Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, DHS hosts the Washington Economic Justice Alliance, a collaboration between experts with
• It also clarifies that the role of the task force is to implement, monitor, and collaborate on the 10
• And it's really the collaborative statewide effort to think about how we're...
• This work group is a bipartisan, multi-stakeholder collaboration that meets often, does hard, important
• Second, cross-sector collaboration.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held an evening hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 6249, sponsored by Sen. Torres, would require all people convicted of stalking to be supervised by the Department of Corrections. Staff explained current community custody rules and said the bill would make stalking convictions subject to DOC supervision; the fiscal note had been requested but not yet received. The sponsor and several survivors and advocates testified in support, saying stalking is dangerous, victims need ongoing monitoring, and supervision could help prevent future harm. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6255, sponsored by Sen. Lovelett, which renames and updates the Legislative Executive Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force (LuPRO) as the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force, expands membership, and revises duties to monitor and update the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. Staff said the bill has a partial fiscal note showing a $4,000 OSPI cost for a report, with no additional cost beyond that this biennium. Testimony from DSHS and a constituent supported the bill as a way to improve coordination and accountability in poverty reduction efforts. Senate Bill 6286, sponsored by Sen. Orwall, would authorize the Department of Health to fine private detention facilities that deny inspectors entry, with escalating daily fines and a new account to support people harmed by wrongful detention or ICE-related abuse. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a human rights and public health measure, citing complaints about food, sanitation, medical care, and mental health conditions in private detention facilities. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6224, sponsored by Chair Wilson, which would create a Children and Youth Behavioral Health Leadership Council to implement the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and extend the existing work group. Supporters from state agencies, providers, parents, and advocates emphasized early intervention, cross-system coordination, and youth mental health needs; one witness opposed the bill, arguing it should focus more on non-psychiatric causes of distress. The hearing ended with no recorded votes or final action on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are willing to continue working collaboratively to restore trust and improve clarity.
• From that lens, HB 2513 presents a serious problem... to continue working collaboratively to restore
• We want to continue that collaboration. Labor partners and legislators in good faith.
• We want to continue that collaboration.
• Thank you for your time today, and we look forward to the collaboration. Thank you.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard pay, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from security licensing fees. The bill’s sponsor and labor supporters said it would professionalize the industry, improve safety, and address high turnover and inadequate training. Security workers described unsafe conditions, retaliation, and being expected to handle crises without enough support. Opponents from business and security companies argued the bill duplicates existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much authority to an unelected board; L&I said it had administrative concerns about timing and fee handling. The hearing on HB 2524 was then closed. HB 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for non-residential plumbing violations. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and labor said repeat violators undermine safety and fair competition, and that the bill gives L&I a stronger enforcement tool against bad actors in commercial work. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on a new subsection they said was vague and could create an undefined corrective process or overly broad discretion for L&I; they asked that the subsection be removed or the bill be delayed for more stakeholder work. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. HB 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours starting January 1, 2028, and would also change paid sick leave accrual from one hour per 40 hours worked to one hour per 32 hours worked. The sponsor and labor supporters said a shorter workweek would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and turnover, and could increase productivity, citing examples from San Juan County and other places. Business, hospitality, grocery, construction, agriculture, and janitorial representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, reduce hours and flexibility, complicate scheduling, and hurt industries with thin margins or seasonal demands. The committee heard no votes or final action on HB 2611 before closing the hearing and ending business for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This presentation, all of this was put together really collaboratively.
• 2016, LFC conducted an evaluation of virtual programs, and the following year, LESC staff and LFC collaborated
• 2016, LFC conducted an evaluation of virtual programs, and the following year, LESC staff and LFC collaborated
• 2016, LFC conducted an evaluation of virtual programs, and the following year, LESC staff and LFC collaborated
• And you know, it just seems to be like they're a lot more collaborative.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An essential part of continuing this positive trajectory is effective oversight and ongoing collaboration
• All of these opportunities require close collaboration between the private sector and government, and
• We at Uber are dedicated to collaborating with the CPUC and the legislature to ensure all Californians
• Since then, LIPS has collaborated with the CPUC to maintain continuous compliance with the Public Utilities
• So that's an example of how Uber and Lyft transportation network companies collaborate with transit.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the division, the division will lead multi-agency and public-private collaboration on terrorism preparedness
• Is there any collaboration with the Mexican government?
• And it talks a lot about. what, how it can collaborate with you guys.
• So, you see this as a part of a critical collaboration between county sheriffs and DPS? Correct.
• It's something that they're going to have to collaborate on and put a plan into their policy.

Bills: HB 1065 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB3009 , HB3420 , HB3626 , HB3649 , HB4956 , HB4993 , HB5293 , HB5308 , HB5528 , HCR118 , SB36 , HB4023 , SB 36

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense, registration, public safety, violent offenses, criminal database, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• this committee that any of the stakeholders, when it comes to right-of-way, everyone talks about collaborating
• We've said in law, like, you shall communicate and collaborate and work with one another on how you spend
• And collaborative manner. So I ask for your support in this amendment to the amendment.
• , vocational schools, previously incarcerated youth and adults by establishing a framework for collaboration
• with various agencies and veteran programs. ...adults by establishing a framework for collaboration

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee heard several transportation and infrastructure bills. HB 1239, Energy Infrastructure Investment, would let the Public Service Commission create a mechanism for utilities to recover costs for renewable natural gas infrastructure; supporters said it could diversify energy supply and help agriculture, while members raised concerns about consumer rates and asked whether savings from RIN credits should be passed to customers. The bill drew supportive public testimony and was reported favorably after debate, with members noting the PSC would set costs and that the sponsor was open to further discussion on consumer protections. The committee then took up HB 313, which exempts Purple Heart recipients from paying Florida tolls. With no questions or opposition, it passed unanimously. The committee also considered HB 567, a broad transportation omnibus/strike-all bill covering EV tax revenue for roads, airport and MPO changes, workforce funding, traffic signal modernization, speed limits, and a pilot to streamline airport permitting. A major amendment added utility right-of-way notice, response, and incentive/penalty provisions, and another amendment authorized local governments to set age and ID rules for e-bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices after testimony about a fatal crash. The bill was reported favorably after extensive debate and public testimony from transportation and utility stakeholders. HB 112, dealing with municipal sewer collection systems, would allow cities to use sewer revenues to expand wastewater infrastructure. Sponsors said it was aimed at helping cities like Hollywood reduce septic use and improve water quality; testimony supported the measure as a way to unlock funding for sewer expansion, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also approved HB 7009, preserving public records and meeting exemptions for 911 and public safety radio communications systems and expanding them to next-generation 911. Finally, PCS for HB 1397, a large transportation package addressing airport, seaport, spaceport, and workforce issues, was amended and passed 14-1 after questions about federal testing notifications, removal of certain business preference language, and a provision redirecting some transit funds to highway projects if not timely used.

Transcript Highlights:

• work and the economy to define career pathways in which the sector should respond and enhance collaboration
• Additionally, there are various entities at the regional level that provide venues for regional collaboration
• It's difficult to know whether a new statewide venue for collaboration between workforce entities and
• In particular, we don't know whether the primary barrier here to collaboration is a lack of an obvious
• And I've been to these types of collaboratives.

Summary: The subcommittee held an informational budget hearing covering several GovOps, CDT, CPPA, and DGS items. GovOps reported that most deliverables under the Governor’s generative AI executive order have been completed, including guidelines, procurement tools, community-impact guidance, and a new project delivery lifecycle for Gen AI projects; one workforce-related deliverable remains. Members and public commenters raised concerns about privacy, labor impacts, and how the state will explain and oversee Gen AI use. The committee also heard a proposal to create a California Education Interagency Council with $5 million ongoing and 16 positions to coordinate workforce and education systems; LAO questioned duplication and recommended limited-term funding, while supporters said a neutral convening body is needed to improve coordination and student outcomes. GoServe presented the College Corps budget proposals, describing the program as a paid service and career-development opportunity for undergraduate students that helps reduce college costs while supporting communities through tutoring, food insecurity work, climate and disaster response, and other service. The administration sought one-time and ongoing funding to expand the program to more campuses and students, while LAO objected to the high administrative costs and recommended rejection. Several students and alumni testified that College Corps provided financial support, professional experience, and career pathways. The committee also heard a $5 million proposal for a Belonging Campaign to address loneliness and social isolation through research, outreach, and local grants; LAO said the proposal lacked clear goals and measures, while supporters said the effort is needed for youth, seniors, and community resilience. The Department of Technology updated the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, saying construction is underway on the statewide open-access network and the project remains on track for the 2026 deadline, though LAO noted a required business plan had not yet been submitted. The California Privacy Protection Agency presented its Delete Act implementation request for the DROP platform, which will let consumers request deletion of personal information held by data brokers; LAO flagged oversight concerns because CDT is both developing the system and involved in project support. Public commenters from business groups urged caution on CPPA’s rulemakings, warning of compliance costs and job impacts. The Department of General Services then discussed implementation of Proposition 2 school facilities bonds, requesting staffing and administrative funding to manage the new bond program and continue school facility work. Officials said the program can also help districts affected by the January wildfires, including interim site funding and expedited assistance. Finally, DGS requested authority and positions to operate Building 18 for labor-agency tenants relocating from older Capitol Mall space; SEIU Local 1000 criticized the state’s four-day return-to-office policy and said telework has improved productivity and retention. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and member questions on each item.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to working with him in a very collaborative and productive manner throughout this process
• Throughout my career, I focused on workforce development, collaborating with local school districts to
• By collaboration, we can more effectively use resource together.
• Because of this, we were among the first to collaborate to access the benefits of this legislation.
• We're expanding and strengthening our post-secondary and workforce collaborations.

Bills: HB20 , HB120

Committee: House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Keywords: fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations, higher education, LGBTQ studies, DEI studies, program prohibition, educational policy, HB120, Texas, Texas Education Code, public universities, public colleges, queer studies, gay studies, lesbian studies

Transcript Highlights:

• top, and I'm just wondering, definition-wise, the first line it says help improve interagency collaboration
• Collaboration.
• about the Department of Health, but how does this affect all the other departments that may be collaborating
• As long as they're collaborating, that's good.
• CDC data, and then the state, I'm sure, collaborates with them to get data.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas the County Commissioners, in collaboration with the City of Albuquerque and state and federal
• Rio Grande housing collaborative.
• And whereas Bernalillo County collaborates with the City of Albuquerque as a critical supporter of the
• of things they've done for housing, and they keep doing, the investments they're making, the collaboratives
• And whereas the laboratories foster a culture of collaboration, bringing researchers from diverse backgrounds

Transcript Highlights:

• So these entities are a collaborative effort across multiple state universities, and they require formal
• ocean waters, and I'm going to explain that in a little more detail in just a moment, as well as collaborating
• It's been a collaboration with the State of Florida and the Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Collaboration with industry is the future. They're wonderful.
• They're selected in collaboration with the Florida Department of Education, which reviews and approves

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee held its first meeting and focused on state university centers and institutes, with an overview from the Board of Governors on how the more than 500 centers and institutes across Florida’s public universities are categorized, overseen, and reported. The Board described three categories: state-level centers, legislatively established centers, and university-established centers. Members were told universities must maintain policies, notify the Board of changes, publish public inventories, and submit annual reports and compliance certifications. Senator Harrell asked about funding sources and whether underperforming centers are reviewed for elimination; the response was that funding varies by center and that universities decide whether to maintain or disband centers under their own policies, with annual reporting and audit findings shared with the Board. Four university presentations followed. Florida Atlantic University highlighted its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, describing research in marine-derived drug discovery, genomics, imaging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and ocean sustainability, along with spin-off institutes and partnerships that have generated significant grant and contract support. FIU presented its Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development, emphasizing the Wall of Wind facility, hurricane and water intrusion testing, code and product innovation, insurance modeling, and future expansion toward higher wind speeds and flood simulation. Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute described work in advanced materials, aerospace composites, sensors, nanocomposites, and AI-enabled materials development, along with patents, industry partnerships, and new facilities tied to economic development. The University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning outlined its work on teacher professional learning, literacy, New Worlds Reading, tutoring, and mathematics supports, including microcredentials, statewide book distribution, and early results showing improved reading confidence and growth. Members generally praised the centers for their research, commercialization, workforce development, and education impacts. Senator Jones and Senator Harrell commended the Lastinger Center’s literacy work and the broader return on investment from these programs, while Senator Berman noted the value of the synergies across institutions. The chair emphasized that future funding requests should clearly show measurable success, commercialization, and statewide impact. The committee then adjourned without any formal votes on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's unavoidable that we will be collaborating quite extensively with the federal government.
• And I think so far, our federal partners have been quite pleased with our level of collaboration.
• I think there's a lot of collaboration between our two departments.
• You see great collaborations between the Councils on Aging and the Aging Service Access Point.
• You see collaborations between law enforcement and protective service workers.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session on health and human services, held in Clinton and opened with remarks from the House and Senate co-chairs, local officials, and committee members. The chairs emphasized the importance of hearing directly from agencies about the Commonwealth’s health care and human services budget needs, thanked Clinton for hosting, and introduced the day’s panels, beginning with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and then MassHealth. Secretary Kiame Mahania presented Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS budget, describing a $33.7 billion request driven largely by non-discretionary cost growth, caseload increases, and federal uncertainty. He highlighted targeted investments in foster parent reimbursement, family resource centers, maternal health, food assistance, immigrant legal services, and workforce rates, while warning that federal cuts and the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act could strip billions from state health funding. Members questioned him about primary care shortages, federal program integrity audits, ConnectorCare, regional health disparities, and the proposed cap on adult dental coverage; he defended the cap as a difficult but necessary cost-control measure and said the administration would continue cooperating with federal partners. Undersecretary Michael Levine then testified for MassHealth, saying the agency faces two major challenges: rapid cost growth and looming federal changes. He outlined a $22.7 billion gross MassHealth budget and proposed actions including a moratorium on new expansions, capping adult dental benefits at $1,000, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management spending to peer-state levels, and convening work groups to slow growth in personal care attendant, adult foster care, and adult day health programs. He also warned that federal policy changes could cause about 300,000 residents to lose coverage by 2030 and reduce federal revenue by about $3.5 billion, and said MassHealth would use outreach and systems changes to help eligible members stay covered. Members raised concerns about the impact of these cuts on homeless care, preventive services, dental access, GLP-1s, and regional hospital and specialist shortages, while Levine argued the proposals were aimed at preserving core coverage and sustainability.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also family collaboration that happens, you know, per parent request as well.
• It's also family collaboration that happens, you know, per parent request as well.
• </c><01:24:52.639><c> that</c> thought conversation collaboration that thought conversation collaboration
• Um, there was an open collaborative relationship between the family and school.
• ><c> between</c> open collaborative relationship between open collaborative relationship between the<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our it trck which we'll collaborative our it trck which we'll refer<00:02:56.239><c> to</c><00:02:56.400
• </c><00:08:59.440><c> between</c><00:08:59.760><c> the</c> was really a collaboration between the was
• really a collaboration between the intermediates<00:09:00.760><c> and</c><00:09:01.079><c> others</c
• and burst through those grow collaborate and burst through those barriers<00:25:52.120><c> that</c><
• <00:26:50.840><c> and</c><00:26:51.080><c> and</c> collaboration and and collaboration and and partnership

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also, in close collaboration with the Consulate General of Korea and other Korean organizations in
• </c> belonging we work through collaboration belonging we work through collaboration and<01:02:06.319
• Thank you for this opportunity to speak. students in collaboration with the uh students in collaboration
• <02:50:21.120><c> with</c><02:50:21.239><c> nonprofit</c> collaboration with nonprofit collaboration
• Bō Executive Collaborative also not present. Boy Creative Media Foundation not present. Aloha.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we are in discussions with counties, and we hope to work collaboratively.
• Through a collaborative and multi-phased approach, DHS... Implement these changes.
• UCM continues to grow quarter over quarter, year after year, as we collaborate...
• We are committed to close collaboration... Align implementation approaches with CalFresh.
• We are committed to close collaboration with CDSS and counties.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the discussion around major federal changes to work requirements, eligibility redeterminations, immigrant eligibility, and financing rules, while noting the state’s own structural budget deficit and the need for a second hearing later in March on county and safety-net impacts. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center. LAO and Finance described H.R. 1 as driving major enrollment losses and cost shifts. LAO estimated that Medi-Cal work requirements and six-month redeterminations could affect 3.5 million people, with 1 to 2 million potentially disenrolled, while CalFresh changes could subject more than 800,000 people to work requirements and cause over 600,000 to lose food assistance. They also highlighted new ineligibility for certain non-citizens, reduced federal matching for emergency Medi-Cal services, tighter provider tax rules, and higher state and county administrative costs for CalFresh. Finance said the governor’s budget reflects about $1.4 billion in new General Fund costs in 2026-27 and a $2.4 billion reduction in federal funds, with larger out-year impacts and up to 2 million Medi-Cal disenrollments by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, though it said the state could limit losses by choosing not to apply some new requirements to state-funded populations and by keeping some immigrants in full-scope state-funded coverage. The Food Research and Action Center argued that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, homelessness risk, and health costs, while also hurting local economies and increasing administrative burden. Committee members from both parties questioned the fiscal sustainability of Medi-Cal growth, the 11% CalFresh error rate and possible $2 billion penalty, county indigent care costs, and the effect of work requirements; several Democratic members argued the federal changes and state cuts would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color, while Republican members emphasized program growth, work incentives, and the need for budget restraint. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We collaborate with the Women's Resource Center.
• We also have a peer advisor program, collaborating with the University of Michigan for a peer advisor
• Senator, it's a different department, but we work in collaboration with them because of the military
• We intend to be unified as Kirtland Air Force Base when we, as the host, collaborate with committees
• We're getting a lot of good collaborative information.

Transcript Highlights:

• source and it is to provide computer science professional learning for our K-12 teachers and to collaborate
• . for our K-12 teachers and to collaborate with the department to facilitate the development of the computer
• That collaboration was strengthened through the passage of the Alabama Computer Science Act in 2019,

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So as to depoliticize it, to require collaboration, and to safeguard these funds for future kids and
• </c><01:47:46.000><c> to</c><01:47:46.239><c> the</c> legislatures to collaborate to the legislatures
• thing which is why I bring collaborative thing which is why I bring this<01:58:19.199><c> amendment<
• as it relates to the collaboration as it relates to the permanent<01:58:24.320><c> school</c><01:58:
• with folks across the aisle collaborate with folks across the aisle and<01:58:52.080><c> to</c><01:58

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, collaboration and cooperation.
• So, collaboration and cooperation.
• </c><00:08:50.480><c> At</c> um, collaboration and cooperation.
• At um, collaboration and cooperation.
• </c> work is our commitment to collaboration work is our commitment to collaboration and<00:08:55.120

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house