Transcript Highlights:

• Even in Ruidoso, as far as the level one stuff.
• So this would introduce a whole new level of supply.
• Is it leased, or how does it work at the state level? Thank you.
• But that's at the state level.
• We need that level of understanding among consumers.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It would eliminate the associated debt obligations and reduce out-year budgetary pressures.
• Together to fund education at all levels to the extent possible.
• Maintain a level enrollment that's sustainable based on the support that the state can provide.
• This enrollment level would exceed the Compact enrollment goal.
• Is it at the campus level, at the system-wide level? How are those decisions made?

Transcript Highlights:

• Just as a body, but on a member-by-member level. You have to work for your bills.
• These changes are intended to address county concerns while maintaining a level of transparency in the
• So while it's not prohibited, insider trading is not prohibited at the federal level, there are a lot
• Well, one, we don't have the same access to information that they do at the federal level, which has
• been shown by the fact that we are not seeing that issue at the state level.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum calls, and introductory remarks, including recognition of former Representative Ardian Zika and law enforcement officer of the day Representative Chuck Brannan. Members also unveiled a portrait of Speaker Daniel Perez, with extended remarks praising his leadership and the institution of the House. The Speaker then explained the process for taking up returning messages from the Senate, noting that the House would consider Senate amendments to bills already passed by both chambers. The House first concurred in Senate amendments and passed CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which adds computer science and artificial intelligence content to high school instruction and creates a teacher certification program, with implementation delayed to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The chamber then considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program whether or not they receive a grant, add a five-year sunset, and keep the program under the Florida Digital Service rather than a university. The House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 104-1. Members also refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both bills back to the Senate. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/HB 1471, which would create a process for designating domestic terrorist organizations and related restrictions. Supporters said the Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and aligned the bill with federal-style procedures; opponents argued it lacked due process, could chill speech, and gave the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate evidentiary standards or judicial review. Members also debated a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which would exempt certain records tied to the designation process; critics said the exemption would further reduce transparency and due process. Despite objections, the House adopted the amendments and passed HB 1471 by 80-25, while the public records measure was taken up as a technical companion to align with the newly amended bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need more at the state level.
• We need more at the state level.
• One example would be meeting the 2004 harvest levels for two consecutive years.
• One example would be meeting the 2004 harvest levels for two consecutive years.
• One example would be meeting the 2004 harvest levels for two consecutive years.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2619, which would create a joint legislative task force to review and recommend ways to reduce regulatory burdens in agriculture, and on House Joint Memorial 4009, which asks Congress to ensure federal wildfire response agencies remain capable of protecting communities, natural resources, and firefighter safety. On HB 2619, the prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, cattle, wheat, potato, onion, and dairy interests said the bill responds to farm stress and suicide concerns by examining regulatory overload; WSDA supported the concept but noted a fiscal note, and members discussed whether the task force scope and cost could be reduced before policy cutoff. On HJM 4009, staff and the sponsor described the memorial as a request for stronger federal wildfire capacity and coordination, with testimony from tribes, counties, forest landowners, conservation groups, and public employees emphasizing wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the importance of federal-state cooperation; the committee also repeatedly tied the memorial to support for state wildfire funding under 1168 and heard broad support for restoring that funding. The committee then took up House Bill 2221, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and begin predator mitigation when certain population declines occur, while also requiring annual reporting and white-tailed deer surveys. The sponsor argued the bill addresses rapidly declining deer and elk herds, predator pressure, food security, and rural economies in northeast Washington. Supporters included some local residents, ranchers, sheriffs, county officials, and the Colville Tribes, who said predators, livestock conflicts, and reduced hunting opportunity are harming communities and that the state should act more aggressively. Opponents included WDFW staff, Washington Wildlife First, the Sierra Club, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and other conservation voices, who said the bill is not scientifically supported, would be costly, and wrongly blames predators rather than habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions; several said predator control would have limited value and could undermine wolf recovery. Some agricultural and sportsmen groups supported the bill in principle but asked for amendments, especially to remove or revise the in-state wolf translocation provision. No final votes or executive action were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We almost need a... ...Marshall Plan level of investment.
• We need to reach a 'moonshot' level of urgency.
• or at the statewide level.
• PCE has had great success working with building owners to install Level 1 and Power Managed Level 2 chargers
• Level 1 costs roughly 20 percent as much as Level 2 and doesn't require very time-consuming service upgrades

