Transcript Highlights:

• In 2025, the annual unemployment rate across the eight San Joaquin Valley counties ranged from 6.7% in
• All eight were above the state rate, but the harder problem isn't the number of jobs, but that as jobs
• than the statewide average may give us... ...regional unemployment rates than the statewide average
• than the statewide average may give us. nearly 100% higher unemployment rates than the statewide average
• According to CalEnviroScreen, Stockton's poverty rate is in the 96th percentile range in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• is so high—to me, the death rate being high is a separate matter from the sheriff and the coroner to
• So I would rather focus on improving and finding out why the in-custody death rate is already so high
• Riverside and improving custody services and preventing such a high rate, exceptionally higher rate of
• uncertainty of improvement. ...uncertainty of improvement of the, you know, so reducing the death rate
• having separate, separating... uncertainty of improvement of the, you know, so reducing the death rate

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that's why we have to get the error rate down.
• If we get the error rate down, the state match goes down.
• So we're pushing DHS very hard to get that error rate.
• You're recognized and The error rate is about 11%. What is it currently?
• And they're rated as one... of the tops in the nation.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not exactly sure why we would invest in municipal bonds since they pay a lower interest rate, but
• I'm not exactly sure why we would invest in municipal bonds since they pay a lower interest rate, but
• , the percentage rate of funds invested in anything other than what we're currently allowed to invest
• And we can even look at their cancer rates in Iowa are like, I think they have the second highest cancer
• . ...rates in Iowa are like, I think they have the second highest cancer rates in the country.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is one of the highest crash-rate locations in the metropolitan area, historically more than double
• My recommendation would be to identify a critical crash rate threshold, and if a project exceeded that
• I was just looking at the MCIT rates, and in 2024 the rate the Minnesota County Intergovernmental Trust
• I was just looking at the the MC it rates and in 2024, the rate the mic Minnesota county ever intergovernmental
• We're going to reduce insurance rates on our own as a state of 5 and a half million people.

Bills: HF4807

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• or</c><00:24:13.400><c> the</c> The final provisions of this bill relate to the tax structure and rates
• The average homeowner's property tax rate inside the Urban Services District will decrease with this
• </c><00:24:32.960><c> only</c> flexibility to modify those rates only flexibility to modify those rates
• The average homeowner's<00:24:39.760><c> property</c><00:24:40.120><c> tax</c><00:24:40.400><c> rate<
• property tax rate inside the Urban<00:24:41.360><c> Services</c><00:24:41.800><c> District</c><00:24

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• August, September, and October reporting at a preliminary rate within 7% and below.
• October reporting at a preliminary rate within 7% and below, which more closely aligns with the federal
• You talked about reducing the error rate Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• You talked about reducing the error rate.
• So I think you're saying that the federal error rate is about 6%, but the states is around 12 right now

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views about abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board applies Florida statutes and works through probable cause panels and legal counsel, but he also expressed strong pro-life views, skepticism of federal health guidance, and criticism of vaccines and some medical practices. Supporters praised his long medical career, military service, and family medicine background, while opponents argued his views could prevent him from being objective in disciplinary matters. The committee voted to recommend him for confirmation to the full Senate, with Senators Polsky and Ruson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch described her background in state human services and outlined priorities centered on accountability, data, lived experience, and improving service delivery. Senators asked about SNAP error rates, Hope Florida, legislative analyses, staffing, and the department’s handling of child welfare and medically complex cases. Hatch said the department was reducing SNAP error rates, that Hope Florida uses navigators to connect people with community resources and self-sufficiency supports, and that DCF is working with the Department of Health and other partners to improve investigations and accountability in child welfare. She also said the agency is reviewing medically complex cases and strengthening oversight of community-based care providers through contracts, audits, and proposed funding-model changes. A substantial portion of the Hatch discussion centered on whether the department had been responsive to legislative requests and whether it had provided timely bill analyses. Senators also pressed her on Hope Florida staffing, the number of participants served, and the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance and legal oversight. Hatch said the foundation is undergoing a financial audit and that the department is relying on required reports and ongoing investigations. The transcript ends amid continued questioning about a community-based care contractor’s finances, related-party transactions, and whether further forensic audits or repayments are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The tax rate is 9.9%, and the tax amount would be similar to the Washington tax liability for the individual
• have significant concerns with this proposal, the marriage penalty, pass-through revenue, the steep rate
• change, a household earning $1.2 million per year would still enjoy the lowest effective state tax rate
• Recent studies have shown that the failure rate for small businesses has been drastically high compared
• If I recall correctly, it's upwards in this rate of like 40% inside the first year.

