Transcript Highlights:

• My life... ...and the rental assistance voucher program. My life did not skip a beat.
• Across the country, many states have extended Medicaid programs to cover assisted living.
• A key subsidy component of the affordable assisted living program is the group adult foster care program
• Unfortunately, GAFC was not set up as an assisted living reimbursement program.
• Unfortunately, GAFC was not set up as an assisted living reimbursement program.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several aging-related bills, with most speakers focusing on housing stability, home-based services, and care transitions. Representative Badger and a commissioner testified in support of H4039, which would create a universal breakfast and lunch program at senior centers funded through a new Senior Breakfast and Lunch Fund, arguing it would reduce food insecurity and social isolation among older adults. Representative Lipper-Garabedian and multiple providers then supported H780/S495, the hospital-to-home partnership program, describing how embedded aging-services liaisons help older patients transition safely from hospitals to home, reduce readmissions, and avoid nursing facility placement; witnesses from Mystic Valley Elder Services and Mass Aging Access cited pilot results, including hundreds of patients served and examples of substantial cost savings and successful discharge planning. The committee also took testimony on S478, which would require continuing care retirement communities to disclose entrance-fee refund policies more clearly at enrollment. Senator Lovely and LeadingAge Massachusetts said the bill would improve transparency for residents and families, while a consumer witness said her family experienced delays and confusion in getting a refund after her mother left a CCRC. Members noted the issue is also being examined by a special commission on CCRCs. A large portion of the hearing focused on S475, a statewide bridge subsidy program for older adults facing housing instability. Advocates from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Western Massachusetts, Somerville, Northampton, East Hampton, Old Colony Elder Services, and Somerville’s Office of Housing Stability described rising senior homelessness, long waitlists for subsidized housing, and cases where short-term rental assistance kept older adults housed while they waited for permanent housing. Somerville witnesses said the pilot program helped nine households remain housed and that some participants have since moved into permanent housing. Members asked about wait times, program design, and how to prioritize applicants; witnesses emphasized flexibility, emergency risk, and the need for a statewide expansion. The hearing also included testimony on S465, an ALS bill that would expand home care access regardless of age and bar the use of quality-adjusted life-year metrics in coverage decisions, with the sponsor and ALS Association arguing the measure would reduce discriminatory treatment and better center patient care. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> homeless prevention and assistance homeless prevention and assistance program<00:18:18.880><c> um
• /c><00:19:52.159><c> area</c><00:19:52.600><c> that</c> assistance is a program budget area that assistance
• There are other programs within MHFA and also federal programs that provide housing assistance to renters
• There are other programs within MHFA and also federal programs that provide housing assistance to renters
• programs that provide also Federal programs that provide housing<00:37:29.359><c> assistance</c><00:

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> as</c> energy assistance program referred to as energy assistance program referred to as lie.<00:
• Uh, $400,000 is retained by DCBS for the preventive assistance program to assist families receiving child
• </c><00:04:50.160><c> program</c><00:04:50.560><c> to</c><00:04:50.800><c> assist</c> preventive assistance
• program to assist preventive assistance program to assist families<00:04:51.919><c> receiving</c><00
• </c><00:09:40.240><c> programs</c><00:09:41.680><c> u</c> other types of assistance programs u other

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy met for a public hearing and presentation on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). After approving the minutes, members heard from Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky, who explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant used in Kentucky to help low-income households pay home energy bills, prevent utility disconnects, and support weatherization and crisis assistance. Hall outlined the program’s income eligibility limits, the fact that payments go directly to vendors or utilities rather than households, and the program’s funding levels, including $43.4 million spent in federal fiscal year 2025 and an anticipated $58 million for federal fiscal year 2026. The presenters described LIHEAP’s main components: fall and spring subsidy programs, winter crisis assistance, and weatherization. They gave participation figures for recent program cycles, including tens of thousands of households served in each component, and explained that weatherization prioritizes elderly, disabled, households with children, and high-energy-burden homes. They also noted that weatherization is carried out in partnership with the Kentucky Housing Corporation and includes repairs and efficiency measures such as insulation, air sealing, and safety checks. Rick Baker described Community Action Kentucky’s role as the statewide administrator through 23 local community action agencies, emphasizing their presence in all 120 counties and their local board structure. Members praised Baker’s long service and the program’s importance for families facing high energy costs, especially in coalfield areas. One member asked for clarification on a slide reference to “Assurance 16,” but the transcript cuts off before the answer is completed. No votes or other committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy
• So it's a small population that are in both of those assistance programs.
• ABODs who fail to work or participate in the SNAP E&T program can only receive food assistance for a
• For example, the most recent analysis we have tells us 313 families exited the cash assistance program
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program employment and training participation to include adults 18

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive implementation briefings on House Bill 1267, which was enacted to address benefit cliffs and help public assistance recipients move toward economic self-sufficiency. The Department of Children and Families reviewed SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), and Medicaid-related eligibility and work requirements, including who must participate in work activities, the role of Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida, and the new standardized intake and exit surveys required by the law. Members also discussed the TCA program’s household-based structure, the 48-month adult limit, and how work requirements differ for SNAP and TCA participants. Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida then reported on implementation of HB 1267, including the CLIFF financial forecasting tool, case management changes, and survey data collected from welfare transition participants. They said intake surveys showed common barriers such as child care, transportation, and flexible work schedules, while exit surveys showed many participants were employed or had gained credentials, though response rates were low because the surveys are voluntary. A local workforce board, CareerSource Tampa Bay, described using CLIFF in case management and shared a success story about a participant who completed training, earned certifications, and moved into employment. The committee also heard a separate DCF briefing on the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its impact on SNAP. DCF said the law expands able-bodied adult without dependents requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, ends future SNAP-Ed funding, increases state administrative cost sharing, and may require states to share in benefit costs if payment error rates remain above federal thresholds. Members focused heavily on Florida’s SNAP payment error rate, which DCF said was 15.13% for federal fiscal year 2024 and 12.60% for 2023, with the state currently on a corrective action plan. DCF described steps to reduce errors, including more verification of rent and utility expenses, improved income matching, staff training, and system modernization. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• and where monthly bill assistance programs are lacking.
• analysis from the statewide monthly low-income energy assistance program report.
• We have the funding assistance programs through ours.
• We have the funding assistance programs through ours.
• I believe it's identified as assistance programs. Okay, thank you. Yes. Thank you. Go ahead.

Bills: HB2426 , HB2606

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• The MFAP program is the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, which is a state-funded program that provides
• The MFAP program is the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, which is a state-funded program that provides
• c><00:31:51.799><c> a</c> Assistance or SNAP program is a Assistance or SNAP program is a federally<00
• ><c> program</c><00:32:05.760><c> which</c> Minnesota food assistance program which Minnesota food assistance
• > and</c> public assistance program like free and public assistance program like free and reduced<01:

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:00.879><c> program</c> assistance program assistance program FHPAP.<00:04:02.959><c> This</c><
• It would also increase the maximum amount of assistance under the program from $32,000 to 10% of median
• It would also increase the maximum amount of assistance under the program from $32,000 to 10% of median
• And the first-generation home buyer community down payment assistance program.
• </c> buyer community down payment assistance buyer community down payment assistance program.<00:21:59.039

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I was unhoused, and I had benefited from multiple public assistance programs, which means, among many
• Social safety net programs like cash assistance, SNAP, earned income tax credits, and housing assistance
• She's one of many moms whom the TAFDC cash assistance program was designed to support and uplift, but
• Unfortunately, the only federal assistance program that can be used for diapers is TANF, not SNAP or
• As the program assistant, I see and hear the relief of having a resource to help them through a tough

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The House Committee on Children and Families held a hybrid hearing on a broad set of anti-hunger, family support, and basic-needs bills. Early testimony focused on SNAP and DTA operations: Rep. DeRosa and others urged passage of H. 196/S. 167 to require DTA to identify staffing, technology, funding, and operational needs to improve timeliness and customer service, warning that unanswered calls, delayed recertifications, and federal changes could sharply raise state costs through higher SNAP administrative burdens and payment-error penalties. Speakers from Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Project Bread said DTA is under-resourced, caseloads have grown, and families are being denied or delayed due to phone and paperwork barriers. Another major SNAP-related bill, H. 254/S. 147, would require the Commonwealth to replace stolen EBT/SNAP benefits; testimony described more than $13 million stolen from about 27,000 households since June 2022 and argued families should not bear losses from organized theft rings. The committee also heard strong support for H. 207/S. 117, which would restore state-funded nutrition assistance for legally present immigrants excluded from federal SNAP under recent federal changes. Advocates from Project Bread, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, local immigrant services, and public health groups said the federal cuts would leave thousands of residents, including refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors, and children, without food support, and argued Massachusetts has a history of filling this gap. Testimony also supported H. 222/S. 104 to make the Healthy Incentives Program permanent and year-round; supporters said HIP improves nutrition, boosts local farms and regional economies, and had already served more than 212,000 households in FY25. A related child-support bill, H. 201/S. 110, would increase the amount of child support passed through to TAFDC families and expand good-cause exemptions; witnesses said the change would put more money directly in families’ hands, reduce poverty, and better protect survivors of domestic violence and families with complicated co-parenting situations. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to deep-poverty and diaper-related legislation. Supporters of H. 214/S. 118 said cash assistance grants have lost value over time and should be raised annually until they reach half of the federal poverty level; advocates from Children’s HealthWatch, Hopewell, the Lift Our Kids Coalition, and parents described the links between deep poverty, poor child health, family stress, and child welfare involvement. They argued that higher grants would help families meet basic needs, reduce hospitalizations and neglect reports, and provide stability amid federal cuts. Finally, multiple witnesses backed diaper legislation, including H. 220/S. 151 and related bills, to create a diaper benefits pilot and/or diaper allowance commission. Testimony from the National Diaper Bank Network, MassCAP, Children’s HealthWatch, local diaper banks, and parents said diaper need is widespread, affects parental employment and mental health, and can cause health problems for infants; a federally funded pilot in Massachusetts was cited as showing improved employment, financial stability, reduced stress, and fewer diaper rashes. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and asked questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• social assistance programs.
• social assistance programs.
• social assistance programs.
• The general assistance program is a state program that provides cash assistance to low-income single
• The general assistance program is a state program that provides cash assistance to low-income single

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We lead the California Community Schools Partnership Program State Transformational Assistance Center
• There will be increasing costs even with staffing of that technical assistance and the types of programs
• that they'll be providing assistance on.
• Community schools are not a side program.
• and Targeted Assistance Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sort of a blizzard of programs, but we have seen in these schools methods to integrate both those programs
• We lead the California Community Schools Partnership Program State Transformational Assistance Center
• California Community Schools Partnership Program State Transformational Assistance Center in partnership
• There will be increasing costs even with staffing of that technical assistance and the types of programs
• and Targeted Assistance Program.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing on the Governor’s proposal to convert the California Community Schools Partnership Program from a one-time grant model into an ongoing $1 billion Proposition 98 program. Finance and CDE described the expansion as a way to sustain existing community schools and add thousands more, with county offices, regional/state technical assistance centers, annual self-certification, and a future accreditation process intended to support fidelity to the state framework. The LAO opposed shifting to an ongoing categorical program and recommended continuing one-time grants, while suggesting longer-term funding for technical assistance and, if ongoing funding is adopted, stronger planning, reporting, phased expansion, and clearer accreditation timelines. Committee members pressed the administration on how the new proposal could fund far more schools with less money than the original $4.1 billion program, how much of the funding would go to existing cohorts versus new schools, and whether the proposal sufficiently requires planning and implementation before funds are received. Testimony from practitioners and advocates largely supported ongoing funding but emphasized that money alone is not enough. Speakers from LPI, CTA, San Diego Unified, Fresno County, the Partnership for the Future of Learning, and Sacramento County urged stronger requirements for shared governance, explicit commitment to the community schools framework, annual reporting beginning in year one, and continued or expanded support for coordinators and technical assistance. Several witnesses said the proposal should better protect county office coordination roles, maintain preferences for partnerships in the technical assistance structure, and ensure the system can support more than 6,000 schools. Others highlighted the need for specialized supports for middle and high schools, better integration with other state programs such as ELOP, universal meals, TK, and the LCFF equity multiplier, and more detailed accountability and accreditation processes. No formal vote was taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript. The chair indicated that the committee wanted additional information on the funding breakdown, the use of reverted funds, and the proposed support structure before taking action, and administration witnesses said a more detailed proposal would be brought forward in the May Revise.

