Transcript Highlights:

• But I thought with the presentation of the governor's bill, they did discuss the audit function and the
• It's a very common one that's made, that if you can hold people accountable through the audit function
• /c><01:47:08.239> discuss<01:47:09.199> um<01:47:09.520> the<01:47:09.840> audit
• <01:47:10.239> function they did discuss um the audit function they did discuss um the audit
• <01:48:01.679> function accountable through the audit function accountable through the audit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, an audit recently found that they've won the most convictions for provider fraud when compared
• testifying from the Secretary of State's office, and I think it's good that we're going to offer an efficient
• Next, the proposals enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of investigations by establishing clear
• Depending on the size of the budget, sometimes the federal single audit is required, and we have routine

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• providing exceptional and efficient providing exceptional and efficient customer<00:18:31.919>
• <00:26:03.559> 449 unit completed 350 dealer audits 449 unit completed 350 dealer audits 449
• :26:06.559> over inspection station audits conducted over inspection station audits conducted
• of Transportation is efficient.
• Otherwise, they cannot assign any replacements. efficient Bill files do not leave the efficient Bill

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Processing contested case. quickly and efficiently is key to our regulatory mission.
• This growth includes four new teams, the Office of Public Engagement, the Energy Efficiency Division,
• This system will improve data collection, provide greater transparency, and increase internal... efficiency
• We have an internal audit department that works. to identify waste, fraud, and abuse and also works with
• Opportunities for efficiencies, but no waste fraud or abuse how big is your agency? Total budget?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• searches on behalf of immigration agencies that were somehow missed by existing audits.
• SB 1013 addresses this by requiring audits by the California Department of Justice.
• This is why a strict data retention limit backed up by an auditing requirement is essential.
• This is why a strict data retention limit backed up by an auditing requirement is essential.
• Some of the functions around the audit, the oversight, the safeguards, and the training we think are

