Transcript Highlights:

• trainings include clear guidance on reporting suspected financial abuse, not only to adult protective services
• For 100 years, CWDA has represented county human services agencies, the programs that we administer,
• One of those populations is our adult protective services.
• With the advancements in technology, it almost feels like we're always a step behind.
• With the advancements in technology, it almost feels like we're always a step behind.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Banking and Finance met and initially lacked a quorum, so it began as a subcommittee before later obtaining enough members to act. The committee took up a consent calendar containing AB 501, AB 683, and AB 1278, all of which were approved for passage to their next committees, with AB 501 sent to Judiciary and AB 683 and AB 1278 sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 871, which was presented as a measure to strengthen protections against elder financial abuse and scams by improving reporting and training requirements for financial institutions and mandated reporters. The author described the bill as a response to widespread elder fraud, including a personal family experience, and explained that the bill would add reporting guidance to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the Federal Trade Commission. Supporters, including the California Welfare Directors Association and several local government and advocacy representatives, said the bill would help identify patterns, improve coordination, and potentially stop fraudulent transfers more quickly. The California Bankers Association did not oppose the bill but raised concerns about whether IC3 is the right reporting channel in every case, whether a dollar threshold should apply, and how institutions would operationalize customer notification requirements. Several committee members spoke in support, emphasizing the prevalence and sophistication of scams targeting older adults and the need to avoid imposing civil penalties or undue liability on financial institutions. The author said she was working with stakeholders to address concerns and keep the bill effective. AB 871 was then approved on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee, and the roll was left open briefly for absent members before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Environmental Services on Department of Environmental Services on my<00:04:34.440><c> right
• Services we Department of Environmental Services we uh<00:04:57.039><c> collect</c><00:04:58.039><c>
• </c><00:05:30.240><c> Safeguard</c> residuals so these Services Safeguard residuals so these Services
• there</c><01:07:03.440><c> and</c> cap Smith all services were there and cap Smith all services were
• Thank you, Chair. it what type of Technology we'd have to it what type of Technology we'd have to use

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before the Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Chair Nicole Lowen and other legislators opened the meeting by framing the issue as important statewide and encouraging recycling, composting, and proper use of the curbside bins. The city’s Department of Environmental Services, led by Director Roger Babcock and Deputy Director Mike O’Keefe, then presented the background and siting process. ENV explained the legal and technical constraints that shaped the search, including the 2019 Land Use Commission decision requiring closure of Waimanalo Gulch by March 2, 2028, and the 2020 Act 73 restrictions on landfill siting near residences, schools, hospitals, conservation districts, airports, and tsunami inundation areas. They said a landfill advisory committee reviewed six candidate sites in 2021-2022 and rejected them because they fell within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. After further evaluation and an extension of the naming deadline, the city selected a site in central Oahu near Wahiawa, on agricultural land currently used as a Dole pineapple field. City officials said the selected site was chosen as the best of the evaluated options and, in their view, could be permitted under state and federal law. They described planned environmental protections, including a modern sanitary landfill design with double liners, leachate collection systems, monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring, and said the existing Waimanalo Gulch landfill has operated for 35 years without leachate leaks. They also emphasized that the site would still require a special use permit, Department of Health approvals, an environmental impact statement, and other public permitting processes, and that public engagement would continue over the next several years.

Transcript Highlights:

• The service provider tax could be another $2 billion.
• And the same with the service provider tax thing.
• of the service member.
• The web service connection will be a large effort.
• He said those people also use some of the services offered at the free sites.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the growing impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Arizona, the need for earlier diagnosis, better provider education, caregiver support, and continued research funding. They described current gaps in training and access to specialists, but also highlighted new therapies, lifestyle interventions, and Arizona-based research efforts. Members expressed support and optimism, but no action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard HB 2202, which appropriates $300,000 from the general fund over fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for a dementia care tele-mentoring grant program through the Department of Health Services. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, a dementia specialist, and a patient advocate, said the program would help primary care providers diagnose dementia earlier and improve care. The bill was passed out of committee on an 11-0 vote. Next, the committee took up HB 2251, the midwifery bill, which would authorize certain licensed midwives to dispense and administer specified medications and devices, require liability insurance disclosure and annual reporting, and create a Midwifery Advisory Committee. A committee amendment removed some medications and renamed the bill the Jordan and MacTerry Act. ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association opposed the bill as drafted, citing concerns about oversight, peer review, and the medication list, while licensed midwives and other supporters argued the bill would improve safety, transparency, and alignment with national standards. The bill was held for further stakeholder work, with members indicating more amendments were likely. The committee then heard HB 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during an out-of-hospital birth if approved by medical direction. Supporters described cases where continued midwife involvement during transport helped newborns and mothers, while firefighters and EMS representatives opposed the bill as written, saying it created ambiguity about command and scene control and could raise safety concerns. The chair said the bill would be held for further stakeholder meetings and possible language changes. After a recess, the committee reconvened for presentations on federal Medicaid and rural health funding impacts, beginning with JLBC’s overview of H.R. 1’s Medicaid provisions and the rural health transformation grant program.

