Transcript Highlights:

• So I have some background: in August of 2023, Governor Newsom launched the development of the California
• mentioned, $84 million in ongoing general fund support and 48 positions for College Corps in 2627 to launch
• This expanded program. to launch this expanded program on an ongoing basis.
• that to create an experience for a student that actually helps them in their career and helps them launch
• of one-time General Fund for the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications to launch

Summary: The subcommittee held an informational budget hearing covering several GovOps, CDT, CPPA, and DGS items. GovOps reported that most deliverables under the Governor’s generative AI executive order have been completed, including guidelines, procurement tools, community-impact guidance, and a new project delivery lifecycle for Gen AI projects; one workforce-related deliverable remains. Members and public commenters raised concerns about privacy, labor impacts, and how the state will explain and oversee Gen AI use. The committee also heard a proposal to create a California Education Interagency Council with $5 million ongoing and 16 positions to coordinate workforce and education systems; LAO questioned duplication and recommended limited-term funding, while supporters said a neutral convening body is needed to improve coordination and student outcomes. GoServe presented the College Corps budget proposals, describing the program as a paid service and career-development opportunity for undergraduate students that helps reduce college costs while supporting communities through tutoring, food insecurity work, climate and disaster response, and other service. The administration sought one-time and ongoing funding to expand the program to more campuses and students, while LAO objected to the high administrative costs and recommended rejection. Several students and alumni testified that College Corps provided financial support, professional experience, and career pathways. The committee also heard a $5 million proposal for a Belonging Campaign to address loneliness and social isolation through research, outreach, and local grants; LAO said the proposal lacked clear goals and measures, while supporters said the effort is needed for youth, seniors, and community resilience. The Department of Technology updated the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, saying construction is underway on the statewide open-access network and the project remains on track for the 2026 deadline, though LAO noted a required business plan had not yet been submitted. The California Privacy Protection Agency presented its Delete Act implementation request for the DROP platform, which will let consumers request deletion of personal information held by data brokers; LAO flagged oversight concerns because CDT is both developing the system and involved in project support. Public commenters from business groups urged caution on CPPA’s rulemakings, warning of compliance costs and job impacts. The Department of General Services then discussed implementation of Proposition 2 school facilities bonds, requesting staffing and administrative funding to manage the new bond program and continue school facility work. Officials said the program can also help districts affected by the January wildfires, including interim site funding and expedited assistance. Finally, DGS requested authority and positions to operate Building 18 for labor-agency tenants relocating from older Capitol Mall space; SEIU Local 1000 criticized the state’s four-day return-to-office policy and said telework has improved productivity and retention. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and member questions on each item.

Transcript Highlights:

• It eliminates driver's ed courses and the K-5 Launch Pad program.
• But it does allow dual credit students to use And the K-5 Launch Pad program.
• that is not entirely virtual student in grade 6 through 12, that's an additional change, not just Launch
• ..private use and things that probably have been a little bit questionable in their outcome, like Launch
• .. private use and things that probably have been a little bit questionable in their outcome like launch

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This website just got launched last year, and on here you can look at the full report on the water research
• This website just got launched last year and on here you can look at the full report on the water research
• exciting project from a faculty member at Boise State is evaluating a new remote sensing tool that just launched
• project over from a faculty member at Boise State is evaluating a new remote sensing tool that just launched
• last year to actually evaluating a new remote sensing tool that just launched last year to actually

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We launched our new outpatient ABA building, which was an ARAF-funded project.
• We launched in October, and the data coming over from our old system, which was already not very efficient
• You had talked a bit about the portal launched in October, and there has been some difficulty with the
• We've processed over 30,000 patient licenses since the launch. So, things are working.
• hindsight is 2020, but also there should have been foresights to prepare some of these things before the launch

Committee: House A&B Health Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• To launch these new courses, we partnered with expert institutions like the University of Washington.
• And since the launch, we have seen a strong positive response from caregivers who take these courses,
• We launched 60 new courses, almost all of them available online.
• And I think part of that is because our course launches are fairly recent.
• And I think part of that is because our course launches are fairly recent.

Bills: HB2337 , HB2311 , HB2088 , HB2148 , HB2132

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: training requirements, caregiving, family member, individual providers, home care, workforce education, investment accountability, administrative changes, oversight, education policy, nutritional health, dietetic professionals, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare regulation, education, pay it forward program, tuition, student loans, financial aid

Transcript Highlights:

• And started launching attacks against Israel again. I wish we could understand.
• If the cartels on the border Started actually launching missiles into New Mexico, would we be OK with
• But would we be OK if they started launching missiles, or would we respond?
• Would be we're gonna go down there and we're gonna wipe them out if they're going to launch missiles
• at us we're not gonna put up with that as a sovereign nation we're not gonna allow someone to launch

Transcript Highlights:

• We've launched a series of non-credit conferences.
• Our partnership with SEIU, UHW, and Allied Health, launching a community health worker program, combines
• But if I could jump in really quickly with some background: since it launched in 2022, we've engaged
• So since it's launched in 2022, we've engaged over 80 school districts.
• Interest has grown significantly since launch, from just 11 applicants in the first cohort to more than

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:

• competitiveness Act of 2015 space launch competitiveness Act of 2015 established<02:58:35.000><c> a<
• Companies from across the world are launching commercial remote sensing systems and selling the data.
• And I yield back. ...space launch competitive act of 2015 established a reporting requirement from the
• The Voyager spacecraft, which were launched more than 40 years ago and are now flying far beyond our
• </c><03:30:49.359><c> more</c> spacecrafts which were launched more spacecrafts which were launched more

Transcript Highlights:

• Round Rock has a significant industry and, as you probably know, Firefly just recently launched. a successful
• I know that there is a spaceport in Houston and a spaceport in Midland, both with launch capabilities
• just wondering about the levelness. of the playing field with regard to privately-operated spaceport launch

Bills: SCR3 , SCR30 , SB2375 , HCR35

Committee: Senate Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• My update will include information about some of the major cross-secretary initiatives that have launched
• in the past two years, or that will be launching in the year to come.
• So I'm going to just zoom out for a minute, big picture, reset the context at the launch of the Healey-Driscoll
• Finally, the Health Policy Commission has launched its behavioral health workforce center, sponsored

Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%. Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them. The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Launched in 2015 in my district, Rising trains under-resourced and marginalized people to run social
• Her work there ensured that leadership pipelines were inclusive, and her mentorship launched the careers
• Her work there ensured that leadership pipelines were inclusive, and her mentorship launched the careers
• Her vital work and mentorship helped launch the careers of so many women and ultimately impacted thousands

Summary: The Assembly convened after an initial quorum call and proceeded with routine business, including approval of the previous day’s journal, procedural suspensions, and several file items. Most second-reading, concurrence, veto, and reconsideration items were passed, retained, or continued without debate. The main floor action was on House Resolution 75, authored by Assembly Member Pellerin, designating January 26 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Pellerin and several members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing survivor-led advocacy, the prevalence of trafficking in California, risks tied to major events and vulnerable populations, and the need for better prevention, data collection, and victim services. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 64 co-authors were added. Assembly Member Avila Farias’s AB 768, relating to mobile home park rent control and affordable housing, also passed with a 60-1 vote. The Assembly then held multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes for Joy Atkinson, a longtime Los Angeles civic leader and mentor to Black women in public service, with members recounting her work in government, political organizing, and the La P.I.E. leadership institute. Later, Assembly Member Haney offered an adjournment in memory of Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, highlighting his musical legacy and philanthropy. The House adjourned until Thursday, January 22, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, technological advancements and lower launch costs have enabled American companies to
• IN RECENT YEARS, TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND LOWER LAUNCH COSTS HAVE ENABLED AMERICAN COMPANIES TO
• In 2017, NASA launched the Commercial Small Satellite Data Acquisition Pilot Program to test whether
• In 2017, NASA launched the Commercial Small Satellite Data Acquisition Pilot Program to test whether
• The commercial satellite data Acquisition pilot program that NASA launched in 2017 is one example of

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just going to go ahead and let Bill launch on this subject matter because I know he wants to.
• So, I'm just going to go ahead and just, uh, Bill, just launch. There you go.
• on this subject matter because I launch on this subject matter because I know<00:20:51.679><c> he</c
• just<00:20:56.320><c> uh</c><00:20:57.039><c> Bill,</c><00:20:57.360><c> just</c><00:20:57.600><c> launch
• </c> just uh Bill, just launch. There you go. just uh Bill, just launch. There you go.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 12 minutes, and then received a presentation from Brandon Reid and Bill McCloskkey of the Agricultural Development Board on the June report and the 25th anniversary of the Agricultural Development Fund. They described a joint anniversary meeting held at the Kentucky Historical Society, thanked staff, and noted that the board presented members with a token of appreciation. They also reported a clean annual audit, with the audit report to be shared more fully at a later meeting. The presenters reviewed June activity and funding decisions, saying the development board approved about $3.3 million and the finance board about $5 million in loans. They highlighted program activity such as advisory council meetings, site visits, project reports, and county comprehensive plans. Specific projects discussed included the Food Chain project, which sought support for equipment and improvements to expand Kentucky product marketing; Miller Rockbridge Farms LLC, which sought county support for a barn for an education program; and Thompson Family Farm LLC, which sought funding for a livestock buying station. The board approved reduced or county-only funding in some cases, including $45,643 for the Food Chain project and county money for the farm projects. Members asked about the meaning and purpose of the county comprehensive plans and how counties use them to guide funding decisions. The presenters explained that House Bill 611 created a structure in which each county council develops a comprehensive plan, updated on a five-year cycle, to prioritize local agricultural investments and evaluate applications. They said county councils work with extension agents and the Agricultural Development Office, and that staff attend meetings, provide training, and help new agents and council members understand the program. Members emphasized that the planning process helps ensure funds are targeted to local needs and supports diversification of agriculture beyond tobacco.

Transcript Highlights:

• In May 2025, thanks to the state capital investments, DUA launched the claimant experience portion of
• launch on the employer revenue side.
• “So in August we launched a pilot. We actually took this concept from Oregon.
• So we launched a Competitiveness Council at the end of last year.
• And since CHAMP launched in the fall of 2018, 15, 15, And since CHAMP launched in the fall of 2018, 56%

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:33:21.440><c> I</c> I believe the NGL EO project at Skull Creek will likely launch.
• So I think you could see the NGL EO project also launch in that time frame. >> Mr.
• </c> >> But just launch. >> So if I launch, the tax exemption is only... you would get the tax?
• if you launch within the launch<01:34:33.840><c> window,</c><01:34:34.639><c> you</c><01:34:34.880><
• c> get</c><01:34:35.040><c> a</c><01:34:35.440><c> fiveyear</c> launch window, you get a fiveyear launch

Bills: HB0075 , HB0128

Committee: Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• a service and workforce development program to create an experience for a student that helps them launch
• The 2025-26 budget included $5 million one-time General Fund for OCPSC to launch a belonging initiative
• While the initiative has just recently launched, it has already...
• While the initiative has just recently launched, it has already hosted two community engagement events
• I guess the second one is just with respect to, I mean, when this all was launched in a period where

Transcript Highlights:

• about a similar amount, payroll, and then that was a significant expense because we are trying to launch
• /c><00:20:20.840><c> are</c><00:20:21.440><c> trying</c><00:20:21.760><c> to</c><00:20:22.200><c> launch
• them and then see phase of launching them and then see thereafter<00:22:45.400><c> what's</c><00:22:
• One is sports betting launching in Massachusetts, which hasn't had quite the impact we anticipated on
• </c><00:30:58.639><c> in</c> one is sports betting launching in one is sports betting launching in Massachusetts

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and CFO Jim Durus. McIntyre said the Lottery has more than tripled its return to the Education Trust Fund since 2011, from $62 million to $207 million in FY 24, while keeping expenses relatively flat over time. He explained that the Lottery operates like a business, is heavily audited, and that the governor’s budget raises the FY 26-27 revenue estimate to $185 million, up about $12 million annually from prior estimates. He attributed FY 24’s unusually strong results to record Powerball sales driven by a spike in billion-dollar jackpots tied to higher interest rates, and said scratch tickets still make up most gross sales, though Powerball is the highest-margin product. Members questioned the Lottery about the difference between gross revenue and profit, the steep rise in operating expenses, and the reasons for requested budget increases. McIntyre said the main drivers were payroll, benefits, advertising, added regulatory responsibilities from expanded gaming, and a new Salesforce customer-tracking system. He also described requested capital needs, including an outdated security system, building access and ADA improvements, and upgrades to the front office for employee safety. He said the security system is still running on an old Windows 7-based setup and that the requested upgrade would modernize cameras and add redundancy. The discussion also covered staffing and gaming expansion. McIntyre said the Lottery has 84 employees including three commissioners, with 13 funded vacancies, and that it plans to fill positions as two new gaming rooms come online in Rochester and Derry. He said the Lottery’s revenue estimates were revised upward because sports betting in Massachusetts had less impact than expected and historic horse racing machines have been more profitable than forecast. He also explained the governor’s proposal to shift historic horse racing toward slot-style machines, saying the physical machines would look largely the same but the content and math would change, and that the state’s revenue share would increase under the proposal. No votes were taken; the committee mainly asked questions and received explanations about the Lottery’s budget and revenue assumptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The year saw the launch of several groundbreaking initiatives.
• Launched in 2022, the paid summer internship initiative promotes an equitable pathway for individuals
• You know, we recently launched with our data analyst.
• We've also, through bond funding over the past several years, and finally launching on March 4th,...
• Several years and finally launching on March 4th, been able to develop, with the help of EOTSS, a new

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm really happy with what we've seen during this early launch.
• </c><00:39:05.520><c> and</c> and Minnesota is getting it launched and and Minnesota is getting it launched
• The program launched January 19th today.
• </c> Um we're in what we call the soft launch Um we're in what we call the soft launch phase,<00:43:00.400
• </c> during this early launch. during this early launch.

Transcript Highlights:

• In May 2025, thanks to the state capital investments, DUA launched the claimant experience portion of
• launch on the employer revenue side.
• So in August we launched a pilot. We actually took this concept from Oregon.
• So we launched a Competitiveness Council at the end of last year.
• And since CHAMP launched in the fall of 2018, 15, 15, And since CHAMP launched in the fall of 2018, 56%

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means