Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...like the California Transit Assistance Program, working with service organizations during the
• like the California Transit Assistance Program working with service organizations during the early stages
• And really looking at the tools that we have, you know, our California Transition Assistance Program,
• And really looking at the tools that we have—our California Transition Assistance Program, our MHSA grant
• And we work on community education, program development, evaluation, and technical assistance from my

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget and staffing cuts on veterans and on California’s systems for delivering veteran services. In opening remarks, the chair argued that cuts to the VA, federal workforce, Medi-Cal, SNAP/CalFresh, and related programs would disproportionately harm veterans, citing impacts on health care, suicide prevention, housing, and employment. The committee then heard from the California Military Department, CalVet, county veteran service offices, and veterans legal and housing organizations about how state and local programs are responding. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness, training, equipment, and funding for programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, and counterdrug operations. Members asked about how service members access VA benefits, the impact of federal cuts on readiness, and what the Legislature can do to help. Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and stable funding, and he criticized some federal efficiency reviews as wasteful while warning that reduced readiness would ultimately affect Californians. CalVet Deputy Secretary Roberto Herrera, L.A. County veteran services director Jim Zenner, and Swords to Plowshares legal director Mo Cedar emphasized that county veteran service officers and legal aid are essential for claims, appeals, housing, and mental health access. They said the PACT Act and federal staffing strains have increased demand, while county offices remain underfunded. Testimony highlighted the value of CalVet strike teams, MHSA-funded legal services, and county programs that bring in federal benefits and reduce homelessness and incarceration costs. Committee members generally agreed that California should sustain and expand these supports, improve data sharing, and protect state programs from federal cuts. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, Herrera, Amy Fairweather of Swords to Plowshares, and Robert Storr of U.S. Vets described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative. They reported improved outcomes for veterans in supportive housing and expanded no-cost counseling statewide, but warned that step-down funding and federal uncertainty could jeopardize services. Members asked about wait times, access, and who can use VA services, and witnesses explained that the main barriers are workforce shortages and capacity, not just eligibility. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They include the expansion of the Parent-Child Assistance Program, referrals to Plan of Safe Care, visits
• And second is our TTK program.
• In regard to the Recovery Navigator Program, LEAD, law enforcement-assisted diversion, and arrest and
• Additionally, we believe investments in the parent-child assistance program, or PCAP, would also help
• Additionally, we believe investments in the parent-child assistance program, or PCAP, would also help

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:04:07.959><c> only</c> assistance program this is not only assistance program this is not only
• <01:14:37.159><c> mentioned</c> assistance programs so as I mentioned assistance programs so as I mentioned
• Program, or SNAP, waivers, medical assistance, and other public assistance programs, due to the preservation
• Program, or SNAP, waivers, medical assistance, and other public assistance programs, due to the preservation
• Program, or SNAP, waivers, medical assistance, and other public assistance programs, due to the preservation

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a governor's proposal relating to enhancing program integrity and medical assistance.
• This is related to the childcare assistance program integrity.
• This is related to the childcare assistance program integrity.
• </c> sanctions within the medical assistance sanctions within the medical assistance program.<00:40:10.079
• Then I guess I assistance program.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• through another program.
• Chairman on this bill is known as the Protecting the reemployment Assistance Program from fraud act of
• , unemployment assistance.
• It's an insurance program.
• This seems to be taking our re employment and unemployment assistance program in the wrong direction.

Transcript Highlights:

• I like the thought of a tiered program.
• but into that bachelor's program and on into the master's program, which is what they actually have
• also apply to assistants who...
• An SLP associate program would be vital to filling those needs. ...program would be vital to filling
• Will these assistants be supervised by an SLP? Will the assistants be supervised by an SLP?

Bills: HB441 , HB445 , HB477 , HB441 , HB445

Committee: House Health

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Care Affordability, the CalRx program, and the Hospital Fair Billing Program.
• The program includes a rural health technical assistance center to support implementation directly to
• We are actively coordinating the program design now to build out those programs.
• The tribal program, training and technical assistance, program to fund all 61 local health jurisdictions
• The tribal program, training and technical assistance, program to fund all 61 local health jurisdictions

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And both of those programs, the Double Bucks program and the Grow for Good program, have not only netted
• And these programs, these matching programs, are one of the few morsels of federal...
• One of our longest-running programs in our food access work is our CSA program, a community-supported
• assistance are provided...
• of this program.

