Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing that, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed?
• Hearing that, all in A2. Any discussion?
• Hearing that, all in favor<00:57:56.640><c> say</c><00:57:56.880><c> I.
• Could we hear about tomorrow, Chair Gomez? >> Yeah, thanks, Mr. Chair.
• Could we hear about order, members?

Bills: HF1669 , HF4709 , HF3531 , HF4048

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Signs are not permitted in the hearing room or at the testifiers' table.
• all testifiers must adhere to a 2-minute time limit, so that we can keep the meeting on time, and to hear
• Um, hearing no discussion about the validity of the minutes, I will um ask those in favor of adoption
• c> from</c><01:20:50.240><c> experts,</c> After months of hearing from experts, After months of hearing
• Fraud prevention should not be hearing.

Bills: HF1338

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, thank you for hearing um focused.
• ><c> Adams</c> I appreciated hearing Allison Adams I appreciated hearing Allison Adams testimony<00:13
• And, uh, we hear a lot about it.
• I think this uh, we hear a lot about it.
• </c> participate in an informational hearing participate in an informational hearing um<01:29:40.160>

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board first approved the September 24 minutes and then heard a presentation from four certified community behavioral health clinic providers: Pathways, NorthKey, Seven Counties Services, and NewVista. The presenters explained the difference between traditional community mental health centers and CCBHCs, describing CCBHCs as an enhanced model that integrates behavioral health, primary care, wraparound services, and crisis response. They reviewed the federal history of the model, Kentucky’s entry into the Medicaid demonstration in 2022, and the scheduled end of the enhanced federal match on December 31, 2027. They also emphasized required services such as 24-hour mobile crisis, care coordination, and services for veterans, and described care coordination as a key feature that helps patients follow up after hospital or emergency discharge, manage medications, and connect to transportation and other supports. The presenters gave examples of improved outcomes, including a patient who was able to remain living independently because of coordinated home-based and telehealth support, and they argued that CCBHCs are helping Kentucky build a more responsive crisis system through 988, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization units. They said the model is data-driven, uses performance metrics, and has led to stronger collaboration among community partners. One speaker said more than 100 agencies participated in a Jefferson County community health needs assessment and continued meeting afterward to reduce redundancies and barriers to care. They also said crisis call hub compliance and mobile crisis outreach compliance improved significantly over the past year. Members asked about how navigators and connectors fit into the model, how CCBHCs work with managed care organizations, and how the program could expand statewide. The presenters said navigators are not built into the CCBHC model but may be used through referrals, while the CCBHCs continue to bill MCOs the same way and receive a Medicaid wrap payment for the enhanced rate. They said the goal would be for all community mental health centers to become CCBHCs, but that a state plan amendment would be needed and could not be limited only to CMHCs if submitted to CMS. They estimated about $28 million would be needed statewide to continue the program in the next biennium, combining the loss of enhanced federal match and the state share of enhanced service costs. The board also discussed transportation, with one presenter explaining that their program arranges Medicaid transportation for eligible appointments, and members raised concerns about mental inquest warrant transport and whether sheriffs should remain involved. No votes were taken on the CCBHC or transportation items during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I I hear the for introducing this.
• Oh, I'm not budget hearing today.
• There public hearing on amendment 1807s.
• And we'll do the public hearing, too.
• <01:14:32.239><c> and</c> hearing and hearing and uh<01:14:34.320><c> go</c><01:14:34.480><c> into</c

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and those of you here to present bills, our intention is that every bill we hear today will be
• We’re going to hear from Senator Johnson, Senate File 469, Wolf and Elk Depredation Payments appropriation
• Then we’re going to hear a presentation from our friends for Poultry Day on the Hill, and then you’re
• Then we will hear two bills from Senator Lang that are on similar issues, so that’s the agenda for today
• Chair, for hearing this bill and giving us an opportunity to talk about this issue.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We usually hear them from state agencies and the university, but we do hear from others occasionally
• We do hear from stakeholders in the odd-numbered year, so this is the year where we want to hear from
• We usually hear them from state agencies and the university, but we do hear from others occasionally
• We do hear from stakeholders in the odd-numbered year, so this is the year where we want to hear from
• </c> next February um we start um uh hearing next February um we start um uh hearing uh<01:08:38.239>

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing and hearing no further debate. Thank you, Assembly Member Ellis.
• Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Rubio, do you wish to close?
• The Elections Committee to hear AB 282, Pellerin, during their hearing scheduled today, August 28, upon
• And for the Business and Professions Committee to hear AB 707, Davies, at their hearing scheduled for
• All Rules Committee members, please report to Room 126 for a brief hearing.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer reflecting on Hiroshima and the dangers of nuclear war, and then proceeded through a long daily and concurrence file. Early floor action included SB 259 on protecting vote-by-mail ballots from interference, which drew debate over election security and mail voting access; the bill ultimately passed with a 54-vote urgency threshold and was transmitted immediately. The chamber also approved SB 1090 on temporary Altadena housing-density relief after the Eaton Fire, SB 1168 on data centers paying utility infrastructure costs, SB 1111 on AI digital replicas, SB 811 on metal shredding regulation, and SB 1078 on gift card cash redemption rules, among others. The concurrence file included many mostly technical or policy-focused Senate amendments. Members concurred in amendments on bills covering pupil safety, municipal utility districts, state employees, housing, professions, local district governance, school communication rules, environmental review of coal terminals, landfill data transparency, criminal procedure, public post-secondary access for undocumented students, workforce development, recovery housing, Native American student data reporting, overdose response in schools, and more. Several measures drew brief opposition or split votes, including AB 40 on coal terminal review, AB 2227 on farm labor contractor protections, and AB 2015 on map apps and local streets. The most extensive debate came on AB 2, the social media platform liability bill, where supporters described harms to children from addictive design, fentanyl sales, cyberbullying, and exploitation, while framing the bill as a response to platform negligence and recent settlements. The Assembly also took up AB 2313 on gas service replacement and home electrification, with sharp disagreement over consumer choice, affordability, and decarbonization. In addition to legislation, the body paused for an adjournment in memory of Jose Luis Rocha and recognized Brenda Thibodeau Harris for her long service to the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank our—this is our last regularly scheduled hearing.
• He dove right in at the beginning of the year and led—can you all hear me?
• hearings throughout the spring...” “...leaders at your January hearing and in subsequent budget subcommittee
• I’m absolutely open to that, and I hear the concern about it.
• My apologies for not hearing all of the discussion.

Committee: House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our first hearing of Assembly bills. There are 24 bills on today's agenda.
• We'll now hear witnesses in support. If you could use the mic at the railing.
• We'll now hear from any other support witnesses that are in the room.
• We'll now hear from additional witnesses in opposition.
• You know, hear from the folks that have raised concerns about raising the base.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 402, which would increase Cal Grant award amounts for students attending private nonprofit colleges and extend transfer entitlement eligibility to those institutions. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve affordability and access for low- and middle-income, working, military, and transfer students, while some senators emphasized the need to pair any increase with broader Cal Grant reform and funding. The bill drew support from private nonprofit universities, community college districts, and student advocates, and no opposition was presented. It passed on a due pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. The committee then took up AB 2067, a sunset extension for the competitive lease-lease-back process for TK-12 school construction through July 1, 2032. Supporters from school facilities groups, school districts, and contractors said the method provides flexibility, early contractor involvement, cost control, and legal certainty for school construction projects. Some senators questioned how often the method is used and raised concerns about the bill’s skilled-and-trained workforce provisions, with one senator opposing on the grounds that such requirements limit contractor participation. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was placed on call. Next, AB 1204 proposed changes to the Local Control Funding Formula, including a lower concentration-grant threshold, regional cost adjustments, a minimum annual COLA, and other equity-focused revisions. Supporters said the bill would better reflect regional costs and student need, while opponents—especially several school district leaders—argued it would shift money away from the base grant, widen disparities, and create new fiscal cliffs. Committee members raised concerns about the scale of the rewrite, the lack of a broader funding strategy, and the proposed 4% COLA guarantee, though the author said the bill was intended as a phased update to improve equity. The bill was supported by the chair and several members, then passed on a due pass motion to Appropriations and was placed on call. Finally, the committee heard AB 1235, which would require a skilled-and-trained workforce process for CSU design-build projects. Supporters said it would align CSU with other segments and promote quality training, while opposition from contractor groups argued it would add liability, reduce competition, and increase costs without evidence of better outcomes. Senators again focused on the effect of skilled-and-trained requirements on contractor participation, with one member stating opposition to limiting who can work in California and another noting the bill’s broader policy implications. The transcript ends during committee discussion of AB 1235, without a recorded final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are holding our committee hearing here in the State Capitol, and I don't have to ask all the members
• So we can now begin to establish our quorum and begin our hearing.
• Today's hearing is focused on labor and public employment issues, and discussion.
• As I stated, public comment is done at the end of the hearing for all issues.
• We have concluded the agenda for today's hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the second piece of this, it would require the Legislature to hold an informational hearing on the
• The amendments that was presented go, okay, now we have to have an informational hearing, and then we
• Okay, we have a motion from Senator Alvarado-Gil, but first we'll hear from Senator Richardson.
• Thank you for being the last one in this committee hearing. Have a wonderful day.
• Thank you for being the last one in this committee hearing. Have a wonderful day.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the J-LAC committee hearing.
• And we'll be hearing from you on a number of these.
• And we'll be hearing from you on a number of these.
• Today, you're going to hear directly from a tenant, Mrs.
• Today, you're going to hear directly from a tenant, Mrs.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, and the state auditor gave an update on his office’s workload, including several JALAC audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth, and capacity to begin additional audits. Members also announced that one audit request on Prop. 28 was being held and that the PUC request would be moved off consent for presentation. After quorum was later established, the committee took up and approved several audit requests, including the DMV license revocation audit on consent, the CPUC utility interconnection timeliness audit, and the Caltrans SR 710 extension project audit. The fusion centers audit was approved on call, while the Orange County Board of Education audit was still being discussed when the transcript ended. Senator Cervantes presented the fusion centers audit request, arguing that California’s fusion centers operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and retain sensitive information without adequate legal authority, privacy protections, or accountability. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and an ACLU representative, said the centers function as opaque intelligence-sharing hubs and have a history of inaccurate or biased reporting. The state auditor said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while noting possible access and public disclosure limits because of intelligence-related information. The request drew sharp criticism from one member, who called it politicized and unnecessary, but it ultimately advanced on call. Senator Allen’s CPUC audit request focused on the commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. Supporters said utilities routinely miss deadlines, causing delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, businesses, and homeowners, while CPUC staff said the commission has public reporting, workshops, and an active proceeding to address the issue. The auditor said the review would examine CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and data on why utilities struggle to comply, estimating about 3,500 hours of work. The committee approved the request after discussion about whether an audit or legislative oversight would be the best tool. Senator Perez and Assembly Member Fong presented the Caltrans 710 corridor audit request, describing tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing, unclear communications, and delays in the affordable sales program created under the Roberti Act. Caltrans said it had completed many sales, was moving additional properties, and remained committed to transparency and compliance. The auditor said the review would examine whether Caltrans is complying with the Roberti Act, how it sets affordable prices, appraisal and appeal practices, communications with buyers, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior audit recommendations. The committee also heard Senator Umberg’s request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues; supporters argued the board’s actions warranted scrutiny, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that complaints, enforcement actions, and legal challenges were minimal or absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• be present in Room 112 so we can establish a quorum and begin our hearing.
• We will take public comment on all items at the end of the hearing.
• First we're again going to hear from Director Steve Gordon and Mr.
• The other day we had a hearing. I think you remember the hearing.
• We have concluded the agenda for today’s hearing.

Summary: The subcommittee heard several California transportation and public safety budget proposals. Caltrans requested a one-time $225 million augmentation to continue replacing its aging fleet and build out zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. Caltrans said the funding would replace about 1,100 vehicles, including many heavy-duty units, and acknowledged its overdue report on zero-emission fleet efforts would be delivered by mid-to-late April. The LAO said the request raised no concerns, but one senator strongly criticized the cost and policy emphasis on making the fleet the “greenest” rather than prioritizing road maintenance. The chair pressed Caltrans to submit the overdue report within 30 days, saying it was necessary for oversight before the request could be considered. The committee also discussed a Caltrans proposal tied to SB 150 and the High Road Construction Careers Program. Because federal highway funds could not be used as originally intended for workforce training, Caltrans and the Department of Finance proposed replacing the federal dollars with $30 million in state Highway Account funds. The Workforce Development Board said the program had a track record of connecting participants to apprenticeships and jobs, while one senator questioned why the original $50 million federal set-aside had not been implemented and asked for more detail on where the remaining funds would go. Finance said the state funds were already set aside and expected to begin flowing in May over a two- to three-year period. The California Highway Patrol presented two requests. First, CHP sought $60 million from the Motor Vehicle Account for equipment and operating costs, citing inflation, higher vehicle prices, and the end of its ability to cover costs through vacancy savings as hiring improved. The LAO recommended rejection, arguing the costs were not new, CHP still had a substantial equipment budget, and the Motor Vehicle Account faces insolvency by 2028-29. Second, CHP requested $885,000 ongoing to fund seven crime analyst positions for the Highway Violence Task Force. CHP said the task force had reduced freeway shootings from 477 in 2021 to 179 last year, though some data categories had changed over time. The LAO did not object, but noted the request would create a permanent funding commitment. The DMV presented two modernization items: the State-to-State verification system required for Real ID compliance and the DXP system to replace aging legacy technology. The LAO raised no concerns with either, but noted DXP has had cost overruns and delays and will require continued legislative oversight. Senators focused heavily on privacy and data-sharing concerns in the State-to-State system, especially the use of Social Security number digits and the role of the AAMVA network. DMV said the system is required for Real ID compliance, uses encrypted data, and is intended to prevent duplicate credentials across states. The committee also discussed customer service improvements from DXP, with DMV saying the project should better integrate systems and improve service delivery by the end of the calendar year.

Transcript Highlights:

• We hear from our local partners regularly about the impact of their preservation efforts, but we also
• hear about the missed opportunities because there are not resources sufficient to do this work.
• Ketta, can you hear me or do I grab it? Okay. Can you hear me or do I grab it? Good afternoon.
• At some point, hopefully soon, we'll hear the Wicks bill so we can keep moving that forward.
• And also meeting with the opposition and trying to hear their concerns.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several bills. SB 1091, by Senator Kavayetal, would create the Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation (CAP) program within HCD to provide financing and technical support for nonprofit and local efforts to acquire unsubsidized rental housing and preserve it as affordable housing or homeownership opportunities. Supporters, including Enterprise Community Partners, the Unity Council, and several housing and tenant groups, said preservation is a fast, cost-effective way to prevent displacement and homelessness. Members discussed funding, with the author and chair noting the program is intended to be funded through housing bond legislation and would be implemented upon appropriation. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Judiciary and passed out of committee. SB 904, by Senator Seyarto, would codify and expand the state’s coordinated wildfire recovery response by requiring HCD and other agencies to identify permitting and code barriers after future state-of-emergency wildfires and report on ways to speed rebuilding. The author cited the faster permitting response after the Los Angeles fires compared with the Camp Fire. Some members supported the goal but raised concerns about repeated reports and the burden on smaller jurisdictions; the author said the bill is meant to avoid reinventing the wheel and to streamline recovery. The committee noted the bill is fiscal and would go to Appropriations, and it was reported out with sufficient votes. SB 1007, by Senator Menjivar, would increase transparency and limit assessment growth in homeowners associations by requiring clearer disclosure of HOA finances and violation evidence, and by replacing the current 20% annual assessment increase ceiling with a cap tied to inflation, with possible amendments still under discussion. Supporters, including consumer and homeowner advocates, said the bill would help protect homeowners from steep fee hikes and opaque budgeting. Opponents from HOA management and industry groups argued the bill could undermine reserve funding, delay maintenance, and create more special assessments, while also adding duplicative disclosure requirements. Members debated whether the bill would protect homeowners without harming HOA finances; the author said he would continue negotiations and that the bill would look different in the next committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> about</c><00:01:55.440><c> from</c> that I'm hearing about from that I'm hearing about from constituents
• I've been hearing property tax bill.
• </c><00:07:23.480><c> And</c> hearing a lot about constituents.
• And hearing a lot about constituents.
• Yeah, as I hear it, the House starts earlier than we do.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none. The measures adopted. with the 2028 general election.
• </c> Hearing none, the measures adopted. Hearing none, the measures adopted.
• Hearing<00:04:38.800><c> none.
• </c> Hearing none. The measures adopted. Hearing none. The measures adopted.
• As noted, this hearing is being streamed live on YouTube.

Bills: SB3123

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up three measures in decision-making. SB 2678, which would create a Judiciary working group to improve family court processes and youth access to legal representation in the child welfare system, was recommended for passage with amendments. The amendments would clarify that members with lived experience are those who have navigated the state child welfare system, replace an actively serving guardian ad litem with a former GAL, allow co-chairs to invite additional experts, and provide compensation for lived-experience members. The committee report would also recommend a $20,000 appropriation, and the motion passed without objection. SB 2528, a Campaign Spending Commission proposal to expand the partial public financing program and raise expenditure limits, was also recommended for passage with amendments and adopted without objection. The committee’s changes would increase the public-funds match to 4:1, raise the maximum public funding available to 20% for statewide executive offices and 25% for legislative and certain county offices, blank out the appropriation in the bill, and instead recommend $7.2 million in the committee report. Technical amendments would also rename the program for consistency and set the bill’s effective date to March 22, 2075. In a joint Judiciary/Education hearing, SB 3123 drew extensive testimony in support from the Governor’s office, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Hawaiian Council, Kamehameha Schools, and many private-school and community representatives. Supporters said the bill would clarify that donor-funded scholarships, grants, and tuition-free educational programs are charitable gifts rather than contractual obligations, giving donors and schools greater certainty and preserving educational access. Some members questioned whether the bill could affect Kamehameha Schools’ admissions practices or allow schools to avoid donor conditions; witnesses responded that the measure is intended to clarify donor intent, not change admissions, and that an opt-out clause would preserve the ability to create contractual agreements if the parties choose. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration, with no final vote reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up today, we will now hear House Bill 2651, sponsored by Representative Burns.
• And after hearing the testimony, I decided, well...
• I hear this more than anything my constituents talk to me about is property taxes.
• I hear this more than anything my constituents talk to me about is property taxes.
• I've never had anybody not be able to hear me, but what the heck.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2651, a broad property tax reform bill sponsored by Representative Burns. Burns said the bill is intended to close perceived loopholes in the Hancock Amendment, including moving tax-related elections to November, eliminating the new-construction exclusion, allowing multiple subclass rates, and preventing counties from opting out of multiple levies. Supporters argued the bill would better protect homeowners from large tax increases, while opponents and several members raised concerns about the loss of local control, the impact on growing communities, and whether the proposal was revenue neutral. No vote was taken; the bill remained in public testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 2944, which would change Missouri’s senior homestead property tax relief so eligible seniors would only have to apply once instead of annually. Representative Billington said the current yearly paperwork burdens older residents on fixed incomes and can contribute to them losing their homes. Some members supported simplifying the process, but others and the Missouri Association of Counties opposed the bill as written, arguing annual recertification helps ensure only eligible taxpayers receive the credit and that counties need a way to verify continued eligibility. Questions also focused on how to handle deaths, moves, and possible recapture of improperly granted credits. No action was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1786/2060, a joint short-term rental property tax classification proposal from Representatives Brown and Vernetti. The sponsors argued that single-family homes used as short-term rentals should remain classified as residential, not commercial, and said some assessors have reclassified them in a way that sharply raises taxes. They cited case law and IRS treatment to support their position and said the bill would protect homeowners and local tourism economies. The Missouri Hotel Lodging Association opposed the measure, saying short-term rentals used as a business should be taxed accordingly, while the Missouri Realtors supported it. Testimony highlighted concerns about local control, the effect on housing availability, and whether short-term rentals should be treated differently based on frequency of use. No vote was taken on this bill either.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the honor to get a bill hearing, and he is here to testify on behalf of the bill.
• I have the honor to get a bill hearing, and he is here to testify on behalf of the bill.
• And in the background, you could hear the heartbeat. You could hear it.
• You could hear a flatline sound going across. That's what we're talking about.
• , because we'll be meeting at 3 o'clock in Hearing Room 6.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and a long series of special guest introductions recognizing interns, community leaders, FFA officers, library advocates, park and recreation professionals, and others. Members also used points of personal privilege to honor Black History Month and the legacy of William Clay Sr. The chamber then moved into first reading of several bills, including measures on University of Missouri curators, personal property assessment lists, and state department spending. The main floor action centered on House Bill 1757, which would require universal screening of third-graders for gifted education using flexible screening methods and would help ensure students who qualify are identified regardless of zip code or family resources. Supporters argued the bill would close gaps in gifted identification and expand access, while questions focused on funding, screening methods, and whether the bill would create an unfunded mandate. The House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then debated the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, presented as House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1667 and 2294. Supporters said the bill would require medical care for infants who survive an abortion attempt and impose civil and criminal penalties for knowingly harming such a child. Opponents argued the bill was duplicative of existing law, could criminalize medical providers, and would worsen Missouri’s maternal care shortages. The debate included extended questioning about the bill’s standards, scope, and enforcement, but no final vote on the born-alive measure was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's important to hear from them.
• Do you hear me? Yeah, thank you. Go ahead. Got it.
• Kind of eat the mic so everybody can hear you.
• As you hear this feedback and concern, and...
• We have been tracking those cases that have had a permanency hearing.

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I'd like to hear what the clerks do now. Yeah, come on.
• Well, I'd like to hear what the clerks do now. Yeah, come on.
• Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Hello, can you hear me? Yeah, Felicia, would you please turn your camera on if you could?
• And this is just an opportunity to hear from those that did the audit.

Committee: Joint Government Operations Interim Committee