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go over these at a high level in the next few slides.
• individual program level.
• So that's just a high-level look at what is driving costs.
• The transformation that you see, both at the household level and the community level, is a piece of all
• The transformation that you see, both at the household level, the community level, and that individual

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• CHP's vacancy rate is still above pre-pandemic levels, which raises the question of whether the salary
• And I think the Legislature, if we're going to look at the levels of public safety that we need and want
• The approach— we're the largest state, so there is some push and pull going on at the federal level.
• were trying to reduce the amount of duplication by using five digits versus four, give you a greater level
• “Reduce the amount of duplication by using five digits versus four, give you a greater level of precision

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee heard several Caltrans, CHP, and DMV budget and trailer bill items. On Caltrans fleet replacement, the department requested a one-time $225 million augmentation to replace aging medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. LAO said the request was consistent with state policy, but senators criticized the high cost of electric fleet purchases and Caltrans’ delayed zero-emission fleet report; the chair said the report must be delivered within 30 days before the request could be fully considered. Caltrans also presented trailer bill language to replace an originally intended $50 million federal transfer for the High Road Construction Careers Program with $30 million in state Highway Account funds after federal eligibility problems prevented use of the federal dollars. Members questioned the reduction, the delay in implementation, where the remaining funds would go, and whether the program would keep jobs in California and meet labor standards; Caltrans and the Workforce Development Board said the program had prior success and that the state-funds transfer was intended to preserve the original policy goal. The committee then reviewed CHP’s request for a $60 million augmentation for equipment and operating costs, which CHP said was needed because vacancy savings no longer covered rising fuel, vehicle, and other operating costs. CHP argued that recruitment success had reduced vacancies and that costs had risen sharply since 2006, while LAO recommended rejection, citing that the expenses were ongoing, CHP still had vacancies above pre-pandemic levels, and the Motor Vehicle Account faces structural insolvency by 2028-29. Members discussed whether the account can sustain these costs and whether the Legislature should consider broader funding changes. CHP also sought a permanent $885,000 augmentation for seven analyst positions for the Highway Violence Task Force; CHP said freeway shootings had fallen sharply since 2021 and that analysts were essential to solving cases, while LAO noted the request was smaller than prior years but would create an ongoing commitment. Senators generally supported the task force but asked for clearer metrics and reporting, especially because the data categories had changed over time. Finally, the DMV presented the State-to-State verification system and related modernization work under DXP. DMV said State-to-State is required for Real ID compliance and that California must join the system by February 2027, with live testing planned for the summer. Senators focused heavily on privacy and data security, especially the inclusion of Social Security number digits in the system, the role of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and whether Californians understood their information would be shared in a nationwide database. DMV said the system only shares federally required data, uses encryption, and is designed to de-duplicate records across states, but members pressed for more information on governance, audit authority, and whether the Legislature had explicitly approved the data-sharing approach. The chair asked DMV to follow up with the Attorney General and indicated the committee would continue reviewing the issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Olivia, trustee, performs work at the highest level of excellence.
• From monitoring sea level rise to polar ice loss to wildfires, NASA's satellites are the backbone of
• This data underpins climate action efforts at every level of the globe.
• for us to even progress farther out into our solar system if we have, if we are in an unlimited budgetary
• Do you think that this should be looked at by the FCC and help level the playing field for local journalism

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: state policy, governance, legislative processes, public concerns, policy improvement

Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT IF IT RISES TO A HIGHER LEVEL >> Senator Jones: I YIELDED TO MY COLLEAGUES. >> Chair: YOU'RE RECOGONIZED
• THIS DID YOU CONSIDER PEOPLE WHO PERHAPS MAY HAVE A FELONY CONVICTION AND IT MAY NOT EVEN BE ON A LEVEL
• LAW ABOUT WHERE THAT LINE IS AND I THINK THAT THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ULTIMATELY IF IT RISES TO THAT LEVEL
• LET'S DRAW A LINE BECAUSE HONESTLY THE BAR IS HERE AND WHO KNEW ROCK BOTTOM HAD A BASEMENT LEVEL, THANK
• FIRST IT CHILLS PARTICIPATION AT AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a actually budgetary costs.
• <c> closed</c><01:53:54.480><c> their</c> When that level hospital closed their When that level hospital
• That is a decision that was made at the federal level.
• I think it has at the federal level.
• </c> goal is level ground. The goal is zero. goal is level ground. The goal is zero.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:40.240><c> Thank</c> level consistent with inflation.
• Thank level consistent with inflation. Thank you. you. you.
• </c><00:37:25.200><c> that's</c> um I think at the current level that's um I think at the current level
• </c> Garden level. Garden level. $20,000<02:24:16.000><c> for</c><02:24:16.240><c> signage.
• </c><03:12:58.319><c> It's</c> really not a budgetary issue. It's really not a budgetary issue.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• She has a broad background in economic development at the federal, local, and state levels.
• I think we've been surprised by the level of activity that we've seen.
• We continue to see high levels of need for water storage, totaling $64.5 million.
• That, I think, was we weren't expecting that level of demand for the wastewater.
• Go ahead and go through their budget, giving you a high-level overview.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that from the pandemic levels, where there was much higher use, as you can imagine.
• Now is when we most urgently need our state-level representatives to stand up for democracy.
• Starting out, they make anywhere between 40% to 50% of journey-level workers.
• and at the district level.
• Chair and members, we have an opportunity to save the state money in this difficult budgetary year.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• So the total current-year Prop. 98 funding level, or the appropriation level, I guess, still remains
• So the May Revision also proposes several budgetary actions.
• So the May revision also proposes several budgetary actions.
• remain at similar levels to prior years.
• Certainly, it is an influx situation at the federal level.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• rate levels while adhering to the cost-of-care-plus regional payment structure.
• And so these decisions are made based on the idea that we could maintain the current service level.
• What are we looking at for a budgetary delta on that? Tamara Weber, Department of Finance.
• And that would be funding to the level of the new formula. For the CCDF, I’m sorry, member?
• Sector-level activities.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittees on early childhood education heard a broad review of the Governor’s child care and preschool budget proposals, with testimony from the Department of Finance, the Department of Social Services (CDSS), the California Department of Education (CDE), and the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). The main topics were cost-of-care-plus and COLA adjustments, the California State Preschool Program, child care slot reductions tied to federal and Proposition 64 funding changes, disaster recovery grants for child care facilities, trailer bill proposals on family fees and absences, prospective pay, and several budget change proposals for departmental staffing and licensing. Officials also discussed the state’s transition toward an alternative methodology for setting rates based on the true cost of care. On rate reform, CDSS and CDE said the current reimbursement system remains below the alternative methodology in many counties and that providers continue to struggle with recruitment and retention. The LAO recommended aligning cost-of-care-plus increases across provider types, while CDE urged that any COLA be added to base rates rather than cost-of-care-plus payments because providers view the latter as less ongoing. CDSS said the next alternative methodology update will be developed with a contractor during fiscal year 2026-27, with public engagement and legislative input, and estimated that fully transitioning to rates informed by the methodology would take about 24 months once policy and funding are in place. CDSS also said the direct-service cost of care under the methodology was estimated at about $18.7 billion in a July 2025 report. A major point of contention was the proposed reduction of 4,167 child care slots due to lower federal CCDF funding and reduced Proposition 64 revenue. CDSS said it expects to absorb the reduction through unspent funds and relinquishments so currently enrolled children are not disrupted, while the LAO supported the reduction as a way to avoid worsening the structural deficit. Members strongly objected to the slot cuts, arguing the administration has repeatedly proposed reductions after prior budget agreements and emphasizing the economic and family benefits of child care. The committee also discussed preschool enrollment trends, including growth in three-year-old enrollment and a sharp increase in two-year-olds served under a temporary provision, with CDE warning that the temporary two-year-old authority expires in 2027. The committee also reviewed an $11.5 million Proposition 64 proposal for child care infrastructure grants for facilities impacted by 2025 state disasters, especially the Los Angeles fires, and members asked for trailer bill language to make the funds flexible for repairs, equipment, insurance, and permitting. On trailer bill items, the panel discussed codifying family fee reimbursement rules, defining excessive unexplained absences to allow disenrollment after prolonged nonuse, and expanding temporary provider absences; CDSS said the absence policy is meant to mirror federal CCDF rules, while CDE said it is already pursuing its own rulemaking. The hearing also covered prospective pay, with CDSS and CDE saying they are waiting for final federal guidance before moving ahead; LAO said the state could save ongoing costs if the federal requirement is rescinded. Finally, the committee reviewed staffing and support budget requests for CDSS and other implementation items, and held several items open for further discussion before the May Revision. Public comment overwhelmingly urged full funding for child care slots, true cost-of-care payments, and ongoing support for early education programs and county offices of education.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there is scalability that will be achieved at that level. So that is in the future phase.
• We have litigation at the federal level, the state level.
• This is a high-level overview of our special supplementals, our growing deficiencies.
• The next slide is a High-level overview of the risk management division.
• But again, that is a budgetary... Yeah, no, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• the fiscal note we have, it is acknowledged that the state general fund expenditures to the local level
• This bill also shifts $1.18 million annually in state general fund expenditures to the local level.
• They will incur the state general fund expenditures at the local level.
• “And any transfer that the state is doing over to the local level, the locals, I think, will find a way
• The world is watching this injustice and racism at its highest level. We are better than that.

