Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act has a provision that says that the board of directors of a nonprofit
• </c> a Minnesota nonprofit corporation act. a Minnesota nonprofit corporation act.
• The<00:48:28.640><c> Minnesota</c><00:48:29.040><c> Nonprofit</c><00:48:29.599><c> Corporation</c><00
• :48:30.079><c> Act</c> The Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act The Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act
• </c><00:48:34.240><c> corporation</c> of directors of a nonprofit corporation of directors of a nonprofit

Bills: HF4075 , HF3826 , HF3825 , HF3827 , HF3459 , HF3711 , HF4200 , HF3908 , HF3712

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: firearm restrictions, domestic violence, public safety, court orders, criminal convictions, identity theft, subpoena authority, fraud, statute of limitations, financial crime, victim notification, expungement, criminal justice, plea agreements, minor victims, identification protection, stalking, crime data, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, law enforcement grants

Transcript Highlights:

• As I said, my name is Colleen Lingren with the Pacific Legal Foundation, and we're a nonprofit public
• </c> Foundation and um we're a nonprofit Foundation and um we're a nonprofit public<00:20:15.120><c>
• Elizabeth meets that definition because we’re a nonprofit Catholic hospital and it’s part of our mission
• Elizabeth meets that definition because we’re a nonprofit Catholic hospital and it’s part of our mission
• Elizabeth meets that definition because we’re a nonprofit Catholic hospital and it’s part of our mission

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Whatever their reason, our schools as a status as a nonprofit, private institution should not inhibit
• Whatever their reason, our schools' status as a nonprofit, private institution should not inhibit their
• Whatever their reason, our schools as a status as a nonprofit, private institution should not inhibit
• They give massive grants to local nonprofits and agencies that run these programs.
• They, we give massive grants to local nonprofits and agencies that run these programs.

Bills: HB2689 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB5877

Committee: House Appropriations

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, when we invest in homeownership, we invest not only in nonprofits who do self-help housing, but
• also in nonprofits that have community land trusts to create those same permanently affordable homes
• All nonprofit providers who are doing affordable homeownership, including community land trusts, and
• In our quest for affordable housing, when we refer to nonprofits, that's nice.
• It's nice that we're doing this stuff for nonprofits, but we need to extend these kinds of incentives

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB6129 , SB6228 , SB6231 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items, then moved through gubernatorial appointments and a series of floor votes. It confirmed Acacia E. Ingram to the Evergreen State College Board of Trustees, Ashland J. Tibbet and David S. Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Members spoke in support of the appointees’ public service and ties to higher education. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement honoring a Colfax basketball coach who died of pancreatic cancer, followed by a caucus break. The Senate then considered several bills, passing measures on derelict vessels (SHB 2199), radiologic technologist supervision (HB 2113), nitrous oxide retail sales (ESHB 2532), ambulance transport fund alignment (HB 2531), EMT recertification (HB 2540), affordable housing on religious property (2SHB 1859), factory-built housing standards (SHB 2151), social housing public development authorities (EHB 1687), the Washington Voting Rights Act and voter suppression claims (ESSHB 1750), privacy and data protection reporting and AI use (HB 2606), military family school stability (ESHB 2534), coal-fired utility treatment (HB 2367), and school access to albuterol (SHB 2360). Most passed on strong bipartisan roll calls, though the voting-rights bill and coal-utility bill drew the most debate and partisan division. Several bills were amended on the floor. The Senate adopted changes to the nitrous oxide bill, the factory-built housing bill, the social housing bill, the albuterol bill, and the 3D-printer/firearm-manufacturing bill (ESHB 2320), while rejecting some proposed amendments on the voting-rights and 3D-printer bills. Debate centered on whether the voting-rights bill set too low a threshold for lawsuits and whether the coal-utility bill gave improper treatment to coal generation; supporters framed both as needed protections or transition measures, while opponents warned about litigation and policy overreach. The chamber also discussed tribal consultation in energy siting (SHB 2496), ultimately passing it after a close vote, and later returned to the 3D-printer bill, which advanced after amendments narrowed exemptions for gunsmiths and dealers and clarified the bill’s focus on digital files used to manufacture firearms.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has 501(c)(4) designation from the IRS as a nonprofit.
• Quick is a nonprofit Corporation, Quick.
• The whole reason the IRS as a nonprofit.
• Um, FIRE is a nonpartisan nonprofit that defends the free speech rights of all Americans.
• </c><00:39:44.560><c> the</c> nonpartisan nonprofit that defends the nonpartisan nonprofit that defends

Summary: The committee questioned KCNA officials about the Kentucky Wired network refresh, focusing on whether the equipment truly needed replacement now and what the vendor end-of-support dates were for the network’s layer 1, 2, and 3 equipment. Senators and representatives pressed for invoices, purchase orders, and vendor documentation, and KCNA staff explained that end-of-support dates vary by specific model and component, not just by broad product family. KCNA agreed to provide a detailed list of components, part numbers, and support dates, and acknowledged that some requested documentation had not yet been produced. A major point of discussion was the timing of the system refresh. KCNA said the 10-year refresh schedule comes from the project agreement, specifically Schedule 19, Section 2.1B, which requires the first system refresh to be completed by September 3, 2026. Committee members argued the network equipment appears to remain in service life for at least the next two years and questioned why an upgrade would be needed immediately. KCNA responded that failing to complete the refresh could excuse the service provider from contractual obligations and could constitute a material breach or default under the project and bond documents. Members also asked about network capacity and the impact on schools and state users. KCNA said it would need to check with Quark for an exact utilization figure, while the chair cited prior testimony that schools account for about 80% of traffic and KCNA about 20%. The committee raised concerns about schools not connected to the network and the effect of KCNA’s actions on continuity of service, while KCNA disputed that K-12 service had been put at risk. KCNA also explained the contract and payment structure: the Commonwealth’s project agreement runs through Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Corporation/Quark, with KEDA-issued bonds and funds flowing through Quark in a waterfall structure. The meeting ended with KCNA agreeing to request underlying vendor invoices from Quark, provide the requested contract documents, and supply information on the status of the wholesaler replacement procurement and related litigation. No formal vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just in my investigation yesterday, about eight hours looking into some of the nonprofits that are
• protections by the states and reincorporated as non-profits, although whether or not they're really nonprofit
• That can happen in nonprofits. There are... Loan limits that may blunt enrollment.
• That can happen in nonprofits.
• There are closures at nonprofits, not saying they’re bad actors when they close, but closures do happen

Bills: HB2427 , HB2458 , HB2474 , HB2540 , HB2589

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: ink of hope act, mental health, substance use, rehabilitation, community support, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, student access, financial aid, consumer protections, school closures, educational programs, student rights, emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, encampments

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Larry Levine, and I am the director of Forever Green Trails, a nonprofit supporting trail
• My name is Larry Levine and I am the director of Forever Green Trails, a nonprofit supporting trail development
• My name is Daniel Holt, director of the nonprofit Outdoor Discovery Project, and I'm testifying in support
• My name is Daniel Holt, director of the nonprofit Outdoor Discovery Project, and I'm testifying in support
• Department of Licensing to accept and use resources from some public and private entities, some nonprofits

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2550 and House Bill 2645, then moved to executive session on three other bills. HB 2550 would require certain community and technical college students enrolled in degree- or certificate-seeking programs to be allowed to ride transit for free as a condition of transit support grant eligibility. Staff said the current program already requires zero-fare access for riders 18 and under, and the bill would expand that requirement to CTC students. Testimony from the sponsor, students, and transit advocates supported the goal of reducing barriers to education, while the Washington State Transit Association raised implementation concerns, including how eligibility would be verified and the potential loss of fare revenue and added administrative costs. The fiscal note discussion estimated local impacts of roughly $10 million to $12 million per year for affected transit agencies. HB 2645 concerned the emergency replacement of the closed Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165. The bill and proposed substitute would declare an emergency and give WSDOT expanded authority to expedite bridge replacement by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. The sponsor and many local residents, business owners, recreation advocates, and emergency responders testified that the bridge closure has cut off communities, limited access to Mount Rainier and public lands, and significantly increased emergency response times. WSDOT testified that it is already moving forward with planning and design for a replacement bridge, but said much of the timeline is driven by federal requirements such as NEPA, historic preservation, and endangered species review. No vote was taken on HB 2550 or HB 2645 in the transcript. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for HB 2109, which allows certain towed vehicles with debris on them to be covered instead of cleaned before transport, and passed it out of committee 27-0. The committee also adopted an amendment to HB 2134, which updates regional transportation planning requirements related to greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reductions, and passed the bill out 16-12. Finally, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2323 creating the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops involving neurodiverse individuals, then passed the bill out of committee 28-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• The meals are to be provided by a Washington state-based nonprofit organization to the extent possible
• This bill also prioritizes Washington state or Washington-based nonprofits and providers whenever feasible
• implementing the waivers, nutrition benefits prioritize Washington taxpayer dollars to support local nonprofits
• Still, at 82, he runs a veterans nonprofit for Native American veterans.
• Emergency Food Network is a nonprofit that serves as a regional distributor of food to more than 75 food

Bills: SB5966

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness

Transcript Highlights:

• affordable housing space, the bill revises two provisions created by the Live Local Act in 2023, the nonprofit
• And the nonprofit land lease exemption, this exemption will now be eligible to apply to a nonprofit 501
• (c)(3) charity that leases land for Be eligible to apply to a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity that leases
• improvements are owned and operated by private parties, regardless of whether such private parties are nonprofit

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 16, 2025, with one agenda item: PCB WMC-2502, the committee’s tax package. Chair Duggan presented the bill as a broad tax measure covering sales tax, tourist development taxes, ad valorem/VAB procedures, affordable housing property tax changes, tangible personal property, special assessments, fuel taxes, communication services taxes, corporate income tax updates, pari-mutuel/card room taxes, local incentives, and a redistribution of horse industry trust fund money. He also noted emergency rulemaking authority for the Department of Revenue and estimated a recurring state impact of $34.6 million in FY 2025-26. Members questioned several provisions, including the aviation fuel tax repeal, the delay of the natural gas fuel tax, the extension of the local communication services tax freeze, the charitable trust corporate income tax clarification, the reduction in card room taxes, and the affordable housing changes tied to the Live Local Act. Public testimony included support from airlines, UPS, child care management, and others, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association opposed the lifeguard/TDT change, the Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities opposed the missing-middle exemption changes, and local government representatives raised concerns about revenue impacts and the loss of local opt-out authority. The committee also adopted Amendment 1 by Representative Rizzo, which limits certain special assessments on RV parks when based on square footage. During debate, members split on some provisions but generally supported the package, with comments focused on aviation competitiveness, preschool assessment relief, lifeguard funding, affordable housing, and the horse industry funding shift. Representative Duggan closed by emphasizing that the bill was only the beginning of the process and would continue through conference and floor consideration. The committee then voted 16-1 to report PCB WMC-2502 favorably, with Representative Alvarez voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and just sort of having a background in nonprofit where things are always run by a board.
• Um, and just sort of having a background in nonprofit where things are always run by a board.
• <00:12:54.320><c> in</c> just sort of having a background in just sort of having a background in nonprofit
• :56.240><c> are</c><00:12:56.399><c> always</c><00:12:56.720><c> run</c><00:12:56.880><c> by</c> nonprofit
• where things are always run by nonprofit where things are always run by a<00:12:57.279><c> board.

Summary: The committee took up House File 2037, which would replace the current executive board model for Direct Care and Treatment with a commissioner-led structure. Representative Frederick moved the DE1 amendment, which was adopted, to conform the bill with Senate language and place the CEO under the commissioner. Frederick said the change was intended to preserve some continuity while increasing accountability and insulating direct health care services from politics. Frederick argued that the existing executive board, which meets only a few times a year and hires the CEO, would leave the legislature and governor with limited ability to respond quickly to serious problems in a billion-dollar agency. He said the bill is about accountability to Minnesota taxpayers and creating a structure more like other state agencies. Public testimony was closed without any outside witnesses. Members discussed the tradeoffs between board governance and a commissioner model. Chair Schumacher noted Frederick would become chief author of the bill, and several members said they appreciated the effort to balance accountability, continuity of care, and operational expertise. Questions focused on the role of the advisory council; Frederick said it would remain in place so stakeholders could advise the commissioner and CEO, and that legislators are included among its members. The committee then laid over House File 2037, as amended, for possible inclusion in a later bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I AM A SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER FROM A NONPROFIT AGENCY ENDEAVORS AND I AM TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF THE
• WE FOSTER COMMUNITY COLLABORATION BETWEEN PUBLIC, PRIVATE, FAITH BASED GROUPS, NONPROFITS.
• WE ARE A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT.
• FIRST BOARD MEETING WE HELD IT IN OKALOOSA AND PRESIDENT GATES WAS THERE AND HE SAID WE CREATED THIS NONPROFIT
• BOTH AGENCY AND NONPROFIT WE CAN POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Transcript Highlights:

• As was noted, associations are nonprofit corporations.
• right after that, or nonprofits.
• right after that we just add nonprofits right after that or<03:07:30.000><c> nonprofits.
• I understand the there's or nonprofits.
• Let's move it. a nonprofit agency. Um, of course, it a nonprofit agency.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working for an inclusive and healthy democracy in Minnesota
• It's a nonprofit,<00:26:16.480><c> nonpartisan</c><00:26:17.200><c> organization</c> nonprofit, nonpartisan
• </c> businesses or nonprofit organizations. businesses or nonprofit organizations.
• </c> corporations the chamber said nonprofit corporations the chamber said nonprofit corporations<01:
• </c> nonprofits that spend on elections. nonprofits that spend on elections.

Bills: HF4133 , HF3419

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to being here, I ran a nonprofit organization that was around working with our direct community
• Prior to being here, I ran a nonprofit organization that was around working with our Prior to being here
• , I ran a nonprofit organization that was around working with our direct community.
• Assembly Member, and just want to acknowledge and commend your work and expertise coming from the nonprofit
• And maybe the solution isn't more dollars to nonprofits.

Summary: The hearing was the inaugural meeting of the Assembly Select Committee on Developing Pathways to Purpose for Young Men, chaired by Assembly Member Avelino Valencia. In opening remarks, Valencia and several committee members described concerns about boys’ and young men’s disconnection from school, work, and relationships, and tied the committee’s work to technology, mentorship, education, and suicide prevention. Members repeatedly noted the effects of COVID-era screen use, the importance of positive male role models, and the need to think beyond funding alone toward broader policy and cultural changes. The first panel focused on the state of men online. Testimony from David Sakaki of the American Institute for Boys and Men, Vihon Bardwaj of Generation Up, and Dr. Alok Kanojia (“Dr. K”) emphasized that pornography, gaming, gambling, social media, and AI can meet real needs for belonging, status, and relief, while also encouraging addiction, isolation, distorted sexual expectations, and harmful comparisons. Witnesses argued that young men are especially vulnerable to algorithm-driven content, that online systems often amplify misogyny and other harmful behavior, and that public policy should address design defaults, age-appropriate sex education, gambling-like game mechanics, and offline alternatives such as sports, mentorship, and social-emotional skill building. Committee members asked about pornography, loot boxes, gambling ads, and how to create healthier substitutes for the immediate gratification these products provide. Witnesses said the answer is not to match the addictive pull of harmful content, but to build more fulfilling offline pathways and teach practical social and emotional skills. Assembly Member Brian also spoke about the need for policy frameworks that help young men and boys be seen and supported, while acknowledging that these issues affect women and girls as well. The second panel shifted to design and health impacts. Dr. Ravi Iyer, drawing on his experience at Meta, said platforms are often optimized for engagement rather than users’ aspirations, which can increase exposure to nudity, violence, hate, and unwanted sexual content; he also warned about emotionally manipulative chatbot interactions and suggested stronger rules and public tracking of app harms. Dr. Jason Nagata of UCSF described research linking problematic social media use to later ADHD symptoms in boys, and explained how social media can intensify muscularity pressures, body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and risky appearance-modification trends such as “looksmaxxing.” No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to being here, I ran a nonprofit organization that was around working with our direct community
• Prior to being here, I ran a nonprofit organization that was around working with our Prior to being here
• , I ran a nonprofit organization that was around working with our direct community.
• Assembly Member, and just want to acknowledge and commend your work and expertise coming from the nonprofit
• And maybe the solution isn't more dollars to nonprofits.

Transcript Highlights:

• The software is still owned by NREL, and it's now licensed to a sort of quasi-public nonprofit called
• ACT is a mission-driven trade organization and nonprofit.
• Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to build a cleaner and more resilient economy.
• We are a nonprofit with the mission of connecting people to their power and rewiring energy economics
• Acadia Center is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization that works to advance bold, effective

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals. A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities. Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers. No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would enable coordination and collaboration between nonprofit, state, enable coordination and collaboration
• This bill ensures that non-probate assets make it into the hands of individuals and nonprofits as intended
• Nonprofits can be required to open new accounts, provide personal information about board members or
• Following his career in public service, John began a second career leading nonprofits that help low-income
• Following his career in public service, John began a second career leading nonprofits that help low-income

Transcript Highlights:

• , I don't know if this will answer your question, but in our conversations with FHFA, there is a nonprofit
• It's a nonprofit that helps borrowers navigate through the red tape because it is a confusing process
• And, you know, I think the mention of the nonprofit that will support people kind of through the process
• Although we are a crypto nonprofit, we are a pro-consumer and pro-innovation nonprofit, and we have seen
• , we are a pro-consumer and pro-innovation nonprofit, and we have seen the negative outcomes with public

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as counsel for Americans for Public Trust, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to
• uncover and publicize foreign money and... ...a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to uncover
• I'm a full-time designated victims' attorney working at a nonprofit law firm.
• Other jurisdictions have upheld the award of attorney's fees for nonprofit legal organizations for legal
• I am with AC Break Free, a nonprofit organization that works with parents in juvenile court and family

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard several election, victims’ rights, family court, and probation-related measures. SB 1425, an emergency bill moving Arizona’s primary election date earlier and adjusting related election timelines, was amended to move the primary to the second-to-last Tuesday in July and to remove the proposed compression of cure/ID deadlines; county officials supported it, and it received a do pass recommendation. SB 1289 and SCR 1013/SCR 1014 focused on foreign money in election administration and ballot measure campaigns, with supporters arguing the bills would close loopholes that allow foreign-backed funding to influence elections; some members raised concerns about breadth and enforcement, but both measures advanced. SB 1402 would require probationers on certain sex-offense-related monitoring to pay the cost of electronic monitoring; supporters said it would improve accountability and child safety, while opponents warned it could punish indigent people and divert money from treatment. It also received a do pass recommendation. The committee spent substantial time on family court bills. SB 1330 would allow a parent with less than 35% parenting time or no legal decision-making authority to request a jury trial in custody-related disputes; supporters described severe financial and emotional harm in family court and argued juries would provide a neutral check, while county and legal representatives opposed the bill as costly, slow, and ill-suited to specialized child-welfare decisions. Despite those objections, SB 1330 passed with a do pass recommendation. SB 1328, as amended, declared Arizona public policy to include protecting parents and a child’s right to equal access to both co-parents; supporters said it would clarify legislative intent, while opponents called it duplicative of existing law. It also passed. The committee also heard SB 1329, which would let parents sue court-appointed professionals in custody and parenting-time matters if the professional deviated from licensing ethics or standards. Supporters argued that quasi-judicial immunity and weak oversight have allowed harmful, expensive practices in family court, while opponents said existing malpractice and licensing remedies already exist and warned against expanding litigation. The bill received a do pass recommendation. SB 1326, allowing courts to award attorney fees and costs to victims when a party violates or worsens a victim-rights violation, also passed after supporters said it would help pro bono and victims’ attorneys enforce rights, and opponents said the term “exacerbates” was vague and the need was unclear. The committee approved the minutes and held SB 1285 and SB 1392 without hearing them.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, and one of the things I was able to do is I worked with a nonprofit that did senior housing
• I'm with Housing California, a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization focused on affordable housing
• We are a nonprofit affordable housing developer across two states.
• California Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, the Sacramento Housing Alliance, and the Nonprofit
• The Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California represents nonprofit affordable housing developers

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs. Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs. Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.