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met first as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later obtained a quorum and took up several bills. The committee heard SB 1064, which would reduce the frequency of Clean Truck Check testing for low-use heavy-duty vehicles; supporters said it would ease burdens on rural agricultural businesses, while clean air advocates opposed it as weakening an important emissions program. The bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1174, which would give Caltrans bid preferences to construction firms with employee stock ownership plans; supporters argued it would build worker wealth and improve project quality, while contractor groups opposed it as likely to raise costs and reduce competition. That bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The consent calendar items SB 607, SB 962, and SB 990 were also approved. The committee then heard SB 1279, which would allow Long Beach to place additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway. Long Beach officials and several safety and advocacy groups supported the bill, citing high fatality rates and repeated pedestrian crashes on that corridor, while some members raised concerns about fines, affordability, and whether cameras would address pedestrian-related collisions. The bill passed as amended to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transportation Act, would require more price transparency for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission truck incentives and direct agencies to explore alternative financing tools; supporters said it would improve affordability and competition, while one manufacturer and the trucking association raised implementation concerns. It passed to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader use by limiting retention to 30 days, requiring audits and training, and restricting access and hot list use. Privacy advocates supported the bill as overdue accountability, while law enforcement groups argued the retention limit would hinder investigations and that some technical definitions needed work. The bill passed to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1315, dealing with advanced driver assistance systems, would prevent automakers from disabling a consumer’s ability to drive their own vehicle through software updates and would encourage DMV testing questions about ADAS responsibilities; after amendments, industry opposition softened and the bill passed to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Finally, SB 1246, on autonomous vehicle emergency response, would require U.S.-based remote drivers, quicker on-scene response, and better coordination with local agencies; first responders and labor groups supported it, while AV industry groups remained opposed unless amended. The bill passed to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee. The transcript ended as the committee began hearing SB 1250, a planning bill to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation asset management, with the sponsor and supporters explaining it would improve safety and habitat planning without mandating specific projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• And a tax collected and used at the lowest possible level is the highest efficiency of a tax.
• think there's anybody sitting in this room or probably in this state to figure that out unless you audit
• thing: there was never a true fiscal note that can be put on this now or in the future unless you audit
• think there's anybody sitting in this room or probably in this state to figure that out unless you audit
• Yeah. in the future unless you audit everybody to know what these counties are actually losing.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The last CPUC audit, the first and last CPUC audit, was done to... said no.
• The last CPUC audit, the first and last CPUC audit, was done to.
• The last CPUC audit, the first and last CPUC audit, was done in 2021, and it found that utilities got
• Not been auditing whether they actually do it.
• And who does those audits?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and possible reforms to California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the high and growing wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh tradeoffs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The chair emphasized that the SB 254 report is an inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations, and that the Legislature’s role is to evaluate the options publicly. The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described severe ongoing displacement, housing insecurity, delayed compensation, and frustration with what they characterized as opaque and unfair compensation structures. They argued for greater transparency, clearer accountability for utilities, stronger oversight of wildfire mitigation spending, and incentives tied to safety performance. They also urged faster survivor payments, but only if they are full, fair, and not financed by shifting more costs to taxpayers or ratepayers. Committee members asked about gaps in the SB 254 report, the meaning of “full” compensation, and how a fast-pay facility might work. The second panel included the California Earthquake Authority, RAND, PG&E, LADWP, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Public Advocates Office. Tom Welsh of CEA explained the report’s process and the current wildfire fund structure, including that utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims, and prudency reviews can require reimbursement to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon outlined how roughly $38 billion has been paid to survivors, insurers, and public entities since 2017, and noted substantial litigation costs and cost-shifting among stakeholders. Utility representatives supported reforms that preserve financial stability and reduce risk, while consumer and public-interest advocates opposed shifting more costs to ratepayers and stressed accountability, audits, and safety-linked recovery. No votes or formal actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that team, we do a couple different kinds of investigations or audits, right?
• With that team, we do a couple different kinds of investigations or audits, right?
• With that team, we do a couple different kinds of investigations or audits, right?
• With that team, we do a couple different kinds of investigations or audits, right?
• So uh that we have to review and audit.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As the chairman of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, I want to applaud Representative Griffin on
• so that we would not set aside other audits and would look forward to making sure...
• That's a problem for me, not to mention them being very out of compliance on an Auditor General audit
• How's that for efficiency? Chair. How's that for efficiency? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• This came out of hearing from the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House met with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation honoring Adrian Ace Stubbs Day. Members also recognized Doctor of the Day Dr. Victoria Tannenbaum and welcomed visitors for Lutheran Day at the Legislature, along with Judge Kaluli from Veterans Treatment Court. Attendance was recorded at 56 present, one absent, and three excused. The chamber then moved through communications, committee reports, and first readings before taking up a long third-reading calendar. The floor debate centered on a wide range of bills, especially water, education, elections, public utilities, labor, and criminal justice measures. Members discussed tax administration, groundwater and water-rights issues, superintendent contract transparency, mining reclamation, school employee disclosure, AI and digital privacy, sexual extortion, probation, veterans and military employment protections, adult protective services, salvage vehicles, real estate licensing, and several education-related appropriations for ESA administration. There were also resolutions and memorials on voting centers and precincts, student athletics, Route 66, and recognizing Judea and Samaria. Several members explained votes, with supporters emphasizing transparency, consumer protection, public safety, and administrative cleanup, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, cost, overreach, lack of accountability, and impacts on schools, elections, and local control. Most measures passed, often along party-line or near party-line votes, and several emergency measures were adopted with the required two-thirds vote. Notable votes included HB 2016, HB 2026, HB 2028, HB 2049, HB 2075, HB 2090, HB 2092, HB 2094, HB 2098, HB 2111, HB 2113, HB 2114, HB 2133, HB 2135, HB 2179, HB 2192, HB 2228, HB 2256, HB 2260, HB 2262, HB 2265, HB 2278, HB 2328, HB 2351, HB 2381, HB 2409, HB 2410, HB 2411, HB 2425, HB 2451, HB 2476, HB 2499, HB 2500, HB 2584, HB 2662, HB 2663, HB 2666, HB 2693, HB 2752, HB 2756, HB 2804, HB 2812, HB 2827, HB 2877, HB 2908, HB 2932, HB 2933, HB 2943, HB 2953, HB 2966, and HB 2985, along with HCM 2007 and HCRs 2003, 2016, and 2047 and HR 2002 and 2003. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole to begin consideration of HB 2174 and related amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director, I've got some real concerns about our efficiency here.
• It's about government efficiency.
• It's about government efficiency.
• It's about government efficiency.
• It's government efficiency.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You get an independent audit of your books.
• You get an independent audit of your books.
• You through an external audit yourself.
• get an independent audit of your books. get an independent audit of your books.
• Uh as of right I know it's un audited.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 0:25 Approval of Minutes – 3-50 2025 RS SB 253 – 4:25 Computer Science and AI Literacy – 27:36 Fayette County School District Budget Update – 51:46 Adjournment – 2:09:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, introductions, and approval of the previous meeting minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation on SB 253, focused on expanding support for teacher apprenticeship and teaching-and-learning pathways. Senator Hickman and staff from the Kentucky Department of Education and Nelson County Schools described how the program uses dual credit, work-based learning, and registered apprenticeship to help students earn an associate degree in high school and continue toward a teaching degree. They said the goal is to address the teacher shortage by creating a sustainable pipeline into the profession. Witnesses emphasized that the main barrier is cost. Mary Taylor said Kentucky’s youth apprenticeship model has been successful in other fields and that education should be added as an in-demand sector, but an associate degree alone will not solve the teacher shortage because teachers still need a bachelor’s degree and certification. Laura Arnold of Nelson County Schools described the district’s Lead Nelson program, saying the district has invested more than $800,000 since 2021, currently has 37 students in the pathway and seven committed apprentices, and spends about $85,000 per apprentice from freshman year through certification. She said district staffing, planning, and university partnerships are also significant hurdles. Members asked about job guarantees, tenure, and retirement; Arnold said employment is performance-based and retirement issues are being considered. Senator Hickman said the bill would use lottery funds to help cover tuition and dual credit costs so more districts can participate, noting that a prior version died because of a high fiscal note. Representative Payne and Representative Tipton praised the program but stressed the need for funding and noted inconsistencies between statute and budget language on Work Ready Kentucky and dual credit support. Representative Tipton also cautioned that lottery revenue may not keep pace with demand and said the General Assembly may need to make broader funding decisions. After the apprenticeship discussion, the chair moved the committee to the next agenda item on computer science and AI literacy, where Code.org began a presentation on the importance of computer science for all students.

