Transcript Highlights:

• But the one idea is, like, well, let me just say that as a state legislature, you have block grants such
• A lot of the state's TANF Block Grant, including Arkansas, is given to providers who are intended to
• You can say, oh, right, here's the base TANF Block Grant, but you only get some percentage of what we
• It really focuses on the building blocks of what we know independence is: work, family, and community
• But in the case of the child care program, that's a block grant, and you have the ability to change that

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

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas Workforce Connections and the Department of Commerce about a package of nine federal waivers submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor under WIOA and Perkins. The officials said the waivers would give Arkansas more flexibility over governance, funding, affiliate centers, and program rules, and that the state expects a response by August 29. They said the package is modeled more closely on Louisiana’s approved waivers than on states with more denials, and outlined a possible transition plan if approved, including a transition committee, policy changes, board training, staffing, and follow-up legislation. Members asked about whether the waivers would affect services for people with disabilities; the officials said not directly, because the waivers focus on WIOA Titles I and III rather than vocational rehabilitation under Title IV. The committee then focused on “benefit cliffs” and work disincentives in safety-net programs. Researchers from the Georgia Center for Opportunity and the Alliance for Opportunity explained how earnings loss rates from taxes and benefit phaseouts can exceed 50%, 75%, or even 100%, making additional work or promotions financially unattractive. They presented Arkansas-specific modeling showing multiple cliffs and stacking effects across SNAP, Medicaid/CHIP, LIHEAP, WIC, reduced-price lunches, child care, and housing assistance, and argued that child care and health coverage create some of the largest disincentives. They suggested policy options including SNAP demonstration waivers, child care subsidy redesign, TANF outcome-based funding, Medicaid premium assistance and health savings accounts, and a possible small-scale pilot to test a more integrated safety net. Heather Webb of Arkansas Family Alliance and Molly Palmer of the Heart of Arkansas United Way added testimony from families, employers, and nonprofits. Webb described a working mother who lost Medicaid and a housing subsidy as her income rose, saying the cliff left her stressed despite earning more. Palmer said Arkansas’s ALICE population often works multiple jobs and still cannot meet basic living costs, and that employers report recruitment and retention problems when workers face benefit cliffs. Members asked for more data on savings and program impacts, and the witnesses said they could provide Arkansas-specific modeling and scenario analysis. The meeting ended with discussion of public-private partnerships, employer-sponsored insurance premium assistance, marriage penalties, and the need to coordinate or consolidate fragmented programs before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call up items 2, 3, 4, 18, and 19, and I'll call those up in block.
• I would like to call up in block items 5 through 16.
• And then I will go through items 20 through 40 and call those up in block.
• Does any member wish to have any of these resolutions set aside and not in the block?
• We will take those up in block. Does that conclude your explanation, gentlemen? >> Yes, sir.

Transcript Highlights:

• The allocation includes both state general revenue and federal funding in the form of the block grants
• Thank you for that question. >> There was some we had supplemental block.
• So the intention of >> some of that supplemental block Grant funding was to support services that were
• Actually gets into one the intricacies of actual block grant funding.
• So before that, that brief supplemental block grant funding in ARPA funding, we were actually able to

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, we will, we will, we, OK, so, OK, so we will start with Senator Block and work our way this way and
• OK, Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you guys.
• So what are some of the needs and gaps again, and, uh, Representative Block, you had brought this up
• Representative block. Ceno Lopez. Cakes.
• OK, we'll start with Representative Block, Senator Cedillo Lopez, and then Representative Gates.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• ANY OF THE 127 APPOINTEES LISTED ON THE BLOCK TAKEN UP SEPARATELY IN THE VOTE.
• THAT IS WHERE THE APPOINTEES ARE LISTED IN BLOCKS. YOU CAN SEE THE NAMES LISTED THERE.
• ARE THERE ANY APPEARANCE FORMS ON ANY OF THE NOMINEES WHO ARE ON BLOCKS? MR.
• BILL SNYDER ARE YOU SPEAKING FOR OR AGAINST ANY OF THE APPOINTEES WERE LISTED ON THE BLOCK?
• ASK AGAIN, ALL THEY ANY INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK RELATIVE TO THE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE LISTED ON BLOCK

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, double parking, blocking bike lanes, unsafe loading behaviors, and more have become more
• Double parking and illegal stopping reduce traffic speeds, increase congestion, block transit and bike
• When crosswalks, bike lanes, and loading areas and no-stopping zones are blocked, that results not just
• When curbs are chaotic and loading zones are constantly blocked or misused, and when delivery pickups
• In cities like Oakland, we see firsthand how abandoned debris creates fire hazards, blocks sidewalks,

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills on transportation, privacy, enforcement, and high-speed rail, with most measures discussed under a quorum and then formally voted on later. SB 953 by Senator Nilo would add two DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases that are dismissed through diversion; the author, a victim’s mother, and CHP representatives argued it would help identify high-risk drivers, while no opposition witnesses appeared. SB 1292 by Senator Richardson, as amended, would let certain cities use stationary cameras or sensors to enforce curb and loading-zone rules, with human review of citations; supporters said it would improve compliance and safety, while a privacy group remained cautious but said the amendments improved the bill. SB 1228 by Senator Rubio would create a permanent compliance path for a small number of existing redevelopment-era LED messaging signs; supporters said it preserves local revenue and avoids fines, while billboard industry opponents warned about federal compliance and highway funding risk. SB 1013 by Senator Cervantes would tighten ALPR privacy rules through DOJ audits, employee training, hot-list limits, and a 30-day retention cap; privacy advocates supported it as a needed safeguard, while law enforcement groups opposed the retention limit and query restrictions as too restrictive. SB 1218 by Senator Arreguín would block DMV registration renewal for vehicles with unpaid illegal dumping fines, modeled on parking citation enforcement; Oakland officials and local government groups strongly supported it as an accountability tool, and the bill drew no opposition in the room. SB 1136 by Senator Blakespear would require intercity and regional rail operators to better coordinate service, fares, and trip planning for large events; transit and rail advocates supported it, while some agencies were neutral or “work with author” pending further changes. SB 1425, the chair’s bill, would create a permitting process for encroachments in the high-speed rail right-of-way; supporters said it would streamline construction and protect the project, while utilities and the City of Burbank raised concerns about reciprocity, enforcement, and local infrastructure impacts. SB 1411 by Senator Stern would expand high-speed rail authority to pursue public-private partnerships and early works, removing a project cap; supporters said it could leverage private capital and save costs, while local agencies from Merced expressed concerns but noted amendments addressed some issues. After roll calls, SB 1013 failed to advance on a 4-1 vote and remained on call, while the consent calendar and the other bills moved forward on unanimous or near-unanimous committee votes and remained on call pending final action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Long story short, me, an eligible voter, I was blocked from voting in the 2014 elections.
• Senate Bill 1334 would block eligible voters from participating in our elections.
• A similar law, as you heard earlier, in Kansas blocked the registration of more than 31,000 citizens
• Senate Bill 1334 would block eligible voters from participating in our elections.
• One out of every eight new and eligible residents in Kansas were blocked from registering to vote.

Bills: S0460 , S0748 , S1180 , S1334

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Block, if you would please, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Sorry, I was running.
• Good to see you, John Block, State Rep from House District 51 in beautiful Alamogordo.
• Thank you, Representative Block. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Chair, Representative Block, we could look at just the charter piece. just the charter piece.
• Okay, so page 6, the second to the last block of text.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Block, and everyone's doing great on time.
• Madam Chair, Representative Block, there are a few questions here.
• Thank you, Senator Block. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Professor Black. Thank you.
• Senator Block, thank you, Madam Chair. I certainly love hearing about saving babies.
• **Representative Block** (member_14069): Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we would support a student support block grant.
• We would also encourage support for a block grant because of what's been happening since January and
• I would also love to see the discretionary block grant for the community colleges. Thank you.
• I also want to submit a budget letter request for a one-time student support block grant to be used for
• To create a block grant to support basic needs and other support programs would help.

Transcript Highlights:

• Block grants provide predictability for long-term planning.
• Block grants provide predictability for long-term planning.
• Block grants provide predictability for long-term planning.
• Block grants provide predictability for long-term planning.
• Block grants provide predictability for long-term planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Approximately how many regional block grants can this fund, and what fact...
• and how much to provide a regional or statewide block grant?
• The $51 million will support implementation of approximately eight regional block grants, along with
• available To each regional block grantee, we look at the funding currently available to the program,
• grantee we look at the funding currently available to each regional block grantee.

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss several California Conservation Corps (CCC) and Cal Fire budget proposals, with no votes taken and all items held open for a future hearing. The CCC overview highlighted the program’s 50th anniversary, its statewide conservation, disaster response, education, and workforce development work, and its funding mix of General Fund and fee-for-service reimbursements. Members praised the program’s impact on young adults and communities, and asked about revenue sources, partnerships, recruitment, and outcomes for Corps members after service. A major CCC item was reopening and staffing the Greenwood Residential Center in El Dorado County. The department said the center is needed to restore local wildfire and fuel-break capacity, especially when winter road closures limit access to other facilities. The LAO said the proposal has merit but suggested the Legislature consider lower-cost alternatives, such as using fewer new Corps members or delaying opening, given the budget condition. The committee also discussed a proposal to move CCC hand crews to a seven-day wildfire readiness schedule; the department argued this is needed to match Cal Fire’s year-round operations and reduce chronic staffing gaps, while the LAO recommended considering partial funding or other cost-saving options. Cal Fire’s department overview focused on year-round wildfire response, vegetation management, community preparedness, and the 66-hour workweek rollout. Members asked about contract counties, federal partnerships, reforestation capacity, and the use of cap-and-invest and General Fund dollars amid structural deficits. Cal Fire said its nursery capacity is far below reforestation needs and relies on public-private partnerships, and it described reimbursements for work on federal lands. The committee also discussed defensible space inspections, with Cal Fire seeking permanent staffing to replace temporary positions and maintain its goal of 250,000 inspections annually; the LAO suggested alternatives such as different funding mixes, a reinstated SRA fee, or one-time funding. Finally, the committee heard a request to increase Cal Fire’s fixed-wing pilot and mechanic contract. Cal Fire said the larger, more complex aircraft fleet and year-round fire season require more pilots and maintainers, and that contracting provides flexibility and avoids some benefit costs. The LAO said the proposal addresses significant health and safety concerns and merits consideration, while members questioned whether in-house staffing or longer contract terms might be more cost-effective. Throughout the hearing, members emphasized wildfire risk, budget pressures, and the need to balance public safety with fiscal discipline.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Block. Madam Chair, sorry I was late.
• I'm John Block (member_14069), House District 51 in Alamogordo, in beautiful Otero County. So, Dr.
• Thank you, Representative Block.
• Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Madam Chair and Representative Block, thank you for your question.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to do some more recognitions before we move on to the last block.
• We're going to do some more recognitions before we move on to the last block.
• I yield our time back in this block.
• Representative Maggard, having yielded back the remainder of the time in this block.
• I yield back the rest of our time in this block.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum confirmed, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for retired fire captain Bill Guston and a welcome for guests in the galleries. The Speaker then outlined the House’s budget approach, saying the proposed General Appropriations Act would be lower than both the governor’s proposal and last year’s budget, and announced plans to seek a permanent 0.75% reduction in the state sales tax. The chamber also received the governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001 and began considering motions to restore several vetoed appropriations. Members unanimously reinstated funding for the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, the Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1 project, the automated staffing/time management system for the Department of Corrections, and the Baldwin sanitary sewer and water main replacement project. The House also adopted special order and GAA amendment-procedure reports. On the special order calendar, the chamber passed HB 289 on boating safety (“Lucy’s Law”), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process, all by wide margins. The most debated measure was HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “free kill” law limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-sought justice measure for families who lost adult children and were barred from suing, while opponents argued it was needed to provide accountability and fairness. The bill passed 104-6. The House then took up HB 759, which would lower the minimum age to purchase or transfer a firearm from 21 to 18. An amendment to keep the age at 21 was defeated, and debate featured strong arguments on both sides about constitutional rights, public safety, Parkland, military service, and data on youth violence; the transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, before final passage is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for us, with our block grant, our block grant has a 20% set-aside for crisis.
• The department for our behavioral health services, as I mentioned earlier, is funded through a block
• grant, and that block grant does fluctuate.
• The Department for our behavioral health services, as I mentioned earlier, is funded through a block
• And that block grant does fluctuate. We get that in two-year cycles.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s mental health and substance abuse system, with representatives from DCF, AHCA, two managing entities, and two providers describing how the state’s behavioral health network is funded and operated. Members focused on the implementation of prior legislative investments, especially the $50 million in recurring funding from Representative Maney’s bill and the earlier $126 million community behavioral health appropriation. Witnesses said the newer funds were used mainly for crisis beds, discharge planning, outpatient services, regional collaboratives, and a USF Marchman Act report, while the larger behavioral health appropriation supported CAT, FACT, FIT, forensic teams, residential and outpatient services, and crisis care, with most dollars going directly to services and only a small share to administration. A major theme was access to crisis care and the role of mobile response teams, 988, and central receiving facilities in diverting people from Baker Act admissions and reducing readmissions. DCF and providers said mobile response teams have expanded, are being used to de-escalate crises and connect people to care, and have shown strong diversion results and reductions in Baker Acts in some regions. Members also asked about waitlists, children in crisis, and how to handle people without housing or support; providers said discharge planning is individualized but often constrained by homelessness, transportation, and a lack of safe placements, and several witnesses identified housing as one of the biggest barriers to recovery and stability. The committee also examined provider sustainability, reimbursement, and funding gaps. Witnesses described delays caused by contract timing, cost allocation rules, and Medicaid reimbursement rates that do not always keep pace with labor and operating costs, especially for smaller providers and rural networks. DCF and AHCA said managing entities can provide advances, retroactive rate adjustments, and technical assistance, and that Medicaid managed care plans have network standards and complaint/dispute processes. Members raised concerns about a reported $7 million loss in federal non-sustainable funds, provider closures, and whether there is a formal ombudsman process for disputes; DCF said the federal reductions were known and tied to one-time funds, and that the department generally handles provider issues informally while working with managing entities to preserve continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• This should be the penalty for blocking traffic in the middle of the street or whatever the case may
• We've had them block in an ambulance with a patient on board who needed to be transported to the hospital
• Autonomous vehicles have blocked fire engines, ambulances, and police vehicles responding to emergencies
• If we have incidents where, for example, there's a report of some blockage, where, let's say, blocking
• If I go to a city and want to go get ice cream and tell my AV to go circle the block 20 times while I

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re proposing $100 million as a block grant in Proposition 98 General Fund.
• We’re proposing $100 million as a block grant in Proposition 98 General Fund to be used flexibly across
• for the Strong Workforce Program and also endorse the one-time proposals for the student services block
• We appreciate the proposal to build upon last year's appropriation for the student support block grant
• They also support the $100 million student support block grant.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard updates on several higher education budget items, beginning with a pulled follow-up item on the State Library’s administration of the Imagination Library. The chair said the committee had received new documentation from the State Library and the Department of Finance late the prior evening, and staff would review it before deciding whether additional oversight or accountability measures are needed. The committee then turned to the California Community Colleges budget request, with Chancellor Christian outlining strong post-pandemic enrollment recovery, asking for 3% enrollment growth funding, changes to the three-year average formula, removal of the 10% growth cap, and support for several one-time and ongoing initiatives including the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, AI literacy, Rebuild L.A., veterans services, Calbright College, and the Chancellor’s Office. Senators raised concerns about district reserves, part-time faculty conditions, veterans’ credit pathways, and fraud prevention in enrollment systems; the chancellor said the system is using DMV and other identity verification tools, AI screening, and audits, and that reported final enrollment numbers are clean. The committee then reviewed the student-centered funding formula. The Department of Finance described the governor’s proposal to fully repay $408.4 million in deferrals, provide a 2.41% COLA, and add one-time funding to cover current-year apportionment costs, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended prioritizing the proposals within available Proposition 98 funding. Community college finance staff said most districts are growing, many would benefit from current-year funding rules, and that without the proposed apportionment funding districts could face a deficit factor and reduced course access. Members asked about infrastructure prioritization, deferred maintenance, safety, accessibility, and campus police; staff explained that life safety projects are prioritized first, followed by modernization and growth-related facilities, and that colleges are built to high safety standards under the Field Act. Enrollment growth was discussed separately, with Finance and LAO supporting the governor’s 1.5% growth proposal split across two fiscal years, while noting that growth is being driven in part by dual enrollment, regional demographic shifts, and unemployment. The Chancellor’s Office said 54 of 72 districts grew year over year and that funding more growth could help districts move off hold harmless status, though some districts face long-term demographic challenges. The committee also heard from Calbright College President Agita Menon, who described Calbright’s role serving adult learners statewide, its completion and wage gains, and the governor’s proposed $38 million ongoing funding. The LAO recommended transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula beginning in 2027-28, arguing that the current proposal lacks a clear funding rationale and performance linkage; Calbright responded that its competency-based, non-credit model is structurally different and should be funded separately, while agreeing to continued accountability reporting. Finally, the committee received an update on the Community College Higher Education Student Housing Program. Finance said the governor proposes about $11 million ongoing General Fund for debt service on approved student housing projects, and that 11 projects are in the financing pipeline, with two completed, three under construction, four in working drawings, and two in preliminary plans. Finance also noted that some projects have withdrawn and that about $81 million in bond authority remains unallocated, which the Legislature may need to address going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Block, House District 51 State Representative in Alamogordo in beautiful Otero County.
• Because in order to have those wonderful 45-minute blocks, as **Dr.
• Thank you, Representative Block. We're short on time.
• Because when you look at it now, you're just seeing this whole block of funds.
• You have that block... We need transitions to get these students engaged.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Block, sorry, actually I have a little prerogative.
• Thank you, Madam Chair and Representative Block for that question.
• Thank you, Representative Block. Are you sure we don't have a quorum?
• We have a motion by Representative Hernandez and a second by Representative Block.
• Okay, we have a motion by Representative Block for the...

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The discretionary block grant, incredible opportunities that we've had.
• Before the discretionary block grant, incredible opportunities that we've had this every year since 2020
• I'm guessing out in the future, mandated costs block grant for schools would have to add an item and
• For the description of the block grant, we recommend that the funding be distributed in alignment with
• For the description of the block grant, we recommend that the funding be distributed in alignment with

Summary: The subcommittee opened with remarks on the state budget and K-12 education, noting the large increase in the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee, the use of deferrals and reserves in the prior budget, and the challenge of balancing education funding against other state priorities. Superintendent Tony Thurmond described California education as improving overall, citing gains in test scores, graduation, and college readiness, but said major gaps remain for low-income students, students of color, agricultural communities, English learners, foster youth, and students with disabilities. He praised recent investments in universal meals, transitional kindergarten, community schools, arts, broadband, and special education, while warning that declining enrollment, chronic absenteeism, and the proposed $5.6 billion Prop. 98 settle-up create uncertainty for districts. He also urged a long-term literacy plan, expanded tutoring, universal kindergarten, and continued protections for students and families affected by immigration enforcement, including ICE-related fear and attendance loss. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Proposition 98 from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Finance explained that the Governor’s budget projects the minimum guarantee will rise by about $21.7 billion over three years, with a $5.6 billion settle-up obligation in 2025-26 intended to avoid overappropriation if revenues weaken. Finance also described revised reserve deposits and withdrawals, ending with about $4.1 billion in the Public School System Stabilization Account by 2026-27. The LAO said recent revenue collections were stronger than expected in the current year but warned that the outlook for 2026-27 is weaker and that stock-market-driven revenues remain volatile. The LAO supported maintaining reserves and one-time spending buffers, but recommended fully funding the guarantee and using other budget solutions rather than shifting the settle-up into future deficits. Members asked about the settle-up process, certification timeline, the effect of attendance declines tied to immigration enforcement, and wildfire-related impacts, including Pasadena Unified’s $4 million special appropriation. On LCFF and necessary small schools, Finance proposed a 2.41% COLA and about $2.2 billion in additional LCFF funding for districts and charters in 2026-27, plus a $30.7 million ongoing increase to raise the necessary small schools allowance by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA but said the small-school increase was not tied to a specific cost study and could be redesigned to better target small districts, noting that only a fraction of very small districts would benefit. Questions focused on how small schools access supplemental and concentration grants and how attendance recovery programs are being implemented. The Department of Education said only 130 LEAs had reported attendance recovery so far, likely because it is a new program with compliance requirements, though interest appears to be growing. FICMAT then reviewed the fiscal health of local districts, reporting an uptick in qualified and negative certifications, though still far below Great Recession levels. It said declining enrollment, rising special education costs, and higher labor and insurance costs are the biggest fiscal pressures, and that some districts are using fiscal stabilization plans and staff reductions ahead of second interim reports. FICMAT also discussed wildfire impacts on Pasadena Unified and Los Angeles Unified, explaining that Pasadena’s $4 million state appropriation was based on an early post-fire assessment and that the district is being monitored with the county office of education. Members raised concerns about Pasadena’s leadership, special education staffing shortages, AB 218 sexual abuse litigation costs, insurance premium increases, and the need for stronger prevention and training measures. FICMAT said SB 848 and related policies address some of those concerns by strengthening standards, training, and reporting requirements.