Transcript Highlights:

• This is the beginning of a conversation. It's certainly not the only or the end of a conversation.
• It's certainly not the only or the end of a conversation.
• There are conversations happening, and this matters.
• That's the standard that we should be building toward.
• You know, I think it really takes building awareness and more of this kind of conversation about what

Summary: The hearing focused first on behavioral health, especially serious mental illness and anosognosia, a condition described by witnesses as a neurological symptom that prevents people from recognizing they are ill. The chair framed the issue around families cycling through emergency rooms, jails, conservatorships, and short-term stabilization without lasting treatment, and warned that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce Medi-Cal funding and worsen access. Dawn Marie Anderson gave a personal account of her son’s long history of psychosis, homelessness, arrests, repeated jail and state hospital stays, and eventual stability when he received sustained medication and coordinated support. She argued that the system often treats the problem as criminal rather than medical and that voluntary programs and short-term services are not enough for people who lack insight into their illness. Other panelists, including representatives from the California Behavioral Health Association, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Health, and the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, agreed that anosognosia is not denial or noncompliance and said the system needs long-term, coordinated care, including assertive community treatment, mobile crisis, supportive housing, medication support, and stronger handoffs between county and managed care systems. They said CalAIM and other reforms have improved some coordination, but significant gaps remain, especially for people with serious mental illness, for those in jail or locked settings, and for people with private insurance, which witnesses said often offers little meaningful coverage for early psychosis or intensive behavioral health services. Several witnesses urged the Legislature to protect Medi-Cal, shore up county safety-net services, and invest in training and family engagement. The committee then turned to the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, with a focus on the virtual services platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna and the CYBHI fee schedule. DHCS reported strong growth in app registrations, coaching sessions, referrals, and positive user outcomes, saying the platforms provide free, culturally responsive, early-intervention support statewide and help connect users to higher levels of care when needed. On the fee schedule, DHCS said more than 500 LEAs, colleges, universities, and school-linked providers are participating, 181 LEAs have submitted claims, and $9.6 million has been reimbursed to date, with 41,556 students represented in claims. The chair and several members criticized the pace of implementation and the amount of money spent relative to reimbursement levels, saying the Legislature had requested data earlier and that the return on investment still appeared low. DHCS responded that many claims are still being submitted, that 70% of denials are correctable, that $400 million in capacity grants has been distributed locally, and that reimbursement is increasing rapidly as more districts come online. Public comment included a rural county behavioral health director who said private insurance denials leave counties with significant uncompensated work, especially for unlicensed staff providing case management and mobile crisis services.

Transcript Highlights:

• concerned though with the conversation concerned though with the conversation that<00:48:43.520>
• So, it has to do with the existing conversion of licenses, the conversion of existing licenses as they
• is reflective of conversations is reflective of conversations uh,<01:29:36.080> that<01:29
• <01:41:53.400> before in in in our conversations before in in in our conversations before
• <01:43:20.160> So, state building code. So, state building code.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• buildings if that makes sense. buildings if that makes sense.
• electrical and examine our building. electrical and examine our building.
• Buildings.
• for building a potentially. for building a potentially.
• <04:08:15.120> on conversation then for building aid on conversation then for building aid

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334. The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed. Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the services for the humans in that building.
• supportive housing building in the region for over 40 families.
• While we were able to secure the capital to build the building, the last piece which almost sunk was
• But originally, it was intended to build housing.
• And so I commend the chair for starting this conversation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also focused on building New Mexico's supply of home-based care.
• For our childcare providers to build new facilities, renovate, and build new infant and toddler rooms
• Or if you had any conversations. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Head Start is a very critical part of building that supply.
• We have to continue having conversations with you all.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be beneficial for you to have a conversation with Mr.
• It looks like great conversations. Welcome.
• We have the Capital Buildings Planning Committee; I sit on that board.
• I think that's the kind of culture that we need to build.
• I want to thank all of you for the conversation and the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was one conversation I had with them.
• The legislature authorized the purchase of a building for us three years ago, and that building needs
• Of this fund or balance of a fund to build up to maybe construct a building or do other things like that
• But we need to do that because we need to get smart on how we build, where we build, and try to build
• Chair, capacity building of the panels.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also look forward to ongoing conversations in the coming days with members of the committee and the
• At the end of the day, we're about building understanding and building a sense of community.
• <00:04:01.280> understanding today were about building understanding today were about building
• uh one thing I was having a conversation uh one thing I was having a conversation with<01:02:42.240
• Society, which is a state building?