Transcript Highlights:

• communications with emergency services when facing dangerous situations, and increase the speed and efficiency
• Number one, this bill calls for an immediate audit of the NextGen 911 project by the State Auditor, providing
• communications with emergency services when facing dangerous situations and increase the speed and efficiency
• Number one, this bill calls for an immediate audit of the NextGen 911 project by the state auditor, providing
• We've tried to get audits, but due to some of the technical deadlines and things like that, we were not

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a consent calendar item, AB 2517, which was moved to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The main hearing then focused on several public safety and environmental bills. AB 2152 (fire station construction/CEQA streamlining) was presented by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez and supported by firefighters, while contractors opposed it over concerns about project labor agreements, small business access, and workforce restrictions; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 (emergency medical dispatch/pre-arrival instructions) was presented by Assembly Member Carrillo and supported by dispatch and EMS witnesses, with several local government and fire groups saying they would remove opposition once amendments were in print; it also passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 (human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites) drew support from the author and anti-trafficking advocates, but broadband, county, city, and communications groups raised implementation concerns, especially for rural and remote disaster sites; the bill passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also heard AB 1805, which would audit and strengthen oversight of the state’s troubled Next Generation 911 modernization project. The author described the bill as a fix to improve transparency, create an oversight board, and require quarterly reports; CalNENA supported the need for accountability while cautioning that the oversight structure should not delay deployment. AB 1805 passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 (offshore oil pipeline safety) was presented as a coastal protection measure requiring public comment, CEQA review, best available technology, and decommissioning of pipelines with major spill histories; environmental, local government, and coastal city representatives supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association opposed it as too broad and harmful to fuel supply. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. Later, AB 1964 would require the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening conditions and costs statewide; it passed to Appropriations after questions about county recorder data and survey methods. AB 1960 would allow Cal Fire wildfire prevention grants to support community-level hardening efforts, but it drew concerns that it could favor wealthier communities able to harden first; the author said the bill was meant as a voluntary certification and marketing incentive, and it passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 1863, which would prohibit local agencies from charging people simply for calling 911 when no service is rendered while preserving cost recovery for actual services, received no opposition and passed to the Assembly Floor. After add-on votes were taken for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, unfortunately, states like Arkansas that are pretty efficient in our care, that have done more with
• less for a very long time, get punished for our efficiency in the area wage index game.
• So I know maybe, as you'll know, that I asked to have an audit included in our packet today from Children's
• So I know, as you'll know, that I asked to have an audit included in our packet today from Children's
• I want to see that Children's want to look at their audit and they've got a 10% increase, and I have

