Transcript Highlights:

• They provide the online digital infrastructure for transactions.
• immigrants, advocates, and service providers vulnerable.
• You do not provide an exemption for journalists.
• You do not provide an exemption for journalists.
• It's important that people who are working to provide legal aid and basic support for... ...to provide

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Flexibility—it would be nice if the flexibility were provided.
• In our research with homelessness service providers, including providers focused on these two populations
• Service providers are able to provide supports for those distinct needs.
• providers, and our county providers to align outcome expectations, align outcome language, and really
• We are hearing from our providers.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 4 met to hear an oversight discussion focused on homelessness, including the state of homelessness in California, state data systems, and the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HAP) program. In opening remarks, the chair emphasized accountability and the need to focus on families and people at the bottom rung, while the vice chair argued that homelessness and affordability problems stem from policy choices and the state should give counties more flexibility rather than top-down mandates. The committee also announced that the one scheduled vote would be postponed and public comment would be taken later. Dr. Ryan Finnegan of UC Berkeley’s Turner Center presented recent homelessness data, saying California’s homelessness remains high at about 187,000 people in the 2024 point-in-time count, with most still unsheltered, though the unsheltered share has declined somewhat. He explained differences between point-in-time counts and the state’s Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS), noted progress in shelter, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and interim housing capacity, and highlighted declines in youth and veteran homelessness. He also described persistent racial disparities, the large number of chronically homeless people, and risks from federal changes and possible reductions to programs such as Emergency Housing Vouchers and Continuum of Care funding. Members questioned the causes of recent trends, the role of Housing First, Proposition 47, Martin v. Boise, and how funding streams such as HAP and CalAIM are layered together. The California Interagency Council on Homelessness then outlined its data systems and AB 799 implementation. Staff explained that HDIS aggregates HMIS data from all 44 continuums of care and is used to measure outcomes, disparities, and program effectiveness statewide. They said HAP 4 was cost-effective under the State Auditor’s methodology, and that new AB 799 dashboards will provide more public-facing fiscal and outcome reporting by June 2027. Members asked whether the system can better distinguish which interventions work, how self-sufficiency will be measured, how fraud is detected, and whether the council can meet the auditor’s concerns on time. Cal ICH said it has met prior statutory deadlines, that program outcome data already exist, and that fiscal reporting will be built through a web-based tool and aligned with existing departmental reporting systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here today to provide testimony, we also provided written testimony, and we want to also recognize that
• Turning to what the bill does, it requires a covered provider, It requires a covered provider to make
• Requirements regarding that disclosure are provided in the bill.
• If a covered provider licenses its generative AI system to a third party, the covered provider must require
• Now I'll be testifying other today to provide technical context.

Bills: HB2338 , HB2367 , HB2426 , HB2606

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, sustainability, environment, coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• processes for the collection and protection of data, providing duties, providing exceptions, providing
• investigative authority, providing civil penalties.
• in Government Contracting Act, providing for a directory of information within the Sunshine Portal.
• sponsorship payments to independent theaters, providing for program eligibility, program terms, and
• powers and duties, providing for education opportunity accounts, providing allowable uses, providing

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> establish a provisional EID provider establish a provisional EID provider license<00:26:56.400><
• </c><00:26:57.679><c> funding</c> license as well as um provide funding license as well as um provide
• </c><00:29:03.440><c> Um</c> HCBS providers. Um HCBS providers.
• </c> billing and provider billing and provider modifications.<00:34:43.839><c> The</c><00:34:44.480><
• administrative</c> So this would provide administrative So this would provide administrative funding

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To ban anybody, any Medicaid provider, from doing any kind of training of personnel saying, hey, you
• care providers themselves.
• , and that now the providers had been removed so that it applied only to individuals.
• , the health care providers themselves.
• Representative Hostetler said that the smaller providers are under 50 employees.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this funding as compared to providing this care<00:01:23.360><c> in</c><00:01:23.680><c> other</c><00
• . providers. providers.
• advice regarding the MDH's regulation of home care and assisted living providers.
• Under that line, a provider with a temporary license and the chapter is not eligible to apply.
• does the provider hold the temporary<00:10:34.560><c> license?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 690 by Representative Amadee provides relative to education service providers and
• One is about software providers.
• the prohibition on software providers, education software providers, that's in here.
• But they're providing you actual data.
• by the actual providers.

