Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision 4 is termination of law.
• Subdivision four, termination of taxes, requires the tax to terminate after the earlier of 20 years or
• Subdivision four, termination of taxes, requires the tax to terminate after the earlier of 20 years or
• </c> requires the extended tax to terminate requires the extended tax to terminate after<01:23:06.239
• </c> then subdivision four, the termination then subdivision four, the termination of<01:31:30.560><c

Bills: HF4343

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's too early for me. I've named her.
• I know that early on in my service, I know that early on in my service in the Florida Senate, you had
• I know that early on in my service, I know that early on in my service in the Florida Senate, you had
• With me having no rank, but you showing me your heart that early.
• I was chair of that very Citrus Commission in the early 2000s. J.J.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, page introductions, and recognition of guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy basketball team and a student intern. The chamber then took up executive appointment reports from the Ethics and Elections Committee and related committees, which covered a large slate of gubernatorial appointees to state boards and commissions. Senators were given the opportunity to separate nominees for individual votes, and several members spoke in support of or opposition to specific appointees based on qualifications, ideology, and prior public service. The first major confirmation vote covered most of the 186 appointments on the report, with debate centered on three nominees highlighted by Senator Polsky: Ilya Shapiro, Thomas Zachary Smith, and Dr. John Lattell. The report was adopted 31-0 after those objections, and Jeffrey Aaron was then considered separately for the Public Employee Relations Commission. Senators Smith and Polsky opposed Aaron’s confirmation, citing his role as legal counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and alleged involvement in the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds to political entities; Chair Gates defended Aaron as a lawyer representing a client and noted no disciplinary or law-enforcement action against him. Aaron was confirmed 26-10. The Senate next confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after debate focused on her prior leadership at the Department of Children and Families, Medicaid redeterminations, postpartum coverage issues, Hope Florida-related concerns, and a women’s shelter inspection dispute. Supporters emphasized her work stabilizing Medicaid funding and her responsiveness to agency problems, while opponents argued she had overseen serious failures and lacked suitability. The confirmation passed 32-5. Taylor Hatch was then confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families after committee members noted serious operational concerns at DCF, including SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, forensic audit issues, and questions about Hope Florida, but also cited her commitment to child welfare and willingness to address problems; the vote was 33-4. After the confirmations, the Senate recessed and later returned for a lengthy tribute to outgoing Senate President Kathleen Pasadomo. Senators from both parties offered personal remarks praising her leadership, diligence, toughness in committee, mentorship, and resilience after personal loss, while also joking about her reputation as a strict rules chair and “bill killer.” The session concluded with the recognition of her service and presentation of a handmade keepsake box filled with letters and mementos from staff and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Her total plan's premiums run around $400 a month, meaning this terminal disorder has saved me $1,534
• These are small business owners and employees, gig workers, early retirees like Mr.
• And it is still too early to tell how renewal enrollment is impacted for the many Californians hoping
• covered, but early data indicates higher rates of cancellations among those middle-income consumers,
• Clinic closures and program terminations are already happening.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, we do emergency terminations of pregnancy to save the lives of the mother.
• First of all, we do emergency terminations of pregnancy to save the lives of the mother.
• First of all, we do emergency terminations of pregnancy to save the lives of the mother.
• First of all, we do emergency terminations of pregnancy to save the lives of the mother.
• </c> all uh we do do emergency terminations all uh we do do emergency terminations of<00:53:57.799><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We terminated them as far as they could be applied against the corporate franchise tax, which is huge
• He said that then he has to decide whether to fund community choice waivers, early childhood education
• And as I said early on in my role, while we were always going to focus... ...of that.
• So we are here to get our processing fee approved for our online transactions and our payment terminal
• . ...in our payment terminal.

