Transcript Highlights:

• Sir, Ron Vanderhoof, Texas Game Wardens.
• Ron Vanderhoof, Texas Game Wardens.
• Ron Vandrus, Game Wardens.
• get their news from social media.
• The game warden with a cell phone, whatever.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also face unpredictable schedules, Courts and social networks.
• The Department of Social and Health Services operates four residential habilitation centers.
• I do need a prediction for tomorrow's game, including the score, please, Luke.
• As a Premier League soccer fan, I assume you mean the Liverpool game. Yeah.
• As a Premier League soccer fan, I assume you mean the Liverpool game.

Bills: HB2099 , HB2317 , HB2318 , HB2350

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to acquire, retain, and improve skills
• in daily living, communication, socialization, and self-help.
• They focus on increasing functional skills, promoting wellness, and facilitating community integration
• ATF Junior Olympic Games in the eight-and-under category.
• sixth place in the 800 meters in her age group and then went on to finish second in the Junior Olympic Games

Summary: The Senate took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with unanimous adoption of resolutions congratulating two Eagle Scouts. It then advanced several local and special acts, including measures on Machado-Joseph disease awareness day, the Ipswich senior tax referral program, Swampscott conservation commission appointments, protections for individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs, continued employment in Brookfield, Marblehead parking fines, Natick’s home rule charter, and Boston affordable housing/branch library space. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees. The Senate enacted House bills authorizing additional wine and malt beverage licenses in Lexington and a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Melrose. It also passed Senate Bill 2603 on affordable car rentals after adopting an amendment; supporters said the bill would reduce rental costs by changing Massachusetts’ rental car insurance rules to align with most other states. Senate Bill 1057 on fentanyl test strips was also passed to be engrossed after Senator Creem argued the bill would expand access to a low-cost overdose prevention tool and save lives. Senator Moore then spoke in support of expanding Nikki’s Law to cover MassHealth day habilitation programs, describing the bill as a needed protection for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. A major portion of the meeting focused on House 4530, a FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing $234 million for hospitals and community health centers. Senators discussed the Health Safety Net shortfall, rising health care costs, underinsurance, and federal reimbursement; Ways and Means explained that about $93 million was expected back in federal financial participation, making the net state cost about $140 million. The Senate also took up House 4531 on the 2026 state primary election date, rejecting an amendment before passing the bill to engrossment. The chamber later adopted emergency preambles for House 4530 and House 4531, and all three final bills—Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day, the supplemental budget, and the primary election date bill—were enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate adjourned in memory of Ricardo Barbosa after a memorial statement by Senator Miranda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason seems kind of flimsy, to be honest, is apparently because they are a drain on our social
• I'll just say that the only drain on our social system has been Congress with cuts to Medicaid and SNAP
• AND THE REASON SEEMS KIND OF FLIMSY, TO BE HONEST, IS APPARENTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE A DRAIN ON OUR SOCIAL
• I'LL JUST SAY THAT THE ONLY DRAIN ON OUR SOCIAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN CONGRESS WITH CUTS TO MEDICAID AND SNAP
• HAVE THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN VETERANS LAW TO MAKE SOUND DECISIONS.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kelly Burma, who is our Skills Center Coordinator.
• or SSI, we can get a portion of the estimated savings to Social Security Trust Fund.
• security that is disability social security.
• You also mentioned social worker.
• What we do is have our master's level social workers work with the families in two ways.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• They are rolling back our hard-fought economic progress by cutting funding for health care and other social
