Video & Transcript : 'emergency operation zone' :
Page 457 of 500
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/19/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services
Senate Health and Human Services COR
Transcript Highlights:
- These are not minor administrative oversights; these are the hallmarks of a system that is operated without
- I joined the agency last November as deputy director and chief operating officer and stepped into the
- in the last four hearings, is it fair to say Access should consider declaring a network adequacy emergency
- Access should consider declaring a network adequacy emergency.
- Madam Chair, from the information that I have received, we are not seeing an emergency. Okay.
Committee:
Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR
Summary:
The Committee on Health and Human Services held another oversight hearing on Access, focusing on fee-for-service behavioral health management, prior authorization and claims processing, the Targeted Investment Program (TIP), and network adequacy. The chair criticized Access for implementing a covered behavioral health services guide without public comment and for failing to produce records such as decision-making documentation, work group minutes, and public/tribal feedback. Members also raised concerns about ARPA compliance, the reduction of intensive outpatient reimbursement to a $157 per diem, and the impact of these actions on providers and Native American communities.
Interim Director Roberta Harrison said Access had improved fraud controls and operations after the sober living fraud crisis, including tripling prior authorization speed, reducing denial codes by 64%, cutting claims processing to under 30 days, and adding dashboards and staffing. She said the agency is modernizing outdated systems and invited fraud referrals. On questions about claims and prior authorizations, Access reported average processing times of six days overall and 17 days for behavioral health prior authorizations, and said it had hired Constellation under a direct procurement to help with claims backlog. Harrison acknowledged that a proposal language suggesting higher ROI from denying more claims was not part of the contract scope.
The committee also pressed Access on TIP delays. Staff explained that TIP payments depend on provider documentation, programmatic review, and allocation across many sites, and said year one of TIP 2.0 had been paid while years two and three had not yet been distributed. The chair requested a formal plan within 30 days to pay the delayed year two and year three TIP funds, estimated at about $122 million, along with all CMS-related TIP 2.0 documentation. On network adequacy, Access described its standards and annual MCO reporting process, but acknowledged gaps in tracking and said it would follow up on whether a fiscal year 2025 report was submitted to CMS. Members cited a federal ghost network report finding 28% of providers in Santa Cruz County inactive or unavailable, and requested unredacted network adequacy reports and further information on CMS engagement. The hearing ended with the chair noting some improvements but saying more oversight may follow, and the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's just to make sure that they can, they can operate within the manners assigned counsel program.
- Most youth are released to parents and some youths can be placed in emergency shelter where they have
- The bill makes three common-sense updates to improve agency operations and support frontline staff.
- This bill helps TJJD to operate more efficiently and better support the people doing the hard work on
- Uh, on February 2nd, Governor Abbott made expanding career training an emergency item.
Committee:
House S/C on Juvenile Justice
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/14/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> we no longer have a hydr power operator we no longer have a hydr power operator there there there
- Then we move on to the operation and maintenance section, who are responsible for operating 28 of those
- 02:10:16.119><c> uh</c> kind of emergency situation that may uh kind of emergency situation that may
- </c> doors and we currently are my operators doors and we currently are my operators are<02:28:38.479
- <04:05:35.840><c> thank</c> operator thank operator thank you<04:05:37.720><c> so</c><04:05:38.159><c
Committee:
House Science, Technology and Energy
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Oct 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to bring to your attention the request that we're making for the increases in those operational
- So you mentioned $60 million with operational dollars. Is that an overall ask?
- And this comes down to operational dollars.
- And so those operational dollars are hit with those increases in salary, the increases in health care
- a business if your revenue is 80% of your need to operate that business?
Summary:
The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs.
Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later.
Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- favorable report for House Bills 352 as amended, 183 as amended, 368, 269 as amended without an emergency
- Speaker, I move that Senate Bill 31 as 3 times amended with the emergency clause do now pass.
- We are on final passage of Senate Bill 31 as thrice amended with an emergency clause.
- Senate Bill 31 as 3 times amended with emergency clause has duly passed this House.
- So again, with the way that our systems operate in order to be able to feed back the feedback loop to
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House Committee on Transportation and Senate Committee on Transportation Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Tammany Parish Hospital District Number Two, Slidell Memorial Hospital Emergency Department Expansion
- So we're doing an expansion of 26 beds outside of the emergency department, as well as renovating two
- areas of an operating ED, which makes it incredibly complex.
- Second, continuity of operations there at the port while this construction goes on to ensure that the
- port is continuing to function and those operations are not being interrupted.