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So head over to our audit, which is towards the end. Okay, we do an annual reconciliation.
• So head over to our audit, which is towards the end. Okay, we do an annual reconciliation.
• So if you go all the way to the audit, you... for the record, yes, exactly. It says Note J.
• But we aren't low because we've done such an effective and efficient job of supplying these.
• But we aren't low because we've done such an effective and efficient job of supplying these.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division 2 work session first took up HB 506, a bill dealing with the return of seized firearms. Members discussed how the measure would shift background-check processing for firearm returns through the Department of Safety, while the physical firearms would still remain with local police unless State Police had taken custody. The department said the bill would change which cases come to it, and members clarified that the bill concerns the background-check decision rather than possession of the firearms. The committee then voted OTP on HB 506 FN by a 7-0 roll call. The committee next discussed HB 671, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. Department of Education staff explained that the bill grew out of a COVID-era Waterford contract that provided home-based early literacy support for families using federal relief funds, at a cost of about $600,000 per year, but that the program ended when those funds expired. Members raised concerns that the bill’s $1 appropriation was not realistic, that the prior program lacked sufficient outcome data, and that the references to ESSA tier-one benchmarks were unclear. The department said it was conducting a broader literacy needs assessment and updating the state literacy plan, including data from the zero-to-five range, K-5, and dyslexia-related work. Waterford representatives described the program as an early-literacy, pre-K readiness service for children ages zero to five, originally designed to work in homes with computers and internet provided where needed, and later expanded in some settings such as daycares and pre-K classrooms. They said the program used assessments at the beginning and end, had served hundreds of children, and was intended to support family engagement and kindergarten readiness. Despite that testimony, members remained concerned about funding and the lack of clear results, and one member moved to retain the bill for more information. The discussion ended with the bill retained rather than advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let the Legislative Audit Commission do its work in directing the work of the Legislative Auditor.
• The Legislative Audit Commission do its work in directing the work of the Legislative Auditor.
• The Legislative Audit Commission do its work in directing the work of the Legislative Auditor.
• or<02:16:49.040> cost innovation uh efficiencies or cost innovation uh efficiencies or
• <03:56:25.439> and agencies to work as efficiently and agencies to work as efficiently and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, what’s happened is that they did an audit of the school safety program here in Arizona, and
• to speak on this madam sure yes please um basically what's happened is that there's um they did an audit
• know, not being able to find your own ballot, and it should streamline the process to make it more efficient
• They seem to work efficiently and effectively and reasonably securely, and we can have that for our state
• Some of the projects would be programs to promote rainwater harvesting, gray water systems, efficiency

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, spanning appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal law. Early discussion focused on HB 2148, which would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures discussed included HB 2091 on insurance-related assessment limits, HB 2122 on reciprocity for BTR-related professions, HB 2138 clarifying firefighter workers’ compensation coverage, and HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public money to pay library professional associations. HB 2110, removed from consent, would allow school governing body members to pray at meetings, with members noting Supreme Court precedent supporting such prayer. Several bills addressed school safety and parental rights. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center at the Arizona Department of Education and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with supporters citing an audit and lack of oversight. HB 2249 would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require notice if a school employee facilitates social transitioning of a minor and to provide broader access to educational records, with penalties discussed for violations. HB 2074 would add mandatory reporting for anyone in a medical facility who knows a partial-birth abortion is occurring, and HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy based on a confirmed pregnancy test and related DNA testing provisions. The committee also took up election-related measures. HB 2022 would make permanent changes tied to the federal Electoral Count Act, including moving Arizona’s primary earlier to preserve military and overseas voting access, while keeping petition dates valid and preserving existing deadlines for candidates. HCM 2001 urged federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 supported a separate congressional effort involving CARE and related federal review and designation processes; members debated the distinction between direct designation and a request for federal investigation. HCR 2001 proposed a constitutional amendment to limit voting to U.S. citizens, require government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, and end early voting by the Friday before an election. Water, land use, and tax bills were also reviewed. Measures included HB 2024 on snowpack augmentation as a water supply development project, HB 2029 and HB 2030 tightening how Water Conservation Grant Fund money is used, HB 2053 appropriating $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping, HB 2096 expanding revolving fund uses to address cesspools, HB 2097 capping groundwater withdrawal in irrigation non-expansion areas, and HB 2116 funding potential Colorado River litigation. On the tax side, HB 2016 would remove late-filing penalties when no tax is due, HB 2104 and HB 2105 would protect agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and require notice of inspections, and HB 2289 would update truth-in-taxation examples to reflect higher home values. The committee also heard bills on criminal penalties and other matters, including HB 2043 on felony murder involving an unborn child, HB 2045 on discharging a weapon near a vehicle, HB 2131 and HB 2132 on weapons trafficking and fentanyl penalties, and HB 2062 authorizing a Buffalo Soldiers memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Transcript Highlights:

• the governance and financial operations of the Wood County Central Hospital District to improve efficiency
• It alleviates administrative cost by removing the burdensome annual audit mandate, which can cost.
• It alleviates administrative cost by removing the burdensome annual audit mandate, which can cost.
• Worth's investment in critical infrastructure for land subject to development agreements and ensure efficient
• This change will reduce cost burdens and increase operational efficiency.