Bills: HB113 , HB342 , HB632 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB1078 , HB1132 , HB1146

Committee: House Education

Keywords: grading scale, education reform, students, public schools, academic policy, special education, due process, local education agency, burden of proof, IEP, education law, data sharing, student information, privacy, education, LA FIRST, foreign adversaries, terrorism, contracting, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• the services are not being provided by the former ICS service provider.
• the services are not being provided by the former ICS service provider.
• In the same ICS setting, provided the services are not being provided by the former ICS service provider
• </c> providing HCBS services. providing HCBS services.
• providing service, the the providers providing service, the families<00:36:44.480><c> and</c><00:36:

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In our research with homelessness service providers, including providers focused on these two populations
• Service providers are able to provide supports for those distinct needs.
• providers, and our county providers to align outcome expectations, align outcome language, and really
• our COC providers, and our county providers to align outcome expectations, align outcome language, and
• We are hearing from our providers.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 4 met to hear an information-only agenda focused on homelessness. The chair and vice chair opened with remarks about affordability, accountability, and the need for flexible but effective state responses. The committee then heard an update from Dr. Ryan Finnegan of UC Berkeley’s Turner Center on homelessness trends, data limitations, and program impacts. He said homelessness remains high, with 2024 point-in-time counts showing about 187,000 people experiencing homelessness statewide, though unsheltered homelessness has declined somewhat as shelter capacity expanded. He emphasized that California’s high housing costs and shortage of affordable housing are the main drivers, while also noting persistent racial disparities, high chronic homelessness, and the importance of coordinated housing, health, and social services. He also warned that cuts or changes to federal programs and state funding streams like HAP could threaten progress. Members questioned Dr. Finnegan about the 9% decline in unsheltered homelessness, the timing and methodology of point-in-time counts, how to interpret trends over time, and the role of policy changes such as Housing First, Proposition 47, and Martin v. Boise. He explained that the 9% figure came from 30 continuums of care that had completed 2025 counts, and that HUD’s eventual statewide number would likely differ because not all regions counted that year. He also discussed how different funding sources are layered in local programs, including HAP, local funds, philanthropic support, federal funds, and CalAIM reimbursements. Several members stressed the need for clearer, more comparable measures of effectiveness and outcomes, including whether programs reduce long-term homelessness and move people toward self-sufficiency. The committee then heard from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness on statewide data systems, especially the Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS). Staff described HDIS as the first state-level integrated homelessness data system, built from local HMIS data and used to track demographics, services, outcomes, and program performance across all 44 continuums of care. They said HDIS has enabled statewide dashboards, system performance measures, and new accountability tools under AB 977 and AB 799. Cal ICH also said HAP Round 4 was highly cost-effective under the State Auditor’s methodology, estimating a cost of about $9,172 per person permanently housed, and that new AB 799 dashboards are intended to provide clearer public reporting on outcomes, fiscal data, and progress toward statewide goals. Members asked about measuring self-sufficiency, identifying the best local partners, detecting fraud, and whether the new dashboards will allow better comparisons among program types and funding uses. No votes were taken, and the one scheduled vote was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Disability Providers and the Association of... ...the Association of Developmental Disability Providers
• They do provide accommodations as well.
• We do have some really strong examples from employers providing accommodations and really providing flexibility
• We do have some really strong examples from employers providing accommodations and really providing flexibility
• We do have some really strong examples from employers providing accommodations and really providing flexibility

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships. Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• actions or licensing impacts that are legally providing methopristone.
• California's healthcare community healthcare providers, and AB 260 protects patients, providers, facilities
• Michelle Gomez, a provider and professional at UCSF Medicine. Thank you. Good morning.
• Your districts and communities that provide the fabric of culture and community.
• Provide your name, organization you're with, if any, and position on the bill.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The MED list also provided population and housing units for each entity.
• The MED list also provided population and housing units for each entity.
• PL 94-171 data has provided the basic metrics on these evolving demographics.
• Data has provided the basic metrics on these evolving demographics, providing states the opportunity
• The data also provides more complete snapshots of multiracial populations, Provides more complete snapshots

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on July 7, 2026 focused on how the census defines and tabulates race and ethnicity for redistricting. The sole witness, Professor Jeffrey Weiss, reviewed the history of Public Law 94-171, the Voting Rights Act, and Census Bureau race categories, explaining how block-level census data has been central to one-person, one-vote compliance and to enforcing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. He described the evolution from separate race and Hispanic-origin tabulations to multiracial reporting, the addition of voting-age and citizen voting-age data, and the increasing complexity created by coalition districts and multiracial populations. A major theme was uncertainty about Census 2030. Weiss said the federal government is considering changes to race and ethnicity questions, possible elimination of the MENA category, reduced multiracial detail, and discontinuation of differential privacy, while also discussing a possible citizenship question and other procedural changes coming through the Commerce Department rather than the Census Bureau. He warned that these shifts, combined with staffing cuts, reduced outreach, and scaled-back testing, could affect the availability and granularity of redistricting data and may trigger litigation. Committee members pressed him on the Biden-era revisions, the Trump administration’s current actions, and whether future data might have to be reported at a higher geographic level if block-level privacy protections are removed. Weiss also summarized Supreme Court redistricting doctrine, describing the move from Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims to the Gingles framework, then to later decisions limiting race-conscious districting, including Shelby County, Rucho, and the recent Louisiana v. Calais decision. He said Calais significantly narrowed federal Section 2 protections but does not directly preempt state voting rights acts, which he noted are being adopted in several states and may still allow coalition-based protections. The hearing ended after questions from the chair and vice chair, with no votes or formal committee actions taken, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't just provide treatments. We care for patients.
• Fourth, when you restrict providers, you restrict patients.
• her family, and an advocate for patients and providers.
• During this time, children and adults are repeatedly seen by providers.
• Children and adults are repeatedly seen by providers.

Bills: H5013 , H5087 , H5115 , S2928

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: celiac disease, gluten intolerance, autoimmune disorder, pediatric screening, child health, public health, screening pilot, early detection, 12-year-olds, cholesterol screening, lipid screening, health care providers, Department of Public Health, patient advocacy, family support, Massachusetts, preventive care, diagnostic screening, nutrition, gastroenterology

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on income, families may be required to pay a monthly copayment to their provider.
• Families meeting these criteria are not required to pay a copay to the provider.
• We cannot stabilize the supported living system without treating our providers with dignity.
• Yes, my name is Randy Hawke, and I'm a supported living provider providing services in Othello, King,
• and support services that they provide.

Summary: The House Early Learning and Human Services Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 1873 would expand Working Connections Child Care eligibility to full-time graduate and professional students with household income at or below 85% of state median income, with copays waived to the extent allowed by federal law. The prime sponsor and student testifiers argued that child care costs and limited stipends force student parents to choose between education and family responsibilities, while some members raised questions about program cost, uptake, and return on investment. The committee also heard HB 2600, which would require DSHS to update the Supported Living Cost Report template and convene a work group to develop Medicaid rate recommendations aimed at improving compensation for direct support professionals. Supporters, including SEIU-affiliated workers, said the bill would increase transparency and help ensure state funding reaches frontline caregivers, citing low wages and high turnover. Opponents from provider organizations argued the current cost report is already detailed, that the bill would add administrative burden, and that recent rate increases have already been passed through to wages and benefits. In executive session, the committee considered three Senate bills. It adopted a striking technical amendment and voted 9-1 to report out SSB 5911, which protects funds for youth in extended foster care and raises the threshold for protected accounts. It then voted 10-0 to report out SSB 5957, expanding the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee to include more people with lived experience and representatives of disproportionately homeless populations. Finally, it voted 7-3 to report out SSB 6184, which updates Office of Homeless Youth programs and language, including expanding eligibility for emerging adults up to age 21. The meeting ended with an interim planning discussion focused on future work on critical incidents, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities data, homelessness, child care, and facility tours.

Transcript Highlights:

• our small and rural providers, than it is on our insurance industry.
• Because if you don't have providers, you cannot serve the people.
• Because if you don't have providers, you cannot serve the people.
• I actually agree with much of the provider cuts.
• and it also will force some providers to get out.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I provide some background information.
• Child care provider licensing. So they're studying licensing.
• You know, the medical association, the DD providers.
• Child care providers are very scattered and very different.
• May provide a written response to the recommendations and...

Bills: HB1220

Committee: Senate Workforce Development

Keywords: accelerated degree, high-demand occupations, education reform, North Dakota, licensing, 908, all

Summary: The Workforce Development Committee reconvened to discuss House Bill 1119, which would create a child care advisory committee and authorize a Legislative Council program evaluation of child care services. Senator Hogan explained that the bill is intended to review child care licensing rules, child care assistance, and related laws and policies, while also giving child care providers a stronger voice in the rulemaking process. He described the proposal as a new model for legislative program evaluation and noted that leadership had been briefed and was supportive. Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s wording, scope, and structure. Senator Larson questioned the title and several sections, and multiple members suggested making the response language less directive and more collaborative, including changing “shall” to “may” in the section requiring a written response from the Department of Health and Human Services. Members also discussed limiting the advisory committee to the interim, clarifying that the evaluation would focus on child care services rather than broader early childhood programs, and adjusting language about enacted legislation to sound more neutral. The committee also discussed fiscal impact, with Hogan saying the evaluation would be done by Legislative Council staff and that any costs would likely be limited to meetings and existing DHS rulemaking activities. Members compared the proposal to other oversight models, including audit-style reviews and a possible DOGE process, and Hogan emphasized that the bill is meant to evaluate why child care issues keep recurring and why some laws are not fully implemented. No vote was taken; the committee agreed to continue refining the bill and planned to meet again the following Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Top 10 providers are still the same, and those three providers have actually consolidated and they enjoy
• It lists 180 providers.
• I think as to this, there is a national provider shortage, but the provider shortage here is so much
• I think as to this, there is a national provider shortage, but the provider shortage here is so much
• Criminal content is provided.

Bills: SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, procurement, contracting, small business, local government, disaster recovery, emergency procurement, certification, public spending, juvenile justice, delinquency, rehabilitation, community corrections, risk assessment, public safety, health regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides ongoing funding for the Department of Commerce Community Services Division to provide a grant
• This provides one-time funding for the Department of Commerce Community Services Division to provide
• This provides one-time funding for the Department of Commerce Community Services Division to provide
• This provides one-time grant funding through OSPI to a nonprofit providing integrated student supports
• It's not a blank check to providers.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on a proposed substitute operating budget bill and worked through a long series of amendments before voting on the bill. Members discussed a wide range of budget items, including court funding for Thurston County civil filings, Attorney General funding for a domestic extremism task force, grants for Yakima aquatics access, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring programs, poverty reduction work, a proposed Department of Housing task force, federal grant inventory staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, DCYF family resource centers and pediatric interim care, law enforcement training and equipment, shellfish and birthing center licensing fees, school bus depreciation, charter school accountability, transition to kindergarten priorities, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI grants. The committee also considered amendments related to the Columbia River Gorge Commission, shrub-steppe habitat mitigation, and a study on Lower Snake River reservoir drawdown impacts. Debate on many amendments centered on whether items were statewide priorities or local projects, and on the fiscal constraints of the budget. Supporters often argued that proposals would protect vulnerable populations, improve public safety, or leverage future savings and outside funding; opponents frequently cited budget pressure, the availability of existing funding, or the need to avoid singling out local projects. Some amendments were adopted, including Clark 343 on intent to fund up to 10,000 additional eCAP slots, Jones 419 on paint stewardship funding, and Stevens 070 limiting birthing center license fees. Many others failed, including amendments on Thurston County court funding, the domestic extremism task force, Yakima aquatics, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring, poverty reduction workgroup funding, the Department of Housing task force, federal grant staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, the PIC Center contract, the Lacey regional training academy, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI-related proposals. The committee then moved to the underlying bill, Proposed Substitute House Bill 2289, and adopted a do pass motion after disposing of the amendments. The transcript indicates the committee ultimately reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• the justification for um providing those the justification for um providing those services<00:18:13.200
• concerned about regarding this provider concerned about regarding this provider tax.<01:05:31.599><c>
• </c> provide some information. provide some information. Thank<01:10:43.440><c> you.
• So, Madam Chair, Senator providers.
• </c> um how much they pay in the provider um how much they pay in the provider tax. tax. tax.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all