Transcript Highlights:

• When our local hospital is forced to lay off staff, reduce services or close down entirely.
• , transportation services, and meal services.
• California's non-profits are essential partners in delivering critical services.
• Assembly Bill 1220 by Assemblymember Arambula, an act relating to developmental services.
• All consumers' denials of services, notices of actions, and appeals.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ODL's work is divided into two sides: services to government and services to libraries.
• The other side of the house is services to libraries.
• Services to libraries is charged with the development of public libraries.
• services, and supporting professional development and certification of library staff.
• That's the amount that we spend on those core shared statewide library services.

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Quality Management District was looking to encourage dry cleaners to adopt an existing cleaner technology
• were also distributing the more costly perchloroethylene technology, and they did not have an incentive
• to push the safer technology with their customers.
• And in that, we have seen... ...improvement in the services that support agriculture and public health
• California has the technology whenever there's a chemical issue or wildfire.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate hearing examined whether California’s pesticide program is meeting its public-protection goals, with opening remarks from committee chairs emphasizing the state’s large pesticide use, the need to transition toward sustainable pest management, and ongoing oversight including a state audit of DPR and county agricultural commissioner enforcement. The hearing also referenced recent concerns in Ladera Ranch about childhood cancer cases and the need for transparent investigation and community access to information. Panel one focused on human health and the regulatory framework. Dr. Anna Maria Mora described long-running CHAMACOS research showing widespread pesticide exposure in farmworker families, links to neurodevelopmental, respiratory, liver, and cardiometabolic harms, and greater impacts on children facing social adversity. She urged biomonitoring, better linkage of exposure data to health outcomes, regulation of chemical classes and mixtures, stronger buffers around homes and schools, and more community-based research. Professor Tim Malloy explained California’s two-tier system of DPR registration and county permitting, said the state’s program is strong but falls short on cumulative exposure analysis and alternatives assessment, and argued that DPR and counties need better tools, training, and funding to implement legally required protections. Committee members asked about biomonitoring, class-based regulation, and how to make pesticide data more usable for the public. Panel two brought testimony from environmental justice and farmworker advocates, who argued that California remains behind other jurisdictions by allowing highly hazardous pesticides, including 1,3-dichloropropene and paraquat, and by relying on a funding structure tied to pesticide sales. Witnesses said DPR often moves too slowly on reevaluations, rarely assesses combined exposures, and does not adequately account for health, environmental, and social costs or conflicts of interest involving pest control advisors. They also described inconsistent county-level implementation, weak outreach, and confusion over whether DPR or county agricultural commissioners are responsible for enforcement, and urged faster phaseouts, tiered fees, stronger local protections, and clearer accountability. Panel three represented regulated entities and agricultural stakeholders, who supported the goals of safer pest management but stressed that California’s registration process must be more predictable, transparent, and timely. They said AB 2113’s staffing and timeline reforms were important, but backlog and delays still hinder access to newer, lower-risk products and can hurt both consumer and agricultural uses. Agricultural witnesses also emphasized the need to invest more in pest prevention, invasive species detection, extension support, farmer training, and practical incentives for sustainable pest management. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members pressing witnesses on timelines, implementation, funding, and the division of responsibility between DPR and county agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Quality Management District was looking to encourage dry cleaners to adopt an existing cleaner technology
• Quality Management District was looking to encourage dry cleaners to adapt an existing cleaner technology
• were also distributing the more costly perchloroethylene technology, and they did not have an incentive
• to push the safer technology with their customers.
• And in that, we have seen... ...improvement in the services that support agriculture and public health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly long before technology, which has tremendously changed over the course of the last 65 years
• It comes down to modern fire suppression technology and the bravery of modern fire departments.
• that services that area.
• that services that area.
• But you have to talk about funding the service to support that style of living density.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements as most other Medi-Cal services.
• on standards for BHT services, issue and maintain clear clinical guidance for BHT services based on
• Our members provide behavior analysis services, or ABA services, across a range of settings, including
• Human security jobs, replacing them with modern advances in technology.
• He and Win, with Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, in opposition.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really important to make sure that none of those services and supports are delayed.
• Have the services that they need, and that is something that community schools do.
• There are other new, developing, and emerging technologies that can use existing technology to further
• I love PSFA, or that can be used for the new technology, new innovative stuff.
• School board members provide a great service to their communities and to schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services, and the Bureau of Family-Centered Services.
• 15% for uh developmental Services 15% for uh developmental services<00:07:57.120><c> and</c> services
• </c><00:15:08.959><c> let</c> for services um funding for services let for services um funding for services
• services in the community.
• </c> those Services um the the major service those Services um the the major service types<01:37:17.119

