Transcript Highlights:

• money that comes from the state library system.
• The state library manages the funds, and there are different categories of libraries: there's a full
• State Library annual report.
• It all comes through the state library. It's in the state investment council, and they just tell.
• But it's not really part of anything the State Library tracks. ...part of anything the State Library

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Which is the state library reductions.
• I'm Rebecca Wendt, the Deputy State Librarian at the California State Library.
• And yet the State Library helps all of these agencies, keeps their historical publications secure and
• And then, speaking of the state law library. The Witkin State Law Library.
• I really appreciate all that the public libraries, or the State Library, does.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> agency but for all all kinds of agencies agency but for all all kinds of agencies and<00:51:20.960
• use includes library cards or library membership status.
• usage includes library cards or library membership status.
• <c> library</c> with being a library with being a library supporter.<01:29:42.800><c> So,</c><01:29:43.360
• of the library.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the Government Committee, Bill 1665, also known as the State Agency Hiring Reform Act, for
• As a state agency hiring reform act.
• We're not letting the bureaucracy and the politics within our state agencies cripple the state.
• and would create additional costs for state agencies by imposing unnecessary bureaucracy into the state
• ADEOA CalC requiring nearly two dozen additional FTEs across all state agencies.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1078, which would require courts reviewing public-records disputes to apply de novo review rather than deferring to an agency’s decision to withhold records. Senator Kavanaugh and a Goldwater Institute witness argued the bill would restore transparency and independent judicial review. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1184, which would add military division flags approved by the Department of Defense to the list of flags that HOAs and planned communities may not prohibit. Kavanaugh said the bill responds to HOA restrictions on veterans displaying unit flags. Members discussed whether the bill should also cover other flags, including LGBTQ flags, but no amendment was adopted. The bill passed 7-0. SB 1586 followed, requiring Arizona agencies to post federal guidance they create, adopt, or receive. Supporters said it would improve transparency; an opposing member said agencies already post such material and the bill was unnecessary. It passed 4-3. SB 1665, a state agency hiring reform bill, would require standardized hiring scores, interview panel grades, overall grades, and an appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. The State Personnel Board supported it as a merit-based reform, while ADOA opposed it as costly and burdensome, estimating more than $3 million in compliance costs and warning it could slow hiring. After extended testimony, the committee recommended it do pass 4-3. The committee also approved SCR 1024, which would require legislative candidates to reside in their district for one year and, if affiliated, be members of their party for one year before the election; it passed 6-1 after discussion about residency rules and ballot-measure concerns. Later, the committee heard SB 1135, which increases workers’ compensation burial expenses for fallen first responders from $5,000 to $10,000. Family members and first responders testified in support, describing the financial strain after line-of-duty deaths. The bill passed 6-1 with one member present. SB 1136, which allows surviving spouses of first responders to keep death benefits even if they remarry, also drew emotional testimony from widows and supporters and passed 5-2. The committee then took up SB 1435, expanding the existing prohibition on exposing minors to sexually explicit material to public libraries and making violations a class 6 felony; supporters framed it as child protection, while opponents warned it could chill library access and criminalize librarians. The bill passed 4-3. Finally, SB 1567 was introduced as another expansion of the same underlying law, prohibiting government entities and contractors from exposing minors to sexually explicit materials and from using public facilities for filming or facilitating sexually explicit acts; the sponsor described it as part of a broader effort to protect children, and the committee began discussion of the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the Government Committee, Bill 1665, also known as the State Agency Hiring Reform Act, for
• As a State Agency Hiring Reform Act.
• Direct hires: Under the current state's hiring guidelines, state agencies possess the unchecked authority
• agencies cripple the state.
• most qualified candidates, as well as create additional costs for state agencies by imposing unnecessary

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• This hearing will focus on both the CSU and the library budgets, the State Library budgets.
• And yet the State Library helps all of these agencies, keeps their historical publications secure and
• And then, speaking of the State Law Library, the Wittgen State Law Library predates statehood and was
• Now the State Library also provides this service.
• , you know, or the State Library does.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met to review CSU and State Library budget issues, enrollment trends, the Capital Fellows program, and a Title IX update. Chair David Alvarez opened by stressing that CSU faces serious financial pressure, including a systemwide deficit and proposed cuts that he and several members said were too large and likely to harm access, course offerings, and student services. Public comment focused heavily on the Braille Institute Library, with patrons, staff, veterans, and advocates urging restoration of funding and warning that the proposed cut would severely affect blind and visually impaired Californians across Southern California. Several CSU faculty, staff, and union representatives also opposed the proposed reductions and warned of larger class sizes, fewer sections, and layoffs. On the CSU core operations item, the Department of Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to reduce ongoing General Fund support by about $375 million and defer a 5% base increase, while the LAO said CSU core funding would be roughly flat once tuition and targeted augmentations were considered, but warned that rising costs and prior shortfalls would still force campuses to cut spending. CSU’s Chancellor’s Office said the proposed cut would deepen existing problems, citing prior-year budget gaps, job losses, reduced course sections, and student-service reductions. Members pressed Finance and the LAO on whether cuts could be made more surgically, especially at the Chancellor’s Office or in institutional support rather than in instruction, and the LAO said the Legislature has flexibility to target cuts more specifically. CSU also described ongoing consolidation efforts, including shared services among campuses and the planned Cal Maritime/Cal Poly San Luis Obispo integration, while cautioning that savings are not yet fully known. The committee then discussed CSU enrollment. The LAO recommended holding enrollment targets flat because the budget does not add new funding, while CSU reported strong recent growth, including more California residents, record first-year enrollment, and expanded direct admissions and transfer pathways. Members questioned why some campuses with high demand turn away many applicants while others continue to lose enrollment, and CSU said it is shifting resources from campuses with sustained declines to those with demand, using a 10% below-target threshold. The committee also discussed whether enrollment declines mirror local population trends, how to improve marketing and program alignment, and whether lessons from Cal Poly Humboldt’s conversion could inform other campuses such as Sonoma State. The Capital Fellows item drew a Finance proposal for a salary increase and an LAO counterproposal for a smaller raise plus future COLA language; the committee kept the item open. Finally, CSU reported progress on Title IX compliance, saying it has completed most State Auditor recommendations, expanded civil rights staffing, and increased training, prevention, and case-management efforts, though members asked how proposed budget cuts might affect those services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, Greg Lucas, California State Library, thank you for including the State Library and California libraries
• So because we're a little different, we're not state agencies. We're kind of quasi-state agency.
• Little different, we're not state agencies, we're kind of quasi-state agency, we're independent nonprofits
• Library, but state libraries all over.
• Library, but State Libraries all over. ...of helping not just the California State Library, but state

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and creative industries in California. Chair Ben Allen, Vice Chair Chris Ward, and other members described the moment as a crisis, citing proposed or implemented cuts to the NEA, NEH, and IMLS, grant terminations, leadership removals, and budget proposals to zero out major cultural agencies. Members emphasized that arts and humanities are both culturally essential and economically significant, and they framed the hearing as a chance to hear impacts on the ground and consider state and federal responses. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA highlighted the scale of the problem. Harky said federal rescissions and policy changes are causing immediate financial harm, forcing hiring freezes, program cancellations, and emergency fundraising, while disproportionately hurting rural, immigrant, elder, and small community organizations. She noted California’s creative economy generates hundreds of billions of dollars and urged support for restoring state arts funding, museum grants, and legislation such as SB 456 and AB 3149, along with federal measures like the Charitable Act and Performing Arts Tax Parity Act. Fisher focused on film and television production, saying runaway production, outdated tax rules, and weak federal IP protections are harming workers and local businesses; she urged federal production incentives, tax parity for performers, and stronger protections against AI misuse of artists’ voices and likenesses. State agency leaders Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council described direct impacts from federal funding disruptions. Noguchi said California Humanities lost NEH support immediately, putting grants and documentary projects at risk and prompting possible litigation and appeals. Lucas said the State Library initially faced a major IMLS funding loss but has since had part of the money restored, though still with a reduced amount that will limit local assistance. Purcell said the California Arts Council is assessing terminated grants and fielding urgent calls from grantees, while continuing to distribute state arts funds and track the damage. Members asked about bipartisan support, business coalition-building, economic measurement, AI threats to creative work, and the implications of federal leadership changes; no votes were taken, but the hearing ended with calls for continued advocacy, legal action, and possible state investment to stabilize the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, Greg Lucas, California State Library, thank you for including the State Library and California libraries
• Little different, we're not state agencies, we're kind of a quasi-state agency.
• They're not a state agency. They're not able to. They're not able to. They're not a state agency.
• Library, but state libraries all over.
• Library, but State Libraries all over. ...of helping not just the California State Library, but state

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just really impressive for a state agency.
• </c><00:34:52.560><c> Our</c> more than any other state agency.
• Our more than any other state agency.
• All state agencies conduct FCAs annually. This is only for state-owned facilities.
• /c><01:03:44.079><c> have</c> libraries across the state have libraries across the state have identified

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> four um categories that as a state four um categories that as a state agency<00:16:20.399><c> we
• Also, the bill states that the DOE shall transfer the library from the State Library System to the school
• Also, the bill states that the DOE shall transfer the library from the State Library System to the school
• Also, the bill states that the DOE shall transfer the library from the State Library System to the school
• There are libraries that are state libraries.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The joint committees heard Senate Bill 659, which would exempt the Department of Education from the electronic procurement system for purchases of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed agricultural or food products up to $100,000, and require geographic preference guidelines for locally sourced products. The Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and State Procurement Office all testified in support or support of the intent. DOE said the bill would give it short-term flexibility to buy local items not currently on the vendor list, such as poi and limu, while procurement staff said they would provide written comments and a corrected version of their testimony. Committee members questioned why the bill was needed, why the threshold would rise from the current $24,999 small-purchase limit to $100,000, and whether the department should instead amend its vendor list or RFP process. Members raised concerns about efficiency, administrative burden, whether the bill was a temporary fix for procurement planning gaps, and whether purchases would remain compliant with federal USDA rules if federal school-lunch funds were used. DOE responded that the measure would help it expand local purchasing, support farmers, and allow purchases of products not currently available through existing distributors, and said it was working with partners on food-safety certification and federal compliance. The committees then voted to pass SB 659 with amendments. The Joint Committee on Education approved it 3-2, and the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Environment later approved the amended measure 4-0. The chair noted an amendment and a deferred effective date, and the motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuing the work of this grant program is vital to public library users across the state.
• Library Service Agency, another one of the 12 regional public library systems in Minnesota.
• Library Service Agency, another one of the 12 regional public library systems in Minnesota.
• Library Service Agency, another one of the 12 regional public library systems in Minnesota.
• <c> identified</c> State numerous libraries have identified needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing law states that the policy of the state of California is... ...existing law states that the
• When I looked into this matter, what I learned is that across the state, libraries have a host of different
• Our agency spearheaded the Student Success Initiative with more than 70 libraries statewide partnering
• My library has 100 items.
• time in the library.

Summary: The committee heard SB 998, which would define and expand the roles of discrimination prevention coordinators in the Office of Civil Rights, including a new disability-focused coordinator and a deputy coordinator on anti-AAPI discrimination. The authors and supporters, including representatives from LGBTQ, Black, Latino, and AAPI caucuses, argued the bill would help schools proactively address discrimination, improve student safety and belonging, and support learning. Opposition from the California Faculty Association and SEIU California focused on the appointment structure and preference for regular civil service hiring, while some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing anti-discrimination law and whether it would add government bloat. The committee ultimately voted SB 998 out on a due pass basis to the Senate Judiciary Committee and placed it on call. SB 1082 was then presented as a measure to streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring more timely district action, allowing concurrent review, and clarifying that a district’s failure to respond is not treated as a denial. The sponsor, the Association of California County Boards of Education, and supporters from Families in Action for Quality Education said the bill would reduce delays, improve fairness, and help families make timely educational decisions without changing districts’ authority to approve or deny transfers. The California School Boards Association had previously been opposed unless amended and said it would re-evaluate after the committee changes. The committee supported the measure, and SB 1082 was voted out as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed on call. The committee also took up SB 960, which would revise the rules for community college baccalaureate degrees by tying authorization to local access gaps and impacted CSU programs rather than a blanket statewide prohibition. Supporters, including the Campaign for College Opportunity and several community college and education groups, argued the bill would expand access for place-bound and adult learners and better align programs with workforce needs. CSU representatives and the California Faculty Association opposed the bill, warning it could duplicate CSU offerings, worsen enrollment and funding pressures, and affect faculty jobs. Members debated the Master Plan for Higher Education, impaction, and whether the state should instead fully fund CSU capacity; the committee nevertheless recommended SB 960 for passage as amended to Appropriations and placed it on call. Finally, SB 965 was heard, a bill to make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and supporters said the bill would remove an unnecessary barrier to educational resources while preserving local library control over checkout policies and liability rules. The California Library Association expressed support for the goal but said details matter and urged language that preserves local discretion while encouraging reduced in-person requirements where feasible. The transcript ended during that testimony, before any committee vote on SB 965.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we have an online state agency.
• I'm Stacy Aldridge, State Librarian of the Hawaii State Public Library System.
• We have um libraries across the state.
• That would be amazing as a state agency.
• Second is amazing as a state agency.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Hawaii Libraries. Libraries. Libraries.
• So that has historically been the two state-side agencies represented. >> So they've been working with
• </c> state side agencies represented. state side agencies represented.
• And with respect to the point the attorney general raised, we would agree that we're not a state agency
• </c> would agree um that we're not a state would agree um that we're not a state agency<01:59:04.239>

Bills: HB1739 , HB1741 , HB2606 , HB2362 , HB2608 , HB2294 , HB2431 , HB2375 , HB2582 , HB2585 , HB2231 , HB1601 , HB2424 , HB1956

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 19, 2026, and the chair opened by emphasizing strict time limits and that all bills would be deferred if the agenda was not completed before the noon session. The first major measure discussed was HB 1739 HD1, which would preempt county land-use authority in transit-oriented development areas. The Department of Planning supported the bill, saying it could promote state-funded TOD and infrastructure, while the city and county’s position was raised in questioning. Unite Here Local 5 opposed the bill, arguing it would strip counties of self-determination, disrupt state-county policy collaboration, and remove a check on unrestrained development. Committee members pressed the supporters on whether the bill was really about higher density and whether it would override local zoning and sustainability concerns. The committee then heard testimony on HB 1741 HD1, a housing bill described by supporters as reducing inclusionary housing mandates and increasing supply. Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued affordability mandates reduce overall housing production and raise market-rate prices, while a Zoom testifier said the bill would improve housing stability, health, and community outcomes for working families, kupuna, and young residents. Members asked about the bill’s needs assessment and who would conduct it, with a witness saying the counties would likely contract it out but that the bill did not clearly specify the reviewer. HB 2668 HD1, dealing with water heating systems, drew testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office and industry representatives. Supporters generally backed adding heat pumps to the law, but one solar-water-heater industry witness asked for amendments to remove or extend the current 15-year statutory life limit for solar water heaters and to update outdated standards and variance rules. A Kauaʻi Climate Action Coalition witness opposed the existing solar-only structure, arguing heat pump water heaters are cheaper, align with climate goals, and should be allowed without a variance. The Energy Office said the current law already allows variances in some cases, suggested adding high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to the exemption, and said the 15-year figure may be too short, with 18 years mentioned as a possible alternative. The committee also briefly moved through several other bills, including HB 2606 HD1 on off-site construction and HB 2362 HD1 on housing, with no notable testimony or action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing law states that the policy of the state of California is...
• The library is not open on Sundays, and libraries have limited hours.
• When I looked into this matter, what I learned is that across the state, libraries have a host of different
• have a library card.
• Our agency spearheaded the Student Success Initiative with more than 70 libraries statewide partnering

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal and state agencies.
• If you're not familiar with the work we do, we were the first state library agency in the nation, founded
• We lead informational classes and collaborate with other state agencies.
• Our next line, state aid to regional libraries, line 7,9401, provides services for library patrons statewide
• State aid to public libraries, line 7,9501, is a true lifeline for libraries and it is our priority this

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public hearing in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 budget for education and local aid. Opening remarks from Senator Pavel Payano, Representative Pat Duffy, and local leaders emphasized the importance of education funding for Lawrence and other Gateway Cities, with Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero highlighting the city’s high-need student population, Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, early college and career pathways, and the need for sustained support to close achievement gaps. The Education Secretariat testified in support of the budget, with Acting Secretary Amy Kershaw outlining investments in early literacy, universal pre-K, student mental health, school meals, high school redesign, higher education affordability, and early childhood systems. Commissioner Noi Ortega described higher education proposals including expanded free community college, continued free tuition at public four-year institutions, student success funding, early college and dual enrollment investments, and the Bright Act and Drive Act. Commissioner Pedro Martinez detailed K-12 proposals such as full Student Opportunity Act funding, increased Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, transportation aid, literacy initiatives, and a new Accelerating Achievement Initiative aimed at schools with the greatest needs. Commissioner Kershaw also described early education proposals including funding for C3, child care financial assistance, CPPI, workforce supports, and administrative funding restoration. Committee members questioned the administration about the pending local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to address health care and other cost drivers in school funding. Officials said the local contribution report is expected by the end of June and that a draft will be shared for public comment after data analysis is complete. Members also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities between districts and urged a broader review of the formula. In response, the commissioners said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but further work is needed, and they pointed to the new achievement initiative, literacy efforts, and early college expansion as ways to improve outcomes. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also consolidates several agency-specific cybersecurity exemptions into one agency-wide exemption
• Emancipation Day in the state of Florida.
• state of South Carolina.
• state of South Carolina.
• And as someone who worked the polls through the adopt-a-precinct process in the state, well, in the state

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0052 , S0308 , S0504 , S0506 , S0564 , S0572 , S0590 , S0594 , S0806 , S1396 , S7020 , S7024 , S7026

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: negligence, settlement, police conduct, municipal liability, personal injury, compensation, injuries, Miami-Dade County, places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal and state agencies.
• If you're not familiar with the work we do, we were the first state library agency in the nation, founded
• Our next line, state aid to regional libraries, line 7,9401, provides services for library patrons statewide
• State aid to public libraries, line 7,9501, is a true lifeline for libraries and it is our priority this
• agency, the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:05.520><c> subdivision</c> state agency and political subdivision state agency and political
• billion</c><00:08:18.720><c> from</c> state agencies, and three billion from state agencies, and three
• </c><00:57:43.119><c> agencies</c> we've been working with state agencies we've been working with state
• </c><00:59:00.079><c> agency</c> required um executives um state agency required um executives um state
• Our asset preservation state agency.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal and state agencies.
• If you're not familiar with the work we do, we were the first state library agency in the nation, founded
• We lead informational classes and collaborate with other state agencies.
• Our next line, state aid to regional libraries, line 7,9401, provides services for library patrons statewide
• State aid to public libraries, line 7,9501, is a true lifeline for libraries and it is our priority this

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.