Transcript Highlights:

• their preferences to others as<00:02:00.719><c> an</c><00:02:00.960><c> alternative</c><00:02:01.520
• This is a process that could take two to three months, with a patient unable to leave the hospital and
• With this partnership, however, we can connect patients with a health care agent in two to seven days
• </c><00:08:46.480><c> whose</c> decisions for patients whose decisions for patients whose decision-making
• </c><00:08:52.240><c> unable</c><00:08:52.640><c> to</c> three months with a patient unable to three

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you prefer to be addressed from the podium or remain seated? Remain seated is fine.
• if their patient management system is broken.
• Our preference is not to look at a project, look at the milestones, and tell you what you did wrong.
• Our preference is to get in early, build that trust, and...
• Our preference is to get in early, build that trust, and help the agencies manage the process early.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to examine Florida’s information technology governance, budgeting, cybersecurity, data management, and telecommunications operations. Chair Schneider and other members framed the panel as a new joint policy-and-budget forum focused on reducing jargon, improving accountability, and asking whether technology investments are feasible, aligned with state goals, cost-controlled, and secure. State Affairs Chairman Will Robinson and members emphasized that the committee should avoid buying “shiny new objects” without clear business cases and should focus on long-term value, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency. Florida Digital Service and Department of Management Services leaders provided an overview of the state IT enterprise. Secretary Pedro Allende described DMS as the state’s business, workforce, and technology service provider, while State CIO Warren Spanholz outlined Florida Digital Service’s four core areas: cybersecurity, project success, data interoperability, and enterprise architecture. Chief Data Officer Ed Ryan said the state data catalog is about 400,000 elements and roughly half of agencies are participating, and he described efforts to identify authoritative data sources and improve interoperability. Chief Information Security Officer Jeremy Rogers discussed the state cybersecurity operations center, enterprise risk management, incident response exercises, and a recurring $35 million cybersecurity resiliency budget. Chief Technology Officer Leo Schoonover described oversight of major IT projects over $10 million, updated project management standards, and a shift toward smaller phased implementations and more flexible methodologies to reduce delays and overruns. Other presenters covered telecommunications, data center operations, and cybersecurity workforce development. Director Denise Atkins said the Division of Telecommunications manages Suncom and MyFloridaNet, with nearly $336.9 million appropriated for fiscal year 2024-25, and is procuring the next network contract while emphasizing security controls and vendor flexibility. Tim Brown said the Northwest Regional Data Center operates on a chargeback basis, serves state and local customers, and returned surpluses to customers in recent years. Cyber Florida Director Ernie Ferraroso described training, workforce pipelines, K-12 outreach, a cyber range, and research programs aimed at building Florida’s cyber workforce and improving public-sector readiness. Members asked about budget setting, project delays, change orders, cybersecurity reporting, data catalog participation, interoperability, and expanding cybersecurity operations centers. Officials said chargeback rates are based on actual direct and indirect costs, project delays often stem from unclear scope and insufficient upfront planning, and cybersecurity success is measured by mean time to detect, respond, and recover. They also said the state is moving toward more modular project delivery, broader agency participation in shared cybersecurity services, and expanded CSOC locations within existing staff and budget where feasible.

Transcript Highlights:

• is patient-centered.
• </c><02:22:29.200><c> is</c> care providers whether the patient is care providers whether the patient
• </c><03:59:18.560><c> to</c> patients and patients with insurance to patients and patients with insurance
• They also might prefer not to be housed in a nursing home where there are Alzheimer's patients who might
• to manage patients.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have recorded versions available on our YouTube for those that prefer that method of learning
• We also have recorded versions available on our YouTube for those that prefer that method of learning
• I hear from customers constantly about how our support is responsive, patient, and really how they are

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have recorded versions available on our YouTube for those that prefer that method of learning
• We also have recorded versions available on our YouTube for those that prefer that method of learning
• I hear from customers constantly about how our support is responsive, patient, and really how they are