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• These revenues must be used by cities and counties for public defense services.
• Without services, people don't magically become independent.
• I am the CEO of Western Refinery Services in Whatcom County.
• We have 230 employees performing mostly civil construction and trucking services.
• Relying on a mobile and volatile tax base to fund essential services is risky.

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why if the book thinks, you know, they have this technology to catch that.
• <01:06:14.400><c> that</c> technologies that technologies that calculating<01:06:16.080><c> the</c><01
• ,</c><01:34:31.520><c> housing,</c> jobs, new jobs, services, housing, jobs, new jobs, services, housing
• Murph's community service was legendary.
• </c> Murph's community service was legendary. Murph's community service was legendary.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's how fast technology changes.
• or Soil Conservation Services back in the days.
• B-A-R-E, it's done by the Forest Service.
• Maybe it's a line that services a lot of homes already.
• But in the meantime, we try to still provide the same services.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• endorsement that it has been referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12 to the Committee on Public Service
• bank for Jean McCarran, an employee of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, to the Committee on Public Service
• Technology Institute. Welcome to the Chamber.
• Based on care provided by MassHealth fee-for-service patients, $18 million in new targeted payments to
• A nearly 600% spike in the families being serviced by Home Base.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several routine and ceremonial matters first, including a resolution honoring the Solomon Northup Committee and commemorating the arrival of the Solomon Northup sculpture in Boston, which was adopted. Members also adopted an order extending the Revenue Committee’s reporting deadline on House No. 4606, concurred in a Senate sick leave bank petition for Jeffrey Yatson, and suspended Joint Rule 12 for a similar sick leave bank petition for Jean McCarran. The House then advanced House No. 4413, a bill on the terms of certain Commonwealth bonds, to third reading and later passed it to be engrossed. The main floor debate centered on House No. 4601, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The bill was described as a $2.25 billion supplemental budget with a net Commonwealth cost of about $750 million, covering MassHealth, snow and ice deficiencies, Home Base, universal school meals, reproductive health care supports, a sports and entertainment fund, and other items. The bill also included outside sections on public health and finance, and it ratified seven collective bargaining agreements. The House adopted Amendment 70, which added Health Safety Net funding measures, including higher hospital assessments and a $50 million transfer from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund, after supporters said it would help avert a projected shortfall and generate federal Medicaid revenue. A separate amendment on Home Base eligibility was rejected. The House also adopted a consolidated amendment that included provisions affecting western and central Massachusetts municipal health insurance costs and changes to violent injury benefit language for first responders, including clarifying the definition of a weapon and tightening the standard for covered injuries. Another consolidated amendment was adopted by roll call, and the bill itself was then passed to be engrossed by a recorded vote. The session ended with an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and a motion to adjourn in memory of former House members Thomas and George, which was agreed to before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's also a repository for various student fees, such as an activity and service fee, technology
• These services support the educational mission of the university and enhance its functions.
• And finally, we have faculty practice, which is the repository for patient services formed by our medical
• But it's also a repository for various student fees, such as an activity and service fee, technology
• These services support the educational mission of the university and enhance its functions.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from Tim Jones, Senior Vice Chancellor and CFO for the State University System of Florida, on the system’s funding methodology, budget structure, tuition, and performance-based funding. He outlined the system’s scale, including 12 universities, more than 430,000 students taking classes, about 78,000 employees, and a roughly $20 billion operating budget. He also reviewed tuition levels, noting Florida’s low resident undergraduate tuition, the lack of tuition increases since 2013, and the distinction between state-set resident tuition and Board of Governors authority over other tuition categories. Jones described several funding components, including performance funding, preeminence funding, faculty recruitment and retention programs, universities of distinction, nursing pipeline and matching programs, and operational enhancements. He explained that performance funding is based on a 100-point model tied to retention, graduation, employment, and other metrics, with student success plans required if scores decline or fall below 70 points. He said the current performance funding allocation is $350 million and the legislative budget request seeks $400 million. He also said the new SUS 30 strategic plan will lead to updates in the performance metrics and benchmarks, with some changes possibly phased in over time. Senators asked questions about how the new strategic plan will affect future scoring, how long universities have to improve after declining scores, and how out-of-state enrollment and tuition are handled. Jones said universities will be evaluated on the current metrics for the upcoming budget cycle, while the new plan’s changes will be developed later and may include glide paths. He also said there is no statutory cap on nonresident students, though the Board of Governors has a 10% systemwide guideline under discussion, and that graduate out-of-state tuition varies by program and requires institutional and Board of Governors approval. No votes were taken, no public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• SO THAT PARTICULAR BILL SET FORTH A CHALLENGE, AND ENVIRONMENT THAT ELIMINATE NON-BENEFICIAL SERVICE
• FIVE CATEGORIES THE STATUTE OUTLINES THAT SAID IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO ELIMINATE ON BENEFICIAL WATER SERVICE
• WE ARE 900 SQUARE MILES OF THE SERVICE.
• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I WORK WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IN THE ENVIROMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION.
• TECHNOLOGY MATURES MAYBE WE COULD BECOME MORE AFFORDABLE. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. >> Sen.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Barnaby and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, you are recognized
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, fiscal year 2025 through 2026 legislative budget
• This program is administered by the Florida Forest Service and focuses on maintaining the agricultural
• Florida Forest Service. Florida Forest Service.
• They need to focus on advancements in technology to limit the impact that harmful algal blooms have on

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to hear member-led presentations on agency budget requests after prior meetings with the agencies. Representative Barnaby summarized the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ fiscal year 2025-26 request, highlighting major funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, Florida Forest Service wildfire and land management needs, citrus disease and research efforts, a new Conner Complex facility and lab, agricultural water and BMP projects, agricultural law enforcement staffing and equipment, maintenance and vehicle needs, and federal grant-related spending. No vote was taken on the department’s request during the meeting. Representative Bartleman presented the Department of Environmental Protection request and said the subcommittee supported it fully. The request emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality grants, springs, harmful algal bloom and red tide response, alternate water supplies, resilience and flood prevention, beach and coral reef restoration, land acquisition and state parks, and cleanup of petroleum, dry cleaning, and hazardous waste sites. Representative Alvarez asked DEP to provide a list of the most contaminated lakes, along with estimated costs, so the committee could prioritize cleanup efforts. Representative Black summarized the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission request, which included additional law enforcement funding in high-demand areas, oyster and reef restoration, habitat restoration, heavy equipment for land management and prescribed burning, a water survival training center, and red snapper data research. Representative Salzman then presented the Department of Citrus request, describing a lean agency budget focused on operations, PALM readiness, marketing and consumer awareness, greening-resistant plant material, and building repairs; the workgroup recommended fully funding the request. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff for the more member-driven budget process, and the subcommittee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts and public charter schools participating in and buying services through these regional service
• You'd come forward and you would say, as a school district, I'm looking to buy into this service.
• instead of some online contracted service with someone that you never meet.
• It would strengthen services to students with disabilities and reduce... Okay.
• It would strengthen services to students with disabilities, reduce, It would strengthen services to students

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Tomkow: The Health and Human Services Committee will come to order.
• Chair Tomkow: Next up, we will take CS for CS for CS HB 7065, Childcare and Early Learning Services by
• or who has a service related disability at the time of death.
• So finally, the bill requires a review of the gap in access of services across the state members.
• It is the one service that we all must have for waiver support for APD iBudget services.