Transcript Highlights:

• It includes a significant increase in the standard deduction, which will save taxpayers a significant
• This will be a significant tax increase if we fail to pass this bill.
• It's national... ...driving wage earnings potentially.
• It increases our economy.
• We get it increases our economy.

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2785, a major Arizona tax conformity measure that would align state law with the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and apply retroactively to tax year 2025. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would make Department of Revenue tax forms legal, provide certainty to taxpayers already filing under those forms, and deliver about $440 million in tax relief through provisions such as no tax on tips and overtime, a larger standard deduction, a $6,000 senior deduction, and changes to deductions and the SALT cap. Opponents argued the bill would significantly reduce state revenue, disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers, and should not move forward without a broader budget plan. After an amendment addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language was adopted, the committee approved HB 2785 on a 5-4 vote. The committee then heard several Arizona State Retirement System technical cleanup bills. HB 2089, clarifying the health insurance premium benefit subsidy, passed 9-0. HB 2090, changing the disability timeframe for long-term disability benefits, passed 8-1. HB 2092, allowing certain employees over age 65 to waive ASRS participation within 30 days of eligibility, also passed 8-1. These measures were described by staff and the sponsor as simple corrections, with little opposition. Finally, the committee considered HB 2477, which conforms Arizona’s 529 education savings plan to federal law, expands allowable uses, and adds rules for 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers and ABLE transfers. Supporters called it a cleanup bill that would simplify administration for families, while some members raised concerns about the Roth rollover and possible use of funds transferred from ESA accounts. The bill passed 5-3 with one member voting present. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Untreated behavioral health conditions can lead to worsening health outcomes, increasing emergency room
• visits, health conditions can lead to worsening health outcomes, increasing emergency room visits, and
• What this does, it reduces flexibility, may increase project cost, and excludes comparable frameworks
• The state auditor found 47,000 wage claims backlogged in 2023, with workers receiving the full amount
• This bill will increase access to a crucial prevention medication when global health and civil rights

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote. On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will also address the shortage of EMS personnel, the competitive wages that we need to pay
• >> The last increase we had was around eight years ago. >> Around eight years ago.
• We did not know how to pull those out, but it does not include any increase from Medicaid.
• We did not know how to pull those out, but it does not include any increase from Medicaid.
• </c> not include any increase from Medicaid. not include any increase from Medicaid.

Bills: HB424 , SB63 , SB269 , HB424 , SB63 , SB269

Committees: House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce , House Insurance

Keywords: HB424, Montgomery County, sheriff, county sheriff, salary increase, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, public official compensation, law enforcement pay, elected official salary, Montgomery County legislation, sheriff compensation, term-based salary, immigration, law enforcement, fingerprints, DNA collection, illegal aliens

Transcript Highlights:

• labor movement, where Filipino and Mexican farm workers stood shoulder to shoulder to demand fair wages
• Filipino and Mexican farm workers stood shoulder to shoulder to demand fair wages and humane working
• endured brutal... ...large part, as he said, by Chinese laborers who endured brutal conditions, low wages
• As CPF president, he advocated for firefighters' wages, hours, and working conditions, and many of you
• These people are strong advocates for increasing awareness of GM1 and the hope that others afflicted

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journals, and removed SB 830 from the inactive file for return to the Assembly. It then took up several gubernatorial appointments, including Clint Kellum as Director of the Cannabis Control, Jennifer Osborne as Director of Industrial Relations, and two Medical Board of California appointments, Dr. Trinidad Solis and Dr. Gerald Tolbrook. Each appointment was confirmed by roll call, with broad support and no recorded opposition. The chamber also adopted SR 97 recognizing Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting AAPI contributions to California, histories of exclusion and solidarity, and the importance of visibility and representation. The resolution passed 39-0. The Senate also recognized numerous AAPI community leaders and honorees on the floor, including Kay Buck and Mira Sorvino for anti-trafficking advocacy, and later several additional guests and community figures. Members then adopted several other resolutions by unanimous consent: SCR 168 designating Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, SCR 148 declaring GM1 gangliosidosis awareness day, SR 95 proclaiming ALS Awareness Month, SCR 156 for Stroke Awareness Month, and SR 110 recognizing Hospital Week in California. Floor remarks focused on public safety, rare disease awareness, stroke recovery and aphasia, and the role of hospitals and health care workers. The Senate also honored retiring California Professional Firefighters president Brian Rice with extensive tributes to his labor leadership, firefighter safety work, and disaster response advocacy. The meeting concluded with the remaining appointment confirmations and adjournment until May 14, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their total filings for 2025 were increased by 56. Total RITs filed also increased by 89.
• Traffic cases saw a huge increase of about 24,000, and overall there was an increase of 20,000 cases.
• They do have an increase in their health insurance premiums, increases in operating expenses, and a small
• request for an increase in ad hoc judges.
• I'm also happy to see the increase in CASA.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This shows that visit Florida marketing efforts increase spend.
• Those are the increases in conversions from thinking about traveling to traveling.
• Those are the increases and spend those are the increases in people making actions within a month.
• We have a new and increased travel routes.
• So very promising and increasing trends there. >> Very good.

