Transcript Highlights:

• The National Science Foundation for quite some time now has put resources in.
• We find that we don't have the resources to continue with our academic programs.
• As CEO, I rely on clear principles to guide me and my recommendations to my Board of Supervisors.
• To pool their risks and pull their resources for those risks.
• It is draining essential, valuable resources from our schools. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Johnson.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resource Council, but that's my opinion.
• Reese Haas, Director of the Department of Water Resources.
• in North Dakota, and how are we going to manage our water resources?
• Going to do with water resources in North Dakota and how are we going to manage our water resources?
• Our various functions, of course, are allocating the state's water resources.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of the Mincota Power Cooperative headquarters before returning for presentations on large energy consumers, especially data centers. The first presentations focused on how North Dakota should respond to rapid growth in energy-intensive projects, with speakers emphasizing the need for reliable transmission, local decision-making tools, and factual information for county and township officials who are being asked to weigh major projects with limited staff and technical support. The North Dakota Transmission Authority director said local governments are being asked to make high-impact decisions on pipelines, transmission lines, large agriculture, wind, solar, carbon dioxide pipelines, direct-air capture, and data centers, and urged development of simple statewide decision tools and support from the League of Cities and Association of Counties. The Department of Environmental Quality’s air division director said North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the nation, but large data centers can create air-quality concerns because of diesel backup generation; he said the department is requiring air monitors at some facilities and expects grid power and, potentially, cleaner natural gas backup to reduce emissions. Members asked about emissions standards, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession at DEQ. The Department of Water Resources director said North Dakota’s water law is based on common ownership and prior appropriation, and that data centers generally use relatively small amounts of water, often in closed-loop systems. He said the Missouri River and groundwater supplies are ample for projected needs, that the department’s permitting process protects senior water rights, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use a very small share of Missouri River flow. Members asked about downstream impacts and compared data center water use with fracking. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson urged the committee to study how other states regulate data centers, warned against litigation-driven delays and overly broad local ordinances, argued reclamation bonding should be handled at the state level if at all, and said data centers can bring jobs and tax base but should remain subject to local zoning. The committee ended the morning session for lunch and later heard an EERC update from CEO Charles Gorecki on the center’s 75 years of work in energy and environmental technologies, especially oil and gas development and related research.

Transcript Highlights:

• Guide our deliberations and discussions this day, and grace us with knowledge, wisdom, and good judgment
• > discussions Guide our deliberations and discussions Guide our deliberations and discussions
• and Natural Resource Agriculture and Natural Resource Mediation<00:46:11.520> Board<00:46:12.320
• Energy Resources Council: Donald Burkhart, Cindy Crane.
• Outfitters and Professional Guides Board: Ted Jenkins, Lee Livingston.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, let us move on to Senate Bill 1269 relating to geothermal resources.
• director of geothermal resources director of geothermal resources testifying<00:10:51.680> for
• development and decision it will guide development and decision it will guide and<00:15:07.920><
• <00:55:05.920> allocating to be clarified the resource allocating to be clarified the resource
• <01:22:02.400> um relating to geothermal resources um relating to geothermal resources um

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures on agriculture, energy, stadium governance, and hotel consumer protections. On SB 448 relating to agriculture, Agra Business Development Corporation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of a proposed conservation easement acquisition in Central Oahu; the chair asked follow-up questions about the exact location, cost, and agricultural potential of the land, and the witness said the parcel had good soil and water and was former pineapple land, with cost still to be provided. On SB 827 relating to meat processing, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the state needs more meat-processing capacity and that any grant program should complement, not compete with, existing efforts; the Attorney General’s office warned the bill lacked legally sufficient standards for grants of public money under the state constitution and offered draft standards. Several industry and chamber witnesses supported the measure, while discussion focused on the need for brick-and-mortar or modular facilities, infrastructure costs, federal inspection needs, and access for hunters and neighbor islands. The committee then took up SB 1269 relating to geothermal resources, which drew broad support from county officials, energy consultants, utility representatives, and community advocates, with one witness opposing it. Supporters described geothermal as a viable, indigenous, firm baseload energy source that could help reduce Hawaii’s high electricity costs and support clean energy goals; one witness emphasized prior work in New Zealand and another urged the state to move forward with exploration. A DBEDT representative explained that the department is coordinating geothermal-related work with the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Energy Office, noting a prior $3 million appropriation, phase-one community engagement work, and plans to seek a contractor for geoscience and exploration in phase two. Members pressed DBEDT to explain how this bill fits with other geothermal measures moving through different committees, and the chair asked the department to review SB 993 and better coordinate the package of geothermal bills. On SB 1337 relating to the Stadium Authority, the stadium manager testified in support of clarifying quorum rules, explaining that the authority currently has eight seated voting members out of nine possible voting seats and that the bill would help ensure voting members are counted for quorum; he said meetings have not been delayed. Finally, on SB 883 relating to hotels, the Attorney General’s office raised First Amendment and contract-law concerns and recommended adding a purpose statement and a non-impairment savings clause. Unite Here Local 5 and other supporters said guests should be notified of hotel service disruptions such as construction, closures, or labor disputes, while opponents questioned who would enforce the law, what penalties would apply, and whether the measure could require hotels to pay damages even without a complaint. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think trying to figure out how to maximize the number of resources for families with limited state
• resources is always the tension and always the difficulty.
• Let me ask... ...limited state resources is always the tension and always the difficulty.
• These resources will expand service opportunities to more than 4,000 undergraduate students annually
• These resources will expand service opportunities to more than 4,000 undergraduate students annually