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so, early childhood education funding, um, within, within early childhood, the state has done a lot
• the Office of English Language Acquisition and has recommended terminating this grant funding.
• I think we've all acknowledged that it's still early that House Bill 1 has passed the House but still
• We still have billions of dollars going into our state permanent funds, uh, early education fund, the
• You take the early childhood and and spend the money out of that and backfill everything.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• We're at the early stages of this current price spike.
• California must increasingly rely on imports and must also increase marine terminal capabilities.
• Yeah, I think the points are well covered by Professor Bronson early on.
• Yeah, I think the points are well covered by Professor Bronson early on.
• Some of the early questions on whether we can bring enough imports into California, whether the globe

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• A House bill by Representative Murray, Title 18, early voting, voting on Sundays, expanded voting, and
• addition of early voting days, becomes House Bill 1048.
• of early voting days, House Bill 1048, House bill by Representative of Owen, public meetings, posting
• House Bill 31 by Representative Eccles, Municipal Police Employees' Retirement System, termination of
• It's a simple bill that right now, if you're a superintendent and you want to terminate employment of

Bills: HR72 , HR73 , HR74 , HR75 , HR76 , HR77 , HR78 , HR79 , HR80 , HR81 , HR82 , HR83 , HCR36 , HCR37 , HCR38 , HCR39 , HCR40 , HCR41 , HB368 , HB433 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1019 , HB1020 , HB1021 , HB1022 , HB1023 , HB1024 , HB1025 , HB1026 , HB1027 , HB1028 , HB1029 , HB1030 , HB1031 , HB1032 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1035 , HB1036 , HB1037 , HB1038 , HB1039 , HB1040 , HB1041 , HB1042 , HB1043 , HB1044 , HB1045 , HB1046 , HB1047 , HB1048 , HB1049 , HB1050 , HB1051 , HB1052 , HB1053 , HB1054 , HB1055 , HB1056 , HB1057 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1060 , HB1061 , HB1062 , HB1063 , HB1064 , HB1065 , HB1066 , HB1067 , HB1068 , HB1069 , HB1070 , HB1071 , HB1072 , HB1073 , HB1074 , HB1075 , HB1076 , HB1077 , HB1078 , HB1079 , HB1080 , HB1081 , HB1082 , HB1083 , HB1084 , HR70 , HR71 , HCR35 , HB31 , HB326 , HB1013 , HB1014 , HB1015 , HB1016 , SB192 , SB196 , SB198 , SB203 , SB204 , SB214 , SB216 , SB257 , SB291 , SB383 , HB13 , HB23 , HB25 , HB32 , HB41 , HB42 , HB90 , HB120 , HB121 , HB122 , HB127 , HB138 , HB139 , HB141 , HB179 , HB187 , HB213 , HB247 , HB286 , HB332 , HB344 , HB357 , HB367 , HB370 , HB462 , HB505 , HB527 , HB537 , HB605 , HB680 , HB681 , HB725 , HB780 , HB782 , HB847 , HB892 , HB911 , HB916 , HB1012 , HR15 , HR20 , HCR14 , HB53 , HB57 , HB64 , HB102 , HB106 , HB111 , HB137 , HB152 , HB155 , HB177 , HB238 , HB256 , HB258 , HB337 , HB359 , HB363 , HB386 , HB434 , HB546 , HB557 , HB584 , HB661 , HB697 , HB726 , HB727 , HB747 , HB756 , HB758 , HB759 , HB765 , HB767 , HB825 , HB858 , HB930 , HB941 , HB957 , HB964 , HB58 , HB69 , HB93 , HB166 , HB199 , HB201 , HB202 , HB218 , HB223 , HB224 , HB231 , HB235 , HB246 , HB338 , HB349 , HB352 , HB379 , HB405 , HB429 , HB535 , HB547 , HB577 , HB588 , HB626 , HB636 , HB652 , HB653 , HB669 , HB688 , HB691 , HB721 , HB738 , HB806 , HB851 , HB857 , HB861 , HB889 , HB904 , HB907 , HB908 , HB929 , HB1009 , HB868 , HB119 , HB140 , HB739 , HB842 , HB875 , HB919 , HB61 , HB185 , HB233 , HB613 , HB848 , HB52 , HB228 , HB289 , HB735 , HB796 , HB722 , HB284 , HB301 , HB827 , HB953 , HB901 , HB9 , HB46 , HB193 , HB400 , HB436 , HB468 , HB570 , HB582 , HB733 , HB746 , HB923 , HB952

Summary: The House met on March 26, 2026, established a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a large number of introductions, resolutions, and committee reports. The chamber recognized Women of the Storm on its 20th anniversary, honored Saint-Amant FFA for winning a national coastal restoration championship, and later recognized Elevate Louisiana. The House also received Senate bills on topics including freshwater fishing limits, bridge preservation, emergency medical services, ambulance reimbursement, eye care coverage, and other matters, and introduced numerous House resolutions and bills covering education, ethics, transportation, elections, public records, criminal law, and appropriations. Several measures were referred to committees or were allowed to lie over, while some resolutions were adopted without objection. The House then considered and passed a series of bills, many by wide margins. Criminal justice and public safety measures included HB 53, adding illegal gambling as a RICO predicate offense; HB 57, allowing courts to consider criminal histories when issuing temporary restraining orders; HB 64, authorizing magistrates to recall arrest warrants; HB 102, creating second-degree cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities; HB 106, requiring written parental consent before melatonin is administered to children; HB 137, strengthening penalties and school notification procedures for terroristic threats against schools; HB 152, updating controlled dangerous substances schedules; HB 155, restricting drone use near the Capitol; HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to return on contract; and HB 727, allowing burning of certain untreated construction lumber and wood mats. Members also approved HB 11, adding associate degrees to sentence-diminution eligibility, and HB 726, increasing penalties for abandoning vessels, with discussion noting the need for future funding to remove derelict boats. Education and workforce-related bills also advanced, including HB 238, easing ethics restrictions so former school board members who are certified teachers or school psychologists can return to work sooner; HB 256, clarifying mandatory reporter training for school employees; HB 363, allowing virtual-school students to participate in extracurricular activities and athletics at their resident public school; HB 386, allowing locally authorized charter schools to operate as their own LEA under local rules; HB 434, giving superintendents more authority over probationary school bus employees; HB 557, defining long-term care pharmacies; and HB 584, ending the practice of giving foster children trash bags for belongings and providing proper luggage instead. The House also passed HB 661, expanding nepotism exceptions for certain lower-paid school positions such as paraprofessionals, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers, and HB 697, recreating the Department of Environmental Quality through 2030. Most bills passed unanimously or with strong bipartisan support, though HB 137 on school threats drew significant debate over parental liability and juvenile intervention before passing 71-26.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators. offer no pushback because they were, quote, scared of termination.
• Does this bill require cities to terminate existing employees whose job title includes diversity, equity
• That is the amendment, Madam Chair. ...early child care services.
• By addressing the cycle of abuse early on, children can be shielded from additional trauma caused by
• Also want to thank Senator Martin for his help early on in this bill and last year getting it heard,

Transcript Highlights:

• Our staff helped hundreds navigate DUA’s flawed UI system, fix wrongful benefits termination, and inform
• Daylight saving time is a mandate to wake early.
• Yes, I had to get up early for this. Yeah. Be nice at this hearing. It's just sad.
• With apologies to the early morning joggers, this is an unwise move.
• A lot of times, your monthly cycle is early, it's late, whatever it may be.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several bills. Senator Mike Moore supported S. 2185, which would delay implementation of the heavy-duty omnibus/advanced clean truck requirements while requiring the Commonwealth to purchase or lease electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles starting in 2025; he argued the delay is needed because infrastructure, grid capacity, vehicle availability, and costs are not yet ready. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2156/H. 3318, which would require free menstrual products in public buildings, with advocates and students describing period poverty and the need to treat menstrual products like other basic restroom supplies. Senator John Keenan testified for S. 2158, a bill to let municipal light plants protect proprietary and competitively sensitive information from public disclosure while keeping board meetings and minutes open, saying it would help level the playing field against larger competitors. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2125/H. 3384, the language access and inclusion bill. Testimony from the AAPI Commission, Mass Speaks coalition members, Mass Appleseed, MLRI, ATASK, MAPC, the Boston Bar Association, Mass Advocates for Children, and others described barriers faced by limited-English-proficient residents in accessing MassHealth, DCF, courts, domestic violence services, schools, and other state services. Witnesses cited untranslated documents, inadequate interpretation, delays, and the burden placed on bilingual staff and children; several also pointed to recent federal moves toward English-only policy as making state action more urgent. Committee members asked questions about implementation, interpreter availability, and the role of technology and remote participation, and the chair noted the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and intended to be again. The committee also heard testimony on time-zone legislation. Dr. Karin Johnson, representing sleep medicine interests, supported H. 3405 for permanent standard time and opposed S. 2157 for permanent daylight saving time, arguing that standard time better aligns with circadian rhythms and health, while permanent daylight saving time would worsen morning darkness and sleep disruption. Members questioned the strength of the scientific evidence and discussed school start times, geography, and whether Massachusetts should align with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and testimony continued on additional bills as the session progressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, in the early 1920s there was a federal movement to, uh, create a code of ethics for judges to
• Uh, so in the early 1970s the legislature and the Supreme Court also kind of had competing committees
• 1970s the legislature and the early 1970s the legislature and the Supreme<00:07:04.840><c> Court</c>
• And I think it would have been early 80s, I think, that things were changed.
• </c> and I think it it would have been early and I think it it would have been early 80s<00:46:54.359

