Transcript Highlights:

• After extensive conversations with the insurance industry, with the department, with your staff, and
• And you, as well as staff, all proceed when ready. Thank you, sir. All right, Mr.
• We'll take committee amendments as indicated in your staff analysis.
• I provided the committee staff with our 12-month survey results from the L.A. fires.
• I provided the committee staff with our 12-month survey results from the L.A. fires.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1315 by Senator Cabaldon, the “Drive My Car Act,” which was described as a forward-looking bill aimed at ensuring that owners of vehicles with advanced autonomous or software-driven features retain the right to drive their own cars. Cabaldon explained that, after discussions with stakeholders, the bill would likely be redirected out of the insurance space and into transportation to address concerns about mandatory software updates disabling human driving. Members broadly praised the concept as a timely response to emerging technology, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to the Transportation Committee, with members voting aye and the bill held on call until all votes were recorded. The committee then took up SB 876, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, presented by the Insurance Commissioner and supported by the committee chair. The bill was framed as a comprehensive response to wildfire disaster claims problems, especially after the Los Angeles-area fires, and would require more accurate replacement-cost estimates, stronger optional extended replacement-cost coverage, improved building code upgrade coverage, faster claim payments, clearer adjuster communication, pre-disaster emergency response plans, and stronger penalties and restitution for unfair claims handling. Supporters, including United Policyholders, California Environmental Voters, the Los Angeles Mayor’s office, AARP California, and consumer advocates, said the bill would help survivors avoid underinsurance, delays, and repeated trauma in the claims process. Opposition came from several insurance and industry groups, including APCIA, the Personal Insurance Federation of California, the Pacific Association of Domestic Insurance Companies, the Civil Justice Association of California, and the California Building Industry Association. They argued the bill remained too broad, would raise premiums, reduce flexibility, and could worsen availability in an already fragile market, especially because of mandatory coverage expansions and faster payout requirements. Committee members questioned both sides extensively about cost, optional versus mandatory provisions, contents coverage, ALE limits, building code upgrades, and rate-setting timelines. The committee ultimately passed SB 876 as amended to the Judiciary Committee on a due pass motion, with one no vote from Vice Chair Niello and the remaining recorded members voting aye; the bill was held open briefly to add a missing vote before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, we don't anticipate hiring additional staff. It should stay fit.
• So we don't anticipate additional staff.
• No, we don't anticipate hiring additional staff the it should stay fit.
• So an area we don't anticipate additional staff.
• But the staff just can't simply help them do that.

Bills: HF2185 , HF1849 , HF3719 , HF3721 , HF3845 , HF3720

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: flag display, residential property rights, homeowners association, HOA, covenants, restrictive covenant, deed restriction, subdivision regulation, local ordinance, rental agreement, property rights, patriotic display, United States flag, Minnesota flag, POW/MIA flag, military flags, armed forces flag, Blue Star flag, Gold Star flag, common interest community

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
• For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
• And I'm not sure if this is for staff or for you. Why is this bill in Human Services?
• For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
• I think that staff have been engaged in that conversation.

Bills: SB5917 , SB6080 , SB6085 , SB5940 , SB5945 , SB5957 , SB5966

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: abortion medications, reproductive health, mifepristone, misoprostol, abortion access, medication abortion, early pregnancy loss, miscarriage management, Department of Corrections, Department of Health, health care providers, health care entities, Indian health care providers, pharmacy distribution, wholesale distribution, reproductive rights, women's health, emergency clause, immediate effect, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, we were able to add some extra staff, for which I am eternally grateful.
• Going back to repurposing staff positions, we rearranged how some of the staff was organized in terms
• The last thing I'm going to touch on is the staff contacts.
• Budget staff—it's our email addresses, phone numbers, the budget assignments for each analyst.
• So my staff has put together a report that talks about inflation-adjusted budgets going back to 2005.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard an extended presentation from Representative Josh Tanner on the Health and Welfare budget, with a focus on Medicaid, supplemental spending, and the governor’s proposed holdbacks and cuts. Tanner said the state is facing major budget pressure, including a 3% holdback, provider rate cuts, and a projected need for additional reductions in Health and Welfare. He argued Medicaid growth is a major cost driver, described the program as difficult to control because of federal rules, and urged the committee to identify real savings, especially in programs he viewed as less essential than services for children and people with disabilities. He also emphasized that any recommendations to JFAC should be backed by actual numbers and fiscal notes, not assumptions. Members asked Tanner about cost shifting to other budgets or local governments, the role of fiscal notes, how JFAC handles minor budget changes, the effect of House Bill 345 and Medicaid eligibility changes, and whether expansion cuts could be redirected to other Medicaid needs. Tanner repeatedly said JFAC’s job is to balance the budget and that the germane committee should develop policy and identify savings before JFAC is forced to make cuts. He also discussed ongoing versus one-time funding, saying the state is short in ongoing revenue and that the committee should not rely on hoped-for savings. On revenue forecasting, he explained that EROC uses multiple projections and that JFAC ultimately adopted a revenue number near the middle of the range. The committee then received a detailed overview from Legislative Services staff Alex Williamson and Morgan Poloni on budget tools and resources, including the base budget dashboard, the Legislative Budget Book, the Legislative Fiscal Report, the Fiscal Source Book, session records, and performance reports. They demonstrated how members can drill down by agency, division, program, fund source, and enhancement history, and noted that staff can provide deeper detail on specific line items if requested. Keith Bivey also presented inflation-adjusted and per-capita budget trend information, showing long-term general fund growth and noting that similar agency-level analysis is still being developed. The chair asked members to review the Health and Welfare divisions, identify possible cuts or programs to protect, and return with recommendations; the committee was told it would not meet the rest of the week, and the JFAC presentation was tentatively moved to the first week of February.

Transcript Highlights:

• State term contracts include IT, Staff, Augmentation Services, digital security solutions and it independent
• Experts such a CI as engineers, an FLDS staff to write clear scopes of work, to find deliverables and
• commodities and services and non it services ranging from items such as HDMI cables to small and large staff
• We'll put out request for staff services, go out to all the vendors.
• Not necessarily have a development staff on that side.

Transcript Highlights:

• come from a long career when I worked for the United States Senate on the Appropriations Committee staff
• And so making sure that the staff is available for that kind of activity is going to be really crucial
• I remember when I was on the Appropriations Committee staff, I was like, when are we going to be done
• I have another committee I have to sit on, but I have staff watching this at the office as well, too.
• So we are growing our staff and we put our staff to a very vigorous training program.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Cybersecurity and the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management held a joint informational hearing focused on maximizing the value of state cybersecurity investments, especially by fully using security features already included in existing vendor contracts. The first panel included representatives from Microsoft, Zscaler, and Palo Alto Networks, who described the products and services they provide to California and generally agreed that agencies often have strong adoption in some areas but still face challenges from tool overlap, limited staff, lack of awareness of available features, and the need for ongoing training and configuration support. They also discussed major threats such as ransomware, data loss, attack-surface exposure, IoT/OT vulnerabilities, and the growing role of AI in both attacks and defenses. Members pressed the vendors on whether state departments underuse purchased cybersecurity tools, how to improve utilization, and how to address the cybersecurity workforce shortage. The vendors said utilization is often constrained by staffing, procurement complexity, and the need to align tools with agency missions and maturity levels, but emphasized that training, leadership buy-in, and regular vendor-agency collaboration can improve results. They also discussed how AI can help with phishing triage, data-loss prevention, and security operations, while warning that agencies must manage AI safely and with human oversight. The second panel featured officials from the Department of Technology, Cal OES/CalSIC, and the California Military Department. They described statewide oversight efforts including audits, independent security assessments, continuous monitoring, advisory services, vulnerability disclosure programs, and workforce development initiatives such as the Information Security Leadership Academy and Cybersecurity Education Summit. Officials said some underutilization is real, but it is often tied to differing agency maturity, overlapping tools, and deliberate feature restrictions to reduce attack surface and complexity; they emphasized a balanced approach using people, process, and technology, with plans of action and milestones to hold departments accountable. They also noted federal uncertainty around MS-ISAC and the state and local cybersecurity grant program, saying California is advocating through federal partners and monitoring the impact. The hearing ended after public comment and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• is foundational, but so is the safety of everyone who walks through its doors, including lawmakers, staff
• Our team includes more than 100 dedicated staff and is supported by a robust network of cameras that
• The very people we serve, lawmakers, staff, and the public, are also the eyes and ears of this complex
• ,</c><00:04:08.000><c> and</c> people we serve, lawmakers, staff, and people we serve, lawmakers, staff
• >> So the question was the staff that was working that evening. Are they still working?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mind, I just have a couple of highlights I'd like to point out on the bill before we get nonpartisan staff
• And that's strictly for staffing to get up to full staff.
• So that was a nice compromise we made, and with that we can have the nonpartisan staff walk through it
• Uh and uh we did uh up to full staff.
• Thank you, Chair staff walk through it.

