Bills: SB54 , SB126 , SB128 , SB101 , SB102 , SB104 , HB282 , HB298 , SB54 , SB126 , SB128 , SB101 , SB102 , SB104 , HB282 , HB298

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: sunset law, Alabama Surface Mining Commission, environmental regulation, mining, state commission, Alabama Private Investigation Board, regulatory oversight, agency review, continuation, sickle cell disease, healthcare, regulatory commission, public health, regulation, electrical contractors, state agencies, home medical equipment, board continuation, boards, commissions

Transcript Highlights:

• from minor guardianships relating to or requiring the court to direct the Department of Children, Youth
• Senate Bill 5974 concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, law enforcement agency volunteers, youth

Bills: SB5837 , SB6011 , SB6009 , SB5868 , SB5974 , SB5720 , SB5833 , SB5936 , SB5993 , SB6070 , SB6002 , SJM8014 , SB6086

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: guardianship, conservatorship, protective arrangement, protective arrangements, supported decision-making, supported decision making, court visitor, adult guardianship, limited guardianship, full guardianship, adult conservatorship, less restrictive alternative, capacity, legal capacity, respondent rights, due process, vulnerable adults, disability rights, elder abuse, estate management

Bills: SB61 , SB8 , SB58 , SB60 , SB167 , SB61 , SB8 , SB58 , SB60 , SB167

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: school psychologist, school psychology, interstate compact, licensure compact, license reciprocity, portable license, equivalent license, professional licensing, psychology board, school mental health, student services, educational services, interstate practice, reciprocal licensing, background check, continuing education, workforce shortage, military spouse, active duty military, compact commission

Transcript Highlights:

• profession to engage in sexual misconduct with that individual in custody or in correctional facilities or youth
• That's an employee of the Department of Corrections, Youth Services, a sheriff of a county or municipality

Bills: HB43 , SB81 , SB178 , SB138 , SB89 , SB183 , HB27 , HB188 , HB199 , HB190 , SB117 , HB43 , HB27

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, custodial sexual misconduct, sexual misconduct, inmate abuse, prisoner exploitation, correctional staff, jail staff, detention center, probation officer, parole officer, Department of Corrections, Department of Youth Services, sheriff, county jail, municipal jail

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, to the point intervention.
• We will not youth and professionals.
• </c><01:57:49.280><c> uh</c><01:57:49.440><c> youth</c> girls swimming club, youth uh youth girls swimming
• club, youth uh youth sports,<01:57:50.400><c> tutoring,</c><01:57:51.280><c> and</c><01:57:51.520><c
• </c> equipping young young folks or youth equipping young young folks or youth with<02:03:04.800><c>

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 64, the Minnesota Alliance with Youth Youth Council, receives an additional $375,000 per year in
• ><c> clarifies</c><01:03:46.400><c> that</c> Uh section 8 intervention clarifies that Uh section 8 intervention
• Section 18 strikes a reference to Kerry and also to tier 2 as a descriptor of interventions.
• Section uh 19 requires interventions.
• ,</c><01:43:23.040><c> and</c> Department of Children, Youth, and Department of Children, Youth, and

Transcript Highlights:

• , and Indigenous women In California, to evaluate honestly whether current state and community interventions
• Another intervention of the Perinatal Equity Initiative involves doulas, community-based doulas, and
• Another intervention of the perinatal equity initiative involves Dula, community-based Dulas, and of
• And Assemblymember, I know you had talked about evidence-based interventions and unfortunately there
• And Assembly member, I know you had talked about evidence-based interventions and unfortunately there