Bills: HB103

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a series of local and special-purpose bills, mostly with brief sponsor explanations and little or no public opposition. Topics included fireworks sales near the Texas-Mexico border for Cinco de Mayo (HB 1629), allowing larger counties to use their own inspectors for county buildings (HB 3234), updating governance and financial rules for the Wood County Central Hospital District (HB 5664), clarifying firefighter collective bargaining and impasse procedures (HB 3171), and exempting certain Fort Worth ETJ properties from release rules to protect infrastructure investments (HB 2512). The committee also heard bills on border subdivision rules in Cameron County (HB 3680), extending a property tax exemption to surviving spouses of certain veterans affected by the PACT Act (HB 2508/HJR 133), drainage district election timing and procedures (HB 5693, HB 2694), utility transparency for municipally owned systems (HB 1991), and management district and hospital district election or appointment changes (HB 5698, HB 2293). Another major bill, HB 1449, would expand a food truck permitting pilot program to counties over one million population; witnesses supported the concept but asked the committee to coordinate it with related fee and standards bills, and the bill was left pending for further work. The committee also heard HB 3732, which would let fire departments obtain extensions to comply with new NFPA protective equipment standards, and HB 5431, which would clarify that mayors and at-large council members do not need new elections after reapportionment; both were left pending after questions about their scope. Several transparency and tax-related bills were also discussed, including HB 103, creating a statewide database of local bond and tax election information, and HB 851, requiring reporting on homestead tax ceiling properties; both drew support and were later voted out. After testimony, the committee reported multiple bills favorably, often unanimously, and recommended many for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also used procedural swaps to substitute House companions for Senate bills on several measures, then recessed with plans to return later to process additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will require DPS, during their regular audits of these companies, to inspect the employment records
• And it is, the DPS is going to conduct audits on the security companies.
• This revision is consistent with the goals. of increasing efficiency and reducing redundancy and unnecessary
• Efficiency rating reports all the time on them to make sure that they were physically able and capable
• there were always things that left us with the impression that we could achieve a higher level of efficiency

Bills: SB 36, HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax, employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:21.760> so to do it quicker and more efficiently so to do it quicker and more efficiently
• We want it to be defensible and auditable.
• We want it to be defensible and auditable.
• We want it to be defensible and auditable.
• We want it to be defensible and auditable.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• that everyone understands that the Assembly has rules to ensure that we maintain order and run an efficient
• With an effective pipeline, midwives can be rapidly, efficiently, and professionally prepared to provide
• And is there an audit process? Yes.
• And is there an audit process?
• yes, there is not a process... systems development is called Hasdy at the student and is there an audit

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate measures focused on student access, workforce needs, and institutional stability. Senator Laird presented SJR 4, which urges the federal government to restore NIH funding cuts and protect California’s research universities; UC testified in support and there was no opposition. Senator Ashby presented SB 761, the CalFresh for Students Act, to connect Cal Grant applicants with potential CalFresh eligibility and expand qualifying programs; the bill drew broad support from higher education, student, anti-hunger, and county groups, with members sharing personal experiences with food insecurity and no opposition. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 520 to create a California Nurse Midwifery Education Fund for a new master’s-level nurse midwifery program, citing maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and Central Valley communities. Supporters from the California Nurse Midwives Association and the Black Wellness and Prosperity Center emphasized workforce shortages and maternal mortality; one member raised concerns about the bill’s use of inclusive language, but the bill was otherwise well received. Cabaldon also presented SB 640, which would create a statewide direct admissions process to CSU for eligible high school seniors using existing data systems; supporters said it would reduce barriers, improve equity, and help declining-enrollment campuses, while members raised questions about special education students, rural access, dual enrollment, and measuring effectiveness. The committee voted SB 640 out on a 6-0 roll call. Cabaldon’s SB 744 would preserve California students’ access to enrollment and financial aid if a federally recognized accrediting agency loses approval, by treating affected institutions as accredited for state purposes; the bill drew no public testimony and advanced on a 4-2 roll call. Senator Cortese’s SB 494 would require classified school employees’ disciplinary appeals to be heard by an administrative law judge, matching protections already available to teachers and community college faculty; labor groups supported the bill, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, local control, and implementation concerns. The committee also heard SB 550, a revised pilot to allow San Jose State and a nonprofit, state-accredited law school to jointly develop a public law school pathway; supporters argued it would expand affordable legal education and public-interest careers, while UC and independent colleges opposed it as inconsistent with the Master Plan. Members debated access, jurisdiction, funding, and bar pass rates, and the bill advanced on a 4-2 roll call to the Judiciary Committee.