Transcript Highlights:

• When you get routed out of state, that's not true.
• said, route everyone through the 988 system.
• When you get routed out of state, that's not true.
• what you said, with proper funding, route everyone through the 988 system.
• Michael Henning, California Alliance of Child and Family Services.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're paving hazardous school bus routes in Jefferson County, upgrading intersections in Coralville,
• and strengthening key emergency routes in Keokuk County.
• and strengthening key emergency routes in Keokuk County.
• and strengthening key emergency routes in Keokuk County.
• Route diversity matters.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriates various one-time appropriation increases to continue prior-year items funded one time, including $66
• Graduation Alliance and the 10 community colleges that I'm talking about that I represent.
• The Grad Alliance, I believe, got $2 million, and Goodwill got $1 million.
• know that it's been tied to, like, where they've tracked individual to individual... graduation alliance
• million dollars we educated 11,000 students or we will educate 11,000 students this year the grad alliance

Bills: HB4154 , HB4155 , HB4156 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4159 , HB4160 , HB4161 , HB4162 , HB4163 , HB4164 , HB4165 , HB4166 , HB4167 , HB4168 , HB4169 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB1851 , SB1852 , SB1853 , SB1854 , SB1855 , SB1856 , SB1857 , SB1858 , SB1859 , SB1860 , SB1861 , SB1862

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: general appropriations act, budget, biennial budget, state spending, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, fiscal year 2027, state treasury, agency funding, operating budget, capital budget, public finance, state agencies, legislative budget, house appropriations, rules committee, HB4155, amusements, amusement industry, entertainment

Transcript Highlights:

• He said there would be an ability to have designated routes and include the required signage, and that
• 00:23:08.039><c> on</c><00:23:08.200><c> the</c><00:23:08.400><c> designated</c><00:23:09.000><c> routes
• </c><00:23:09.279><c> up</c> Road yes on on the designated routes up Road yes on on the designated routes
• is a section of Route 16 portions of<00:33:25.240><c> Route</c><00:33:25.519><c> 16</c><00:33:26.000
• 16 in in Coos County are open of Route 16 in in Coos County are open but<00:33:28.360><c> there's</c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 66 in the Minnesota Senate.
• I know for the Children's Alliance we have started dialing back immediately to ensure that we are not

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to school program to identify, develop, and recommend safe routes for students to travel to and from
• to school program to identify, develop, and recommend safe routes for students to travel to and from
• For CCR number 78, SP number 66, SD2, HD3, CD1, the following vote no: Iwamoto, Hussey.
• For CCR number 78, SP number 66, SD2, HD3, CD1, the following vote no: Iwamoto, Hussey.
• This is a 125 bus routes this year.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as outsource printing, the average cost per statement for the counties that outsource is 66 cents
• As far as outsource printing, the average cost per statement for the counties that outsource is 66 cents
• But I can tell you why my predecessor decided not to go that route.
• But I can tell you why my predecessor decided not to go that route.
• And if I owe $1,684 or less, because in part at opera, that's—that would, if it went that route and it's

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met to begin its study of whether the content of the real estate tax statement should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive from HB 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, legacy fund share, discounts for early payment, and special assessments. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statewide statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from NDACO, including auditors from McKenzie and Richland counties, described the full annual property tax timeline from budgeting through mailing final statements. They explained how counties gather budgets, calculate levies, verify taxable values, handle centrally assessed property, and prepare required notices and statements. They also said public attendance at budget hearings is generally very low, though the notices and statements generate some calls, mostly about whether attendance is required or why taxes are changing. Several members questioned the usefulness of the legislative tax relief line and the complexity of the 5% discount calculation, and county officials said the current process can be confusing and depends on manual data entry and coordination among counties, vendors, and taxing districts. The committee also discussed assessment frequency, valuation equalization, the 3% cap, and whether more frequent reassessment would reduce large jumps in taxable value. County officials said they try to use rotating reassessments and sales-ratio reviews to keep values within statutory tolerance, but staffing, training, and local market changes make the work difficult. NDACO staff estimated, based on a small county survey, that tax statement preparation and mailing costs average about 74 cents per statement, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing, and said HB 1176 added some mailing and administrative costs even if the tax statement itself did not change dramatically. Software vendors from CPT and Tyler then began presentations showing how their systems handle budgeting, valuation notices, tax statement generation, primary residence credit processing, and levy worksheets, emphasizing that many of the required calculations and reports are still manually entered or verified by county staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice Senior, Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, waving in support.
• Monica Rodriguez, Epilepsy Alliance of Florida, waving in support.
• And Steve Shale, Epilepsy Alliance of Florida, waving in support. Thank you for being here.
• Thank you, with the Epilepsy Alliance of Florida. Is Denise here? minutes at the most.
• With the Epilepsy Alliance of Florida. Is Denise here?

