Transcript Highlights:

• you know, again, protection orders, major reform.
• you know, again, protection orders, major reform.
• you know, again, protection orders, major reform.
• budgets.
• And, of course, budgets, we would stay for regardless.

Committee: Joint Statute Law Committee

Summary: The Statute Law Committee met on December 10, 2025, with members and staff introducing themselves and approving the June 10, 2025 minutes. The office reported on publications, noting that the 2025 RCW volumes and session laws are available, sales remain generally steady but modestly declining, and selected volumes have been ordered. The committee also heard a presentation from retired Judge Ann Levinson about how decodified or repealed laws are displayed online, using the civil protection order reforms in E2 SHB 1320 as an example. She argued that current disposition-table language can be confusing to the public and suggested clearer cross-references to the new chapter so readers can find the law more easily. Code Reviser staff responded that their office generally avoids editorializing and has limited tools in the current system, but they discussed possible solutions such as “later enactment” language, brief notes directing readers to the new chapter, and clickable links to session laws. Members generally supported making the code more reader-friendly while preserving neutrality, and staff said they would explore options further, including possible updates to the 7.105 RCW dispositions and improved hyperlinks. The committee then received financial and operational updates. Staff reported the office remains fully staffed, is managing its budget conservatively, and expects to revert some funds to the general fund while maintaining a healthy publications fund reserve. They also updated the committee on the move from the modular office back into the rebuilt Pritchard building, expected in late 2026, and on proposed office-hour changes from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, with exceptions for active work, requests from clients, and floor action. The committee also recognized the upcoming retirement of longtime editor Barb Sage and Vice Chair Sam Thompson’s impending departure from the committee, with members expressing appreciation for their service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not saying we shouldn't do the reform; we absolutely need the reform.
• Not saying we shouldn't do the reform; we absolutely need the reform.
• Not saying we shouldn't do the reform; we absolutely need the reform.
• Not saying we shouldn't do the reform; we absolutely need the reform.
• Not saying we shouldn't do the reform; we absolutely need the reform.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• For a budget conference.
• We will embrace any and all ideas that curb the state budget.
• This budget would bank all the extra money into reserves.
• When we finally put a budget on the desk for its 72-hour waiting period, let it be a budget that was
• When we finally put a budget on the desk for its 72-hour waiting period, let it be a budget that was

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received a Senate message regarding SB 2510, the pre-K through grade 12 education conforming bill. Representative Persons-Mulicka explained that the bill was a Senate conforming measure tied to budget policy, including changes affecting acceleration course weighting and the CAPE program. The House adopted a strike-all amendment to place the bill in the proper posture for conference, then advanced and passed SB 2510 on final passage by a vote of 88 yeas to 10 nays. After SB 2510 passed, the House agreed to accede to the Senate’s request for a budget conference. Speaker Perez then delivered extended remarks criticizing the Senate for breaking the budget framework agreement and arguing that the state budget has grown too large. He said the House remained committed to reducing state spending and revenue, discussed possible budget and tax-cut alternatives, and emphasized that property tax reform and state revenue reduction were separate issues. He also noted the House’s work on property tax relief and said the chamber would continue negotiating. The House then took up HCR 1633, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular session until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. Representative Garrison explained that it was identical to an earlier extension resolution except for the new end date. The resolution was adopted, and the House then approved a motion to adjourn for committee and subcommittee meetings and other House business, to reconvene upon call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• These efforts have included the Continuum of Care Reform and other reforms that resulted in a decrease
• These efforts have included the continuum of care reform and other reforms that resulted in the decrease
• The tiered rate reform is a first-in-the-nation reform.
• And we know just even from an economic and a budget perspective, it is treating, economic and a budget
• in the Governor's budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would say more generally, you know, particularly with the budget scenarios that we are living budget
• But we have worked for the reforms, and some reforms have been very important in the last couple of years
• But we have worked for the reforms, and some reforms have been very important in the last couple of years
• Maida Sanchez with Californians for Pesticide Reform.
• And the importance of revising closely the budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• The only reserve we had in the budget was to just cover unanticipated expenses in that budget year.
• And that, of course, makes the budget more difficult to manage and more difficult to enact a budget that
• I'm the budget director at the California Budget and Policy Center.
• also recognizing that budget reserves are just one tool in the budget-balancing toolbox.
• Budget Center?

