Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, there's no cost on this.
• Uh, there's no cost on this.
• Uh, there's no cost on this.
• Uh, there's no cost on this.
• Uh, there's no cost on this.

Keywords: Cabinet for Economic Development – Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Overview 02:35 ----Discussion of BR 868, 2026 Regular Session 24:08, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August 21 minutes. The main presentation was from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development on the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), which was created in 1984 and is administratively tied to the cabinet. Staff explained that BSSC supports workforce training for companies in Kentucky through two main programs: the grant-in-aid reimbursement program and the skills training investment tax credit. They also described the board’s structure, quarterly meetings, annual audit, and the metropolitan tax credit tied to UPS in Louisville, along with public-private training consortia supported by the program. The cabinet outlined eligibility and funding rules: applicants must be qualified companies, trainees must be full-time Kentucky residents meeting wage requirements, and eligible training includes in-house company-specific training, train-the-trainer efforts, safety/OSHA training, and outside training through KCTCS or other providers. Grant-in-aid is a 50% reimbursement program capped at $75,000 per company per fiscal year and $2,000 per trainee, while the tax credit is capped annually and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are scored based on county tier, wages, workforce development activity, veteran hiring, participation in consortia, and job growth. Members asked for data on trainees and industries served, and staff said they could provide it. They also discussed coordination with other workforce programs, especially KCTCS and the state’s TRAIN program, to avoid overlap and double dipping. Several members asked about program usage and differences between fiscal years. Staff said the tax credit is less popular because it is not refundable and requires tax liability, while grant-in-aid is more attractive because it is cash reimbursement. They said lower or delayed spending in some years can reflect one-year training windows, reimbursement lag, new facilities ramping up, consortia activity, and special allocations such as those tied to Ford facilities. Questions also covered support for new businesses, which staff said can receive favorable scoring for new jobs and may have funds set aside for new location projects. On veterans, staff said they connect companies to Kentucky Valor and other resources, but the program does not track veteran retention outcomes. The final discussion was on a draft bill related to the Kentucky Horse Park and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Representative Vanessa Gracel and Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter explained that the proposal is intended to help the park maintain integrity and protect athletes, volunteers, coaches, trainers, and guests from abuse and misconduct. They described SafeSport’s federal role in Olympic and Paralympic sports and said they hope to move the draft forward as legislation in 2026. No votes were taken on the BSSC presentation or the horse park discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• All services are provided to students at no cost to their families.
• This bill also adds a cost-of-living adjustment to the C-T grant.
• From the cost of housing to the high cost of living in San Francisco to the financial debt many newly
• From the cost of housing to the high cost of living in San Francisco to the financial debt, many newly
• We feel it in our lives, and when we have a static kind of allocation, but when that static allocation

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• allocation or entitlement is going down. allocation or entitlement is going down.
• The next item is a no-cost item.
• The next item is a no-cost item.
• cost transfers from Pelsby over to MDE. cost transfers from Pelsby over to MDE.
• or legal costs, pardon me, Madam Chair. or legal costs, pardon me, Madam Chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that health care already costs too much. that health care already costs too much.
• <01:07:21.520> of which do not reimburse at the cost of which do not reimburse at the cost
• cost today's challenges. cost today's challenges.
• > from<01:15:16.320> 3 care, you have costs that range from 3 care, you have costs that
• cost and funding. funding. funding.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it's going to cost—my farm alone is going to cost me close to $60,000.
• I mean, it's going to cost—my farm alone is going to cost me close to $60,000.
• I mean, it's going to cost—my farm alone is going to cost me close to $60,000.
• I mean, it's going to cost—my farm alone is going to cost me close to $60,000.
• I mean, it's going to cost—my farm alone is going to cost me close to $60,000.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• only 3% of their 1.4 million donations; the other 97% paid for vague and miscellaneous fundraising costs
• attorney, or the injured party may bring forth a civil action to recover damages together with the cost
• in 2024 Pax went to fundraising costs in 2024 Pax called<00:02:12.840> Patriots<00:02:13.319>
• recover damages together with the cost recover damages together with the cost of<00:03:58.720>
• :51:40.160> an if the allocation options did include an if the allocation options did include

