Transcript Highlights:

• And just have access, you know, where their meal. And so we do go in the red.
• For senior services—that's meals, transportation, respite care, and health promotion—we combine that
• You might find in-center meals, home-delivered meals, case management, transportation, etc.
• We were able to help by sending 1,500 meals to the Mescalero Senior Center.
• , the amount of meals, both in.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the other things that we're all concerned about is making sure we're able to maintain the meals
• large increases in the number of meals served and increasing those costs more than, I think, what was
• anticipated when the Universal Meals was first adopted a couple years ago.
• So we're still reviewing the universal school meal estimates, but I did want to point out that this is
• be funded in line with the Universal Meals program.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the other things that we're all concerned about is making sure we're able to maintain the meals
• I'd see if one of my colleagues could speak to the meals, but there weren't a huge...
• There's some pretty large increases in the number of meals served and increasing those costs more than
• , I think, what was anticipated when the Universal Meals program was first adopted a couple years ago
• be funded in line with the Universal Meals program.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s May Revision TK-12 education proposals, beginning with Proposition 98. The Department of Finance explained that the minimum guarantee rises by about $6.4 billion relative to the January budget across the three-year window, with a total of $124.9 billion in 2024-25, $125.1 billion in 2025-26, and $127.1 billion in 2026-27. Finance also described revised settle-up and reserve actions, including maintaining a $3.9 billion settle-up balance, increasing discretionary deposits into the Prop. 98 reserve, and ending with a projected reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the overall estimates were reasonable but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget actions or reserves to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the rationale for leaving the $3.9 billion unsettled, and Finance said the amount reflects revenue uncertainty and the risk of overappropriating Prop. 98 if revenues later fall. The committee then reviewed the Department of Education portion of the May Revision. Finance said the budget adds positions and state operations funding for CDE and includes trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, and other programs. The LAO highlighted concerns and recommendations on several proposals, including the size and structure of the LCFF increase, the special education base-rate increase, additional one-time community schools funding, literacy coach and math professional development augmentations, the multilingual screener, inclusive college grants, homelessness grants, and the proposed paid pregnancy disability leave mandate. CDE supported the special education increase, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, literacy and math investments, and preschool parity, while urging more support for county offices of education and clearer definitions and implementation details for some programs. Finance said the paid pregnancy leave proposal would cost an estimated $218 million annually and is intended as a recruitment and retention measure. In the Commission on Teacher Credentialing item, Finance proposed funding for legal staffing tied to SB 848 and educator misconduct cases, plus funding and fee changes to support a statewide transcript review platform for subject matter competency and additional support for the residency technical assistance center. The LAO said it had no concerns with the staffing for misconduct and SB 848, recommended the transcript review platform and related fee increase if the platform moves forward, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because current funding lasts through 2029. CTC said the misconduct workload has grown over the last five to six years and that AI would be used only as a backstop to human review in the transcript system. Public commenters were split, with unions and education groups supporting special education, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, and literacy investments, while opposing the $3.9 billion settle-up delay and the reduction to preschool COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• They claimed, through their two meal distribution sites, to have served 2.9 million meals for a total
• But not just that, you come to find that their CEO and their executive director through their two meal
• distribution through their two meal distribution sites<00:09:53.360><c> to</c><00:09:53.600><c> have
• 00:09:53.760><c> served</c><00:09:54.240><c> 2.9</c><00:09:54.880><c> million</c><00:09:55.279><c> meals
• </c> sites to have served 2.9 million meals sites to have served 2.9 million meals for<00:09:56.720><

Summary: The House debated a motion to suspend the rules so House File 3843 could be recalled from committee and given second and third readings for final passage. The bill, carried by Representative Baker and supported by Representative Niska, would create a subcommittee of the governor’s workforce development board to vet nonprofit and other applicants for workforce development dollars, with the legislature retaining final authority. Supporters argued the proposal would add an extra layer of scrutiny, reduce fraud risk, and help prevent problems like those highlighted in recent reporting and past nonprofit funding scandals. Supporters repeatedly tied the bill to concerns about fraud in state grantmaking, citing the Feeding Our Future scandal and other nonprofit cases as examples of why more oversight is needed. Representative Baker said the committee process can be overwhelmed by many direct-appropriation requests at the end of session, and that a board-based vetting process would help identify red flags. Representative Enen and Representative Schultz also backed the motion, saying the bill would improve accountability and protect taxpayer dollars. Representative Pinto opposed the urgency motion, saying he supports moving toward more competitive grants but not adding another layer of bureaucracy without a fiscal note or fuller committee process. He argued the bill would not do what supporters claimed and that the legislature already makes funding decisions. After debate, the House took a roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules. The motion failed by one vote, 67 yeas to 66 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Life-improving things like partaking in sports or activities out of the home, vacations, proper meals
• Life-improving things like partaking in sports or activities out of the home, vacations, proper meals
• home, sports or activities out of the home, vacations,<01:35:48.719><c> proper</c><01:35:49.040><c> meals
• ,</c><01:35:49.360><c> and</c><01:35:49.520><c> little</c> vacations, proper meals, and little vacations
• , proper meals, and little things<01:35:49.920><c> like</c><01:35:50.080><c> going</c><01:35:50.239><

Bills: HF2216 , HF1978 , HF2354 , HF1963 , HF1994 , HF1995 , HF1894

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• serving overnight, where they don't have the opportunity to go down to the cafeteria and get a hot meal
• They're using that and taking it to their seniors in their community and feeding them hot meals from
• They're doing prepared meals for Aldi's, and we are working with them now to locally source a lot of
• They're doing prepared meals for Aldi's, and we are working with them now to locally source a lot of
• Whether that is planning meals, it.

Summary: The Make America Healthy Kentucky Task Force met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard a presentation on the state’s “food is medicine” efforts. Chair Funky Fromm opened by describing a recent foot injury from a road hazard and used it to emphasize the importance of infrastructure, nutrition, sleep, and activity as part of a broader wellness culture. The main witnesses were Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, Holly Harris of Appalachian Regional Health Care (ARH), and Jim Muser of the Kentucky Hospital Association. Shell and Harris described a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and hospitals such as ARH to connect local farmers with hospital cafeterias, farmers markets, CSA-style subscription food boxes, and medically tailored meals. Harris said ARH serves a large region with 14 hospitals, more than 95 clinics, about 6,700 employees, and 1,300 medical staff, and that the system began by improving employee food options because hospital workers often have limited access to healthy meals during shifts. They reported examples such as a local-protein burger, parking-lot farmers markets, subsidized CSA boxes for employees, and plans for container gardens at some hospitals. The witnesses said the program is intended to improve health outcomes, reduce readmissions, support chronic disease management, and also increase rural prosperity by expanding demand for Kentucky farm products. Shell said more than 40 hospitals had already been onboarded into the food-is-medicine program, with measurable outcomes being studied through pilots such as one at Russell County Hospital. He also noted that some systems, including CHI St. Joseph Health, Taylor Regional, and UK King’s Daughters, have formally embedded food-as-medicine goals into strategic plans. Members and witnesses also discussed barriers, especially the lack of reimbursement, fragmented short-term funding, and regulatory or purchasing hurdles that make it difficult for small farmers to participate. Shell said the goal is to make the model scalable and easier for hospitals and farmers to navigate, while Harris emphasized that ARH has been funding its efforts without reimbursement because of its mission. No votes or formal policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• They saved lives, assisted the injured and wounded, comforted the bereaved, provided meals and support
• They saved lives, assisted the injured and wounded, comforted the bereaved, provided meals and support
• People showed up in every way they could, bringing meals, supplies, and encouragement.
• We could get a hot meal, Meals, supplies, and encouragement.
• We could get a hot meal from somebody on a moped or a bicycle showing up, representing local restaurants

Bills: HR1046 , SB1733 , SB1439

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several special recognitions tied to the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. The chamber honored the 138th Fighter Wing Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department as Veterans of the Week, and also recognized Dr. Camissa Stewart as Doctor of the Day and Tammy Powell as Nurse of the Day for their roles in the 1995 bombing response. A lengthy floor presentation followed, featuring remarks from legislators, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, memorial museum leaders, Justice Stephen Taylor, and Pastor Ronnie Fields, all focused on remembrance, the Oklahoma standard, the victims and survivors, and the importance of hope, civility, and the rule of law. On legislation, Senate Bill 1733 was presented and debated. The bill requires school personnel who have reason to believe a student is a victim of child sexual abuse or sexual misconduct to report it to law enforcement within 24 hours. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens reporting requirements to protect children, while opponents warned it could trigger harmful public accusations and undermine trust in educators and administrators. The House passed the bill 92-1, and the emergency clause also passed 92-1. The House also considered Senate Bill 1439, an oil and gas measure intended to bar speculative climate-related lawsuits and limit liability to actual violations and provable harm. Supporters argued it would prevent frivolous litigation, protect the state’s energy economy, and keep costs down for consumers; opponents said it would create a special legal carve-out for industry and shift costs to taxpayers and families. The bill passed 74-16. In addition, Senate Bill 2184 was assigned to Rules, and H.J.R. 1078 and H.J.R. 1079 were withdrawn from Rules and sent to appropriations and budget committees. The House adjourned after announcements and introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the delivery, the vape delivery, not specific to THC-laced products.
• This is a new delivery method that will allow patients to utilize a faster acting administration method
• If that individual is not there in person to meet you for that delivery, that Austin person will deliver
• Satellite locations will also reduce... ...reduce our delivery costs and thus the cost of the medicine
• I could eat a meal without pain. or fear. But most importantly, I no longer wanted to die.

Bills: SB3 , SB810 , SB965 , SB1073 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB 3

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• If the government shuts down again in January, we ask... ...meal drives.
• If the government shuts down again in January, we ask post-meal drives.
• Students shouldn't be worried about finding the next meal.
• They should be Students shouldn't be worried about finding the next meal.
• We should not have to stretch a single meal across an entire day.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students. Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines. A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 977, Weber-Pearson, restaurant children's meals, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• SB 977, Weber-Pearson, restaurant children's meals, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• CPR and AED education do pass that's out on a roll call SB 977 Weber Pearson restaurant children's meal
• SB 97-Weber-Person, restaurant children's meals, due pass out on an A roll call.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Universal school meals — no longer having to fight on the battlefield for universal school meals.
• No longer having to fight on the battlefield for universal school meals.
• Universal school meals is the law of the land right now, and all children go to school and get to eat

Summary: The Senate took up debate on the FY2026 general appropriations bill, with several members speaking in support of the Ways and Means budget. Senators Comerford, O’Connor, Feeney, and DiDomenico emphasized the budget as a values-driven response to federal uncertainty, highlighting investments in MassHealth, education, housing, food security, local aid, libraries, transit, mental and behavioral health, and support for vulnerable residents. They also praised the budget’s lack of new taxes and its focus on spending within available revenues, while noting major cost pressures from health care and federal policy instability. Specific programs and items repeatedly cited included universal free community college, expanded financial aid, rural and minimum school aid, TAFDC/EAEDC increases, the Healthy Incentives Program, universal school meals, housing supports, Home and Healthy for Good, and funding for Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital. Speakers framed these investments as both fiscally responsible and morally necessary, and several noted that amendments would be considered during the debate. No votes on the budget itself were taken in the excerpt. After the budget remarks, Senator Miranda spoke in recognition of Haitian Flag Day and the history of Haiti, including foreign interference and the importance of protecting Haitian immigrants in Massachusetts. Another senator then honored Malcolm X on the 100th anniversary of his birth, connecting his legacy to the budget process and calling for investments in equity, education, housing, and health care. The Senate then adopted an order to meet the next day at 10 a.m. with the general appropriations bill as the only item on the calendar, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This group is also here to celebrate five years of universal school meals.
• 00:05:00.880><c> of</c><00:05:01.199><c> universal</c><00:05:01.840><c> school</c><00:05:02.160><c> meals
• </c> years of universal school meals. years of universal school meals.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> then you are paying meals and rooms tax. then you are paying meals and rooms tax.
• </c> paying rooms and meals tax. paying rooms and meals tax.
• </c><04:02:15.920><c> and</c> reducing the amount of the meals and reducing the amount of the meals and
• </c><05:11:15.440><c> and</c> on HP 1480, which raises the meals and on HP 1480, which raises the meals
• </c><05:15:42.718><c> and</c> reducing the amount of the meals and reducing the amount of the meals and

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Rooms and meals is based on 2% of the population.
• Rooms and meals is based on 2% of the population.
• Rooms and meals is based on 2% of the population.
• Rooms and meals is based on 2% of the population.
• Rooms and meals is based on 2% of the population.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:30:51.480><c> next</c> instead of wondering where that next instead of wondering where that next meal
• :53.279><c> that's</c><00:30:53.519><c> why</c><00:30:53.679><c> I'm</c><00:30:53.880><c> here</c> meal
• might come from that's why I'm here meal might come from that's why I'm here today<00:30:54.760><c>
• </c><00:39:37.359><c> for</c> dream to cook my favorite meals for dream to cook my favorite meals for
• because they need to purchase meals because they need to purchase textbooks<00:43:00.680><c> or</c><

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This will house the Waimā community meal, which currently serves 600 to 700 meals every week on Thursdays
• Yesterday, we served 718 meals.
• Yesterday, we served 718 meals.
• Yesterday, we served 718 meals.
• Yesterday, we served 718 meals.

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• :11.960><c> nice</c> they can go to the casino, have a nice they can go to the casino, have a nice meal
• 08:13.440><c> a</c><00:08:13.520><c> couple</c><00:08:13.760><c> hands</c><00:08:13.919><c> of</c> meal
• , do some slots, a couple hands of meal, do some slots, a couple hands of blackjack, blackjack, blackjack
• , "Hey, I'm going to run over to the casino with a couple of my friends, and we're going to have a meal
• ,</c> friends, and we're going to have a meal, friends, and we're going to have a meal, and<00:25:53.800

Transcript Highlights:

• squabbling over in Duval County as it relates to potentially having to make some hard cuts to things like Meals
• Representative Nixon: have seen seniors calling me trying to figure out where they're going to get their next meal
• , and usually Meals on Wheels and those types of programs help with that.
• I think as we have heard all the questions, concerns, debate, talk about core services and Meals on Wheels
• Maybe that money should go to Meals on Wheels.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for me personally, when our employees work a short 4-hour shift, we also provide meals, and almost
• all the cases the employees usually take the meal to go to the next destination.
• </c> short 4-Hour shift we also provide meals short 4-Hour shift we also provide meals and<00:42:32.920
• c> uh</c><00:42:37.200><c> to</c><00:42:37.359><c> go</c><00:42:37.559><c> to</c> usually take the meal
• to go uh to go to usually take the meal to go uh to go to the<00:42:37.920><c> next</c><00:42:38.240

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill gives an exemption to the meal and break times, and it's very specific.
• The ability to take a meal break and use a restroom is not a luxury. It is a bare minimum.
• </c><00:08:33.320><c> during</c> are not being deprived of meals during are not being deprived of meals
• breaks in the have rest breaks or meal breaks in the first<00:10:25.280><c> place.
• </c> or a favorite ethnic meal that we enjoy. or a favorite ethnic meal that we enjoy.