Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:41.320><c> and</c><00:28:41.480><c> education</c> Metro through Outreach and education Metro
• through Outreach and education activities<00:28:42.600><c> such</c><00:28:42.799><c> as</c><00:28:43.000
• They educate the clinic in Red Wing.
• They educate the clinic in Red Wing.
• education education 1,747<01:07:03.920><c> women</c><01:07:04.160><c> who</c><01:07:04.319><c> did</

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a proposal for $17.5 million for an outreach engagement campaign.
• And so I think it's important in this kind of outreach that we're thinking about those.
• I appreciate that the department is working on their outreach campaigns and navigator campaigns.
• So folks, and we've been disseminating that through an outreach campaign in the last few years.
• We have navigators, we have outreach happening in different systems across our state.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impact of H.R. 1 on older Californians and related county administration issues. Chair Jackson and Chair Addis opened by emphasizing California’s rapidly aging population and the need to protect seniors’ access to food, health care, housing, and in-home support services. Testimony from the Department of Social Services, Department of Health Care Services, and Department of Aging described how H.R. 1 would expand work and reporting requirements in CalFresh and Medi-Cal, increase redeterminations, and create new eligibility barriers. Witnesses and advocates warned that these changes could lead to large coverage losses, especially for adults ages 55 to 64, people experiencing homelessness, caregivers, and some immigrant groups, while also increasing administrative burden on counties. The LAO noted that many provisions do not directly apply to Californians 65 and older, but highlighted indirect effects and some direct impacts, including a new home equity limit for certain long-term care recipients and narrower immigration eligibility rules. Committee members pressed the administration and counties on how exemptions would be identified and implemented, whether data systems could automatically protect eligible people, and how outreach would reach older adults, women, LGBTQ seniors, and people with limited digital access. DHCS and CDSS said they are working to use existing data, cross-program information sharing, and human-centered communications to maximize exemptions and reduce churn, including text outreach, print and radio campaigns, and navigator support. Members also raised concerns about the need for legal aid and county eligibility workers to help people navigate complex rules, and requested updated analyses on the number of people likely to lose both Medi-Cal and CalFresh and the broader human and system impacts. No votes were taken. The second major topic was the administration’s proposal to shift some future IHSS costs to counties by establishing a statewide baseline for average authorized hours per case. CDSS said the proposal is intended to improve consistency in assessments and not reduce services, while counties and labor groups strongly opposed it, arguing that rising hours reflect real increases in need, an aging and higher-acuity caseload, and state-mandated assessment tools rather than county error. County representatives said the proposal would strain already limited local revenues, worsen the effects of H.R. 1, and could force cuts to other safety-net services. Committee members questioned the proposal’s timing and impact, but the hearing ended without action, with the chairs asking for continued updates, additional analysis, and more information before May Revision.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last night we did outreach.
• So it is very important for us to work with them, to educate them, give them technical assistance, help
• So it is very important for us to work with them, to educate them, give them technical assistance, help
• specific providers that we can proactively reach out to and offer some very time-limited, focused outreach
• Right now we have two providers that we have started the process with, one that we've extended an outreach

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to call the Joint Committee on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment to order today
• Senator Rose here, and also Senator DeCoite, yeah, entering is the vice chair for Higher Education, Senator
• I think this is a great platform for education, research, and also accelerating the adaptation of new
• um research and platform for Education um research and also<00:04:14.640><c> uh</c><00:04:15.159><c>
• We are focused on education and medical research.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1232, which would create a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center and coordinate testing with state and county agencies. The Department of Health, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and University of Hawaiʻi representatives supported the bill, saying it would help certify new wastewater technologies, lower costs for cesspool conversions, and provide data to the Department of Health. Testifiers said the prior testing effort ended after the departure of Dr. Roger Babcock, and that the new program would use National Sanitation Foundation standards, graduate students, and local wastewater facilities such as Wahiawa. Committee members asked about the $750,000 total cost, the scope of existing research, prior test sites, and whether the program would be tied to individuals or a permanent program. One member raised concerns about the fairness and data basis for sewer conversion decisions in local communities, and the University said it would follow national standards and share results openly. The committee then took up Senate Bill 686, relating to a short-term management initiative for coconut rhinoceros beetle response and related appropriations. The Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawaiʻi testified in support, while a county representative and other advocates urged broader statewide coverage, including Kauaʻi, and asked that appropriated funds be usable on any island. Testimony emphasized the need for immediate action, outreach, tree-trimmer training, canopy treatments, K-9 inspections, container fumigation, and biocontrol research. A member summarized the bill’s funding components, including amounts for training, residential palm treatments, response teams, inspections, fumigation, and research, and noted the importance of directing money toward on-the-ground response. Committee questions focused on how much funding remained available, how the agencies would coordinate with DOA, whether the department was prepared to manage all the bill’s functions, and how infestations were being communicated to the public. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 657, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s Center for Climate Resilient Development. The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in strong support, and the Department of Health also supported the measure, noting that it relies on the center’s data to inform decisions and recommendations on projects. The discussion on this item was brief in the portion provided, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as you heard from the Senator, we engaged in an extensive stakeholder outreach process, and what we
• I will say on the enhanced public outreach, that was the language in our original bill.
• I will say on the enhanced public outreach, that was the language in our original bill.
• And so it doesn't become, that using enhanced public outreach on that in order to deal with CEQA later
• We're concerned that the language would include broad funding for public education and outreach activities

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 790, Cabaldon, distance education, holding committee.
• SB 790 Cabaldon distance education holding committee.
• SB 550, Cortese, legal education pilot program, holding committee.
• SB 578, Smallwood-Cuevas, California Workplace Outreach Program, do pass.
• SB 249, Umberg, board of education elections, held in committee.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its August 29, 2025 suspense hearing on Senate bills, with the chair emphasizing the state’s ongoing budget constraints and the need to make difficult choices among 261 bills on the suspense file. After establishing a quorum, the committee began taking action bill by bill, with many measures receiving do pass or do pass with amendments recommendations, while others were held in committee or designated as two-year bills. The chair noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later on the committee website. The hearing covered a wide range of topics, including insurance and claims data, wildfire relief and prevention, water planning, energy and utility regulation, housing and land use, health care, labor and employment, criminal justice, education, environmental policy, and election-related measures. Several bills were amended before passage, often to narrow scope, remove sections, adjust definitions, delay implementation, or clarify funding and enforcement provisions. Some notable actions included moving bills on AI regulation, transit-oriented housing, paid family leave, wildfire mapping, chemical hair relaxers, and pharmacy benefit managers, while other bills on subjects such as controlled substances, high-speed rail, and certain education or housing proposals were held. The committee also took formal roll-call votes on selected bills, with some passing on A roll calls and others on B roll calls; a number of measures were advanced with Republicans not voting. One highlighted vote was SB 79 by Senator Wiener, which passed after amendments and a recorded roll call. At the end of the hearing, the committee reported that 190 bills were moved to the Assembly Floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, concluding the suspense hearing for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It specifies that for outreach materials created by the Broadband Office, they must prioritize certain
• It specifies that for outreach materials created by the broadband office, they must prioritize certain
• We're facing, in the committee I chair, post-secondary education workforce training, a quarter of a billion
• have survived poverty, single motherhood, and racism myself, to now having a doctoral degree in educational
• The fourth is the office staff's continuing education activities or certifications.

Bills: HB2157 , HB2351 , HB2365 , HB2357 , HB2446 , HB2523 , HB2606

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI regulation, algorithmic discrimination, high-risk AI, machine learning, generative AI, synthetic content, impact assessment, risk management policy, consumer protection, civil rights, discrimination, facial recognition, automated decision-making, deployers, developers, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, employment, housing

Transcript Highlights:

• with the higher education department as they already do.
• So currently higher education institutions...
• What the process is: currently, higher education institutions every year will apply to the Higher Education
• Chair, members of the Senate Education Committee.
• Chair, members of the Senate Education Committee.

Bills: SB234 , SB210 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16 , HB8 , SB234 , SB210 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16 , HB8

Committees: Senate Senate Education , Senate House Education

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• , and queer education.
• educational scholarship corporate income tax credit.
• educational scholarship corporate income tax credit.
• the educational scholarship income tax credit, and the educational scholarship corporate income tax
• educators and graduate student employees.

Bills: HM19

Keywords: New Mexico Aviation and Aerospace Day, aviation, aerospace, space industry, missile programs, Spaceport America, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Test Facility, Kirtland Air Force Base, drone, unmanned aircraft systems, commercial space transportation, NASA, aircraft, STEM education, research laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, flight testing, medical evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• on outreach to get out to customers.
• </c> going through training and Outreach going through training and Outreach events<00:11:59.320><c>
• </c><01:21:43.159><c> system</c> benefiting from our education system benefiting from our education system
• </c> the repeal the K through 12 education the repeal the K through 12 education credit The commissioner
• </c> am a parent and I find some educational am a parent and I find some educational opportunity<01:31