Bills: HCR41 , HB11 , HB227 , HB243 , HB278 , HB335 , HB424 , HB454 , HB455 , HB492 , HB623 , HB641 , HB660 , HB708 , HB719 , HB940 , HB1029 , HB1053 , HB1069 , HB1077

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up H.C.R. 41, which would direct the ATC to allow electronic rebates for beer purchases and clarify that rebates are the manufacturer’s responsibility. The author and supporters said it would align beer with wine and other liquor rules. With no opposition, the resolution was moved forward. The committee then advanced H.B. 1029, which extends a moratorium on certain alcoholic beverage permits in House District 3 to give Shreveport and the MPC more time to revise local ordinances; it also moved forward without objection. The committee next considered two related bills by Rep. Egan on district attorney funding. H.B. 660, as amended, raises the state warrant amount used to support assistant district attorneys from $50,000 to $60,000 and sets district attorney salaries at $65,000 effective July 1, 2026. The Louisiana District Attorneys Association and several DAs supported the bill, saying it would help recruit and retain prosecutors. H.B. 719, also amended, increases the number of assistant district attorney warrants in many judicial districts statewide, with supporters describing it as a response to crime, population changes, and local workload needs. Both bills were reported favorably as amended. Rep. Ventrella’s H.B. 227, allowing court filings on letter-sized paper instead of only legal-sized paper, was also moved favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.B. 335 by Rep. Henry, which would expand citizenship verification requirements for entities administering public benefits. Supporters said it was meant to ensure state dollars go to U.S. and Louisiana citizens and to add accountability for NGOs; opponents, including farmers, food-access nonprofits, and health providers, argued it would create administrative burdens, chill participation in SNAP-related programs, and discourage vulnerable people from seeking food or medical help. After an amendment exempting nonprofit food distribution was adopted, the bill was reported favorably by a 12-5 vote. Finally, the committee took up H.B. 623, a tobacco and vapor products permitting bill. After adopting a three-minute rule, the committee accepted an amendment removing tobacco products from the proposed three-tier permitting system and excluding lawful marijuana products authorized by LDH. The amended bill was then reported favorably. The transcript ends as the committee was beginning H.B. 708.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, this is Assembly Bill 262, Caloza, regarding the California Individual Assistance Program.
• AB 262 will establish the California Individual Assistance Act, creating a grant program administered
• Currently, under federal law, federal assistance is commonly provided under several programs, including
• public assistance and individual assistance.
• , by our state programs.

Summary: The Emergency Management Committee met to adopt its rules and hear a series of disaster- and public safety-related bills. Several measures were placed on consent and approved, including bills sending items to Appropriations, Natural Resources, Judiciary, Labor and Employment, and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 262, by Assembly Member Caloza, proposed a California Individual Assistance Act to create a state grant program for disaster-related costs when federal aid is unavailable; supporters cited Rio Dell’s earthquake recovery as an example, while some members raised concerns about eligibility, cost, and whether the bill could aid undocumented residents. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote. AB 549, by Assembly Member Gabriel, would create an interagency coordination framework for major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics, with supporters emphasizing public safety and anti-trafficking planning. An opposition witness argued the bill could be used to justify prostitution arrests and misuse trafficking funds, but the committee members largely supported the coordination concept, and the bill passed 6-0 to Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 270, by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, would establish a three-year pilot for autonomous aerial firefighting helicopters overseen by the Orange County Fire Authority; supporters described it as a way to extend wildfire response into conditions where crewed aircraft are limited, and the bill passed 6-0 to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, sought to require Ventura County water districts in high fire-risk areas to top off tanks during red flag warnings, maintain backup generators, and harden critical water infrastructure. Water agencies opposed the bill unless amended, citing cost, flexibility, and liability concerns, while the author argued the requirements were necessary after failures during the Thomas Fire; it passed 6-1 to Utilities and Energy. AB 615, by Assembly Member Davies, required emergency response plans to be submitted with initial applications for battery energy storage and other energy facilities and to be reviewed with local responders; it passed 7-0 to Utilities and Energy. AB 1075, concerning privately contracted firefighters, also passed on consent to Natural Resources. Finally, AB 1143, by Assembly Member Bennett, would create a voluntary statewide home hardening certification program through the State Fire Marshal; supporters called it a best-practices approach to reduce wildfire losses and insurance risk, and it passed to Natural Resources. The committee then completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned after all bills were moved out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Food assistance is a life-saving program that knows no race, no creed, and no political party.
• Affordability means and to whom it means, and really doubling down on nutrition assistance food programs
• And food banks have received 38% less food this year from the USDA's Emergency Food Assistance Program
• Today, I will focus my remarks on CalFresh and the California Food Assistance Program, which together
• The California Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, provides state-funded food benefits for non-citizens

Summary: The joint hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity, and the effects of the recent federal shutdown and H.R. 1 on California families. Opening remarks emphasized that the shutdown delayed SNAP/CalFresh benefits for the first time in the program’s history, prompting emergency state, county, and local responses such as Operation Feed California, county emergency funds, food bank expansions, and Alameda County’s temporary food distributions and gift card support. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability crisis, noting that California produces abundant food but still has high rates of household food insecurity. The first panel reviewed food insecurity data and program impacts. PPIC’s Tess Thorman said about 13% of California households were food insecure in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and among Latino and Black households, and explained that CalFresh, school meals, and WIC significantly reduce poverty and hunger. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio described food insecurity as a policy choice and outlined state policy efforts such as Food for All, Thriving Transitions, and expansion of the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT program. The California Association of Food Banks said demand remains high, food banks are serving millions monthly, and federal cuts and reduced TEFAP food supplies are worsening the strain. The second panel gave a CalFresh program overview from CDSS and Alameda County. CDSS reported that CalFresh participation has improved, with California’s participation rate rising from 67% in 2020 to 81% in the latest federal data, and highlighted recent successes including the minimum nutrition benefit pilot and the revived fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. Officials also warned that H.R. 1 will add work requirements, reduce eligibility for some immigrants, and create future cost-sharing pressures for the state and counties. Alameda County described local caseloads, application declines tied to fear and uncertainty, and efforts to reduce error rates and support students, older adults, and other hard-to-reach groups. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application process and the need for more outreach and basic needs support on campuses. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members discussing possible future legislation, outreach funding, and state backfill strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:23.120><c> This</c><00:24:23.360><c> program</c><00:24:23.679><c> needs</c> assistance program
• This program needs assistance program.
• </c><00:39:19.520><c> program</c> homeless prevention assistance program homeless prevention assistance
• and Assistance Program, HECAT, and the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program.
• the</c> Assistance Program, HECAT, and the Assistance Program, HECAT, and the Greater<00:50:44.160><c

Bills: HF1141

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Public assistance programs often create barriers to work.
• And then public assistance programs—I was very involved in 1996 in the state of Utah with implementing
• If Governor Leavitt is going to do workforce reform, the public assistance program should be part of
• And the other big goal we had around TANF and our public assistance programs is increasing family income
• And the other big goal we had around TANF and our public assistance programs is increasing family income

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie on Arkansas’s “one door” or “no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. The discussion focused on moving the state toward a work-first system that better connects job seekers, employers, education, and public assistance programs, with goals of increasing upward mobility, improving labor force attachment, reducing inefficiencies, and adapting to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. The consultants argued that Arkansas’s current system is fragmented across multiple offices, portals, agencies, and funding streams, and that people often have to navigate separate doors for workforce services, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and related supports. Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as the model, describing how that state integrated workforce and human services into a single department, used cost allocation to blend funding behind the scenes, and saw improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said TANF should be treated as a workforce program, not just a benefits program, and suggested that Arkansas could use TANF and other tools to cross-train DHS staff, co-locate services, and create a more unified service delivery model. Members asked about federal flexibility, waivers, and whether the state could use one large waiver or a broader restructuring to simplify the system. Bishop explained that a federal pilot authority proposal failed in Congress, so the current approach relies on waivers, cost allocation plans, and possible state-level changes. The committee also discussed the relationship between DHS and workforce offices, the role of local workforce boards, how disability and vocational rehabilitation cases would be handled, and how the governor’s Restore Hope/Hope Hub and faith- and community-based initiatives might fit into the broader plan. Bishop said Arkansas already has rehabilitation services within the workforce department and emphasized that case managers should focus on people rather than programs. No votes were taken. The chair said the committee would revisit case management at its August meeting and adjourned the meeting after thanking the consultants.

Transcript Highlights:

• We started out with one program, which was our first-time homebuyer program.
• programs that we have.
• I will note there are some other states that fund different programs Monitor a program for a program
• A tax assessed statewide to also fund their down payment assistance program called the Certain states
• program.

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• to serve the program.
• enacted eight programs.
• Utah's school choice program is not the biggest program.
• Utah's school choice program is not the biggest program.
• Indiana has an ESA program, Florida, of course, has a program, Arizona's ESA program started with that

Bills: SB 2

Committees: Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And we know that that's been the case with a lot of our programs because our programs are complex.
• before we open a funding program.
• We have 29 grant programs, 34 subcategories to those grant programs.
• That's all within that program.
• The final presentation today is on this cool construction assistance program.

Committee: House Capital Budget

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee met on December 4 and heard presentations from the Department of Commerce, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and a consultant on the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) study. Commerce described its $5 million pilot under SB 5200 to reduce barriers for historically excluded community organizations and local governments, using trusted community messengers and technical assistance; officials said 18 organizations received readiness funding and 79 smaller projects were also supported. Commerce emphasized persistent barriers such as match requirements, reimbursement-based payments, site-control rules, insurance and audit costs, and extensive contracting requirements, and said it is responding with more outreach, digital modernization, internal process improvements, and planned innovation centers. Members asked about small business support, housing program placement, outreach in Eastern Washington, and tribal engagement, and Commerce said it would share contact and demographic information and continue follow-up. RCO reported on its equity work and implementation of a 2021-23 proviso directing it to reduce barriers and improve equitable delivery of grants. The agency said it had already made changes before the proviso, including a small-communities carve-out in youth athletic facilities, stipends for advisory committee members, and match reductions in some programs. Its equity review recommended prioritizing high-need areas, changing scoring criteria, improving applicant capacity, and funding projects that address broader community challenges. RCO said it has since updated grant criteria, added objective measures, aligned application questions, expanded technical assistance, and launched the Planning for Recreation Access program, which funded 54 projects in 34 counties. It also described the Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities program, which did not require match and drew broad interest, with about $200 million in applications across COAF and youth athletic facilities. Members raised concerns about access to information and application complexity, and RCO said it is expanding outreach, advisory committee diversity, and support for outdoor learning programs. The final presentation summarized the SCAP planning study and proposed nine policy changes to address school facility funding challenges. The report found that construction costs have risen faster than SCAP support, many districts have limited debt capacity, and local bond/levy approvals have become harder to secure. Proposed solutions included stronger planning support, a new minor modernization category, use of unused biennial SCAP funds for faster deployment, an education-specification prototype, a SCAP enhancement program for low-capacity districts, acceptance of all non-SCAP local funding, phased modernization, streamlined D-form and reimbursement processes, and revisions to the SCAP formula to better reflect grade-band differences, enrollment projections, and regional cost variation. Committee members said some recommendations could be implemented by OSPI in the near term and asked for supporting documentation on the application and funding formulas. The committee took no formal vote and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.
• Second, the food assistance program for legal immigrants, known as FAP, is a state-only program.
• I'm going to talk through the impacts of HR1 on SNAP programs and food assistance programs.
• And then there is what I call a mirrored program, which is the food assistance program.
• Just curious, as we think about food assistance programs, we didn't talk about WIC today.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session to review how H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) could affect Washington’s Medicaid, long-term care, developmental disabilities, and food assistance programs, with a focus on implementation challenges, fiscal impacts, and likely coverage losses. Staff and agency officials explained Washington’s Medicaid financing structure, eligibility categories, caseload trends, and the role of the Health Care Authority and DSHS in administering Apple Health and related services. They also described how Medicaid expansion increased access to behavioral health services and how H.R. 1’s provisions are expected to affect the expansion population most directly. Health Care Authority and DSHS officials outlined several major H.R. 1 changes: new work and community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population, six-month redeterminations instead of annual renewals, changes to immigrant eligibility, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, new cost-sharing requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, and changes affecting long-term care eligibility. They said Washington is still awaiting federal guidance on many details, but estimated that about 620,000 Apple Health expansion enrollees could be subject to work requirements, that roughly 30,000 immigrants could lose Medicaid eligibility under the new definition of qualified alien, and that some long-term care and developmental disability clients could be indirectly affected. Officials also said the state is working with other agencies to build shared verification systems and may seek a delay waiver, though they do not expect broad federal flexibility. The committee also heard that H.R. 1 immediately blocks Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood services for one year, with the state planning to backfill about $11 million to preserve access. In addition, officials warned that the law could reduce federal Medicaid revenue by billions over time and strain hospitals and emergency rooms as more people become uninsured. They noted that Washington’s rural health transformation grant application is due November 5 and could bring some funding, but not to offset coverage losses. No votes were taken; the session was informational only. The committee then heard a separate presentation on food assistance, where staff and DSHS described H.R. 1’s SNAP changes, including expanded work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, higher state administrative costs, and a possible future state share of benefit costs tied to payment error rates. DSHS estimated a four-year fiscal impact of about $750 million for food assistance changes and said the state is working on system and policy changes across agencies before the new requirements take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• CDSS is providing technical assistance to support counties in making these program transitions while
• federal assistance, but they are still enrolled in our state CalWORKs program.
• assistance, but they are still enrolled in our state Coworks program.
• , to a number of disaster assistance programs.
• Estabished in 2016, the BFH program assists families who are dealing with twin crises, the specter of

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are already existing technical assistance programs.
• In addition to that, we have a down payment assistance program, or several down payment assistance programs
• That's our Collateral Assistance Program.
• SSBCI Technical Assistance Program.
• Businesses with grant assistance to apply for the program directly, so they're offering grant writing

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Program and Food Assistance Program.
• Nutrition Assistance Program, which H.R. 1 impacts.
• The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which H.R. 1 impacts, but it has ripple effects
• onto our state food assistance program, which mirrors in every way the federal food program, with the
• onto the state-funded food assistance program.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session focused first on the impacts of H.R. 1 on Medicaid and SNAP, especially for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, older adults, and low-income families. DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector explained Washington’s Medicaid structure for developmental disabilities and long-term care, noting that most community-based services are optional under federal Medicaid rules and could be vulnerable if state budgets tighten. He described several H.R. 1 changes, including possible cost sharing, a lower home equity limit, work requirements affecting the ACA expansion population, immigration-related eligibility losses, and a future new waiver opportunity. He said Washington could see about 2,700 people lose Medicaid eligibility due to immigration status and that most people with DD or long-term care needs would likely qualify for work requirement exemptions, but he warned that reduced federal dollars could put home and community-based services at risk. Advocates and providers described the practical effects of Medicaid cuts on crisis services, supported living, and family stability. Dr. Eric Bolter said Washington has only a small continuum of services for people with IDD and severe behavioral needs, and that lower ABA reimbursement and other Medicaid reductions could shrink already limited outpatient, residential, and inpatient options, leading to more hospital stays and out-of-state placements. Scott Leavengood said supported living is already underfunded, with high turnover and staffing shortages, and warned that past cuts led to longer waitlists and fewer people served. Stacey Dimm of The Arc of Washington argued that HCBS is the main service system for most people with developmental disabilities and that cuts would push people into more restrictive and expensive institutional care. She also emphasized that many families already lack access to paid services and that workforce, housing, and family support shortages make the system fragile. The committee then shifted to SNAP and food assistance. DSHS Assistant Secretary Carla Reyes outlined H.R. 1 changes to SNAP, including expanded work requirements, reduced exemptions, tighter immigration eligibility, elimination of the SNAP education program, higher state administrative costs, and a new state share of benefit costs tied to error rates. She said about 129,000 Washington residents could be at risk under the new work rules, roughly 30,000 legal immigrants could move to the state-funded food program, and the state could face hundreds of millions in new costs. Anti-hunger advocates and food bank leaders said the changes would increase hunger and administrative burden while reducing benefits, and they stressed that food banks cannot replace SNAP. A SNAP recipient, Amy Rourke, testified that even with extensive civic involvement she barely meets the proposed work-hour threshold and said the rules would punish parents, caregivers, and people facing transportation or child care barriers. She urged the state to count caregiving, advocacy, and community service as qualifying work and to build more flexible pathways for compliance. In the second half of the meeting, the committee turned to juvenile rehabilitation caseload forecasting and court data. Caseload Forecast Council staff presented the current JR forecast, saying caseloads had declined for years, rebounded after COVID, and are now projected to remain mostly flat through the current biennium before rising modestly over the longer term. Members asked about the distinction between regular JR and adult-sentenced youth, and staff explained that longer lengths of stay in the adult-sentenced population reflect policy choices made in prior legislation. Andrew Peterson of the Administrative Office of the Courts described data-sharing efforts intended to help JR forecast admissions, including quarterly counts of pending felony cases and youth criminal history information. He said the courts began sharing some data in 2022 and 2024, but staffing limits interrupted the effort, and JR recently asked to resume and expand the information flow to support weekly forecasting and better planning for facility capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• small grants through California's Small Business Technical Assistance Program (TAP), importantly allowing
• The Small Business Assistance Programs, which are one of the largest programs across the state, include
• that happens to be running a small business assistance program, ensuring that... ...or any other program
• ... ...getting the assistance from programs like the small business development centers, the women's
• It's the small business assistance programs, nonprofits, public educational institutions, and multiple

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development