Transcript Highlights:

• When Glamis comes in, it is an injection into the region.
• When Glamis comes in, it is an injection into the region, a huge injection into the region.
• It allows applicants to secure permits in advance... ...will be wet or dry.
• And the Kumeyaay people still reside in that entire region.
• And how does usage compare across facilities or regions?

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• Were these regional people?
• distinct regions.
• The regional model is what was dividing the state into four regions.
• That's what avoids the complexities of region-to-region. It's actually region-to-prime and then...
• region, and Los Angeles and central region, as well as operating... ...in the northern region and Los

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't use the secure one because that is our webcast.
• And there's nothing really available for this region.
• Although municipal bonds are considered to be securities, they are exempt from most securities laws that
• So, the different kinds of security pledges, the NMFA has a number—basically every Type of security pledge
• Securities, the old Bank of America, Merrill Lynch.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:41.720><c> parks</c> and then 2.3 million for regional parks and then 2.3 million for regional
• regional regional solicitation<00:05:12.720><c> and</c><00:05:13.240><c> uh</c><00:05:13.400><c> some
• Any questions about the Metropolitan Parks regional parks and trails?
• Any questions about the Metropolitan Parks regional parks and trails?
• <00:32:07.760><c> parks</c><00:32:08.000><c> and</c> regional parks and regional parks and trails<00:

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Were these regional people?
• distinct regions.
• The regional model is what was dividing the state into four regions.
• That's what avoids the complexities of region-to-region.
• region, and Los Angeles and central region, as well as operating... ...in the northern region and Los

Summary: The Emergency Management Committee held an oversight hearing on California’s Next Generation 911 rollout, focusing on Cal OES’s decision to move away from the original regional vendor model toward a statewide provider model. Cal OES said the regional architecture created complexity at the boundaries between regions, leading to misrouted calls, transfer problems, and degraded audio, and that a statewide model would better align with national standards and provide a more reliable, secure system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to pause further implementation until it has more information on the problems, tradeoffs, costs, and oversight needs, and recommended stronger reporting and possibly independent technical review before proceeding. Committee members pressed Cal OES on accountability, cost, testing, vendor selection, and whether the current system is safe. Cal OES said the project has cost about $456 million so far, most of it recurring service fees, and that 23 PSAPs had transitioned voice traffic while more than 440 total PSAPs remain in the state. Officials said the current system is operating, that a pause would not put the public at risk, and that the statewide conversion could be completed by summer 2030. Members and the LAO raised concerns about whether Cal OES has enough technical oversight and whether contract language alone is sufficient to prevent repeat problems. The vendor panel largely defended the regional model and argued that the existing system is already built, tested, and ready to expand. NGA 911, Synergem, Lumen, and Atos said the regional architecture provides redundancy and resilience, that early problems were often tied to legacy-system integration, carrier issues, or training rather than the regional design itself, and that a statewide redesign would add cost and delay. Atos said it serves as the statewide backbone and backup and has already carried live traffic, while vendors emphasized that they support continued modernization but believe California should build on the current regional investment rather than replace it.

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of those jobs are directly in the Central Valley region, a region, when you look at it economically
• to fund regional priorities.
• going forward that's based on a cyber security event that we had in March of 2024.
• How do we empower individuals, neighborhoods, regions, to do the work they need.
• And it's also much, much more competitive to other regions in the state-organized areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our Southwestern Regional Vice President. Jermaine Netherly.
• Officers refer the subcommittee on county and regional government.
• HB 608 by Rosenthal relating to the electric power grid purchased by the ERCOT power region referred
• on Homeland Security.
• Refer to the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• regional economies.
• the entire L.A. region and as well with our ...into the L.A. region.
• For example, community colleges have their eight regional consortia. Jobs First has 13 regions.
• K-12 has 13 regions.
• They've got to get Social Security cards.

Summary: The Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs met at Santa Ana College for its first hearing, with Chair Mike Fong opening by emphasizing the role of community colleges in college access, affordability, and workforce pathways. He highlighted AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council and AB 323, which expanded Strong Workforce funds to support paid internships, and framed the hearing as a showcase of successful CTE, apprenticeship, and workforce models across the state. The first panel focused on statewide workforce funding, labor-market trends, and apprenticeship. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova described the Strong Workforce Program, credit for prior learning, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, and asked the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo pointed to high-growth sectors such as health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, stressing data-driven planning, employer engagement, flexible funding, and wraparound supports. Andrew Gonzalez of the Los Angeles/Orange County Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, classroom-based, and tied to a portable credential, and described apprenticeship readiness programs, wraparound services, and community workforce agreements as effective tools for placing diverse, low-income, and justice-involved workers into union careers. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed SB 191 and the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program, recommending stronger coordination, intermediary infrastructure, better tracking of youth apprenticeships, more resources for community-based organizations, and a bridge program to connect high school students and opportunity youth to apprenticeships. The committee then turned to firefighting academies and career training at Santa Ana College. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb described Santa Ana College as a major trainer of firefighters and first responders, with extensive noncredit workforce training, multiple bachelor’s degrees, and strong job placement in fire-related fields. They emphasized hands-on training, wellness services, mock interviews, sponsorships with fire agencies, and partnerships with local law enforcement and the U.S. Forest Service. Neri also urged changes to the state’s applied baccalaureate rules to remove the “duplication” restriction so more community colleges can offer workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees tied to living-wage jobs. The hearing ended with discussion of how regional and statewide planning should work together, how to reduce duplication and administrative barriers, and how to better align education, employers, and apprenticeship systems to meet California’s workforce needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> so working with the Securities so working with the Securities Commission<00:11:54.480><c> u</c><
• ><c> commission</c> banking here, securities commission banking here, securities commission here.<00:
• But uh securities.
• </c><00:23:36.080><c> to</c> um make sure they have the securities to um make sure they have the securities
• I've heard regions people to follow up.

Bills: HB259 , HB206 , HB207 , HB259 , HB206 , HB207

Committee: House Financial Services

Keywords: income tax credit, tax incentive, recruitment, remote work, remote worker, recruited worker, rural counties, small counties, county population tiers, opportunity zone, teacher recruitment, nurse recruitment, law enforcement recruitment, workforce development, economic development, relocation incentive, Alabama Department of Revenue, nonrefundable tax credit, tax carryforward, state income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• the Senate Chamber Diane Talk, who's accompanied by the leadership team over at the South Shore Regional
• I'm very proud to Over at the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center, as well as her son
• Last month, Diane celebrated her retirement after 30 years working dispatch at the South Shore Regional
• We also go big this year on regional school transportation by increasing reimbursement rates to 90%,
• The Senate is all in on food security.

Summary: The Senate first adopted two resolutions commending the Plimpton Historical Society for Deborah Sampson Day and Megan’s Light for recognizing May 2026 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 on several House petitions, referred those matters to committees, and later took up final passage of two local bills: one authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional off-premises liquor license and another relative to the charter of Westwood. Both bills were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The main business of the session was the opening debate on the Senate Ways and Means FY27 budget, which was described as a balanced $63.3 billion proposal. The chair and supporters highlighted major investments in unrestricted local aid, Chapter 70 education funding, regional school transportation, rural aid, community college affordability, food security, housing, and health and human services. They also emphasized that the budget was built on the consensus revenue estimate, included no new taxes or tax cuts, did not use the rainy day fund, and relied in part on federal funds and Fair Share revenue. In extended questioning, the minority leader pressed for details on the budget’s assumptions and cost drivers, including federal participation, Fair Share revenue, debt service, MassHealth caseload and spending, pension and OPEB liabilities, settlement reserves, collective bargaining funding, and controls against waste, fraud, and abuse. The chair responded that federal funds account for about 22% of budgeted revenues, Fair Share revenue is estimated at about $2.7 billion, debt service is about $2.67 billion, MassHealth and related health and human services total about $36.4 billion, pension funding is $5.1 billion, and OPEB receives a $150 million payment. Members also discussed the C-3 child care program, DTA program integrity, and housing permitting reforms, with several senators speaking in support of the budget’s priorities and urging further debate and amendments before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the regional marketing director for Tri-County Economic Development District, representing Ferry
• With the TPA funding, we've been able to proactively secure new group business.
• With the TPA funding, we've been able to proactively secure new group business.
• It takes away the mechanism for securing this ongoing business and these opportunities.
• It takes away the mechanism for securing this ongoing business and these opportunities.

Bills: HB2278 , HB2325 , HB2481 , HB2503

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: tourism, promotion areas, state funding, economic development, community engagement, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers

Transcript Highlights:

• We would look at in-demand occupations by region and within the county, or if there are other regions
• One of the strengths of our workforce system is that we have boards by region that can work at a regional
• One of the strengths of our workforce system is that we have boards by region that can work at a regional
• One of the strengths of our workforce system is that we have boards by region that can work at a regional
• A lot of these things. that we have boards by region that can work at a regional basis.

Bills: SB100

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is not simply an investment in economic security. It's an investment in opportunity.
• They were eligible because they had Social Security numbers.
• cities and towns of our region.
• being born into families in our region.
• just as there are regional differences in the availability and capacity to access resources.

Bills: H5085 , H5286

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

Keywords: poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• organizations that received this type of funding and there was lack of access, what we noticed is regions
• Community Action Partnership did stand up to do that, and they have case managers located in every region
• [00:49:35.000] Because, no, I know what you're talking about, because Social Security, especially for
• Because, no, I know what you're talking about, because Social Security, especially for some, it is.
• were participating in, but is critical for the future of our natural gas transmission out of the region

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a complex national security issue.
• It's a huge footprint and it's a really important national security region for our nation.
• perspective, cybersecurity, and national security lens.
• We've got security systems.
• Yes, but working with high school teachers and those regions.

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• in each region of our state.
• This bill relates to establishing the Higher Education Research Security Council.
• Liz This is Haney, I am representing myself and my company, Soil Region.
• I am a co-owner of Soil Region. We are an ag consulting company.
• And here's a bigger truth, healthy soil is the foundation of food security.

Bills: HB3032 , HB3434 , HB3574 , HB5339 , HB5646

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, rates are differentiated into seven different regions, and there are also four counties that
• receive different regional rates only for child care centers.
• The third change is related to rate regions.
• Section 5 removes the enhanced regional rates and will save about $15.5 million per year beginning in
• Section 5 removes the enhanced regional rates and will save about $15.5 million per year beginning in

Bills: HB2689 , SB5832 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5988 , SB6151

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:40.160><c> Federal</c> project but due to securing Federal project but due to securing Federal
• We do hear that the funding that we've received is secure.
• </c> development needs of our growing region development needs of our growing region as<01:15:47.000>
• All right, Representative Reyer. within our region but at the state level within our region but at the
• Regional Park in Anoka County.

Bills: HF343 , HF446 , HF448 , HF674 , HF811 , HF832 , HF1661 , HF1528 , HF1536 , HF1541 , HF1670 , HF1438 , HF1714 , HF1748 , HF1835 , HF1904 , HF1929 , HF1942

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• WATD is our sort of regional radio. They try. There's only so much they can do.
• WATD is our sort of regional radio. They try. There's only so much they can do.
• FATV secures a secure remote participation option for Fitchburg constituents.
• The League believes it is of the highest priority that we secure the funding future—emphasis on secure—of
• I'm a digital navigator in the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on a large docket of technology, internet, cybersecurity, broadband, and media bills. Early testimony focused on community media funding legislation, with lawmakers and local access advocates arguing that as cable subscriptions decline and streaming grows, revenue tied to cable franchises no longer supports community television and PEG programming. Supporters said community media remains a key source of local news, government meeting coverage, and civic transparency as newspapers disappear or consolidate. A related bill on cable contract oversight also drew support, with testimony that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable is backlogged and should more actively review municipal-provider agreements and report its workload to the committee. Another major topic was a proposal to create a Massachusetts Innovation Fund for state IT modernization. The Alliance for Digital Innovation backed the bill, saying agencies need flexible upfront capital to replace outdated systems and improve cybersecurity, and pointing to the federal Technology Modernization Fund as a model. The witness noted that funding for the state program still needs to be identified. The committee also heard strong support for a bill requiring free broadband in public housing, with Rep. Emmela Goodwin and MAPC describing internet access as essential for jobs, school, telehealth, and civic participation. They said the digital divide in Massachusetts is driven largely by affordability rather than infrastructure, though questions were raised about costs, wiring, and whether all housing sites already have broadband access available at the curb. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on bills to limit addictive social media feeds for minors. Supporters, including lawmakers, parents, teens, and advocacy groups, argued that algorithmic feeds contribute to addiction, anxiety, body image problems, and other harms, and said the bills would restrict surveillance-based curation and overnight notifications while leaving search and followed accounts available. Opponents, including FIRE, CCIA, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, argued the bills would require invasive age verification, threaten privacy and cybersecurity, burden adults’ anonymity, and likely face First Amendment challenges. They also warned the measures could disadvantage smaller businesses and may be unconstitutional based on recent court rulings in other states. The committee also heard support for blockchain-related bills creating a commission, a pilot program, and consumer education efforts, with testimony that Massachusetts has the talent but needs a coordinated state strategy. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, Darlene Dupree with the Association of Regional Center Agencies, here to voice support for the
• at the Regional Center of East Bay.
• I am a registered nurse and a clinical director at the Regional Center of the East Bay.
• I was unable to secure one for today.
• I was unable to secure one for today.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda of bills focused largely on child welfare, foster care, child care, CalWORKs, mandated reporting, and public benefits. Early items included AB 890, which would ease county transfer rules for nonminor dependents in extended foster care; AB 461, which would replace punitive truancy-related penalties with supportive services for families; and AB 753, which would create an interim associate teacher pathway to help address the child care workforce shortage. Testimony on these bills emphasized barriers faced by foster youth, low-income families, and child care providers, and members expressed support for the general policy direction. The committee also heard AB 926 on foster care visitation, AB 563 on early childhood planning and reporting, AB 601 on standardized mandated reporter training, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification aid, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 970 creating a Los Angeles County mandated reporter pilot, AB 1161 protecting public benefits during disasters, AB 1172 allowing trained staff to administer emergency seizure medication in community care settings, and AB 363 expanding CalWORKs student supports and work-study. Witnesses generally supported these measures as ways to reduce trauma, improve reunification, modernize reporting and training, and expand access to services. County welfare and child welfare groups, advocacy organizations, and providers largely testified in support, while some bills drew concerns from county representatives about implementation or needed amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, often unanimously and sometimes as amended, including AB 926, AB 563, AB 601, AB 1074, AB 822, AB 970, AB 1161, and AB 1172; AB 1172 was reported on call. The committee also took up consent items and later voted on subcommittee-held bills AB 461, AB 753, and AB 890, leaving them on call. At the end of the hearing, the committee heard AB 1211, which would protect CalFresh benefits from federal cuts and require a feasibility study on increasing benefits and eligibility; testimony stressed rising food insecurity and the economic importance of food assistance, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.