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Our implementation has found that prioritizing education and outreach is key to reducing violations.
• I guess Prioritizing education and outreach is key to reducing violations.
• What we also know is that we work really closely with OLS to ensure that workers have the education,
• We believe the legislature should focus on education, mediation, access, and outreach, not punitive..
• We believe the legislature should focus on education, mediation, access, and outreach, not punitive or

Summary: The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee heard public testimony on several bills. HB 2151 would update factory-built housing and commercial structure rules by directing L&I to consider newer national standards and allowing inspections by qualified third-party agencies without requiring a contract; the sponsor and L&I said it would save time and money and help lower costs for manufactured housing. HB 2372 would change workers’ compensation time-loss calculations so injured workers receive 100% of the employer’s monthly health care contribution unless the employer keeps paying it; supporters said this would better protect injured workers and their families, while a small-business representative opposed the bill and suggested direct payment to insurers instead, and L&I noted implementation costs and timing concerns. HB 2355, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, would create standalone protections for domestic workers covering wages, written agreements, notice before termination or severance, anti-harassment and anti-retaliation rules, and discrimination protections, while also extending minimum wage/overtime/sick leave coverage to some domestic workers; testimony from workers, advocates, Seattle officials, and the sponsor emphasized wage theft, insecurity, and the need for statewide standards, while L&I said technical clarifications and funding would be needed. HB 2409 would establish a collective bargaining framework for agricultural workers under PERC, with procedures for representation elections, mediation, and interest arbitration; supporters framed it as a long-overdue extension of bargaining rights and dignity to farmworkers, while growers and farm bureau representatives warned it could disrupt harvests, harm farms, and affect the food supply. HB 2472 would strengthen enforcement of fire sprinkler licensing and certification by allowing local fire code officials to request proof of credentials and issue stop-work orders; labor, fire marshals, and industry groups supported it as a public safety measure, while the building industry raised a drafting concern about the term “residential sprinkler.” No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Harding, educators individuals like Mr.
• </c> HR 2037, the Open Rand Outreach Act. HR 2037, the Open Rand Outreach Act.
• . education. education.
• The Office of Civil Rights Education.
• </c><08:33:43.440><c> was</c> within the Department of Education was within the Department of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Concepts is a woman-owned, disability-owned small business in the DMV area that specializes in outreach
• and education initiatives with a policy focus, particularly around disability employment policy.
• Put simply, SEED acts as an educator and a hands-on policy guide, providing technical assistance to our
• falls through that cliff, educational and employment cliff.
• the public, educate the people who are impacted by these changes because there are so many different

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and began with an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about every individual mattering and making a difference. Members introduced themselves and described their roles in disability services, workforce policy, accessibility, and advocacy. The committee then welcomed Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina from the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED), who explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy support to help states improve disability employment outcomes. SEED presented seven broad policy areas where states are active: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health supports, stay-at-work/return-to-work programs, employer recruitment and accommodation supports, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer initiatives. They shared examples from other states, including scholarship and transition policies, peer support training, accommodation funds, procurement goals, and state hiring strategies. Members asked about SEED’s role in Massachusetts, digital accessibility, and the status of PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED’s role is policy-focused rather than implementation-focused, though it can connect Massachusetts with peer states and examples. The discussion then narrowed to two possible Massachusetts projects: developing a state-as-model-employer roadmap and creating a youth/young-adult employment and volunteer pipeline, especially for transition-age individuals. Members noted related state efforts, including the governor’s executive order reestablishing a disability policy subcommittee, the commission’s Meeting the Moment series, and the need to help people navigate upcoming work requirements and transition cliffs. SEED agreed to follow up with a questionnaire and draft briefs on Massachusetts analysis, career readiness, and state-as-model-employer policies, and the group planned an offline follow-up to define priorities and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• Farm Service, Tellus Ag, Clean Counts, Blue Earth Water and Light, the West Central Research and Outreach
• to prevent shutoffs or restore service, emergency repair or replacement of heating systems, and outreach
• grants for households not served by federal funds, uh, heating system repair or replacement, and outreach
• And if I may, I'd like to share a statement from James Burr, CUB's outreach and communications manager
• ,</c><00:49:15.640><c> and</c> to provide resources, education, and to provide resources, education,

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• , workforce statistics, and dental education data.
• Next, I will move on to Medicaid dental outreach and engagement.
• This has led to myself and Sarah Regner doing dental clinic outreach.
• Outreach. So far, we have been to Minot, Jamestown, and Fargo.
• We can probably work on that in terms of education from the association.

