Transcript Highlights:

• In this position, I get to remind our team members why their job matters, and also that their feedback
• And so, establishing that culture, we started really listening to feedback.
• We have surveyed youth and interviewed youth and have had feedback in that process to try to improve

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Deborah Garns, Davis Rabbit, Cindy Silva, Vincent Wells, and Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, all by 5-0 votes. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, each by unanimous 5-0 votes. The committee then heard testimony on the appointment of Trista Gonzalez as Director of the Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Gonzalez described her 33-year career in tax administration, emphasized taxpayer service, efficient collection, and support for small businesses, and answered questions about lithium extraction tax registration, online sales tax enforcement under Wayfair and AB 147, and CDTFA’s work with illicit cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis activity. Members praised her responsiveness to legislators and constituents, and public commenters from Ryan LLC and the California Society of Enrolled Agents supported her confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to send her nomination to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Aaron McGuire, executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, on his confirmation. He discussed the board’s expanded responsibilities, including annual detention facility inspections, grant administration, and the new in-custody death review division. Members questioned him about grant oversight, audits, implementation of SB 519, access to local agency records, standards for detention facilities, and conditions in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board is using inspections, technical assistance, and public reporting to improve compliance and transparency, and that additional trailer bill language clarified access to records. Public support came from nonprofit reentry providers and Giffords. The committee approved his nomination 5-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a great discussion yesterday, and I really appreciate that and the feedback.
• Our office and OPB has not received any specific feedback on it, but if you have some, please let us
• Any other feedback or input or questions from the senators at this time?

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom. Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The feedback we can receive for the bulk of our spending disappears.
• The feedback, Thank you. pyramid where the vast majority of our population lives, the data disappears
• The feedback we can receive for the bulk of our spending disappears.

Bills: HB2185, HB2200, HB2230, HB2319

Keywords: homelessness, youth programs, advisory committee, prevention, protection, developmental disabilities, residential settings, data access, safety, stability, community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, HB 2319, residential habilitation center, state school renaming, Rainier School, Firecrest School

Transcript Highlights:

• The feedback... Thank you. The feedback we can receive for the bulk of our spending disappears.
• The feedback we can receive for the bulk of our spending disappears.

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee opened its 2026 session with member and staff introductions, then took up four bills. HB 2185 would expand the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee to include more members with lived experience of homelessness or involvement in public systems, broaden youth representation up to age 25, and allow members who turn 25 to finish their terms. The prime sponsor and testifiers from homeless youth advocacy organizations supported the bill, saying it would improve representation and the quality of advice to the Office of Homeless Youth. The hearing on HB 2185 was then closed. The committee next heard HB 2319, which renames Washington’s residential habilitation centers by removing the word “school” from their titles and updating related statutory references. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect current services and reduce confusion, and advocates from The Arc of Washington, Disability Rights Washington, and self-advocates supported the bill as a needed terminology update that would better describe the facilities and avoid misleading the public. No opposition was heard. HB 2230 would limit DSHS to one annual routine review in specified subject areas for community residential service providers and require more document-sharing across divisions to reduce duplicate oversight. The sponsor and provider witnesses said the bill is intended to cut redundant audits and site visits so staff can spend more time on client care, while still preserving investigations and required oversight. HB 2200 would direct JLARC to review safety and stability outcomes across developmental disability residential settings and require a public dashboard comparing data such as 911 calls, ER boarding, placement terminations, and staff retention. The sponsor and several witnesses supported greater transparency, while provider representatives raised concerns about raw data being misleading without per-client or percentage-based context and about possible fiscal impacts. The committee did not take final votes on the bills in the transcript and adjourned after public hearings and caucus time were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE SRLD COLLABORATED WITH SPECIALIST TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND COACHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR K2 TEACHERS
• TEACHERS AND CONDUCTED CLASSROOM WALK-THROUGHS WITH THE LITERACY COACH AND PRINCIPAL AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK
• >> THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR QUESTION AND FOR THE FEEDBACK ON ESOL.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tribe is partnering with us to do a pedestrian safety study, with the hopes that once they get that feedback
• tribe is partnering with us to do a pedestrian safety study with the hopes that once they get that feedback
• And the feedback that I got back helped guide how we focus our resources.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met in Yakima to focus on tribal traffic safety, with members and Yakima Nation leaders emphasizing the importance of safety, the right to travel, and continued partnership on U.S. 97 corridor improvements. Yakima Nation Vice Chair Christopher Wallachie and engineering staff described the Tribal Traffic Safety Committee, the U.S. 97 safety project, heritage connectivity trails, roundabout construction, and the use of federal grants and advanced sensing technology to identify hazards before crashes occur. They highlighted collaboration with WSDOT, the Traffic Safety Commission, the University of Washington, and other regional partners, and explained that the goal is to move from reactive crash response to proactive risk reduction. The Yakima Nation engineering team and AI Vision presented the MUST sensor project, which uses compact AI-enabled devices to collect traffic counts, speeds, near-miss events, roadway conditions, and pedestrian activity, with data transmitted to a dashboard and used for real-time warnings and longer-term planning. Committee members asked about speed tracking, driver behavior, enforcement, and partnerships with WSDOT and counties. Yakima Nation staff said the relationship with WSDOT has improved over time, especially after community outreach on proposed roundabouts, and that the tribe now supports several roundabout projects and broader safety coordination. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission then presented statewide fatality trends and tribal traffic safety data. Mark McKekney said 2024 showed a roughly 10% decrease in fatalities statewide, though recent years remain among the highest in decades. He noted that race and ethnicity data are only available for people who die in crashes, and that many American Indian and Alaska Native fatalities involve passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists rather than drivers. Penny Rerick outlined tribal traffic safety coordinator grants and other state-funded tribal projects, including work with Yakama Nation, Colville, Kalispel, Makah, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Muckleshoot, Lower Elwha, and Puyallup, stressing that flexible state funding helps fill gaps left by federal programs and supports community-led solutions. The final presentation covered impaired driving enforcement and ignition interlock compliance in Yakima County. Yakima Police Chief Sean Boyle said the city created a DUI enforcement and education officer program that helped reduce serious injury and fatal impaired-driving crashes, supported by state funding and social media outreach. Yakima County District Court’s Nick Bazan described a supervision program for DUI offenders and interlock compliance, reporting more than 1,000 DUI convictions in 2024-25 and about 3,800 noncompliant interlock users countywide. He said the court is using a two-pronged approach—pretrial assistance for indigent clients and post-conviction accountability and case planning—to improve compliance and reduce impaired driving. The committee expressed support for the work, noted the progress made, and adjourned the work session after thanking presenters for their updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• reaching out to the small farmers from east to west, from north to south, and to ask them their feedback
• ><c> them</c><00:17:04.799><c> their</c> south and to ask them their south and to ask them their feedback
• ><00:17:07.280><c> see</c><00:17:07.760><c> an</c><00:17:08.079><c> environment</c> Members, the feedback

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We work routinely with legislators. and stakeholders to obtain and provide feedback on bills that affect
• And so that's how a lot of people look at their realtors and so our members do hear a lot of. feedback
• But that's a space where we do hear feedback and. concern from our members on behalf of their clients

Bills: HB406

Keywords: local economic development, notification, workforce development, municipal agreements, county contracts, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to go out to both folks that have already participated in the compensation program and get their feedback
• on what's working and what hasn't been working on that... ...compensation program and get their feedback
• So we're trying to cast a very wide net to get feedback on the program and then integrate that into a
• and other county officials and really went on a listening tour, and we've heard really excellent feedback
• to incentivize their involvement to not only contribute financially, but also provide important feedback

