Video & Transcript : 'central counting center' :

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-30 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They shouldn't count because of the same reason that a false act by a notary public shouldn't count.
  • There have been felony counts.
  • , and I'm referring you to the Surgey Center, if I own a Surgy Center, and I'm referring you to the Surgery
  • I'm thinking of like Carri Dodd Center in our area.
  • So what if that center said, we want to make sure...
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a remembrance of former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. The chamber then moved to special order bills. CS/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death was substituted for SB 138, amended to add warnings and penalties for refusal of breath or urine tests, and passed 37-0. CS/SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours access and network availability for Medicaid enrollees, also passed 37-0. The Senate then took up CS/CS/HB 913 on condominium associations, a major post-Surfside reform bill. Senator Bradley explained that the measure was intended to provide financial relief and flexibility while preserving safety and accountability. The bill was substituted for SB 1742, amended several times to limit milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies to buildings three habitable stories or more, and then passed 37-0 after extensive debate. Senators from both parties praised Bradley, Pizzo, Garcia, and staff for years of work on condo safety and affordability, with several members describing the bill as a balance between protecting residents and avoiding financial hardship. The final major item was CS/HB 1205, the bill on amendments to the state constitution and citizen petition drives. Sponsors Gates and Grohl argued the bill was needed to combat fraud, identity theft, and misuse in the petition process, citing a lengthy Office of Election Crimes and Security report. The House bill was substituted for SB 7016, and the chamber considered a long series of amendments and substitute amendments addressing petition circulator registration, volunteer participation, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and fiscal impact statements. Several amendments were adopted, while others were debated over whether they would protect access to the citizen initiative process or strengthen election integrity. The transcript ends during debate on the main substitute amendment, before final disposition on the bill is shown.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EDT-LBT, EDT, EDT Public Hearings 02-06-2025

Economic Development and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> um foliage around the convention center um foliage around the convention center should<00:19:43.120
  • </c> get support for Hawaiian culture center get support for Hawaiian culture center is<00:37:05.040>
  • </c> they're vacant they wouldn't count they're vacant they wouldn't count towards<00:59:09.000><c> a
  • </c><01:00:26.599><c> for</c> have overall I I can only count for have overall I I can only count for
  • </c> but I mean you're right with the counts but I mean you're right with the counts is<01:01:21.240>
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint Senate hearing covered Senate Bill 1536 and Senate Bill 1571. SB 1536 concerned the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s CEO position and whether the exemption from retirement benefits should be changed. Testimony and committee discussion focused on the estimated cost, the current budgeted amount, whether the change would make the position more competitive, and whether alternatives such as a portable retirement plan had been considered. The witness said the proposal came from HTA’s legislative committee and that the position’s salary and benefits would still likely fit within the budgeted amount. No vote was taken on SB 1536 during the excerpted discussion. The hearing then moved to SB 1571, relating to tourism. Debed and HTA representatives said they supported the bill in written testimony, but HTA’s witness said the measure had not been discussed or voted on by the full board and recommended deferring action until the board could clarify its position. Several members of the public testified both in support and opposition. Opponents raised concerns about changing “Hawaiian sense of place” to “Hawaii sense of place,” warning it could weaken protections for Hawaiian culture and invite broader interpretations that might affect places like the Hawaii Convention Center. Others opposed a provision removing a two-year waiting period for HBCB board members before serving on the HTA board, citing conflict-of-interest concerns. Committee discussion centered on the meaning and practical effect of the bill’s language, especially the distinction between “Hawaiian” and “Hawaii,” the scope of HTA’s tourism and destination-management role, and whether translation and language policy were being applied too broadly or too narrowly. Some members argued the bill could help preserve Hawaiian culture and place, while others worried about exclusionary interpretations, costs, and whether resources would be better spent on programs rather than expanded translation. The hearing ended with the chair announcing a short break and moving toward decision-making, but no final action on the bill was shown in the excerpt.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS Informational Briefing 10-28-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division, or BEBSD, is the largest DHS division by position count
  • BEBSD processing centers that do financial eligibility serve over 85,000 families or an estimated 166,000
  • We have nearly count in the department.
  • Bezi processing centers that benefits.
  • </c><00:55:53.200><c> and</c> federally qualified health centers and federally qualified health centers
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the federal shutdown’s impact on state benefits, with the main focus on SNAP. DHS Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division Administrator Scott Morish explained that SNAP serves about 86,229 households statewide, or 168,947 individuals, and averages roughly $58–60 million in monthly federal benefits. He said USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP benefits effective November 1 if the shutdown continues, while existing October balances on EBT cards remain usable and cash benefits such as TANF, General Assistance, and AABD are not affected. DHS said it has continued processing applications, recertifications, interviews, and required reporting, and has posted public guidance on its website. Morish also reviewed other SNAP-related changes taking effect November 1 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including expanded able-bodied adult work requirements and tighter non-citizen eligibility rules. He said the work requirements now extend from ages 18–54 to 18–64 and apply to additional groups previously exempt, while only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible among non-citizens. He also noted Hawaii’s ongoing SNAP benefit reduction tied to a federal calculation error in the thrifty food plan, which has lowered benefits by about $8 per person per month for the past three years. On the state response, DHS said it is working with the Hawaii Food Bank and seeking $2 million in state funding to support it, and is also developing a Hawaii Relief Program using TANF reserve funds. The program is intended as a short-term housing and utility assistance program for families with dependent children under 300% of the federal poverty level, with up to four months of assistance. Senators questioned why rainy day funds were not being used and whether the state could directly fund EBT cards; DHS responded that the TANF approach was the fastest available option, that EBT delivery involves significant technical and administrative mechanics, and that the department is still in discussions with the vendor and other stakeholders about additional options.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Jan 14th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Early Learning & K-12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, that extra space counts against the school district because they cannot just move in students from
  • So this bill simply says if there’s extra space, you know, impacting it, it doesn’t count against the
  • The state counts the square footage of Michael Anderson, which was originally built with support from
  • Each are central and effective adult learning.
  • It keeps human oversight at the center of our discipline decisions. It bans student risk scores.
Bills: SB5901 , SB5860 , SB5956 , SB5574 , SB5922 , SB5858
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, that extra space counts against the school district because they cannot just move in students from
  • So this bill simply says if there’s extra space, you know, impacting it, it doesn’t count against the
  • it's really simple. ...ineligible for state funding assistance, and it's really simple: the state counts
  • Each are central and effective adult learning.
  • It keeps human oversight at the center of our discipline decisions. It bans student risk scores.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program so that instructional space on military bases is excluded from a district’s available space inventory when calculating state construction aid. Staff explained the bill would also require state assistance to equal approved project cost minus federal funding received. Senator Christian said the measure is intended to prevent military-base facilities from unfairly reducing districts’ ability to modernize or build schools. Testimony in support came from OSPI, Clover Park School District, and Medical Lake School District, which said the current formula penalizes districts serving military families and can leave them unable to secure needed renovation funding. No opposition was heard, and the bill was later described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact. The committee then took up Senate Bill 5860 on school board compensation. The bill would raise director pay from $50 to $100 per day, increase the annual cap, allow child care expenses to be reimbursed, require OFM to periodically adjust compensation, and direct WASDA to develop finance training for school directors. Senator Cortez said the changes are needed to broaden who can serve on school boards and to help working families participate. Supporters from OSPI, WASDA, and South Sound superintendents said compensation could improve diversity and help recruit and retain board members, though WASDA noted concerns about diverting district funds and said its members do not have consensus on mandatory training. Opponents argued the bill would misuse levy funds and that child care and other expenses should not be paid from local education levies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5956 on artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in schools, which would bar automated systems from being the sole basis for discipline decisions, prohibit risk scores and biometric surveillance, require OSPI guidance updates, and direct WASDA to create model policy. Senator Nobles and supporters said the bill is needed to protect students from discriminatory and inaccurate AI-driven decisions; no vote was taken in the hearing. Finally, the committee heard a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5574, which would require districts to include instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in required social studies courses during the regular curriculum review cycle, with reporting beginning in 2030. Senator Nobles said the bill is meant to address exclusion and bias in history education and to help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Testifiers from education, student, parent, and community groups overwhelmingly supported the measure, saying it would improve belonging, reduce bullying, and build on existing curriculum resources without creating a new course or major new cost. The hearing ended without a vote or other formal action on SB 5956 or SB 5574.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/08/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:19:52.799><c> of</c> about 15 years, and I've lost count of about 15 years, and I've lost count
  • Private equity-run hospitals are associated with a 27% increase in falls, a 37.7% increase in central
  • </c><00:31:40.480><c> line</c> 37.7% increase in central line 37.7% increase in central line infections
  • Um, so if this bill is a way to create more of that discussion, um, count me in.
  • Um, so if this bill is a way to create more of that discussion, um, count me in.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, March 27, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • She Lord was the center of all she did.
  • At the center of her life was School. At the center of her life was her<02:14:26.280><c> family.
  • </c> president of the Decal Central president of the Decal Central Foundation,<02:31:28.240><c> and</
  • </c><02:48:42.399><c> out</c> long the odds do not ever count out long the odds do not ever count out
  • I was to serve our urban centers.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/9/26

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that means verifying before you actually count the ballot. And that's not happening.
  • And that means verifying before you actually count the ballot. And that's not happening.
  • San Francisco County Democratic Central Committee, California Democratic Party v. Jones.
  • San Francisco County Democratic Central Committee, California Democratic Party v. Jones.
  • San Francisco County Democratic Central Committee, California Democratic Party v. Jones.
Bills: HF2185 , HF1849 , HF3719 , HF3721 , HF3845 , HF3720
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Information Technology Committee Mar 26th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Information Technology Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • "Most of these data center providers want to get from their data center that they're building in North
  • of the data center.
  • The data centers, when we look at the next AI hyperscale data center, they're typically 100 megawatt.
  • One hyperscale data center to another.
  • Is there a head count associated with that?
Keywords: 908, all
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Every penny counts in some parishes. But I need to tell you this story.
  • I'm the chief of police for the Central Police Department.
  • Louisiana Housing Action Center is present and will provide information.
  • But this particular bill is created in the center. So thank you, guys.
  • But this particular bill is created in the center.
Summary: The committee met on April 15 at 5:13 p.m. with a quorum present and took up several local and municipal bills out of order to accommodate members’ travel. HB 87, which would increase the per diem for the Livingston Parish Gas Utility District No. 1 board, was presented as a local bill with no opposition and was reported favorably without objection. HB 481, dealing with the cost of publishing official proceedings and public notices, drew extensive testimony from the Louisiana Press Association, the Police Jury Association, and committee members. Supporters said a prior agreement intended a 15% to 20% reduction in notice costs, but a calculation error would instead produce roughly a 40% reduction, threatening small newspapers; opponents questioned the process and impact on local governments. The committee ultimately voted 10-5 to send HB 481 to the floor, with members urging further negotiation and possible amendment. HB 573, a major New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board governance bill by Rep. Hilferty, was amended in committee and then supported by Mayor Helena Moreno and several council members as a way to shift more oversight and accountability to the New Orleans City Council. Supporters argued the current structure diffuses responsibility and that local elected officials need more direct authority over operations, contracts, and transparency. Dr. Tracy Washington of the Louisiana Justice Institute opposed the bill, warning that transferring control could worsen financial strain, blur accountability, and raise equity and human-rights concerns for vulnerable residents. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to report HB 573 favorably to the floor. The committee also advanced HB 162, allowing the Jefferson Place/Bocage crime prevention and improvement district to impose a fee after local approval, and HB 368, which raises penalties for unauthorized demolition in New Orleans historic districts to the greater of $50,000 or 15% of assessed value. Both were reported favorably after brief discussion. HB 441, a cleanup bill clarifying that New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees remain in city civil service rather than state civil service, was also sent to the floor without objection. Finally, HB 257, concerning the powers and duties of the police chief of the city of Central, was amended to require consultation with the city attorney before discipline or dismissal and to delay effectiveness until January 1, 2027; after debate over due process and the chief’s authority, the committee voted to report it favorably.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Jan 12th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Anna Bondarenko, and I'm the director of Thrive Center Tacoma.
  • I'm the director of Thrive Center Tacoma.
  • Consequently, we are counting on the small schools modernization program.
  • My skill center serves over 1,600 students and is the largest skill center in Washington State.
  • Thank you for your continued support of skill centers. Thank you.
Bills: SB6003
Committee: Senate Ways & Means
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Jan 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the director of Thrive Center Tacoma.
  • Consequently, we are counting on the small schools modernization program.
  • I want to thank you for funding skill center capital projects in previous sessions.
  • My skill center serves over 1,600 students and is the largest skill center in Washington State.
  • Thank you for your continued support of skill centers. Thank you.
Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects. Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes. Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, July 16, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um he's counting on a simply not true.
  • The establishment of the Center for Critical Minerals and the Center for Energy Law and Policy has driven
  • The establishment of the Center for Critical Minerals and the Center for Energy Law and Policy has driven
  • The establishment of the Center for Critical Minerals and the Center for Energy Law and Policy has driven
  • </c> Health Center in Col Pepper. Health Center in Col Pepper.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • It says in James chapter 1, verses 2 through 5: 'Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials
  • Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and sets as an adjunct clinical assistant
  • professor at Oklahoma State University Center of Health Sciences, nationally, Doctor Fols is chair of
  • Health and as the medical director for level two neonatal intensive care unit at Stillwater Medical Center
  • Oklahoma or wherever they may do it at Gordon Cooper Tech Center, but have a course with their peers
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

WAM-LBT, WAM-TCA, WAM-HHS Informational Briefings 01-16-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><01:51:33.440><c> service</c> reimburse BNF for the central service reimburse BNF for the central
  • </c><02:00:10.520><c> on</c><02:00:10.800><c> disaster</c> more centered on disaster more centered on
  • </c><02:52:26.920><c> Services</c> signals number 25 the Central Services signals number 25 the Central
  • So this is the 5% Central Services.