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Latina Inequities opened with remarks framing the discussion around reproductive and maternal health disparities affecting Latina, Black, and Indigenous women in California. Members emphasized the need to connect state data with lived experience, and the committee heard historical context on coercive sterilization, language access, and the ways immigration status, poverty, and racism continue to shape reproductive health care. The first panel featured Clarissa Ramirez of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Sophia Pedrosa of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, and Kim Robinson of Black Women for Wellness, who described reproductive justice principles, the legacy of eugenics and forced sterilization, community education efforts, promotoras, and the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive care. They also raised concerns about federal funding cuts, fear related to ICE and public charge, and the loss of education and outreach programs that support patients and families. The second part of the hearing focused on maternal health. Matt Green of the California Department of Public Health described persistent racial disparities, including Black birthing people being three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, and outlined state efforts such as the Black Infant Health Program, the Perinatal Equity Initiative, the Centering Black Mothers in California report, and a new Black birth equity action plan. Chris Esgera of the Department of Health Care Services explained the state’s birthing care pathway, postpartum care pathway, and Transforming Maternal Health model, including policy changes to support doulas, community health workers, transitional care, and postpartum coverage. He said the department is working through policy updates and payment reforms, with Medi-Cal coverage for pregnant people and 12 months postpartum remaining protected. The final panel included Dr. Nicole Economo and Dr. Kelly McHugh of ACOG, who discussed provider education, anti-racism and implicit bias training, and the need for quality improvement projects focused on closing equity gaps at individual hospitals. They highlighted tools such as the CLEAR Initiative, the Elevate Toolkit, and use of CMQCC data to track outcomes by race and ethnicity. Across the hearing, members repeatedly stressed that community-led solutions, sustained funding, better data, and accountability are needed to reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve reproductive health outcomes. No formal votes or bill actions were taken during the hearing, though several policy priorities and ongoing legislative efforts were referenced for future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll continue to deepen this collaboration and together support the millions of adults and youth
• Because as you know, one of the things I keep talking about is youth mental health.
• We're in support of the expansion of dual enrollment, particularly for justice-involved youth.
• I've seen firsthand what inclusion and belonging can do for our students in early intervention, going
• I've seen firsthand what inclusion and belonging can do for our students in early intervention, going

Summary: The committee heard an update on the administration’s Career Education Master Plan and the new California Education Interagency Council. Administration and agency staff described efforts to better connect K-12, higher education, workforce, and data systems, including the California Cradle to Career Data System, e-Transcript California, and a proposed career passport. They emphasized regional coordination with workforce boards and community colleges, and said the new council’s immediate tasks are to hold its first meeting by the end of June, enter into a data-sharing MOU, and complete a strategic plan by the end of November. Members asked about the council’s authority, reporting requirements, and how it would relate to the broader Master Plan for Higher Education; staff said the council will make recommendations but does not have implementation authority. The committee then took up the Governor’s proposed $100 million one-time expansion of dual enrollment grants and related changes to instructional minute requirements. Finance and the Department of Education said the proposal would support middle college, early college, and CCAP programs, add technical assistance, prioritize high-need LEAs, and reduce the minimum instructional day for certain dual enrollment students from 240 to 180 minutes to ease scheduling barriers. The Chancellor’s Office strongly supported the investment, citing access, acceleration, and equity benefits, while the LAO recommended rejecting the funding, arguing the state already provides ongoing support and that the proposal does not address major barriers. Members raised questions about adult learners, A-G alignment, reporting on outcomes and expenditures, rural access, transportation, staffing, and whether the funding would create lasting program capacity. The item was left open after discussion. The committee also considered trailer bill language to align the definition of long-term English learners across data systems. Finance and CDE said the change would simplify identification by defining LTELs as students who have not attained English proficiency within seven years and RTELs as students not proficient within six years, matching the dashboard and research-based timelines. CDE said the current mismatch between dashboard and assessment definitions creates confusion and delays, while some members and advocates worried the change could reduce earlier intervention or should be handled through policy committees rather than the budget process. The committee voted to reject the proposal and refer it to policy, though the administration said it still supports the budget language. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to extend the Supporting Inclusive Practices project by one year, through June 30, 2027. CDE said the project is promising but raised concerns about the contract structure and fiscal management, while Marysville Joint Unified School District testified that SIP had helped expand inclusive preschool and district-wide practices and reduce reliance on more restrictive placements. Members questioned why funds had not been fully encumbered and whether the remaining money should be redirected to areas with greater implementation need. The item was discussed but no final action was described in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:51.760><c> for</c> therapeutic arts intervention for therapeutic arts intervention for underserved
• </c> Up next we have the Hawaii Youth Symphony. President and CEO Randy Wong in support. >> Yes.
• You know, I found a job with the youth symphony at the same time that I was playing the orchestra.
• Hawaii Youth Symphony who are in Hawaii Hawaii Youth Symphony who are in Hawaii Symphony<00:30:27.200
• symphony at the same time with the youth symphony at the same time that<00:30:53.440><c> I</c><00:30

Bills: HB2437 , HB2461 , HB2604 , HB2605 , HB1860 , HB2001

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard several measures focused on arts funding, public art, performing arts, and libraries. HB 2437 would appropriate funds for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ Artists in the Schools program; the Foundation testified in strong support, explaining that demand has increased and that additional funding would allow more schools to be served. HB 2461 would raise the ceiling for the works of art special fund and provide money for maintenance and a collections manager position; the Foundation supported it and described major conservation needs, including large-scale repairs to public artworks such as the Tadashi Sato work in Hilo and the King Kamehameha statue, as well as ongoing bronze maintenance and new commissions affected by rising materials costs. HB 2604 would create a performing arts ticket surcharge; the Attorney General and Department of Taxation raised drafting and administration concerns, while the State Foundation supported the concept. HB 2605 would create a position to coordinate specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved neurodivergent populations, and the Foundation supported that measure as well. HB 1860 would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony orchestra and require annual reports; the Attorney General suggested clarifying the public purpose, and the Symphony, youth symphony, and many community supporters testified in favor, emphasizing educational, cultural, and civic benefits. HB 20001 would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the State Public Library System, Friends of the Library, and individual testifiers strongly supported it, describing libraries as essential community and educational resources. After hearing testimony, the committee took action on several bills. HB 2437 was recommended for passage with amendments in HD1, with the appropriation blanked out and the additional needed funding to be noted for Finance consideration; the vote was unanimous among members present. HB 2604 was also recommended for passage with HD1 and technical amendments, including deleting the term “Hawaii-based,” clarifying that student performances at public charter schools are exempt, aligning recordkeeping provisions with tax law, and setting an effective date of January 1, 2027. HB 2461 was deferred to decision-making on Friday, February 13. The transcript also indicates the committee moved through the remaining measures after testimony, but the excerpt ends before final votes are shown for HB 2605, HB 1860, and HB 20001.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, on line 188, there's a small appropriation to children, youth, and families.
• Madam Chair, on line 188, there's a small appropriation to children, youth, and families.
• Madam Chair, on line 188, there's a small appropriation to children, youth, and families.
• Madam Chair, on line 188, there's a small appropriation to children, youth, and families.
• Madam Chair, on line 188, there's a small appropriation to children, youth, and families.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So it only has one intervention, which is you go. Like, well, well done.
• these stories and they're just horrific about what this can do to our unstable people, especially youth
• So again, it helps early intervention. There's a two-year look-back period.
• We continually discuss in this committee and elsewhere the need for early intervention.
• Behavioral health needs are not the exception for these youth. They are the expectation.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:46:32.240><c> Throwing</c> intervention. It's a framework. Throwing intervention.
• So it runs the gamut. intervention. It's not all I know the intervention.
• </c> extensive interventions. extensive interventions.
• </c> interventions that help a student. interventions that help a student.
• and intensive intervention intervention and intensive intervention in<05:33:08.000><c> schools</c><05

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• They represent lost opportunities for intervention during critical developmental windows.
• They represent lost opportunities for intervention during critical developmental windows.
• The economic and social benefits of timely ASD intervention, including reduced long-term care costs and
• Up to nine hours for youth and young adults, four to 21 years.
• When intervention starts later or is repeatedly interrupted, treatment becomes... ...more complex and

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a range of health care financing bills focused largely on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until each bill is acted upon. They said the day’s bills addressed affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable patients, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would recognize board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field and several providers testified that Massachusetts families face long delays for ABA services and that adding BCABAs would expand workforce capacity, reduce costs, and improve access. Wakely actuary Annie Tasman Ewing said a three-tier model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% annually, while Dr. Sandra Beaton and others described severe wait lists and said the bill would allow more families to be served sooner. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow people under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Representative Stanley, Senator Gomez, and advocates from the American Kidney Fund and Dialysis Patient Citizens argued that current law unfairly excludes these patients, leaves them with high out-of-pocket costs, and can delay transplant eligibility because many centers require secondary insurance. Testifiers said the change would help about 846 residents, could cost insurers only a small premium increase, and might reduce Medicaid spending by avoiding asset spend-downs. Committee members asked questions about the existing statutory carve-out and the practical effects on transplant access. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular Medicaid rate reviews for ABA services. Providers and clinicians said current MassHealth rates no longer reflect the cost of delivering care, especially with new 2026 policy requirements, workforce shortages, and accreditation obligations. They emphasized that the bills would not mandate a rate increase but would create a data-driven, transparent review process. At the end of the hearing, the chairs thanked participants, invited additional written testimony, and the committee voted unanimously to adjourn the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the last is Division of Youth Services.
• And then the last is Division of Youth Services.
• Preventing initiation among our youth, we've reached those goals.
• Preventing initiation among our youth, we've reached those goals.
• Preventing initiation among our youth, we've reached those goals.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• :30.960><c> is</c><03:20:31.120><c> an</c> youth risk behavior survey is an youth risk behavior survey
• , including a physical be an intervention, including a physical intervention,<04:14:08.880><c> a</c><
• ,</c> most vulnerable children and youth, most vulnerable children and youth, those<04:27:30.399><c>
• </c><04:37:01.600><c> work</c> kid out, therapeutic intervention, work kid out, therapeutic intervention
• </c><05:04:40.000><c> should</c> that those two um interventions should that those two um interventions

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• It also was providing intervention support.
• We represent 165 community-based organizations that serve the state's most vulnerable children, youth
• who often face additional barriers. language learners, including homeless and foster youth who often
• On issue six, the universal school meals are essential for homeless and foster youth who often rely on
• Also, emphasizing that robust data collection is critical to ensuring these investments reach the youth

Transcript Highlights:

• point Boudreaux, I think, in terms of finding that early intervention point with misdemeanor folks,
• Can you share the data with the impaired-driving drivers with our youth, our teens, and under 25?
• We work from the bottom up with the youth and, you know, as young as elementary schools.
• So our youth outreach has to be an absolutely constant through line because it's like a pot that can
• But for the most part, alcohol is trending down with youth use. Marijuana is trending up.

Summary: The Senate Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee received updates from the Department of Transportation and Development on its transformation efforts, including a new project delivery dashboard, key performance indicators, and litter abatement work. DOTD said the dashboard is now live and tied to daily field updates, and reported progress on its T4LA initiatives, including improved project transparency, customer service, and a new highway sponsorship litter program. Members praised the department’s work and asked about litter funding, with DOTD saying last year’s $14.7 million litter pickup effort included the legislature’s supplemental appropriation. The committee also heard detailed progress reports on LTIF 1.0 and 2.0, the Office of Highway Construction’s bridge bundling and roadway projects, the Calcasieu River Bridge project, and the Cameron Ferry. DOTD reported that LTIF 1.0 is about 80% complete and that LTIF 2.0 has encumbered nearly $150 million, with several projects ahead of schedule and some under budget. The Office of Highway Construction said 62 bridge projects are in the bundle, 11 are under construction, and emergency procurement has helped accelerate delivery. DOTD said the Calcasieu River Bridge remains on track for a mid-to-late April groundbreaking, with all federal permits in hand and right-of-way acquisition underway; it also reported that new Cameron Ferry boats are under construction and that a privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services will go to the Louisiana Transportation Authority. Members then reviewed the draft 2026-2027 highway priority program, which DOTD said includes $913 million for construction across 302 projects and about $1.2 billion total investment. The committee also received public comment on the statewide flood control program, which recommended six projects expected to reduce flood damage by more than $289 million, and on the airport construction and development priority program, which includes 31 air carrier projects and 99 general aviation projects. DOTD also noted no current projects for the rail infrastructure program but said it expects to request $13 million and has 19 projects in the queue, and it presented three port projects that are not yet funded but will be considered by the Louisiana Transportation Authority. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research presented data on impaired driving, saying impaired driving remains a major factor in fatalities and injuries, with alcohol and drugs together contributing to a large share of crashes and about $700 million in annual economic costs. Members discussed youth driving, marijuana, ignition interlock, DWI courts, and enforcement challenges on waterways; the presenters emphasized education, enforcement, and treatment as part of a broader safety strategy. No formal votes were taken during the meeting, and the committee adjourned after receiving the presentations and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm part of the Nature Coast Chapter of Florida Youth Shine. I'm 26 years old.
• I'm part of the Nature Coast Chapter of Florida Youth Shine.
• I am a proud member of the Hillsborough and Tallahassee Chapters of Florida Youth Shine.
• When I was living in Hillsborough County, I received the foster youth independence voucher.
• I didn't learn until a Florida Youth Shine meeting that the voucher is only available in 11 counties.

Summary: The committee met to consider a large agenda of health and human services bills, moving quickly because of a two-hour time limit. Early measures reported favorably included SB 976 on challenges to court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access and after-hours availability, and SB 584 on housing supports for college students and youth in extended foster care. SB 1412 on home health regulation modernization also passed, with one support appearance from the Home Care Association. Members then approved several bills focused on research and care delivery, including SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF with an adopted amendment adding academic medical centers, SB 524 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 1156 revising a Medicaid home health aide program for medically fragile children, and SB 1490 transferring and redesigning the managed care program for critically ill children. SB 1174 on foster home licensure transfers, SB 1620 implementing mental health and substance use commission recommendations, SB 1568 revising e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 788 on veterans nursing home beds were also reported favorably. The committee had more extensive debate on SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, which included provisions on vaccination status, medical marijuana background screening, licensing and compact issues, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dental workers; it passed after an amendment and several members voiced concerns about patient treatment and “voting power” language. SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from providers and health information professionals over privacy, HIPAA, and administrative burdens; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately passed after a motion to reconsider. Other bills reported favorably included SB 1736 on insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, SB 1808 on patient refunds from providers, SB 1842 on referral disclosure of network status, SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entity oversight, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies with informed consent requirements, and SPB 7032 on presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals, which was submitted and reported as a committee bill. The meeting ended after all agenda items were handled and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Youth at our Pine Grove fire camp face an eight-hour one-way drive to court.
• and Housing Program and the Homeless Youth Emergency Services Pilot Program.
• We run two homeless shelters for youth here in Sacramento.
• We run two homeless shelters for youth here in Sacramento.
• Denise Choice Out with the California Coalition for Youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services' investigations of alleged kickbacks in the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention
• Services Investigations of alleged kickbacks in the early intensive developmental and Behavioral intervention
• The purpose of the EIDBI benefit is to provide early intervention for children and youth under 21 years
• moratorium, there's sufficient access and just doing all the due diligence before we implement interventions
• But the question we do have is: were services actually provided to the youth in these cases?

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy