Transcript Highlights:

• the year-to-date quarterly resource and referral report.
• This diverts resources away from meeting families' needs.
• Julia Terry, with Child Care Resource Center.
• I’m with Child Care Resource Center.
• resources that our teams have provided.

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the end of the day, we live with a finite amount of resources in this building.
• We're a state with finite resources.
• Resources.
• They were able to get resources. And Mr.
• They don't have that resource. Extending it to not allow for referrals is also a concern.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the smaller communities don't have those kinds of resources or that kind of expertise.
• And as always, I'm going to bring up the question of resources.
• Is it our intention to promote this work through state resources in local communities.
• Have the resources that Tulsa, Oklahoma City have.
• are provided to rural areas as opposed to larger communities where we have these resources.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• we're able to compare apples to apples across all school districts as well as save a lot of state resources

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the smaller communities don't have those kind of resources or that kind of expertise.
• And as always, I'm going to bring up the question of resources.
• Is it our intention to promote this work through state resources in local communities?
• Promote this work through state resources in local communities? Thank you for the question.
• , they have the capacity for this... ...resources.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Summary: The House began with a quorum call and several introductions, including Wagner Student Council, Heartland Homeschool educators, Northwest Technology Center leadership students, Leadership Oklahoma Class 37, and guests from domestic violence and sexual assault service providers. The chamber then took up House Bill 3131 on homeless shelter standards. The bill, as amended, would set baseline health, safety, sanitation, incident reporting, and fiscal transparency standards for shelters receiving state-administered federal funds, with a limited board to help write rules and local officials notified of issues. Supporters said it was aimed mainly at smaller communities lacking resources, while opponents argued it added state oversight without collaboration or funding and could burden nonprofits and faith-based shelters. The bill passed 65-31. Members then passed several other measures: House Bill 3015 authorizing Service Oklahoma to issue and manage electronic credentials; House Bill 3472 on environment and natural resources; House Bill 3453 on eminent domain, shifting the burden of proof in court to the condemning authority while carving out utilities and oil and gas; House Bill 1638 expanding the Governmental Tort Claims Act definition of public trust to include trusts overseeing county jail facilities; House Bill 4128 on Game and Fish, adjusting bear hunting rules in selected eastern counties; and House Bill 4126 limiting liability for motocross and similar recreational tracks. House Bill 2710 created a 15-member committee to review future statewide radio system needs, and House Bill 2696, an open records bill for school district security and cybersecurity information, was amended and passed. House Bill 3552, giving child care providers flexibility to bridge subsidy reimbursement and tuition rates, also passed, though its emergency clause failed. Later, House Bill 3031 was amended to create a workforce development fund in the Department of Commerce and passed, but its emergency clause failed. House Bill 3544 was narrowed to regulate social AI companions and protect minors from harmful interactions, and passed unanimously. House Bill 3521 modernized money transmission law, updated fees, and added rules for digital asset kiosks. House Bill 4488 established a standardized appraisal process for first-party motor vehicle damage disputes under insurance law. House Bill 1746 allowed juvenile detention facilities for high-risk youth to adopt safety plans. Finally, House Joint Resolution 1069 updated constitutional county boundary language and county-seat references, including adding Cotton County to the Constitution and making other boundary cleanup changes; it passed 74-14. The House then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the end of the day, we live with a finite amount of resources in this building.
• But because we do have finite resources, none of us want to have to go back home and say no to something
• They were able to get resources. And, Mr.
• I know that there were procedures that were done that have ceased since then, but how much resources
• They don't have that resource. Extending it to not allow for referrals is also a concern.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Summary: The House considered and passed a series of bills focused on public finance, securities, pharmacy regulation, criminal penalties, energy, housing associations, and Medicaid. Early votes included House Bill 4428, which requires public retirement systems to base proxy voting and related engagement on fiduciary, pecuniary factors, and House Bill 4429, which adds disclosure requirements for proxy advisors and excludes charitable organizations from the definition; both passed. House Bill 1170, also dealing with public finance and aligning definitions with the earlier retirement-system bill, passed the House, but its emergency clause failed. The chamber also adopted a motion to suspend House Rule 4.4J to allow food on the floor for the rest of the legislative day. Members then passed House Bill 3538, a negotiated pharmacy benefits manager measure that establishes a mandatory minimum dispensing fee for pharmacies and was described as intended to help independent pharmacies; it passed unanimously. House Bill 4124, allowing pharmacies to sell human ivermectin over the counter, also passed after extended debate. House Bill 3904, which changes Oklahoma Medicaid maternity payments to separate prenatal, delivery, and postpartum reimbursements, passed with broad support. House Bill 4106, lowering the felony threshold for repeated petty larceny from $1,000 to $900 and tying it to multiple offenses within 180 days, passed after amendment. The House also approved House Bill 2999, which would prohibit requiring public officials to sign nondisclosure agreements under certain conditions, and House Bill 3982, addressing temporary tags for new and used dealerships and commercial vehicles. House Bill 3464, an energy bill adding landowner protections, notice, decommissioning, and permitting reforms for wind, solar, and battery storage facilities, passed unanimously and its emergency clause also passed. House Bill 2588, requiring HOA board members to own property and physically reside in the association, passed as well. A major debate centered on House Joint Resolution 1077, a constitutional amendment to restructure how tobacco settlement funds are used: it would move TSET legacy functions to the Health Department, direct more funding toward Oklahoma’s Promise/OLAP and related education opportunities, and preserve the corpus while redirecting distributions. Supporters framed it as a long-term investment in education and workforce opportunities; opponents argued it would undermine public health funding and repurpose a voter-created trust. The resolution passed the House, and the special-election referral required for the constitutional amendment also received the necessary two-thirds vote. Later, House Bill 4440, which would move Medicaid expansion from the Constitution into statute and separate expansion from traditional Medicaid, also passed after substantial debate over health care access, provider rates, and the role of voters. Finally, House Bill 3462 on plumbing licensing was laid over after amendments were discussed, including changes to apprenticeship and out-of-state reciprocity.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're able to compare apples to apples across all school districts, as well as save a lot of state resources

