Transcript Highlights:

• Working with your staff and Senator Gillibrand's staff has been delightful. I yield back.
• Our staff have been working night and day on this.
• I mean, just ask the staff.
• I want to thank my staff.
• My staff has had to coordinate and work with staff all across this dais. and they've done a fabulous

Bills: SB875

Keywords: banking regulation, federal agencies, reputational risk, financial services, supervision, FIRM Act, bank supervision, depository institutions, federal banking agencies, FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve, NCUA, CFPB, credit unions, Operation Choke Point, financial discrimination, safety and soundness, supervisory guidance, examination manual

Summary: This meeting focused on the markup of the Genius Act and the FIRM Act, two significant pieces of legislation addressing stablecoin regulation and the financial industry's regulatory framework. The Chairman noted the importance of providing clarity to the digital asset community and protecting American consumers, while also promoting innovation and competition within the financial sector. Members of both parties expressed varying viewpoints, with some highlighting concerns related to national security and the potential risks associated with stablecoins.

Transcript Highlights:

• How about from the Equal Employment Opportunity staff?
• If you fire front desk staff... veterans can't schedule appointments.
• They are the result of collaboration between the VSOs, committee staff, and VA.
• There's potential for adding inconsistency and the VA staff working on the program.
• I don't want my staff to hear this, but thank you for educating me. thing I didn't know.

Bills: SB124, SB201, SB275, SB410, SB478, SB607, SB610, SB611, SB654, SB702, SB787, SB831, SB892

Keywords: Department of Veterans Affairs, disciplinary procedures, accountability, personnel actions, whistleblower protection, cancer, military, aircrew, veterans, health study, toxins, morbidity, mortality, service members, mental health, community care, accessibility, treatment programs, substance abuse, appointments

Summary: During the meeting, various members engaged in extensive discussions surrounding 15 proposed bills related to veterans' affairs. Notably, concerns regarding recent VA workforce changes sparked debates, particularly about potential cuts and their implications for veterans' care and benefits. Chairman Moran emphasized the need for thoughtful reforms and coordination with stakeholders, urging responsible measures to prevent negatively impacting service delivery. The meeting highlighted a significant bipartisan effort to enhance veterans' access to essential health services, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the VA workforce. Senator Blumenthal's assertions about the urgent plight of veterans due to cuts in personnel drew strong reactions, showcasing the deep concern among committee members regarding the current state of veteran services.

Transcript Highlights:

• One year, they gave us 10 staff in the field to do technical assistance.
• So staff brought this—your staff director brought this to me eight weeks ago, six weeks ago, something
• So I'm going to ask my chief of staff through the chair if he can pull some numbers for me on what...
• It needs to go to city and county managers, key staff, like your solid waste director, your utilities
• director, ...managers, key staff, like your solid waste director, your utilities director, your fire

Summary: The Economic Development Budget Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster costs, recovery operations, sheltering, and major capital projects. He reviewed the 2024 hurricane season impacts from Debby, Helene, and Milton, explaining how FEMA public assistance and state reimbursement work, how cost shares can shift from 75/25 to 90/10 after a federal threshold is reached, and how Florida uses prior storm data and inflation to estimate recovery costs. He also described the state’s faster reimbursement timelines, crediting legislative investments in technology and digital field documentation, and said the division is working to reduce disaster closeout timelines from decades to about seven years. Members asked about debris removal, FEMA de-obligations, local preparedness, and whether regional shelters or co-located emergency operations centers could be used more efficiently. Guthrie said debris assistance is complicated and should generally remain tied to local contracts and planning, though the state will help fiscally constrained communities when needed. He explained de-obligations as FEMA clawing back previously approved funds after later review, and said Florida’s FROC program is helping local governments reduce those risks through standardized documentation, procurement review, and training. He also urged more mandatory emergency-management training for local and state officials and cautioned against weakening the FEMA 50% rule for rebuilding damaged structures. Guthrie provided updates on the new central Florida warehouse in Auburndale and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. He said the warehouse will improve logistics, include cold and ultra-cold storage, and be run by a private vendor with virtual inventory tracking, while the new EOC is designed for Category 5 conditions and expanded partner capacity. He acknowledged budget pressures that reduced the size of the EOC project and said an additional IT request was needed because those costs were not originally included. The meeting ended with praise for FDEM’s work and no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then she would call a staff person, a professional staff person from a committee who would be the
• I drafted my bill with care, line by line, with staff right there.
• “Thank you to my rule staff, Shasta Patrick, and Cindy.
• directors and committee staff who are brilliant and always available.
• To the staff in the Senate President's office, To the staff in the Senate President's office and in health

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> because you don't have enough staff because you don't have enough staff doesn't<00:20:44.559><c>
• </c> I think the number is like 127 staff I think the number is like 127 staff that<00:27:08.880><c>
• Uh the program has much less staff.
• </c> need more money to increase our staff need more money to increase our staff because<00:51:03.920
• Do you need more staff?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the Office of the Auditor’s recent audit of Hawaii’s deposit beverage container program and the Department of Health’s response. State Auditor Les Condo reviewed the program’s structure, noting it was created to increase recycling and reduce litter, but said prior audits have repeatedly found weak internal controls, reliance on self-reported data, and an “honor system” approach. He cited examples of underreporting and overpayment risks, including a Whole Foods settlement and secret-shopper testing at a redemption center where the program reimbursed more than what was actually paid to consumers. Condo said the special fund continues to grow, increasing by more than $12 million between FY24 and FY25, and that the 2024 audit found no meaningful progress in implementing earlier recommendations. He also noted that many prior recommendations were later codified in law, including risk-based audits and internal control requirements, and said the office will audit the program again in about a year. Senator Fevella said the briefing was needed because he has seen little progress over the years and emphasized the program’s goals of reducing litter and promoting recycling. He noted that Hawaii has lost a glass recycler, underscoring broader challenges in the system. Department of Health Deputy Director Kathleen Hoe said the department is committed to addressing longstanding problems and said the director’s office meets with the program twice a month. Program staff outlined steps being taken to respond to the audit, including revising accounting and inspection/enforcement manuals, retaining third-party services, and implementing risk-based audits of distributors and redemption centers. They said internal control process documents from distributors were due June 30, with about 200 received and roughly 100 still outstanding, and that enforcement letters are being sent. The department also described plans for electronic reporting to reduce manual entry and improve accuracy, as well as a broader legislative proposal for a tiered audit system. Under that proposal, larger distributors would remain subject to the current every-other-year audit requirement, middle-tier distributors would be audited every five years, and smaller distributors would be exempt. Officials said the governor had temporarily waived enforcement of the 2025 independent audit requirement because of cost concerns for smaller distributors, while the department reviews submitted audits and considers a longer-term fix. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:46.640><c> Thank</c><00:49:46.800><c> you</c> MDOT staff to answer. Okay.
• Thank you MDOT staff to answer. Okay. Thank you for<00:49:47.119><c> that.
• State aid staff are experts in state aid rules and the design guidelines that go along with them.
• and current staff are doing and participating<00:56:28.880><c> in.
• </c> worked for years uh Richfield City staff worked for years uh Richfield City staff in<00:59:39.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many hours are spent and much staff time, and I have to thank Mark and Joe here for all the work staff
• </c> and Joe here for for all the work staff and Joe here for for all the work staff does<00:02:39.640
• And then I just wanted to again thank staff.
• </c> do want to chime in on the on the staff do want to chime in on the on the staff and<01:10:48.480
• Our staff provide pregrant workshops.

Bills: HF1250

Keywords: outdoor heritage, land acquisition, wildlife management, conservation easements, environmental restoration, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you as well to the Speaker's staff, particularly Michelle Whitney and the rest of your staff.
• Thank you to the chair from Boston and your staff for your partnership and commitment to advancing the
• And finally, to my staff, whom I've relied on at every step of the way in working on this bill.
• I thank you, Jacob, and the rest of the staff as well. You guys have been really, really great.
• And your staff. I thank you, Jacob, and the rest of the staff as well.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed student ambassadors from Robinson Middle School in Lowell, and adopted several resolutions honoring the Gaudet family and Patricia Rappucci. Members also agreed to extend the reporting deadline for the Health Care Financing Committee on House No. 5505 and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a condominium-related petition to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. The chamber then dealt with Senate No. 2619, the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act. The House did not concur with the Senate’s position and instead appointed a committee of conference. It also took up Senate No. 3064, the major climate and infrastructure bond bill known as the Mass Ready Act, which Ways and Means reported with a House amendment. After debate emphasizing resilience, clean water, PFAS remediation, coastal protection, agriculture, and municipal preparedness, the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, the House considered and overwhelmingly approved a conference report on H. 5511, the early literacy and teacher preparation bill. Supporters said it would require evidence-based reading instruction, restrict three-cueing methods, expand educator training, and support paid teaching apprenticeships. The report was accepted 152-0. The House then returned to S. 3064, adopted a consolidated amendment, and passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 151-0, before adjourning to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to fund additional technical staff for the performance goals and compensation system.
• Senator Dismang, yeah, I just have a question for the commissioner staff.
• We have historically lost 10 staff, hired 10 staff a month, right, or 15."
• "Historically lost 10 staff, hired 10 staff a month, right, or 15. We've always kind of done that.
• For some reason, I mean, they need continuity of staff that are there.

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, fund transfer, and reserve requests across multiple agencies. Section B temporary appropriations included funding for state technology upgrades, personnel management staffing and IT skills assessment, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, and higher education workforce grants and credentialing pathways. Additional items covered an ARPA grant for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith LPN program, an IIJA grant for the Oil and Gas Commission’s critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for State Police vehicle purchases, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, and cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission’s AV system and HVAC work. Most of these items were approved by voice vote. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands drew extended questioning and was ultimately not approved. Members questioned the $250,000 transfer to operating expenses tied to the purchase of a West Little Rock office building, the ongoing lease costs at the prior location, and whether the agency had adequately planned for building-related expenses. After discussion, the motion failed, and members told the agency to tighten spending and return if needed. The committee then took up 15 pay plan appropriation requests totaling $25.7 million and approved them after discussion with DFA, DHS, Corrections, and the State Board of Election Commissioners. Members focused heavily on DHS staffing shortages at human development centers, where officials said vacancies and turnover were driven by overtime and burnout rather than pay alone; one member asked DHS to submit a written plan to address the issue. Corrections reported the pay plan had improved hiring and retention. The committee also approved overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. Reports on reserve funds, the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, tobacco settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust, IIJA, and revenue transfer activity were received. The Medicaid Trust Fund report prompted significant concern about February’s $90 million draw; DHS said the month was unusually high because of cash-flow timing and that the fund should end the year with a balance between $150 million and $200 million, while lawmakers noted a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The final discussion centered on DHS’s state hospital damage claim and reconstruction funding, where members expressed disappointment that insurance reimbursement would likely return only about $1.8 million now and possibly about $97,000 more later, far less than the roughly $5 million initially expected. DHS explained the policy was based on actual cash value and depreciation for old buildings, and said the work would proceed on Unit 3 for secured restoration because it was the most cost-effective option.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce the vote. Mr.
• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce the vote. Mr.
• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce the vote. Mr.
• Hearing and seeing none staff will announce the vote. Mr.
• Rural areas are also more difficult to staff.

Bills: HB2402, HB2555, HB2599, HB2685

Keywords: phthalates, medical equipment, healthcare regulation, intravenous therapy, toxic substances, Medicaid, healthcare, traditional practices, health insurance, coverage expansion, therapy, psychotherapy, mental health, regulation, professional standards, tribal data, data protection, privacy, sharing of information, Indigenous rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority staff, get up there. I'm going to make you do it too, man.
• Chairman, members, Matt Seifert, majority staff.
• Welcome the board and research staff. Hi, my name is Tosh McMaster.
• Majority staff, get up there. I'm going to make you do it too, man.
• Chairman, members, my name is Matt Seifert, majority staff.