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee held an informational hearing on California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or Rainy Day Fund, with opening remarks focused on the state’s long history of revenue volatility and the role reserves play in smoothing downturns. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that California’s personal income tax base is highly volatile because high-income earners’ income is tied to capital gains and other fluctuating sources, and that Proposition 2’s current reserve rules set aside 1.5% of General Fund revenues plus a share of excess capital gains, but cap constitutional deposits at 10% of General Fund taxes. The LAO said its analysis evaluates reserve policy over decades and found the current system would cover about 30% of funding shortfalls in a 90th-percentile downturn scenario over 50 years, which is an improvement over no reserve but still inadequate. The LAO recommended raising the reserve cap substantially, ultimately to 50% by 2055, with an immediate increase to 20% and gradual increases thereafter. It also suggested either replacing Proposition 2’s deposit formulas with broader rules that capture volatility across all tax revenues or, alternatively, depositing all excess capital gains rather than only a share. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s prior proposal similarly sought to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exclude reserve deposits and withdrawals from the state appropriations limit, arguing those two constraints limited the state’s ability to save during recent revenue surges. Other panelists and members discussed whether reserves should be paired with broader structural changes, including unemployment insurance reform, safety-net funding, infrastructure reserves, and the projected surplus temporary holding account. The California Budget and Policy Center supported reserve reform but emphasized balancing savings with current needs and noted other tools such as revenue increases, borrowing from special funds, and the new surplus-holding account. Members debated the causes and effects of Proposition 13, the appropriations limit, business departures, and whether reserve policy should be more directly tied to protecting Californians’ access to health care, food assistance, child care, and other core services. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I saw that we did not budget that much money.
• When we say reform, we might not agree that it's reform.
• As far as the current budget goes, not one dime from the dedicated revenue has been used for this budget
• Senate Bill 1163 is the DHS budget limit bill.
• Senate Bill 1175 is a budget limits bill.

Bills: HB3312 , HB3700 , HB2981 , HB2961 , HB3016 , HB4478 , HB4326 , HB3025 , HB3710 , HB4125 , HB2951 , HB3082 , HB4142 , HB4106 , HB1752 , HB3268 , HB4440 , HJR1067 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1149 , SB1167 , HJR1024 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB3419 , HB3748 , HB4335 , HB3057 , HB3279 , HB4428 , HB3420 , HB3040 , HB4140 , HB1638 , HB3298 , HB4113 , HB1082 , HB4301 , HB3269 , HB3587 , HB4226 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4342 , HB3278 , HB3996 , HB4236 , HB4352

Summary: The Senate first took up House Bill 4440, a proposal related to Medicaid expansion. Pro Tem Paxton said the measure would move parts of the expansion from the Constitution into statute, add work requirements for able-bodied adults, and create a trigger if the federal FMAP match falls below 90%. Supporters argued this would give the Legislature more flexibility to manage costs and protect the program long term, while opponents said it would weaken voter-approved constitutional protections and could lead to reduced coverage or benefits. After extended debate, the bill itself passed 30-8, but the separate motion to place it on an August special election ballot failed 30-9. The Senate then advanced and passed H.J.R. 1067, a related November ballot measure that would repeal the constitutional Medicaid expansion obligation entirely; it passed 29-8. The chamber then considered several retirement cost-of-living adjustment bills. SB 1144 would provide a 3% or 6% COLA for retired teachers depending on years retired, while ending a dedicated revenue apportionment once the system reaches 100% funded or in 2036. Senators raised concerns about the long-term funding changes, but the bill passed 43-1. SB 1145 provided similar COLAs for retired state employees and passed 41-4. SB 1146 offered COLAs for police retirees and passed unanimously 48-0. SB 1147, a COLA for firefighters and volunteer firefighters with estimated added unfunded liability, was also adopted by the Senate after committee approval and proceeded to final passage as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That package was tax reform and 12 bills.
• And in 1969, another tax reform package.
• It's a reform measure within the more limited context of legal and administrative reform.
• So this tax package for tax reform included changing.
• So that's what happens when you're a former budget chair.

Committee: Joint Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, do you think this reform away.
• Senator, with the budget targets future.
• Uh Uh our budget is about 95% people.
• </c> means we don't have enough in our budget means we don't have enough in our budget um<00:09:28.080
• And some of those funds in the budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• Introduction of House bills: a House bill by Representative Bacala provides relative to the capital outlay budget
• Introduction of House bills: a House bill by Representative Bacala provides relative to the capital outlay budget
• House Resolution 38 by Representative Owen to memorialize Congress to reform the Foreign Intelligence

Bills: HR39 , HR40 , HR41 , HCR19 , HCR20 , HCR21 , HB2 , HB3 , HB15 , HB441 , HB976 , HB977 , HB978 , HB979 , HB980 , HB981 , HB982 , HR19 , HR20 , HR21 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR34 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HCR15 , HCR16 , HCR17 , HCR18 , SCR10 , HB115 , HB208 , HB465 , HB964 , HB965 , HB966 , HB967 , HB968 , HB969 , HB970 , HB971 , HB972 , HB973 , HB974 , HB975 , HB474 , HB487 , HB503 , HB606 , HB633 , HB707 , HB720 , HB728 , HB733 , HB846 , HB852 , HB856 , HB868 , HB875 , HB78 , HB112 , HB148 , HB149 , HB190 , HB221 , HB346 , HB354 , HB355 , HB356 , HB358 , HB384 , HB427 , HB657 , HB675 , HB716 , HB207 , HB300 , HB331 , HB428 , HB464 , HB587 , HB618 , HB629 , HB801 , HB853 , HB891 , HB901