Transcript Highlights:

• Priority number one for the state is raising wages.
• Priority number one for the state is raising wages.
• Priority number one for the state is raising wages.
• Priority number one for the state is raising wages.
• In the next five years, they saw an increase in their wages across the board by a minimum of 10%.

Bills: SB1108 , SB1205 , SB1241 , SB1286 , SB1366 , SB1431 , SB1473 , SB1477 , SB1478 , SB1479 , SB1492 , SB1517 , SB1563 , SB1586 , SB1665 , SB1671

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: cash transactions, mandatory rounding, swedish rounding, public notice, Arizona Revised Statutes, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, SB1241, private permitting provider, private permit, private certificate of completion, building permit, building plan review, inspection, single-trade residential construction, residential construction, municipal permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• I am pleased to present AB 485, which helps workers collect their stolen wages.
• AB 573 makes a modest increase in the tobacco retail license fee.
• Removing them could actually increase food spoilage and waste.
• Year after year, we are hit with rate increases.
• It will support which actually can increase safety. This is the right thing to do.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• We could use that money to hire staff, increase wages, invest in our businesses, or keep our doors open
• Merchant processing costs increase because electronic payment volume has increased, not because interchange
• rates have increased.
• What we have seen on our side of this conversation is a significant increase in fraud.
• And this past April, Visa and MasterCard increased those by about $3 billion more.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission studying the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses held what leaders described as its last public hearing, though they said the commission would continue meeting to develop a report and recommendations. Chair Paul Feeney and other members noted the issue is complex and that they had sought testimony from a wide range of stakeholders before moving into a more deliberative phase. The commission adjourned after hearing from several in-person and virtual witnesses. Banking and card-industry witnesses, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Card Coalition, the Electronic Payments Coalition, and others, argued that payment cards provide major benefits to consumers and merchants, including convenience, fraud protection, fast settlement, and broad access to electronic commerce. They warned that state-level changes to interchange rules could create a patchwork of conflicting requirements, disrupt global payment systems, and especially affect state-chartered community banks and small businesses. Several also said recent federal actions and litigation, including OCC and NCUA preemption rules and the Illinois interchange-fee litigation, have limited the practical reach of state laws. Restaurant, retail, and convenience-store witnesses pushed for relief from swipe fees, saying independent businesses operate on thin margins and pay fees on amounts that are not really their revenue, such as sales tax and gratuities. They urged transparency, the ability to surcharge, vendor compensation for tax collection, and limits on interchange or related fees. Some witnesses said merchants bear significant fraud and chargeback costs and that banks and card networks have not offered enough direct relief. Commissioners asked questions about surcharging, fee regulation, fraud, and whether industry should share more of the burden. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adjourning the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it gives them significant increases.
• That cost of living living increase.
• I'll never increase right now is 1%.
• </c> service increase from 15,000 to $20,000. service increase from 15,000 to $20,000.
• wage wage replacement.<01:40:37.760><c> Workers</c><01:40:38.159><c> who</c><01:40:38.760><c> qualify

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These increases are playing out all across the U.S.
• There is evidence that, for instance, minimum wage laws and average wages have grown faster in California
• Would that increase competition?
• Would that increase competition?
• Increasing industry subsidies and rollbacks of protections on our communities and workers just increases

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• federal and state laws, and the industry is already highly regulated both federally and by other state wage
• No, they would still have OSHA protections, wage protections; all the protections that are there would
• They would pay minimum wage.
• Will they still be guaranteed minimum wage and not be charged exorbitant fees for safety equipment and
• I don't believe so because they're still going to have all the protections under all your wage laws,