Summary: The House Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee met for its first meeting, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair outlining the committee’s purpose and expectations. The committee adopted its standing rules, including House-rule-based procedures for agendas and amendment deadlines, and then moved to a chair’s presentation since no bills were assigned yet. The chair’s presentation focused on what AI is and is not, examples of current uses such as transcription and image generation, concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, surveillance, job displacement, and the need for responsible governance. He emphasized Arizona’s role in AI infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing, including data centers, chip fabs, workforce development, energy, water, and national security considerations, while arguing the committee should be innovation-friendly and avoid overly burdensome regulation. Members then discussed their perspectives. Several expressed cautious optimism, highlighting AI’s potential in health care, education, public administration, and business, while stressing privacy, cybersecurity, human oversight, and safeguards against misuse. The vice chair and others noted the importance of state-level policymaking and the committee’s bipartisan approach. No legislation was heard, and the meeting ended with the chair stating the committee would meet weekly and begin hearing bills as they are assigned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're joined by our great Senate Transportation Committee staff. I'm happy to be here.
• And we're joined by our great Senate Transportation Committee staff.
• Our staff that are in attendance and prepared for presentation as well.
• Thank you for your commitment at the council level to this, and we're excited to hear from your staff
• These are our staff members as of today.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met in Yakima to focus on tribal traffic safety, with members and Yakima Nation leaders emphasizing the importance of safety, the right to travel, and continued partnership on U.S. 97 corridor improvements. Yakima Nation Vice Chair Christopher Wallachie and engineering staff described the Tribal Traffic Safety Committee, the U.S. 97 safety project, heritage connectivity trails, roundabout construction, and the use of federal grants and advanced sensing technology to identify hazards before crashes occur. They highlighted collaboration with WSDOT, the Traffic Safety Commission, the University of Washington, and other regional partners, and explained that the goal is to move from reactive crash response to proactive risk reduction. The Yakima Nation engineering team and AI Vision presented the MUST sensor project, which uses compact AI-enabled devices to collect traffic counts, speeds, near-miss events, roadway conditions, and pedestrian activity, with data transmitted to a dashboard and used for real-time warnings and longer-term planning. Committee members asked about speed tracking, driver behavior, enforcement, and partnerships with WSDOT and counties. Yakima Nation staff said the relationship with WSDOT has improved over time, especially after community outreach on proposed roundabouts, and that the tribe now supports several roundabout projects and broader safety coordination. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission then presented statewide fatality trends and tribal traffic safety data. Mark McKekney said 2024 showed a roughly 10% decrease in fatalities statewide, though recent years remain among the highest in decades. He noted that race and ethnicity data are only available for people who die in crashes, and that many American Indian and Alaska Native fatalities involve passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists rather than drivers. Penny Rerick outlined tribal traffic safety coordinator grants and other state-funded tribal projects, including work with Yakama Nation, Colville, Kalispel, Makah, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Muckleshoot, Lower Elwha, and Puyallup, stressing that flexible state funding helps fill gaps left by federal programs and supports community-led solutions. The final presentation covered impaired driving enforcement and ignition interlock compliance in Yakima County. Yakima Police Chief Sean Boyle said the city created a DUI enforcement and education officer program that helped reduce serious injury and fatal impaired-driving crashes, supported by state funding and social media outreach. Yakima County District Court’s Nick Bazan described a supervision program for DUI offenders and interlock compliance, reporting more than 1,000 DUI convictions in 2024-25 and about 3,800 noncompliant interlock users countywide. He said the court is using a two-pronged approach—pretrial assistance for indigent clients and post-conviction accountability and case planning—to improve compliance and reduce impaired driving. The committee expressed support for the work, noted the progress made, and adjourned the work session after thanking presenters for their updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Audrey Vasek, staff to the committee, and... Good morning, Chair, members of the committee.
• Audrey Vasek, staff to the committee.
• Any questions for staff? All right, Senator Peterson, welcome back. Yeah, there we go.
• Staff report.
• Any questions for staff?

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> based on time and resources and staff. based on time and resources and staff.
• </c><00:40:44.680><c> staff</c><00:40:45.080><c> and</c><00:40:45.240><c> and</c> staff and and partisan
• staff and and staff and and partisan staff and and non-partisan<00:40:45.960><c> staff.
• But your ability to non-partisan staff.
• with us, legislative staff um will talk with us, legislative staff um to<00:55:40.720><c> to</c><00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> from our LRC staff from our LRC staff about<00:02:46.240><c> um</c><00:02:46.480><c> how</c><00:
• </c> staff is working with Chairwoman Hevron? staff is working with Chairwoman Hevron?
• So through the staff proposed amendment.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Everyone should have a copy of the staff &gt;&gt; Everyone should have a copy of the staff
• </c> these awesome awesome uh staff guys. these awesome awesome uh staff guys.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on January 12, 2026, to approve the December 10, 2025 minutes and continue finalizing its findings and recommendations. Members reviewed findings on administrative inefficiencies, Medicaid and workforce participation under HR 1, Medicaid budget growth, rural health transformation fund development, and provider tax/state-directed payment changes. The board approved a motion to change “pilot” to “partnership” in the workforce-related recommendation, and also adopted a technical amendment clarifying overlapping HCBS services by removing reference to adult daycare waiver services and revising the language to focus on reducing duplication, simplifying provider contracting, and standardizing processes across programs. A separate technical correction was noted to change “DMS” to “DPH” in the rural health transformation finding, to be handled in the final edits. Several findings drew discussion but no final substantive vote during the meeting. On the rural health transformation fund, Dr. Berg said Kentucky had done well in federal funding and noted limits on what could be shared publicly, while Commissioner Lee said a public website had been created and recommended the department reference be changed to the Department for Public Health. Finding five prompted extended discussion about provider taxes, state-directed payment reductions under HR 1, and whether the board should address the relationship between actuarial studies, MCO payments, and actual provider reimbursement more directly. Senator Meredith and others argued for a broader, more transparent baseline review of rates across provider groups, while Commissioner Lee said CMS will require certain fee schedule comparisons to Medicare beginning July 1, 2026, and that quarterly expenditure reports already go to LRC. The board did not finish resolving finding five during the meeting and agreed to return to it after staff prepared more explicit language. Members also discussed the possibility of an all-payers claims database as a better way to understand what is being paid across payers and services. No final vote on the full findings package was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, but the board did adopt the noted amendments and continued working through the remaining language.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, staff and agencies.
• </c> uh nurses and other organization staff uh nurses and other organization staff that<00:18:38.559>
• Uh lastly, staff and in Minnesota.
• of employ staff significantly in numbers of employ staff that<00:28:45.120><c> can</c><00:28:45.289>
• </c> delegate to municipalities, the staff delegate to municipalities, the staff performing<00:42:33.839

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with me is chief of staff. Go ahead. >> Good morning.
• </c><00:03:57.920><c> Go</c> And with me is uh chief of staff. Go And with me is uh chief of staff.
• Mona Jet, chief of staff &gt;&gt; Good morning.
• </c> DECA project managers and support staff DECA project managers and support staff working<00:34:07.279
• Uh and uh and his staff at that time.

Keywords: 00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:44 Approval of Minutes 01:56 Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet 54:59 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy received an update from Kentucky State Parks and the Finance Cabinet on the status of major capital projects funded through recent legislative appropriations. Commissioner Mark Keelin, Deputy Commissioner Chris Perry, and Finance Cabinet/DECA representatives described progress on campground upgrades, utility and broadband improvements, building systems repairs, life-safety work, accommodations and hospitality renovations, pool and beach projects, playgrounds, golf course improvements, marina work, and wastewater upgrades across the state park system. They emphasized that Kentucky has 44 state parks and that the funding has supported completed work and projects still under construction or in design. The presentation highlighted funding tied to House Joint Resolution 76, House Joint Resolution 56, and House Bill 6. Parks reported roughly $72 million invested to date, with 66 projects completed and 17 under construction, including campground renovations at sites such as My Old Kentucky Home, Kin Lake, Carter Caves, Cumberland Falls, and others; broadband projects at several campgrounds; electrical grid resilience work at parks including Kentucky Dam Village and Kin Lake; and completed life-safety upgrades such as lock systems. Officials also noted pool and beach work, ADA improvements, lodge and guest room renovations, marina replacements, and wastewater plant upgrades. DECA said it currently manages 1,335 active capital projects statewide, including 149 for Parks, and credited additional project management capacity and regular coordination meetings for accelerating delivery. Committee members asked for a copy of the presentation and pressed the department for more detailed accounting of House Joint Resolution 56, including how much money remains, which projects are complete, and whether current appropriations are sufficient to finish the listed work. The department also requested a larger maintenance pool appropriation of $40 million for the next budget, arguing that routine and emergency maintenance needs across 44 parks exceed current resources and that preventative maintenance would reduce long-term costs. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have relationships with our staff that have to be cultivated and agreed upon, and they don't look
• We have relationships with our staff that have to be cultivated and agreed upon, and they don't look
• We have relationships with our staff that have to be cultivated and agreed upon, and they don't look
• Paul Public Schools staff members, non-licensed staff members, are interested in this pathway.
• Paul Public Schools staff members, non-licensed staff members, are interested in this pathway for our

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to the Chair and committee staff for their incredible work on SB 877.
• Thank you to your staff for their detailed work on this.
• , the commissioner, his staff in engaging with us.
• Thank you to the committee staff and the CDI and the pro tem for the work on the bill.
• Committee staff.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• my staff, but I haven't received them yet, so I apologize.
• my staff, but I haven't received them yet, so I apologize.
• Our staff then speaks to the person who's requesting it.
• I would like to thank the committee and staff for working on this bill.
• The staff admitted that they had tied her.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on disability services, food security, veterans, aging services, and child care. SB 969 by Senator Reyes would make permanent the option for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive certain regional center services remotely; supporters said remote services improve access, continuity, safety, and choice, and there was no opposition. The committee initially lacked a quorum, so action on the bill was delayed until later in the hearing, when it was moved on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate state food programs, improve CalFresh enrollment, reduce duplication, and support a 24-hour hunger hotline; supporters framed it as a coordination and strategic-planning measure, while some members questioned whether existing programs should be evaluated first and whether the bill needed stronger reporting and accountability. It passed 3-0 to Governmental Organization. The committee also heard SB 1052 by Senator Gonzalez, which would allow the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to appoint contingent authorized representatives so people with developmental disabilities are not left without support if a parent or other primary helper becomes unavailable. Supporters, including families and disability advocates, described emergencies, immigration enforcement fears, and service interruptions as reasons for the bill; members asked about the current approval and renewal process and whether the annual renewal requirement could be streamlined. The bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1077, also by Senator Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to prepare for future federal shutdowns by creating a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions and a state-backed emergency benefits mechanism; supporters cited the 43-day federal shutdown and delays in benefits, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Other measures discussed included SB 1201 by Senator McNerney, the No Hungry Heroes Act, which would seek waivers and direct referrals to protect veterans from federal SNAP changes and job-search-related income calculations; it passed 3-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would let aging and disability resource connections continue operating during partner transitions so people do not lose access to “no wrong door” services; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1110 by Senator Becker would update child care subsidy funding and reimbursement structures to better reflect direct family services and stabilize providers; the author said a provision tied to the budget would be removed, and the bill passed 4-0 to Education. Finally, SB 991 by Senator Menjivar was presented to improve how abuse and neglect findings in residential care facilities for the elderly are categorized in the licensing database, so serious abuse is not lumped together with lesser violations; testimony described examples of sexual assault and restraint being recorded as generic residents’ rights violations.