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
• enough to act on it if we report early enough to act on it if we need<00:48:46.800><c> it.
• </c> they're terminating my parental rights. they're terminating my parental rights.
• </c><03:29:11.840><c> It</c><03:29:12.000><c> adds</c> terminate the abuser's interest.
• It adds terminate the abuser's interest.

Transcript Highlights:

• for a seven-year, or 84-month, period, and the election remains in place thereafter until it is terminated
• The election remains in place thereafter until it is terminated.
• During the 84-month period, the taxpayer may request FTB's consent for an early termination.
• So in the early 1980s, California was one of 12 states with worldwide unitary taxation.
• Repealing the Waters Edge election could put us right back to where we were in the early 1980s.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on California’s taxation of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. corporations, especially the state’s water’s-edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. Committee members and witnesses discussed how unitary taxation and sales-factor apportionment work, why multinational corporations are a small share of filers but a large share of tax liability, and how foreign income, profit shifting, and double taxation concerns affect policy choices. The Franchise Tax Board explained current filing rules, the seven-year water’s-edge election, and recent filing statistics showing about 21,562 water’s-edge returns in 2023, roughly 6% of C corporation filers but about half of corporate tax liability. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and FTB staff emphasized that revenue effects from eliminating water’s edge are uncertain because foreign affiliate income is not directly observable, and they noted possible revenue volatility and administrative complexity. Several committee members asked about foreign government pushback, the burden on FTB, whether certain industries are more likely to shift profits, and whether companies would leave California; witnesses generally said there was no strong evidence that firms would exit the state because tax liability is driven mainly by California sales. They also discussed how California already administers both methods, how the election can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on a firm’s facts, and how federal reforms like GILTI/NCTI, CAMT, and OECD Pillar Two may affect the issue. The second panel presented sharply contrasting views. One professor and a tax policy advocate argued that water’s edge creates unfairness, encourages profit shifting, and leaves California with billions in lost revenue, while a Tax Foundation witness argued that mandatory worldwide reporting would tax the wrong income, create double taxation and litigation risk, and impose heavy compliance burdens, especially for foreign-based multinationals. A later panel from the California Budget and Policy Center supported closing the “water’s-edge loophole,” saying it would raise needed revenue for public services and level the playing field between large multinationals and smaller domestic businesses. No vote or formal action was taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• And while we appreciate the excitement around small modular reactors, we are still in the early stages
• Residential solar photovoltaic installations have evolved significantly since the early days, with stronger
• The dates in the existing fund for the termination were basically set to mirror the dates for DCP.
• But this is very important to the districts because of the way that the existing fund terminates.
• ... but we do this is very important to the districts because of the way that the existing fund terminates

Bills: SB1041 , SB1363 , SB1418 , SB1419 , SB1445 , SB1447 , SB1488 , SB1519 , SB1523 , SB1560 , SB1580

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, solar energy, renewable energy, energy generation, consumer protection, installation standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Rest assured, the most cost-effective method to prevent and cure cancer is early prevention, awareness
• Once determined that a human risk exists, an opportunity for early detection comes with the knowledge
• </c><00:03:30.480><c> prevention</c><00:03:31.200><c> to</c> cure cancer is early prevention to cure
• cancer is early prevention to cancerous<00:03:31.920><c> environments</c><00:03:32.840><c> awareness<
• detection that comes with the early detection that comes with the knowledge<00:03:39.599><c> of</c><

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, KCNA, the authority authorized that RFP after the termination of a contract for which they had previously
• procurement services authorized an RFP. >> So, KCNA, the authority authorized that RFP after the termination
• A: The contract at issue here was terminated. So, this RFP is to replace that contract.
• As long as those contracts are signed and secured by the early part of August, the projects will then
• </c><01:02:00.760><c> part</c><01:02:01.000><c> of</c> signed and secured by the early part of signed

Summary: The committee first focused on a disputed KCNA procurement for a statewide network-related RFP. Members questioned why the RFP had been labeled non-technical, whether COT should have reviewed it, and whether the KCNA board could direct that it be withdrawn. Finance and Administration Cabinet counsel Barbie Dickens said the RFP was authorized by KCNA working with procurement services after termination of the prior contract and breach notices, was issued in November 2025, paused during a protest, later resumed, and remained an open procurement. She said the agency—not the board—directs the procurement process, though she acknowledged an agency and OPS could cancel or reissue an RFP if needed. Legislators pushed back, citing KRS 154 and House Bill 314 as evidence that the KCNA board controls contracts and operations, and one member said the board had requested the RFP be withdrawn. Dickens said she could not predict the outcome and was not KCNA’s counsel. The discussion also touched on whether the current director had asked to stop the RFP and whether that request had been denied, with no final action taken during the exchange. The committee then turned to Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Corporation and the Kentucky Wired refresh project. Jim Barnhart described the structure of the nonprofit corporation, the role of Quick and Quack in the financing and operations arrangement, and the board membership, noting that the refresh funding had been approved in the 2024-26 capital budget. He said the equipment upgrade is necessary because of end-of-life hardware and software support issues, and that the refresh would expand capacity, lower risk, and reduce operating costs. Barnhart said some equipment had already been received, the rest would be purchased later, and the project should begin before September and take about a year to complete. When asked about contract disputes involving Ledcor and whether the vendor had an ongoing contract, Barnhart and the authority representative said they had not been notified of any issues and were not directly involved in that contract dispute. Committee members also raised concerns about a prior market test and whether a lower-cost bidder had been blocked from a previous RFP process. Barnhart said he understood Quack could make that decision and that the Commonwealth did not have input so long as the network was maintained, but he was not involved at the time. A legislator then read from the KCNA statute and argued that the board, not agency staff, is supposed to direct KCNA contracts and operations, saying House Bill 314 did not change those duties. The chair agreed the committee’s intent was for the board to control KCNA and direct contracts, and the discussion ended with a transition away from the KCNA dispute toward future testimony, including a presentation from Zayo Networks on open access networks and broadband infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE CHALLENGES FOR THE PROJECT, KNOWING THE PROJECT HAS BEEN IN-FLIGHT FOR A WHILE I MET EARLY
• THE AGENCIES USING IT TO LEVERAGE PEOPLE FIRST DATA TO SUPPORT TERMINATION OF SYSTEM ACCESS BASED ON
• PRIOR TO THIS TERMINATION OF ACCOUNTS RELIED ON MANUAL REPORTING BY USERS OR SUPERVISORS LEAVING THE
• WE WERE ABLE TO GET THROUGH MARK 15, WE ARE ON MARK 16 AND WE FINISHED A DAY EARLY.
• THE DECISION WAS MADE RELATIVELY EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS TO CHOOSE ANOTHER VENDOR TO MEET FLORIDA'S NEEDS

Transcript Highlights:

• , enabling service members to terminate certain leases if they receive orders for permanent change of
• hire somebody with military experience, you're getting an employee with a track record: waking up early
• hire somebody with military experience, you're getting an employee with a track record: waking up early
• hire somebody with military experience, you're getting an employee with a track record: waking up early
• We have early stimulation that we do with those dogs.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee first heard House Bills 1993 and 2771, both sponsored by Reps. Irwin and Boykin, which would extend Servicemembers Civil Relief Act-style protections to Missouri National Guard members when they are called to state emergency duty. The sponsors and supporting witnesses said the bills would help Guard members with issues like eviction, lease termination, debt collection, and civil court proceedings while they are serving, and would align state law with federal protections already available to active-duty service members. Committee members generally expressed support, noting the financial strain on Guard members and their civilian employers, and witnesses from the Missouri National Guard Association and the Guard itself said the bills would provide clarity and stability. No opposition was presented, and the hearing ended without a vote in the transcript. The committee then heard House Bill 1869, which would create a grant program administered by the Missouri Veterans Commission to help repair and reset damaged veteran grave markers in private and public cemeteries when the damage is caused by natural events. Rep. Roberts explained the bill was prompted by a constituent’s experience with a deteriorated headstone, and members asked about eligibility, whether the money would go to families or cemeteries, and whether vandalism or non-cemetery graves would be covered. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at natural causes and family-member applications, though he was open to suggestions for expansion. The Veterans Commission director supported the concept but warned the agency lacked funding and staffing to take on another program without additional appropriations; members also raised broader concerns about underfunding the commission. No formal action or vote was taken in the transcript. After the bill hearings, the committee received informational testimony from Retrieving Freedom, a Missouri-based service dog organization, and from Compass Health on firearm suicide prevention. Retrieving Freedom described its training of service dogs for veterans and children with autism, including demonstrations of tasks such as grounding, retrieving items, and helping with mobility, and said it had a waiting list but was expanding its work in Missouri. Compass Health discussed its firearm suicide prevention grant work, emphasizing community-based education and conversations about safe access to lethal means rather than confiscation. These presentations were informational only and did not involve committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those 3 companies were very early adopters back 13 years or so ago on CNG and are running most of their
• Now that is an outgoing terminal.
• It's not in going terminal and a lot of that gas is coming from the North South or all of it's coming
• Along with the previously mentioned Miami in early project, there are additional pipeline projects on
• Representative Khan early and then vice chair of it for questions. >> Thank you. Thank you, chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• This work has been ongoing since late summer, early fall, but there will be some erosions to the $125
• I referenced early on that... A challenge for us to get funding for critical needs.
• I referenced early on that California is getting warmer.
• So four times a month, we host standing virtual interviews, and the goal is early engagement.
• So four times a month, we host standing virtual interviews, and the goal is early engagement.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) budget, with a focus on prison population trends, spending, facility closures, and efforts to find savings. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) presented data showing the prison and parole populations have fallen sharply over the past 20 years while CDCR spending has remained high, driven largely by security, health care, litigation-related requirements, and aging infrastructure. The LAO also said the state is likely to have several thousand empty beds by 2030 and recommended closing another prison, identifying the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad as the strongest candidate, while also urging more transparency around facility deactivations and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) efficiency contract. CDCR Secretary Jeff McCumber said the department faces structural budget pressures from retirement payouts, workers’ compensation, overtime, medical transport, aging facilities, and violence in prisons, but emphasized declining recidivism, expanding reentry beds, and the need for more single-celling and rehabilitation. Department of Finance representative Anthony Franzoa said the administration is not proposing another prison closure at this time, opposed new reporting requirements on deactivations, and said the BCG contract is intended to produce long-term savings even if near-term estimates are being revised downward. Amber Rose Howard of California United for Responsible Budget argued the state should close more prisons, redirect funds to community services, and stop spending on excess prison capacity. Members questioned why CDCR still relies on vacancy savings, why rehabilitation is only a small share of the budget, and whether the department should be more transparent about capacity reductions and legal liabilities. Several members criticized the $20 million BCG contract and the lack of competitive bidding, while others pressed CDCR on staffing levels, single-celling, suicide prevention, and health care costs for older incarcerated people. The hearing did not take a formal vote, but it ended with clear committee concern about CDCR’s budget transparency, the pace of prison closures, and the need to align spending more closely with the declining prison population and the department’s stated rehabilitation mission.