  • first processing center in WWA into the new Civic Center location, yeah, to support that transition.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> facility colllocated with the central facility colllocated with the central Kentucky<00:02:34.480
  • </c> the central Kentucky regional airport. the central Kentucky regional airport.
  • </c> flight school out at the central flight school out at the central Kentucky<00:03:57.120><c> regional
  • Second training center in Hardensburg.
  • count next county location?
Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes and received information items on University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts reporting upcoming bond issues with no additional tax levies needed, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues for fiscal year 2026. It then considered an appropriation increase for a University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. University officials said the project is 100% federally funded and will construct a terminal building tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school. Members asked about the relationship to aviation expansion and whether the flight school would be publicly operated; the witnesses said EKU would operate it, public appropriations had already been applied, and student revenue would help offset costs. The committee approved the item by roll call vote. Next, the committee approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for property at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead, Rowan County, for $6.4 million. UK said the property, which includes an 85,000-square-foot facility on 9.6 acres, is directly across from UK St. Clair and was offered by the Rowan County Board of Education after it moved to a new location. Members questioned why the payment schedule was structured as quarterly installments and why the price was below two appraisals; UK said the board requested the arrangement and did not want the full amount upfront, and there was no interest on the purchase price. The committee also approved this item. The deputy state budget director then reported three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Ballard Wildlife Management Area pump station project, Lake Barkley State Resort Park emergency repairs, and Lake Barkley lodge wing exterior repairs. After questions, staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies because bids came in close to available funding. The committee approved the action items, then heard four no-action pool projects: HVAC upgrades at the FFA leadership training center in Hardinsburg, Kentucky School for the Blind’s McDaniel Scoggin building, KSD’s Brett Brady Hall, and a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation for the School of Engineering Technology. Finally, the committee heard two real property items: a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the high per-square-foot cost and whether another county location could be used; CHFS said it maintains offices in every county seat, this lease would replace an existing 1977 office, and the new construction was negotiated down from a higher initial bid. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing space, with renovation costs partly absorbed by the lessor and the remainder amortized over the lease term.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING Jun 5th, 2026

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so one of the— and they were coming to a central logging server.
  • Central logging server. They just weren't being forwarded on to the analytics side of the house.
  • And, you know, all that intel and all that data goes into a central management console, if you will.
  • And that was primarily due to the poverty counts reports they had received.
  • And that was primarily due to the poverty count reports they had received from Arkansas, showing that
Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met on June 5 and first adopted prior minutes and several committee reports. The executive committee report noted adoption of its minutes, staff updates on scheduled audits, approval of an annual financial audit for the City of Horseshoe Bend, and an update on the intern program. The Counties and Municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, compliance follow-up with towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Omer, Fargo, Jericho, and Haynes, and review of current and deferred reports; the committee filed most current reports but deferred several and referred some matters to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The Educational Institutions report said 103 education audits were reviewed, most with no findings, while several school districts had findings and one Booneville School District finding was referred to law enforcement. The State Agencies report included findings at the Department of Finance and Administration and a deferred Department of Health report, and the committee filed 13 reports. The committee then received lengthy presentations on the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report and the state single audit for fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Legislative Audit issued unmodified opinions on the state financial statements, but identified two material weaknesses: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and improper methodology changes and documentation issues at the Division of Workforce Services affecting year-end estimates for unemployment-related accounts. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed. Auditors reported 33 findings overall, including 31 federal findings, $12.9 million in outstanding questioned costs, and qualified opinions for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Committee members questioned DHS, the broadband office, OST, DFA, Education, and Workforce Services about the findings, corrective actions, cyber protections, federal drawdowns, child care reporting, and accounting methodology changes. Several agencies described corrective steps. DHS said it had changed how it draws Summer EBT funds, addressed provider revalidation and incarceration-related Medicaid issues, and updated internal processes and staffing. The broadband office said the questioned costs reflected invoice documentation disputes rather than missing payments and expected Treasury review to resolve the issue. OST said it was expanding logging, endpoint detection, and enterprise monitoring, and described broader cybersecurity investments, training, and a roadmap. DFA and Workforce Services addressed the workers’ compensation and unemployment accounting issues, with Workforce Services saying it had updated its policy and submitted the methodology to DFA. After discussion, the committee voted to hold the two statewide audit reports over until the August meeting, with members asked to submit specific questions in advance so only needed agencies would return. The final item was a special report on the Hot Spring County Solid Waste Authority for January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The audit reviewed compliance with laws, board procedures, bidding, payroll, permits, inspections, and cash handling. It noted prior private audit findings on segregation of duties, that recent private audit reports had not been obtained for 2023 through 2025, and that the current administrator said prior office staff and bookkeeping contractors resigned when he was hired. The authority’s operations and revenue sources were described, and the report was presented for committee review.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • In the Central Valley, we all know very well that poverty does not discriminate.
  • And with me today to provide testimony is Rebecca Gonzalez with the Western Center on Law and Poverty
  • My name is Rebecca Gonzalez, Senior Policy Advocate with the Western Center on Law and Poverty.
  • The Western Center is a co-sponsor of SB 1030 as part of the Reimagined CalWORKs Coalition.
  • Keeley O'Brien, with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, in strong support.
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several bills focused on homelessness, child care, food security, public assistance, immigration legal services, and veterans’ benefits. SB 479 would allow city-based local health jurisdictions, including Berkeley and Oakland, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; supporters said the change would improve coordination and outcomes, and no opposition testified. SB 902 would allow electronic signatures for child care and development services paperwork while preserving paper options; supporters said it would reduce burdens on families and providers, and the bill passed to the Assembly Education Committee 4-0. The committee also heard SB 1025, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate California’s food assistance efforts, and SB 1030, repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule. Supporters of SB 1025 said the state’s food system is fragmented and needs a coordinated strategy; SB 1030 supporters argued the rule is outdated, redundant, and rooted in racist and sexist assumptions. Both bills received no opposition testimony and were approved on 4-0 votes, with SB 1025 sent to the Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee and SB 1030 to Appropriations. The committee then approved SB 1077, which would require CDSS to create a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions during federal government shutdowns, including a public webpage and planning for state-funded benefits; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1194 would codify the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project to expand immigration legal services in underserved areas, and supporters emphasized the need for legal representation in rural and Central Valley communities; it passed 4-1 to Judiciary. SB 1201 would seek federal waivers to protect veterans from CalFresh time limits, require referrals to county veterans service officers, and adjust treatment of job-search expenses; it passed unanimously 6-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The consent calendar, including SB 557 and SB 1051, also passed unanimously. After all items were heard, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Environmental Quality Committee Apr 8th, 2026

Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:
  • Mitch Weiss, Corey Consulting, representing numerous MPOs, RTPAs, and the Central Coast and Central Valley
  • County alone, water rates rose 60% from 2015 to 2025, according to a recent UCLA Luskin Center report
  • Good morning, Christina's Gringe with the Center for Biological Diversity, in support.
  • Also giving me-toos for West Berkeley Alliance for Clean Air and Safe Jobs, The Ecology Center, 1,000
  • Christina Skirinj at the Center for Biological Diversity in support.
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on environmental, climate, transparency, water affordability, recycling, and refinery transition issues. SB 1087 would modernize SB 375 regional climate and transportation planning by extending planning cycles, clarifying target-setting and review processes, and reducing time spent on modeling and CEQA-related work; it drew strong support from MPOs and environmental groups with some opposition from clean air, housing, and industry advocates concerned about VMT, housing impacts, and agency authority. SB 1239 would require CARB to update its standardized regulatory impact assessment when major regulations are materially changed; manufacturers and business groups supported the transparency measure, while the chair opposed it as adding delay and inefficiency to rulemaking. SB 1125 would create the framework for a statewide low-income water rate assistance program; it received broad support from utilities, environmental justice groups, local governments, and community members, and the committee advanced it on a 3-1 vote. SB 1180 would set rules for spending from the plastic pollution mitigation fund created by SB 54, with broad support from environmental justice and conservation groups and opposed-unless-amended positions from industry groups seeking tighter limits and more oversight; it advanced on a 3-0 vote. SB 1161 would require CARB to present household-level cost impacts of regulations in plain language, and it advanced on a 4-0 vote despite late opposition from environmental groups. SB 955, updating beverage container recycling and redemption requirements, passed 5-0, and SB 1259, requiring refineries to disclose cleanup liabilities and decommissioning information to aid long-term planning, drew strong support from environmental and local government witnesses but firm opposition from petroleum, labor, and business groups; the committee began discussion but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on that bill.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • He is getting excellent care at a live-in center.
  • Senator Hinojosa, I run pregnancy centers.
  • TXANA is a non-profit community center.
  • Texas has no team detox centers.
  • growing Central Texas region.
Bills: SB1 , SB 1
Committee: Senate Finance