Transcript Highlights:

• So the bill is for an appropriation for the Continuous Living Cover Crops Program.
• Continued capital infusion through this program is absolutely critical to the success of these leaders
• continued Capital infusion through<00:36:06.280> this<00:36:06.560> program<00:36:07.280
• program.
• of this program but also the pro program of this program but also the pro program of<01:26:17.639

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the program was established, Since the program was established in 1970 with bipartisan congressional
• So the program rules were changed, which devastated... ...the entire program system, right?
• to do their program.
• wrong as it relates to the program.
• It should continue to be equitable.

Summary: The subcommittee held an oversight hearing on federal actions affecting California’s public health and family planning systems, focusing first on the freeze to Title X family planning funds and then on broader CDC/public health grant terminations. Chair and members described the cuts as abrupt, harmful, and likely to create major gaps in disease surveillance, vaccination, contraception, STI testing, and other preventive services, while also criticizing the federal administration’s explanation that the actions were tied to DEI or civil-rights compliance. The chair thanked Attorney General Bonta for legal action and said the hearing was intended to document the real-world impacts and inform state budget responses. Witnesses from Essential Access Health, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, a Central Coast clinic, and other providers said California’s Title X network serves more than half a million low-income patients annually and relies on the funds for staffing, outreach, training, mobile and school-based clinics, and confidential care. They warned that the freeze has already forced reserve spending, delayed services, and could lead to layoffs, reduced hours, longer waits, and fewer appointments, especially for sexual and reproductive health care. Public comment included support for a proposed state backfill of Title X losses, with advocates emphasizing impacts on low-income, LGBTQ+, and communities of color. On the public health side, CDPH, county health officials, and local health officers testified that the CDC’s rescission of $11.4 billion in grants would affect California by an estimated $840 million and threaten lab capacity, immunization programs, health disparities work, and data systems such as CalConnect and vaccine registries. Sacramento County and others described how the grants supported outbreak response, sequencing, community vaccination clinics, and equity-focused partnerships, and said terminations had already led to canceled appointments, stopped contracts, and layoffs. Several speakers urged the Legislature to preserve and expand state “future of public health” funding and to backfill federal losses, while public commenters from HIV, immunization, labor, and county organizations echoed concerns about workforce losses and worsening health outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our board did have a supplemental ask of $60 million ongoing to continue expanding apprenticeship programs
• Then there was a decision to continue that to create an ongoing program.
• It is crucial to continue this vital program.
• Learn more, we will continue to find ways to improve the program.
• That this proposal is largely a continuation of an existing program that would otherwise end in July

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is our nursing program.
• our nursing program.
• education for our nursing programs and to grow our nursing programs.
• programs.
• We have a welding program, an unmanned vehicle program.

Bills: S0720, S1246

Keywords: tuition, resident status, incarceration, education, equal access, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider one bill, a postponed bill, and a slate of trustee confirmations. The committee first took up CS/SB 1246, which expands the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) fund to support health science workforce shortages beyond nursing, including allied health programs. The bill also broadens eligible uses of funds, revises matching requirements and grant criteria, and updates reporting requirements. A strike-all amendment was adopted without objection, and the committee then reported the bill favorably after supportive testimony from Florida State College at Jacksonville, the Florida Hospital Association, the College of Central Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Senator Davis also noted a favorable vote on the bill for the record. The committee then temporarily postponed SB 720 at the sponsor’s request. Chair Harrell explained that the bill had been incorporated into a larger committee measure and would likely be heard later in another form. Public witnesses who had come to speak on the bill were not heard because of the postponement. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at several state colleges, including Chipola College, Tallahassee State College, Pensacola State College, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and St. Petersburg College. The appointees emphasized themes of affordability, workforce training, nursing and allied health success, dual enrollment, community partnerships, and local economic development. After hearing from the appointees, the committee approved a block motion to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 2 through 25. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do also have an update about the CYBHI fee schedule program, if you'd like me to continue.
• And the governor's budget does include a request to cover the continued costs of ministering the program
• that have been made if we're going to continue to fund this program. $140 million over the lifespan
• we're really getting out of the program the promises that have been made if we're going to continue
• We think it's a good program, and we hope you continue to fund it. Thank you. Good evening.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused first on behavioral health, especially hard-to-treat serious mental illness through the lens of anosognosia, and the impact of potential federal Medi-Cal reductions under H.R. 1. A family member, Dawn Marie Anderson, described her son’s long cycle of psychosis, homelessness, arrests, jail-based stabilization, and repeated relapse when treatment ended, arguing that anosognosia is a symptom of illness rather than refusal of care. She and other witnesses urged more consistent, long-term treatment, family involvement, medication support, and stronger county and state coordination. County and provider representatives said the current system still relies too heavily on crisis response and leaves people with serious mental illness falling through gaps between managed care, county specialty care, housing, and justice systems. Testimony from the California Behavioral Health Association, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Health, and the County Behavioral Health Directors Association emphasized that people with anosognosia often cannot self-navigate care, making a “no wrong door” system essential. They said H.R. 1 could destabilize coverage and shift costs to counties, while existing private insurance coverage is inadequate for early psychosis and related services. Witnesses highlighted CalAIM, jail in-reach, assertive community treatment, mobile crisis, supportive housing, and LEAP-style family training as promising tools, but said counties still need more resources and that the state should strengthen both Medi-Cal and private insurance behavioral health coverage. A public commenter from Lake County said private insurers denied most claims, especially for unlicensed staff providing case management and mobile crisis services. The committee then heard an update on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, including the virtual services platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna and the CYBHI fee schedule program. DHCS reported strong growth in app registrations, coaching sessions, referrals, and positive user outcomes, and said the platforms are serving children and youth statewide, including many who had never previously accessed care. For the fee schedule, DHCS said 72% of school districts and 50 of 58 county offices of education are participating across six cohorts, with $9.6 million reimbursed to date and 41,556 students represented in claims. Members pressed the department on the program’s roughly $69.3 million administrative cost, the slow pace of reimbursement relative to the investment, and the late delivery of requested data. DHCS responded that many claims are still being submitted, most denials are correctable, and local implementation is still scaling up through technical assistance and capacity grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:54:15.799> um robust related instruction program um robust related instruction program
• impact the program has had.
• <01:06:53.880> that Federal pel grant program for which that Federal pel grant program for
• Not seeing any, please continue.
• Please continue. We three are... Thank you. Please continue.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not government-run necessarily; the governor's office administers the program, but the program will
• And work continues. We will continue to make sure that this issue gets addressed.
• As we have a federal administration that continues to pull back on those programs, we appreciate the
• decarbonization program.
• Program continuous appropriation that's in SB 840. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• integrity and enhancing program integrity in the programs.
• integrity and enhancing program integrity in the programs.
• integrity and enhancing program integrity in the programs.
• integrity and enhancing program integrity in the programs.
• Representative Hicks continued: “So many of these programs are not have in-depth criteria for qualification

