lived experience

Bills: HB2429 , HB2171 , HB2314 , HB2364 , HB2415

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: behavioral health, youth support, mental health services, children's health, support services, foster youth, child welfare, education, mental health, dental care, habilitation centers, residential services, healthcare access, patient rights, poverty, task force, legislative, executive, social programs, fatalities

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a comprehensive system of care that is coordinated and collaborative.
• How are we going to work collaboratively with Chair Bernaski's committee?
• The regional centers are also required to work in collaboration with one another and with the Office
• OSPI and the ESDs must consult and collaborate...
• We need to have a coordinated and collaborative system so everybody isn't doing every single thing.

Bills: HB1634

Committee: House Education

Keywords: mental health, behavioral support, education, school districts, student assistance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a comprehensive system of care that is coordinated and collaborative.
• How are we going to work collaboratively with Chair Bernaski's committee?
• The regional centers are also required to work in collaboration with one another and with the Office
• OSPI and the ESDs must consult and collaborate...
• We need to have a coordinated and collaborative system so everybody isn't doing every single thing.

Summary: The House Education Committee held a work session on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and its school-based behavioral health and suicide prevention subgroup, followed by a public hearing on House Bill 1634, as amended in a proposed second substitute. Work group leaders Lisa Callan and Tisha Kirschbaum described the group’s statewide, cross-agency structure, its Washington Thriving strategic plan, and the goal of moving toward a more integrated “system of care” for children and youth. They emphasized that behavioral health, physical health, and education are interconnected, that families and schools often face a fragmented system, and that Washington’s youth flourishing outcomes show a need for stronger supports. Committee members raised concerns about regional disparities, rural access, language and cultural responsiveness, and the burden on schools and educators, while the presenters stressed that schools should be supported to identify needs and connect students to outside clinical services rather than carry the full burden themselves. Representative My-Linh Thai and Christian Stark then outlined the school-based subgroup’s work and recommendations. They said the subgroup meets monthly, includes students, parents, educators, providers, and agencies, and has focused on prevention, early identification, early intervention, and crisis response in schools. For the 2026 session, the subgroup recommended maintaining current investments in school behavioral health programs, strengthening statewide guidance on school behavioral health, and creating a coordinated technical assistance and training network for schools. They explained that the proposed substitute for HB 1634 would direct OSPI and the educational service districts to work with behavioral health agencies and community partners to conduct a needs assessment, map resources, and build a statewide framework for technical assistance and training, with public posting required by August 1, 2027. Testimony in support came from school staff, OSPI, behavioral health professionals, students, parents, and advocacy groups, who described high student anxiety, suicide risk, staffing shortages, and the need for coordinated, accessible supports. One witness from a psychiatric watchdog group opposed the bill, arguing it could increase labeling and drugging rather than holistic care. No vote was taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there collaboration between the EPA and the state?
• Is there adequate collaboration? Because both are problems we face in the future. Mr.
• We also address these concerns through our tribal collaboration and coordination. Okay.
• Any type of collaboration or information? I ask this, Mr.
• We are doing collaborative consultation with the tribes, and I can give you an example.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So local health, uh, behavioral health collaboratives across the state. It's the same.
• The healthcare authority shall collaborate, blah, blah, blah.
• And then just one last, um, with regards to the Behavioral Health collaborative.
• I think, um, the Behavioral Health Collaborative did start out strong.
• They had regional, they had, uh, collaboratives. They had, um, consumers involved.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to collaborating with you on this session.
• We look forward to working collaboratively to identify legislation in support of rebuilding in Lānaʻi
• Cross-sector collaboration, public safety.
• </c> there um cross- sector collaboration there um cross- sector collaboration Public<00:55:51.480><c
• </c> Year's have it's highly collaborative Year's have it's highly collaborative you<00:56:30.960><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been several attempts in front of this committee to address this issue, and the intent was to collaborate
• We've collaborated with members of the Senate, Senator Lant, Chairman Lant, and Senator Galloway.
• It's probably not a bill that each of us would write individually, but it is the concentrated and collaborative
• whole group. ...bill that each of us would write individually, but it is the concentrated and collaborative

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 918, with Representative Doug Pickett explaining that the measure had been worked on throughout the session in collaboration with other legislators, the Senate, and the Department of Education. He addressed questions about fees, saying the bill allows State Board of Education-approved fees and that the listed $40 and $100 amounts apply to public schools for graduation-related fees, while fees for private schools or outside users could differ. After discussion, Representative Mindy moved to send HB 918 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Several members spoke in support, noting the bill reflected extensive compromise and ongoing meetings to reach a workable version, though some concerns remained about whether it cut enough or too much and about confusion related to recent JFAC action. The committee then took a roll call vote on the motion. The vote ended in a tie, so the motion failed. The chair announced that future proceedings would proceed by call of the chair.