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:

• The EAC program is a collaborative effort focused on increasing opportunities for individuals with disabilities
• So I started in 2023 in October, and pretty much immediately we kicked off collaboration with the Massachusetts
• So I started in 2023 in October, and pretty much immediately we kicked off collaboration with the Massachusetts
• are using, the barriers they continue to see, and where there may be opportunities for stronger collaboration
• Members express interest in creating more opportunities to collaborate, including sharing resources.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met virtually and in person for its June meeting. Members approved the March meeting minutes and heard a chair’s report on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, including the successful Lowell event and plans for a July 14 Northampton event and an October National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration at the State House. The October event will include a panel with MassAbility on artificial intelligence and its impacts on people with disabilities, with discussion of both accessibility benefits and risks such as bias and discrimination. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. Staff described the program’s evolution from a pilot launched after 2016 legislation to a statewide policy now included in new state contracts. The program aims to increase certification of disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, expand workforce participation by people with disabilities, and use vendor reporting to track progress toward a 3% workforce goal. The office reported about 292 active certified businesses, roughly 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and expectations that the number of participating vendors will grow to about 130 by November. Commissioners praised the program and asked about its reach, data, and potential replication in other states or institutions. The advisory council update highlighted broad engagement across topics including accessibility, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, AI, and supported decision-making. Members were asked to share fact sheets and resources for posting on the commission website, and two council members will help plan the October employment event. Subcommittee reports followed: the employment subcommittee reviewed transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a SEED policy brief; the workforce supports subcommittee discussed apprenticeships and a May webinar on addressing workforce barriers through apprenticeships; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard about care coordination training resources and a presentation on post-COVID health care inequities for people with disabilities. The executive director also reported on ongoing work with state agencies, MassHealth-related conversations, caregiver and aging issues, and AI planning. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, followed by adjournment by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• engage on an ongoing basis so that U.S. and the plans can that the agency in the plans can really collaborate
• Some pips are collaborative in nature, meaning that all the plans are focusing on a single target and
• So for the goal of growing up healthy, a collaborative PIP across the plans was established.
• A collaborative pip across the plan's focus on improving timeliness of prenatal care and postpartum care
• agency goals on the types of pets that the plan's established again, having areas where we can collaborate

Transcript Highlights:

• The innovation hub where we're currently sitting is where cross-sector collaboration thrives.
• intention, guided by data from the City's 2023 Workforce and Education Needs Assessment and in collaboration
• And some areas of opportunity for collaboration with the state, certainly in the context of the state's
• One area that we see continued support from the state and opportunity to collaborate is around the R&
• Are these seen as competitive or collaborative, complementary, and how is that, how are we pulling them

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WHAT WE WANT TO MOVE TOWARD IN THE FUTURE AND HOW WE ARE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PACE ORGANIZATION
• AND WE WANT TO THINK THE LEGISLATURE FOR COLLABORATION ON THIS AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS
• ONES THAT MAKE SENSE AND WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PACE ORGANIZATION TO RIGHT SIDE IT TO UNDERSTAND
• SHARED THIS DRAFT WITH THE PACE ORGANIZATIONS AND WILL EMBARK OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR IN A COLLABORATIVE
• PROCESS WITH THE PACE ORGANIZATIONS AND REALLY TRY TO THE COURSE OF THE YEAR IN A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Collaborate with another institution, maybe dedicate institutional resources to make this a go.
• So again, it might mean collaborating with another institution in or out of state to teach out those
• How often does that happen where there's collaboration?
• mind is that of Bismarck State College collaborating with Valley City and Minot State.
• and NDSU have collaborated with feeder institutions.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So 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
• The detention and deportation collaborative that you heard about today is the first and unique here in
• The detention and deportation collaborative that you heard about today is the first and unique here in

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard presentations on the Office of the State Public Defender, civil legal aid funding, and Judicial Branch operations. The State Public Defender requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the workload has grown substantially through retroactive capital-case briefing, habeas proceedings, data requests, and related statistical analysis. She also presented findings from a public defense workload and staffing report showing that California’s county-based public defense system is under-resourced, with too few attorneys, investigators, and support staff, especially in rural counties, and that statewide standards and funding are lacking. Committee members asked about the scope of racial bias claims, the impact of collaborative courts and Prop. 36, and the need for statewide cost estimates and phased funding options. The committee then heard from legal aid advocates and a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in support of increased civil legal aid funding. Witnesses described the Equal Access Fund, homelessness prevention services, health care access, and immigration detention defense as cost-effective ways to prevent evictions, stabilize families, and reduce downstream public costs. They requested a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, along with additional targeted investments from the California Access to Justice Commission. Testimony emphasized the severe shortage of legal aid attorneys, the high demand for immigration representation, and the role of legal aid in domestic violence, housing, and family law matters. Senators asked for more information on service locations, outreach, funding losses, and how the requested amounts were calculated. In the Judicial Branch overview, Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including a $70 million increase for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel and case processing. They said the money is needed to offset inflation, supply chain costs, and staffing pressures, and to preserve access to justice. Senators pressed the branch and Department of Finance on interpreter shortages, midyear funding flexibility, courthouse facilities needs, and judgeship needs in inland counties. Finance officials said they were aware of the broader facilities backlog, and the committee requested follow-up information on the full capital and maintenance needs, interpreter funding, and updated judgeship and workload data. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working collaboratively with our counterparts at the Farm Bureau and Cattlemen's Association,
• In the spirit of this bill, they have been collaborative and not confrontational.
• I do want to thank the author for collaborating and working again.
• I appreciate the committee's collaboration with us in this important legislation. I apologize.
• I think we can all agree that global free collaboration with scientists around the world is important

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to promote nonlethal human-wildlife conflict reduction and support coexistence efforts for species such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions. Supporters, including wildlife groups and local government representatives, said the prior program was effective and that proactive tools like fladry, guardian animals, deterrents, reporting, and outreach reduce conflicts and costs. Ranching and agricultural groups were opposed unless amended, saying they supported the concept but wanted changes to the wolf-livestock compensation program, including clearer practicability standards, protection of compensation funds, and more flexibility on nonlethal requirements. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the measure left on call. The committee then took up SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA, so local agencies still receive information about whether sufficient water exists for the project. The author and sponsor argued the bill would keep water planning and land use planning linked and prevent “paper water” problems, while the California Building Industry Association opposed it, warning it could add delay, uncertainty, and litigation risk for housing projects already subject to other water-supply safeguards. Members discussed how the bill would affect different local structures, especially cities that also operate their own water systems, and whether the assessment adds value in those cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Local Government and was left on call. SB 1270 was next, expanding the California wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot beyond the original six counties to include four additional high-risk counties identified by Cal OES and Cal Fire, and directing future funding toward those areas. Supporters said the recent Los Angeles fires showed the need to broaden access to home-hardening assistance, while members discussed whether the program should remain geographically targeted or be made available statewide based on need. The bill was amended in committee and passed 5-0 to Emergency Management, left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major proposal to place a $23 billion bond on the ballot to create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research and stabilize scientific research funding in the state. The author, UC, UAW, and many research, labor, health, and university groups supported the measure, arguing that federal cuts and instability threaten California’s research workforce, innovation, and economy. Some members raised concerns about the size of the bond and about political issues involving one sponsor, but the author said the foundation would operate under California law and the bill is intended to keep science funding open and collaborative. The bill was moved out of committee on a 5-0 vote and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, AB 664 would undermine the collaboration at the heart of these partnerships.
• For these reasons, we oppose AB 664 and would strongly urge more work on collaboration projects.
• would undermine the collaboration at the heart of these partnerships.
• For these reasons, we oppose AB664 and would strongly urge more work on collaboration projects.
• I don't believe that it contributes to honest and collaborative dialogue.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I can appreciate that desire to institutionalize that collaboration.
• So I can appreciate that desire to institutionalize that collaboration.
• The livestock owner was wonderful and was collaborating with us.
• So whoever wants to collaborate, we are ready and we are eager.
• Everyone wants the same thing: less conflict, more collaboration.

Summary: The hearing focused on human-wildlife conflict in California, especially predator management involving bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. The chair and Assemblymember Hadwick framed the issue as a balance between protecting people, livestock, and property while preserving wildlife and biodiversity, citing habitat loss, development, drought, wildfire, and climate change as drivers of conflict. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials described their conflict-response work, including public education, depredation permits, wildlife incident reporting, and coordination with sheriffs, counties, and other agencies. They also noted that wildlife sightings and conflicts are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas, including recent mountain lion activity in San Francisco and ongoing bear conflicts in places like Tahoe and Sierra Madre. CDFW staff outlined the department’s human-wildlife conflict program, including the WEIR reporting system, a public toolkit, limited-term staff, and regional response efforts. They said the program grew out of drought-related incidents and later state funding, but that one-time money has expired, creating service gaps. Officials also discussed specific management approaches such as Tahoe’s trap-tag-haze bear program, DNA-based incident tracking, and the use of nonlethal deterrents before lethal action. For wolves, they explained that the species is protected and managed differently from bears and lions, that there is no general depredation-kill process for wolves, and that the department is working on data-sharing agreements, county liaisons, compensation programs, and improved coordination with ranchers and local law enforcement. Members pressed the department on underreporting, trust in state agencies, the need for sheriffs to participate in investigations, and whether more authority should be given for public-safety removals or hazing. Assemblymember Gonzalez also raised wildlife trafficking and border enforcement issues in Southern California. The panel repeatedly emphasized that more resources, technology, and local partnerships are needed. Officials gave budget context, saying roughly $17 million in one-time funding over several years supported conflict response and wolf compensation efforts, but that staffing and program capacity remain limited. The chair concluded by noting interest in further work on technology, funding, and institutionalizing collaboration, and the hearing then moved to a second panel of university researchers who presented on wolf and mountain lion conflict, habitat planning, trust, and the need for flexible, science-based, locally tailored mitigation strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that partnership and that collaboration is extremely important.
• </c><00:24:33.200><c> is</c><00:24:33.399><c> extremely</c> that collaboration is extremely that collaboration
• The first bureau she described was the Child Development and Head Start Collaboration Office.
• </c><01:31:06.600><c> with</c> that population in collaboration with that population in collaboration
• </c><02:18:03.080><c> under</c> work with it's very collaborative under work with it's very collaborative

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• system and hospital leaders, statewide insurance providers, clinics, small providers, as well as collaboration
• As a long-term hospital provider in our state and in collaboration with our partners at the Louisiana
• I think this is the... ...first step in that process of working collaboratively with the association
• This has been a collaborative effort with the nursing homes as well, and this is about providing better
• So in the collaborative practices, you know, in those other areas, they're physically supposed to be

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present and adopted the April 28 minutes. The committee first heard a presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, a leadership and networking initiative focused on Louisiana health care challenges such as workforce shortages, rural access, chronic disease, and the economic impact of health care. Speakers described it as a cross-sector program intended to build informed leaders and support collaboration with health systems, insurers, providers, LDH, and the Louisiana Hospital Association. The committee then moved through a series of bills, generally adopting amendments and reporting measures favorably. SB 57, a nutrition/labeling bill, was amended to delay the effective date for the labeling provision until December 31, 2028, and was reported as amended. HB 62 increased membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission and was reported as amended, and HB 193 adjusted membership rules for the Sickle Cell Commission foundations and was also reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help close accounts and avoid problems with automatic payments and federal benefit clawbacks; it was reported favorably. SB 405, which had been heard earlier, was reworked to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing home quality initiative, including short- and long-term quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, internal expertise, and reporting requirements; after reconsidering prior amendments, the committee adopted the new amendment and reported the bill as amended. The committee also advanced several health and human services bills. HB 222 would allow Medicaid dental coverage when needed to clear a patient for another covered medical procedure, and it was reported as amended after LDH said the cost could be absorbed. HB 420 expanded DCFS background-check requirements to cover staff with access to sensitive records, and HB 475 required verbal consent before AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit; both were reported favorably. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council for grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police, and was reported as amended. HB 486 joined Louisiana to the psychology interjurisdictional compact to expand access to psychologists through telepsychology and temporary practice across state lines, and HB 574 updated outdated board names in the Mental Health Advisory Services Board statute; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee heard HB 949, which would create a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address radiologist shortages and improve imaging access, especially in rural areas. Testimony emphasized that RAs work under radiologist supervision and would extend capacity without replacing physicians; the bill was reported favorably. HB 584 required foster children to be provided luggage or similar items instead of trash bags when moving placements, and also corrected language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights from “privileges” back to “rights” while extending the bill’s applicability to children from birth to age 18; it was reported as amended. The committee also reported HB 1214, which restructures certain LDH state facilities into a more unified system, and HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill, both favorably. Finally, HB 203 added members from Christus Health System and Xavier University’s College of Medicine to the uterine fibroids commission and was reported favorably before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So whether he's strategizing on the football field or collaborating with our district team to tackle
• We're committed to working collaboratively with all of you and our stakeholders to ensure that we're.
• Through our collaborative and complementary governance responsibilities, together we will continue to
• I want to thank him for his thoughtful collaboration with the Legislature and the judiciary and for his
• And we will still have more time with him, so I look forward to our continued collaboration.

