Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the Department of Natural Resources is not legally authorized to participate in alternative
• This bill would give them the opportunity to explore alternative revenue generation through ecosystem
• a little bit about how you see this alternative revenue generation, particularly as you've used the
• When acting in their capacity as a Fish and Wildlife Commissioner or alternate, these new folks must
• But previously, they mentioned this bill talks about alternative revenue sources.

Bills: HB2170 , HB2544 , HB2578

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: natural climate solutions, ecosystem services, revenue generation, economic opportunities, environmental policy, water rights, adjudication, Columbia River, environmental impact, natural resources, tribal members, fish and wildlife, commission, indigenous rights, state regulation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have safer alternatives.
• They have safer alternatives.
• But there are, on the market, lots of alternatives, and they are safer.
• Lots of alternatives, and they are safer. Well, you addressed my question.
• I was going to ask about alternatives, just for the sake of education: are the alternatives the same

Bills: HB2384 , HB2402 , HB2505 , HB1904 , HB2145 , HB2182 , HB2211 , HB2242 , HB2247 , HB2329 , HB2339

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: continuing care retirement community, CCRC, life plan community, senior housing, retirement community, long-term care, assisted living, nursing home, actuarial analysis, solvency, financial oversight, resident contracts, entrance fee, disclosure statement, registration, insurance commissioner, DSHS, consumer protection, elder care, aging services

Transcript Highlights:

• So when a substance is known to cause cancer and respiratory harm and safer alternatives do exist, the
• 00:02:17.360><c> harm</c><00:02:17.920><c> and</c><00:02:18.080><c> safer</c><00:02:18.360><c> alternatives
• </c> respiratory harm and safer alternatives respiratory harm and safer alternatives do<00:02:19.080>
• for Telone that are alternatives for Telone that are registered<00:04:45.200><c> for</c><00:04:45.360
• It appears that other pineapple growers have transitioned away to other alternatives.

Bills: HB1979

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: environmental review, affordable housing, clean energy, judicial proceedings, public participation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure. The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded. Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we have alternate schools and I know we have all that stuff going on.
• or alternative schools, because I used to teach in an alternative school as well, they offer that already
• They're now in that alternative setting, which has some other mental barriers.
• And did you say that not all school districts have alternative settings?
• No, ma'am, they do have alternative settings, but for smaller school districts, the alternative setting

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 31, 2026, and heard several bills focused largely on workforce training, student aid, and school safety. HB 325 by Rep. Brass would add successful completion of nine dual-enrollment credit hours as a third eligibility pathway for the TOPS Tech Award; after a clarifying amendment limiting the change to students graduating in the 2026-2027 school year, the bill drew broad support and was reported favorably. HB 407 by Rep. Larvadane would return the M.J. Foster Promise Program’s initial eligibility age to 21 for two years, grandfathering in current younger participants while the state addresses funding shortfalls; despite concerns about access for 18- to 20-year-olds, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill as amended on a 12-2 vote. HB 482 by Rep. Turner would loosen TOPS Tech requirements, including lowering one academic threshold, raising the age window to 25, and increasing the award amount at community and technical colleges; after an amendment expanding the affected institutions beyond LCTCS, it was reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 283 by Rep. Newell, which strengthens penalties and school responses for assault and battery on teachers and other school employees and expands sick-leave coverage for related medical, psychological, and rehabilitation treatment. Testimony from educators and union representatives described serious incidents of violence and fear of retaliation, while a school district attorney warned about unintended consequences for rural districts, transportation, and students with disabilities; the bill was amended to include students as protected victims and then reported with amendments. HB 448 by Rep. Adams would allow scholarships for firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty, and their spouses, to be used for graduate study rather than only a bachelor’s degree; after an amendment clarifying the scholarship could be used for bachelor’s or advanced degrees, it was reported as amended. HB 319 by Rep. Beham, a cleanup measure for the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education to improve quorum and update organizational references, was reported favorably. HB 195 by Rep. Beham, which would bar public postsecondary institutions from prohibiting students from carrying self-defense chemical spray on campus, was amended to add exceptions and then reported with amendments. The committee also heard testimony on HCR 10 by Rep. Wilder, which asks the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to recognize dance and cheer as sanctioned sports; the sponsor said the resolution was prompted by a parent request and safety concerns, and an amendment was expected to broaden the measure. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly emphasized workforce development, dual enrollment, and the need to align education programs with labor-market demand, while also debating how to balance student access, funding limits, and school safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, so we are more than happy to have that discussion in regards to looking at alternatives for the
• Specifically, we completed the first alternative methodology by the July 1, 2025 federal deadline.
• Issue four is regarding the child care alternative methodology survey trailer bill.
• Issue four is regarding the child care alternative methodology survey trailer bill.
• There is no clear alternative if CHIRP is cut.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission of Alaska and inflation adjustment of the maximum price of natural gas, relating to an alternative
• Commission of Alaska and inflation adjustment of the maximum price of natural gas, relating to an alternative
• volumetric tax and... ...maximum price of natural gas, relating to an alternative volumetric tax on
• volumetric tax. ...of the maximum price of natural gas, relating to an alternative volumetric tax on
• volumetric tax on natural gas throughput. ...on the price of natural gas; relating to an alternative