• Which industries have the highest rates of employees who rely on social services?
• We are pawns in a much bigger game. The last major shutdown was 43 days.
• We are ponds in a much bigger game. The last major shutdown was 43 days.
• Stories spread very fast via social media, much faster than fact-checking can keep up.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The Senate Labor and Public Employment Committee held an oversight hearing on federal policy impacts on California’s labor market. In opening remarks, the chair argued that federal actions, including immigration enforcement, tariffs, and cuts to safety-net programs, are harming workers, employers, and communities, and said the committee wanted to document impacts and identify state responses. The first panel featured economist Enrique Lopez Lira of UC Berkeley, who described slow job growth, wage pressures, high housing and care costs, and the large share of California workers in low-wage jobs. He said federal cuts to Medi-Cal and SNAP/CalFresh and increased immigration enforcement would worsen insecurity, especially in health care, retail, hospitality, agriculture, and care work. The chair asked about recession indicators, middle-wage stagnation, and which sectors rely most on safety-net programs, and Lopez Lira said worker organizing and unions were a source of hope. A second panel focused on federal immigration enforcement. UC Merced’s Edward Orozco Flores presented research finding that private-sector employment in enforcement-targeted states fell during escalated enforcement periods, with California experiencing unprecedented declines in 2025. He urged policymakers to consider wage-replacement or stimulus-style support for affected workers, including excluded workers who cannot access unemployment insurance. Shannon Sedgwick of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation said undocumented workers are deeply embedded in the county economy, generating substantial economic activity and supporting over a million jobs. She reported that intensified enforcement in Los Angeles County was associated with business disruptions, reduced sales and customer traffic, workforce instability, lower transit ridership in vulnerable areas, and losses from the downtown curfew. Committee members asked about impacts on small businesses, tax revenue, and recovery, and witnesses pointed to local resiliency funds, business toolkits, and know-your-rights efforts as partial responses. The hearing then heard from worker representatives. Flore Melendres of the Clean Car Wash Worker Center said car washes have been heavily targeted by federal agents, with hundreds of workers taken from workplaces, many businesses disrupted or closed, and workers living in fear; she urged support for AB 2271 to provide financial benefits to families who lost income because of DHS activity. California Nurses Association president Michelle Gutierrez-Vos said H.R. 1’s Medi-Cal and Covered California cuts threaten hospital finances, jobs, and patient care, and she backed CalCare (AB 1900), a hospital closure moratorium, and more support for nursing education. UAW 4811 president Rafael Jaime said federal research cuts are putting UC research funding and postdoctoral jobs at risk and endorsed SB 895, a proposed bond measure for health and scientific research. AFGE representatives Wallace Wade and Kendrick Roberson described the strain on federal workers during shutdowns, unpaid work, staffing losses, and the effects on TSA, Social Security, VA services, and worker housing stability; they supported SB 1155 to protect federal workers from eviction. Committee members thanked the witnesses and said the testimony showed both the human and economic consequences of federal policy. In the final panel, employer groups began responding to the same federal pressures. California Retailers Association president Rachel Michelin said retail is a major private-sector employer and a key entry point for young workers, and that retailers are seeing the effects of rising costs, supply-chain shifts, and consumer pressure at the checkout counter. The hearing continued with additional employer testimony beyond the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The dedication of game wardens during...
• Ron Vanderoos, Colonel, Texas Game Wardens.
• Sir, Ron Fandrews, Texas Game Wardens. Same lines.
• Ron Vandrus, Game Warden.
• of people who get their news now from social media.

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• science research on gender bias, and creates a new basis for habeas corpus petitions. ...social science
• Data brokers collect and sell information from public records, and social media can allow individuals
• Data brokers collect and sell information from public records, and social media can allow individuals
• We know that a safe game is central to a successful game.
• I'm confident that the team at L.A. 28 is central to a successful game.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety bills, with most of the discussion focused on AB 1650, AB 2014, AB 1886, AB 2126, AB 2624, and AB 2257. AB 1650 would require clearer identification on privately owned vehicles rented or leased to government agencies for enforcement operations; supporters framed it as a transparency and safety measure in response to ICE activity, while no opposition testified. AB 2014 would allow post-conviction habeas relief where gender bias or stereotypes were used at trial and may have affected the outcome; supporters described cases involving sexist and anti-LGBTQ stereotypes, while the California District Attorneys Association opposed the bill as overbroad and likely to restrict relevant evidence, though the author said recent amendments removed the evidence-code provisions and left only the habeas remedy. AB 1886 would extend a 12-month probation presumption to youth in out-of-home placements and those discharged from secure youth treatment facilities; youth advocates supported it as a fairness and rehabilitation measure, while judges, probation officials, and district attorneys opposed it as undoing a recent compromise and limiting individualized decisions. AB 2126 would speed hiring of peer partners in child welfare by creating a narrow exemption process for certain foster-youth-related offenses; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2624 would expand the Safe at Home address-confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters cited threats, doxing, and harassment, while one journalist opposed it over possible effects on reporting, and the author and committee members said the bill preserves press protections and is narrowly aimed at threats and harassment. AB 2257 would restore county authority to create a separate corrections department to run jails instead of the sheriff; supporters argued it would improve accountability and address jail deaths and fiscal problems, while sheriffs opposed it as unnecessary and said sheriffs are already subject to oversight. The committee also noted several bills pulled by their authors and adopted a consent calendar of unrelated measures. Votes were not always taken immediately because the committee was waiting for a quorum, but AB 2624 was moved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and left on call, and the chair indicated support or favorable recommendations on several of the other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• sextortion and obscene. destructive nature of social media on destructive nature of social media on
• , the Social media use causes declines in Social media use causes declines in mental<00:03:22.080><c>
• These social and suicidal thoughts.
• Since the social media this up.
• </c> the rights of adults to utilize social the rights of adults to utilize social media<00:15:29.519

Committee: House Small Business & Information Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• Does anybody know what the first college football game was in the United States?
• Do you know what the first college football game was in the United States? All right.
• My computer skills have been very limited, but since I've gone to the school, my computer skills have
• My computer skills have been very limited, but since I've gone to the school, my computer skills have
• This is skilled care.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills and public testimony, beginning with introductions and then taking up several health and human services measures. A major focus was SB 1120 and SB 1121, which address radiation protection in cardiac catheterization and other ionizing-radiation procedure rooms. SB 1120 would require health care facilities to equip at least 50% of procedure rooms with radiation protection systems by July 1, 2027, while SB 1121 would prohibit requiring lead aprons in rooms with such systems and instead require real-time dosimeters for staff who opt out of lead aprons. Physicians, nurses, and a hospital executive testified that enhanced radiation protection systems can dramatically reduce occupational exposure, lower cancer and orthopedic risks, and help with workforce recruitment and retention; a hospital alliance remained neutral pending further stakeholder discussions. Both bills were amended and passed out of committee on 7-0 votes, and SB 1118, which appropriates state funds for a rural hospital grant program to install radiation protection systems, also passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1001, which appropriates $1 million to the Department of Economic Security for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, after testimony from blind and low-vision Arizonans and advocates describing long waitlists, the need for independent living training, and the program’s role in preventing unnecessary dependence. SB 1072, a major funding bill for home- and community-based services and room-and-board rate increases for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, drew testimony from providers about severe staffing shortages, overtime, turnover, and underfunding; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. SB 1125, requiring DCS to pursue MOUs with tribes and improve tribal communication and access to licensing and enforcement information, also passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee then considered SB 1123, which removes a board-certification requirement so trained forensic pathologists can supervise autopsy training for residents and fellows; Maricopa County supported it as a workforce and training fix, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. SB 1052, allowing mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living facilities under physician order and DHS rules, generated mixed testimony: supporters argued it could improve health and independence for residents, while opponents raised concerns about off-label treatment in nonmedical settings. The bill passed 5-2. SB 1112, which reduces the number of acquaintance witnesses required in court-ordered treatment proceedings from two to one and allows the court to waive the witness requirement under certain conditions, drew strong testimony from families and mental health advocates on both sides; it passed 5-2. The committee also began hearing SB 1113, which would allow certain service of process in court-ordered evaluation and treatment cases by evaluation-agency employees or other court-authorized persons, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know all three of you know about credit for prior learning, and this is really recognizing the skills
• I know all three of you know about credit for prior learning, and this is really recognizing the skills
• receive credit for prior learning, they can skip the first several courses that they already have skills
• I think this is going to be a game changer. No state has figured out how to do it systematically.
• Navigating financial aid and learning the rules of a new game can be a jarring experience.

Summary: The subcommittee first noted that item one on the Imagination Library update was being pulled pending review of newly received receipts, invoices, and backup documentation from the State Library and the Department of Finance. The chair said the committee would continue reviewing the materials and later determine whether additional oversight and accountability measures are needed regarding taxpayer funds and implementation of the program. The main discussion focused on the California Community Colleges budget request. Chancellor Christian described strong post-pandemic enrollment recovery and asked the Legislature to fund 3% enrollment growth, change the funding formula to use the highest of the three years rather than a three-year average, and remove the 10% growth cap to avoid unfunded FTES. She also urged support for the Governor’s proposals on COLA, deferral repayment, the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, and Calbright College, while adding requests for AI literacy funding, a Rebuild L.A. workforce effort, veterans services, and support for the Chancellor’s Office. Senators raised concerns about high district reserves, part-time faculty conditions, veterans’ credit pathways, and enrollment fraud; Christian said reserves are complex but should be addressed district by district, and that identity verification and AI tools are being used to prevent fraudulent enrollments. Finance and LAO staff then reviewed the student-centered funding formula and enrollment growth proposals. DOF said the Governor’s budget fully repays $408.4 million in deferrals, provides a 2.41% COLA, and includes funding to cover current-year apportionment costs; LAO recommended prioritizing those proposals but suggested beginning enrollment growth funding in 2026-27 rather than revising the current-year target. Chris Ferguson said most districts are growing, that 54 of 72 districts would benefit from a formula change favoring current-year enrollment, and that unfunded growth remains a concern. On facilities, staff explained that deferred maintenance needs are about $2.2 billion, with projects prioritized by life safety, modernization, and capacity needs. The final item was Calbright College. President Menon said Calbright serves more than 6,200 adult learners statewide, with strong completion and wage gains, and asked for the Governor’s proposed $38 million ongoing increase. She and staff emphasized Calbright’s flexible, competency-based model, its partnerships with employers and other colleges, and its role in serving working adults and caregivers. LAO questioned the proposed funding level and recommended moving Calbright onto the student-centered funding formula in the future to better tie funding to enrollment and outcomes, while Calbright argued its structure is different from traditional colleges and needs separate treatment. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that, I think, is really telling that we must, when we think about social mobility, we must open
• At CSUSM, workforce development is embedded into our mission of social mobility.
• At CSUSM, workforce development is embedded into our mission of social mobility.
• So that's an example of the social innovation that we do here on the campus.
• It's not about a zero-sum game or some big competition. We know our niche.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in San Diego focused on “Making Sense of California’s Economy: Real Cost Pressures and Household Impacts Facing San Diego.” Chair Salas and Assemblymember Darshana Patel opened by emphasizing affordability, housing, and the importance of bringing state policy discussions into the community. The first panel featured leaders from Cal State San Marcos and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, who described the region’s innovation ecosystem, the university’s role in social mobility and workforce development, and the importance of partnerships with K-12 schools, community colleges, military installations, and industry. They also highlighted regional strengths in life sciences, aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and venture-backed innovation, while warning that housing costs, federal research cuts, permitting delays, and small-business fragility threaten growth and talent retention. Committee members asked about collaboration among higher education institutions and what state policy changes could help. Panelists said the region’s universities are complementary rather than competitive and stressed the value of public-private partnerships, social innovation, and aligning academic programs with employer needs. On policy, they urged faster permitting, possible regulatory sandboxes, stronger research investment, support for cross-border trade and manufacturing, and more housing affordability to keep workers in the region. The second panel centered on small business and entrepreneurship, with testimony from Hydrostasis founder Dr. Debbie Chen, Amai co-founder Sven Davison, and Asian Business Association San Diego CEO Jason Pagal. Chen described building a hydration-monitoring wearable, the barriers women founders face in accessing capital, and the importance of SBDC, Stella Foundation, and university internship support. Davison described Amai’s edible cup business and how tariffs, supply-chain costs, and financing constraints forced the company to pivot manufacturing plans. Pagal presented survey data showing high relocation intent, difficulty hiring, and low confidence among businesses, and recommended expanded technical assistance, regional cost-of-living adjustments, and small-business affordability zones. During questioning, members discussed targeted procurement and local incentive models, the role of SBDC and other support networks, and how to better tailor state programs to local conditions. Public comment came from the California Southern Small Business Development Corporation, which stressed that access to affordable capital remains a major challenge and noted the volume of loan guarantee requests coming from San Diego. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks from both members underscoring the need to use local testimony to shape future state policy and support California’s economy, families, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rooted social work in preparing today's dialogue.
• Facundo Valdez School of Social Work, is Dr.
• specifically the need for social work education.
• of social work.
• My degree is in social work, and my first career was as a certified clinical social worker.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• School districts started buying social-emotional curriculum.
• Education should not be a battleground for political games.
• As we acknowledge the serious effects of social media.
• Language arts, math. science, and skilled crafts.
• Social media, video games, and even now AI chatbots are competing for their attention.

Bills: SB12 , SB1565 , SB13 , SJR12 , SB686 , SB371 , SB204 , SB609 , SB112 , SB400 , SB813 , SB 12 , SB 13

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• responsibility officer corporate social responsibility officer corporate social responsibility officer
• and what that means to the that game and what that means to the that game and what that means to the
• Circle I don't have to be in the Social Circle I don't have to be in the Social Circle I don't have
• to be kind of thinking ahead of the game to be kind of thinking ahead of the game to see if what we
• skills that they they're the social skills that they they're the social skills that they they're they're

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• Emily Putnam Forenstein, who is a professor at the UNC School of Social Work, and she provided Information
• We have 281 employees with a degree in social work and 134 are licensed.
• We want to build a better relationship with them to continue to advocate to hire social workers.
• But I don't know what it is that we can't keep and retain employees in those social worker skills I don't
• In one charter school, they were already game. They went to a four-day week.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Ask them if they can be here an hour earlier. oh, fishing game. I Yeah, I I need oh, fishing game.
• Fishing game is coming up. Are they here? Yeah. Okay. Fishing games.
• </c> Game. I have with me Kathy Labonte. Game. I have with me Kathy Labonte.
• It's duplication of skill sets.
• It's duplication of skill sets.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative you a game. &gt;&gt; Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you. Chair Mueller.
• You can't bet on a game you're playing in, for example.
• services, increasing conflict resolution skills, and increasing decision-making skills.
• One of the programs provides on-site after-school teen programs looking at social, much of the most skilled
• Helping people navigate abusive situations, develop coping skills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Machine learning and social sciences. Can you tell me about machine learning? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• They train youth on essential workforce and readiness skills, and they keep communities safe and reduce
• Food, practice of language, traditional games, and cultural teachings.
• and their problem-solving skills.
• Out-of-school time programs also teach essential life and career skills that prepare our youth for the

Bills: SB83 , SB106 , SB107 , SB123 , SJR1

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm privileged to serve as the dean of the College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation here
• Some key areas are social work and kinesiology, which is increasingly serving students across campus
• We were also... able to support social work students as well.
• These competencies are perhaps less in the realm of skills and more in the realm of dispositions.
• numbers don't prove anything that you know someone's social.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee