Transcript Highlights:

• We also have our own budget constrange.
• No one on this panel understands your budget and the pie that comprises your budget as I do as a former
• Senate Budget Committee Chair.
• We know that this budget, the $5 billion, comprises about 24%, 25% of the overall state budget toward
• We know that this budget, the $5 billion, comprises about 24%, 25% of the overall state budget toward

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the Trump administration’s freeze of federal child care and social services funding and its potential impact on California. The chair opened by emphasizing that child care is economic infrastructure and warning that the freeze could destabilize California’s $10 billion child care system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services explained that California child care programs rely on roughly $1.4 billion in federal CCDF and TANF funds, which are blended with state dollars and support hundreds of thousands of children and families. CDSS said the state and four other Democratic-led states quickly sued, obtaining a temporary restraining order that has kept the funds flowing for now. Witnesses including Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, child care provider Amisha Griffin, and parent advocate Mara Linda Bustamante described the practical consequences of a funding interruption: providers could lose reimbursement, close centers, cut enrollment, or lay off staff; parents could lose child care, jobs, or school opportunities; and counties could not backfill the lost federal dollars. Several speakers stressed that child care centers also provide wraparound supports such as nutrition, developmental screening, and referrals, especially in rural and low-income communities. Mitchell and others argued that the freeze would worsen child care deserts and disproportionately harm women, single parents, and communities of color. Members repeatedly challenged the federal rationale of “waste, fraud, and abuse,” asking for oversight details. CDSS said providers face extensive audits, fraud policies, monitoring, and recoupment procedures, and that identified fraud amounts to about $7 million over two years compared with roughly $6.5 billion in annual child care spending. Several members said the fraud rate is under 1 percent and criticized the freeze as politically motivated and illegal. They also discussed the need for a state “bridge plan” to protect families if federal funds remain disrupted, and some members referenced prior legislation to modernize CalWORKs and child care eligibility. During public comment, parents, providers, county representatives, and advocacy groups echoed the same concerns, citing waiting lists, workforce losses, and the risk of families falling back into homelessness or poverty. No formal vote was taken; the hearing concluded with broad bipartisan expressions of support for child care funding and a commitment to continue working on state protections and federal advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow assembly members.
• With that, I respectfully request your aye vote. On ACR 18. Thank you, Assemblymember Bonta.
• Madam Majority Leader, you may continue with- At the request of the author, please remove.
• I respectfully request that we adjourn in the memory of Deputy Timothy Corlew.
• All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal. Moving on.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will call the meeting to order for the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education.
• Members, this is a request from the SDE. We got it late on some things.
• Members, this is a request from the SDE.

Summary: The Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education met to consider two education-related bills. Senate Bill 706, presented by Chairman Lowe on behalf of the State Department of Education, would support a grow-your-own educator initiative by providing funds for coursework and alternative certification costs to help prospective teachers become certified. An untimely PCS on SB 706 and SB 1546 was adopted without objection before the bills were heard. Senate Bill 1546, presented by Chairman Caldwell, would rename the Inspired to Teach Program as the Next Ed program and clarify that the program may accept private donations. Members discussed the value of changing the program’s name, concerns about stability and name recognition, how private donations would be collected through the State Regents, and whether donations might supplement or offset state funding. The sponsor said the change was intended to preserve the program’s function while opening it to private support. SB 706 passed the committee 7-0 with no abstentions. SB 1546 passed 7-2. The chair then noted the meeting was likely the subcommittee’s final education meeting and adjourned, thanking members for their service to Oklahoma students.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that that's a request that you yield, Mr. Dornfest.
• Would you yield to a request to explain exactly what we're looking at with House Bill 551? Mr.
• As new construction occurs, taxing districts are allowed a little bit more what we call budget capacity

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on February 5, 2026, and first considered RS 32981C1, sponsored by Representative Rick Cheatham. He said the proposal would codify a recent Idaho Supreme Court decision on the distribution of fees and interest collected on delinquent property taxes, ensuring taxing districts receive those amounts. Cheatham said the draft had been reviewed by the Association of Idaho Cities, counties, and other local jurisdictions, and that stakeholders were supportive. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee then heard House Bill 551, another Cheatham measure, described as a cleanup bill for prior legislation on property tax assessment for fire protection and ambulance districts in urban renewal areas. Cheatham said the bill corrects missing language affecting how those districts assess and receive levy funding, and he noted the Tax Commission had identified implementation problems in about 10 cases statewide. Alan Dornfest of the Idaho State Tax Commission provided technical explanation, saying the bill would fix an inconsistency in how new construction is treated for districts that opt out of urban renewal, especially for areas formed after July 1, 2025. No public testimony was offered, and the committee voted to send HB 551 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh this has no agency budget bill.
• c> from the agency's budget from the agency's budget bill.<00:22:39.200><c> Moving</c><00:22:39.520><
• This is from the department's budget<00:35:31.920><c> bill.</c> budget bill. budget bill.
• </c> opportunity to talk through the budget. opportunity to talk through the budget.
• budget within a budget you're crafting a budget within a budget target<00:49:08.800><c> given</c><00

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a result of that, they're budget.
• </c><00:07:52.479><c> to</c> having a dip elsewhere in that budget to having a dip elsewhere in that
• And, um, we built those types of things into the request for proposal.
• And, um, we built those types of things into the request for proposal.
• I'd like to know, well, what are you budgeting for this?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to begin work on HB 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and more broadly to study special education aid/differentiated aid and related costing issues. The chair said the group was starting early because the issue has been debated for years without resolution, local districts are being forced to absorb prorated costs, and the committee wants to send the Department of Education and HHS Medicaid a clear request for data and recommendations before retained bills return in the fall. A committee clerk was also selected, with Representative Reverend volunteering to take notes for the meeting. Members reviewed background materials on special education enrollment, high-cost students, and possible funding formulas, including data on students in high-cost brackets and prior ideas such as category-based funding and caseload-based approaches. The chair also referenced research on other states, including Arkansas, which uses a different special education funding structure and audits IEPs. The committee emphasized that it was focused on the funding mechanics and costs, not on questioning whether services should be provided. Henry Lipman of HHS explained how Medicaid-to-schools currently works in New Hampshire. He said 172 school districts participate, but utilization dropped during the pandemic and remains below historical levels, in part because districts need the capacity to bill Medicaid. Under the current system, schools receive reimbursement based on half of the Medicaid fee schedule, with the school district effectively providing the state share. He said the federal government is requiring a shift by July 1, 2026, to a true certified public expenditure model based on actual costs, which should allow schools to recover 50% of their true costs and some administrative overhead. The department has received a roughly $2.5 million grant to hire a vendor and support districts through the transition, and an RFP and stakeholder meetings are underway. Committee members asked about how costs would be determined, whether the new system would use actual district-specific costs rather than averages, and how the department would support districts that do not currently participate. Lipman said the cost model would be based on each district’s own reasonable costs, subject to audit standards, and that the department expects to provide templates and technical assistance through the vendor because its staff is limited. He also said about one in four New Hampshire children are enrolled in Medicaid, that child enrollment has been relatively stable, and that continuous coverage rules should reduce churn. No votes or formal actions on HB 742 were taken during the meeting beyond organizing the subcommittee and beginning testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• we could have the we had the budget we could have the Department<00:16:10.600><c> of</c><00:16:10.759
• They had a request for a ban; they first did the study and concluded a ban was not appropriate.
• And for those reasons, we would request that you adopt the amendment proposed by Senator Dreier.
• </c><01:47:45.280><c> to</c> find out to send them out a request to find out to send them out a request
• </c><01:50:09.840><c> within</c> fails to respond to this request within fails to respond to this request

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As budget season is before us, Lord, help us. These important things before us.
• Are there requests for leaves of absence?
• This is not an agreed-to amendment, and I request a no vote for my members. Thank you.
• This is not an agreed-to amendment, and I request a negative vote. Thank you.
• This is not an agreed-to amendment, and I request a negative vote. Thank you.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a student advocate and family members connected to a resolution on scoliosis awareness. The chamber first took up committee reports from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, and later Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection, agreeing to the reported bills and resolutions. House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, was adopted 201-1 after remarks describing the condition and the advocacy of a young constituent. The House also adopted resolutions designating Diaper Need Awareness Week, directing a study on PANS/PANDAS, recognizing 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania, with broad bipartisan support. The House then considered several bills on final passage. House Bill 2146, updating the Sunshine Act’s 24-hour agenda notice rule after a court ruling, and Senate Bills 130, 511, 971, 972, 1181, and 1235 were agreed to. House Bill 1239, limiting HOA restrictions on rooftop solar, drew multiple amendments; some were withdrawn, and others failed on tied votes, after debate over HOA governance, native plants, and net metering. House Bill 2219, on license plates and transportation provisions, had an amendment agreed to removing indemnification language for elected officials at special events, and then passed as amended. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, saw an amendment to preserve limited non-competes fail, and the bill passed. House Bill 2359, prohibiting government NDAs related to data centers, passed 171-31 after extensive debate over transparency and local control. The chamber also passed House Bill 2455, granting Pittsburgh school administrators collective bargaining rights, despite objections that existing appeal protections already exist; it passed 106-96. House Bill 2460, creating hunting and trapping education provisions, passed 180-22 after debate over whether it duplicated existing law and imposed a mandate. House Bill 2499, expanding the State Workers’ Insurance Fund’s equity investment authority, passed 173-29. House Bill 2529, scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance, passed 198-4 amid testimony about overdose risks and concerns about criminalization. Senate Bill 604, joining the Counseling Compact, passed 188-14, and Senate Bill 1259, clarifying parole record privilege and expanding notice to denied parole applicants, passed unanimously 202-0. The House then made referrals and committee assignments, signed the two Senate bills for presentation to the Governor, and adjourned until July 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• David Koch with Ascension Parish, that was a request from Ascension.
• David Koch with Ascension Parish, that was a request from Ascension.
• I have one white card present, would provide information if requested: Trela Regis, OMB.
• school board had thousands of dollars in tolls, something that they weren’t accounting for in their budget
• Chief Brian Adams would provide information at request.

Bills: HB345 , HB503 , HB511 , HB590 , HB655 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB748 , HB776 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB896 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1086 , HB1233

Committee: Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: rail infrastructure, ports, Class II railroads, Class III railroads, transportation, HB 503, Act 554, Golden Meadow, utility terrain vehicle, UTV, recreational off-highway vehicle, ROV, golf cart, low-speed vehicle, road shoulder travel, local ordinance, municipal traffic regulation, vehicle registration decal, municipal general fund, insurance requirement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation and Public Works met with five members present and approved the April 29, 2026 minutes. The committee then heard and favorably reported several bills, including HB 1233, which lowers the contract threshold for hospital service districts to use the Seymours program for certain hospital construction projects, and HB 715, which requires aerial applicators operating from public airports to have a transponder and radio; an amendment removing language about airport use of ADS-B data for fees was adopted after sponsors said the issue would be handled in another bill. HB 999 was reported favorably to allow impoundment of out-of-state vehicles operated in Louisiana without liability insurance, and HB 692 was amended to let parishes and municipalities use group purchasing organizations, with a narrowing amendment limiting one-source procurements and assurances that local bidders would not be disadvantaged. The committee also advanced HB 511, creating a grant program for pursuit intervention technology in response to officer safety concerns, and HB 590, which would let OMV issue specialized envelopes or notices for drivers with autism or other disabilities so officers are alerted during traffic stops. HB 503 was reported favorably after a local cleanup change to a golf cart bill for Golden Meadow, and HB 655 was approved to let DOTD use cost-plus contracts for operation and maintenance of state-owned ferries. HB 748 clarified that school board-owned or leased vehicles are exempt from tolls, and HB 860 would allow fillable electronic bids for local government procurement. Later, the committee approved HB 896, a major tolling-related cleanup bill for Plaquemines Parish that addresses customer service center access, administrative fees, and exemptions, with members and local officials criticizing the toll structure and its impact on the parish. HB 1000 was reported favorably as a cleanup measure tied to highway priority program reporting and local district contract limits. HB 887 established a more consistent scoring and ranking process for Seymour projects, with an amendment to avoid conflict with changing FAA grant rules. HB 888, a cleanup bill on temporary tags, was amended with added security features and then reported favorably. HB 1086, a broad electronic title and registration modernization bill, received a lengthy amendment set but was voluntarily held over for a week so members could review the new language. The committee also advanced HB 776 to expand the Port Priority Program to larger projects, with amendments clarifying flexibility and removing private projects from the bill. HB 707 was reported favorably to let the Department of Agriculture and Forestry handle promotional activities for the liquefied petroleum gas commission through a cooperative endeavor agreement. HB 868, a farm safety bill requiring safety chains or other manufacturer-specified equipment on trailers, was reported favorably after testimony about a fatal accident and assurances it would not change engineering standards beyond existing manufacturer requirements. Finally, HB 856 was amended to authorize indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting for DOTD maintenance and construction work, then reported favorably, and the committee later corrected the record on HB 856 by reconsidering and withdrawing one technical amendment set so further floor cleanup could be made. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 1960 has been pulled off consent at the request of the Vice Chair.
• disaster response and recovery, and we only have employees working at these sites, we have been requested
• I'd actually like to thank the members of this committee, the members of the budget committee, who have
• My understanding from the author is this is a last-minute request coming in from WISPA that the author
• And with that, I do... you do enjoy the due pass request from the chair.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Make a motion or request to withdraw Pool 149. The next amendment is Pool 149.
• Commerce is required to provide a letter of support to an applicant for a federal grant when requested
• While we continue to face a budget deficit, this bill puts into place the mechanism for providing state
• counties, cities, towns, and law enforcement to review, modify, and publish policies to limit the request
• counties, cities, towns, and law enforcement to review, modify, and publish policies to limit the request

Bills: HB2186 , HB2351 , HB1170

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: economic development, federal funds, state funding, infrastructure, grants, local government, emergency responders, emergency response, disaster response, obstruction of law enforcement, gross misdemeanor, public safety, incident command system, emergency operation zone, emergency management, law enforcement restrictions, warrant requirement, search and seizure, civil liberties, due process

Transcript Highlights:

• Both sanction and sunset programs become ineligible for new funding. in the state's next budget cycle
• Today, our request to you is simple. Please. allow CLT to compete in the state of Texas.
• Association requested to limit the scope to the committee sub and that's what they've done and so that's
• Next, the substitute as a parent notification request Requirement it says that if a citation is issued
• Let me explain that the committee substitute came at the request of the Higher Education Coordinating

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor's budget recommendation does for this unit related to the state program fraud fund us to
• </c><00:24:59.360><c> recommendation</c> the governor's budget recommendation the governor's budget recommendation
• </c><00:25:21.600><c> of</c> Greater Minnesota at the request of Greater Minnesota at the request of
• that's been a longstanding bonding request at this point to build a Manno facility.
• ><c> request</c><00:56:36.400><c> at</c><00:56:36.559><c> this</c> longstanding bonding request at this

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have our own budget constraints.
• We also have our own budget constrange.
• No one on this panel understands your budget and the pie that comprises your budget as I do as a former
• Senate Budget Committee Chair.
• We know that this budget, the $5 billion, comprises about 24% or 25% of the overall state budget toward

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Chris Stelly with LED will provide information if requested. Mr.
• I have a request from reporting for a personal privilege. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• present a budget that was stable because we didn't have the money.
• You said that you would provide information, if requested.
• We have a blue card, but not wishing to speak unless requested for information.

Bills: HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB167 , HB175 , HB255 , HB330 , HB364 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB656 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1070

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: public defender, funding, district court, East Baton Rouge, judicial expenses, Autism Spectrum Disorder, missing children, law enforcement, public safety, Spectrum Alert, inmate documentation, post-release employment, special identification card, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, reentry services, veterans, veterans services, lottery proceeds, special fund, grant board

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> budgets, and their clients. budgets, and their clients.
• c><00:25:43.880><c> for</c><00:25:44.000><c> counties,</c> budget and levy hardships for counties, budget
• Uh, coming from DHS's budget directly.
• Um it's already been a 5-year budget.
• </c> putting together our our um, budget putting together our our um, budget omnibus.<03:38:52.440><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and I guess I'll stand for questions but respectfully request that the bill be sent to the
• Chairman, and I guess I'll stand for questions but respectfully request that the bill be sent to the
• So everything that comes out, I mean, anybody can request the information that's being procured.
• Technology moves too fast, and the budget cycle, the way it works, just doesn't make a lot of sense.
• Technology moves too fast, and the budget cycle, the way it works, it just doesn't make a lot of sense

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent for a letter to be printed in the journal.
• King taught us that budgets are a moral document and that public policies reflect our values.
• At the same time, current federal budgets, as we talked about, have threatened the lives of so many.
• It was written in response to who he viewed were colleagues, people he respected, and I request permission
• Colleagues, I rise today to request that the Senate adjourn in memory of a California icon and American

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and handled routine announcements and motions, including unanimous consent to print a letter in the journal. The main item on the floor was Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing King’s legacy of nonviolence, civil rights, economic justice, solidarity across communities, and the need to continue his work amid current concerns about discrimination, immigration enforcement, and threats to civil liberties. Senator Richardson closed on the resolution, and the roll was called; SCR 107 was adopted. After the resolution, the Senate moved to adjournment memorials. Senator Pérez requested adjournment in memory of Alhambra Police Department Officer Alex Sanders, describing his service, family, and death in a duty-related car pursuit accident. Senator McGuire then honored Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, highlighting his musical legacy, Bay Area roots, and charitable work. Senator Becker and Senator Laird added remarks about Weir’s cultural impact and the Grateful Dead’s place in California history. The Senate also adjourned in memory of the victims of a Stockton mass shooting, with Senator McNerney and Senator Alvarado-Gil speaking about the lives of the four young victims, including children and a teenager, and condemning gun violence. The Pro Tem closed by reflecting on the day’s themes of justice, loss, and civic responsibility, and announced the Senate would reconvene on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent for a letter to be printed in the journal.
• King taught us that budgets are a moral document and that public policies reflect our values.
• At the same time, current federal budgets, as we talked about, have threatened the lives of so many.
• It was written in response to who he viewed were colleagues, people he respected, and I request permission
• Colleagues, I rise today to request that the Senate adjourn in memory of a California icon and American

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine announcements and motions. Senator González obtained unanimous consent to print a letter in the journal. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 107, honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with extensive floor remarks from many senators reflecting on King’s legacy, civil rights, nonviolence, economic justice, solidarity across communities, and current concerns about discrimination, immigration enforcement, and threats to democracy. Speakers from multiple caucuses and affiliations supported the resolution, including Senators Richardson, Archuleta, Choi, Smallwood-Cuevas, Blakespear, Pérez, Weber, McNerney, Wiener, Reyes, Cabaldon, Rubio, and Alvarado-Gil. Their comments emphasized King’s leadership, the Letter from Birmingham Jail, the Poor People’s Campaign, and the need to continue his work through policy and civic action. Senator Richardson closed on the measure, and the Senate adopted SCR 107 by roll call vote. After the resolution, the Senate moved to adjournment in memory. Senator Pérez honored Alhambra Police Department Officer Alex Sanders, who died in a vehicle pursuit accident while on duty. Senator McGuire remembered Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, with additional remarks from Senators Becker and Laird about his cultural impact and philanthropy. Senator McNerney and Senator Alvarado-Gil then honored the victims of a Stockton mass shooting, including children Journey Rose Guerrero, Maya Lupian, and Amari Peterson, and a 21-year-old, Susanna Archeletta, describing their lives and the community’s loss. The session ended with the Pro Tem noting the day’s reflection and announcing the Senate would reconvene on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was the original request in that homelessness bill was for over $4 million.
• committee, though, is that this, although we were focused on the Veterans Affairs office in this budget
• committee, though, is that this, although we were focused on the Veterans Affairs office in this budget
• amount of money that the Senate had taken out, both on the grant and loan side, from the original request
• So, from the original request from the bill sponsor.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs appropriation. Representative O’Brien explained the House changes, including funding for a restored Veterans Benefits Specialist FTE, salary equity adjustments for the commissioner and veterans service officers, one-time funding for veteran homelessness services, carryover authority for the Fargo Fisher House, and a highly rural transportation grants program. Members also discussed the commissioner’s prior salary increase and the use of transportation grant funds for administrative costs, as well as the status of the Fisher House project. The committee adopted amendment 25.092.0203 and then gave SB 2025 a do pass recommendation as amended, with Representative O’Brien as carrier. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2307, the library bill. Members debated a proposed amendment that would have removed the fiscal note, but several members objected on policy and process grounds, citing constitutional concerns, potential costs to counties and state’s attorneys, and the fact that the bill had not been heard as a full policy hearing. The amendment failed 4-19. The committee then voted do not pass on SB 2307 as introduced, and Representative Murphy was named carrier. The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 2188 on the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority. Representative Bosch described the program’s grant and low-interest loan authority and the Senate’s reduced funding levels. The committee amended the bill to restore the Senate funding amounts in Section 3, then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Kempenich carrying it. Finally, the committee considered two rural development bills and chose Senate Bill 2097, the rural endowment fund bill, for do not pass while advancing House Bill 2390, which uses regional councils to distribute rural development grants. The committee amended HB 2390 to lower the population threshold from 4,500 to 3,000, kept the 50% set-aside for communities under 1,500, and then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Mitskog as carrier.