Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 38, an act relating to reimbursements for pharmacist services. Senator Richardson.
• </c> reimbursements for pharmacist services. reimbursements for pharmacist services.
• The Committee on Committees has met and referred the following bills and resolutions to Health Services
• President, the United States Postal Service released a commemorative stamp honoring the greatest Muhammad
• Um it's called Bags service opportunity.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're an association of more than 400 mission-driven business service providers and community lenders
• We're a non-profit legal services organization serving low to moderate-income consumers across California
• Lopez had been solicited by a salesperson offering services through a supposed government program aimed
• Services Association.
• I do have a remaining concern, and it's related to non-home improvement services.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have also heard anecdotes from the Department of Health Care Services about other states that have
• Included in Medi-Cal are hospital services.
• Hospitals are paid various rates for the services they provide.
• I couldn't speak to any service-specific...
• workers, our public health doctors, physicians, assistants, and our social service providers.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on SB 100/AB 100, the early action budget bills, with a focus on Medi-Cal funding, wildfire recovery, and several smaller budget adjustments. The Department of Finance explained that the bill would add $2.8 billion General Fund and $8.3 billion federal funds for Medi-Cal, along with other items including wildfire-related local assistance for Los Angeles County, property tax backfills for fire-damaged local agencies, Cal OES wildfire monitoring authority, nonprofit security grants, the Property Tax Postponement Fund, FARMER and Clean Cars for All funding, foster family home insurance claims, Proposition 98 technical assistance for LA wildfire-impacted schools, teacher credentialing authority, and Proposition 4 climate bond appropriations for wildfire and forest resilience projects. Much of the member discussion centered on rising Medi-Cal costs, the recent $3.4 billion cash-flow loan, and whether the new appropriation would cover payments through June. Finance said the new funds were for program costs and cash flow, not repayment of the loan, and that no additional loan authority remained. Members also debated the causes of higher Medi-Cal spending, including expanded eligibility, higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, and federal policy changes. The LAO noted that forecasting errors are not unusual but that current revisions are somewhat higher than typical, though not unprecedented. Several members emphasized that Medi-Cal supports access to care and hospital stability, while others raised concerns about sustainability and future federal cuts. Public commenters largely supported the bill, especially the Medi-Cal funding and wildfire-related provisions. Health and labor advocates argued that the program is functioning as intended by covering more low-income Californians and preventing uncompensated care. Representatives of special districts and the Altadena Library District supported the property tax backfill provisions tied to the Eaton fire. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting that the committee would adjourn for floor session and that the Assembly would vote on one of the early action bills later that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's part of our CCR&R, which is child care resource and referral, that provides customer service to
• We currently are fairly effective at providing services to families and answering and addressing their
• , General Services, Budget, Personnel, Contracts, Grants, Procurement, an employee gets trained, and
• I couldn't tell you right looking at what I have here is a career service. Yes.
• And so those are the true benefits versus SES and versus career service.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met for two workshops. The first focused on vacant positions in the Division of Early Learning and the Department of Education. Committee members reviewed vacancy reports, including long-vacant positions and positions that had received discretionary pay adjustments. Division and department officials said many vacancies were being filled, advertised, or under review, but acknowledged persistent recruitment and retention problems, especially for engineering, legal, finance, IT, and other specialized roles. Members questioned whether some long-vacant positions were still necessary, whether overtime and workload were being affected, and whether outside contracting, cross-training, combining positions, or eliminating some vacancies could help. Officials said they were considering those options and noted that hiring has become slower and more difficult since the pandemic, with lower applicant volume and more competition from other agencies and private employers. The second workshop addressed draft legislation related to school choice scholarships and the FEFP. The chair said the committee’s prior hearings raised concerns about student identification numbers, cross-checking between districts and scholarship organizations, duplicated FTE reporting, delayed district payments, scholarship payment timing, and inconsistent data sources. She said the proposed language is intended to standardize scholarship processing and improve accuracy and efficiency while preserving the long-standing FEFP principle that funds follow the student. She also said funding scholarship students below the line would not solve the identified problems and could create disparities. The draft would align processing for the Family Empowerment Scholarship and Florida Tax Credit Scholarship programs and would reduce add-on weights by 50% while keeping the current policy structure. No votes were taken. The chair invited further comments and said the draft budget and legislation would continue to be refined before rollout. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• YOU CAN SEE THE CROPS THAT THEY USE IT PROVIDES POLLINATION SERVICES.
• PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE THE POLLINATORS THAT WERE HERE WERE SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE THE POLLINATION SERVICES
• THEY HAD NO CONCEPT AT THE TIME OF THE IMPORTANT POLLINATORS IN GENERAL TO POLLINATION SERVICES AND I
• THEY ARE SO MANAGEABLE AND VERSATILE AND THEY PROVIDE THESE SERVICES ALONG WITH THE OTHERS. >> THANK
• NOT DO THAT THERE ARE CIVIL PENALTIES THAT ARE PUT IN PLACE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND SERVICES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a 32-mile stretch of road between Lincoln and Conway with no service.
• </c><00:05:51.000><c> uh</c> Lincoln and Conway with no service uh Lincoln and Conway with no service
• Services be able to talk to each other Services be able to talk to each other Therefore<03:31:45.319>
• </c> attract a current member of the service attract a current member of the service in<04:54:11.440>
• </c><05:20:28.840><c> experience</c> that 10 years of fire service experience that 10 years of fire service

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 713, which would require mile markers on Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway. The sponsor and DOT testimony described the road as a heavily traveled but isolated corridor with little or no cell or radio service, frequent accidents and breakdowns, and serious public-safety problems when emergency responders cannot quickly locate incidents. Members discussed where markers should be placed, how frequently they should appear, whether both sides of the road should be marked, and the potential cost; DOT said the project could be done with federal funds and might be combined with other work to reduce mobilization costs. The committee agreed the bill was straightforward and voted OTP 18-0, with discussion that a friendly amendment might be offered later to refine the language. The committee then heard HB 563, concerning calculation of adequate education grants. Testimony explained that the bill would add fiscal capacity disparity aid in FY 27 and increase the special education differentiated aid factor, while also reducing extraordinary needs grants so the overall fiscal impact would be net neutral. Members noted the changes were limited to the second year because of the budget process and school district ballot timing. Supporters argued the fiscal capacity aid would help property-poor towns and should be expanded, while others emphasized the bill’s budget-neutral structure. The committee voted to retain HB 563 for further consideration in the budget process. Finally, the committee opened HB 675, which would limit the authority of school districts to make certain appropriations. A Derry resident and former local official testified in favor, arguing that property taxes are too high, that school spending has outpaced town-side tax caps, and that local voters should have more control over school budgets. Committee members questioned whether the issue should instead be handled locally through existing processes or broader governance changes, and one member noted the state’s constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education. The discussion continued, but no final action on HB 675 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community service is another big, important part of this organization.
• For FFA members, service is a part of who we are. In fact, it's in our motto: living to serve.
• These are FFA members who are leading with service.
• In fact, I did a lot of community service in high school, and I believe it is something to prioritize
• Service is about leaving an impact behind. Service is about leaving an impact behind.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee heard first from the Idaho School Board Association, whose chair Jason Sevy gave a personal account of how public schools, local governance, and school-based supports shaped his life and his family. He argued that school board training and state support for local control are important, citing the value of ISBA training funds and examples of districts using grants and partnerships to improve early literacy, mental health supports, and student outcomes. Members asked how urban districts could build stronger parent/community ties, and Sevy said community engagement should begin at the elementary level. The committee then received a presentation from Idaho FFA state officers, who described FFA’s three-circle model of classroom instruction, career and leadership development events, and supervised agricultural experiences. The officers highlighted their own agricultural and education pathways, the statewide reach of FFA chapters, leadership camps and conferences, community service hours, and the economic impact of SAE projects. They emphasized that FFA builds public speaking, parliamentary procedure, job interview, and leadership skills in addition to agricultural knowledge, and invited legislators to the state convention in Twin Falls in April. Members responded positively to both presentations. Representative Pickett asked about strengthening community engagement in larger districts and how FFA can attract students beyond agriculture; officers said the program’s broader leadership and workplace skills are a major draw. Other members praised the students’ confidence and articulation, and one suggested FFA should be considered as a minimum high school offering. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ranking Member Harris, members of this august committee, HB 1221 is the Department of Financial Services
• agency package, and it streamlines the processes and provisions of the Department of Financial Services
• the state's new accounting system, as I mentioned, known as Palm, and that Department of Financial Services
• Currently, cities upload their revenues and expenditures to the Department of Financial Services on a
• I represent the small... that the Department of Financial Services puts out.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 1221, the Department of Financial Services agency package, was presented as a streamlining and modernization bill covering the My Safe Florida Home Program, unclaimed property, and the state’s new PALM accounting system. Two amendments were adopted: one restoring the current $15 million cap DFS may retain in the unclaimed property trust fund and another making conforming changes to replace references to FLAIR with PALM. The bill was supported by public witnesses and was reported favorably after a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then heard HB 1291, dealing with the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA). The sponsor explained that the bill was intended to address concerns that NICA could fall below actuarially sound funding in the 2027-2028 fiscal year and that current law lacks clear triggers for funding remedies. An amendment was adopted that removed the bill’s fiscal impact and preserved a $20 million reserve. NICA representatives spoke in support, and the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. Finally, the committee took up CSHB 1329, which would modernize local government budget transparency by requiring budgets to be posted 14 days before hearings, retained online for five years, and made searchable and accessible, while also requiring a 10% budget-cutting exercise before adoption. Local government groups and the CFO’s office discussed costs and suggested that the EDR portal may be a better centralized way to present the data, especially for smaller jurisdictions. Members generally supported the transparency goal but raised concerns about implementation costs; the sponsor said the bill was still being refined. The bill was reported favorably on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no for now. The meeting then adjourned after the chair noted submission of the FY 2026-27 budget recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate services correctly printed. Senate Bill 31, committee appointment letter.
• Health and Human Services. June 20, 2025.
• Health and Human Services. September 12, 2025.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Health and Human Services. &gt;&gt; Health and Human Services.
• Health and Human Services. January 9, 2026.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Director for Senate Committee Services. Thank you. Oh, I'm also wondering about Jill?
• Firms with, I will say, more seasoned attorneys, are more used to using the online services that we provide
• We actually use HR through Legislative Services, LSS, Legislative Services Center Services. Yeah.
• We actually use HR through legislative services, LSS, legislative services center services. Yeah.
• And, you know, they can use our services. They have to have a member sponsor, right?

Committee: Joint Statute Law Committee

Summary: The committee began with introductions of members and staff, then approved the minutes from the previous meeting and approved a step increase for Code Advisor Kathy Buckley. Staff reported on publication sales and distribution, noting that 2024 paper and paid sales were down from prior years, while online access and reduced demand for printed copies continued to trend downward. Members discussed the continuing role of printed RCWs and session laws, with staff explaining that libraries and counties remain the main paper purchasers and that some specialized titles are still produced in print and electronic formats. The committee then reviewed a table of “multiple actions” affecting RCW sections from the 2025 session. Staff explained that 153 sections had multiple amendments or related actions, but most could be merged through editorial authority; about 10 sections would likely need future legislative cleanup. The committee approved the table, allowing staff to proceed with merging where possible. Financially, staff reported the office was on track to return about $542,000 to the state, though that amount may decrease slightly because of end-of-year purchases, including a shared printer for LSS. They also noted a slight budget reduction for the next fiscal year, but said staffing adjustments and existing coverage should prevent problems. The committee discussed upcoming rulemaking to align the office’s public records procedures with House and Senate practices, including designating a public records officer and updating language to reflect current legislative structure. Staff said the process would follow standard APA rulemaking and could take roughly six months. Members also heard about a prior “video auditor” incident at the office and the office’s response and training. Finally, staff provided a building update: the office is scheduled to move back into the renovated Pritchard building on September 14, 2026, with furniture selection underway. At the end of the meeting, staff shared session statistics, including 424 session law chapters, 1,305 House bills introduced, 1,082 Senate bills introduced, 238 House bills passed, and 193 Senate bills passed, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• for certain students who were under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services
• I can see if we're talking about prohibiting employment or personal services by someone who's deaf in
• place, but when we start talking about any school district, charter school, or regional education service
• Another school district charged with a regional education service.
• So, market their services, yeah. But anyway, in certain subjects. Senator West. Excuse me, Mr.

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PROJECT IS WE ARE SEEKING THE TRANSFORM THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE BY INCREASING THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES
• HIRED A SYSTEM INTEGRATOR THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT STAFF, INDEPENDENT VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION SERVICES
• THE FINANCIAL MODULE, ELIGIBILITY AND SERVICE MODULE. OUR PLAN IS TO WRAP UP THOSE NEXT SUMMER.
• THAT WAY WE CAN RECEIVE A LOT OF MEDICAID SERVICES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH THE CBC MAINLY TO BRING
• Harrell: A LOT OF THESE CHILDREN ALSO RECEIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> coalition</c><01:00:18.160><c> that</c> crime victim services coalition that crime victim services
• </c><01:00:28.160><c> have</c> assistance through those services have assistance through those services
• </c> of those customer human customer service of those customer human customer service representatives
• </c> c human customer services c human customer services representatives<01:16:37.360><c> how</c><01:
• phone service or a call back or phone service or a call back or whatever,<01:18:23.840><c> perfectly<

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• portfolio, which has three different divisions: veteran services, community-based services, and veteran
• portfolio, which has three different divisions: veteran services, community-based services, and veteran
• portfolio, which has three different divisions: veteran services, community-based services, and veteran
• </c> and have a broad uh array of uh services and have a broad uh array of uh services that<00:07:48.800
• </c> doesn't require the level of service doesn't require the level of service that's<00:29:54.279><c

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• will collect data and analyze initiatives that address the workforce crisis for people who provide services
• We have ASL and CART services.
• And now Ethan is going to refocus on what health care providers and some of our service-providing agencies
• Do you know whether their services are contingent on any form of immigration status?
• There's a huge shortage in that Health and Human Services department.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss workforce issues affecting people who provide services to individuals with disabilities, with a focus on immigration enforcement concerns and an upcoming employment event. Ethan Marks, Deputy Chief of the Health Care Division at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, presented the AGO’s late-January guidance for health care providers and patients on how to respond to ICE activity at health care facilities, what information and access ICE may request, and what protections and access-to-care issues apply. He said the guidance is broad, includes contact information for the Civil Rights Division, and will be updated if federal policy changes. Committee members asked whether residential programs, day programs, DDS/DMH facilities, and similar settings would fall under the guidance; Marks said the guidance is intended to be broad but that specific scenarios may require follow-up with the Civil Rights Division. He also said he was not aware of significant ICE activity at health care facilities so far, though there is fear and some rumors, and members discussed sharing the guidance with hospitals, academic medical institutions, the Health Equity Compact, and other stakeholders. The subcommittee then reviewed plans for a June 23 State House event titled Strength and Support: Networking and Resource Sharing Event for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities, Personal Care Assistance, Job Coaches, and Inclusive Workplaces. The event will feature a panel-style conversation with prepared questions, success stories, challenges to employment, and strategies to improve outcomes, while also highlighting the shortage of direct support and human services workers. Confirmed or potential participants and partners mentioned included Partners for Youth with Disabilities, MassAbility, NextGen, JVS, the Federation for Children with Special Needs, the PCA Council, and the Arc of Massachusetts, which has launched a PSA campaign for direct support worker hiring. The PCA Council’s resume directory for people interested in becoming PCAs was also noted as a recruitment resource. Members suggested inviting employers and other stakeholders to the June event, including Eastern Bank, Mass General Brigham, and possibly representatives connected to apprenticeship programs. The group also discussed reaching out to contacts at the Federation and NextGen, and one member suggested Kathy Pitkowskis as a possible connection. The subcommittee said it would continue outreach and finalize the event details, and noted that the next regular meeting will be August 28, with Patricia Wu from EHS scheduled to provide statewide updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• these cuts will affect the county departments that focus on providing Angelenos with quality health services
• there are staff shortages, reduced capacity to meet the needs of primary care and behavioral health services
• County proposed a local solution by placing the Essential Services Restoration Act on the June ballot
• If passed, this measure may raise about $1 billion to support health care services that were impacted
• did not pass HR1, which created huge impacts on the delivery of health care and other essential services

Summary: The Senate committee heard AB 1768, which would authorize Los Angeles County and Contra Costa County to place local sales tax measures before voters to help offset federal funding cuts affecting Medi-Cal, nutrition assistance, and related health and safety-net services. Assembly Member Brian and supporters argued the bill would preserve local control and allow voters to decide whether to raise revenue to prevent clinic closures, layoffs, and service reductions. Testimony in support came from the California Primary Care Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, labor organizations, Contra Costa County, and others, while the cities of Glendale and Burbank opposed the measure. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was an appropriate response to federal cuts or an unnecessary tax increase. Supporters said the measure did not impose a tax directly but simply let county voters decide how to respond to the funding losses. Opponents argued California and local governments should address spending and affordability concerns without additional taxes, and questioned whether the federal cuts were the sole cause of the budget pressure. Several members also raised broader concerns about cost of living, health care financing, and local versus state responsibility. Senator Arreguín moved the bill for a due pass recommendation. The committee voted 5-2 to send AB 1768 to the Senate floor, with Senators Choi and Seyarto voting no. The bill was briefly held on call before the final tally was announced and the measure was reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, small businesses frequently face unpaid invoices, minor contract breaches, and service disputes
• are largely made up of small businesses who collect on behalf of other small businesses and local services
• Despite the high demand for these services, ASL interpreters remain excluded from the same employment
• , as amended, to Human Services.
• AB 1846, Stephanie, as amended, to Human Services; AB 1875, Hart, to the floor; AB 1950, Harabedian,

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several bills, with AB 1827 by Assemblymember Chen proposing to raise the small claims court limit for small businesses from $6,250 to $15,000 and allow up to three filings per year. The author and supporters from the California Association of Collectors said the change would help small businesses recover unpaid invoices and minor contract disputes without costly civil litigation, while preserving the informal small claims process. The committee noted some Judicial Council concerns, but there was no opposition testimony, and the bill later passed out of committee to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1916 by Assemblymember Lee, which would include American Sign Language interpreters in the Trial Court Interpreter Employment and Labor Relations Act so they can participate in collective bargaining like other certified court interpreters. Supporters, including the California Federation of Interpreters and court interpreters, described recruitment and retention problems, limited representation, and a shortage of ASL interpreters in the courts. Members expressed support for improving representation and access for deaf and hard-of-hearing court users, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1977 by Assemblymember Irwin, presented by Assemblymember Pacheco, was described as a technical cleanup bill for California’s remote online notarization law, correcting ambiguities and conforming provisions to help the Secretary of State implement the program. The Secretary of State’s office supported the measure and said it would clarify procedures and digital seal authentication, while members raised questions about platform and renewal fees and one concern about a fee for terminated sessions; the sponsor indicated that provision could be removed. The bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar containing several other bills and later established quorum to take recorded votes before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill directs OSPI and our educational service districts to both create and utilize a technical assistance
• of improving coordination, reducing duplication, expanding access to behavioral health prevention services
• , and earlier access to crisis intervention services.
• of improving coordination, reducing duplication, expanding access to behavioral health prevention services
• , and earlier access to crisis intervention services.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health and Human Services. We are still waiting to get all of our members.
• Making Robert Kennedy Secretary of Health and Human Services, in my view, colleagues, would be a grave
• wild, of all the things that I can think of that I'd like to see a Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Kennedy Jr. of California to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Is there a second?
• And there are areas of Health and Human Services that, if you touch the gold standard for the NIH and

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• require health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems, severally to the Committee on Financial Services
• Pike, an employee of the Department of Developmental Services, to the Committee on Public Service.
• Pike, an employee of the Department of Developmental Services, to the Committee on Public Service.
• Pike, an employee of the Department of Developmental Services, to the Committee on Public Service.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Rules Committee reports and scheduling orders. Members adopted a resolution commending the PKD Foundation for recognizing September 2025 as Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month. The House also adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines, including for the Labor and Workforce Development, Public Health, State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy committees. The chamber concurred in Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including proposals related to insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of port wine stains and scalp cooling systems. The House then suspended Joint Rule 12 for several House petitions, including measures on charter school funding, Port Authority Parks governance, a senior fishing license, and a sick leave bank for a Department of Developmental Services employee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee also reported several bills for consideration, including student mental health, a disability pension for Michael Rodericks, PCOS Awareness Month, roadway safety, and Hopkinton local bills. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave second readings and ordered several bills to a third reading, including the student mental health bill, the Michael Rodericks disability pension bill, the PCOS Awareness Month bill, the roadway safety bill, and Hopkinton charter and economic development measures. The House adopted an emergency preamble for House No. 4323, establishing a sick leave bank for Alexander Schwartz of the State Police, then passed that bill to be enacted. The House also passed to be engrossed House No. 2250, dissolving the Watley Water District, and adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in an informal session.