Summary:
The joint Senate and House Transportation, Highways, and Public Works committees met on March 3, 2026, to consider several construction manager at risk (CMAR/Seymour) requests before hearing a DOTD presentation. The first item, Caddo Parish’s proposed $9.6 million pickleball park in Southeast Shreveport, drew the most debate. Members questioned whether a pickleball complex was sufficiently complex or time-sensitive to justify CMAR, whether the location was accessible to residents without cars, and whether the process could disadvantage public bidding and minority contractors. The House initially voted to deny the request, but later reconsidered and approved it after discussion about the statute and the committee’s past practice. The committee also heard a brief procedural discussion about whether the statutory factors for CMAR are exhaustive and whether future reforms may be considered in the next session.
The committee then approved several other CMAR projects with little or no opposition. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office received approval for an indoor shooting range, with testimony emphasizing specialized ventilation, lead control, bullet protection, and other technical requirements. Calcasieu Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2 received approval for a pump station rehab/replacement project serving a large portion of Lake Charles and critical public facilities, with members citing the need to maintain drainage operations during weather events. St. Tammany Parish Hospital District No. 2’s Slidell Memorial Hospital emergency department expansion was approved based on the complexity of adding beds and renovating an operating ED, and St. Charles Parish Hospital’s entry registration/PACU renovation was also approved, with members noting the hospital exception to the CMAR threshold.
The Port of Vinton dock project in Calcasieu Parish was approved as well, with testimony stressing a tight delivery schedule tied to an LED project and the need to keep port operations running during construction. After the Caddo Parish item was reconsidered, the committee recessed briefly and then adjourned the CMAR portion of the meeting to move on to the DOTD presentation.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Jan 28th, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , and whereas the Washington National Guard consistently answers the state's call in response to emergency
- efforts, including the recent flood response operations to protect lives, essential infrastructure,
- lessons learned from the Oso landslide incident, reinforcing the National Guard's commitment to emergency
- preparedness, recovery operations, and community resilience.
- And whereas National Guard aviation units and wings continue to achieve significant operational milestones
Bills:
HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1604 , HB1798 , HB1002 , HB1065 , HB1155 , HB1269 , HB1916 , HB2120 , HB2123 , HB2158 , HB2178 , HB2264 , HB2309 , HB2411 , HJM4004
Keywords:
design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a National Anthem performance, and a prayer offered by Washington Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Cole. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 4675, honoring the Washington National Guard for its service in emergencies, search and rescue, disaster response, and military readiness. Members spoke in support, highlighting the Guard’s history, its role in recent flood and landslide responses, and the sacrifices of service members and their families. The resolution passed by voice vote, and Guard leadership and members present in the galleries were recognized.
The House also recognized Congressman Dan Newhouse in a point of personal privilege, with remarks praising his service in state and federal office and his ties to agriculture. The chamber then moved to the Fourth Order of Business and debated a motion to suspend House rules to send two initiatives to the Education Committee for prompt public hearings. Supporters argued the Constitution requires precedence for initiatives and that the House should hear them promptly; opponents argued the Constitution allows the Legislature to take no action and that the motion was unnecessary. The motion to suspend the rules failed on a recorded vote, 38 yeas and 57 nays, with three excused.
Next, members debated the routine motion to refer the bills, memorials, measures, and resolutions on the introduction sheet to committee. Some members again argued the two initiatives should be given priority and public hearings before other business, while others supported normal referral of the day’s measures. The motion passed on a recorded vote, 57 yeas and 38 nays, with three excused. Committee reports were then accepted and referred as designated, and the House adjourned until Thursday, January 29 at 10:30 a.m.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Oct 8th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- One of those cases is Operation Viper. Our prevention isn't just limited to the ports of entry.
- In a recent case, it was Operation Viper.
- In a recent case, it was Operation Viper, a long-term undercover operation, which ended with 600 charges
- The app is more based on these species that are sort of new and emerging, like the rock hyrax or something
- New and emerging, like the rock hyrax or something that we want to act quickly and remove.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government convened with a quorum present and excused Senators Arrington and Pizzo. The committee first took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 1 through 4, and Senator DiCeglie moved to recommend confirmation of all appointees together. The motion passed unanimously, and the appointees were favorably recommended.