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1414 by Sen. Polsky on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) education. The bill would require the Department of Health, working with medical experts, to create and distribute CMV educational materials to expectant and new parents or caregivers through hospitals, birth centers, and OB/GYN practices. An amendment removed a section that would have required instruction for medical professionals, and the amended bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then took up a block of confirmations. Appointees on tabs 2 through 7 were recommended favorably in one vote, and Chavon Harris was separately confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after extensive questioning. Senators praised her leadership and experience, while others raised concerns about Medicaid redeterminations, the state’s CORE modernization project, Hope Florida, and a DCF anti-marijuana ad campaign; Harris said she would follow up on some issues and defended the agency’s work on transparency, managed care oversight, and access to care. Her confirmation was recommended favorably, with Sen. Berman noting opposition. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. SB 186 by Sen. Garcia expanded epilepsy training requirements for school personnel, including charter school bus drivers, and was reported favorably. SB 902 by Sen. Garcia, after amendments narrowing dental workforce provisions and allowing certain seizure rescue medication delegation to family home health aides, was reported favorably; testimony focused on medical marijuana regulation, practitioner accountability, and concerns about park and child-care proximity restrictions. SB 196 by Sen. Sharif created a uterine fibroid research database with privacy protections and was reported favorably after emotional testimony from a patient and supporters. SB 688 by Sen. Rodriguez would reestablish licensure of naturopathic doctors; it drew both support and skepticism about diagnosis and treatment boundaries, but was reported favorably. SB 1574, Maddie’s Law, would add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening and was strongly supported by parents describing a delayed diagnosis; it was reported favorably. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 1092 on podiatric medicine and certain cellular/tissue-based products, and SB 1032 on medical marijuana registry timelines and veteran fee waivers were also reported favorably, while SB 1032 drew debate over longer renewal/supply periods. The committee then began SB 1760 on Medicaid oversight and program transparency, with the sponsor describing the bill’s creation of a joint legislative oversight committee and a legislative actuary.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Azul, Banned Single Use Plastic, Black Women.
• Center for Environmental Health, Chico Bag Company, Climate Action California, Coastal Corridor Alliance
• My name is Jackie Suebeck, I am a drug policy advocate representing Seven Hope Alliance, a non-profit
• Bothwell on behalf of California Coast Keepers Alliance. Take it away, Sean.
• Sean Bothwell, Executive Director for California Coast Keeper Alliance.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a difference between what we call the NAR, the National Alliance Recovery Residence, and the
• </c><00:26:13.328><c> [snorts]</c> the NAR, the National Alliance [snorts] the NAR, the National Alliance
• When I was in high school, the bus used to take a circular route, and I used to jump off about 2 and
• </c> the bus used to take a circular route the bus used to take a circular route and<00:47:10.942><c>
• ,</c><02:48:27.440><c> Attorney</c> uh Vermont Family Alliance, Attorney uh Vermont Family Alliance,

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• since this bill was introduced, we have been in conversation with CBIA, the California Home Builders Alliance
• Local governments are facing significant pressure not to support planned transit stops and routes because
• projects due to possible SB 79 impacts, openly threatening to reduce certain services along planned routes
• Planned routes to avoid SB 79 application, threatening to withdraw support for federal funding applications

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a full agenda of bills covering port procurement, housing litigation, special district audits, cemetery district governance, county discretionary funding transparency, labor standards in density bonus projects, transit planning, and homeowner code enforcement. SB 983 would let the Port of San Diego use job order contracting for smaller repair and maintenance work; supporters said it would speed repairs and reduce costs, while opponents raised concerns about construction definitions and project labor agreement language. SB 1256 sought to limit repeated litigation against the Harmony Grove Village South housing project; supporters framed it as a response to duplicative lawsuits delaying housing, while opponents argued it could weaken wildfire and subdivision-map review. SB 992 would make permanent and expand a small special district audit flexibility, and SB 1115 would give Tulare County a narrower way to remove dysfunctional cemetery district trustees rather than taking over the district entirely. Both drew support from county and district representatives, with CSDA opposing SB 1115 but continuing talks on amendments. The committee also considered SB 1193, which would impose transparency and conflict-of-interest guardrails on Alameda County discretionary funding. The author and supporters said the bill responds to grand jury findings and would require clearer public reporting and board approval, while Alameda County argued it already has strong public processes and that the bill is overly restrictive. SB 1383 would clarify that density bonus projects cannot use incentives and concessions to waive locally adopted labor standards; labor groups supported it as protecting worker safety and wages, while housing interests were not present in opposition during the hearing. SB 1361 would prevent local governments from undermining planned transit projects to avoid SB 79 density requirements; LA Metro and labor supported it as protecting transit investment, and the Bay Area Council withdrew opposition. SB 1272, the CASH Act, would give homeowners more time to cure certain non-safety code violations tied to prior owners’ work, with counties and code enforcement groups opposing the introduced version but saying they were working on amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, many on amended or consent motions, with some remaining on call before later final votes were recorded. SB 983, SB 992, SB 1115, SB 1193, SB 1256, SB 1383, SB 1361, and SB 1272 all ultimately received committee approval, while the consent calendar bills SB 1187 and SB 1388 were also adopted. The chair repeatedly noted ongoing negotiations on several measures, especially SB 983, SB 1193, and SB 1272, and members emphasized wildfire safety, transparency, and labor protections as key issues during debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we obviously know where children are placed when the department has conservatorship so we can route
• those kinds of cases, but once the department starts. to receive them, the next month we're able to route
• de resi yeah i'm reading in the u.s constitution here it says no state shall and into any treaty, alliance
• And I understand what you're saying, but I think going the route that you're saying would make it go

Bills: HB26 , HB140 , HB141 , HB142 , HB215 , HB26 , HB140 , HB141 , HB142 , HB215

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• seek concurrent jurisdiction from a county prosecutor so the prosecutor knows the parameters and can route
• I'm the chapter leader for the Washington Youth Alliance Pullman chapter.
• of the Washington State Board of Education, I'm testifying here on behalf of the Washington Youth Alliance
• When I enter a new classroom, instead of analyzing my new syllabus, I plan the quickest escape route.

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Galvan, and I serve as a public policy director for NAMI Texas, the Texas affiliate of the National Alliance
• Bussey, I'm here representing NAMI Texas, the state of Texas, and I'm here representing the National Alliance
• major city in some cases yes, but typically in Austin it will either start as a 911 call that gets routed
• EMS and EMS EMS will ask for us when necessary, and when that happens, we do respond, or they get routed

Bills: HB3772 , HB1656 , HB4504 , HB1896 , HB4420 , HB4421 , HB4076 , HB3708 , HB2806 , HB3540 , HB1586 , HB5459 , HB4553 , HB4535 , HB3811 , HB3749 , HB4255 , HB4051 , HB5098 , HB3554 , HB4539 , HB5274

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• In the 2024-25 year, 66% of our undergraduate baccalaureate degree recipients graduated debt-free.
• As an undergraduate student parent, I proudly serve on the Advisory Committee for the California Alliance
• Parent Success. ...student parent, I proudly serve on the Advisory Committee for the California Alliance
• state's future workforce. student parent, I proudly serve on the advisory committee for the California Alliance

Summary: The committee first heard updates from the California State University on its turnaround plans for seven campuses with enrollment declines. CSU said overall enrollment has grown for three straight years, but some campuses—especially in Northern California—continue to face structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. The system described campus-specific strategies such as outreach to stopped-out and adult learners, guaranteed admissions, partnerships with community colleges and high schools, expanded high-demand programs, and cost reductions including hiring freezes, program suspensions, and shared administrative services. The LAO said the plans were reasonable but urged regular reporting so the Legislature can track results. Committee members pressed CSU for ongoing implementation updates, stronger recruiting efforts, and safeguards around AI use; CSU said it would continue regular check-ins and share best practices across campuses. The second item focused on the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and its request for a $10 million General Fund appropriation to repay a special fund loan used for litigation costs. DCA and BPPE said the bureau has long had a structural deficit and has already cut positions, streamlined operations, and shifted some costs to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, but still needs fee increases through the sunset review process. The LAO opposed the General Fund backfill, arguing the bureau can cover near-term costs with its loan, that litigation costs should generally be borne by regulated entities through fees, and that using General Fund money could set a precedent. Finance supported the one-time backfill as a way to avoid larger fee increases on institutions and to isolate the litigation expense from the bureau’s ongoing structural shortfall. Members asked how the bureau would avoid repeating the problem; BPPE said it has updated policies and practices, including disability accommodation procedures and non-discrimination training. The committee then reviewed Cal Grant funding and program updates from CSAC, UC, CSU, and the community colleges. CSAC said the Governor’s budget would increase Cal Grant funding to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by enrollment growth and higher tuition at UC and CSU, and highlighted efforts to improve payment processing and financial aid data. UC and CSU emphasized that Cal Grants are central to affordability and debt reduction, while also warning that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce access to loans and harm graduate and part-time students. Community colleges reported rising aid applications and awards, but said students still face major affordability barriers, especially mixed-status and undocumented students, and asked for more support for aid administration and completion grants. The chair repeatedly asked for data on eligible students who are not receiving Cal Grants and for a phased-in path to implement the Cal Grant Equity Framework; Finance said full implementation would cost hundreds of millions and the state is not currently in a position to fund it. Finally, the committee began discussion of the Middle Class Scholarship Program. CSAC said the program helps low- and middle-income students cover total cost of attendance, not just tuition, and warned that cutting funding by more than half would reduce award coverage from 35% to 17.5% of cost of attendance. CSU and UC said the program is important for reducing student debt and supporting affordability, and CSU noted recent administrative changes have reduced workload and award adjustments. The hearing continued into the next agenda item after these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• countries first and foremost, but we see it here in California agriculture, causing supply chain and trade route
• Association and the Western Tree Nut Association; Alexi Rodriguez, President and CEO of the Alman Alliance
• And so the Almond Alliance, we at the Almond Alliance, have been working with state agencies to address
• the committee's leadership and your willingness to hear directly from agriculture, and we at the Alliance
• Good morning, Kyle Jones representing Community Alliance with Family Farmers, and just wanted to mention

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates.
• I took a Metro and a bus every day, and I had to take that same route because Sunset Mall is right next
• Florida Citizens Alliance, followed by Vives.
• Florida Citizens Alliance, followed by Villevitt, I'm sorry, Vila Verde. Thank you, Chair.
• My name is Ryan Kennedy, Florida Citizens Alliance.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education took up SB 1288, a parental rights bill by Sen. Grall, which would expand the Parents Bill of Rights to require written parental consent for minors’ medical care and prescriptions, give parents access to medical records, require parental review/consent for surveys and questionnaires, and restrict use of biofeedback devices without parental permission. The sponsor said the bill is intended to restore parents’ role in major medical decisions and to address concerns about schools or providers collecting sensitive information from children without parents’ knowledge. She said she was open to clarifying language, especially around exceptions and definitions, but maintained that parents should generally be the decision-makers. Committee members pressed the sponsor on how the bill would affect minors who are abused, homeless, estranged from parents, or otherwise without a safe guardian, as well as access to STI treatment, mental health care, contraception, and care after sexual assault. The sponsor repeatedly said children in unsafe situations should come into the child welfare or law enforcement system and that she was open to changes for truly unsafe or unavailable parents, but she rejected the idea that the bill was merely about notification rather than consent. She also defended the survey provisions as a way to stop routine questioning of children about suicide and other sensitive topics without parental awareness, and said the biofeedback language was aimed at school settings where data about children’s anxiety or stress is allegedly being shared with classmates. Public testimony was heavily divided, with many speakers opposing the bill and describing personal experiences with abuse, rape, mental health crises, lack of supportive parents, and the need for confidential access to birth control, STI testing, and counseling. Opponents argued the bill would delay care, endanger vulnerable minors, and reduce access to medically necessary services and surveys that can identify risk. Supporters said the bill would restore parental authority, improve transparency, and protect children from inappropriate surveys and biometric monitoring. During debate, Sen. Berman and Sen. Davis opposed the bill, saying it conflicts with existing law and could harm vulnerable youth, while Sen. Yarborough supported it, arguing that not all parents are bad actors and that the state should not treat all families as if they were. The transcript ends with debate underway and no final vote or action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• A workshop was held last night by the Hill Country Alliance and some other local partners.
• We communicate with TDEM and other state agencies regarding any potential evacuation routes.
• Erica Boyd, you have testified neutrally on behalf of the Texas Travel Alliance, is that correct?
• My name is Erica Boyd, and I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, the voice of the travel

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alliance. Good afternoon. Hi, good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
• Alliance. Good afternoon. Hi, good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
• I'm the Director of Organizing and Policy at Maha, the Mass Affordable Homewornership Alliance.
• Last year, a study completed on behalf of the Massachusetts Real Estate Community Alliance evaluated
• A study completed on behalf of the Massachusetts Real Estate Community Alliance evaluated a proposed

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on a series of bills focused largely on local-option real estate transfer fees and housing funding tools for communities facing severe affordability pressures. Testimony strongly favored bills for Somerville, Concord, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, and a statewide local-option transfer fee, with speakers arguing that high-end real estate transactions should help fund affordable housing, anti-displacement efforts, workforce housing, and related capital improvements. Elected officials and local housing leaders described rising rents and home prices, investor activity, shrinking year-round housing stock, and difficulty recruiting or retaining teachers, police, health care workers, and other essential employees. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals would be optional for municipalities, could include exemptions for first-time homebuyers or seniors, and would direct revenue into local affordable housing trust funds or housing banks. Committee members asked questions about who would pay the fee and whether it could make housing less affordable, and supporters responded that the fees would be targeted at higher-value transactions and designed with local flexibility. For Somerville, the delegation and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne backed both a local home rule petition and statewide enabling legislation, saying the city has already used zoning reform, inclusionary zoning, and local housing funds but still needs a new revenue source to address displacement and investor-driven purchases. For Concord, Representative Carmine Gentile and Concord housing advocates supported a home rule petition and the statewide bill, arguing that a modest fee on sales above $1 million could generate predictable revenue for affordable housing production and preservation. One committee exchange focused on whether the fee would affect most Concord sales and whether it would be passed on to buyers; supporters said the policy was intended to shift costs toward higher-value properties and help leverage other funding sources. The committee also heard testimony on House 4105, which would redirect a casino-related revenue stream to the Healthy Incentives Program. Farmers, advocates, and residents said the current funding was originally intended to support horse racing but has not met that goal, and that the money would be better used to support Massachusetts farmers and food-insecure residents through HIP. In a separate bill, Senator Becca Rausch testified in support of Senate 268, which would create a state-level hostile learning environment complaint process for higher education institutions and potentially strip tax exemptions from colleges or universities found to have such environments; she cited anti-Semitic and transphobic incidents on campuses and argued that existing federal protections should be mirrored in state law. The hearing also included testimony on college tuition debt reduction legislation from Senator Michael Moore, who said the bill would allow a deduction for tuition and fees paid to Massachusetts public colleges and universities to ease student debt and support the state’s workforce. A major portion of the hearing focused on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket housing bank proposals. Hospital, school, housing, planning, and municipal officials from Martha’s Vineyard said the island’s year-round housing shortage is harming health care, schools, and the local workforce, and urged approval of a housing bank funded by a local-option transfer fee. Nantucket witnesses made similar arguments, pointing to a very high median home price, a large seasonal housing stock, and the need for a dedicated revenue stream to preserve and create year-round housing. Supporters repeatedly cited the long-running success of the islands’ land banks as evidence that transfer fees can work without harming real estate markets. Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Thomas Moakley Luddy also backed the Cape and Islands transfer-fee bills, saying the region needs bold action and a sustainable local funding source to address its housing crisis.

Transcript Highlights:

• Christy Foy with Arnold and Associates on behalf of the California Kidney Care Alliance and Forsenius
• Trevor Nelson with the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, in support.
• Alex Conn, on behalf of Seahope, the Chronic Obesity Prevention and Education Alliance, a program of
• Tim Madden representing the California Rheumatology Alliance, the California Chapter of the American
• California Rheumatology Alliance to California Chapter of the American College of Cardiology and the

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, oversight, and affordability. The first major item was SB 306 by Senator Becker, a prior authorization reform bill. Becker and supporters, including the California Medical Association and California Hospital Association, argued that prior authorization delays care, adds administrative burden, and can lead to serious patient harm. The bill was substantially amended late in the process to have DMHC and CDI identify services and drugs to exempt from prior authorization based on utilization data, with safeguards for fraud, waste, abuse, and patient safety. Health plans and insurers opposed the measure as written, saying prior authorization remains an important utilization-management tool and raising concerns about the 90% threshold, drug inclusion, and how modifications are counted. The committee also heard SB 35 by Senator Umberg, which would let cities or counties inspect unlicensed sober living homes if DHCS does not act promptly on complaints. Supporters said the bill would address weak enforcement and protect residents, while one behavioral health directors group opposed it unless amended. Members generally supported the measure, citing problems with unlicensed facilities and the need for local enforcement backup. The committee then heard SB 62, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark if approved by the federal government. Senator Wiener said the package would add hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and infertility treatment including IVF, acknowledging that premiums could rise but arguing the benefits were worth it. Health Access California and other advocates supported the bill, while the California Family Council opposed it. The committee also took up SB 596 by Senator Menjivar, which would tighten the rules for hospitals claiming an on-call list as a defense to nurse staffing ratio penalties. Supporters, including nurses and SEIU, said hospitals have used vague or ineffective on-call practices to avoid accountability and that the bill would improve enforcement and patient safety. Hospital groups opposed it, arguing that staffing is highly dynamic, that hospitals need flexibility to manage acuity and emergencies, and that the bill could increase costs and interfere with collective bargaining arrangements. Finally, the committee heard SB 40 by Senator Wiener, the Insulin Affordability Act, which would cap insulin copays at $35 for a 30-day supply and restrict step therapy unless a plan covers at least one insulin in each drug type. Supporters, including physicians, diabetes advocates, nurses, students, and patient groups, said insulin is life-saving and too often unaffordable, forcing patients to ration or choose between medication and basic needs. There was no formal opposition testimony, though one member questioned why insulin remains so expensive. The committee also began discussion of SB 363, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full presentation or any action on the measures. No votes are recorded in the portion provided, and several bills were noted as consent items earlier in the hearing.