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s new Career Education Master Plan and related budget items. Labor Secretary Knox described the plan as an effort to reduce fragmentation across K-12, community colleges, workforce boards, and other systems by improving statewide and regional coordination, data sharing, skills-based hiring, career pathways, and wraparound supports such as child care, housing, food, and transportation. Members asked how success would be measured, how the plan would serve disconnected youth and adults, and whether the proposed data integration would rely on Cradle to Career; the secretary said it would. The Department of Finance said it was available to answer questions on the education side. The committee then reviewed existing CTE funding and oversight. The LAO, CDE, and Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office described the major ongoing programs, including CTIG, Perkins, K-12 Strong Workforce, and Community College Strong Workforce, and noted that many programs overlap in purpose and administration. Members repeatedly raised concerns about duplication, annual applications and reporting burdens, lack of clear outcome metrics, and whether funding incentives should be better aligned to regional collaboration. CDE and the Chancellor’s Office said they support alignment and dual enrollment, and Finance and CDE said LCFF/local match dollars are part of the funding structure. The committee also discussed child care as a barrier to participation and the need for better tracking of enrollment, completion, and job outcomes. On the consolidated application proposal, Finance proposed a study directing CDE to examine whether three long-standing CTE grant programs—Specialized Secondary Programs, CTIG, and California Partnership Academies—could be streamlined into a single application and reporting process. The LAO supported reducing administrative burden but noted that the largest programs, CTIG and K-12 Strong Workforce, were excluded from the proposal even though districts most often cite them as burdensome. CDE said it did not oppose the study but warned that statutory differences may limit consolidation. Members said the proposal should better address regional coordination, multi-year funding stability, and outcome measures rather than only simplifying paperwork. Finally, the committee heard a proposal for a $5 million ongoing California Education Interagency Council. GovOps said the council would provide a neutral venue for statewide coordination across education and workforce systems. The LAO opposed the proposal, arguing that existing bodies already provide coordination, the proposal does not change agency incentives, and the council would lack authority to implement decisions. Members expressed mixed views, with some supporting a coordinating body and others questioning whether it would differ from past efforts. No votes were taken during the portions summarized here, and the committee indicated it would hold some items open for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Move into the presentation, and then we have some guided discussion questions to help us have a more
• And CCRC, the people residing in CCRCs are able to access that resource.
• And what that resource does is it helps people navigate, mitigate, questions, concerns, and issues in
• So it's not a specific resource for CCRC residents, but it is a resource for all older adults in the
• Here are some resources, right?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Continuing Care Retirement Communities met for its third meeting, focused on regulations, oversight, and enforcement. Staff and agency presenters reviewed the current framework: the Executive Office of Aging and Independence explained that assisted living regulations generally do not apply to CCRCs unless an assisted living component markets itself separately, and that CCRCs must submit marketing materials, contracts, and disclosure statements for public posting. The Attorney General’s office described Chapter 93A consumer protection standards and noted it is working on draft assisted living-specific regulations. DPH outlined its oversight of licensed nursing facilities associated with some CCRCs, including routine surveys, complaint investigations, and enforcement tools such as admissions freezes, fines, receivership, and license actions, along with federal CMS sanctions for certified facilities. Commission members and presenters then discussed gaps and ambiguities in how CCRCs are defined and regulated, especially whether communities without on-site skilled nursing should still be treated as CCRCs, how assisted living-like services within CCRCs are classified, and whether residents have enough clarity about the services they are buying. A major theme was disclosure: members raised concerns about entrance fees, refund timing and conditions, whether skilled nursing is on-site or provided by contract, and how residents can compare communities. Several participants suggested more standardized disclosure and possibly broader consumer protection rules, while others cautioned that overly rigid requirements could affect community finances and development. The commission also explored enforcement and resident protections. Some members argued that independent living residents are already covered by landlord-tenant law and that existing complaint systems and community education may be sufficient, while others said residents in supported or assisted settings within CCRCs should have clearer access to ombudsman services and oversight. The discussion turned to closure and ownership transfer, with members citing recent national examples of sales and bankruptcies that changed resident terms. DPH explained its closure process for licensed nursing facilities, and members noted that Chapter 197 of 2024 adds oversight for facility transfers and financial disclosures. The meeting ended with logistics for the next session at Brookhaven at Lexington on June 2, a public hearing on June 16, and a request to circulate the hearing notice broadly to residents and stakeholder organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• star again like this isn't just guiding star again like this isn't just a<00:36:25.200> check
• star where we something like a guiding star where we could<00:36:50.240> rally<00:36:51.040><
• And um I think this committee's job is to be that north star and kind of help guide it to the various
• And um I think this committee's job is to be that north star and kind of help guide it to the various
• And um I think this committee's job is to be that north star and kind of help guide it to the various

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on February 25, 2026, to consider gubernatorial nominees to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council under GM 630, GM 628, and GM 631. The chair explained hearing procedures, noted backup reconvening plans in case of technical failure, and said decision-making would occur after testimony if time permitted. Testimony on all three nominees was overwhelmingly supportive, including from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials, Workforce Development Council representatives, and various outside supporters. For GM 630, Carrie Miro described decades of work on career pathways and emphasized applied learning, internships, and stronger links between education and employers. Senators questioned how to restore hands-on trade and career education and how to connect students to real workforce opportunities; Miro said businesses should help shape training and that students need both credit and employment incentives. For GM 628, Rona Fukumoto said her experience leading Lanakila Pacific and working in homeless services would help the council better understand the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations, and she stressed educating employers and the public. She also said youth programs, apprenticeships, and early intervention for “opportunity youth” are important, and noted that college-based programs like those at HCC can still provide effective hands-on pathways. For GM 631, Keith Dlo, who is seeking reappointment, said the Workforce Development Council should help create a future in Hawaii for younger generations by aligning schools, agencies, employers, and communities. He said his work on American Job Centers and the council’s convening power show it is an active body, not just a reporting mechanism. Senators pressed him on how to measure success beyond federal compliance, and Dlo said the council needs Hawaii-specific metrics focused on participation, completion, job placement, and retention of young residents, while also adapting to changes like AI. No votes or final confirmations were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And nation have proved and provided a guiding beacon for us.
• In guiding our state and reshaping communities and reshaping the dialogue that goes on in the state of
• Curry is passionate about preparing students for higher education guided pathways, bringing the digital
• In May of 2021, she became a school resource officer where she made a lasting impact on thousands of

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So really an important group of people that are in and of themselves get resources.
• They do merge in terms of sharing ideas and resources, and both teams are in the same building.
• Resources, and both teams are in the same building, so that kind of informal support certainly is there
• ...unique skills, and then who will help to guide them into a healthy lifestyle so they, too, can have
• We're working with community partners to develop resources.

Summary: The meeting opened with routine business, including approval of the January 13, 2026 minutes, and a brief recognition of Autism Awareness Month. The task force then heard a presentation from the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions on two student support programs: the Empower Program for non-degree-seeking students ages 18–24 with mild intellectual disabilities, and the Autism Support Program for degree-seeking students with autism. Speakers described academic coaching, peer and career coaching, residential supports, person-centered planning, internships, and scholarship/fee structures, noting that both programs charge a $5,000 per-semester fee and rely on scholarships and fundraising to offset costs. Members asked about dorm arrangements, individualized plans, and how students transition in and out of supports; presenters explained that Empower students remain in the program throughout, while Autism Support Program students may enter or leave services as needed. The committee next heard from Pulaski Technical College’s 3D program, a three-year transition and post-secondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities focused on culinary, baking, and hospitality training. Presenters outlined integrated classes with traditional students, faded support over time, internships, and outcomes such as 97 students enrolled since the program began, 57 graduates, strong completion rates, and many graduates obtaining and retaining jobs in the food service industry. Members asked about how success is measured, why rates are not 100 percent, the role of integrated classes, tuition, and community partnerships; staff explained that grading includes technical and professional skills, tuition is $5,700 per semester, and scholarships such as GETS and FAFSA help reduce costs. They also noted plans to expand offerings and pursue accreditation through the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. Finally, the task force received a presentation from SLS Community, a Fayetteville nonprofit serving neurodivergent adults through residential supports, supported employment, community activities, and advocacy. Leaders described a long-term vision tied to the Cato Springs mixed-use development, where housing, jobs, clinical services, and community amenities would be integrated in a “live, work, play” model. They discussed a residential program, a new vocational program called Program Forge, community events, and the challenges of the “services cliff” after age 21, especially for adults with complex support needs. Members and parents spoke about the importance of trained direct support professionals, ABA-based supports, and the need for better funding and service models for adults. The meeting ended with announcements about upcoming autism-related events and a request for future discussion on task force appointments and broader issues around ABA oversight and misuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• , federal resources, and taking care of the needs of people throughout the state of New Mexico?
• How much money do you think we have in total, dealing directly with state resources, federal resources
• In good planning, it means that those resources will go out the door to meet the intended need.
• But are we prepared, if you will, to try to expand these resources in the General Appropriations Act?
• Chairman, members of the committee, I'm Tammy Wiebekorn with Western Resource Advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• program, they get to understand what happens during those situations and work with a teacher who can guide
• The program allows them to work with a teacher who can guide them through everything, and it's a great
• That includes our school resource officers, who are defined as law enforcement.
• That includes our school resource officers, who are defined as law enforcement.
• To allow, if you will, the additional resource for the larger projects to be established and used.

Bills: HB30, HB120, HJR1, SB210, SB306

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our Web site, which has lots of resources or or those professionals, as you know, here in the
• So we can have a social interaction like we're we're guiding all of that. We also do best buddies.
• But I can just, you know, like we it's required that we have a transition resource packet. >> Of. >>
• But it starts out with showing them that this is a work, a resource work.
• So next month my program is actually presenting about our program presenting about our resources to a

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Johnson, do you need the resource witness? I do not.
• We will have the Attorney General's office here as a resource witness, I think.
• Members will need the resource witness on this one. Very well.
• Chairman, I was wondering if we have a resource witness from the GLO?
• With God as our guide and courage in our hearts, we will keep Texas and America free.

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB1130, HB256, HCR19

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Transcript Highlights:

• Inspire them with respect for one another so that their deliberations may always be guided by civility
• so that their deliberations may always so that their deliberations may always be<00:06:53.199> guided
• 55.440> and<00:06:55.759> carried<00:06:56.080> out<00:06:56.240> in be guided
• by civility and carried out in be guided by civility and carried out in a<00:06:56.560> spirit
• ROC has developed me into a confident leader in many ways, such as helping guide and direct roles in

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But even as we work to strengthen these resources, recent job cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs
• Bless us and guide our steps and light our paths.
• I want to stress how many people have been impacted by this tragedy and connect folks to resources to
• Light in this fight for always a Guiding Light in this fight for freedom<07:09:54.360> in<07:
• <07:27:02.280> us and may her memory continue to guide us and may her memory continue to guide

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anonymous threat reporting systems provide students and staff with a resource to share potential tips
• And<00:41:11.040> this<00:41:11.200> approach<00:41:11.599> guides<00:41:11.920>
• our<00:41:12.160> work<00:41:12.319> and And this approach guides our work and
• mentioned that um MDE's work is guided mentioned that um MDE's work is guided by<00:42:45.839>
• There's some areas where we can provide support and resources.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A very helpful guide to that is the IV&V report for the ReConnect project.
• So it is a system, and the specifics of it are guided by both significant state and federal requirements
• Understanding, typically speaking, Employee Florida involves use by someone at a local workforce board who's guiding
• Policies that guide what they have access to are crucial.
• Workforce training, and they're trying to make sure that they're tapping into the resources that the

Transcript Highlights:

• Uplift them, guide them, and protect them.
• Uplift them, guide them, and protect them.
• Uplift them, guide them, and protect them.
• Uplift them, guide them, and protect them.
• The Natural Resources and Energy Committee has met and reported the following bills.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, then established a quorum and approved the journal from January 13, 2026. Committee reports were received and several bills were advanced on first reading, including Senate Bills 38, 29, 49, 10, 51, 7, 28, and 30, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9. New measures were introduced covering credit union financial services (SB 87), protection from extreme weather (SB 88), and resolutions recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day (SR 38), Kentucky member mentorship month (SR 39), and Burn Awareness Week (SR 40). The chamber then recessed for committee meetings and later received a Committee on Committees report referring bills to Education, Judiciary, Veterans/Military Affairs/Public Protection, and placing Senate Resolutions 33 and 34 on the floor calendar. Members also made several announcements and co-sponsorship requests. Senator from Shelby highlighted Transportation Committee approval of Senate Bill 7 by a unanimous 9-0 vote and described it as priority legislation to return driver’s license renewals to local county offices. The Senate also heard that the Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee would meet the next morning, the Economic Development Committee would not meet that week, and legislators were invited to a breakfast reception hosted by Kentucky credit unions. Additional co-sponsorships were requested for various bills, including SB 7, SB 38, SB 39, SB 46, SB 51, SB 57, SB 76, SB 77, SB 86, SB 101, and SB 3851. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 32, honoring the life of Tatum Elizabeth Dale, a Kentucky public servant and congressional staff member, after several senators spoke in support and shared personal remembrances. The resolution expressed sympathy to her family and directed that a copy be delivered to them. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 28, honoring Charles William Kennedy. No floor amendments were introduced, and the Senate adjourned until 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We guide them, we teach them, but nobody but the caregivers are at home with them when they go to bed
• But now that we've had those discussions, and we recognize that our best intentions are limited by resources
• they found a home away from home at the Wells Hotel, which was listed in the Green Book, the annual guide
• where they found a home away from home at Wells Hotel, which was listed in the Green Book, the annual guide
• for Black Trave. at Wells Hotel, which was listed in the Green Book, the annual guide for black travelers

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills. CS for CS for CS SB 138, Trenton’s Law, would broaden DUI and boating-under-the-influence laws to cover any impairing substance, increase penalties for refusal to submit to breath or urine testing, allow blood warrants in misdemeanor DUI/BUI cases, enhance penalties for DUI with death or vehicular homicide involving prior convictions, and authorize DUI diversion programs. Supporters included law enforcement and prosecutors, who said the bill addresses gaps involving over-the-counter drugs and refusal cases; the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about the breadth of the “any impairing substance” language and record consequences for first refusals. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 400, which removes the repeal date from Florida’s Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, and CS for SB 102, which creates a workforce credentialing program for exceptional student education students, especially those with autism, to earn badges for job skills and safety-related competencies. SB 102 drew questions about fiscal impact and teacher training, with supporters emphasizing workforce readiness and parent involvement while some members raised concerns about costs and implementation. SB 130, which updates compensation for wrongfully incarcerated people found factually innocent, was also reported favorably after supporters argued Florida’s current law is too restrictive and too few exonerees have been compensated. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 296, which repeals the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and returns the decision to local districts, while requiring districts to document their analysis of sleep, safety, transportation, and other impacts. An amendment added a reporting requirement to show how districts considered later start times and any unintended consequences. The bill drew broad support from school officials and education groups, with members noting transportation and extracurricular challenges. Finally, SB 234, dealing with criminal offenses against law enforcement officers, was reported favorably after debate over whether the bill should retain “good faith” language and how it would affect defenses and officer accountability. The committee also passed CS for SB 274, designating a portion of International Drive as Harris Rosen Way and adding a memorial designation for the late Senator Geraldine Thompson near the Wells Built Museum; members praised both honorees and the bill was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after recording one member’s request to be shown voting yes on the first bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, with regard to the funding, the issue that you're speaking to was within the voter information guide
• It can go towards education and outreach, which would include the voter information guide.
• The proposal also includes temporary staffing resources to support implementation, oversight, and new
• We were asking for new resources in 2026-27 for those units, so bringing in those new resources would
• Issue number nine: Department of Human Resources, May Revision proposals.” “Proposals.” proposals.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.