Keywords: St. Joseph's Day, Saint Joseph's Day, St. Joseph's Altar, Italian American, Italian heritage, Italian immigrants, Louisiana culture, New Orleans, Sicilian heritage, Catholic, Feast of Saint Joseph, cultural resolution, heritage caucus, legislative caucus, ethnic heritage, jazz history, Italian Louisiana, immigrant contributions, cultural recognition, House Resolution 40

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know systems reform the way these folks do.
• Until we Lawmakers budget appropriately?
• Bail reform went in.
• Also, police training reform. I'm, I'm committed to moving forward on police training reform.
• I agree with juvenile justice reform.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of us supported public records reform.
• A lot of us supported public records reform.
• To vote on bills, to vote on budgets, to work on things like that.
• the public records reform bill that we're trying to pass on the ballot.
• So which budget records are you seeking?

Summary: The hearing opened with committee chairs explaining the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions’ role under Article 48 and outlining the process for initiative petition 25-14, H5-004, an act to improve access to public records. The first panel consisted of subject-matter experts. William Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures gave an overview of public records laws across states, noting that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions for legislatures vary widely. He discussed common legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on specific constitutional and statutory language. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, described Massachusetts public records trends, saying state agency requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with 2025 setting a record for appeals. She said the initiative would extend the public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s Office and add exemptions specific to those offices, while also noting resource concerns from the growing volume of requests and appeals.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not one of the bills that goes into the budget.
• And we know that they are potential additions to the budget.
• whether or not any of these budget bills wind up in the final budget bills, which are, I think, 11..
• Any of these budget bills wind up in the final budget bills, which are, I think, 11 separate bills.
• because the 2017 reforms did not require any pre-funding.

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the February 4 minutes and announced several bills would be held, including SB 1317, SB 1416, SB 1419, SB 1490, and SB 1493. It then heard SB 1579, which would appropriate about $4.7 million from the general fund to expand a law enforcement data-sharing pilot through the Department of Administration, with funding for DPS, county sheriffs, university police, city/town police, and an amendment adding $125,900 for Scottsdale Police. Supporters, including the Flagstaff mayor, the Eloy police chief, and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office staff, said the system improves real-time information sharing, officer safety, and efficiency. The committee adopted the amendment and gave SB 1579 a do pass as amended recommendation by a 6-0 vote with one not voting. The committee next heard SB 1581, which would use the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund for pepper ball equipment and public safety training simulators. The amendment increased the Nogales Police Department’s pepper ball appropriation and expanded simulator funding so Yavapai County could buy two simulators with a three-year warranty. Testimony from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Phoenix Police, Glendale Police, Flagstaff, and Cochise County emphasized pepper ball’s de-escalation value and the simulators’ role in crisis-response and scenario-based training, including interactions involving autism, mental illness, and hearing impairments. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1581 as amended on a 7-0 vote. SB 1673 was then heard to appropriate $8.2 million from the general fund to the Law Enforcement Crime Victim Notification Fund, with the sponsor and witnesses describing the automated victim-notification system as constitutionally required and already reducing workload while keeping victims informed through texts and other alerts. The committee passed SB 1673 with no amendment on a 7-0 vote. SB 1544, which would make adult probation records public on request subject to redactions and appeal procedures, drew mixed testimony over transparency versus privacy concerns, especially around risk assessment tools and sensitive records; the committee passed it 4-3, with several members explaining no votes pending amendments. SB 1376, a civic leadership development special plate bill directing funds to a nonprofit focused on youth civic education and leadership, passed unanimously 7-0. Finally, SB 1550, a three-year Queen Creek pilot program to address runaway youth and exploitation through specialized police work, received support from local officials and anti-trafficking advocates but drew a no vote from one member over concerns about how runaway youth are treated in other legislation; it passed 5-1 with one not voting. The committee also heard SB 1504, a public safety retirement bill changing normal retirement and COLA timing for Tier 2 and Tier 3 members, with strong support from police and fire groups and opposition from local government and pension reform advocates, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, now we'll move on to issue number 7: Child Care Rate Reform Transition Plan. Thank you.
• We were asked to present the Assembly's rate reform transition plan for the period between July 1 and
• Rates table, as a percentage increase for each rate beginning January 1st of the budget year.
• , beginning January 1st of the budget year.
• in the 25-26 budget for the cost of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Almost all of the reforms that have been implemented—certainly the reforms that have been implemented
• within that global budget.
• I had provided lists in detail what some of those other targeted reforms are.
• About PBM practice reforms, you implemented many of those, and pricing reforms, some of those you implemented
• The next level of reform is a higher investment. Reform is a higher investment.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• They should guide our budget. At our playing field, they should guide our budget as well.
• This budget keeps you... That has eluded governors again and again. This budget keeps that promise.
• At $46.9 billion, this budget is smaller than last year's $50 billion budget.
• The legislature acted, consolidated, reformed the system, but many of those reforms have been undone.
• Consolidated and reformed the system, but many of those reforms have been undone.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received and processed multiple resignation notices and special-election proclamations for vacant seats. The chamber later recognized and swore in newly elected members Doyle Boudreaux, Reese Broussard, Chassity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray after no objections were raised to their qualifications. The House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session, and it adopted the proposed standing committee meeting schedule and referred prefiled bills to committee without objection. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the introduction and reading of a very large number of House bills and resolutions across many subject areas. Measures included the annual appropriations bill, a proposed constitutional convention, carbon dioxide sequestration and pipeline permitting, retirement-system changes, criminal justice and public safety proposals, education and workforce measures, local government and district creation bills, insurance and liability reforms, and numerous commemorative resolutions. Several prefiled bills were withdrawn, and many introduced measures were assigned to committees or allowed to lie over under the rules. The House then entered a joint session with the Senate for the governor’s address. Governor Jeff Landry outlined his administration’s priorities and praised recent legislative actions on taxes, insurance reform, transportation, education, and fiscal discipline. He urged support for Amendment 3 on teacher pay and retirement, called for further workforce and health initiatives, defended insurance and transportation reforms, and pressed for judicial reform, especially in Orleans Parish, citing the death of Jacob Carter and failures in electronic monitoring as examples. He also promoted replacing the vehicle inspection sticker with a QR code system and highlighted economic growth, lower taxes, and infrastructure investments. The joint session also included a presentation of the colors by the Louisiana National Guard and a Distinguished Flying Cross ceremony for Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister, recognizing his 2018 rescue mission in Alaska. After the governor’s remarks and the military honor presentation, the joint session concluded and the House resumed introducing additional bills, continuing to file measures on topics such as health care, education, ethics, elections, local districts, and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not about this year's budget.
• And we talk a lot about our budget, and we liken it to how California families do their own budget.
• So I applaud our budget chair, our colleague, who is also a So I applaud our budget chair, our colleague
• This ACA is not about this year's budget. It's about a budget 10 years from now.
• This ACA is not about this year's budget. It's about a budget 10 years from now.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some budget requests in the current budget. requests in the current budget.
• We know it's a challenging budget year, challenging budget times, and there are a lot of unknowns out
• So, there is a significant cost with making all the reforms that were adopted back in the prior budget
• Consistent with last year's budget agreement, the 25-26 budget plan reduces funding for Middle Class
• The governor's budget Maintain statewide efficiency reductions of 7.95% included in the 2024 Budget Act

Transcript Highlights:

• These efforts have included the Continuum of Care Reform and other reforms that resulted in a 91 percent
• The tiered rate reform is a first-in-the-nation reform.
• budget perspective.
• in the governor's budget.
• The budget methodology serves to work that out.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're on the mandatory side of the federal budget. So what does that mean?
• Governor Leavitt reacts to that audit and says, I want to reform these...
• and create the welfare reform movement of the 1990s.
• That's why we have the 1996 reform.
• And so again, if you have a cost allocation...” “...budget.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie on Arkansas’s “one door” or “no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. The discussion focused on moving the state toward a work-first system that better connects job seekers, employers, education, and public assistance programs, with goals of increasing upward mobility, improving labor force attachment, reducing inefficiencies, and adapting to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. The consultants argued that Arkansas’s current system is fragmented across multiple offices, portals, agencies, and funding streams, and that people often have to navigate separate doors for workforce services, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and related supports. Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as the model, describing how that state integrated workforce and human services into a single department, used cost allocation to blend funding behind the scenes, and saw improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said TANF should be treated as a workforce program, not just a benefits program, and suggested that Arkansas could use TANF and other tools to cross-train DHS staff, co-locate services, and create a more unified service delivery model. Members asked about federal flexibility, waivers, and whether the state could use one large waiver or a broader restructuring to simplify the system. Bishop explained that a federal pilot authority proposal failed in Congress, so the current approach relies on waivers, cost allocation plans, and possible state-level changes. The committee also discussed the relationship between DHS and workforce offices, the role of local workforce boards, how disability and vocational rehabilitation cases would be handled, and how the governor’s Restore Hope/Hope Hub and faith- and community-based initiatives might fit into the broader plan. Bishop said Arkansas already has rehabilitation services within the workforce department and emphasized that case managers should focus on people rather than programs. No votes were taken. The chair said the committee would revisit case management at its August meeting and adjourned the meeting after thanking the consultants.