The main presentation was from FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Wharton on invasive species management in Florida. He described the scale of the problem, including more than 500 non-native species reported in the state, and outlined FWC’s prevention, containment, removal, outreach, and research efforts. He highlighted risk screenings, the conditional/prohibited species framework, enforcement actions against illegal wildlife trafficking, and public programs such as the Florida Python Challenge, lionfish outreach, the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and the “I’ve Got One” reporting app. He also noted ongoing removal efforts for pythons, tegus, lionfish, and iguanas, and discussed new technologies and partnerships aimed at improving control efforts.
Members asked follow-up questions about FWC issues beyond invasive species, including the status of special activity licenses for threatened species and giant manta rays, the upcoming bear hunt, and whether the committee could help reduce barriers to invasive species removal on federal lands. Wharton said all SAL permits for threatened species are currently suspended pending Commission review, that Florida is on track for a bear hunt this December with 172 permits issued across four subpopulations, and that bear management is based on scientific data while urban bear conflicts still require separate management. He also said federal partners are increasingly cooperative on python control, including commercialization of hides, and that drones, sentinel snakes, robotic lures, and AI-based traps may improve future invasive species removal. Senator Sharief and Senator Burton later requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on tabs 1 through 4, and the committee then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We've had some emerging reports of unidentified drones.
- They are crucial for operational duties, air traffic safety, and potential national security actions,
- SB 1197 keeps exceptions for authorized operators, like law enforcement and spaceport staff, ensuring
- We've had some emerging reports of unidentified drones.
- They are crucial for operational duties, air traffic safety, and potential national security actions,
Committee:
Senate Veteran Affairs
Keywords:
veteran-owned businesses, state contracting, historically underutilized business, economic opportunity, small business, economic development, veterans, certification, Texas legislation, unmanned aircraft, spaceport, criminal offense, aviation regulations, airspace safety, military installations, concurrent jurisdiction, governor's approval, state agency, land acquisition, Veteran Affairs
Summary:
The meeting of the Committee on Veteran Affairs addressed several significant bills aimed at supporting veterans and their businesses. Among the bills discussed was SB390, which seeks to expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include all veteran-owned businesses, regardless of disability status. This change aims to create a more equitable economic landscape for veterans and to foster their participation in state procurement opportunities. The committee heard strong testimony supporting this initiative, emphasizing the importance of providing veterans with fair chances in business development.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- it supports the street lane internal management and alliance veteran services with other County operations
- MetroCare, in operation since 1967, is the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas.
- Since 2016, MetroCare has partnered with Cohen Veterans Network to operate the Stephen A.
- My name is Catherine Longoria, and I'm here on behalf of Emergence Health Network, the local mental health
- At Emergence Health Network, we take great pride in serving our veterans.
Committee:
Senate Veteran Affairs
Keywords:
SB 651, Texas Government Code, Section 434.032, veterans county service office, county veterans services, commissioners court, county executive official, county administration, local government, veterans affairs, veterans benefits, county oversight, reporting structure, public administration, large counties, population 200,000 or more, mental health, veterans, community support, grant program
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Oct 8th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- Victim services are critical to each of our operations.
- So no other category, not trust, not operations, only salaries and benefits.
- So just to get into some residential capacity, right now we're operating at 87% capacity.
- Funding for emergency repairs, $3.9 million.
- Detention screening operations: so it's under probation and community supervision.
Summary:
The committee met for an interim appropriations presentation hearing focused on justice administration agencies. Members heard budget requests from the State Attorney’s Office, Public Defenders, the Justice Administrative Commission, Regional Conflict Counsel, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, and the Guardian ad Litem Office, followed by a presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice and a brief public comment from a nonprofit advocate. The chair noted that presentations from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Commission on Offender Review would be moved to a later meeting.
The state attorney requested funding to true up underfunded circuits under the existing formula, staff 14 new criminal judgeships, replace declining VOCA victim-services funding with general revenue, and cover a projected due process shortfall. The public defender asked for a higher starting salary for assistant public defenders, funding to restore balance in circuits where public defenders lag behind state attorneys, and staffing for new criminal judgeships. Regional conflict counsel and capital collateral regional counsel also sought salary adjustments, additional attorneys and case costs, and competitive area differential funding to address recruitment and retention issues. The Justice Administrative Commission requested funding for Florida PALM readiness and implementation and for IT hardware and software replacement; it also relayed a clerks’ request for reimbursement related to injunctions for protection, Baker Act, Marchman Act, and sexually violent predator cases.
The Guardian ad Litem Office said it now has a guardian ad litem for every child in Florida and requested salary increases for senior and managing attorneys to reduce turnover. The Department of Juvenile Justice presented a much larger budget request to expand residential and detention capacity, increase per diem rates, renovate and replace aging facilities, fund the Broward detention center rebuild, improve cybersecurity and the juvenile information system, and cover rising lease costs. Members asked questions about staffing, compensation, detention and residential treatment needs, mental health and substance-use services, and the Broward project timeline. A nonprofit advocate then asked for better data collection on protection orders and related court actions to support funding for domestic violence and recovery services. The committee adjourned without taking any formal votes on the budget requests.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 037 Feb 20th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:53:55.360><c> services,</c> Emergency services, that means nobody gets to go there for emergency
- So, um, that's what I'm operating on.
- So, um, that's what I'm operating on.
- far differently than we ask Colorado citizens to operate.
- far differently than we ask Colorado citizens to operate.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session and Joint Convention State of the Judiciary Address Mar 23rd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Recognizing the symptoms can be the difference between a small bruise and a visit to the emergency room
- This is an especially dangerous... ...small bruise and a visit to the emergency room.
- has been proposed in the governor's budget for the increasing costs associated with trial court operations
- We have collected data informally so that we have a better understanding of the impact on court operations
- Following committee hearings upon adjournment, Emergency Management will be in Capitol Room 444, Natural
Summary:
The Assembly met, established a quorum after a roll call, and handled a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor items. Members recognized several guests and student groups, then moved through the daily file, including second-reading items, Senate amendments, and the consent calendar, which was adopted 54-0. The chamber also adopted ACR 151 recognizing March 25 as Greek Independence Day, with 59 co-authors added, and ACR 146 designating March 2026 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, with 61 co-authors added; both resolutions were adopted by voice vote. ACR 140, proclaiming March 21 as Women in STEM Day, also passed with 56 co-authors added and was adopted by voice vote.
The most substantial debate centered on AB 2156, which renames Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Workers’ Day and declares an urgency clause. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry and several members spoke in support, emphasizing recognition of farm workers’ collective contributions and, in light of recent revelations about Cesar Chavez, the need to honor the broader movement rather than one individual. Other members echoed support while discussing farmworker history, accountability, and the importance of acknowledging survivors. Assembly Member DeMaio supported the bill but criticized state policies affecting agriculture and argued for broader recognition of Latino Californians and farmworker policy reforms. The bill passed with 67 votes and was transmitted immediately to the Senate.
Later, the Assembly recessed for the Joint Convention and heard the 26th State of the Judiciary address from Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. She focused on judicial independence, threats to judges, remote proceedings, CARE Act implementation, trial court funding and judgeship shortages, AI use in courts, immigration-related courthouse concerns, State Bar reforms after the February 2025 bar exam problems, and judicial salaries. She also highlighted the judiciary’s centennial, the importance of collaboration with the Legislature and Governor Newsom, and the need to preserve equal access to justice. After the address was ordered printed in the Journal, the joint convention adjourned and the Assembly later adjourned until Thursday, March 26 at 9 a.m.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The statute that we operate under provides us appropriate discretion, but not too much.
- that businesses, and any business that I've been a part of, is always wanted to be law-abiding and operate
- So just thinking, what about in an emergent situation where, because you talked about informed consent
- says he doesn’t know, then what happens if the patient is critical and they’re required to treat emergent
- “Emergency fee arrangement. You can't do that in criminal cases.”
Summary:
Senate Commerce approved the February 24, 2026 minutes and heard a gubernatorial reappointment of Jeff Seilich to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho board. The committee took no action on the appointment during the meeting, with the chair indicating a vote would likely occur later in the week. PERSI’s director and the nominee described the system as stable and well funded.
The committee then advanced House Bill 543, a technical PERSI bill updating language to comply with federal Secure Act 2.0 requirements by changing post-tax catch-up contribution language to Roth contributions in the PERSI Choice Plan. Representative Ben Furman and PERSI Director Mike Hampton said the change was purely technical. The bill received a due pass recommendation to the Senate floor.
House Bill 563, which revises CPA licensure pathways to address workforce shortages, also received a due pass recommendation. Representative Jeff Ehlers and Idaho Society of CPAs representatives said the bill would create three pathways to licensure, lower education barriers, preserve the exam requirement, and ease reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs. Supporters said the profession is facing retirements and declining exam candidates, while committee members generally supported the effort to reduce barriers.
The committee spent most of the meeting on Senate Bill 1310, the Human Fetal Tissue Transparency Act, which would require product labeling when human fetal tissue or related cell lines were used in testing or production. Supporters argued the bill would provide consumer transparency and informed consent for moral and conscience reasons, while opponents raised concerns about federal preemption, enforcement, costs, and practical implementation, especially for medical products and retailers. After extensive debate, the committee adopted a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee by a 5-4 roll call vote, with Senators Guthrie, Nichols, Burns, Ruchti, and Lenney in favor and Senators Zito, Ward-Engelking, and Foreman opposed, resulting in SB 1310 being held.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Consumer Protection & Business
Transcript Highlights:
- We're having a work session today, an overview of emerging issues from the Attorney General's Consumer
- General with the Consumer Protection Division from our Attorney General's office to present about emerging
- We recently settled a multi-year investigation of a senior living provider that operates 15 long-term
- As well as for members of the viewing audience, if we suspect a scam is beginning to emerge.
- There's another aspect of this, which is the emergence of AI agents or bots.
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Business
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The transfer basins were set aside to provide an emergency water supply for the counties served by the
- This is the emergency that these basins were set aside for.
- This water was set aside for an emergency such as this.
- Police-operated ambulances frequently refused to provide aid to Black citizens.
- Despite operating with limited financial resources and facing a 14% unemployment rate... ...operating
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 118 May 12th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It clarifies that they cannot operate outside the territorial limits operate outside the territorial
- And digital infrastructure necessary to reduce the high operational and emergency costs that typically
- The trust seems like it's operating pretty well.
- I don't even know how they're going to operate.
- CU already operates under a CU already operates under a Board of Regents debt policies, which are more
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- AAMVA is an association that is actually run and operated by its members.
- It's more of an emerging issue that I've...
- Hello, I'm Emily Sunahara, the Deputy Director of Operations and Policy Implementation.
- The first budget change proposal I'd like to address is for equipment and operating costs.
- These facilities are decades old, undersized, and unable to meet current operational needs.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Feb 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the only emergency room on that side of the hills.
- It talked about broadly— So it includes emergency medicine in that and also pediatrics.
- Urgent care is often not used in the same way that the emergency room is.
- CalMedForce, by statute, supports primary care and emergency medicine.
- CalMedForce, by statute, supports primary care and emergency medicine.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Budget and Fiscal Review
Transcript Highlights:
- That's sort of the operating deficit in the multi-year document.
- You're talking about sitting in a hospital emergency room.
- And right now it's not operating like that. So the number is not sufficient, and it's not safe.
- The reports from where Care Court is operating are very positive. ...gaps will be addressed.
- The reports from where Care Court is operating are very positive.
Committee:
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review
Summary:
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget and presentations from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Chair Laird described the proposal as roughly balanced with $23 billion in reserves, while Vice Chair Niello argued the revenue estimates were overly optimistic and warned of a structural deficit, calling for a deeper review of programs and concern over the state’s $20 billion unemployment insurance debt. Finance said the budget is balanced in the budget year but still leaves a roughly $2.9 billion deficit, with out-year gaps above $20 billion, and characterized the plan as largely a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. The LAO said its office sees substantial downside risk to the revenue forecast, emphasized the volatility of stock-market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to begin addressing the structural deficit now rather than waiting until May.
Members focused on the implications of federal policy changes, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and the MCO tax, as well as the state’s reserve strategy. Senators Menjivar and Richardson raised concerns about health coverage reductions, county costs, hospital finances, and the lack of a broader revenue solution, while Finance said the state cannot fully backfill federal cuts and is still assessing the impacts. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal to suspend the rainy day fund deposit and setting aside the proposed Proposition 98 settle-up rather than using it for spending. Finance defended both proposals as necessary to balance the budget year and said it plans to begin discussions with legislative leaders before the May Revision.
The committee also discussed climate and transportation funding, including cap-and-trade/GGRF allocations for Cal Fire, interest earnings from the fund, zero-emission vehicle incentives, and AB 617 air quality investments. Senator Reyes questioned the focus on light-duty ZEV incentives instead of heavy-duty vehicles, and Finance said the proposal is intended to partially replace the federal consumer tax credit and that some heavy-duty funding remains from prior years. Senator Richardson also raised concerns about Olympics-related infrastructure, courthouse repairs, and displaced workers, while other members stressed homelessness funding and the need for more immediate action on out-year budget problems. No formal votes or actions were taken during the portion provided; the hearing was informational and moved into member questions after the presentations.