Transcript Highlights:

• It's been an awesome opportunity for us to be able to collaborate on this, to have some other House education
• I really appreciate the opportunity to collaborate, to work together, and to do some awesome teamwork

Summary: The House Pre-K through 12 Education Budget Conference met to consider Senate Offer Number One on the education budget, provisos, and back-of-bill items. Senator Burgess thanked the House for its prior offers and said the Senate was making its first offers, noting continued progress on many issues and specifically mentioning the FEPP scholarship and declining enrollment supplement as an unresolved area where both chambers agreed action is needed. The House responded by accepting a number of Senate offers. On the budget offer, the House accepted several listed rows, with the accepted rows and shaded rows closed and all other rows left to bump. The House also accepted specified rows in the proviso offer and back-of-bill offer, again closing those items and bumping the rest. The House stated that the Pre-K through 12 implementing bill sections, conforming bills, and Senate Bill 2514E would all bump in their entirety. In closing remarks, both sides praised the collaborative process and said they had worked through many issues, though some items remained outstanding. Representative Valdés moved to rise, and the conference adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been an awesome opportunity for us to be able to collaborate on this, to have some other House education
• really appreciate the—I did that for you, Senator Pizzo—I really appreciate the opportunity to collaborate

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been an awesome opportunity for us to be able to collaborate on this, to have some other House education
• I really appreciate the opportunity to collaborate, to work together, and to do some awesome teamwork

Summary: The House Pre-K through 12 Education Budget Conference met to consider Senate Offer Number One on the budget, proviso, and back-of-bill items. Senator Burgess said the Senate was making its first offers and noted continued progress on outstanding issues, including the FEPP, where the Senate maintained a new categorical for the scholarship and declining enrollment supplement. He emphasized that both chambers agreed something still needed to be done on that issue. Chair Smilke responded that the House accepted a number of the Senate’s proposed rows in the budget, proviso, and back-of-bill offers, with the accepted rows and shaded rows closed and all other rows bumping. The House also said the Pre-K through 12 implementing bill sections, conforming bills, and Senate Bill 2514E would bump in their entirety. The chair described the meeting as the first and last conference meeting of the week and thanked Senator Burgess and staff for their work. In closing remarks, Senator Burgess and Chair Smilke both praised the collaborative process and said there were still a few outstanding issues, but that was expected in a large budget. Representative Valdés then moved to rise, and the conference adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, thank you to the Senate Chair Dela Cruz and to you, Senator Moriwaki, for your collaboration
• <c> your</c> and to you, Senator Mory Walke, for your and to you, Senator Mory Walke, for your collaboration
• </c><00:50:24.319><c> Senator</c> collaboration on this budget.
• Senator collaboration on this budget.
• on the CIP together on the collaborating on the CIP budget.<00:51:02.400><c> So,</c><00:51:02.720><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of these boards regulate a single occupation, and other boards, like the Board of Medical Practice
• This slide lists the 16 health-related occupations in the state, and for the Board of Medical Practice
• This slide lists the 16 health-related occupations in the state, and for the Board of Medical Practice
• This slide lists the 16 health-related occupations in the state, and for the Board of Medical Practice
• It collaborates with hospitals and clinics to provide specialized testing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and those who are interested in really moving the needle on how we can deploy more regenerative practices
• They also exist in collaboration with our sister agencies to ensure that charging infrastructure goes
• I am going to file an unfair labor practice against the state for this.
• Kyle Jones, on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Water Collaborative Action Program, which includes water