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024 we began winding down some of the CARES Act programs, with the exception of our CBG program;
• .2024 we began winding down some of the CARS Act programs with the exception of ourcBG program that cares
• We received increases to several of our pass-through programs for the Enna senior nutrition program,
• So we will continue to revise that plan annually and continue to chip away at it. resources we will continue
• Request two was the— continued request to continue to try to recruit and retain Oklahoma students.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on its FY26 priorities, recent performance, and budget requests. Commerce said it had helped announce about 8,000 direct jobs and nearly $14 billion in investment year-to-date, while noting challenges such as tariffs, workforce recruitment, staffing/FTE management, and the condition of its 100-year-old office building. The agency highlighted projects and initiatives including a new Taiwan trade office, Route 66 Centennial planning, the National Main Street conference in Tulsa, Olympic-related coordination, census outreach, and continued improvements to its grants and CRM systems. Requested funding included $8.3 million for building repairs or relocation planning, census support, $300,000 for EDGE, $135,000 for IT/cybersecurity upgrades, $250,000 for the Taiwan office, and additional support for Head Start, senior nutrition, and the Strategic Air and Space Commission. Members asked about the meaning of the investment totals, the building condition, delays in senior nutrition distributions, and staffing vacancies; Commerce said the investment figures reflected formal company capital announcements, the building had significant facade and roof damage, delays were due to multiple contracting layers, and several open positions were expected to be filled soon. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department then presented its FY26 budget and goals. New director Amy Blackburn and special advisor Sterling Zearley said the department oversees 38 state parks, six lodges, seven golf courses, and nine travel information centers, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance. They reported savings from bringing marketing and tracking functions in-house and from shared services, but said the department faces more than $271 million in deferred maintenance needs, staffing shortages, and connectivity problems at parks. Their goals include increasing park visitation to 10.2 million, raising occupancy to 36%, and growing travel to Oklahoma, with major marketing tied to the Route 66 Centennial, America 250, the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and other events. The department also discussed a request to raise its purchasing exemption cap from $25,000 to $75,000, a possible TravelOK.com redesign, and efforts to improve restaurant operations at lodges through a new RFP structure. Members questioned the apportionment cap, the size and timing of deferred maintenance requests, park revenue, and the use of parking pass funds; tourism said annual park-related revenue is about $32 million to $34 million and parking pass revenue is about $2.5 million. Finally, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority presented its budget request and program updates. The authority said it supports the veterinary teaching hospital and related student training, and that its FY26 budget is entirely state-appropriated. It requested continued support for hospital operations, the large animal scholarship program, and a new $12.5 million annual payment tied to the $250 million Legacy Capital Fund authorization for the veterinary teaching hospital, along with additional funding to expand in-state enrollment. Officials said in-state enrollment had increased from 58 to 69 students after prior funding, with a goal of reaching 90 of 106 total seats, and that there were 195 in-state applicants this year. Members asked whether standards would be lowered; the authority said academic standards would not change and noted strong board-pass rates and retention outcomes. It also said accreditation concerns tied to faculty shortages and off-site teaching had been addressed by bringing students back to the main campus and improving staffing. The committee ended by thanking the presenters and announcing its next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, in the future, will there be funds available for this type of program, jury pilot program?
• We'll continue to monitor that.
• Relative to the SB 678 grant program, CPOC continues to be supportive of the governor's proposal to modify
• Thank you for your continued support of the Right Grant Program.
• We support the right grant program for rehabilitative programming in CDCR.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a straight National Guard program, and there has been and it continues to be success story after
• That is a straight National Guard program, and there has been and it continues to be success story after
• That is a straight National Guard program, and there has been and it continues to be success story after
• That is a straight National Guard program, and there has been and it continues to be success story after
• and there has been and it program and there has been and it continues<00:04:52.400> to<00:04:

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard an update from the Mississippi National Guard leadership on deployments, operations, and the Guard’s budget request. The general described ongoing missions involving Mississippi units at the southern border, the National Capital Region, and Operation Safe and Beautiful, as well as the Guard’s role in Operation Midnight Hammer through the Meridian refueling unit. He also noted continued training of international partners at Camp Shelby and emphasized the Guard’s statewide, national, and global reach. The budget presentation focused on a modest increase over the prior year, including funding for state employees and the Youth Challenge Academy, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, the state education assistance program, readiness center maintenance for armories, and an increase in AC escalation authority from $164 million to $225 million to allow spending of federal funds on approved projects. The general said federal investment in Mississippi National Guard activities totaled $784 million in FY25, with $384 million for payroll, and explained that most permanent positions are federally reimbursed. Members discussed the state education assistance program, which the general said has helped stop recruiting losses to neighboring states by making Mississippi more competitive on tuition benefits. He said the program especially helps retain midcareer noncommissioned officers and supports younger service members who may lack health coverage when called to state active duty. Senators also asked about Camp Shelby Youth Challenge facilities and armory projects; the general reported that recent appropriations have improved the campus, that the program remains among the top three nationally, and that armory work is moving forward in Amory, Southaven, Corinth, and Carthage. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with expressions of appreciation and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program itself doesn't have a sunset date and so programmatically we see the continuation of it.
• So to continue the effectiveness of that insurance policy, we do need to evolve the program quickly to
• programs.
• You know, we're having continual delays in implementing broadband programs and delays in proceedings,
• delays people you know we're having continual delays and implementing broadband programs and and delays

Summary: The hearing was an informational budget session on energy agency proposals, with no votes taken. Early discussion focused on Proposition 4 climate bond implementation, including funding for demand-side grid support, offshore wind development, and transmission financing. The Department of Finance said the budget includes allocations for demand-side grid support and offshore wind, but not yet for the $325 million transmission financing piece pending a required study. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to consider whether to wait on offshore wind funding, whether to keep shifting funds into demand-side grid support, and how to direct future transmission financing. Members also raised concerns about local technical assistance for offshore wind, Salton Sea priorities, and the need for more information before final decisions. The California Energy Commission and CPUC then reviewed the broader energy package. The CEC highlighted the demand-side grid support program’s growth, distributed energy backup assets, long-duration storage, hydrogen grants, and the SIRP clean energy reliability program. CPUC testimony emphasized affordability, wildfire mitigation costs, rooftop solar cost shifts, and efforts to reduce rates while maintaining reliability and clean energy goals. Members questioned CPUC staffing, delays in proceedings, coordination with the CEC and CAISO, and the impact of rate increases on customers. The agencies also discussed the AB 3264 transmission financing study, with CPUC saying work on the study had already begun and was on track for the July 1 deadline. Several trailer bill and implementation items were also discussed. The committee reviewed a proposal to extend the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program surcharge, with members split over whether it should be handled in budget trailer bill language or policy legislation; the administration said the surcharge supports a critical program serving about three-quarters of a million Californians. The committee also heard a CPUC data-sharing proposal to allow nondisclosure agreements for transmission and reliability data, which members generally supported as a technical fix. DWR explained a proposal to clarify language for the Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve so it can potentially sell three gas-fired units it owns, and the CEC presented a federal transmission grant proposal tied to grid-enhancing technologies and ratepayer cost recovery. Finally, the committee discussed California Lifeline and possible broadband pilot reforms in light of uncertainty around federal Universal Service Fund support, with CPUC saying it is exploring a statewide standalone broadband option for eligible customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is my number one goal is to continue to work with the college health science program and nursing
• programs to ensure continued success.
• And doing so, working on continuing to reinforce the great nursing program we have and really expand
• So mental health services, mentorship and internship programs, and continued financial assistance.
• So mental health services, mentorship and internship programs, and continued financial assistance.

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities. One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair I will stay in contact with you on those as that program continues to grow.
• Now, as far as the department, I really want to see these programs continue to grow and thrive with the
• We've added 17 new programs. These programs are highly competitive.
• Programs.
• So as we grow, we will continue to grow the residency programs.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 4, which continues on to the next page, provides an update on the disaster recovery loan program
• We'll continue to grow graduate programs, we'll continue to grow online programs, and we'll continue
• But we'll continue to grow because we have the capacity and the capability to grow graduate programs,
• We aim to continue this legacy by expanding our programs and increasing access to higher education for
• In addition, UHCL also requests continued funding for the Success through Education Program, the Environmental

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Very powerful program.
• Continue. Thank you.
• months, we know those programs.
• commitment programs.
• commitment programs.

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice budget area and then received performance-measure presentations from the Department of Corrections, the Commission on Offender Review, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Staff reviewed the roughly $7.4 billion criminal justice and judiciary budget, noting major funding areas such as corrections, law enforcement, victim services, courts, and due process, along with recent investments in prison health care, security equipment, fentanyl enforcement, court staffing, and juvenile justice salaries and education programs. Secretary Dixon of the Department of Corrections described staffing and population pressures, including growth in inmate population, overtime-driven deficits, and the opening of additional housing units. He emphasized the department’s use of performance measures and highlighted reforms such as incentivized prisons, administrative management units, reentry planning, faith-based programs, and expanded education and vocational training. Members asked about teacher hiring, public defender pay parity, fentanyl funding, staffing capacity, and the role of the National Guard; Dixon said teacher vacancies had improved, public defenders had received comparable pay increases, fentanyl funding would be addressed further by FDLE, and the Guard had helped stabilize staffing. The Commission on Offender Review reported on parole, conditional release, addiction recovery supervision, and revocations, saying its recidivism/success rates had improved over a three-year measurement period. Senator Rouson pressed the commission on clemency and pardons, saying that work was omitted from the presentation and asking for backlog and case data; the commission said it did not have those figures on hand and would follow up. The committee also discussed a conditional medical release pilot study, and members questioned the report’s conclusion that no suitable elderly inmate population could be identified, asking what criteria were used and whether stakeholders were consulted. Secretary Hall of the Department of Juvenile Justice outlined the agency’s prevention-to-residential continuum and its emphasis on education, data-driven decision-making, and evidence-based programming. He said salary increases had reduced vacancies, juvenile arrests and residential commitments had fallen sharply over time, and tools such as civil citations, risk assessments, and quality-improvement reviews were being used to guide placements and services. Hall also described the department’s use of dashboards, monthly data check-ins, and the dispositional matrix to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a nutshell, the program should continue because, one, the low- and moderate-income, or LMI, income
• In a nutshell, the program should continue because, one, the low- and moderate-income, or LMI, income
• In a nutshell, the program should continue because, one, the low- and moderate-income, or LMI, income
• In a nutshell, the program should continue because, one, the low- and moderate-income, or LMI, income
• The program should continue because, one, the low- and moderate-income, or LMI, income CSG program is

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to continue.
• To allow at least some of the AmeriCorps programming to continue, that would be, again, passed through
• And so we're asking just for one more year of non-recurring funding to continue that program.
• initiatives—these pilot programs, the informal care pilot program.
• Of the BEAD program, that's a $675 million program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your springs restoration programs, your alternative water supply grant program at $60 million, as well
• This program has been wildly successful.
• Those must stay within the program according to the 340B program.
• My understanding is the ADAP program is a federally regulated program that we receive hundreds of millions
• It's earmarked for this program, only for this program, and for no other program.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans. Senator Mayfield explained that current law only allows pre-tax contributions, and the bill would let the Department of Financial Services and local governments offer post-tax Roth options. The bill had one support appearance card, no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended “Floridians First” budget, totaling $117.4 billion and $53.2 billion in general revenue. The presentation highlighted reserves, debt paydown, tax relief, and proposed reductions and efficiencies, along with major spending areas in education, health care, public safety, corrections, transportation, and economic development. Key proposals included higher K-12 funding, teacher salary increases, funding for Everglades and water quality projects, emergency preparedness, corrections staffing and facility funding, cybersecurity, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments. Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserves, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and spending, the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and federal reimbursement, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, animal abuse hotline funding, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and teacher pay. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV medication program, with senators and a public witness expressing concern about access to life-saving medications and possible misuse or redirection of funds. The committee did not take further action on the budget presentation, and the meeting ended after additional comments supporting the budget and the corrections funding, with SB 7010 already approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• So continuing to look at total compensation and risk management, which continues to be a challenge, with
• Page 45, this continues for Joey on transportation.
• So, we have kind of a similar program to most Medicaid programs.
• The film program is continuing to slide; that is a reflection of national trends, and most of the department
• Hard for you to see how that program is doing.