Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Wright: Bill, they essentially put the two-year schools and the four-year schools under
• Is there a difference between four-year and two-year schools in this model? Witness: Yes.
• There are different considerations for the two-year and the four-year schools.
• schools, I believe there's a block of funds, and then the two-year schools determine between themselves
• A two-year school is not going to offer a dentistry degree.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development met in executive session and first took up House Bill 123, a higher education funding reform bill. Representative Black, the bill sponsor, explained a committee substitute that lowered the proposed scholarship benefit from full tuition to $5,000 per semester or the lesser of tuition, tied the scholarships to qualified higher education funding, and clarified that institutions must continue existing scholarship programs for top ACT/SAT students. He also said the substitute revised the performance-funding model to better reflect workforce needs, institutional outcomes, and higher education community feedback, while lowering the fiscal note. Committee members asked about how the model would treat two-year versus four-year institutions, whether funding would be assigned individually or through a block approach, and whether the bill would prevent future funding reductions. The sponsor said the model uses different factors for two-year and four-year schools, would generally operate more like the current two-year funding approach, and would initially guarantee institutions at least the prior year’s funding unless all institutions are reduced proportionally. Some members expressed concern that this could limit legislative appropriations flexibility, while others said the proportional-reduction language preserved that power. The substitute was adopted, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 123 was voted do pass by a roll call of 9 ayes, 0 noes, and 3 present. The committee then voted House Bill 1627 do pass without discussion, passing it by a roll call of 12 ayes and 0 noes. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• District Northside High Bolivar School District Northside High School<00:12:20.840><c> Gators</c><00
• </c><00:12:35.720><c> District</c> the North Bolivar School District the North Bolivar School District
• </c><00:36:15.520><c> Lady</c> Tishomingo County High School Lady Tishomingo County High School Lady
• :36:31.560><c> baseball</c> Magnolia High School Chiefs baseball Magnolia High School Chiefs baseball
• It reauthorizes special tags for supporters of Alcorn High School, Kossuth High School.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate plan fully funds Prop 98 and doubles down on our commitments to universal school meals, career
• Some school districts and schools will not receive the additional funding, and without additional information
• We have received concerns about some schools not receiving this particular funding.
• We know that so many of our schools across the state are having to do more with less, and we want to
• We know that so many of our schools across the state are having to do more with less, and we want to

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate plan fully funds Prop. 98 and doubles down on our commitments to universal school meals, career
• Some school districts and schools will not receive the additional funding, and without additional information
• We have received concerns about some schools not receiving this particular funding.
• We know that so many of our schools across the state...
• We know that so many of our schools across the state are having to do more with less, and we want to

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education held its close-out hearing for the 2026 budget plan, with the chair describing the Senate proposal as fully funding Proposition 98 and emphasizing investments in universal school meals, career education, immigrant and LGBTQ+ student supports, higher education compacts, community colleges, and other student services. Public commenters largely supported those priorities, including funding for CalNEW and Dream Resource Centers, educator workforce and English learner supports, community schools, special education, paid pregnancy leave, and the Middle Class Scholarship, while some raised concerns about proposed cuts, borrowing, and the inclusion of non-LEA preschool programs in Prop. 98.\n\nDuring member comments, one senator said many items were supportable but raised concerns about placeholder language, accountability, borrowing for the Middle Class Scholarship, and the structure of paid pregnancy leave and apprenticeship funding, indicating some no votes and abstentions. The chair responded that the budget reflects major investments in K-12 and higher education, including full Prop. 98 funding, elimination of the settle-up amount, expanded student aid, and continued support for immigrant students and resource centers.\n\nThe committee then moved through the vote-only calendar and adopted most staff recommendations by roll call. Several items passed unanimously or with one abstention/no vote, while some higher education and K-12 items drew opposition from one member, including the item on the Middle Class Scholarship borrowing structure and certain proposals related to pregnancy leave, Calbright/common cloud platform, apprenticeship backfill, and other specified issues. The hearing concluded after the chair thanked participants and adjourned the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Senate Bill 1126 requires a school subject to FERPA requirements to provide to a DCS caseworker
• a public or private school from prohibiting any employee, contractor, or volunteer from speaking to
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 1006 requires a public school to provide a reasonable accommodation to a
• building or in multi-occupancy sleeping quarters during a public school-sponsored activity.
• It also prohibits a public school employee from addressing, identifying, or referring to a student by

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard staff presentations on a series of bills covering elections, education, health, criminal law, taxes, and property issues. Among the measures described were HB 2308 on dental insurer ownership restrictions; SB 1126 on school cooperation with DCS caseworkers; SB 1210 on out-of-state online postsecondary registration; SCR 1006 on restroom accommodations and pronoun/name use in public schools; and several election-related bills, including SB 1006 on campaign contribution itemization thresholds, SB 1029 on committee treasurers after a candidate’s death, SB 1038 on transmission of cast vote records, SB 1057 on ballot paper fraud-countermeasure certification, and SB 1237 on consultation for election rulemaking. Most of these were noted as being on third-read consent calendars. The committee also discussed HB 283, as amended by a strike-everything amendment, to update diabetic coverage requirements in health benefits plans, with testimony emphasizing newer glucose-monitoring technology and potential long-term health savings. Other bills summarized included SB 1049 on spousal maintenance standards, SB 1053 on concealed weapons permit fees for residents versus nonresidents, SB 1093 on expanding the definition of riot and adding it as a predicate offense, SB 1160 on restricting drones within one mile of ticketed entertainment events, and SB 1211 on lifetime injunctions for victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence. Members asked several questions, especially about the drone restriction and its scope, including exemptions for law enforcement and written consent from event organizers. Later discussion covered tax and property measures: SB 1293 would limit GPLIT revenue abatements so school district-designated revenues are not abated; SB 1294 would keep a destroyed property’s classification in place for up to five years or until its use changes, with members discussing how that would preserve valuation and aid rebuilding after fires or other disasters; and SB 1430 would make technical, clarifying, and cleanup changes to Department of Revenue tax statutes. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the meeting concluded after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1126 requires a school subject to FERPA requirements to provide to a DCS caseworker any requested
• information or records relating to a pupil who is or was enrolled at the school, and restricts a public
• or private school from prohibiting any employee, contractor, or volunteer from speaking to a DCS caseworker
• building or in multi-occupancy sleeping quarters during a public school-sponsored activity.
• It also prohibits a public school employee from addressing, identifying, or referring to a student by

Summary: The committee heard staff presentations on a series of bills covering elections, education, firearms, housing, taxes, and health care. Measures discussed included HB 2308 on dental insurer ownership restrictions; SB 1126 on school cooperation with DCS investigations; SB 1210 on out-of-state online postsecondary registration; SCR 1006 on school restroom accommodations and pronoun/name use; and several election-related bills, including SB 1006 on campaign finance itemization thresholds, SB 1029 on procedures after a candidate’s death, SB 1038 on cast vote record transmission, SB 1057 on ballot-paper fraud countermeasures, and SB 1237 on consultation for election rulemaking. Other bills addressed diabetic coverage updates in HB 283, spousal maintenance guidelines in SB 1049, concealed weapons permit fees in SB 1053, firearm registries and merchant category codes in SB 1058, riot classification in SB 1093, drone restrictions near ticketed events in SB 1160, and lifetime injunctions for certain domestic violence-related aggravated harassment in SB 1211. Members asked several questions, especially about SB 1160’s one-mile drone restriction, whether it applied only to private drones, and how it would affect drone shows; staff said law enforcement drones were exempt and written consent from the event could allow other drones. There was also discussion of SB 1293, which would limit GPLIT revenue abatements so school district-designated revenues are not abated, and SB 1294, which would keep a destroyed property’s classification in place for up to five years or until its use changes, with members noting the bill would help owners rebuild after fires or other accidents. SB 1430, as amended, was described as a technical cleanup bill making clarifying changes and removing obsolete tax language. Most of the bills were identified as being on the third-read consent calendar, and no votes were taken in the excerpt. The committee appeared to move through the agenda without opposition testimony in the portion provided, with staff and one sponsor briefly explaining the diabetic coverage update as a way to modernize glucose monitoring and prevent long-term complications.

Transcript Highlights:

• This RS is about helping foster children stay in their school of origin, which is whatever school that
• Foster children stay in their school of origin, which is whatever school that they are currently attending
• There is also a new chapter being added about school of origin hearings.
• About school of origin hearings.
• This bill just says that schools and daycares will talk about voluntary vaccination.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our SNAP programs and our school our SNAP programs and our school programs<00:36:52.160><c> and<
• Should we even um like in schools?
• School-based health programs.
• When you have a school nurse and every child is required to see a school nurse during the year, I think
• :07.199><c> to</c><01:26:07.360><c> change,</c> school-based program, we need to change, school-based

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met for its third meeting, approved the minutes, and heard testimony from Dr. Jack on behalf of the American Beverage Association and Kentucky Beverage Association. Dr. Jack argued that the “totality of the science” supports low- and no-calorie sweeteners as safe and useful tools for reducing sugar and calories, citing FDA and other domestic and international reviews, clinical trials, and the FDA’s recent healthy-label rule. He also described the industry’s transparency efforts, including a “Good to Know” database compiling ingredient and safety information, and said the beverage industry has voluntarily worked to offer more choices with less sugar. Members questioned him about whether beverage ingredients are restricted in other countries, possible health effects beyond weight and cancer, concerns about metabolic issues and gut microbiome effects, whether sweeteners are addictive, and why companies do not simply remove sweeteners. Dr. Jack responded that most ingredients are permitted in many jurisdictions, that broad food-safety reviews have looked at multiple endpoints and found the ingredients safe, that the gut microbiome is still being studied, and that recent clinical evidence does not show increased sweetness preference. He also said business decisions about formulations are up to companies and noted that cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are metabolically similar. The committee also discussed consumer apps and ingredient-scoring tools; Dr. Jack said the industry’s website presents facts without interpretation and is based on food-safety agency assessments. At the end of his testimony, the chair accepted additional fact sheets for the committee. The meeting then moved on to introduce Dr. Gary Huber, who began testimony by emphasizing integrative medicine, metabolic syndrome, and the role of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress in health, but his full presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The STEM ecosystem encompasses schools, community settings such as after-school and summer programs,
• </c> supporters include ignite after school supporters include ignite after school the<00:03:48.560><
• /c> such as after school and summer program such as after school and summer program science<00:04:00.360
• </c><00:07:47.280><c> learning</c> education out of school learning education out of school learning
• an EEM school.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On October 4, we arrived at Montevideo Middle School and met with the middle school director, Riley Frank
• After a great meal at the school cafeteria, we went and performed a concert at the school.
• </c> band after a great meal at the school band after a great meal at the school cafeteria<00:20:34.280
• We went to the Cherry School on the Iron Range, and that was the situation: the whole school was there
• Just an exciting experience. whole school was there and these kids whole school was there and these kids

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ambrose's class at this particular school.
• End of year and summer school.
• And so is that, how is that affecting other school systems that do have summer school programs for their
• I know that that affects summer school.
• we bring a fiber optic connection into a school, we put electronics on each end from this at the school

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're being hunted in our parks and on our school campuses.
• , where our school district, as well as several principals of local schools, have come out and noted
• , where our school district, as well as several principals of local schools, have come out and noted
• Academy High School.
• These kids have to pass this gauntlet just to get to school.

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety held an informational hearing in Pomona on sex work-related crimes and efforts to combat human trafficking. The chair and Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez framed the issue as a major public safety and victim-protection concern, referencing the repeal of the loitering law in SB 357 and the recent enactment of AB 379, which targets buyers of sex rather than sex workers. The hearing was organized into three panels: data and research, policing and anti-trafficking efforts, and courtroom/prosecution impacts. In the first panel, the California Department of Justice presented arrest and conviction data for the repealed loitering statute, noting overall declines from 2019 to 2022 but also explaining that the data did not distinguish clearly between people selling sex, people loitering to sell, and people purchasing sex. USC law professor Hannah Gary summarized a 2021 report finding that law enforcement stings and raids often lack transparency, disproportionately harm Black women, minors, LGBTQ+ people, and undocumented migrants, and rarely achieve the stated goals of protecting victims, prosecuting traffickers, or preventing trafficking. The ACLU of Southern California argued that criminalization of sex work is discriminatory and historically used to police women and people of color, and that laws aimed at buyers still harm sex workers and can increase immigration consequences. Committee members asked about data collection, racial disparities, and whether the new law could worsen profiling; the panelists urged public health approaches, better data, and more survivor services. The second panel featured the California DOJ human trafficking coordinator, Pomona Police Chief Mike Ellis, and survivor advocate Jess Torres of Rising Worldwide. DOJ described its regional trafficking teams, task forces, victim services, and prosecutions, emphasizing a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach. Chief Ellis said SB 357 limited police intervention and contributed to visible open-air prostitution near schools and other sensitive locations, citing complaints from residents and a reported drop in juvenile rescues in Pomona after the law changed; he supported AB 63-style enforcement with safeguards and service referrals. Torres, speaking as a survivor, argued that anti-trafficking policy must be survivor-led, that many youth in the sex trade are boys or LGBTQ youth, and that criminalization and street enforcement often worsen harm and displacement rather than solving the underlying problems. In the final panel, a Riverside County deputy district attorney said AB 63 could help law enforcement make earlier contact with potential victims and identify traffickers, while stressing the need for training, documentation, and oversight. A Los Angeles County public defender argued that prosecuting trafficked people reinforces traffickers’ control, creates lifelong barriers, and retraumatizes survivors, and pointed to diversion programs as a better model. The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking began its testimony by describing its survivor services and crisis response work. The hearing ended without any vote or formal action, but with committee members and witnesses continuing to debate the balance between enforcement, data collection, and survivor-centered services.

Transcript Highlights:

• I speak as a former school board member.
• I know a good number of you are former school board members, but many of us were elected to school boards
• I speak as a former school board member.
• I know a good number of you are former school board members, but many of us are elected to school boards
• Their local school has closed.

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file of bills. Early procedural motions included a failed attempt to suspend the rules for AB 1219, followed by consideration of numerous measures on housing, veterans, education, elections, energy, wildfire prevention, public safety, and consumer affordability. Several bills drew bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly, including AB 878 on safety accommodations for survivors of violence, AB 948 on school district facility maintenance, AB 81 and AB 88 on veterans’ mental health and student aid, AB 640 on school board fiscal training, AB 660 on housing permit timelines, AB 1048 on workers’ compensation billing disputes, AB 1119 on dual credentialing, AB 1172 on inhalable anti-seizure medication access, AB 1227 on wildfire prevention, AB 1285 and AB 696 on lithium-ion battery safety, AB 1417 on offshore wind transparency, AB 1530 on disaster recovery assistance, and AB 353 on affordable home internet. Some measures drew opposition or more divided votes, including AB 704 on sealing certain misdemeanor records, AB 1249 on early voting access, AB 1280 on thermal energy incentives, AB 1448 on offshore oil protections, AB 380 on price gouging, AB 402 on Cal Grant increases, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification, and AB 1084 on expedited gender-change and name-change court orders. The Assembly also granted reconsideration on AB 435, a child passenger safety bill, and passed it after debate on the five-step safety-seat standard. The floor debate featured recurring themes of affordability, housing, wildfire preparedness, election access, veterans’ services, and public safety. Supporters of the election bill AB 1249 argued it would simply add a Saturday early-voting option in non-VCA counties, while opponents raised concerns about verification and county staffing. AB 30, authorizing E15 gasoline in California, was presented as an urgency measure to lower fuel costs and passed unanimously on the urgency and the bill. AB 1466 on groundwater disputes was also taken up, with the author arguing it would reduce frivolous litigation and better represent all water users; the vote was 42 ayes and 17 noes. After completing the file, the Assembly recessed for lunch, later returned, and continued with additional file items, with many measures passing on strong bipartisan votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which are currently in Central and Leeward Oahu, to approximately 40 to 60 schools over two phases.
• , which are currently in Central and Leeward Oahu, to approximately 40 to 60 schools over two phases.
• A second aspect is that when kids were not attending school for days, weeks at the beginning of the school
• , and they wouldn't until late in the school year, and by that time they lost the year.
• It's often clothing or school supplies or transportation.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary heard the Judiciary’s budget presentation from Brandon Kimura and other court administrators. The Judiciary outlined its mission and access-to-justice programs, including specialty courts, self-help centers, online small claims dispute resolution, and e-reminders. It requested an operating budget of $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, along with 17 permanent and one temporary position, and described a series of staffing and program requests tied to specialty courts, district court operations, technology, and public guardianship. Major program requests included making women’s court permanent by converting seven temporary positions to permanent and adding a substance use counselor; expanding truancy court and the Early Education Intervention Program on Oahu; and making the driving while impaired court permanent. The Judiciary also sought staffing and funding for the new Wahiawa District Court, including security, janitorial, IT, clerical, bailiff, and social worker support, plus an additional district court judge and staff in Kona. Technology requests included cybersecurity tools and a cybersecurity unit, enhanced email protection, and replacement of aging network switches. Other operating requests included continued funding for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, restoration of 12 positions cut during the pandemic, and added support for the Office of the Public Guardian. For capital improvement projects, the Judiciary’s top priorities were $4 million to design a new South Kohala District Court, $900,000 to replace an aging AC chiller on Kauai, and $5 million for lump-sum facility preservation work. Members asked questions about purchase-of-service contract rates, implementation of court-appointed fee increases, federal grant dependence, specialty court effectiveness, truancy court outcomes, and the condition of the Ewa District Court site. Judiciary witnesses said they were working to raise provider rates through contracts and a separate bill, cited low recidivism and reduced petitions as evidence that specialty courts and truancy efforts are working, and said the Ewa site has significant foundation issues that may require further assessment or a different location.

Transcript Highlights:

• I got special training long ago in the New York City public school system because I was very hard of
• hearing, and then later on... ...school system because of my being very hard of hearing.
• licensed by the state. ...to any driver training school licensed by the state.
• division level, so requiring each school division, perhaps.
• It dealt with the use of seclusion and restraint in schools. Okay.

Keywords: Disability Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we all know, educators and school teams provide an invaluable service to the Commonwealth, equipping
• And we all know as well that school districts, school committees, and superintendents, as they make their
• The first of which is a total of $250,000 for an elementary school playground at the Tucker School in
• In the community, this is the playground for a large section of town that surrounds the school area.
• O'Donoghue School, the middle school in Bridgewater.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would go to the benefit of our schools.
• Most of it would go to public schools. I have other questions.
• It would go to the benefit of our schools.
• Most of it would go to public schools. I have other questions.
• It would go to the benefit of our schools.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders unveiled their “North Star Comeback” budget plan, describing it as a focused effort to make Minnesota more affordable, reduce government waste, and strengthen the economy. They said the package would include a $3.8 billion tax cut proposal with one-time property tax relief, elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, childcare relief, lower car tab fees, and funding for schools through scholarship-granting organizations. They also framed the plan as a response to rising costs for groceries, housing, energy, insurance, and childcare. A major emphasis of the rollout was government accountability, especially a strong Office of Inspector General bill and IT modernization to reduce fraud. Leaders said the OIG proposal had moved out of committee and was now in Ways and Means, with a working group continuing to reconcile House and Senate differences. On IT modernization, Chair Paul Torkelson said the plan would likely use a two-pronged approach, with about $15 million for near-term needs and a longer-term fund for ongoing technology upgrades; he said many such investments could qualify for federal matching dollars. The leaders also highlighted Medicaid conformity, saying Minnesota should align with federal changes to avoid losing funding, and they discussed a property tax rebate proposal as a one-time $1 billion return to taxpayers to offset higher property taxes. In response to questions, they said many of the budget items were still moving through the process and some had not met finance deadlines, while others were already in bills. They repeatedly criticized House Democrats for blocking or delaying Republican proposals and said they wanted bipartisan cooperation to pass the plan this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allow screens in the school or phones in the school.
• We do need more revenue in our funds to pay for our schools.
• I would not send my kid to a school where they had no screen time at all.
• The state does not fund our public schools adequately.
• So, you know, the question about schools is one thing.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> going without in terms of our schools, going without in terms of our schools, our<00:42:23.359>
• </c><00:55:30.160><c> We</c> schools. We need access to housing. We schools.
• When my kids were in elementary school, I saw far too many children that were in school from 7:00 in
• the morning for the before-school care and stayed after school for the after-school care.
• ,</c> which is usually middle school, which is usually middle school, elementary<01:21:47.040><c> school