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation heard an informational hearing with Secretary Garcia and CalEPA-related departments on the administration’s budget proposals and related environmental programs. Secretary Garcia highlighted CalEPA’s work on methane reduction, community air protection, water infrastructure, Exide cleanup, safer pesticide alternatives, Prop 4 implementation, and Bay-Delta water quality, while emphasizing the impact of federal rollbacks and the need for flexible state response. Members raised broader policy concerns about the polluter-pays principle, special fund vacancies, and whether the state is maintaining sufficient staffing and enforcement capacity, especially after recent fee increases. A major portion of the hearing focused on landfill support, response, and enforcement, particularly subsurface elevated temperature events at Chiquita Canyon and El Sobrante. CalEPA requested $5.1 million and 12 positions to improve monitoring, technical response, coordination, and enforcement across CalRecycle, CARB, DTSC, the Water Board, and OEHHA. Assembly Member Schiavo described severe community impacts from Chiquita Canyon and pressed for stronger state action, more transparency, and accountability from landfill operators; Assembly Member Rogers emphasized that accountability must mean forcing operators to take preventive measures and bear the costs. Agency staff said the proposal would help augment current response efforts, support local enforcement agencies, and improve early detection, while acknowledging that the causes of set events are not fully understood and may involve factors such as lithium-ion batteries, oxygen intrusion, and gas extraction practices. The committee then heard an update on the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water program and the effects of the new cap-and-invest structure. State Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel reported that the program has reduced the number of Californians without safe drinking water from 1.6 million to about 600,000 since 2019, while also bringing 320 systems back into compliance and distributing $1.8 billion in drinking water grants. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that under SB 840, SAFER is now in a lower funding tier, which could reduce annual proceeds from the prior $130 million level to a projected $92 million in 2026-27 and delay funding until later in the year. Members expressed concern that this deprioritizes rural drinking water needs, while the board said it would continue using SAFER’s flexible funds for emergency water, technical assistance, and construction, and would keep pushing consolidations and other long-term solutions for the remaining failing systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• already have done this, or maybe, you know, we should have led with this, but exactly what is meant practically
• I don't mean this director at you, Director, but it has long been a standing practice that departments
• We call them eubles that facilitate collaborative and community-based services provided to youth.
• That facilitate collaborative and community-based services provided to youth.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• already have done this, or maybe, you know, we should have fled with this, but exactly what is meant practically
• I don't mean this directed at you, Director, but it has long been a standing practice that departments
• We call them Meebles that facilitate collaborative and community-based services provided to youth.
• That facilitate collaborative and community-based services provided to youth.

Summary: The Budget Committee heard the Department of Mental Health’s FY 2027 budget presentation, with Director Valerie Hoon outlining a $4.4 billion department budget, including $1.7 billion in general revenue, and describing the department’s roles in substance use, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities services. Early questioning focused on marijuana-related mental health impacts, but the main discussion centered on the department’s new decision items, funding sources, and expected wait lists. The director explained several increases tied to Medicaid growth, mental health youth services, outpatient competency restoration, crisis residential services, developmental disability waivers, and provider tax adjustments, along with offsets such as reduced wraparound funding at the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center and cuts to some youth and self-directed DD services. A major portion of the hearing focused on competency restoration for people found unfit to stand trial and currently held in county jails. Members pressed the department on the cost, effectiveness, and legal implications of keeping people in jail while awaiting services, noting a reported wait list of roughly 524 to 538 individuals and average holds of about 14 months. The department said it currently has eight outpatient competency restoration beds in the community, is seeking funding for 50 additional outpatient slots, and also operates jail-based restoration for about 40 people at a time. Members repeatedly asked for breakdowns of violent versus nonviolent cases, success rates, cost per person, and the split between state and federal funding, while the department explained that Medicaid can cover only the treatment portion, not residential housing or other non-billable costs. The committee also discussed broader capacity constraints in state hospitals and developmental disability services. Hoon said Fulton, Center for Behavioral Medicine, and FTC North are full, with 183 vacancies across the department, and that the department is working on a new Kansas City hospital that would add 150 beds, though completion is now expected closer to 2029 or 2030. In the developmental disabilities section, the department warned that the governor’s recommendation would create wait lists for in-home waiver services and crisis residential services, and members questioned proposed reductions to self-directed services rates and other provider payments. No votes were taken, and the committee recessed before finishing the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 989 creates a more practical and effective pathway by allowing first responders to request that county
• SB 998 strengthens that foundation by equipping educators with restorative justice practices, cultural
• Whether it's a good practice or not, patients increasingly rely on online videos and advertisements for
• It is near and dear to my heart as a former practicing deportation defense attorney.
• Even I refuse to give legal advice to anyone no longer practicing because the law changes every day.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from the different states best practices from the different states and<00:05:24.039><c> so</c><00:05
• I know in my own practice I've seen more Rule 20 cases in the last several years than I did in the 20
• </c> input from uh any lawyers that practice input from uh any lawyers that practice in<00:54:34.119>
• when a vehicle is are not practical when a vehicle is fleeing<01:19:02.120><c> when</c><01:19:02.280
• </c><01:19:56.040><c> practical</c> the reasonable and practical practical the reasonable and practical