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sustainability, because we had started to see actually a drop in the number of apprentices as the cost
• funded, apprentices enrolled and completed, job placements within six months, and maybe average wages, cost
• Chair, one of the things we're working on in appropriations is to see if we can put additional allocations
• The original allocation request was $50,000. Additional allocations into it.
• The original allocation request was $50 million. Unfortunately, it became $30 million.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee met to hear House Bill 7, sponsored by Representative Garrett and Representative Cates, which would continue and support apprenticeship and workforce training funding. The sponsors and the Department of Workforce Solutions described strong growth in apprenticeship participation, especially in the building trades, and said the fund has helped expand programs while maintaining high retention and employment outcomes. They emphasized that the bill would provide predictable, sustained investment in skilled labor needed for construction, infrastructure, and other growing sectors. Supportive testimony came from contractors, chambers of commerce, trade unions, and a small business owner, all of whom said apprenticeship funding is essential to meeting workforce shortages and keeping workers in New Mexico. Committee members asked about program demographics, geographic distribution, rural participation, reentry and high school dropout data, and how apprenticeships connect to displaced workers from energy and industrial closures. The secretary explained that the department uses Rapid Response and economic transition programs for layoffs and closures, and also surveys current energy workers to gauge retraining interest. Several members praised the bill’s return on investment and retention of workers in the state, while Representative de Rassas suggested adding more public transparency and performance metrics. Representative Ortiz asked about future funding after 2031 and whether the program could scale with more money. After discussion, Representative Hall moved a do pass, Representative de Rassas seconded, and the committee approved House Bill 7 with no opposition. The chair also announced upcoming committee meetings and asked members to consent to sharing contact information for committee purposes.

Transcript Highlights:

• comparables to outside vendors and compare those costs to some of the state contract costs and trying
• “Outside vendors and compare those costs to some of the state contract costs and trying to narrow those
• comparables to outside vendors and compare those costs to some of the state contract costs and trying
• “Outside vendors and compare those costs to some of the state contract costs and trying to narrow those
• The total cost identified includes costs for all claim types, so it's other programs, headquarters, incarcerated

Summary: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 heard the Governor’s May Revision proposals for the judicial branch, the Board of State and Community Corrections, the Department of Justice, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Legislative Analyst’s Office opened with a warning that the state budget remains structurally imbalanced and urged the Legislature to avoid new ongoing spending unless offset by reductions elsewhere. In the judicial branch discussion, the Judicial Council highlighted language access funding, appellate court security, a backfill for the state court facilities construction fund, and an extension of the lactation room mandate; Finance supported most items but suggested reporting language on interpreter costs and reducing the General Fund backfill. Members raised concerns about judicial vacancies, long-term salary freezes, remote hearings, and the lack of progress on court staffing in some counties. For the Board of State and Community Corrections, the administration proposed $10 million one-time each for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People grant program and a human trafficking vertical prosecution grant program. The LAO said both should be weighed against other priorities and suggested the Legislature consider whether the Tribal Nations Grant Fund could support MMIP work, while Finance said it preferred General Fund support and wanted more review before any fund swap. Members strongly supported MMIP funding and asked whether ongoing support would be considered. On the human trafficking grant, Finance said BSC was a good fit because of its grant administration experience and prior vertical prosecution work, while legislators asked why the program was not placed with the Office of Emergency Services as originally contemplated in prior legislation. The Department of Justice presented antitrust litigation funding, Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse staffing, completion of organized retail criminal enterprise cases, and trailer bill language for a continuous appropriation from the Victims of Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund. The LAO supported the antitrust account use but questioned the Unfair Competition Law Fund’s ability to cover the full request without General Fund repayment, and recommended against a continuous appropriation for the restitution fund in favor of a more limited mechanism with legislative oversight. Finance said the fund would remain solvent and defended the continuous appropriation as necessary to pay victims promptly. In the CDCR portion, the largest discussion centered on the Boston Consulting Group efficiency review and sharply reduced savings estimates; LAO said the department had not fully explained the proposed position eliminations or future $100 million savings target, while Finance said the work reflected deeper analysis and ongoing efforts to find savings. Members repeatedly pressed CDCR and Finance on the gap between earlier promised savings and the revised figures. CDCR also outlined population projections showing continued declines in prison and parole populations, while LAO again urged the state to close an additional prison to save ongoing costs. The department then walked through several May Revision items, including workers’ compensation funding, a Corcoran honor housing dorm, incarcerated firefighter pay implementation, an incarcerated menopause program, mental health receiver staffing, mental health resource teams and crisis intervention teams, medical classification staffing changes, and AI note-taking for the electronic health record. LAO generally recommended limiting-term funding and more reporting for many of these proposals, while Finance defended them as necessary ongoing investments or court-ordered obligations. Members questioned the cost of workers’ compensation, the need for more prison closures, the lack of funding for women’s facility violence prevention, and the timing and transparency of the BCG savings process. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's further proof of the value of our university system's degree, especially given our low tuition costs
• The statute requires preeminence funding to be equally allocated between each designated preeminent university
• And the funding is allocated based equally allocated between each designated preeminent university.
• And the funding is allocated based Achievements of high-performing faculty, and the funding is allocated
• the board is requesting $6.4 million for UF/IFAS extension workload, and the workload formula is a cost-to-continue

Summary: The committee heard a presentation on the State University System’s new strategic plan, SUS 30, from Emily Sykes and later the system’s legislative budget request from Sarah Denagie. The strategic plan centers on five priorities: One SUS collaboration, elevating student success, operational excellence, world-class talent, and innovative research and economic development. Testimony highlighted Florida’s continued status as the nation’s top higher education system, record rankings, improved four-year graduation rates, higher median graduate wages, strong licensure pass rates, and expanded focus on research commercialization and workforce alignment. Senators asked about programs of strategic emphasis, mental health and teacher workforce needs, use of the My Florida Future wage data tool, support for first-generation and Pell students, and the role of liberal arts degrees. The system said it would provide follow-up information, including the full strategic-emphasis list and a report on campus safety best practices after a recent summit following the FSU shooting. The committee also received an update on line funding for nursing and health care partnerships. Officials said the $6 million appropriation was fully subscribed through 24 proposals from all 10 nursing programs, supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment, internships, simulation, and expanded nursing capacity. They reported more than 1,900 new nursing graduates, over 200 new student slots, more than 300 scholarships, and a 92% NCLEX pass rate. Senators asked about expanding eligibility for the program, and staff indicated that would be examined this year. For the legislative budget request, the Board of Governors asked for $634.5 million total, including $295 million to maintain the institutional performance-based funding base, $400 million for the state investment portion of performance-based funding, $125 million for preeminence funding, $100 million for faculty recruitment and retention, $6.4 million for UF/IFAS extension workload, and $3.1 million for state fire marshal inspections. The chair noted that resources are limited and that difficult budget decisions will be required. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• THEY WERE REALLY HOMING IN ON THE PER MEDICAID COST PER RESIDENT.
• THERE WAS 25 MILLION ALLOCATED AND ONLY 6.8 MILLION WAS AS OF THAT SLIDE WHICH I KNOW WAS NOT THE FULL
• BUT WITH THE MONEY THAT WAS NOT ALLOCATED IN THE FISCAL YEAR WAS IT REVERTED AND REAPPROPRIATED FOR THE
• THERE ARE SOME RURAL ALSO ALLOCATED BASED ON DISCRETIONARY INTERPRETATIONS.
• GOV PROVIDES INFORMATION ON SCREENING AND SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR NOW OR REDUCE COST AND ARE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• its portion of the private activity bond state ceiling allocation.
• House Bill 1015 by allocation.
• . and costing people is is unnecessary. and costing people coverage<02:21:55.920> that<02:21:56.160
• We're going to end up with costs.
• But because it cost us a fiscal note, we took the state out. It's not right.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to outside vendors and compare those costs to some of the state contract costs and trying to narrow
• The total cost identified includes costs for all claim types, so it's other programs, headquarters, incarcerated
• the policy in light of new information about these costs.
• the policy in light of new information about these costs.
• What our allocation was going to be.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so now it's a more healthy military because we realize the cost of lives, the cost of cancer.
• This bill would help families recover costs. Thank you.
• That cost down, say, to 5% rather than 10%.
• Reinstating this fee will cost California.