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• districts into two school districts.
• But again, it's nothing to do with school funding.
• I'm the board president for the San Mateo-Foster City School District, which is the largest school district
• I'm superintendent of the San Mateo-Foster City School District.
• I'm the board president for the San Mateo Foster City School District, which is the largest school district

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an item on the vehicle license fee backfill for counties, focused largely on San Mateo County and the related excess ERAF calculation. Department of Finance staff said the administration does not propose the requested $119 million backfill, arguing the payment is discretionary and that the existing statutory formula should continue to operate as written. Senators and public witnesses, including Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier, argued the state has a longstanding obligation to local governments and that San Mateo County faces severe service cuts without the funds; they also discussed whether the issue could be solved through local school district boundary changes or other structural fixes. The chair held the item open after testimony. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department presented SB 851 implementation funding of $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software to track election-related litigation, update voting system standards, and expand vendor notice requirements. Members asked about election security, the impact of recent federal court decisions, the end of federal HAVA funds in 2027-28, and the staffing and timeline needed to implement the law. The committee also heard a $11.8 million General Fund request for the Cal Access Replacement System, intended to replace the outdated campaign finance and lobbying disclosure platform; staff said the project is on track for a November 2026 go-live with a stabilization period afterward. A separate item sought $9.795 million Business Fees Fund for the Notary Automation Program replacement, with the department explaining delays were due to more planning, a 2025 special election, and the need to secure a contractor, with go-live now projected for 2029. All three items were held open. The Department of Veterans Affairs presented its overall status and then its Yountville skilled nursing facility project. CalVet described progress on veterans homes, home loans, housing programs, and mental health initiatives, while noting higher-acuity needs among older veterans and continued support for underserved groups. For Yountville, the department said the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building, though some functions will remain in the old building and other campus projects, including roof and steam system work, are still underway. Members also raised concerns about retroactive tax liabilities for employees whose housing fringe benefits had not been reported, and CalVet said it has corrected the reporting, retrained staff, and is working with employees on repayment and lease adjustments. The committee also discussed a proposal to eliminate vacant positions under Control Section 4.12; CalVet said the positions were long vacant and could be given back without harming operations, while the LAO noted the Legislature had not concurred and keeping them would increase General Fund costs. The item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an informational update on its work and the cultural districts program. The director described the council’s grantmaking, technical assistance, and support for 24 cultural districts statewide, while members emphasized the economic and preservation value of arts funding and urged more investment, including a proposed $50 million General Fund augmentation and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts. Staff explained that the original cultural district funding was reduced and that the program is currently unfunded and lacks dedicated staff, limiting its ability to expand beyond a small share of applications. Members from different regions noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural district designations and pressed the council to broaden access beyond major urban areas. The item was informational only, with no vote taken.