Summary: The Assembly met, established a quorum after a roll call, and handled a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor items. Members recognized several guests and student groups, then moved through the daily file, including second-reading items, Senate amendments, and the consent calendar, which was adopted 54-0. The chamber also adopted ACR 151 recognizing March 25 as Greek Independence Day, with 59 co-authors added, and ACR 146 designating March 2026 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, with 61 co-authors added; both resolutions were adopted by voice vote. ACR 140, proclaiming March 21 as Women in STEM Day, also passed with 56 co-authors added and was adopted by voice vote. The most substantial debate centered on AB 2156, which renames Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Workers’ Day and declares an urgency clause. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry and several members spoke in support, emphasizing recognition of farm workers’ collective contributions and, in light of recent revelations about Cesar Chavez, the need to honor the broader movement rather than one individual. Other members echoed support while discussing farmworker history, accountability, and the importance of acknowledging survivors. Assembly Member DeMaio supported the bill but criticized state policies affecting agriculture and argued for broader recognition of Latino Californians and farmworker policy reforms. The bill passed with 67 votes and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. Later, the Assembly recessed for the Joint Convention and heard the 26th State of the Judiciary address from Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. She focused on judicial independence, threats to judges, remote proceedings, CARE Act implementation, trial court funding and judgeship shortages, AI use in courts, immigration-related courthouse concerns, State Bar reforms after the February 2025 bar exam problems, and judicial salaries. She also highlighted the judiciary’s centennial, the importance of collaboration with the Legislature and Governor Newsom, and the need to preserve equal access to justice. After the address was ordered printed in the Journal, the joint convention adjourned and the Assembly later adjourned until Thursday, March 26 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also save time to talk about regional collaboration and, of course, hear public comments from other
• And so these motivations led us to pursue the collaborative effort with ourselves, Central Washington
• These were designed again in collaboration with students, families, and other higher ed professionals
• And so these motivations led us to pursue the collaborative effort with ourselves, Central Washington
• These were designed again in collaboration with students, families, and other higher ed professionals

Bills: SB6325 , SGA9302 , SGA9286 , SGA9289 , SGA9290 , SGA9292 , SGA9293 , SGA9309 , SGA9310 , SGA9311 , SGA9312

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: higher education, student procedures, academic policies, enrollment processes, educational standards, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, PED should collaborate with school districts and charter schools to clearly define
• In New Mexico, the Public Education Department is fortunate enough to have a collaborative partnership
• At the state level, the Public Education Department in collaboration with the Department of Health are
• It's why we've talked about collaboration so much.
• In Finland, it's required every two hours, every day, collaboration with each other.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Decisive, yet collaborative. But above all, this leader needs to unify a divided house.
• importantly, she knows how to lead boldly, taking a stand on key issues while remaining open to collaboration
• and I have no doubt that with her at the helm, the Minnesota House can be a place of progress, collaboration
• She understands that the path forward often requires balance—balancing boldness with collaboration, leadership