Video & Transcript : 'Los Angeles' :

Page 45 of 212
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • As I mentioned a minute ago, the larger-than-average gains in Los Angeles were associated with their
  • We have seen that happening intensely in Oakland and Los Angeles, where strategies to redesign secondary
  • We have seen that happening intensely in Oakland and Los Angeles, where strategies to redesign secondary
  • Pamela Gives, representing the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
  • Brian Rick's with the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jul 8th, 2025

Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chris McKayley on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in support. Thank you.
  • As a proud member of the Los Angeles County delegation, I know that the Port of Los Angeles is not only
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • In Los Angeles, the advertised cost of internet service is systematically higher in neighborhoods with
  • A team at UC Santa Barbara studied more than 35,000 residential addresses in Los Angeles and concluded
  • Vice Chair, members, Sam Nash on behalf of Los Angeles County Office of Education in support.
Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Apr 7th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Leadership Torrance is a great program where they send a delegation from the Los Angeles South Bay, sponsored
  • safeguard our communities against multiple fires in San Diego County and unprecedented damage across Los
  • Angeles County.
  • County, in unprecedented damage across Los Angeles County.
Summary: The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance. Members then made a series of guest introductions recognizing Vaisakhi celebrations, nonprofit leaders from San Joaquin County, immigrant and refugee advocate Liu Yang, students from Somerdale Elementary School, Trustee Sylvia Leong, and a Leadership Torrance delegation. The chamber also took up several procedural motions, including a successful motion to withdraw SB 100 from Budget Committee and send it to the second reading file, and unanimous consent to re-refer several Assembly bills to different committees. On the floor, members considered a number of bills and resolutions. AB 238 on wildfire relief, providing up to a year of mortgage forbearance for fire-impacted homeowners, passed with urgency. AB 373 on client-directed representation for non-minor dependents in foster care passed unanimously, as did AB 287 requiring accessible parking for curbside voting at vote centers. AB 628, requiring new residential leases to include a working refrigerator and stove, passed 49-8. ACR 15 designating April 15 as California Propane Day was adopted by voice vote after adding 55 co-authors. AB 483, requiring disclosure and limiting fees for early termination in fixed-term installment contracts, passed 43-11. AB 234, an urgency bill allowing the Assembly Speaker and Senate Pro Tem or their designees to sit on the Fair Plan governing committee, passed 60-0. The Assembly also heard several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including for Gustavo Camacho Lopez, retired firefighter William Brett Potter, and Rob Ashley. The day concluded with announcements of committee meetings and the next floor session schedule, followed by adjournment until April 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. A later vote change noted Assembly Member McKinnor changed her vote on AB 483 from aye to not voting.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Mar 24th, 2025

Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • We need to only look to the recent Los Angeles fires to see the importance...
  • We need to only look to the recent Los Angeles fires to see the importance of a robust mutual aid system
  • Most recently, when I was visiting the Los Angeles fires, I was running into folks right from Northern
Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard six bills and announced at the outset that, under its suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The chair also reminded witnesses to submit position letters in advance so their positions would appear in the analysis. A quorum was established and the committee proceeded through the agenda. AB 814 would exempt law enforcement pensions from state income tax to help recruit and retain peace officers in California. The author and supporters, including several police and sheriff associations, argued that many retired officers leave the state and that the tax exemption would encourage them to stay and continue contributing to their communities. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was referred to the suspense file. AB 918 proposed a targeted income tax exemption for pay earned by local first responders while deployed within California on mutual aid during declared emergencies. Supporters said mutual aid is increasingly strained by major disasters and that the bill would reward and retain responders who leave their home communities to assist elsewhere. AB 976 would create a nonrefundable tax credit for small retailers in disadvantaged communities to help pay for security equipment; supporters framed it as a response to retail theft and violence, while one member questioned whether the state should instead fully fund broader crime-enforcement efforts. AB 984 would allow tax deductions for contributions to CalABLE accounts, with testimony from a CalABLE account holder and a family member describing the importance of the accounts for people with disabilities and their long-term savings needs. AB 1282 would create a deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses up to $5,000 through 2030, with the author citing high poverty and medical debt rates; members voiced support for helping low-income Californians with medical costs. AB 838 would raise California’s renter tax credit from $60/$120 to $2,000 for eligible renters, with support from the California Apartment Association and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, both arguing the current credit is outdated and should better reflect housing costs. All six bills were ultimately referred to the suspense file, and the committee then adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Although the state allowed a temporary workaround during the Los Angeles wildfire, Although the state
  • Connect, a Los Angeles-based program that links residents to curative hepatitis C treatment.
  • Our experience in Los Angeles has highlighted a gap in existing policy that can lead to insufficient
  • For example, in Los Angeles, it can range from $80 to $184 for a temporary food facility permit.
  • I own Nativo restaurant in Los Angeles. This bill is deeply personal to me.
Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, with most items presented for later vote once quorum was reached. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted a consent calendar of multiple bills with motions for due pass to Appropriations, and it noted that AB 2029 had been pulled from the agenda. The committee also took up AB 1973, a bill by Aguiar-Curry to expand who may provide procedural abortion care. Supporters, including physicians and certified nurse midwives, argued the bill would align law with current training and improve access, while opponents said later-term abortion procedures require physician-level surgical training and raised safety concerns. The author emphasized hands-on training, consultation, and transfer protocols, and the bill was held pending quorum with a motion and second recorded. The committee then heard AB 1558 by Arambula, which would adopt the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to speed the use of out-of-state licensed volunteers during declared disasters. Supporters from the Uniform Law Commission and the Red Cross said the bill would reduce delays and clarify legal authority for volunteer health workers; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2282 by Alanis, a temporary rural emergency stabilization center for Patterson while a permanent hospital is built, drew support from local emergency responders and a late opposition from the California chapter of ACEP. The chair praised the bill as a creative local solution and agreed to coauthor it; a motion and second were recorded, with the vote to occur later. Several public health access bills followed. AB 1843 by El-Hawari would limit prior authorization and align hepatitis C treatment coverage with medical guidelines; supporters said it would remove barriers to a curable disease, while health plans opposed it as a mandate, citing premium impacts and the recent SB 306 prior-authorization process. AB 2247 by El-Hawari would create the THRIVE program for mental health services for youth affected by gun violence; Youth Alive and other supporters described trauma-informed, community-based care, and the chair and another member asked to be added as coauthors. AB 2138 by Krell would expand access to certified peer support specialists in enhanced care management and remove automatic disqualifications based solely on criminal history; supporters said peers are essential to engagement and recovery, and the bill was held with a motion and second. Later, AB 1682 by Hart would require coverage of scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, with emotional testimony from cancer survivors and clinicians; insurers opposed it as another mandate, but the author stressed the modest per-member cost and the bill was moved with a motion and second. AB 1879 by Dixon would standardize data reporting for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, including private providers, to improve statewide information on outcomes and access; the bill drew broad support from recovery organizations and the prior opposition was withdrawn after amendments. AB 1906 by Aguiar-Curry would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening kits without cost sharing; supporters cited improved access for rural and working Californians, insurers opposed it on affordability grounds, and the bill passed on a recorded roll call after quorum was established. Finally, AB 1556 by Haney would clarify and support drug-free recovery housing and return-to-use policies; supporters said it would expand sober housing options, while opponents warned it could allow evictions after relapse and conflict with Housing First principles. The hearing ended with the bill still under discussion and opposition-unless-amended concerns noted.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • Although the state allowed a temporary workaround during the Los Angeles wildfire,...
  • Connect, a Los Angeles-based program that links residents to curative hepatitis C treatment.
  • For example, in Los Angeles, it can range from $80 to $184 for a temporary food facility permit.
  • For example, Los Angeles, it can range from $80 to $184 for a temporary food facility permit.
  • I'm a small business owner and I own Nativo restaurant in Los Angeles.
Committee: House Health
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Feb 19th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And just last September, we saw the United States Supreme Court green-lighting ICE raids. ...in Los Angeles
  • I have the honor of representing Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.
  • Speaker, colleagues, I rise in support of AB 107, as was already mentioned by our colleague from Los
  • Angeles.
  • I appreciate the spirited debate, and I hope while you ride BART, you remember that the Los Angeles Dodgers
Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and pledge that reflected on Japanese American incarceration during World War II and recent storm-related losses in California. The chamber then handled routine procedural matters, guest introductions, and several consent and file items before moving to floor debate on a series of resolutions and budget measures. The main policy item was HR 82, declaring February 19, 2026, a day of remembrance for the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the importance of remembering civil liberties failures, and the need to guard against similar abuses today. The resolution drew some criticism of its rhetoric toward federal law enforcement, but after debate the Assembly added 72 coauthors and adopted HR 82 by voice vote. The chamber also adopted ACR 128, a resolution recognizing solidarity with Ukraine, and later passed ACA 7, a constitutional amendment related to government preferences, after a partisan debate over whether it would restore or prohibit discrimination. The Assembly also took up two budget-related concurrence items. AB 107, described as technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and adjustments related to Proposition 4 projects, passed concurrence 59-3 and was sent immediately to the Governor. AB 117 authorized the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to borrow up to $590 million from already awarded transit capital funds to support operating costs for BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; supporters called it a bridge loan to stabilize transit, while opponents called it a bailout lacking accountability. The measure passed concurrence 52-16 and was also transmitted to the Governor. The session ended with adjournments in memory of former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, with members praising his leadership in city government, energy policy, and clean energy development. The Speaker then announced the bill introduction deadline and the next floor session date before adjourning the Assembly until Monday, February 23, 2026.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Feb 19th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We saw the United States Supreme Court green-lighting ICE raids in Los Angeles and throughout the United
  • I have the honor... ...of representing Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.
  • Speaker, colleagues, I rise in support of AB 107, as was already mentioned by our colleague from Los
  • Angeles.
  • I appreciate the spirited debate, and I hope while you ride BART, you remember that the Los Angeles Dodgers
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Public Safety Committee Jan 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Matthew Carr, I'm an advocate from Los Angeles, and I oppose this bill.
  • Ryan Smolenski, I'm an advocate as well from Los Angeles, and I also oppose this bill.
  • Ryan Smolinitsky, I'm an advocate as well from Los Angeles, and I also oppose this bill.
  • Relative to the announcement of the overdose deaths in Los Angeles that they attributed to 7-OH, the
Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety heard two bills. SB 99 by Senator Blakespear, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, would improve coordination between civilian and military law enforcement in domestic violence cases involving military protective orders (MPOs). The bill would require courts to check for MPOs in the NCIC system when considering restraining orders, allow MPOs to be admissible evidence, require civilian officers to notify military law enforcement of possible MPO violations, and allow local agencies to enter MOUs with the military. Supporters said the bill would close jurisdictional gaps that can leave survivors unprotected; the ACLU opposed it unless amended, citing due process concerns because MPOs are issued by commanders without court process. The committee discussed amendments to make notification and MOU provisions less automatic and to broaden local agency participation, then passed SB 99 to Judiciary on a 5-0 vote. SB 758 by Senator Umberg, as amended, would make the sale or distribution of products with unnaturally concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) a misdemeanor and would restrict nitrous oxide sales by tobacco retailers while preserving legitimate culinary and medicinal uses. Supporters, including local governments, law enforcement, and public safety advocates, described widespread misuse of nitrous oxide and 7-OH, especially among youth, and cited poisonings, injuries, and deaths. Opponents argued the bill would criminalize adults using kratom-related products for pain relief or harm reduction, questioned the scientific evidence, and urged a regulatory or public health approach instead of prohibition. Committee members largely agreed the issue raised public health questions and supported moving the bill forward with amendments; SB 758 passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Public Safety Committee Jan 13th, 2026

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Matthew Carr, I'm an advocate from Los Angeles, and I oppose this bill.
  • Ryan Smolenski, I'm an advocate as well from Los Angeles, and I also oppose this bill.
  • Ryan Smolinitsky, I'm an advocate as well from Los Angeles, and I also oppose this bill.
  • Relative to the announcement of the overdose deaths in Los Angeles that they attributed to 7-OH, the
Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety heard two bills. SB 99, by Senator Blakespear, would improve coordination between military and civilian law enforcement in domestic violence cases involving military protective orders. The author and a Department of Defense witness said the bill would help courts and police identify existing military protective orders, allow them to be considered in restraining order proceedings, require notification to military authorities when violations are suspected, and encourage memoranda of understanding between agencies. The ACLU California Action opposed unless amended, citing due process concerns because military protective orders are issued by commanders without court procedures. Members generally supported the bill as a way to protect survivors, and it passed the committee 5-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 758, by Senator Umberg, addressed nitrous oxide and concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products sold in retail settings. Supporters, including local officials, law enforcement groups, and parents, argued that nitrous oxide misuse and concentrated 7-OH products are harming youth and communities and that the bill would restrict sales while preserving legitimate culinary uses of nitrous oxide. Opponents, including kratom and drug policy advocates, argued the bill would criminalize adults, that 7-OH is a naturally occurring kratom component with limited evidence of severe harm when used alone, and that regulation rather than prohibition would be preferable. After discussion, the committee adopted amendments narrowing the bill and voted 5-0 to send SB 758 as amended to Appropriations.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Public Safety Committee Jan 13th, 2026

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Matthew Carr, I'm an advocate from Los Angeles, and I oppose this bill.
  • Ryan Smolenski, I'm an advocate as well from Los Angeles, and I also oppose this bill.
  • Ryan Smolinitsky, I'm an advocate as well from Los Angeles, and I also oppose this bill.
  • Relative to the announcement of the overdose deaths in Los Angeles that they attributed to 7-OH, the
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jan 8th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • may recall this, a horse named Sally in Palo Alto, to the early silent film studios in Fremont and Los
  • Angeles, Hollywood has been one of California's, well, perhaps the most California of industries.
  • And it's a point of pride that those gains are particularly pronounced in Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest
  • Alberta, I appreciate you coming all the way up from Los Angeles.
  • Angeles.
Summary: The Assembly met, initially lacking a quorum, and the Clerk called the roll until a quorum was established. The chamber then proceeded through routine opening business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, recognition of Native lands, approval of procedural motions, and several unanimous-consent actions to re-refer bills and allow committees to notice bills pending re-referral. The Assembly also recessed regular session to convene a joint convention for the Governor’s State of the State address. In the joint convention, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of the State speech, focusing on California’s economic performance, education investments, housing reforms, public safety, homelessness, climate policy, insurance issues, and the state’s response to federal actions. He highlighted budget plans, including a proposed $248.3 billion general fund, increased reserves, major education funding, child care and after-school investments, housing and affordability measures, mental health and homelessness funding, infrastructure projects, clean energy goals, and wildfire recovery efforts. He also praised legislative collaboration on AI regulation, tax credits, and other policy areas while criticizing federal policies and calling for continued state action. After the address, the Governor’s speech was ordered printed in the journal, the joint convention adjourned sine die, and the Assembly returned to regular session. The Speaker announced the desk would remain open for introduction of the budget bill, noted the next floor session would be Monday, January 12 at 1 p.m., and the House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jan 8th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • may recall this, a horse named Sally in Palo Alto, to the early silent film studios in Fremont and Los
  • Angeles, Hollywood has been one of California's, well, perhaps the most California of industries.
  • And it's a point of pride, a point of pride that those gains are particularly pronounced in Los Angeles
  • Alberta, I appreciate you coming all the way up from Los Angeles.
  • Angeles.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Agriculture Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times found... ...and prohibit sole-source contracting.
  • A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times found widespread corruption in California's fairs.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and heard one bill, SB 1223 by Senator Padilla, after SB 1410 was pulled from the agenda. SB 1223 would require state and county fairs to use competitive bidding standards for contracts and prohibit sole-source contracting. The author and witness argued the bill was needed to close loopholes in the Public Contract Code, citing reported corruption and litigation involving fair contracts, including allegations that bid scores were altered and RFPs were written to favor a single bidder. The committee heard support testimony from the bill’s witness, who described the lawsuits and said some fair contracts had avoided competitive bidding for years. There was no opposition testimony. Committee members expressed support, noting that agricultural districts are state entities that should follow state contracting rules. The committee voted to do pass SB 1223 to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call was recorded as four votes in favor, with the bill placed on call for the absent member and then reported out 4-0.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Agriculture Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times found... ...and prohibit sole-source contracting.
  • A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times found widespread corruption in California's fairs.
Committee: Senate Agriculture
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Mark McDonald on behalf of the Los Angeles, Los Rios, San Diego Community College districts, as well
  • as the Los Angeles College Faculty Guild.
  • Good morning Chair, Sasha Horwitz on behalf of the Los Angeles Unified School District.
  • Mark McDonald on behalf of the Los Angeles San Diego Community College Districts as well as the Los.
  • Los Angeles College Faculty Guild.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - Senate Government

Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • We will probably reach third here in the near future behind Los Angeles County and Harris County. the
  • We will probably reach third here in the near future behind Los Angeles County and Harris County.
  • But even then, only Los Angeles has a higher... Representatives.
  • But even then, only Los Angeles has a higher...
  • Concentrated power model, but even then, only Los Angeles has a higher per-member ratio than we do as
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Human Services Committee Apr 29th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Angeles. the program can continue to serve individuals to meet the service.
  • Angeles and a member of the California Welcomes Coalition.
  • I came to Los Angeles with my husband and my daughter, Clara, who is here present.
  • I arrived in Los Angeles two years ago with my husband and my daughter, Clara, who is present with me
  • I arrived in Los Angeles two years ago with my husband and my daughter, Clara, who is present with me
Summary: The committee heard a series of child care, social services, immigrant support, disability services, and language access bills, with many measures drawing strong support and no opposition. Early in the hearing, AB 450 proposed a Department of Aging task force to study and recommend policies for undocumented adults age 55 and older; AB 593 would let CDSS identify data-sharing opportunities to improve CalFresh administration and participation; and AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility so families do not lose care during pregnancy leave, family leave, caregiving, or job search periods. All three were presented as ways to reduce barriers and improve access to essential services, and AB 904 was moved out on a 1-0 call after support testimony from child care advocates and a member of the public. AB 617, which would expand and standardize respite care access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by requiring licensing and registry participation, drew both support and significant opposition from respite providers and disability service organizations concerned about added regulation, cost, and possible delays; the author said she would continue working with opponents, and the bill was moved out on a 2-0 call. The committee also heard AB 1220, which would require regional centers to document denials, notices of action, and appeals in individual program plans and include that data in annual reports to improve transparency and equity in developmental services. The bill drew extensive public support from parents, advocates, and disability organizations, with no opposition, and passed 5-0. AB 752 would make child care centers by right in certain residential zones when co-located with multifamily housing or institutional uses, and supporters argued it would reduce zoning barriers and help expand child care capacity; it also passed 5-0. AB 1242 would create a CalHHS language access director, require human review of machine translation, and improve language coverage determinations for state and local agencies; supporters emphasized health equity and the need for better access for limited-English communities, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 call. Later, AB 548 would continue and expand the Asylee and Vulnerable Non-Citizen Program, which provides case management and integration services for asylees and certain visa holders; supporters said the program had been effective but had run out of funding, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would strengthen family safety planning for immigrant families, standardize acceptance of caregiver authorization affidavits, and create a joint guardianship process for temporary separations; testimony focused on fear of family separation and the need for clear school and medical procedures, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 1357 would exclude guaranteed income payments from being counted as income for state public assistance eligibility, with supporters arguing it would prevent recipients from falling off the “benefits cliff”; it passed 4-1. Finally, AB 1201, the Reunity Act, was introduced to require individualized court assessments before denying reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions after a five-year period, with the author and a witness describing the bill as a trauma-informed approach to family reunification.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • A community school in Oakland versus the Central Valley versus Los Angeles—I used to work at one, Roosevelt
  • Pamela Gibbs, representing the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
  • Los Angeles County has the largest concentration of community school adopters in the nation.
  • In places like Los Angeles County that have been hit hard by attacks from the federal government and
  • Anna Iocomides, on behalf of Los Angeles Unified.
Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools, with the Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants Program also discussed. For universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued investment, citing high student meal need, reported gains in meal participation and service efficiency from prior kitchen grants, and concerns that federal changes and underreporting could affect funding. The Department of Finance outlined $1.8 billion Proposition 98 General Fund for universal meals and an additional $100 million for a fourth round of kitchen grants, while the LAO recommended rejecting the new kitchen grant round because prior rounds are still being spent and the allowable uses are broad. Members raised questions about federal matching requirements, Summer EBT, and whether immigration-related federal policy changes could reduce meal counts and state/federal reimbursements. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund plus $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended modifying the proposal to fully fix Tier 2 at the current $1,579 rate and tie future changes to program requirements, while CDE supported the Governor’s approach and said the added stability would help districts plan. Committee discussion focused on whether ELOP should remain a standalone before- and after-school program or be folded into LCFF, with some members and witnesses arguing for more local flexibility and clearer outcome measures, while others emphasized the value of guaranteed expanded learning access, especially for elementary students and working families. CDE noted new CalPADS reporting will provide more data beginning with the 2025-26 school year. For community schools, the Governor proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund to expand the model to thousands more schools and sustain existing ones, along with stronger technical assistance and future accreditation/self-certification. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, citing concerns about scalability, administrative burden, and the need for earlier planning and clearer accreditation timelines if ongoing funding is adopted. CDE strongly supported the ongoing investment, saying community schools have improved attendance, suspensions, and achievement, and that technical assistance and county office support are essential for expansion. Members and public commenters largely supported community schools, with some urging stronger accountability, more support for county offices and MTSS, and debate over whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be excluded from eligibility. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee heard testimony and moved through the agenda items and public comment.