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard seven measures, including four bills and three proposed committee substitutes. HB 6033, repealing the Labor Pool Act, was presented as a cleanup measure to remove duplicative regulation; supporters argued workers would still be covered by OSHA, wage laws, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance, while opponents raised concerns about losing specific protections for day laborers. The bill was reported favorably on a 4-? vote, with several members voting no over concerns about worker protections. HB 453, dealing with pool and spa contractors, was described as a technical update to Chapter 489 that would better align licensing scopes with current industry practice and allow contractors to perform related work without stopping for additional licensed trades. An amendment making only drafting changes was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. CS/HB 277 on veteran benefits assistance was also reported favorably unanimously after testimony focused on protecting veterans from predatory claims-assistance practices while preserving choice and requiring disclosures, fee limits, and data-security safeguards. The committee then approved PCS for HB 291, which would require personal mobility device batteries sold in Florida to meet an IPX-7 certification standard, after the sponsor cited fire risks from lithium-ion batteries; the measure passed unanimously. PCS for HB 709, allowing valid pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities to nearby high-li permit holders, was amended to require a minimum of 59 live performances and then passed unanimously. CS/HB 4011, expanding who may serve as a building official on Palm Beach County’s Building Code Advisory Board, passed unanimously as a good-government fix to fill vacancies. Finally, PCS for HB 499, allowing small craft breweries under 31,000 gallons to self-distribute, drew extensive testimony from brewers and distributors about small-business growth versus the three-tier alcohol system; despite concerns about weakening distribution safeguards, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-2 vote. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you have more debt, you get offered lower wages, right?
• </c><00:25:27.440><c> based</c> carrying and then offering wages based carrying and then offering wages
• </c><00:25:33.679><c> And</c><00:25:33.840><c> again,</c> offered lower wages, right?
• And again, offered lower wages, right?
• And also, as we've seen over recent decades in the mining sector, increased automation.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These amounts will not increase the overall filing fee paid by applicants.
• These amounts will not increase the overall filing fee paid by applicants.
• earner due to family's primary wage earner due to death<00:54:07.359><c> disability</c><00:54:07.960
• Those who exited the program as employed did so at an average wage of $20.38 per hour.
• </c><00:56:51.039><c> of</c> average wage of average wage of $20.38<00:56:52.880><c> per</c><00:56:53.319

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have seen an increase in federal law enforcement action in our state.
• Small problems become emergencies, straining hospitals, increasing costs, and burdening the very systems
• I personally was the author of a study looking at increased no-show rates in 2017 after the increase
• believe police are connected, they stop reporting crimes like they said before: domestic violence, wage
• but refuse to report to their employers... ...workers who are robbed of wages but refuse to report to

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the Safe Communities Act, House 2580 and Senate 1681, along with related proposals to limit local and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibit 287(g) agreements, and expand legal defense for immigrants. Most testimony came from advocates, attorneys, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, and community members who argued that fear of ICE discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking medical care, attending school, or cooperating with courts, and that a clear statewide policy would improve public safety, due process, and trust in institutions. Several speakers described personal or client experiences involving domestic violence, trafficking, workplace abuse, or children affected by deportation, and many emphasized economic harms to workers, families, and small businesses. Health care witnesses said immigration enforcement is causing patients to miss appointments, avoid emergency rooms, and delay preventive care, with resulting public health consequences. Labor and education representatives said immigrant workers and students are increasingly fearful, and that the state should not allow local police to act as ICE agents or enter 287(g) agreements. ACLU and coalition witnesses cited examples they said showed existing or recent collaboration between local agencies and ICE, including courthouse alerts, vehicle stops, and use of municipal spaces, while also arguing that the bill would still allow cooperation on criminal matters and public safety emergencies. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that serious criminal offenders should be deported and defending ICE’s role. Committee members asked several questions about whether the harms described were widespread or anecdotal, and about the distinction between assisting ICE in civil immigration arrests versus responding to violent or public safety emergencies. Witnesses said the bill was aimed at civil immigration enforcement, not criminal investigations or emergency situations. At the end of the hearing, a committee member requested a study on immigration enforcement’s effect on emergency room wait times, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to a youth training wage, House No. 2175. House No. 2175.
• The House bill to increase safety on public ways, House No. 3650.
• An act relative to a youth training wage, House No. 2175.
• An act relative to increasing the fine for handicapped parking violations for city/town implementation
• An act to increase safety on public ways, House No. 3650.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On paragraph O, this is the prevailing wage that is required for these large-scale data centers.
• </c><00:48:29.680><c> energy</c> centers including increased energy centers including increased energy
• <00:48:32.359><c> water</c> increased water increased water consumption<00:48:34.960><c> under</c><00
• Their program increased from $136 million in 2022 to $750 million in 2023.
• First of all, an analysis of whether or not it's going to increase...

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• case, and what this bill is proposing to do is that there's two categories of expenditures: one is wages
• uh and payroll expenditures one is Wages uh and payroll and<00:20:38.480><c> and</c><00:20:39.120><c
• We put in all of these positions, a lot of which remain vacant. payroll and salaries and wages into the
• payroll and salaries and wages into the 20<00:20:58.360><c> C</c><00:20:58.600><c> ategory</c><00:20
• I don't... increase the burdens on the flower increase the burdens on the flower Growers<00:37:34.520

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 412 HD1, which would expand the definition of lobbying to include certain communications with high-level officials about procurement decisions and create presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients. The State Ethics Commission and State Procurement Office supported the measure, saying it would improve transparency and align Hawaii with other states, while the Hawaii Primary Care Association opposed it over concerns that employers and others could be swept in too broadly. No public testimony or questions led to any action on the bill during the hearing. The committee then took up House Bill 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain research purposes and clarify the Office of Information Practices’ rulemaking authority. OIP and the Public First Law Center supported the bill, arguing it would create uniform standards and that concerns could be handled through rules. The University of Hawaiʻi system, DBEDT, DHS, DLNR, and others raised concerns about the breadth of the terms “research” and “researcher,” privacy, confidential information, and possible misuse; Hawaiian Electric also warned about access to sensitive infrastructure information. Members questioned whether the bill was premature and whether definitions should be narrowed in statute, and OIP said it would consider working with agencies and the University on clearer definitions. House Bill 792 HD1, relating to the Office of the Legislative Analyst, drew no testimony beyond a late written support from the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the committee moved on without discussion. The committee then heard House Bill 1424, which would restrict transfers between appropriated funds for positions and operating expenses. Budget and Finance explained that current practice allows transfers from payroll to other current expenses when there are savings, but legislative appropriations for specific purposes must still be spent for that purpose. Several agencies expressed opposition or concerns, saying the bill could reduce flexibility, especially in response to federal funding changes or vacant positions, though members emphasized transparency and accountability. Budget and Finance suggested a reporting approach instead, and the committee discussed quarterly reporting as a possible alternative. Finally, the committee began House Bill 1153 HD1, which concerns funding adjustments for state programs and capital improvement projects and establishes a protocol fund. Budget and Finance, DAGS, and the State Procurement Office supported the measure, while the General Contractors Association and several construction-related groups opposed section two, arguing it would undo recent procurement protest-bond safeguards adopted in Act 162. The hearing then moved on toward House Bill 1297, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was fully discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we have limits, though, on how far Medicaid can be increased.
• with the average wage of your state. ...wage of your state.
• But if costs are increasing, we're just always going to be chasing that.
• But we're seeing the need to really increase our wages to even be competitive with the fast food restaurants
• I think there are other parts of the cost when you unpack this increase in cost...

Committee: Joint Health Insurance Affordability Task Force

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Others absolutely have capacity to increase dual enrollment.
• And we had been seeing a significant increase in dual enrollment.
• We can see significant increases in the number of ADTs... ...to today.
• We can see significant increases in the number of ADTs, increases in transfer overall, and degree completion
• increases from $20 to $25 and over $8,000 annually.

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the California Community Colleges budget proposal, including Proposition 98 funding, a 2.41% COLA for apportionments, enrollment growth funding, repayment of an apportionment deferral, and one-time investments for a student support block grant and deferred maintenance. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s package as providing significant new resources, while the LAO recommended prioritizing COLA and enrollment growth within available funds but raised concerns about some smaller proposals, including making the Healthy School Food Pathways Program ongoing and adding more funding for credit for prior learning before outcomes are known. The Chancellor’s Office supported the COLA, enrollment growth, and one-time investments, and said current projections suggest enrollment growth closer to 3%, with about $85 million to $90 million in ongoing costs if fully funded. Members focused heavily on enrollment growth, the 10% district cap, and whether the state should continue funding growth in the current year and budget year. The Chancellor’s Office said some districts, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley, are growing rapidly and that about seven districts are above the cap, with roughly 1,563 FTES and about $30 million in ongoing costs tied to that issue. Members also discussed hold-harmless districts and whether declining campuses should be required to produce turnaround or right-sizing plans. The Chancellor’s Office said districts are already having local conversations and that state funding provides time to adjust, but no formal plan requirement was proposed. The committee then took up common course numbering, where the Chancellor’s Office said all 115 community colleges have implemented the first phase and more than 550,000 students enrolled in the first six commonly numbered courses. The office argued that CCN improves clarity but does not yet guarantee that credits will transfer with full value across UC and CSU, because articulation is still handled campus by campus and can require more than 3,500 separate reviews. Members expressed concern that students can still be forced to retake courses such as calculus or ethnic studies even when they have the same common number, and urged the systems to develop a stronger statewide articulation mechanism tied to outcomes and transparency. The item was left open. Finally, the committee heard the Governor’s proposal to make Calbright College’s funding ongoing at $53.1 million. The LAO recommended instead transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula, with one-time bridge funding in the meantime, arguing the Governor’s proposal lacks a clear enrollment-based rationale and performance expectations. Calbright’s leadership defended the college’s competency-based, flexible model for adult learners, citing more than 6,800 students served, over 2,200 certificates awarded, and wage gains for graduates; they said enrollment is expected to grow from about 7,000 students now to roughly 8,000 to 9,000 next year and around 10,000 over the next couple of years. Members pressed for clearer enrollment and funding data before deciding how Calbright should be funded going forward.