Bills: HR192 , HR193 , HR194 , HCR80 , HCR81 , HCR82 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR85 , HR188 , HR189 , HR190 , HR191 , SB134 , SB140 , SB281 , SB331 , SB384 , SB389 , SB415 , SB451 , SB458 , SB479 , SB504 , SB523 , HR38 , HR96 , HR160 , HCR31 , HCR61 , SCR19 , HB316 , HB549 , HB578 , HB646 , HB748 , HB798 , HB824 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1032 , HB1081 , HB1108 , HB1129 , HB1140 , HB1157 , HB1186 , HB1192 , HB1195 , HB1198 , HB1222 , HB1244 , SB73 , SB89 , SB128 , SB149 , SB191 , SB196 , SB238 , SB318 , SB340 , HB225 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HCR4 , HCR47 , HCR32 , HB362 , HB893 , HB990 , HB1007 , HB1153 , HB1243 , HB12 , HB42 , HB205 , HB222 , HB267 , HB324 , HB325 , HB350 , HB478 , HB610 , HB617 , HB745 , HB749 , HB752 , HB797 , HB807 , HB821 , HB896 , HB979 , HB992 , HB1000 , HB1024 , HB1050 , HB1166 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1207 , HB1218 , HB1223 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , SB127 , SB244 , SB256 , HB911 , HB306 , HB366 , HB1161 , HB1230 , HB59 , HB481 , HB772 , HB897 , HB1003 , HB1008 , HB1112 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB181 , HB1118 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB393 , HB458 , HB459 , HB525 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB864 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1058 , HB1082 , HB1113 , HB1234 , HB1240

Keywords: ACOG, maternal health, healthcare professionals, patient-physician relationship, obstetrics, gynecology, condolences, military service, veteran, community, memorial, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, property rights, carbon dioxide sequestration, expropriation, Landowner Bill of Rights

Transcript Highlights:

• are locally ranked and prioritized and then submitted to HUD, and they have actually approved that level
• of ranking and assessment of of level of ranking and assessment of of need<00:09:46.840><c> of</c><00
• And so, actually, it's based on a formula from the federal level about how much each region is given
• And so, actually, it's based on a formula from the federal level about how much each region is given
• And so, actually, it's based on a formula from the federal level about how much each region is given

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• to their funding level.
• Their funding level. Well, would that meet the requirements for the federal match?
• the more accurate funding level.
• Chairman, that concludes all the change levels for administration and shared services.
• Chairman, that concludes all the change levels for administration and shared services.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a lot happening at the federal level.
• So instead of being able to appeal it at the local level, then again at the state level, and then again
• An area with elevated asthma levels.
• Um, I heard these questions about water levels.
• it up because we had gotten some water levels higher?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The hearing opened with welcomes from the co-chairs and local legislators, followed by remarks from UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes, who highlighted the university’s research, sustainability, transportation, and workforce contributions and thanked the administration and legislature for support of public higher education. MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, along with agency leaders, presented the administration’s transportation budget package. They described a combined funding plan through House 2, a Fair Share supplemental budget, and a Chapter 90 bill, emphasizing investments in MassDOT operations, snow and ice response, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, bridge and pavement repair, housing-related transportation improvements, sustainable aviation fuel, microtransit, and local road programs. Officials also highlighted record highway construction activity, safety initiatives such as work zone speed cameras and pedestrian protections, RMV service and equity improvements, airport and drone technology programs, and MBTA gains in reliability, accessibility, ridership, and service expansion. Committee members asked about Western Massachusetts priorities, especially Chapter 90 funding for rural road mileage, bridge repairs, and the Compass Rail/West-East Rail program. MassDOT officials said pending federal grants were moving forward, with some awards recently obligated and others expected as federal processes advance, and they said Palmer Station remains part of the long-term rail plan. Members also raised the Cape Cod bridges and the need for multi-year Chapter 90 funding. Officials said the Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, with construction targeted for 2027, and reiterated that transportation investments support jobs, local economies, and municipal infrastructure statewide.