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you'd like to do one on higher education, I think you introduce all my higher education members.
• Well, I think it starts with whoever they call first and ALS, the outreach.
• </c> meeting as well as the higher education meeting as well as the higher education meaning<01:49:53.679
• and collaborates with the State Hawaiʻi Department of Education.
• </c><02:06:17.000><c> and</c> middle and high school Outreach and middle and high school Outreach and

Transcript Highlights:

• These positions will also help us provide new capacity to really expand a statewide education and outreach
• and outreach campaign so that we can do more than we're doing now to educate the public on what they
• I heard education is very big. You know, that's very big. I heard education is very big.
• Part of that is education.
• Part of that is education.

Summary: The subcommittee began by announcing a change in the agenda order, moving item 6 ahead of item 1 and then item 7, and noting there would be no votes taken on any items that day. Item 6 covered a proposed operational efficiencies control section for the Natural Resources Agency that would let multiple departments jointly fund landscape-scale or multi-jurisdictional projects and allow Finance to transfer climate bond funds to a lead state entity. The LAO said the proposal was reasonable but suggested the Legislature consider requiring summary notification on how it is used; Finance said it would consider that request. Item 7 focused on the 2026-27 biodiversity and nature-based solutions spending plan. Finance and the Wildlife Conservation Board described the climate bond funding for habitat restoration, wildlife crossings, public access, tribal nature-based solutions, and related work, including $111 million proposed for WCB and $30 million for Salton Sea habitat and public access projects. The LAO supported the overall approach but flagged the San Andreas Corridor Program as an area where the Legislature may want to specify geographic priorities. Members discussed the pace of Salton Sea work and whether the proposed projects would count toward disadvantaged community goals. Item 8 addressed Cal Fire’s aviation contract and staffing needs for wildfire response. Cal Fire said year-round fire activity, a larger and more complex aircraft fleet, and labor market pressures justified the proposed contract increase, including more mechanics, pilots, and maintenance support. The LAO recommended approval, saying the proposal addressed health and safety concerns. Members asked about contractor staffing, competition in the bidding process, and future technology for early fire detection and suppression. The committee then took up item 1 on golden mussel containment. Fish and Wildlife described the invasive species’ spread in the Delta, the task force and response framework, and a request for eight new positions funded by Prop. 4 to support control plans, outreach, monitoring, research, and coordination with partners and law enforcement. Members pressed the department on whether the state should fund more direct decontamination infrastructure and grants to local water managers, and on the realistic goal of containing the mussel. The chair and several members emphasized the urgency of the threat and requested an itemized breakdown of the $20 million request. The hearing then moved to a broader LAO overview of wildfire prevention and response funding, where the LAO summarized the state’s funding mix and warned that ongoing wildfire resilience funding will likely decline as one-time bond and GGRF funds are exhausted, prompting discussion of long-term funding options and the balance between prevention, suppression, and community hardening.

Transcript Highlights:

• an investment for education.
• , talk about the budget within within education, which chairs already talked about those already education
• education.
• I think you need to educate.
• Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the education and outreach lead.
• Lark Park, I'm the Director of the California Education Learning Lab.
• As a final note, the state created a new education workforce entity last year, the California Education
• of Education Uniform Complaint process.
• , administrators, and educators.

Transcript Highlights:

• a panel discussion around entry to apprenticeships and how there continues to be barriers around education
• Well, I guess a few days after the outreach to Josh. And then thank you.
• Anyways, well, I guess a few days after the outreach to Josh.
• I think in terms of—this is just logistical—in terms of outreach, who, other than the folks that we've

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met with ASL and CART interpretation, took roll call, and approved the prior meeting minutes by motion and second. The main discussion focused on a proposed apprenticeship-related presentation and outreach to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), including a draft letter and follow-up communication with Undersecretary Josh Cutler and Amara Ram. Members said the draft looked good and discussed keeping trade partners informed, as well as the need to coordinate with the broader commission before moving forward. A substantial portion of the meeting centered on apprenticeship opportunities for people with disabilities and how to frame the topic. Members discussed a recent Apprenticeship Week event, noting employer interest, Governor Healey’s goal of expanding apprenticeships to 100,000, and concerns raised by employers about a $250 annual fee and the complexity of the registration process. Participants also discussed the need to include people with disabilities in apprenticeship conversations, challenge stereotypes about suitable jobs, and possibly involve the Commission for the Blind, higher education partners, and behavioral health apprenticeship models. The subcommittee generally agreed to focus first on child care and home health as initial apprenticeship fields, with direct support, house managers, and program managers also identified as important workforce roles. Members discussed inviting trade representatives and state liaisons, but emphasized that scheduling should not become overly complicated. They leaned toward a Zoom-only format, likely around 90 minutes, and agreed to continue coordinating offline on dates, format, and outreach before the next step.