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these different presentations we’ve heard today, it’s important to have more of a cross-sector collaborative
• 00:10:37.519><c> a</c><00:10:37.680><c> cross-</c><00:10:37.920><c> sector</c><00:10:38.480><c> collaborative
• </c><00:10:39.120><c> effort</c> of a cross- sector collaborative effort of a cross- sector collaborative

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• shortages in other areas that, uh, things change over time, and what this does allow, uh, the collaboration
• over time and what this does allow uh over time and what this does allow uh the<00:15:05.040><c> collaboration
• c> between</c><00:15:06.240><c> uh</c><00:15:06.399><c> K</c><00:15:06.639><c> through</c> the collaboration
• between uh K through the collaboration between uh K through 12<00:15:07.120><c> and</c><00:15:07.360

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provided some background on what's been happening in the background on this matter and a strong collaboration
• /c><00:20:09.440><c> a</c><00:20:09.919><c> a</c><00:20:10.240><c> strong</c><00:20:10.559><c> collaboration
• </c> matter and a a a strong collaboration matter and a a a strong collaboration and<00:20:12.000><c>

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and Arts heard several resolutions recognizing observances and cultural/historical initiatives. STR 12 SD1 recognized International Dark Sky Week; DLNR and the University of Hawaii discussed the advisory task force structure, with the university agreeing to continue as chair, and the measure was later passed with amendments. STR 112 SD1 requested Honolulu City Hall be lit purple for National Purple Heart Day, but because the resolution could not create a permanent standing request, the committee amended it to apply only to August 7, 2025. STR 131 urged the state to acquire the Hawaii Theatre to preserve its cultural and historic significance and keep it in public use, and STR 169 SD1 asked the state archives to expand outreach and civic engagement; DAGS supported both measures, with the state archivist emphasizing the value of connecting people to documentary heritage and civics education. The committee also considered STR 197 SD1, which recognized June 1 as Indigenous Peoples Day, July 1 as Canada Day, and September 30 as Truth and Reconciliation Day in acknowledgment of ties between Hawaii and Canada. DBEDT supported the resolution, and a member asked about possible tariff impacts on tourism from Canada, with the department saying it would follow up by email. The chair noted there were some individuals in opposition, but no additional testimony was offered during the hearing. After a recess, the committee took up decision-making and adopted all measures. STR 12 SD1 and STR 112 SD1 were passed with amendments, STR 131 and STR 169 SD1 were passed as is, and STR 197 SD1 was passed with amendments including a request that the governor raise a Canadian flag in Hawaii at an appropriate recognition ceremony. The chair closed by noting this was the committee’s last hearing of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to um uh thank my collaborator uh in the other body, Rhett Baker, um, as well as the Department
• c> thank</c><00:02:08.640><c> my</c> And I want to um uh thank my And I want to um uh thank my collaborator
• 10.319><c> the</c><00:02:10.479><c> other</c><00:02:10.720><c> body,</c><00:02:11.680><c> Rhett</c> collaborator
• uh in the other body, Rhett collaborator uh in the other body, Rhett Baker,<00:02:12.720><c> um</c><

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Enoi creates a dynamic classroom environment that encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and student
• critical</c><00:24:38.279><c> thinking</c> encourages critical thinking encourages critical thinking collaboration
• <00:24:41.080><c> and</c><00:24:41.480><c> student</c> collaboration and student collaboration and student

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're now building strategic collaborations with industry leaders, government, and investors to accelerate
• reach 50,000 users on our platform, emphasizing a shared experience that fosters community and collaboration
• I'm immensely proud of Kennedy Space Center and the work we've done to collaborate with the state of
• This symbiotic partnership makes way for collaborative research opportunities and increased exposure