Keywords: 905, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of these programs exist for drugs without generic alternatives.
• 99.6% of copay assistance is used for branded drugs that do not have a generic alternative.
• <00:43:50.359><c> regrettably</c><00:43:51.359><c> health</c> Alternatives regrettably health Alternatives
• so when you hear shortly the alternative so when you hear shortly the opposite<00:45:48.119><c> this
• It does not accept the case where there is a lower-cost name-brand alternative.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's begin by opening the public hearing on House Bill 2542, requiring use of alternatives to animal
• facilities, and manufacturers from using an animal test method in a drug development process when an alternative
• method is available. ...from using an animal test method in a drug development process when an alternative
• An alternative test method is one that provides information of equivalent or better scientific quality
• That could be investments in capital, and/or when there are alternative methods, and that is called out

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2542 would require drug developers to use validated non-animal testing methods when available, unless federal regulators request animal testing. The sponsor said the bill builds on prior Washington action on cosmetics testing and is intended to move toward more humane and modern science. Supporters, including students, animal welfare advocates, and biotech-related witnesses, argued that animal tests often fail to predict human outcomes and that alternatives are more accurate. A biotech industry representative said animal testing is still necessary for some research and warned the bill could deter local innovation, but said the industry was open to amendments. The sponsor said she was open to discussing changes to the enforcement mechanism. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. House Bill 2629 would address theft and vandalism of critical communications infrastructure, including copper and fiber lines. The bill would ban cash payments for nonferrous metal transactions, require electronic or stored-value payment methods, impose civil penalties for stolen copper used in telecommunications cable, and create a new Class C felony for destruction of critical communications infrastructure. The sponsor and industry witnesses described repeated outages affecting 911, hospitals, schools, and first responders, and said Washington has a high rate of these incidents. Recycling industry representatives supported the bill after negotiations, but a prosecutor and some others said the bill should focus more on law enforcement tools such as searchable transaction databases and holding periods rather than new penalties. No final action was taken in the hearing. House Bill 2394 would expand the Insurance Commissioner’s insurance fraud program and create a Class B felony for insurance fraud, including fraudulent billing, misrepresentation of repair costs, and misuse of coding systems. The bill also broadens who can be considered a victim for restitution and gives the commissioner additional investigative tools, while the substitute removed a reporting duty for certified public accountants. The sponsor and the Insurance Commissioner’s office said the measure responds to more sophisticated, technology-driven fraud schemes that harm both insurers and consumers. Insurance industry and fraud bureau witnesses supported the bill as a consumer protection measure. No vote was taken. House Bill 2361 would raise the maximum principal amount for small loans from $700 to $1,200, with annual inflation adjustments, while keeping the existing 30% of monthly income cap and other safeguards. The sponsor said the change would better reflect emergency costs and help borrowers avoid illegal lenders. DFI raised implementation questions about inflation adjustments and publication requirements, and opponents from AARP, SEIU 775, poverty advocates, and consumer attorneys argued the bill would increase debt traps and fees for low-income borrowers and older adults. MoneyTree supported the bill, saying the current cap is outdated and that the product remains a flat-fee, regulated credit option with existing consumer protections. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 2294, which would prohibit negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies; staff described a proposed amendment adding notice and changing enforcement, and the committee then moved the bill out with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We deferred evaluation of possible alternatives for PFAS in sealants and cookware until Cycle 2.
• For the other Cycle 1.5 products we reviewed, we were unable to determine safer alternatives were both
• alternatives for PFAS in sealance and cookware until cycle 2.
• So I think that forces the hand of industry to find alternatives.
• But the challenge that we have is that the alternatives, when there's a general ban like that, aren't

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a vote to establish positive alternative grants in 2005.
• </c><01:28:37.280><c> thank</c> provide the positive Alternatives thank provide the positive Alternatives
• </c><01:32:14.920><c> program</c> from the positive Alternatives program from the positive Alternatives
• What's not funded is the alternative options for women. That's the truth.
• What's not funded is the alternative options for women. That's the truth.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any opportunities to grow the number of licensees under your jurisdiction as an alternative
• Are there any opportunities to grow the number of licensees under your jurisdiction as an alternative
• As you're aware, in 2001, the legislature enacted the Alternative and Complementary Health Care Act,
• First, it protects the right of Californians to seek and receive complementary and alternative health
• Ensure that lawful alternative and complementary healthcare practices remain protected.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each agency described its licensing, enforcement, modernization, and consumer-protection work since the last review, and committee members focused heavily on workforce access, public safety, transparency, and fee authority. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issues were a possible move from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree for licensure, fee structure changes, and ongoing work on LVNs performing respiratory tasks. Board representatives said the degree proposal was intended to strengthen competency and could be phased in without harming access, but several public commenters—especially respiratory therapists and families of medically fragile children—argued it would worsen shortages, particularly in rural and low-income areas. Other stakeholders supported clarifying LVN authority in congregate living health facilities, while the California Medical Association flagged the proposed Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist classification as having limited current workforce impact. The interior design segment drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders defended the current voluntary certification/title-act model, saying it establishes competency, has produced minimal complaints, and that licensure would unnecessarily disrupt the workforce and create barriers without demonstrated public harm. Committee members questioned the lack of state-style enforcement authority, transparency, and Bagley-Keene compliance, and some public commenters criticized the private structure and inconsistent plan acceptance in local jurisdictions. Supporters of the current system said the certification and commercial designation help educate building officials and allow qualified designers to work safely, while opponents argued licensure would provide clearer accountability and reduce confusion. The speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers board reported major modernization gains, including online licensure processing, faster turnaround times, and new continuing education audits and advertising rules. The board supported creating a licensed audiology assistant category to improve access to care, and public commenters generally backed the board while urging continued modernization. The occupational therapy board described steady growth, improved enforcement and licensing performance, and requested additional fee authority to address rising costs; the main public comment supported the sunset extension and a reduction in advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The naturopathic medicine board emphasized consumer protection, enforcement against unlicensed practice, and the need to clarify statutes; it said most licensed naturopathic doctors practice in underserved areas and welcomed legislative collaboration on scope and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, the Dairy Methane Reduction Program, and the Alternative
• the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, the Dairy Methane Reduction Program, and the Alternative
• And second, alternative manure management systems reduce methane formation, And second, alternative manure
• Third is the alternative manure management through the CDFA's AMP program, which we heard this morning
• We'd also like to see continued support for the alternatives to ag burning program.

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined how agricultural programs have used cap-and-invest funding and what role agriculture should play in future climate investments. The chairs opened by noting that agriculture had been largely left out of the cap-and-invest reauthorization, despite prior support through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and framed the hearing around climate-smart agriculture, food security, rural vitality, and the need for measurable co-benefits such as water savings, soil health, and air quality improvements. The first panel included CDFA Deputy Secretary Virginia Jamison and LAO analyst Helen Kirsten. Jamison described CDFA’s climate-smart portfolio, including the Healthy Soils Program, SWEEP, the Alternative Manure Management Program, and dairy methane reduction efforts, saying roughly $727 million has supported these programs and produced estimated reductions of 31 million metric tons of CO2e, 1.6 million acre-feet of water savings, and about 4,000 projects. She emphasized technical assistance, oversubscription of the programs, and the need for continued investment and better measurement/verification. Kirsten outlined the cap-and-invest structure, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and the state’s emissions inventory, noting agriculture is about 8% of California’s GHG emissions and that funding for tier-three programs may remain constrained. She also said prior LAO work found the programs have significant reduction potential but that some estimated benefits may be overstated, recommending further evaluation. The second panel featured UC researchers Alexandra Hill and Ermi Kibreab, who presented on the economic importance of California’s working landscapes and on dairy methane reduction pathways. Hill said working landscapes are a major part of the state and national economy, with agriculture driving most of the sector’s sales and jobs. Kibreab explained that dairy is central to methane reduction because it accounts for a large share of agricultural methane emissions, and described herd efficiency, digesters, alternative manure management, and emerging feed additives as complementary strategies. He said digesters and other incentive-supported measures are helping California move toward its methane goals, while noting feed additives such as 3-NOP and seaweed-based approaches could offer additional reductions in the future. The third panel brought contrasting views from environmental advocates, farmers, and industry representatives. Phoebe Seaton argued that further state funding for dairy digesters is not environmentally or economically justified, citing concerns about methane, nitrous oxide, groundwater impacts, odors, and high cost per ton reduced. Brian Shobe of CalCAN supported continued funding for programs like AMP, SWEEP, and Healthy Soils, saying they provide multiple co-benefits and that farmers need stable, incentive-based support to comply with climate and water regulations. Cannon Michael of Bowles Farming Company described his farm’s investments in organic and regenerative practices, composting, drip irrigation, solar, habitat management, and workforce programs, and said consistent funding helps farms plan and remain viable. Tricia Gerringer of the Agricultural Council of California urged funding for FPIP, the Farmer Program, methane reduction programs, and sustainable ag waste management, arguing they deliver immediate, measurable reductions and co-benefits. Members and witnesses debated the relative merits of digesters versus alternative manure management, the role of regenerative agriculture, and whether agriculture should be treated as a distinct policy category. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment supporting agricultural climate funding and a request to include agriculture in broader cap-and-invest discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've launched our juvenile detention alternative initiative back in 2004 in Pierce County.
• So this juvenile detention alternative initiative, the system improvement is many things.
• C, the chemical dependency mental health disposition alternative, allow for a suspended sentence.
• We are concerned that presumptively making disposition alternatives available to many JR sentences would
• We’re also unclear how a juvenile sentence to a disposition alternative would be revoked if they did

Bills: SB6062

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternative birthing centers provide maternity care for birthing people, specializing in childbirth,
• AB55 will streamline licensing requirements for alternative birth centers or ABCs.
• Alternative birthing centers provide maternity care for birthing people, specializing in childbirth,
• birth centers: only the lowest-risk patients give birth in alternative birth centers.
• These are places where we've had the closure of many facilities, alternative birth centers.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 54 on medication abortion access. The author and supporters, including the Attorney General’s office and reproductive justice advocates, said the bill would protect California’s medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and manufacturers from civil, criminal, and professional liability. Opponents from the California Family Council argued the bill removes safeguards and increases risks. The bill was moved forward on a committee motion. The committee then heard several reproductive and public health measures, including AB 551 to create a pilot program supporting emergency departments in providing reproductive health services, AB 260 to protect medication abortion access and telehealth, AB 309 to remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacy syringe sales and lawful possession of sterile syringes, AB 536 to preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal guidelines are challenged, AB 804 to make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit, AB 594 to address student health insurance billing and transparency, AB 836 to study and expand the midwifery workforce, AB 1418 to collect data on health coverage for eligible employees, and AB 1500 to maintain and expand the abortion.ca.gov information site. Supporters emphasized access, preventive care, workforce shortages, and public health benefits, while opponents raised concerns about abortion, syringe distribution, and the focus of state resources. Most measures were advanced by committee vote, with roll calls showing broad support and a few no votes from members on some bills. The final bill discussed in the transcript was AB 1037, which would update substance use disorder laws to reflect evidence-based, harm-reduction approaches and remove barriers to treatment. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate response to overdose and treatment access problems, while law enforcement opposition argued it would encourage drug use and endanger communities. The transcript cuts off during testimony on AB 1037, so no final committee action on that bill is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternative septic systems are much safer and provide a much cleaner system of getting rid of the waste
• So typically, if you have a smaller parcel of land, the cost will be higher because the alternative system
• And that's for an alternative system, but if it doesn't take an alternative system, it would be somewhat
• An alternative system could be an above-ground system.
• So I mentioned alternative systems.

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water heard three bills related to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) and water conservation funding. HB 2029 would require grant applicants to provide additional information about how water-conservation grant funds will be used, including expected long-term water savings, efficiency improvements, or reliability benefits. WIFA testified neutral, saying most of the information is already collected in agency policy and that the program is voluntary and reimbursement-based. The bill passed 9-1 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2030 would remove education and research programs from the list of allowable uses for the water conservation grant fund. Committee discussion focused on how much funding had gone to education/research projects and whether those projects still produced meaningful water savings. WIFA said about 15 projects with education or research components received roughly $10.5 million and were associated with an estimated 180,000 acre-feet in savings, though those savings were projections and the projects were not purely educational. Several members opposed removing those categories, but the bill passed 6-4 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2096 would expand WIFA financing to include remediation, closure, or replacement of cesspools that threaten groundwater, surface water, or public health, and would allow counties to use revolving-fund financing and income-based assistance for such projects. County and association witnesses supported the bill, describing the public health risks of aging cesspools and the need to help homeowners afford replacement systems; ADEQ was neutral. WIFA said the bill clarifies county authority to enter loans for this purpose and noted the funding would come from existing federal revolving-fund resources. The bill passed unanimously, 10-0, with a due pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So an alternative program would be a regular education placement because alternative programs are not
• alternative program.
• building for alternative for an alternative<00:50:40.280><c> program</c><00:50:40.799><c> for</c><00
• </c> they must be must submit an alternative they must be must submit an alternative plan<00:51:38.240
• but alternative alternative program but alternative programs<00:51:50.880><c> don't</c><00:51:51.040

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session focused on special education, especially the differentiated aid component and special education aid, which members noted is still often called “catastrophic aid.” The chair said the committee was trying to better understand how special education costs are growing, how districts are delivering services through SAUs or internally, and how reimbursement formulas affect local costs. Members also discussed the need for better data before making decisions on several education funding bills, and Representative Brown was tasked with capturing questions for follow-up information from the department or elsewhere. Testimony from the state special education director, Becky Fad, centered on why student counts in various disability categories have shifted over time. She said the categories themselves have not changed much, but autism has increased because of greater understanding and identification, developmental delay has grown because it applies to children under age 10 who may not yet have a clear diagnosis, and some students previously classified under speech/language or other health impairment are now identified in more specific categories such as autism. She emphasized that the IEP is based on a child’s individual needs, so a change in category would not necessarily change services, though it may help educators support the student differently. Members asked about whether the shifts reflect better diagnostic capability, whether the department should gather more data on the reasons for the changes, and whether autism-spectrum data could be broken down further. Fad said the department does not currently have data on the causes of the shifts or on where students fall within the autism spectrum, but that collecting and analyzing such data is on its list of priorities and a new data manager had recently been hired. She also explained that each child is counted only once on the chart by primary disability, that the IEP or eligibility team determines the primary category based on evaluations, and that any child can be referred for special education by a parent, teacher, or doctor, after which the district must meet within 15 days to decide whether to evaluate. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It talks about funding alternative pathways to license.
• The Alternative Pathways process is rigorous.
• We have a number of other alternative pathways, like the teacher apprenticeship program, alternative
• </c> they find out about the alternative they find out about the alternative Pathways<00:53:29.760><c
• </c><00:53:46.760><c> alternative</c> apprenticeship program alternative apprenticeship program alternative

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are currently limited available alternatives for PASAS and many electronics internal component
• However, new alternative technologies are in development.
• Some have better connections and are better... however new alternative Technologies are however new alternative
• <01:19:56.159><c> meaningful</c><01:19:56.679><c> imple</c> Alternatives meaningful imple Alternatives
• </c><01:37:25.840><c> you</c> when we know there are alternatives you when we know there are alternatives

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate amended the bill by including compliance in ADEQ's non-point source management plan as an alternative
• the House, House Bill 4001 establishes distributor and manufacturer licensing requirements for alternative
• Lastly, it replaces vapor products with alternative nicotine products in statutory provisions relating
• the House, House Bill 4001 establishes distributor and manufacturer licensing requirements for alternative
• Lastly, it replaces vapor products with alternative nicotine products in statutory provisions relating

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So please visit our committee website directly as an alternative.
• AB 470 ensures the remaining customers retain service until a wired, affordable alternative is available
• The bill, as we read it, potentially prohibits any alternative provider coming in from assuming any of
• So that's something that should be looked at as well: who are these alternative providers?
• But we also want to make sure that alternative providers put up information before, when it's looked

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard AB 470 by Assembly Member McKinnor, a bill to modernize California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules for voice telephone service and create a process for carriers to transition away from obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The author and supporters said the bill is aimed at preserving reliable voice and 911 access while encouraging private investment in fiber and other modern networks, and emphasized that it is not a broadband bill. Support came from AT&T, business groups, and a former Cal OES director, who argued the bill provides a careful, phased modernization with CPUC oversight and increased public-safety investment requirements. Opposition came from TURN, CWA District 9, digital equity organizations, labor groups, and several local governments and county representatives. Critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the mapping process, reliance on broadband and wireless coverage data, the lack of on-the-ground verification, the challenge process, possible loss of Lifeline protections, and the impact on workers and union jobs. They also argued the bill could allow carriers to reduce universal-service obligations without enough safeguards for rural and vulnerable customers. Committee members discussed those concerns at length, especially the map-making process, the challenge procedure, and whether the bill sufficiently protects workers and customers who could be left behind. The author said the bill includes a 10-year backstop if service is lost, a CPUC-led process, and a three-to-one fiber buildout requirement tied to relinquishment, and expressed willingness to continue working with labor on workforce language. The committee ultimately passed AB 470 on a 7-0 due pass vote.