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• the meantime during this conversation the meantime during this conversation share<00:21:46.960><
• <00:43:47.359> in industry is poised to start building in industry is poised to start building
• You buildings, their costs are rising.
• <00:56:33.280> So, conversations as well. So, conversations as well.
• conversation? Adam. conversation? Adam. >> Yeah,<01:08:25.359> Mr.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting on the insurance affordability crisis affecting single-family housing, common interest communities, and multifamily rental housing. Members and staff introduced themselves, including representatives from insurers, the Department of Commerce, housing advocates, affordable housing developers, and HOA/community association interests. Representative Steve Elkins was elected chair by roll call vote with 10 members in favor, after discussion that the Senate appointee’s formal appointment had not yet arrived; the group noted the intent to later move to co-chair leadership once that appointment is finalized. Staff reviewed the task force’s enabling statute and open meeting law requirements. The task force is charged with studying homeowners and commercial property insurance, property resilience and risk mitigation, liability laws and possible tort reform, notice and oversight issues, public reporting, and the state-supported insurance program, including possible expansion to a catastrophic reinsurance fund or self-insured pool. The final report is due February 15 and will go to the commissioners of commerce, housing finance, and employment and economic development, as well as relevant legislative committees. Members were also briefed on meeting logistics, a draft charter to be voted on at the second meeting, a resource page for shared materials, and the schedule of future meetings. The Department of Commerce then gave an overview of Minnesota’s property and casualty insurance market. Commerce described its regulatory role, the state’s competitiveness test, and how homeowners insurance is often filed under a “file and use” process rather than prior approval. The presentation emphasized that homeowners coverage has been under pressure for years: insurers have lost money in many recent years, premiums have risen, some consumers are taking on more risk through higher deductibles or reduced coverage, and some are moving into the surplus market. Commerce also highlighted the impact of severe weather losses, the growth in premiums since 2014, and gaps in oversight for homeowners associations and related policies. The meeting then shifted to brainstorming the problems the task force should address. Early discussion focused on climate and construction-related resilience, including hail and wind-driven rain damage, discontinued building materials, and whether stronger materials are reflected in insurance pricing. Members also raised the need to study programs like Alabama’s fortified roof model and Minnesota’s own Strengthen Minnesota Homes effort, along with questions about whether the construction industry is prepared to support broader resilience measures. No additional votes were taken during the discussion segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I know that it's a difficult conversation.
• Many of the buildings, the dams, the county buildings, our casino are all lit up, and it's bringing awareness
• I think it would be wrong for the state of California to help build this infrastructure, build this trust
• Not to get left behind in this conversation.
• Not to get left behind in this conversation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis in California, with opening remarks emphasizing the need for sustained funding, better coordination, and recognition that foster care, jurisdictional gaps, and public safety systems are all connected to the crisis. Members and tribal leaders described the issue as longstanding and systemic, and several speakers noted progress in recent years, including the Feather Alert, state grant funding, DOJ coordination, and MMIP summits, while stressing that much more remains to be done. The first panel featured tribal leaders from Southern, Central, and Northern California who described how overlapping tribal, county, state, and federal jurisdictions delay investigations and leave families without answers. They called for real-time regional response agreements, better data sharing and transparency, stronger tribal law enforcement capacity, and ongoing rather than one-time funding. Several leaders shared personal stories of missing or murdered relatives and said the state must treat tribal cases with the same urgency as others. Committee members asked about next steps, including training for law enforcement on Public Law 280, improving local relationships, and ensuring tribal courts and protection orders are not overlooked. The second panel focused on strengthening systems and services. The California Highway Patrol commissioner reported that Feather Alert implementation has improved after prior criticism, with more alerts activated and a higher recovery rate, and said CHP has expanded outreach, training, and tribal liaison work. The Department of Justice’s Office of Native American Affairs described work under AB 3099 and AB 1334, including a Public Law 280 advisory council, improved crime reporting, a tribal police pilot program, and outreach on Feather Alert and other resources. A Coyote Valley council member described a local MMIP program that supports prevention and family outreach. Members and panelists also discussed the need for better training, clearer jurisdictional authority, and stronger support for tribal justice systems. The final panel addressed foster youth and the MMIP crisis, arguing that Native children in foster care are at heightened risk of going missing or being exploited. Speakers said Native children are disproportionately represented in foster care, that many MMIP cases begin with child welfare system failures, and that social workers and attorneys often do not know or use Feather Alert procedures quickly enough. They urged stronger ICWA implementation, culturally grounded prevention and healing services, housing and mental health support, and immediate coordination among tribes, families, and agencies when a child is missing.

Transcript Highlights:

• your similar conversations within your similar conversations within your community?
• individualized supports, building individualized supports, building belonging,<00:19:11.679>
• <00:27:28.159> and Maize welcomes these conversations and Maize welcomes these conversations
• <00:30:38.399> building improved with build building improved with build building improvements
• <00:42:00.560> A safety goes beyond buildings. A safety goes beyond buildings.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had those conversations.
• And I've had conversations with the author about that provision.
• Make it cheaper to build in the state. Cut your down regulations.
• But I will end by focusing on how we are building tomorrow today.
• Oh, thank you very much, and I appreciate the robust conversation.

Summary: The chamber reconvened after a late-night session and first adopted the consent calendar, including ACR 107 on the Diablo Range, by a 48-0 vote. Members then took up several Senate bills and Assembly measures, with repeated remarks about the long hours and the need to respect staff and keep proceedings moving. A vote change was also announced for Assembly Member Patel on SB 414, changing from aye to not voting. The main policy debate centered on energy, climate, and affordability. SB 237, dealing with oil and gas policy, refinery closures, pipeline safety, Kern County permitting, gasoline blend flexibility, and regional fuel coordination, drew strong support from members who framed it as a managed transition to stabilize fuel supply and protect jobs, and strong opposition from members who called it a giveaway to oil interests and a setback for climate goals. The bill passed 59-0. SB 254, an energy affordability and wildfire package, included wildfire mitigation financing, a successor wildfire fund, transmission cost reductions, clean energy permitting changes, and energization timelines; members raised some concerns about local control, but the bill passed 58-0. SB 840 and AB 1207 advanced the cap-and-invest reauthorization package, with supporters emphasizing emissions reductions, housing, transit, wildfire prevention, and community air programs, while opponents argued it would raise costs and function as a tax-and-spend scheme. SB 840 passed 54-15 and AB 1207 passed 55-10, both with urgency and immediate transmittal. Members also approved SB 352, which makes the Bureau of Environmental Justice permanent and requires air quality monitoring and reporting on AB 617 implementation, by 43-19. AB 825, authorizing California to help establish a Westwide electricity market, was presented as a way to lower bills, improve reliability, and reduce emissions; it passed 67-2 and was sent to the Governor. Additional actions included concurrence in Senate amendments to AB 8 on cannabinoids and AB 383 on firearms cleanup, and the chamber began consideration of AB 764 on wildlife as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And honestly, I conversation about that.
• <00:36:03.920> that wish that that was the conversation that wish that that was the conversation
• had in your building or your house. had in your building or your house.
• else and it decimated the yacht building else and it decimated the yacht building industry<00:46
• Thanks for the good conversation today.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 2591, the “Support Medicaid Not Millionaires Act,” laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Chair Gomez said the bill would create a fifth individual income tax tier on very high earners to offset any future federal Medicaid cuts, arguing that proposed federal budget changes would likely reduce Medicaid funding and create a large state budget hole. Gomez and other supporters framed Medicaid as essential for children, long-term care, mental health, substance use treatment, rural hospitals, and families across Minnesota, and criticized federal tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals. Several testifiers supported the bill. A SEIU Healthcare worker described how Medicaid supports her care for a disabled son and her own health needs, warning that cuts would threaten home care, hospitals, and nursing homes. A public health employee from the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees said recent state and federal layoffs had already weakened public health capacity and urged additional revenue to backfill losses. Other supporters, including community and faith leaders, said the wealthy and corporations should pay more to protect public services, youth programs, and Medicaid-funded care. A mental health provider testified that most of the people served by her clinic rely on Medicaid and that cuts would harm clinics, rural access, and the broader behavioral health system. Representative Anderson questioned whether the bill would affect Medicaid spending tied to undocumented immigrants and asked for data on MinnesotaCare and federal-state funding shares. Department of Human Services staff clarified that he was referring to MinnesotaCare, not Medicaid, and said Medicaid is generally matched by the federal government while MinnesotaCare does not have the same match. The exchange became contentious when Gomez objected to Anderson’s use of the term “illegal immigrants” and redirected the discussion back to the bill. Anderson also raised concerns about Medicaid fraud and whether the proposal would backfill any federal changes related to fraud enforcement. No vote was taken; the bill was simply laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an opportunity to have this conversation.
• This will make sure that new buildings keep our residents safe and avoid costly damages.
• So that is a conversation I look forward to continuing, as you might imagine.
• And Under Secretary Antos, I want to thank you so much for the conversations we've had.
• There's a very high threshold for mitigation for replacing the conversion of forests.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and related provisions in Governor Healey’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act. EEA officials described the bill’s investments in flooding, land protection, tree planting, wetlands restoration, biodiversity, dams, seawalls, and coastal resilience, along with permitting reforms intended to speed ecological restoration projects. They also outlined current programs on resilient lands, healthy soils, forest climate solutions, forest reserves, and urban tree planting, and said the administration expects natural and working lands to offset up to 7 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that additional strategies will be needed to close the gap to the state’s 10-million-ton offset target. Committee members pressed EEA on the cost of reaching the 30% conservation-by-2030 goal, the loss of a federal USDA grant of about $22 million, the adequacy of current sequestration estimates, and whether the state should consider regional approaches or statutory changes. EEA said current state conservation spending has been about $35 million to $40 million annually, that the Mass Ready Act is intended to help double the pace of conservation, and that federal funding remains uncertain. Senators also raised concerns about PILOT payments for state-owned land, the management of state forests, and the proposed Chapter 91 general license for restoration projects. EEA said the bill’s forest reserve language is meant to create a more durable designation process while still allowing limited active management. Advocates from The Nature Conservancy and Mass Audubon supported stronger investment in land conservation and restoration, saying natural and working lands are a cost-effective climate strategy that also provides biodiversity, water quality, and public health benefits. They urged passage of legislation to increase funding, improve PILOT equity, and strengthen land-use planning and mitigation requirements. They also backed removing Chapter 91 licensing requirements for ecological restoration, arguing that the current process adds cost and delay. In a later panel, a forest scientist and an urban forestry advocate emphasized the carbon and cooling benefits of mature trees, called for greater protection of older forests, and supported bills to expand municipal reforestation and modernize public shade tree law. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so sometimes we do have those conversations.
• that exhilarating conversation we had, but we had a conversation about a distinction between private
• And so, yes, we had kind of... ...conversations with the board.
• So you're telling me if people in this building or outside of this building are, you know, calling for
• And so they're starting ...the specifications and all the stuff to build.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm speaking about building upon the progress that's already there.
• Phase three is building four modules based around the needs assessment.
• We're going to continue to have those conversations to see how we can build those programs at institutions
• So things like that conversation. There are good experts already happening.
• I have enough knowledge to be careful... about these conversations.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's have a conversation about those elements and where you see those things.
• So let's have a conversation about those elements and where you see those things.
• So it's something that we want to be mindful of as we build up a stronger rainy day fund.
• These outdated restrictions make it difficult to build real savings.
• These outdated restrictions make it difficult to build real savings.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years. The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains. Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't tax the individual unit, you tax the building, and when you tax the building, they push those
• THOSE DEVELOPERS ARE BUILDING THAT HOUSING BECAUSE THEY CAN BUILD THE HOUSING, BUILD THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
• IF WE ALREADY BUILD THIS THING?
• There is an increase to build an emergency operations center. Where are they building this thing?
• build the infrastructure.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to cry because, yes, we did have that conversation.
• And the conversation, which many of you never had many long conversations with Ron, would last... ...
• You and I, as you all know in this building, colleagues in the building, sometimes there's conversations
• It really helps to have those conversations, so thank you for having those conversations with me and
• And it would have been really nice to have that conversation.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have concerns with the design-build.
• But she thinks the conversation is good.
• But I think the conversation is good.
• , but I support this broader conversation and vote yes.
• So right now, that interest is building up, sure.

Bills: HB2063, HB2271, HB2416, HB2478, HB2593, HB2692, HB2813, HB2992, HB2993, HB4044

Keywords: corrections oversight, appropriation, independent office, public safety, funding, firefighters, insurance rates, workers' compensation, firefighter cancer reimbursement, rate deviations, cost analysis, premiums, border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, immigration, education reform, K-12

Summary: The committee heard several appropriations and policy bills, with testimony often focused on public safety, education, and procurement. HB 263 would appropriate $1.5 million in FY2027 to the Independent Correctional Oversight Office; the sponsor and supportive testimony argued the office is needed to address serious problems in the corrections system, and the bill received a due pass recommendation, 17-1. HB 2993, as amended, would allow DPS to spend on legal services independent of the Attorney General and redirect $5 million from the Consumer Protection/Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund to the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Fund; the Speaker framed it as supporting law enforcement and public safety, and it passed 17-0. HB 2271 dealt with firefighter cancer coverage and insurance rates. The bill would allow an insurer covering firefighters and fire investigators to file a uniform rate deviation only if it is not reimbursed by the municipal firefighter cancer reimbursement fund. Testimony described the measure as a temporary shell pending a broader consensus agreement to bring fire districts into the reimbursement system; members stressed that firefighters should not see changes in claim handling, but several said the bill still needed work. It received a due pass recommendation on a 16-1-1 vote. HB 2416 would appropriate $20 million to DPS for local border support, including law enforcement positions, prosecution and detention costs, and equipment; sheriffs and the Arizona Sheriffs Association supported it as a continuation of existing funding for drug interdiction and border-related crime, and it passed 11-6-1. The committee also advanced HB 2692, which revises public construction procurement rules and authorizes progressive design-build and one-step competition for certain federally funded projects. Construction and procurement stakeholders said the bill was the product of a long consensus process, while some members worried about taxpayer impacts and the move away from standard procurement; it passed 10-7-1. HB 2478, as amended, creates the Arizona Commission on Student Outcomes to study K-12 accountability, standards, graduation requirements, early childhood education, and a trade pathways diploma, funded by Classroom Site Fund dollars; members debated whether the work should instead be done by ADE or the State Board, and the bill passed 11-7. The committee also heard HB 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund to support DPS and corrections salaries using investment earnings from the Budget Stabilization Fund and proceeds from forfeited digital assets; the sponsor and a troopers association witness argued it would provide a stable long-term funding source to address chronic vacancies and pay gaps.