Bills: HF2446 , HF2563 , HF2444

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll talk with the staff first. Right.
• We'll talk with the staff<00:11:59.200><c> first.</c><00:11:59.600><c> Right.
• So, this is an staff first. Right. So, this is an interim<00:12:00.880><c> rule.
• . listen to staff first and then<00:20:13.679><c> the</c><00:20:13.919><c> agency.
• just ask are you is staff satisfied that that<00:26:13.520><c> that</c><00:26:14.159><c> you</c><00:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes and adopting the consent calendar without objection. It then postponed the Board of Licensed Dieticians and the Board of Accountancy items to next month, with a waiver granted for the dieticians item so it could be carried over. The committee also noted that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources interim rule would be discussed further, and staff flagged a specific concern about authority over kindling size for category 3 fires under NCR 5601.04. The Board of Registry and Optometry received conditional approval. Staff said the board had addressed editorial comments, but raised one substantive issue about the drug formulary: the statute requires posting it online but does not clearly exempt it from rulemaking, suggesting a possible legislative carveout may be needed. The committee agreed to add that issue to a list of legislative suggestions for later consideration. The DNCR interim fire rule was the main contested item. Committee members and staff discussed whether the rule exceeded authority by regulating kindling for category 3 fires, and the agency explained that the regular rules had expired and interim rules were needed quickly for public safety and permit enforcement. The committee ultimately granted conditional approval on the interim rule 25-4, with the understanding that the agency would continue regular rulemaking and address the objection. The Board of Examiners’ dental rules were then reviewed. The agency explained that it revised the rules to address prior concerns about anesthesia and sedation for children, including a pathway for oral surgeons and dentist anesthesiologists to obtain exemptions for under-13 patients, a pediatric minimal sedation permit, and a moderate sedation permit with pediatric qualification. Members also discussed whether the rules were consistent with House Bill 470; staff and members concluded they appeared compatible and would not require additional rulemaking. The committee approved the dental rules, and then adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, there was 382 assaults on staff. 2022 are inmates are juvies. 2022 for 22 assaults 2023 384
• has the legal to maintain the facilities that are safe for both the youth that reside there and the staff
• , that staff is a victim, whether it's a minor or a major offense.
• I've had a staff stabbed with a toothbrush. It was made into a shank.
• Caused by the need of more jail staff.

Bills: SB 476 , SB 664 , SB 745 , SB 826 , SB 989 , SB 1080 , SB 1171 , SB 1320 , SB 1437 , SB 1727 , SB 1809 , SB 2289 , SB 2320

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: education, funding, school infrastructure, public schools, teacher support, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, ignition interlock devices, youth offenders, vehicular homicide, Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice convened to address pressing issues surrounding oil field crime and safety on Texas highways. The meeting was initiated by Chair Flores, who emphasized the need for improved tools to combat repeat offenders having committed intoxicated driving, alongside tackling oil field theft that has escalated due to organized criminal activities. The committee heard public testimonies and engaged with various stakeholders, including law enforcement and industry representatives, who highlighted the complexities and dangers associated with these crimes. Notably, a significant focus was placed on Senate Bill 1320, which aims to establish a dedicated unit within the Department of Public Safety to investigate and address thefts specific to the oil and gas industry. This initiative seeks to strengthen coordination among various law enforcement agencies and improve training for local officers to combat these sophisticated theft operations more effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the bill to make sure that the enforcing agency of this bill would get adequate funding for any staff
• Um, frankly, the fiscal note I got on Friday, I would want to talk to my IT staff on that.
• on that I'm assuming it would not staff on that I'm assuming it would not be<00:10:02.839><c> real</
• Yes, uh, so I'd like a roll call on this, and also I'd like to point out I don't think there is staff
• at the CFB to write the script is staff at the CFB to write the script so<00:14:53.120><c> we</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, our committee staff has been working really hard over the last couple weeks to put together
• So you haven't increased the number of staff. That's what I don't understand.
• , staff is by implementing the virtual nursing programs.
• in terms of, at first, I think people were kind of skeptical, but boon to the staff in terms of, at
• So the well-being of our staff, we can't produce quality outcomes without a well-workforce.

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion focused on how Florida health care organizations are working to improve access, quality, and affordability. Panelists from Florida Community Care/Independent Living Systems, Sunshine Health, AdventHealth, UF Health, and Nemours described their approaches, including Medicaid managed care, value-based contracting, community partnerships, mobile screening units, smart-room technology, telehealth, and specialized programs for maternal health, children, and complex chronic conditions. Several speakers emphasized that managed care and coordinated care can improve outcomes while reducing unnecessary utilization and costs. Members asked about the impact of Medicare’s V28 changes, mobile cancer screening, urgent care versus emergency room billing, pediatric specialty access, complaint resolution, Black maternal mortality, provider shortages, network adequacy, and the use of AI in prior authorization. Witnesses said V28 has affected providers and revenue, UF Health’s mobile screening program is expanding beyond a few cancer types, and its urgent care model bills patients at the appropriate level rather than both urgent care and ER rates. Nemours said it reduced specialty wait times through scheduling changes, telemedicine, and registry tools, while AdventHealth described postpartum coordination and maternal heart programs to reduce maternal complications and mortality. On complaints and access problems, panelists said their organizations use patient/member advocates, care managers, call centers, and escalation processes to resolve issues, and Sunshine Health specifically discussed a transportation complaint that was addressed with its vendor and the family. Sunshine Health also said it is not using AI for prior authorization, though it is exploring responsible uses elsewhere, and Florida Community Care said it is not using AI in utilization management. In closing, panelists identified workforce shortages, provider burnout, and high-cost drugs as the biggest ongoing challenges. The meeting ended with thanks to the panel and adjournment after Representative Brackett moved to rise, without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do a lot of preparation and and thought like to turn it over for staff Kelly at Charlotte County
• We've now redone the voting rolls twice is extremely expensive and staff intensive to go and recruit
• It's our staff with folks coming in and trying to video our staff and then be YouTube sensations on the
• And so a lot of times where there our staff is there at those ceremonies and helping them do that.
• Ma you indicated that you and provided feedback to staff on some of the initiative changes maybe that

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What you're seeing here are the members of Mystic's year-round full-time staff.
• What you're seeing here are the members of Mystic's year-round full-time staff.
• Every summer, Mary Liz would hire a nursing staff.
• Additional staff include college-age photographers and office workers.
• It wasn’t part of the training, either for the permanent staff or for the seasonal staff, including counselors

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:58.480><c> have</c> they are unaware of because staff have they are unaware of because staff
• that I am fully aware of all the staff that I am fully aware of all the things<00:26:08.960><c> that
• Ramsey County Attorney's Office staff to Ramsey County Attorney's Office staff to finish<00:30:19.840
• </c><01:07:56.400><c> member</c> started in the house as a staff member started in the house as a staff
• They've been emailed as well, and all the staff were emailed as well.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . um you guys for being here and staff. um you guys have<00:26:33.200><c> a</c><00:26:33.279><c> a</c
• That was all the information I had to share when I had to send the PowerPoint on to staff on Tuesday,
• on to staff on uh Tuesday,<00:42:49.680><c> but</c><00:42:50.079><c> we</c><00:42:50.319><c> got</c>
• The data was prepared by staff of 2024.
• </c> commission staff on Tuesday. commission staff on Tuesday.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its August 21 meeting and then received an update from Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation leadership on implementation of Senate Bill 299 and House Bill 566. Jamie Eids and staff described the agency’s new structure after charitable gaming was brought under the corporation, including new divisions, staffing, banking, payroll, insurance, procurement, and reporting systems. They also unveiled the corporation’s new logo and tagline, and said the transition had been designed to avoid interruption for charities, licensees, and racing operations. A major focus was the fee structure required by House Bill 566. Eids outlined current licensing fees across racing, sports wagering, and charitable gaming, compared Kentucky’s fees with other states, and recommended keeping the status quo for one more year because the agency has only recently brought all three components fully in-house. Members asked about whether charitable gaming had harmed veterans’ groups or other nonprofits, whether any revenue should be transferred back to the state, and whether the charitable gaming licenses cover one-off raffles as well as standing operations. Eids said she had not heard complaints, said the licenses include all such activity with some exemptions, and agreed to look at the question of future transfers. The committee then heard from Melissa Combs Wright on pari-mutuel wagering and Hannah Sims on sports wagering. They reported continued growth in historical horse racing, more than $11 billion in total pari-mutuel wagering in fiscal year 2025, over $10.5 billion in HHR wagers, and about $161 million in pari-mutuel tax revenue, with most of that supporting the general fund and horse-breeding development funds. They also said sports wagering has generated nearly $5 billion in wagers since launch, $73 million for the public pension fund, and more than $2 million for problem gambling services, while expanding to 13 retail locations and 92 additional sports events. Members raised concerns about players being cut off after winning, the lack of local government revenue sharing from gaming facilities, and the growth of computer-assisted wagering; the witnesses said they were reviewing CAWs and that Kentucky does not license poker rooms through the corporation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also does not require notice to parents or even other staff or faculty when a staff member or other
• It also does not require notice to parents or even other staff or faculty when a staff member or other
• It also does not require notice to parents or even other staff or faculty when a staff member or other
• I'm not totally sure nonpartisan staff.
• </c> Minnesota students and staff. Minnesota students and staff.

Bills: HF3409 , HF3487 , HF3401

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: immigration status, undocumented students, immigrant rights, K-12 education, public school enrollment, Plyler v. Doe, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, law enforcement access, ICE, immigration enforcement, civil lawsuit, private right of action, injunctive relief, mandamus, student records, directory information, parental engagement, equal access to education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> address remaining uh patient and staff address remaining uh patient and staff building<00:09:53.600
• So, let me go back and check with staff. I just built a brand new pool.
• So, let me go back and check with staff. I just built a brand new pool.
• I just built a and check with staff.
• Um DOC is the staff and inmates there.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:05 Approval of Minutes 00:01:48 Welcome New Members 00:02:03 Information Items 00:02:35 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:03:33 A. Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:04:00 B. Kentucky Department of Education 00:17:03 C. Education and Labor Cabinet 00:29:33 D. Energy and Environment Cabinet 00:42:38 E. Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:53:30 F. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet 01:13:28 G. Personnel Cabinet 01:31:04 H. School Facilities Construction Commission 01:41:39, 958, all

Summary: The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies. The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• For dentistry, it's just additional funding for staff.
• </c><00:42:32.240><c> For</c> additional funding for staff. For additional funding for staff.
• Dietetics and nutrition practice staff.
• The board of PMP and for staff.
• maintenance,</c> expenses for staff, maintenance, expenses for staff, maintenance, electronic<01:28:38.320

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> just 2% of our budget is spent on staff just 2% of our budget is spent on staff and<00:05:14.320
• Since we discovered the error, DHS staff took immediate action to diagnose the problem and fix it in
• </c><00:21:51.440><c> it</c> part of the department um staff it part of the department um staff it happened
• The speaker said the staff came forward, identified it, and quickly came forward.
• </c><01:15:10.920><c> um</c> use a um our Pharmacy benefit staff um use a um our Pharmacy benefit staff

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house