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, heard the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized the Doctor and Nurse of the Day. The main floor focus was House Bill 4420, the Strong Readers Act, which Speaker Hilbert described as a major literacy overhaul. The bill’s amendment was adopted without objection and would clean up and standardize the statute, create a new SRA funding formula, expand summer teacher credentialing academies with $3,000 stipends, add statewide benchmarking, notify parents within 30 days when students are below basic, and reinstate third-grade retention beginning with the 2027–2028 school year. Hilbert argued the bill is intended to address Oklahoma’s low reading outcomes, reward improvement rather than penalize schools, and align with science-of-reading practices. The House passed HB 4420 86-0, and the emergency clause also passed 86-6. Members then suspended the rules to hear untimely amendments on HB 3974, which was amended and passed 86-6 with its emergency clause approved. The bill concerns the Government Tort Claims Act and allows governmental entities that share incarceration costs to form an entity with liability protections; Hilbert said the late amendment responded to a recent court ruling that could have exposed cities and counties to unlimited liability in certain jail-sharing arrangements. The House also passed HB 3016, creating a two-year pilot screening project for early childhood reading issues through the Departments of Education and Health, by a vote of 82-7, and HB 3062, allowing retired municipal judges to carry statewide under specified conditions, by a vote of 83-3. Additional bills passed with little or no debate: HB 3021, a graduation requirements cleanup measure consolidating conflicting statutes, passed 82-8 and its emergency clause also passed; HB 3145, a language cleanup bill for commercial hunt areas, passed 92-0 after a question clarified it does not affect private landowners hunting feral pigs. HB 4128, another Game and Fish bill, was laid over until the afternoon. The House then recessed until 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Joycelyn Herbert, Resources Legacy Fund. Not present. And Stephanie Dunbar.
• And<00:14:43.160><c> Joycelyn</c><00:14:43.800><c> Herbert,</c><00:14:44.640><c> Resources</c><00:14:
• 45.440><c> Legacy</c> And Joycelyn Herbert, Resources Legacy And Joycelyn Herbert, Resources Legacy Fund

Bills: HR206 , SB3083 , SB2377 , SB2816 , SB3248 , SB2436 , SB2259 , SB2928 , SB2577 , SB2697 , SB2399 , SB2665 , SB2851 , SB3102 , SB2521 , SB3157 , SB3255 , SB3016 , SB2765 , SB1432 , SB17 , SB2401 , SB2972 , SB3014 , SB3032 , SB3137 , SB847 , SB2261 , SB2271 , SB2272 , SB2804 , SB3007 , SB3019 , SB3250 , SB2603 , SB3022 , SB2256 , SB2147 , SB2014 , SB2114 , SB2115 , SB2117 , SB2246 , SB2519 , SB3055 , SB3095 , SB3144 , SB3264 , SB2325 , SB2211 , SB3245 , SB2090 , SB2803 , SB2866 , SB2250 , SB2497 , SB2032 , SB2487 , SB3136 , SB2756 , SB2615 , SB3262 , SB2024 , SB2177 , SB2552 , SB2319 , SB2407 , SB2153 , SB2321 , SB2805 , SB3010 , SB2892 , SB2781 , SB2489 , SB2174 , SB2169 , SB3123

Keywords: Robert Bob Toyofuku, Hawaii legal community, House Resolution, commendation, honorary resolution, legal education, continuing legal education, CLE, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii law school, Pacific Law Institute, attorney training, legal ethics, professional responsibility, legal mentorship, legal profession, court-annexed arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, appellate decisions, Hawaii Supreme Court

Transcript Highlights:

• The resources can help pay for those things. Further discussion on the A47 amendment?
• We've also efficiency savings.
• Um we've also uh efficiency aircraft.
• ><c> 15%</c><00:43:42.640><c> efficiency</c> savings.
• There's a 15% efficiency savings.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 41 is the biofertilizer innovation and efficiency program.
• The bill HF 39 is for the County Fair Anderson's Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Program founded

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

Transcript Highlights:

• sure everyone understands our committee procedures to ensure we maintain order and run a fair and efficient
• One of the greatest resources in our communities is older adults themselves.
• Participation is entirely voluntary and subject to available local resources and partnerships.
• And it's a concern because DHCS doesn't, frankly, have the resources to be able to do...
• And it's a concern because DHCS doesn't, frankly, have the resources to be able to do.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• hearing, I want to ensure everyone understands that we do have rules to maintain order and run an efficient
• Good morning, Tweedo with the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center.
• Ker Sarah Lee, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, in support.
• Off expertise and resources from the very agencies that help Californians.
• Sarah Lee, with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills, with extensive testimony and debate. AB 1535 would add political affiliation as a sentencing aggravator when a felony is motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived political affiliation. The author said the bill is intended to deter political violence while preserving judicial discretion; supporters framed it as a response to rising threats and attacks tied to politics. Opponents, including ACLU Cal Action, Initiate Justice, and public defender groups, argued the term is vague, could sweep in protected speech and association, and would expand punishment without addressing crime prevention. The bill was later moved on a due-pass recommendation and passed on roll call. AB 1656 would add human trafficking to the list of offenses that qualify for good-cause continuances so a vertical prosecutor can stay with a case. The author and a San Diego DA representative said the change would support trauma-informed prosecution and improve continuity for survivors. Most support testimony came from prosecutors, victim advocates, and civil liberties groups, while some public defender and justice organizations remained in opposition or pending review of amendments. The committee ultimately approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended vote. AB 1589 would allow Level 1 reserve peace officers to use firearm suppressors while on duty, matching the exemption already available to full-time officers. The author and reserve officer witnesses said the bill is a narrow safety measure tied to hearing protection and parity in training and equipment. Opponents, including Brady and ACLU Cal Action, said suppressors are unnecessary, could endanger the public and other officers, and further militarize policing. After discussion about safety, fiscal concerns, and community trust, the committee passed the bill on a due-pass vote. The committee also took up AB 1566, which would align the statutory definition of severe neglect with the structured decision-making tool used by county child welfare agencies. Supporters said the bill would reduce overreporting, racial disparities, and unnecessary family trauma while keeping mandated reporting in place. Opponents, including school resource officer groups, warned it would lower reporting thresholds and risk missing serious abuse. Members debated the impact on child safety versus unnecessary investigations, and the bill was held on call after a split vote. In addition, the committee approved several consent items, including bills on human trafficking data, criminal procedure jurisdiction, firearms/unsafe handguns, and the Hugs Act of 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This diverts resources away from meeting families' needs.
• Hello, Lily, with the California Resource and Referral Network.
• I've been a resource parent. I'm a former foster youth, right?
• My name is Abraham Bedoy with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
• resources that our teams have provided.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, in the end, I ask you to vote yes for efficiency, for economy, and for making the dreams of
• Anytime we can stop duplication, I think that we are being very efficient, and this is a yes from our
• Anytime we can stop duplication, I think that we are being very efficient, and this is a yes from our

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB5831 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002 , HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Transcript Highlights:

• assigned to them, but also in planning and implementing changes that bring about more consistency and efficiency
• agency from 11... ...not including a couple of long-term investment costs, which helped bring about efficiencies
• The challenge is it does take some time to realize the efficiencies that we're putting in place and for

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first heard the Joint Millennium Fund Committee’s report. The co-chairs recommended one-time or ongoing funding for several programs: $692,200 for the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, $1 million for juvenile safety assessment centers, $3 million for child advocacy centers, $150,000 ongoing for the Upper River Youth Leadership Council Recovery Center, $5 million for a statewide drug awareness media campaign, and $25 million one-time for Medicaid claim payments in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the Medicaid recommendation, noting prior language against using Millennium Fund dollars to offset Medicaid; the co-chairs said the current recommendation was tied to the governor’s request and intended as one-time funding, with any unused money returned to the fund. The report was accepted by unanimous consent. The committee then reviewed the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses budget. Legislative staff outlined the division’s structure, growth, fund balances, and fee-setting framework, including the requirement to keep board balances within a range tied to a five-year rolling average of expenditures. Administrator Russ Barron said the division has reduced costs, consolidated boards, and used fee increases, fee reductions, and fee holidays to bring boards into range; he also said the division had improved retention after inspector pay increases. Members questioned rising personnel costs, the use of opioid settlement funds for DEA license reimbursements, the request to remove a 10% transfer limitation, and whether cash balances should be redistributed among boards. Barron said the transfer exemption was largely a holdover and that cross-subsidizing boards would be possible but unpopular. He also explained that complaints drive enforcement, that a universal discipline bill could improve consistency, and that vehicle replacements were still needed because the fleet is aging despite possible future legislation. Finally, the committee heard the State Lottery budget. Staff reported that the lottery continues to generate dividends for schools and public buildings, with most expenditures tied to prizes and commissions. Director Andrew Arulenandum said the lottery has reduced management layers, renegotiated major contracts, and expects significant savings beginning in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the role of lottery detectives, advertising spending, and the need for MacBooks and iMacs; the director said detectives investigate theft and other crimes involving lottery inventory, advertising effectiveness depends heavily on jackpot size, and the Apple equipment is needed for in-house design and artwork. The meeting ended with adjournment and a reminder about upcoming budget-setting work groups and future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look at this all the time when we look at nonprofits to see how efficiently we're using money.
• data so that we can get some trend lines as well to help us direct taxpayer dollars toward the most efficient
• data so that we can get some trend lines as well to help us direct taxpayer dollars toward the most efficient

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The economic crime unit in the AGO needs to run efficiently, and allowing their investigators to simply
• send an email to obtain an email search warrant ensures that we have some efficiency in government and
• Obras on efficiency, we want to see that on all levels of government, whether it's local or state or

Bills: HB1228 , HB1982 , HB2156 , HB2165 , HB2173 , HB2203 , HB2220 , HB2362 , HB2403 , HB2464

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, impaired driving, toxicology, forensic toxicology, breath test, blood test, THC, marijuana, cannabis, alcohol concentration, state toxicologist, implied consent, evidence admissibility, venous blood draw, forensic phlebotomist, certified laboratory, accredited laboratory, law enforcement, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• could be used to challenge co-op decisions on generation, power purchases, demand response, and efficiency
• Decisions on generation, power purchases, demand response, and efficiency programs.
• All about making our process more efficient and effective, saving money for both our taxpayers and the

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bonds, public funds, and financing is set up such that building owners can borrow money for energy efficiency
• thing I'd say is that, from my perspective as an organization that's working to support energy efficiency
• thing I'd say is that, from my perspective as an organization that's working to support energy efficiency

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that one of the things that we can do in order to make our process a little bit more efficient
• Think about what's going to get the most information out the most efficiently.
• there, whether water, forest resources, recreational interests, or cultural interests.
• It also manages the forest resources on the properties it owns.
• there, whether water, forest resources, recreational interests, or cultural interests.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. Representative German introduced the bill and explained that it was prompted by recent reporting on leachate management problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations and deficiency letters from DES. He said the bill was intended to address public health concerns, PFAS contamination, and increased leachate volumes tied to more severe rainstorms, while still allowing innovation in treatment and transportation methods. He also described a set of proposed amendments developed after discussions with DES and a landfill operator, including changing “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” applying the bill to landfill expansions, moving contract-related language into the planning section, and removing a proposed new subparagraph. Committee members asked whether the bill would limit operator flexibility or duplicate existing DES rules. Representative German said the bill would not dictate specific treatment methods or lock operators into long-term contracts, but would require a plan showing how leachate will be managed, transported, and disposed of, with later contract changes reported to DES. Several members and the BIA representative questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing Env 806 rules and DES enforcement authority. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill as introduced, arguing that DES already has rules and technical expertise, that the issue is better handled through rulemaking, and that moving requirements into statute could freeze the framework and make future adjustments harder. Supporters countered that a statute would provide a stronger, more durable policy commitment in response to ongoing problems. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration and with the sponsor indicating that a revised amendment would likely be brought forward for later work session or executive session review.