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on Florida’s space economy and related infrastructure. SpaceX Vice President Kiko Donchev described the company’s Florida operations, launch cadence, reusable rocket program, Starlink service, and plans for future Starship activity at the Cape. Senators asked about Florida employment, expansion plans, satellite lifetimes, disaster-relief uses of Starlink, and recreational connectivity; members also praised SpaceX’s hurricane response and broader public benefits. Donchev said SpaceX’s Florida workforce has grown to about 1,600 and that the company hopes to add Starship pads and continue expanding in the state. The committee then recognized Commander Dennis Baker for his military service and veteran advocacy, including his leadership of the Florida Veterans Foundation, grant work, the Walk of Honor, and the Gadsden Flag license plate program. Members highlighted that revenue from the plate helps fund veterans’ dental care and noted upcoming dental services for veterans in Volusia County. Baker received a flag flown over the Capitol and a framed gubernatorial proclamation. Newview CEO Clint Grumman presented the company’s commercial satellite LiDAR mapping system, describing its Lake Nona headquarters, Florida ownership, planned jobs, and applications for infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. He said the company’s satellite data could improve accuracy and lower costs, and noted partnerships including a Department of Defense contract and a European Space Agency moon-mapping effort. Space Florida then outlined its role as the state’s aerospace finance and business development authority, emphasizing its pipeline of projects, spaceport improvement program, workforce academy, and efforts to address infrastructure constraints and seek tax-exempt bond authority for spaceports. NASA’s Kelvin Manning closed with an update on Kennedy Space Center, highlighting Artemis progress, rising launch demand, commercial partnerships, economic impact, and the Florida University Space Research Consortium. No bills were voted on, and the meeting adjourned after comments from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, humankind has been trying to master this technology and put it to practical use for the
• But we practice and play in the fall and spring. And I also—thank you.
• It took three years, but it required a lot of practice.
• Practices right now in the summer are very tough.
• And if you don't support this bill, I invite you to my next practice where you can...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, so then with the three universities, can you expand on some ideas that you might have on collaboration
• then with the three universities can you expand on some ideas that you might have on and I on collaboration
• But the three universities, can you expand on some ideas that you might have on, and I, on collaboration

Bills: SB1026 , SB1126 , SB1143 , SB1166

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: alternative education, school funding, student accountability, education reform, school district governance, educational records, student privacy, FERPA, family educational rights and privacy act, Department of Child Safety, DCS caseworker, child welfare, abuse or neglect, juvenile justice, juvenile court, juvenile corrections, school records, discipline records, attendance records, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• Through continued collaboration with our federal partners, targeted policy and training improvements,
• And have you collaborated with any other states to see if there's a better pathway or a more cohesive
• And we were collaborating on different strategies and potential waivers that we could ask our federal

Transcript Highlights:

• Requires the DCF, in collaboration with ACCA, to submit a report on the evaluation to include findings
• Many of you have had the opportunity and the privilege of collaborating with me for a number of years
• I've had the opportunity and the privilege of collaborating with many of you for a number of years, and

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met to consider several bills and the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. SB 1310, relating to reporting of student mental health outcomes, was temporarily postponed. The committee then took up SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entities, adopted a delete-all amendment, and heard support for the bill’s focus on transparency, accountability, audits, referral patterns, and a DCF report due by December 1. Members discussed the capacity of the current reporting system and the need for coordination with school districts. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee next considered SB 1620 on mental health and substance abuse disorders, which implements selected recommendations from the 2025 Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. The bill, as amended, includes reforms on dignity and patient-centered care, crisis response, individualized treatment plans, use of the DLA-20 assessment tool, data analysis by the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, and creation of a research center. Amendments removed a direct medication-provision requirement in favor of a review and report on discharge procedures, medication adherence, and long-acting injectables, and clarified licensure priorities for short-term residential treatment programs. Testimony and debate emphasized the need for action, better data, and efficient use of public funds. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard from Taylor Hatch, the Governor’s appointee to lead DCF. Hatch described her background in state government and her priorities for DCF, including coordination, transparency, prevention, permanency, and responsiveness to vulnerable Floridians. Several members spoke in support, citing her experience at APD and familiarity with the agency’s work. The committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation, and then adjourned.