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to promote nonlethal human-wildlife conflict reduction and support coexistence efforts for species such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions. Supporters, including wildlife groups and local government representatives, said the prior program was effective and that proactive tools like fladry, guardian animals, deterrents, reporting, and outreach reduce conflicts and costs. Ranching and agricultural groups were opposed unless amended, saying they supported the concept but wanted changes to the wolf-livestock compensation program, including clearer practicability standards, protection of compensation funds, and more flexibility on nonlethal requirements. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the measure left on call. The committee then took up SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA, so local agencies still receive information about whether sufficient water exists for the project. The author and sponsor argued the bill would keep water planning and land use planning linked and prevent “paper water” problems, while the California Building Industry Association opposed it, warning it could add delay, uncertainty, and litigation risk for housing projects already subject to other water-supply safeguards. Members discussed how the bill would affect different local structures, especially cities that also operate their own water systems, and whether the assessment adds value in those cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Local Government and was left on call. SB 1270 was next, expanding the California wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot beyond the original six counties to include four additional high-risk counties identified by Cal OES and Cal Fire, and directing future funding toward those areas. Supporters said the recent Los Angeles fires showed the need to broaden access to home-hardening assistance, while members discussed whether the program should remain geographically targeted or be made available statewide based on need. The bill was amended in committee and passed 5-0 to Emergency Management, left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major proposal to place a $23 billion bond on the ballot to create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research and stabilize scientific research funding in the state. The author, UC, UAW, and many research, labor, health, and university groups supported the measure, arguing that federal cuts and instability threaten California’s research workforce, innovation, and economy. Some members raised concerns about the size of the bond and about political issues involving one sponsor, but the author said the foundation would operate under California law and the bill is intended to keep science funding open and collaborative. The bill was moved out of committee on a 5-0 vote and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• to go out to both folks that have already participated in the compensation program and get their feedback
• on what's working and what hasn't been working on that. ...compensation program and get their feedback
• So we're trying to cast a very wide net to get feedback on the program and then integrate that into a
• and other county officials and really went on a listening tour, and we've heard really excellent feedback
• to incentivize their involvement to not only contribute financially, but also provide important feedback

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, quite frankly, we've gotten wonderful feedback. So there seems to be a trend.
• Gotten wonderful feedback. So there seems to be a trend.
• I don't know what that magic date is, beginning and ending, so I'd like your feedback on that.
• That's why I ask for your feedback.
• So this is my attempt to kind of continue that ball rolling, getting feedback from you all and the other

Bills: HB177, HB210, HB238, HB258, HB307, HB359, HB398, HB661, HB705, HB752, HB858

Keywords: court reporter, official court reporter, courts, judicial system, ethics, post-employment restrictions, cooling-off period, two-year waiting period, rehiring, reemployment, contractual services, former public employee, public employer, Louisiana ethics law, R.S. 42:1121, Act 532, lobbying, public service, statewide officials, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• And this amendment really does help address that issue by providing feedback to that student about the
• Remarks, Representative McRey: This amendment really reflects the feedback from multiple stakeholders
• Representative McRey continued: This amendment really reflects the feedback from multiple stakeholders
• This amendment really reflects the feedback from multiple. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• This amendment really reflects the feedback from multiple stakeholders.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

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

Summary: The House took up and passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292, which modifies the paid family and medical leave program. Supporters said the bill uses an actuarial model to set rates and maintains a four-month reserve to improve program stability. It passed final passage 95-1. The House then considered Substitute Senate Bill 5841, dealing with completion of course and financial aid-related requirements. An amendment was adopted to add a financial aid calculator and require outreach to students who indicate they have completed a financial aid form, with supporters saying it would help students understand aid eligibility and access college opportunities. The bill then passed as amended, 92-4. The most extensive debate was on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5981, concerning the 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacy relationships. Members offered many amendments seeking to limit the bill’s scope, add transparency, or direct 340B savings toward patient care, low-income patients, rural areas, or charity care; most were rejected. Supporters argued the bill would help safety-net providers, hospitals, and FQHCs, while opponents warned it would mainly benefit large hospital systems, create administrative burdens, and likely face litigation. After the House adopted the committee amendment and rejected the floor amendments, the bill passed 67-30. The transcript then moved on to other business, including Senate messages and the start of debate on House Bill 2487 on taxes, with one technical amendment to clarify taxpayer definitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't know what you've gained comments or feedback on that. I'd appreciate your comments.
• And I don't know what you've gained comments or feedback on that. I'd appreciate your comments.
• And I don't know what you've gained comments or feedback on that.
• And I don't know what you've gained comments or feedback on that. I'd appreciate your comments.
• And if anybody wants to give some feedback or ask questions, I'd welcome them to ask me anything.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Crime and Public Safety first went into executive session and adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 2587, then voted the substitute do pass on an 18-0 roll call. The sponsor said the bill was intended to mirror federal law and prepare for public safety concerns tied to drones and the FIFA World Cup. The committee also voted House Bill 2055 do pass on another 18-0 roll call before moving to public hearing. The main public hearing was on House Bill 2868, which would expand Missouri’s DNA collection law to require biological samples from anyone arrested for any felony, rather than only certain qualifying offenses. Representative Cameron Parker, the sponsor, said the bill would align Missouri with other states, help solve crimes faster, and also exonerate the innocent. Committee members raised concerns about privacy, due process, the presumption of innocence, juvenile language, and whether the bill was too broad because it would include lower-level felonies such as forgery or child support offenses. Parker and supporters responded that the DNA profile is limited, confidential, and already subject to expungement if charges are dismissed or a person is cleared. Supportive testimony came from Ashley Spence of the DNA Justice Project, who described being raped and later identifying her attacker through a DNA match after his arrest for another felony in California. She argued that felony-arrest DNA collection solves cold cases, prevents future crimes, and can exonerate the innocent, while stressing that CODIS uses only a limited set of markers and has privacy safeguards. Joshua Keezer, a wrongfully convicted and later exonerated Missourian, testified in opposition, arguing that DNA collection at arrest violates due process and the presumption of innocence and should not occur before adjudication. He said he supported expanding CODIS but only with stronger standards. A Highway Patrol representative then provided information that the bill would add nearly 14,000 arrestees annually to CODIS and could aid about 731 additional investigations each year, while also reducing confusion in current collection practices.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've only stood this up over the last year, but we've had great results, and I think from the feedback
• I don't know what you're hearing about it, but we generally get good feedback from it.
• No, senator, I appreciate that feedback. And again, there's 27 of us.
• And I appreciate that feedback.
• It continues to be an issue, and we've listened to you and the feedback that You've provided questions

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's meant to be a place where we can look at the new scenario, which has been created with your feedback
• from the first public education budget, and talk through... ...has been created with your feedback from
• to walk you through the packets you have of the H-AFC staff scenario, which he's built with the feedback
• The chair... ...scenario, which he's built with the feedback we received from you.
• So given the feedback that there was will to really work on the child care piece, we've shuffled around

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The meeting began as an informal education budget work group focused on reviewing a revised House Appropriations and Finance Committee scenario and flagging concerns rather than taking votes. Staff outlined the main changes from the LFC recommendation, including moving the statewide student information system appropriation, adding funding for the Black, Bilingual, Multicultural and Hispanic Education Act, universal school meals overrun costs, an evidence-based CTE pilot with a 50% local match, STEM network funding, wellness room pilots, Martinez-Yazzie action plan items, and changes to innovation zone and out-of-school time appropriations. A separate handout on the seven-year CTE pilot explained spending patterns, reversions, and possible federal maintenance-of-effort concerns if the state continues funding beyond a true pilot. Members then debated CTE extensively, with several arguing it improves attendance, graduation, and career readiness and should be sustained or expanded, especially in rural areas, while staff and others emphasized that much of the current funding has gone to general operational costs rather than intentional program design and that regional or matched funding models may be more effective. Members also discussed STEM and math initiatives, the need for more industry involvement, and whether the proposed match requirements would be too burdensome for smaller districts and BIE schools. The discussion also covered the Black, Hispanic, and Multilingual Education Acts and the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit. Some members stressed that the acts should be explicitly named in the budget language and not merely implied, while staff said the scenario reaffirms prior commitments by building the costs into agency operating budgets. Members raised concerns about charter school hold-harmless funding, declining enrollment, and the need to align spending with the needs of at-risk students. The work group ended the education portion without any votes, with staff noting they would incorporate the feedback and return with clarifications, including on CTE funding, the educational acts, and the charter hold-harmless item. The meeting then shifted to the child well-being and early childhood work group, where staff presented a revised Early Childhood Education and Care Department scenario. The proposal moved money toward child care assistance and early pre-K, kept the FIT program funding level unchanged, and used a mix of trust fund, TANF, federal, and operating-budget adjustments to close part of the gap between the executive and LFC recommendations. Members questioned the policy direction, especially the shift toward infant and toddler care and pre-K expansion, the impact on school-age child care, and the implications for continuity of care and provider costs. Staff explained that the scenario prioritizes younger children and at-risk families, includes language for a wage and career ladder, and would require legislation to raise the early childhood trust fund distribution cap from 500 to 525. Members also discussed a separate proposed CYFD pilot bill (HB 65), which would be distinct from ECECD funding. No votes were taken, and staff said they would return with more cost information on full pre-K plus wraparound care. A final work group reviewed C2 and Department of Information Technology-related appropriations. Staff compared the LFC and executive recommendations for new funding and reauthorizations, noting that the LFC generally limited new projects while the executive funded more. Members discussed several IT modernization requests, including the Secretary of State’s voter registration and election management systems, the Spaceport Authority, Game and Fish, the State Engineer’s WATERS system, ECECD’s FitKids and EPIC replacement discovery, and Aging and Long-Term Services’ enterprise system modernization. The main themes were whether to fund planning versus full replacement, how to avoid piecemeal spending, and whether new systems should wait for incoming leadership. The Secretary of State’s office said its system is nearing end of life and the planning funds would help prepare a realistic replacement request, while other agencies described aging infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and the need for modernization. The work group did not vote on any of the items and ended with staff noting additional follow-up on funding needs and reauthorization details.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I wanted to let you all know if you have any questions, I'd love to give you feedback specifically
• Representative Jameson and Representative Mansur have very well articulated in their questions and feedback
• So while I'm in support of this, I believe that there is a lot to be looked at and a lot of feedback
• So while I'm in support of this, I believe that there is a lot to be looked at and a lot of feedback
• So that's the feedback that I have in terms of just defining these languages better and maybe splitting

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2498, sponsored by Representative Christ, a juvenile justice reform bill focused on public safety, cross-jurisdiction tracking, and increased prosecutor involvement in certification decisions. Christ said the bill would raise the age threshold to 18 for certain reportable offenses, expand fingerprinting and MULES tracking, require juvenile officers to consult with prosecutors, and allow prosecutors or the attorney general to petition for adult certification. Supporters, including the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis, the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and the Attorney General’s Office, said the bill would help address repeat juvenile offending, improve communication across jurisdictions, and ensure more serious cases are reviewed by prosecutors. Opponents, including the Missouri Justice Coalition, Empower Missouri, the Missouri State Public Defender, and the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, argued the bill is punitive, could increase detention and delays, raise privacy concerns over fingerprinting and records, and may strain staffing and bed capacity in juvenile facilities. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded after public testimony. The committee then heard House Bills 1908 and 2337, sponsored by Representatives Williams and Proudie, which would remove the current Missouri restriction that prevents a court from finalizing a divorce while a spouse is pregnant. The sponsors said the law can trap survivors of domestic abuse in dangerous marriages and can also create problems for non-abusive spouses, including presumed paternity issues. Domestic violence advocates, including the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Avenues Battered Women’s Shelter, Kids in Missouri, Abortion Action Missouri, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action, and the Missouri chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, supported the bills, saying pregnancy should not block access to divorce and that the change would improve safety for women and children. There was no opposition testimony, and the public hearing ended after the supportive witnesses. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1667, the Born Alive Survivors Protection Act, sponsored by Representative Seitz and supported by Representative Jones. The bill would require that a child born alive during or after an abortion attempt be treated as a legal person and receive the same degree of care as any other child of the same gestational age, and it would create civil and criminal consequences for failure to provide that care. Seitz and Jones argued the bill is needed because Missouri lacks a reporting mechanism and clear statutory protections for infants born alive after failed abortions. Several members questioned whether existing law already criminalizes such conduct and whether the bill’s language could be too broad; the sponsor said the bill is intended to clarify duties and add reporting and enforcement. Testimony and discussion were ongoing when the transcript ended, and no vote was taken on this bill in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• From there, it would be our intention to get feedback today to guide our work as we finish that up.
• If you're getting feedback from your constituents, I would deeply appreciate that feedback because we
• Nobody knows what a quad is, so we would love feedback.
• We will give you the feedback because we're getting it on our end from the constituents, and we want

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, this is a greatly narrower, more targeted bill aimed at hearing some of the feedback you received
• I mean, this is a greatly narrower, more targeted bill aimed at hearing some of the feedback you received
• I mean, this is a greatly narrower, more targeted bill aimed at hearing some of the feedback you received
• I mean, this is a greatly narrower, more targeted bill aimed at hearing some of the feedback you received
• I mean, this is a greatly narrower, more targeted bill aimed at hearing some of the feedback you received

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As an immediate next step, the state should incorporate feedback from CCPU and others to create a more
• Have you received any feedback?
• We hosted four listening sessions throughout the fall of 2025 to gather feedback.
• I'm wondering from the stakeholders, any feedback?
• Another feedback I've heard is that, yes, there are the big names, right?

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're iterating those lessons based on feedback and based on observations and based on meeting the
• sense that they're applying what they're creating and then they're iterating those lessons based on feedback
• <00:40:52.440><c> and</c><00:40:52.600><c> based</c><00:40:53.040><c> on</c> feedback and based on feedback
• First up, we have Department of Education offering testimony in person. those lessons based on feedback
• and those lessons based on feedback and ensuring<00:41:24.120><c> that</c><00:41:24.320><c> those</c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education resolutions, beginning with HCR 11 and HR 14, which ask the Board of Education and the State Public Charter School Commission to report on improving access to stable, suitable, and affordable facilities for public charter schools. The Charter School Commission supported the measure, and OHA also supported it while noting long-standing facility challenges, the lack of a dedicated facilities appropriation, and the strain on charter schools that have had to use operating funds for buildings and temporary structures. Kealakehe Academy, Hawaii Technology Academy, and several individuals also testified in support. The committee then took up HCR 181 and HR 171, which seek a shared decision-making committee to develop an action plan for a K-12 Ka Waihona School in Kapolei. The Department of Education said it has already developed a strategic plan for Kaipuni education, has expanded immersion programs over the past decade, and is addressing growth through interim guidance and a new priority placement process. Community witnesses, including representatives of Ke Alo Ever, strongly supported the resolutions, emphasizing the need for a K-12 pathway, the importance of Hawaiian language and culture, and the role of community voice in planning. They argued that teacher shortages, especially for licensed Hawaiian immersion teachers, remain a major barrier and proposed a kumu recruitment and retention program tied to community, UH, and DOE partnerships. The committee also heard HCR 187 and HR 177, which urge the Department of Education to begin initiatives to address teacher retention statewide. DOE and the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education said teacher retention is already being addressed through the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee, a five-year plan focused on building capacity, improving satisfaction, and compensation, and a new DOE human resources plan. In response to questions, DOE said it is seeking better school-level data on why teachers leave, is preparing for contract negotiations, and is working with the standards board and DLIR on an apprenticeship-related grant. TECC representatives said the group has been working since the pandemic era, may narrow its focus to retention as the most actionable area, and expects to provide more concrete recommendations in its annual report. The transcript ends as the committee moves on to the next item, HCR 47 and HR 43, without showing any votes or final actions on the measures heard.