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• are in there is the nature of the fact that some of these assets are going to be depreciating at a rate
• there is the nature of the fact that you know some of these assets are going to be depreciating at a rate
• That is also how they're able to provide discounted rates of interest to certain municipalities.
• They want to see what kind of risk they'd be taking and get a sense that we would be rated very well
• in Massachusetts, and I know the Treasurer and A&F work very hard to keep our credit ratings high so

Bills: S2542

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Keywords: climate resilience, resilience bond bill, environmental bond, infrastructure spending, flood control, coastal resilience, PFAS, clean water, wetlands, nature-based solutions, housing permitting, flood disclosure, land conservation, biodiversity, forest reserves, municipal vulnerability preparedness, MVP grant program, food security, agricultural resilience, solid waste

Transcript Highlights:

• We haven't even started to ask ourselves why the rate of suicide among children has gone up, yet we ask
• We haven't even started to ask ourselves why the rate of suicide among children has gone up, yet we ask
• According to a rain, that is the rate in which CPS finds evidence for child sexual abuse.
• Not only will it lead to increased STI rates, but also teen pregnancy rates.
• Not only will it lead to increase STI rates, but also teen pregnancy rates.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education took up SB 1288, a parental rights bill by Sen. Grall, which would expand the Parents Bill of Rights to require written parental consent for minors’ medical care and prescriptions, give parents access to medical records, require parental review/consent for surveys and questionnaires, and restrict use of biofeedback devices without parental permission. The sponsor said the bill is intended to restore parents’ role in major medical decisions and to address concerns about schools or providers collecting sensitive information from children without parents’ knowledge. She said she was open to clarifying language, especially around exceptions and definitions, but maintained that parents should generally be the decision-makers. Committee members pressed the sponsor on how the bill would affect minors who are abused, homeless, estranged from parents, or otherwise without a safe guardian, as well as access to STI treatment, mental health care, contraception, and care after sexual assault. The sponsor repeatedly said children in unsafe situations should come into the child welfare or law enforcement system and that she was open to changes for truly unsafe or unavailable parents, but she rejected the idea that the bill was merely about notification rather than consent. She also defended the survey provisions as a way to stop routine questioning of children about suicide and other sensitive topics without parental awareness, and said the biofeedback language was aimed at school settings where data about children’s anxiety or stress is allegedly being shared with classmates. Public testimony was heavily divided, with many speakers opposing the bill and describing personal experiences with abuse, rape, mental health crises, lack of supportive parents, and the need for confidential access to birth control, STI testing, and counseling. Opponents argued the bill would delay care, endanger vulnerable minors, and reduce access to medically necessary services and surveys that can identify risk. Supporters said the bill would restore parental authority, improve transparency, and protect children from inappropriate surveys and biometric monitoring. During debate, Sen. Berman and Sen. Davis opposed the bill, saying it conflicts with existing law and could harm vulnerable youth, while Sen. Yarborough supported it, arguing that not all parents are bad actors and that the state should not treat all families as if they were. The transcript ends with debate underway and no final vote or action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• that this committee has done for a long period of time is to suggest to agencies what the commission rate
• One is the Department of Defense is exempt from FAA fair market value rates at airports.
• at uh airports fair market value rates at uh airports right<00:14:10.279><c> so</c><00:14:10.399><c>
• Contributing factors are current inflation and increased interest rates.
• rates rates the<00:24:59.399><c> Realtors</c><00:24:59.960><c> received</c><00:25:00.279><c> limited

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met in organizational session and first elected Representative John Cluder as clerk. A nomination of Senator Mark Makoni as vice chair was made but not voted on because he was absent; it was carried over to the next meeting. The committee also reviewed its guidelines and procedures, including how it handles property-disposal requests, late items, and informational materials, and then approved the November 12, 2024 minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. The committee then considered several state property and lease requests. It approved a 50-year, $1-per-year ground lease for about 5.66 acres at Berlin Regional Airport in Milan for a New Hampshire Army National Guard hangar/support facility, after hearing that the project is federally funded, intended for training and search-and-rescue support, and would have no permanent full-time staffing. The committee also approved a 30-year lease for the Department of Justice to move the chief medical examiner’s offices, morgue, and autopsy suite to 279 Pleasant Street in Concord, with testimony that the current Concord Hospital space is inadequate and that the new site would double body-storage capacity. Several Department of Safety and Department of Transportation property items were approved as well. Safety received approval for a 10-year lease, with renewal options, for the State Police aircraft hangar at 91 Airport Road in Concord. Transportation was authorized to continue disposal efforts for remnant parcels in Concord, Conway, Lisbon, Effingham, and Mount Vernon, with testimony explaining market conditions, appraisals, access limits, and easements; members asked questions about access and buildability, but each item was approved. During the Berlin lease item, the committee was told the FAA objects to any lease longer than 50 years at that airport, so the request was revised from 55 years to 50 years on the record before approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state growth rates were in the range of 6.9% to 9.6%, which are historically high state growth rates
• the Graduation Initiative 2025 comes to an end, I am pleased to report that our four-year graduation rate
• Compared to our peer institutions, CSU graduation rates rank in the top 10% in the nation.
• the UC specifically: if there was a way for our federal government to cut the overhead reimbursement rates
• That was left from the facilities administration rates that we had, that we put in extra money to support

Transcript Highlights:

• transplant, an invasive... quarter of a million dollar surgery that had a 5 to 10 percent mortality rate
• During COVID, we had the highest death rate of any country in the world.
• American Blacks were dying from COVID at a greater rate than almost any population in the world—over
• The only groups worse are Indian reservations, which haven't even... ...rate, and the only group that
• Why don't we know the answer after 30 years of steady rises in autism rates?

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe seniors are the fastest growing rate of homelessness in our state, and so none of us at this
• I believe seniors are the fastest growing rate of homelessness in our state, and so none of us at this
• I believe seniors are the fastest growing rate of homelessness in our state, and so none of us at this
• I believe seniors are the fastest growing rate of homelessness in our state, and so none of us at this
• Yes, with that, members, we will recess. seniors are the the fastest growing rate seniors are the the

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:39:01.640><c> of</c> repeatedly experienced High rates of repeatedly experienced High rates of
• It's about half the rate.
• It's about half the rate.
• It's about half the rate.
• They have lower crime rates. That needs to be part of the equation when we're thinking about this.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• the</c><01:55:58.560><c> county</c> ...waiver rate system rates and the county cost share in residential
• </c> are going to modify the new flat rate are going to modify the new flat rate system<01:57:08.080>
• </c><01:57:14.080><c> even</c><01:57:14.320><c> got</c> this flat rate system even got this flat rate
• </c><02:03:48.159><c> or</c> while not decreasing closure rates or while not decreasing closure rates
• ,</c> associated with worsening CMS ratings, associated with worsening CMS ratings, incre<02:20:20.479

Transcript Highlights:

• districts to maintain course offerings; implement a transparent statewide per-credit reimbursement rate
• With thoughtful reform, we can protect access while ensuring sustainability and Reimbursement rate.
• So, we oftentimes don't know what the attendance rate is for a student who's in PSO.
• </c><00:35:45.839><c> There's</c><00:35:46.160><c> some</c> credit reimbursement rate.
• There's some credit reimbursement rate.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• is they're rowing at a the growth rate is they're rowing at a fast<00:57:11.799><c> rate</c><00:57:12.799
• </c> fast rate um or paddling at a fast rate fast rate um or paddling at a fast rate so<00:57:15.799>
• </c><00:58:13.839><c> than</c> addressed at a a better rate than addressed at a a better rate than Department
• </c><01:01:30.200><c> for</c> to show the uh enrollment rates for to show the uh enrollment rates for
• 80% rate is pretty accurate of the ones that start and then go all the way through?

Transcript Highlights:

• The board company uses antiquated methods, and it's almost a 100% pass rate for those who take it, with
• Connecticut relicensure is annually at a rate of $200. The costs add up.
• I think the OT Compact said its rate—I don't know, I think it's at $55 at the commission level.
• Also, it caps interest rates on medical debt, not to exceed 3%.
• Also, it caps interest rates on medical debt, not to exceed 3%.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The committee opened a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure focused on health care and human services, reviewed testimony logistics, and then heard a long series of witnesses on several bills. Much of the testimony centered on interstate licensure compacts for dentistry, social work, and occupational therapy, with supporters arguing these compacts would improve workforce mobility, continuity of care, and access while preserving state oversight and public protection. Dental witnesses were split on H.455/S.257, with supporters backing the AADB dental compact for its hands-on exam, background checks, and disciplinary safeguards, while opponents argued a competing compact would better promote portability and avoid conflicts tied to proprietary testing and outside commissions. Social work witnesses strongly supported H.380/S.252, emphasizing continuity of care for clients who move across state lines, reduced costs and delays for practitioners, and the compact’s public-protection features; occupational therapy witnesses similarly supported H.427/S.256, citing access, telehealth, military families, and maintained standards. The committee also heard testimony on S.242, which would expand licensure for lactation care providers. Supporters, including lactation counselors and health center staff, said adding certified lactation counselors and related credentials would expand access, improve breastfeeding support, and allow reimbursement for services now often provided without billing. They described the training required and said the bill would help families, especially in underserved communities. Representative James O’Day also testified in support of the social work compact, and a Council of State Governments witness provided background on compact mechanics and state participation. Another major topic was H.419/S.214 on medical debt. Physicians and researchers testified that cancer patients experience long-lasting medical debt and collections burdens, and they supported limits on the sale and collection of medical debt, bans on reporting it to credit bureaus, and related consumer protections. The hearing also included H.465 on a pathway to special licensure for certain long-term limited-registration dentists serving MassHealth patients, which Representative Senna supported as a way to allow immigrant dentists to practice independently. Finally, the committee heard sharply divided testimony on H.444/S.284, which would allow trained dental hygienists to administer Botox and dermal fillers: supporters framed it as a safe, preventive, and access-expanding tool for TMJ, bruxism, and pain management, while dermatologists opposed it as outside hygienists’ training and a patient-safety risk. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• million households, or about 1 in 8 Californians, have household water debt, partly because water rates
• County alone, water rates rose 60% from 2015 to 2025, according to a recent UCLA Luskin Center report
• to their low-income ratepayers, but public water systems are limited in their ability to offer any rate
• time to establish, upon appropriation, of course, the foundation for the first-ever statewide water rate
• CMUA has been working on low-income water rate assistance since AB 401 in 2015, and the framework that

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on environmental quality, climate planning, transparency, water affordability, plastics, recycling, and refinery transition planning. SB 1087, by Senator Cabaldon, would modernize SB 375 regional climate and transportation planning by extending planning cycles, clarifying target-setting and review processes, and reducing time and cost burdens; metropolitan planning organizations strongly supported it, while environmental groups and industry raised concerns about VMT, GHG metrics, CEQA, and implementation details. Committee members generally agreed the process is too costly and complex, but urged the author to keep the bill focused on simpler, less expensive planning and better progress reporting. The bill was moved as amended to Senate Transportation and kept on call. SB 1239, by Senator Jones, would require CARB to update its standardized regulatory impact assessment when a major regulation is materially changed; supporters framed it as a transparency and affordability measure, while the chair argued it could slow rulemaking and discourage agencies from incorporating public feedback. The bill failed on the committee vote and was kept on call. SB 1125, by Senator Menjivar, would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program, contingent on funding, to help households facing rising water bills; public water agencies, environmental justice groups, local governments, and community members from rural areas testified in support, emphasizing affordability and the lack of statewide assistance. The chair and members expressed support for the need for such a program, and the bill passed 3-1 and was kept on call. SB 1180, by Senator Allen, would establish implementation rules for the plastic pollution mitigation fund created by SB 54, including eligibility, reporting, transparency, and technical assistance for smaller organizations and tribes; environmental justice, conservation, and local government groups supported it, while producer and industry groups opposed unless amended, seeking tighter links to measurable mitigation outcomes and the covered products under SB 54. The bill passed 3-0 and was kept on call. SB 1161, by Senator Valadares, would require CARB to provide clearer, plain-language economic analysis of regulations and their impacts on households; supporters described it as a transparency and affordability measure, while some environmental groups offered respectful or qualified opposition. The chair said she could support it as amended, and the bill passed 4-0 and was kept on call. The committee also heard SB 955, by Senator Blakespear, to update California’s beverage container recycling program so major sellers participate and consumers have convenient return options; supporters said it would improve redemption access and program effectiveness, and the bill passed 5-0 and was kept on call. Finally, SB 1259, also by Senator Blakespear, would require refineries to provide earlier disclosure of cleanup liabilities and closure planning information so the state and communities can plan for refinery site remediation and reuse; the author framed it as a transparency and transition-planning measure, and testimony began in support as the transcript ended.