• activity, including $1.25 billion to backfill Cal Fire costs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so now it's a more healthy military because we realize the cost of lives, the cost of cancer.
• Reinstating this fee will cost California.
• And then we've already heard about the CDTFA and their cost issues.
• The governor has proposed to allocate a total of $1.6 billion.
• , including $1.25 billion to backfill Cal Fire costs.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public health, wildfire recovery, local government finance, transportation, and rural health care. SB 1124 by Senator Archuleta would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco retail locations. The author and a physician witness argued the bill would raise awareness of a highly underused screening that can save lives, while retailers and fuel/convenience groups raised implementation concerns about signage size, notice, and penalties. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a 4-0 vote after the committee later took up the on-call item. SB 1352 by Senator Valadao and Senator Allen would clarify that wildfire victims can rebuild homes up to 110% of the original size without triggering reassessment, so long as the property was destroyed in a governor-declared disaster. Supporters, including the L.A. County Assessor, the California Assessors Association, Realtors, and taxpayers groups, said the bill would reduce uncertainty and help families rebuild without higher property taxes. It passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. SB 1343, presented by Senator Allen on behalf of Senator Dodd, would provide a $4,000 income tax credit for sales tax paid on furniture and appliances purchased to furnish a primary residence after a disaster; it drew one opposition witness from the California Teachers Association but otherwise had no public opposition and passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place caps and transparency requirements on consultant compensation in local tax-sharing agreements, responding to cases in Shafter and Dinuba where revenue was allegedly diverted to consultants. Local government and business groups supported the measure as a guardrail, while some members expressed concern about Sacramento limiting local control; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to place a countywide sales tax measure of up to 1% on the ballot to continue transportation funding; transit agencies and local officials supported it, while taxpayer groups opposed it, and it passed 4-1. SB 1404 by Senator Stern would restore a fee on property owners in state responsibility areas to fund Cal Fire wildfire prevention and suppression, with supporters arguing the fee would broaden funding and opponents calling it an unfair tax on rural and wildfire-prone residents; it passed 4-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1102 by Senator Dodd would create a $2,000 tax credit for frontline nurses working in rural hospitals; supporters said it would help recruit and retain nurses in underserved areas, and the bill passed 5-0 as amended to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Property and vehicle insurance is allocated to the fire protection fund.
• Costs, right? Labor costs are high. Everything's high. Interest rates are high.
• Crazy to where we are today with what food costs are and everything.
• They don't have a cost-benefit analysis.
• What they don't have at this point is a cost-benefit analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:24.599> for a reality of the situation um costs for a reality of the situation um costs
• <00:51:52.359> of order to um reduce the costs of order to um reduce the costs of Development
• ><00:58:09.280> to<00:58:09.480> get<00:58:09.640> something no cost or pay a cost
• to get something no cost or pay a cost to get something done<00:58:10.480> more<00:58:10.799>
• to us on a sort of per capita allocates to us on a sort of per capita allocation<01:27:10.960> and

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To enforce compliance, all lead agencies are required to submit a cost allocation plan for employees
• The department has reviewed all submitted cost allocation plans and confirmed compliance for any impacted
• All submitted cost allocation plans and confirmed compliance for any impacted salaries.
• Board-approved budgets in excess of the total allocation for the lead agency and noncompliance with cost
• allocation plans.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee held its first meeting of the term and heard introductory remarks from the chair, vice chair, ranking member, and members, who broadly described their interest in child welfare, mental health, aging services, homelessness, and agency accountability. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction, including child welfare, mental health and substance abuse safety net services, domestic violence, developmental disabilities, elder services, and child support, and introduced the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as the first agency panel for the term. DCF presented an implementation update on HB 7089, a 2024 law aimed at increasing accountability and transparency for community-based care (CBC) lead agencies that deliver most child welfare services under contract. The department said the bill was prompted by forensic examinations that found problems such as noncompetitive procurement, related-party transactions, excessive executive compensation, and weak financial oversight. DCF described new contract requirements and monitoring tools covering board governance and annual training, conflict-of-interest disclosures, financial penalties for noncompliance, fidelity bond requirements, limits on direct service provision by lead agencies, related-party procurement rules, procurement thresholds, real-property approvals, compensation caps, expanded public reporting, and a new Future of Child Protection and Funding Work Group. DCF reported that some lead agencies had completed required board training, others were still on schedule, and two agencies exceeding the direct-service threshold had been referred to the Auditor General. Members asked DCF about the reasons for the bill, the impact on children, the work group’s regional representation, aging-out youth, the Embrace Families transition, board training requirements, and whether enforcement actions had been taken. DCF said the bill was intended to protect funds for children and families and improve oversight, and clarified that the Central Florida lead agency contract was awarded through competitive procurement rather than an absorption. DCF also said the board training was designed to be meaningful but not overly burdensome, with timing left partly to lead agencies as they implement the new requirements. The committee then heard from two CBC leaders, who generally supported the accountability goals of HB 7089 and said their agencies had already addressed most of the new governance and disclosure requirements. They reported that board training had been completed or was being scheduled, but both agencies said the fidelity bond requirement has been difficult or impossible to obtain in the market as written, though they were able to secure the separate performance bond. The CBC witnesses also warned that recruiting providers is increasingly difficult, especially for higher-acuity children and group-home placements, due to limited provider supply, regulatory burden, insurance costs, and rising risk. They said these pressures are contributing to budget deficits in some areas and urged lawmakers to consider the funding model, insurance and indemnification issues, and the risk of overregulation reducing provider participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allocates $15.5 million for women, infant, and children nutrition, program. That's WIC.
• As our municipalities grapple with rising costs and impossibly tight budgets, the Senate is investing
• MassHealth costs. Senior citizens, including those in nursing facilities.
• MassHealth costs represent the largest single cost increase of $2.3 billion over FY25.
• And that adds significant costs. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up debate on the FY2026 general appropriations bill, with several members speaking in support of the Ways and Means budget. Senators Comerford, O’Connor, Feeney, and DiDomenico emphasized the budget as a values-driven response to federal uncertainty, highlighting investments in MassHealth, education, housing, food security, local aid, libraries, transit, mental and behavioral health, and support for vulnerable residents. They also praised the budget’s lack of new taxes and its focus on spending within available revenues, while noting major cost pressures from health care and federal policy instability. Specific programs and items repeatedly cited included universal free community college, expanded financial aid, rural and minimum school aid, TAFDC/EAEDC increases, the Healthy Incentives Program, universal school meals, housing supports, Home and Healthy for Good, and funding for Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital. Speakers framed these investments as both fiscally responsible and morally necessary, and several noted that amendments would be considered during the debate. No votes on the budget itself were taken in the excerpt. After the budget remarks, Senator Miranda spoke in recognition of Haitian Flag Day and the history of Haiti, including foreign interference and the importance of protecting Haitian immigrants in Massachusetts. Another senator then honored Malcolm X on the 100th anniversary of his birth, connecting his legacy to the budget process and calling for investments in equity, education, housing, and health care. The Senate then adopted an order to meet the next day at 10 a.m. with the general appropriations bill as the only item on the calendar, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That added about another $1,000 of cost to the cost of housing.
• We're not of cost to the cost of housing.
• And what's the cost to the consumer? What's the convenience cost?
• and soft costs?
• and soft costs?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To date, the agency has spent approximately $21.9 million of the fund to pay for their contract costs
• base rate case, it's not unusual to hire four or more experts: a revenue requirement expert, a class cost
• allocator, a rate allocation expert, a rate design expert, and a return on equity expert.
• The additional $600,000 per year will allow us to properly allocate funds, keep budget lines separate
• We're asking for an increase that will... cover the cost of living and inflation so that we can retain

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all