Transcript Highlights:

• CalAIM assisted living facility transitions community support programs.
• It's just for participants of the assisted living waiver program.
• So now we have the assisted living program.
• So now we have the assisted living program.
• I think one of the components of the ALW program and also the assisted living transitions program, and

Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on June 24 with a substitute chair presiding and considered three measures. SB 352 by Senator Reyes was placed on the consent calendar and approved unanimously, 7-0, to be re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 433 by Senator Wahab, presented on behalf of Senator Stern, was heard next and focused on room-and-board protections for participants in the assisted living waiver and CalAIM assisted living transition community support programs. Supporters, including Justice in Aging, CANHR, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the California Commission on Aging, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, argued the bill would prevent low-income Medi-Cal residents from being charged unaffordable rates and losing their housing. Opponents, including the California Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge California, and Six B’s, said they remained concerned about the bill’s rent-control implications and statutory scope, though they acknowledged recent amendments addressed some eligibility issues. After committee discussion, SB 433 was approved 5-1 with one abstention and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services. The committee also heard SB 582 by Senator Stern, presented by Senator Wahab, which would allow state departments to issue disaster suspensions of active licenses for facilities rendered inoperable by declared emergencies, waive some licensing fees, and provide temporary flexibility for community-based adult services, child care, and evacuation planning requirements for skilled nursing and residential care facilities. Support came from the California Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge California, the California Commission on Aging, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, CANHR, and a child care resource center, all describing the bill as helpful for rebuilding and continuity of services after disasters. There was no recorded opposition, and SB 582 passed unanimously, 7-0, to the Committee on Health. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs, the need for energy assistance, and a breakdown of current spending on energy assistance for
• and where monthly bill assistance programs are lacking.
• analysis from the statewide monthly low-income energy assistance program report.
• Like the statewide home energy assistance program, which we have state funds previously.
• We have the funding assistance programs through ours.

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for several House bills, then took up public hearings on HB 2426, HB 1742, HB 2215, HB 2575, HB 1903, and HB 2606. HB 2426 would allow the Pollution Control Hearings Board, with party consent and board approval, to hear permit appeals in alternative smaller compositions to improve efficiency; the sponsor and supporters from Greater Grays Harbor and FutureWise said it would speed up reviews without harming environmental protections, while the bill was described as cost-neutral. HB 1742 would create a Center for Environmentally Sustainable Urban Design at Ecology to promote sustainable building and design competitions; the sponsor emphasized regenerative, biophilic design and a proposed showcase project, and the bill was presented as budget-neutral through outside funding, though the fiscal note was still pending. HB 2215 would tighten Climate Commitment Act compliance for certain newer fuel suppliers by lowering the emissions threshold for post-2023 suppliers, exempt lubricants, and add procurement and transparency requirements. The sponsor said the bill targets “paper distributors” and loopholes used to avoid coverage; Ecology supported closing the loophole but raised concerns about reporting thresholds, implementation, staffing, and rulemaking. Testimony was mixed: the propane association and Washington Oil Marketers Association were concerned about the two-tier threshold and urged stronger upstream enforcement instead, while Climate Solutions and Washington Conservation Action supported the bill as a way to prevent gaming and strengthen climate policy. HB 2575 would reduce several environmental and energy reporting obligations, including less frequent utility reporting under the Energy Independence Act and state energy strategy updates; Commerce and the sponsor said the changes would reduce duplicative reporting and save money, while preserving core protections and oversight. HB 1903 would establish a statewide low-income energy assistance program in the Department of Commerce, phased in by 2027, to supplement existing utility programs and target households with the greatest energy burden. The sponsor and many advocates described the bill as an affordability measure to address a large unmet need, while community action agencies, utilities, and rural representatives supported the goal but asked for clearer language on voluntary utility participation, funding sources, allocation formulas, and how the program would interact with existing utility and weatherization efforts. Several speakers stressed that the program should not replace local assistance and should be designed to avoid shifting costs onto ratepayers. HB 2606 would update the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and reporting requirements, including adding review of agency AI projects and aligning the office’s work with JLARC recommendations; the chief privacy officer testified in support, explaining that the bill would formalize AI risk review, human oversight, and existing privacy/security review processes, with no fiscal impact. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of people refer to it as the heating assistance program, but it really is about energy assistance
• The low-income home energy assistance program.
• A lot of people refer to it as the heating assistance program, but it really is about energy assistance
• program and keeping energy assistance program and keeping the<00:13:54.959><c> program</c><00:13:55.320
• </c> assistance program to include benefits assistance program to include benefits for<00:15:07.480><

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Issue Number Three, California Food Assistance Program.
• The federal Commodity Supplemental Food Assistance Program and the state-funded Cal Food Program.
• of families that are in the Coworks Program request the homeless assistance program.
• Can you tell me the name of our homeless assistance programs that are within the CalWORKs program?
• Oh, the homeless assistance program. The HA. Which stands for? Oh, the homeless assistance program.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services opened its first hearing of the year with a discussion centered on CalFresh, the Department of Social Services, and related anti-poverty and immigrant services programs. Chair Jackson framed the hearing as a response to the “historic and enormous challenges” created by H.R. 1, emphasizing that the committee’s goal was to minimize harm to vulnerable Californians. No votes were taken in the hearing. The first major topic was the impact of H.R. 1 on CalFresh eligibility and administration. CDSS estimated major federal funding reductions, with hundreds of thousands of Californians potentially losing benefits under new time limits and work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, and additional losses among certain non-citizen groups. County welfare directors, eligibility workers, SEIU, and other advocates argued that counties are underfunded and understaffed to implement the new rules, and urged release of the previously authorized $20 million General Fund, a county match waiver, and an additional ongoing workforce investment. LAO and the Department of Finance said they were reviewing the administration’s proposals and emphasized the need to use existing data, automation, and statutory direction to reduce administrative burden and improve implementation. A second panel addressed county administrative backfill and the broader fiscal effects of H.R. 1. CDSS explained that the law shifts more administrative costs to the state and counties beginning in federal fiscal year 2027 and could also create future state benefit costs tied to payment error rates. County and food bank representatives warned that many counties will struggle to absorb the higher match and that penalties tied to payment error rates could worsen budget pressure. Members pressed Finance and CDSS for clearer timelines, written responses, and more detailed workload assumptions, while Finance said it was still analyzing the federal guidance and county resource needs. The final major topic was the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and possible state responses for people losing federal CalFresh eligibility. CDSS said CFAP remains limited by statute and by the federal structure it currently uses, but that the planned expansion to Californians age 55 and older regardless of immigration status remains on track for October 1, 2027, subject to funding. Immigrant advocates urged the state to fold newly excluded humanitarian immigrants into CFAP and to invest in outreach and administration, while Western Center on Law and Poverty proposed a broader state-funded anti-hunger response for people cut off by H.R. 1. LAO noted that the CFAP expansion is difficult to estimate and that further policy and technical work would be needed to assess costs and implementation options.

Transcript Highlights:

• CalFresh, as you know, is California's version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• CalFresh, as you know, is California's version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• Local Food Purchase Assistance, or Farms Together, program that operates in both your districts.
• California has a powerful tool in the California Food Assistance Program, otherwise known as CFAP.
• The San Diego Food Bank administers federal food programs, such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, Chapter 256S is Medical Assistance Elderly Waiver, and this establishes the program
• ><c> and</c> programs under medical assistance and programs under medical assistance and covered<00:34
• </c><00:35:01.880><c> program</c><00:35:02.880><c> the</c> personal care assistance program the personal
• Chapter 256P, the Economic Assistance Program Eligibility and Verification chapter, establishes program
• <00:40:51.079><c> programs</c><00:40:51.720><c> that</c><00:40:51.839><c> are</c> Assistance programs

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• assist with enrollments across all of our programs, including CalWORKs.
• Dual training assists with enrollments across all of our programs, including CalWORKs.
• The Foodbank Network that we work with administers the Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program. program
• No one aspires to be on assistance, but these programs are a lifeline.
• , CalFresh, and cash assistance programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 1951, the federal government received from this rural assistance program, I can't remember what
• The Small Local Public Bodies Assistance Program was formed.
• And now I'll move on to how specifically the Small Local Public Bodies Assistance Program helps with
• And as well, kind of, I want to talk about some of the highlights of the Small Local Assistance Program
• Just direct financial assistance. So I funded 35 ECEQAs to receive support. Program, so I paid.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our budget is on the medical assistance our budget is on the medical assistance program<01:06:50.359
• program so on of the medical assistance program so on average<01:07:24.680><c> we</c><01:07:24.799><
• programs so um and medical assistance programs so um again<01:14:02.800><c> uh</c><01:14:03.080><c>
• <c> and</c> assistance program specifically um and assistance program specifically um and it<01:14:46.199
• assistance program and the medic medical assistance program and how<01:21:22.600><c> you</c><01:21:22.719

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy