Transcript Highlights:

• opening up our committee meeting today, I had a chance to speak to the fine gentleman behind me in uniform
• They've been used in commercial fleets for 30 years.
• They've been used in commercial fleets for 30 years.
• They've been used in commercial fleets for 30 years.
• They've been used in commercial fleets for 30 years.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on House Bill 1087 and House Bill 123, both related to firearms. HB 1087 was introduced as a Second Amendment measure, but after questions from the chair and discussion with law enforcement, the sponsor agreed it should be set aside and referred to a study committee for further review, rather than advanced as written. The New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association testified in opposition to the bill as written, while also indicating support for the sponsor’s proposed amendment or a study approach. The bulk of the discussion centered on HB 123, which would require the return of firearms after a not guilty verdict or dismissal. The sponsor and several members described the bill’s purpose as speeding up the return of property, but law enforcement and judicial branch witnesses raised concerns about federal law, the need to ensure a person is still legally eligible to possess firearms, and the bill’s 24-hour return requirement. Witnesses from the State Police and judicial branch explained the current process, including background checks through the state police gun line, and said the existing procedure already aims to return firearms promptly while allowing time to verify disqualifying information. Members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, including removing language that would bar background checks and instead tying return of firearms to completion of the check within a set time frame. Judicial branch and State Police witnesses said a process that requires a background check and return within a reasonable period, with notice if there is a delay or denial, would better address safety and legal concerns. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee closed the public hearing and indicated it would continue working on the language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm going to err on the side of Article 13 that says let's create a general and uniform system of
• </c><02:12:42.480><c> system</c><02:12:42.719><c> of</c><02:12:42.960><c> public</c> general and uniform
• system of public general and uniform system of public schools.<02:12:44.239><c> And</c><02:12:44.639
• </c><02:12:51.360><c> system</c><02:12:51.679><c> of</c><02:12:51.920><c> public</c> general and uniform
• system of public general and uniform system of public schools<02:12:52.639><c> especially</c><02:12:

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> follow</c><02:39:19.680><c> the</c> payers, commercial payers follow the payers, commercial payers
• That is the most common code billed for hospital emergency rooms.
• </c><02:41:47.600><c> for</c> prohibition on billing codes for prohibition on billing codes for evaluation
• That is the most common code build ENM.
• c> requires</c><02:48:05.920><c> that</c> The state building code requires that The state building code

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then now we're going to add in here, although there already is existing law here that private, commercial
• then now we're going to add in here, although there already is existing law here that private, commercial
• AI tools are already being used to clone voices and replicate real performers in commercials, sometimes
• Labeling AI-generated commercials is the next logical step. Disclosure doesn't stifle innovation.
• Obviously, when we're talking about commercial speech, there's constitutional issues that arise in terms

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard several bills focused on California’s creative economy, sports development, and cultural preservation. SB 226 by Senator Cabaldon would clarify that infrastructure revitalization financing districts may be used for entertainment and sports facilities, with testimony from West Sacramento officials emphasizing that the tool would rely only on project-generated city tax increment and would not affect school districts, counties, or the General Fund. Members discussed the relationship between IRFDs and EIFDs and the distinction between infrastructure financing and direct subsidy of private sports teams or stadiums. SB 865 by Senator Ashby proposed support for destination music festivals, citing the economic impact of events such as Aftershock and Golden Sky in Sacramento and similar festivals elsewhere in the state. Supporters from Visit Sacramento and Danny Wimmer Presents said festivals generate substantial jobs, tax revenue, and tourism spending while promoters bear the financial risk. Several committee members and public witnesses supported the bill as a way to sustain the creative economy, local businesses, and opportunities for artists. The bill passed the committee on a unanimous vote and was sent to Appropriations. SB 1050 by Senator Ashby would require disclosures when synthetic performers are used in advertisements, including audio ads, to inform consumers and protect human performers from displacement. SAG-AFTRA and voice actor advocates argued that consumers deserve to know when an ad uses AI-generated likenesses or voices, while TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and other industry groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about overbreadth, audio-only implementation, private enforcement, and the need for clearer exemptions and definitions. Members generally supported the bill’s goal but noted technical issues to refine; it passed unanimously to Judiciary. SB 1073 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a voluntary tax checkoff to support the South Los Angeles Black Cultural District. Supporters described the district’s historic and cultural significance and framed the measure as a way to help preserve Black cultural assets amid limited public funding. Members discussed how the checkoff would appear on tax forms statewide, its voluntary nature, and whether it could serve as a model for other districts. The bill also passed unanimously to Appropriations, and the committee later adopted the consent calendar unanimously as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Almost no community, unless they have a tremendous commercial base, has escaped the municipal funding
• An act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design, Senate No. 3107.
• Third reading of the bill: An act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design.
• Third reading of the bill: An act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design.
• The legislation also clearly delineates the boundaries between commercial interior design practice, The

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commercial protections that we've heard... ...class is going to be on there.
• The commercial protections that we've heard just recently. Oh, sure, sure.
• You've started with a list, the 1790 from Hancock from Murphy's bill, subclass commercial.
• You know, yesterday we had a commercial bill on the Perkins commercial bill was on the floor, and I thought
• Was it like a major commercial...

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met for an open discussion, with no public testimony, to reset its work after the prior combined bill was separated back into two standalone measures. The chair outlined the current direction: House Bill 2780 would include Murphy’s Hancock fix, levy-by-subclass, commercial protection language, the 275-to-150 levy adjustment, and abatement provisions; House Bill 2668 would carry clear ballot language, no-tax-increase ballot measures, clarification of SB 190, and the SB 3 fix. Members also discussed whether additional ideas, such as taxpayer appeal protections and electronic filing, might be added later if they can be worked out. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Hancock-related “275 fix,” with members clarifying that the proposal would not move all districts to 275, but would prevent two known districts below that level from being forced down and losing significant revenue. Several members raised concerns about confusion in the field and the need to communicate clearly to school districts and superintendents what the proposal would and would not do. There was also discussion of new construction under Hancock, including whether certain redevelopment or replacement projects should count as new construction and how that affects school and other local taxing entities. The committee spent substantial time debating tax abatements, especially TIFs and similar economic incentives. Supporters of the language said the intent is to prevent taxing jurisdictions from treating abated revenue as if it were still available and then shifting the cost to other taxpayers; opponents questioned whether the language would improperly reduce revenue that communities had already decided to collect. Members also discussed whether the language should apply only to the entity adopting the abatement, and whether some abatements are better handled through separate legislation. Several members urged that any new ideas be referred through committee so they can receive proper vetting and fiscal analysis, and there was broad agreement to keep the main bills relatively streamlined while continuing to work on additional concepts separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:54.120><c> these</c><00:04:54.280><c> promising</c><00:04:54.759><c> Energy</c> commercialize
• these promising Energy commercialize these promising Energy Technologies<00:04:57.280><c> as</c><00:04
• </c> their startups here to commercialize their startups here to commercialize their<00:08:53.440><c>
• It is known as the commercialization valley of death for a reason, even with the brightest team and..
• </c><00:21:23.039><c> and</c> been installed in various commercial and been installed in various commercial

Bills: HF1013 , HF1598 , HF1656 , HF2162

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• as passed the House, requires watercraft and boat livery owners who rent out vessels to maintain commercial
• Land Department, to the extent possible, to provide ample notice to a lessee of an underperforming commercial
• the commissioner to prioritize a sale of state lands that are the subject of an underperforming commercial
• lease to the lessee under outlined conditions. ...that are the subject of an underperforming commercial
• requirements and procedures for public auctions of state lands associated with those underperforming commercial

Summary: The caucus reviewed a series of Senate-amended bills, with staff summarizing each measure and noting whether the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2305 would revise Arizona’s private towing laws and remove a requirement that municipalities or law enforcement enforce the prescribed towing rates; HB 2398 would impose insurance requirements for watercraft rentals, charters, and peer-to-peer sharing; HB 2957 would bar state and local governments from requiring a digital or mobile driver’s license for identification, while dropping a House provision on biometric identifiers. Members asked for Senate vote counts on several bills and clarified that HB 2305 and HB 2398 were separate from other towing and boot-related measures. The committee also discussed HB 2321, which requires DCS caseworkers to place a security freeze on a child’s credit record after entry into care, with the Senate removing a $100,000 appropriation and one FTE; HB 2408, which changes Nursing Board complaint and expungement procedures and expands how anonymous complaints may be investigated; HB 2397, which updates HOA/condo disclosure rules and drew noted opposition from the Community Associations Institute and home builders; HB 4005, which requires public school districts to provide AI instruction at specific grade levels and directs ADE to adopt curriculum; and HB 2755, which shifts state land lease renewal language to notice and sale procedures for underperforming commercial leases. Senate vote counts were provided for several of these measures, generally showing narrow or party-line margins. The final items were HB 2406, a heavily amended bill now restricting access to records and images related to deceased minors, including child abuse images, with supporters citing concerns about misuse through AI and opponents raising disclosure and media-access concerns; and HCR 2001, a ballot referral on citizenship, voting, and election-related contributions that was substantially narrowed in the Senate but still requires voter ID, limits voting to citizens, bars foreign nationals from election spending, and mandates on-site tabulation for early votes, prompting continued county opposition because of cost and implementation concerns. The caucus ended after members were reminded that the agenda and caucus sheets had been emailed rather than printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• to build new because the renovation is going to be almost as much to fix our building, get it up to code
• > get</c><00:24:21.760><c> it</c><00:24:21.919><c> up</c><00:24:22.000><c> to</c><00:24:22.159><c> code
• </c><00:24:23.120><c> So,</c> building, get it up to code, etc.
• So, building, get it up to code, etc.
• In the end, I don't get involved in commercial details, nor do I want to, but we do stay fully abreast

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Discussion of Nickels and School Facility Funding 00:02:13 Economic Development Projects in Elizabethtown and Hopkinsville 00:29:33 Correspondence and Reports Received 01:09:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match. The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium. Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• district to do some of that flood mitigation work that would help us prevent some catastrophic commercial
• district to do some of that flood mitigation work that would help us prevent some catastrophic commercial
• district to do some of that flood mitigation work that would help us prevent some catastrophic commercial
• would help us prevent<00:03:16.480><c> some</c><00:03:16.640><c> catastrophic</c><00:03:17.400><c> commercial
• </c> prevent some catastrophic commercial prevent some catastrophic commercial shutdowns<00:03:18.320

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just say, since I'm on record here, the primary reason is because of Wyoming's tax code means that
• because of uh the primary reason is because of uh Wyoming's<00:40:52.480><c> tax</c><00:40:52.800><c> code
• </c><00:40:53.200><c> means</c><00:40:53.520><c> that</c><00:40:54.320><c> uh</c> Wyoming's tax code
• means that uh Wyoming's tax code means that uh investments<00:40:54.880><c> in</c><00:40:55.119><c> this
• Uh, um, could you also just address briefly how a stable token would be valuable in a larger commercial

Bills: SF0102 , SF0123 , SF0021 , SF0099

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, energy, funding, grants, loans, coal, natural gas, mineral processing, economic development, stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The other area of funding that you all gave us on prep was for commercial or service.
• , and they're gonna have to have all the airspace approvals They can quickly turn that into a commercialized
• That is the drone commercial activity that could happen in the Tulsa area.
• Commercial aircraft that pack's going to be bringing in. FOD control is important.
• One aspect of our review of compliance for commercial motor vehicles in the state of Oklahoma is both

Committee: House A&B Transportation Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if it's being used for any other purpose or if it changes to commercial or residential, and the assessor
• override and Class B bond elections to include a new valuation for residential property and also commercial
• override and Class B bond elections to include a new valuation for residential property and also commercial
• Commercial property. With that, I'm available for any questions. Thank you. Whip Cruz.
• Thank you very much. ...included the shift from 2005, when the commercial tax rate ratio was 28%.

Summary: The caucus meeting began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder from Rhonda about caucus consent and third-read consent calendars. She explained that bills coming out of rules can be placed on consent if they are not amended, and that pulling a bill from consent means members should be prepared to speak to it on the floor. The meeting then moved through a long Minority Caucus calendar of bills, with staff giving brief descriptions and members frequently noting bills for no further comment, pulling several from consent, or stating opposition. The bills discussed covered a wide range of topics, including appropriations and federal monies (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at public school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning notifications (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighters’ workers’ compensation status (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineer and architect reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and related felony classifications (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting for partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking penalties (HB 2131), fentanyl sentencing thresholds (HB 2132), drive-by shooting definitions and forfeiture (HB 2045), probation review notices for sex offender hearings (HB 2046), venue changes in superior court when judicial employees are parties (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Water-related bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), WIFA grant disclosures (HB 2029), removing water conservation education as an eligible use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource board changes and education funding (HB 2117). Election-related measures included moving the primary date and adjusting cure periods and observer rules (HB 2022), and a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship, ID, foreign contributions, early voting, and mail voting (HCR 2001). The committee also heard two memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CARE (HCM 2001 and HCM 2002). Members and staff offered substantive objections to many bills, often arguing they were anti-student, anti-abortion, overly punitive, unfunded mandates, or unfair tax policy. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2008, HB 2110, HB 2142, HB 2249, HB 2043, HB 2074, HB 2108, and HB 2144. Supportive remarks were also made for some measures, such as the cesspool remediation bill, which was noted as having unanimous support, while other bills were flagged for stakeholder meetings or future amendments. The meeting ended with announcements recognizing members’ birthdays and noting Muslim Day at the Capitol, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows the association to shift that insurance responsibility to the commercial owner where
• </c><00:37:54.680><c> enter</c> restaurant or other commercial enter restaurant or other commercial enter
• </c> commercial owner uh where it belongs. commercial owner uh where it belongs.
• </c><00:38:23.320><c> The</c><00:38:23.400><c> third</c> the commercial enterprise.
• The third the commercial enterprise.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:19.039><c> properties</c><00:19:19.520><c> and</c> second homes, commercial properties and
• second homes, commercial properties and things<00:19:20.000><c> like</c><00:19:20.160><c> that.
• It's our tax code.
• My old commercial radio stuff comes out of me once in a while. That was a long time ago, too.
• My old commercial radio &gt;&gt; Yeah. I'm sorry.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as passed the House, requires watercraft and boat livery owners who rent out vessels to maintain commercial
• Land Department, to the extent possible, to provide ample notice to a lessee of an underperforming commercial
• the commissioner to prioritize a sale of state lands that are the subject of an underperforming commercial
• lease to the lessee. ...that are the subject of an underperforming commercial lease to the lessee under
• requirements and procedures for public auctions of state lands associated with those underperforming commercial

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip and members, as passed by the House, House Bill 2133 requires any commercial entity that knowingly
• to a reasonable viewer that it is created for a specific purpose, removes a requirement that a commercial
• discussion we'll go to 2133 please madam within members as passed by the house 2133 requires any commercial
• that knowingly intentionally distributes or publishes sexual material on the 2133 requires any commercial
• clear to a reasonable viewer that is created for a specific purpose removes a requirement that a commercial

Summary: The caucus reviewed several House bills with Senate amendments and conference committee changes. HB 282 would create the Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and direct DHS to award grants for pediatric cancer and rare disease research; the sponsor said the bill is intended to better use existing funds and federal or donated money, and the Senate amendment shifts grant-awarding authority to the DHS director and requires at least $5 million in funding. HB 2096 would let WIFA assist counties with cesspool remediation, replacement, or closure; the Senate added water-quality compliance language and definitions, and the sponsor said the bill helps smaller counties address illegal cesspools. HB 2749 would reclassify certain non-dangerous felonies as class 1 misdemeanors when criteria are met; the Senate added exclusions for some offenses and a delayed repeal date, and the sponsor’s concurrence was noted. HB 4001 would establish licensing for alternative nicotine product manufacturers and distributors, add enforcement and penalties for sales to minors, and the sponsor emphasized product tracking, stronger enforcement, and protections against youth-targeted marketing. The committee also discussed conference committee versions of HB 2010, HB 2874, HB 2133, and HB 2003. HB 2010 concerns advertising disclosures for digital goods and prorated refunds; the conference amendment limited refunds to digital goods purchased for $20 or more under specified license terms and increased the annual reduction rate. HB 2874 deals with campaign committee termination statements and penalties for late or missing reports; the conference amendment added public disclosure of committees owing penalties, capped penalties, required termination statements in some cases, and added an emergency clause. HB 2133 requires consent and age verification for publishing sexual material online, including AI-generated material; the conference amendment added exceptions for certain preexisting rated films and TV productions and adjusted definitions. HB 2003 lowers the age for an instruction permit to 15 and extends the permit-holding period for some teen drivers; the conference amendment grandfathered permit holders who are at least 15 and a half years old on November 30, 2026 so they are not subject to the longer waiting period. No votes were taken in the transcript, and the caucus ended after questions and brief explanations from staff and sponsors.

Transcript Highlights:

• How much of the money from the opioid settlement fund was used for commercials of this nature?
• Do we think that that's the right use of that trust fund money to be paid for commercials?
• And an additional $16 million for political commercials against those two amendments. $16 million for
• political commercials against those two amendments that, by the way, 57% of Floridians voted in favor
• since then, I have represented private and public sector clients throughout Florida in complex commercial

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commercial protections that we've heard... ...class is going to be on there.
• The commercial protections that we've heard just recently. Oh, sure, sure.
• The commercial protection, again, that we just heard just recently, that 15%... ...commercial protection
• You know, yesterday we had a commercial bill on the Perkins commercial bill was on the floor, and I thought
• Was it like a major commercial build or what? How did you, can you?

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposal will create a new Welfare and Institutions Code section to describe this methodology for
• This proposal seeks statutory changes to the Health and Safety Code to limit family child care licensees
• The proposal seeks statutory changes to the Health and Safety Code to limit family child care licensees
• simple premise: access to due process and quality legal defense should not depend on income or zip code
• My zip code, where I actually live.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.