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a work session with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) focused on campaign and candidate disclosure, customer support, training, and technology improvements. PDC staff described the agency’s mission, its citizen-initiative origins, and efforts to make filing and public access easier through a redesigned website, virtual trainings, recorded tutorials, newsletters, and outreach to filers, auditors, parties, and local jurisdictions. They reported heavy customer-service activity in fiscal year 2025, including thousands of email and phone inquiries, and emphasized same-day assistance, proactive reminders, and hands-on help for first-time and complex filers. The CIO outlined the agency’s technology approach, including guided filing workflows, accessibility features, mobile-friendly applications, built-in help prompts, and continuous improvement timed to filing cycles. He highlighted recent changes such as warnings when a contribution may affect reporting periods, improved mini-reporting guidance, and the transition from Secure Access Washington to login.gov/WA.gov, which the agency is working on early to avoid disrupting filers. He also noted that system changes go through controlled review and that the agency is beginning to use AI agents in code review. Members asked about whether the PDC’s requirements discourage candidates, accessibility issues, treasurer support, donation limits for entities, and the role of AI. PDC staff said candidate numbers have grown, especially in local election years, and that the agency tries to keep filing manageable through direct assistance, discontinuation options, and mini-reporting for small campaigns. They said treasurer training is an important and growing part of their work, with more online and lunch-and-learn offerings, and that they are considering a treasurer-specific class. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the meeting adjourned after questions due to floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would prefer not to list out any because they may or may not have changed their practices, but as it
• physician is having a facility that's getting state dollars, is having a private conversation with their patient
• I, as a medical professional, assuming I were a doctor, could not even have a conversation with a patient
• . ...professional, assuming I were a doctor, could not even have a conversation with a patient to say
• everything to do with instituting a medical gag on what medical professionals can talk about with their patients

Bills: HB3057 , HB3130 , HB3310 , HB3314 , HB3985 , HB4113 , HB4486

Committee: House Government Oversight

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and then took up several bills, beginning with HB 3057, a government efficiency cleanup measure that removes more than 50 obsolete statutory report requirements. A member raised a concern that the bill might inadvertently remove language related to a child abuse response team, and the sponsor said that would be corrected before floor consideration. HB 3057 was then approved 14-0 and sent to the floor. Members then debated HB 313, which prohibits state funds from being used for gender reassignment surgeries. The sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used for such procedures, while opponents argued it goes beyond funding restrictions and could affect adults, referrals, private conversations, and medical judgment. Supporters framed it as protecting children and public funds. After debate, the bill passed 16-3. The committee also approved HB 4113, clarifying that people with felony convictions regain voting rights after completing incarceration, parole, supervision, and probation, and HB 3310, the Agency Accountability and Budget Transparency Act, both by 15-0 votes. The committee next considered HB 3314, a county-option marijuana public safety impact fee allowing a 15% tax on retail marijuana sales. Questions focused on the 5% petition threshold and who should initiate the tax request, and the sponsor said he was open to changes. The bill passed 12-3. Members then debated HB 3985, which would create a private cause of action against certain large municipalities, mainly in the two largest metro areas, for failing to enforce laws related to issues such as camping, loitering, and panhandling. Opponents said it intrudes on municipal home rule and could raise constitutional issues; supporters said it would encourage cities to enforce their own laws. It also passed 12-3. Finally, the committee approved HB 4486, authorizing a Gold Star Family Memorial Monument funded by the Woody Williams Foundation, after discussion about how it fits with existing veterans memorials at the Capitol. The bill passed 14-0. The chair announced the committee would meet again on Tuesday and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need your partnership to develop strategies that preserve coverage, protect patients, and prevent
• For context, around 80% of all of our patients are Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
• We look forward to having further conversations and working with state leaders to ensure that patients
• That is not their preference. They'd like to keep their loved ones home.
• That is not their preference. They'd like to keep their loved ones home.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held its fifth hearing of the year to examine the newly enacted federal H.R. 1 and its effects on California. Members and the chair described the law as a major threat to state health, food, education, and climate programs, and emphasized that California would not be able to fully backfill the federal cuts. Several members also highlighted the bill’s tax provisions, including temporary deductions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, while warning that the largest benefits flow to higher-income taxpayers and that major cuts to Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and clean-energy incentives are delayed or phased in over time. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance presented detailed overviews of the bill’s likely impacts and implementation timelines. They identified the main affected areas as health care coverage and financing, food assistance, higher education, personal income taxes, and clean-energy/electric-vehicle credits. They explained that H.R. 1 limits provider taxes used to finance Medi-Cal, adds work and redetermination requirements, restricts CalFresh eligibility and increases state costs, changes student loan and Pell Grant rules, extends and modifies federal tax provisions, and phases out many clean-energy credits. Finance also noted major rescissions of Inflation Reduction Act funds, new border and immigration enforcement spending, and the possibility of PAYGO sequestration if Congress does not act to offset the deficit increase. During member questions, the committee focused on likely enrollment losses, administrative burdens, and fiscal exposure for the state and counties. Witnesses said many details still depend on federal guidance, but they estimated significant impacts on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and graduate/professional student borrowing, and noted that California’s high CalFresh error rate could increase state costs. UC testified that the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans would affect thousands of professional students, especially in health, law, and other high-cost programs. Members asked for follow-up data on county, health, and tax impacts, and staff agreed to provide additional tables and estimates as implementation guidance becomes clearer. Public commenters from counties, early childhood advocates, health coalitions, disability rights groups, immigrant-rights organizations, and other stakeholders urged the Legislature to mitigate the law’s effects. They warned of higher county costs, reduced access to health care and food assistance, increased administrative burdens, and harm to children, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Several urged new state revenue solutions and stronger protections for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child care, and home- and community-based services. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with a commitment to continue monitoring federal guidance and to work on state responses in the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• When a patient uh that is nursing homes.
• </c> nursing homes will take that patient nursing homes will take that patient before<00:07:03.919><c
• the total 80 patients today.
• Actually, just yesterday patients today.
• </c><00:21:40.799><c> who</c> we looked and the number of patients who we looked and the number of patients

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:30:33.840><c> 70%</c><02:30:34.720><c> of</c> both patients and physicians. 70% of both patients
• But I would prefer that we have that discussion based on facts rather than inflammatory language.
• But I would prefer that we have that discussion based on facts rather than inflammatory language.
• But I would prefer that we have that discussion based on facts rather than inflammatory language.
• But I would prefer that we have that discussion based on facts rather than inflammatory language.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Also on behalf of the Pediatric Day Health Care Coalition, which serves the same patient population and
• Very appreciative for the delay on the cuts to the PPS for UIS patients to October 1st.
• continue to... ...on CalPACE and really would continue to urge investments in gender-affirming care for patients
• Institutional care is more expensive than home-based care, but home-based care is the preferred choice

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Human Services held its final hearing on the budget, with the chair framing the Senate’s plan as a counterproposal that rejected major cuts and preserved revenues. Public comment was overwhelmingly supportive of the subcommittee’s actions, especially on Medi-Cal, IHSS, PACE, behavioral health, child care, CalFresh outreach, immigrant legal services, and long-term care. Testimony from disability, aging, county, health plan, provider, labor, and advocacy groups urged the committee to keep rejecting asset tests, immigrant coverage reductions, IHSS cost shifts, PACE rate cuts, and behavioral health reductions, while supporting mobile crisis, 988, Title IV-E workforce funding, and the “Be Home Soon California” proposal to expand home- and community-based care. Several speakers also pressed for additional or related funding and policy changes, including county alternatives for people losing Medi-Cal under federal HR1-related changes, more support for public hospitals and indigent care, CalFresh and Cal Food investments, child care slots and COLAs, dental rate cut delays, and expanded immigration legal and food assistance. Others thanked the committee for restoring or preserving funding for behavioral health innovation and advocacy grants, public health IT and disease investigation, diaper banks, hearing aids for children, and distressed hospital loans. The committee also heard concerns about fee-for-service shifts, outpatient dialysis coverage, and other implementation details, with some groups asking for trailer bill language or guardrails. After public comment, the subcommittee took three votes on large blocks of budget items. The first block of consent items passed 3-0, the second block passed 2-1, and the final block passed 2-0, with the chair announcing that the items were approved and out of committee. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• more powerful all-229 fleet at Mountain Home Air Force Base positions us to be the F-15E base of preference
• explore partnership opportunities to improve beneficiary health coordination and provide higher-acuity patient
• explore partnership opportunities to improve beneficiary health coordination and provide higher QAD patients
• , improve beneficiary health coordination and provide higher QAD patient training for active duty service

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• individuals must meet all eligibility criteria for the advanced premium tax credit under the federal patient
• health care provider that accepts Medicaid, for example, that they also have some commercial rate patients
• If the debate continues in the federal government and they decide to continue the Federal Patient Protection
• We're one of the working committees this time, so sorry about that or yay, whichever you prefer.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And most of these patients are, that's what they're doing.
• You know, when a patient comes to me, again, I'm an adult endocrinologist, but when a patient comes to
• patient, their parents and... ...patients based on the patient, their parents and family, and their
• It's a patient and each kiddo is completely different.
• Since the mistake of 2023, such care is no longer available to minor patients.

Committees: House Emerging Issues , House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Mizell, sitting so patiently waiting to present this common sense bill.
• It has to be for the presidential preference primary, for the DPEC, RPEC races, for the state central
• They're not allowed to vote in the presidential preference primary right now.
• That's the way it's worded now, I think, with presidential preference... ...comfortable with this.
• That's the way it's worded now, I think, with presidential preference primary, and that's always been

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 23 and advanced several bills dealing with judicial vacancies, travel reimbursement, election administration, public records, and board transparency. Senate Bill 397 by Chairman Reese was reported favorably without objection; it allows the Supreme Court to reappoint a retiring judge on an ad hoc basis to finish cases or provide urgent coverage, while not changing other laws that prevent a judge from returning to the same seat after retiring or resigning. House Bill 398 by Representative Zerang was reported as amended after the committee adopted a new amendment removing lodging from the bill, leaving only meal reimbursement limits tied to the federal GSA rate. House Bill 1201 by Representative Ilk was also reported favorably; it would create per diem pay for legislators doing legislative business outside session and raise statewide elected officials’ salaries using a formula tied to university president pay. The committee deferred Senate Bill 41, which would have extended the deadline for public bodies to publish open-meeting minutes from 20 to 45 days, after the author said he wanted more time to work with opponents. Senate Bill 289 by Senator Abraham, which would have created public-records exceptions for certain university searches, research, and donor information, drew substantial questioning and testimony from the press and members; after amendments narrowed the scope, the committee ultimately held the bill for further work rather than voting it out. Senate Bill 47 by Senator Mizell, as amended, was reported favorably; it requires public boards and commissions to provide contact information, including at least two contacts, a mailing address, email addresses, a website if available, and a phone number, without requiring public funds for member phones. On election-related bills, Senate Bill 248 by Chairman Miller was reported favorably as amended. It allows precincts with fewer than 20 eligible voters to be consolidated with another precinct at the same polling place when both use the same ballot, with Secretary of State Landry saying it would preserve voter privacy, reduce costs, and be seamless for voters. Senate Bill 210 by Senator Klein-Peter was also reported favorably; it increases the number of election commissioners allowed in closed party primaries to match staffing needs created by the new system. Senate Bill 106 by Senator Klein-Peter, which makes certain crime-scene photos, audio/video recordings, and digital images nonpublic except by court order or clerk access, was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 8 yeas and 2 nays. House Bill 906 by Representative Billings was reported favorably as amended; the amendments let party state central committees decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in party primaries, require notice to the Department of State, and make participation rules consistent across the party’s related races, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The committee also deferred Senate Bills 218 and 220 to the following week before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• How to look at a patient, gather all of the information that you can gain about a patient, and then go
• through a system. called the nursing process to ensure that you're doing all of the things that the patient
• and learning how to take care of real people in real situations. hours, actually being with patients
• The supplies are expired medical equipment that they can't use on live patients, but we can use on our
• traveling is expensive, is to make a video and send it to—so math or science, which one would you prefer

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a dashboard so that patients awaiting transfer to a medically appropriate bed, along with
• Currently, my practice is focused on patients with rare inherited life-threatening disorders.
• The patients are infants affected with progressive irreversible neurologic conditions.
• Moving forward as quickly as possible to treatment puts patients at risk.
• And counties with preference for letters from tribes. It includes tribes in the process now.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Clinics always must subsidize care for patients.
• I've seen the powerful impact of abortion funding on our patients.
• For that, we need care decisions to move closer to doctors and patients.
• We prefer the original language. That still made us nervous.
• I want to note a concern regarding patients detained outside King County.

Bills: SB6346 , SB6347 , SB6147 , SB6246 , SB5940 , SB5882 , SB6223 , SJR8206 , SB5762 , SB5828

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Patients Industry Association in strong support. Thank you. Thank you.
• Sherry Martinez, just a patient. Chant in support. Thank you.
• I focus primarily on patients who have extra needs.
• This approach sadly misses opportunities to prevent patient harm.
• This can result in preventable impairment that risks patient harm.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• preferred by insurers prior to treatment with the medication the doctor initially prescribed.
• No patient, especially those that are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, should be
• This bill protects patients and reduces harmful delays in treatment.
• Step therapy prolongs pain and suffering to any patient, and that is also true for patients struggling
• patients could be getting better.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and opened with a prayer and pledge, then held a ceremonial observance for Jewish American Heritage Month. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 195 by Assembly Member Gabriel was presented with extensive remarks from members of multiple caucuses highlighting Jewish Californians’ contributions, the importance of solidarity amid rising antisemitism, and themes of tikkun olam and tzedakah. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 67 co-authors were added, and the chamber then recognized 14 honorees for their service in public life, philanthropy, media, faith leadership, education, and civic engagement. The floor also featured guest introductions and a procedural vote on Assembly Constitutional Amendment 9 by Assembly Member Borrero, which would add affordability as a required consideration in CPUC rate-making, remove telecommunications from the commission’s portfolio, create an office of broadband, and expand legislative appointments. The amendment was adopted. The Assembly then moved through a long third-reading file, passing measures including AB 1697 delaying implementation of a 2025 employment law, AB 2322 on stormwater permit definitions, AB 1653 on hearing-illness education, AB 2274 closing a loophole involving secrecy in trafficking cases, AB 2512 on Anaheim Angels naming language tied to a land exemption, AB 1956 prioritizing young men and boys in suicide prevention, and AB 2273 addressing prosecutorial handling of a local sexual abuse case. Additional bills passed included AB 1809 extending job order contracting for school and community college districts, AB 1970 banning step therapy for serious mental illness and substance use disorder medications, AB 1973 expanding practice authority for advanced practice clinicians, AB 2055 updating vessel law, and AB 2059 narrowing CEQA vehicle-mile-traveled mitigation for certain rural highway projects. The Assembly also adopted ACR 186 designating May 2026 as California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month and H.R. 11 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia after a lengthy debate that included support from several caucuses and some disagreement over the resolution’s framing of current threats to LGBTQ+ communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• preferred by insurers prior to treatment with the medication the doctor initially prescribed.
• No patient, especially those that are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, should be
• This bill protects patients and reduces harmful delays in treatment.
• Step therapy prolongs pain and suffering to any patient, and that is also true for patients struggling
• patients could be getting better.