Transcript Highlights:

• We need this waste to stop coming in. We need compliance. We need enforcement.
• We need this waste to stop coming in. We need compliance. We need enforcement.
• We need this waste to stop coming in. We need compliance. We need enforcement.
• We need this waste to stop coming in. We need compliance. We need enforcement.
• We need this waste to stop coming in. We need compliance. We need enforcement.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So women need this bill, and they need it now.
• Families are in need of basic hygiene supplies, food, clothing, and diapers for their newborns.
• Families are in need of basic hygiene supplies, food, clothing, and diapers for their newborns.
• We need an army to make a difference. I chimed in in Spanish, "We need an army of good."
• That is why we need to utilize systems change and reform at the state level, and that is why we need

Bills: H5085 , H5286

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to provide funding.
• The care that you need changes.
• Indigent care services are still needed in our counties, and are still needed in our counties, and what
• But you cannot blame the system for saying, hey, we need, here's what you need to do to be able to get
• the diaper banks play in the delivery of diapers to children of all ages.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• . desperately need.
• . diapers and so they're gonna charge you twice as much for those diapers as someone who maybe isn't
• my overall support and it truly needed my voice.
• I knew that we need to be active, and we need to be loud and united in this fight.
• need it.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there needed to be a purchase. They needed to build out space.
• I need X number of staff. I need... A thousand patients, right? I need X number of staff.
• I need reagents, and I need instruments for that.
• to establish an unmet need in the area. where the entity will need to establish an unmet need in the
• Needed. You still need...

Transcript Highlights:

• And there needed to be a purchase. They needed to build out space.
• I need... A thousand patients, right? I need X number of staff.
• I need reagents, and I need instruments for that.
• But it's not enough to cover what is needed. You still need...
• Needed. You still need...

Summary: The hearing began with a stakeholder presentation from Let California Kids Hear urging coverage of pediatric hearing aids for children in the large group market. Advocates described the issue as a long-running developmental emergency, argued that existing state efforts have been inefficient, and said the new proposal would cover about 70% to 80% of affected children without new spending by redirecting existing dollars. Public commenters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s advocates, strongly supported the proposal and emphasized the need for timely access to sound. The chair thanked the group and noted hope for a future fix, including continued work on the exchange market. The Department of Finance then gave a broad budget warning about the state’s more than $20 billion structural deficit and said new investments must be weighed against out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with an overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, seismic hospital compliance, workforce programs, and the Data Exchange Framework. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, behavioral health pipeline programs, the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, and future CalRx products such as EpiPens and GLP-1s. HCAI also described its enforcement approach for health care spending targets, saying the board would not change the targets in response to H.R. 1, and outlined the diaper access initiative, which will distribute diapers through hospitals in higher-need areas. Several HCAI budget items were discussed and held open, including additional expenditure authority, the transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate, long-term care payment transparency staffing, and reporting on health care worker waiting periods. The department also presented its Behavioral Health Services Act workforce initiative and a proposed $100 million General Fund offset, which both the LAO and the chair questioned as unclear and potentially one-time in nature. HCAI said the final workforce plan would be adjusted after stakeholder consultation if the offset proceeds. The department also described the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying California received $233.6 million in federal funds, had to revise its proposal to satisfy CMS, and must obligate the money by October 30; the program will fund rural care models, workforce development, and technology, with grants rolled out on a phased basis. The Department of Managed Health Care then presented its budget and three legislative implementation requests: SB 41 on PBM reform, SB 306 on prior authorization transparency, and AB 1041 on provider credentialing timelines. Finally, the administration outlined a menopause care proposal requiring coverage and education for menopause-related services, provider training, and an outreach campaign, with DMHC requesting staffing and funding to implement and enforce the new requirements. Throughout the hearing, most items were held open for later action, and no final votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we need to look at all of those. We need to have all the options on the table.
• And we need to look at all of those. We need to have all the options on the table.
• No, we need an EZ form.
• Diapers are a critical basic need but are not covered by SNAP.
• When food insecurity rises, diaper need rises simultaneously.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the issue as a major federal disruption that would reduce benefits and shift costs to the state, counties, hospitals, and other local systems. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center, each describing projected enrollment losses, higher state and county costs, and implementation challenges. The LAO outlined H.R. 1’s main changes: new and expanded work requirements, more frequent eligibility redeterminations, restrictions on certain non-citizen eligibility, and financing changes affecting provider taxes and federal matching rates. The LAO estimated that 1 to 2 million people could be disenrolled from Medi-Cal and more than 600,000 could lose CalFresh, with additional costs from reduced federal support and possible state and county administrative burdens. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s budget includes about $1.4 billion General Fund in 2026-27 to respond to H.R. 1, with larger out-year reductions in federal funds and projected Medi-Cal caseload losses of up to 2 million by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, while noting the state could choose policies that would reduce some of those losses. The Food Research and Action Center warned that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, worsen health outcomes, and strain local economies and emergency systems. Members questioned the witnesses about procedural disenrollments, regional variation, the overall growth in Medi-Cal spending, the future of the MCO tax, the CalFresh error rate, and the downstream effects on hospitals and county indigent care. Several senators argued that the federal law was driven by tax cuts for high-income earners and would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color. Administration witnesses said some impacts are still being analyzed, that counties and departments are working on implementation, and that the Legislature may need to use statute, reporting, and oversight tools as federal guidance develops. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that people need homes that they can afford, they need access to health care, and we know that
• Families need support now. Seniors need support now. People with disabilities need support now.
• Seniors need support now. People with disabilities need support now.
• Because this body needs to... ...are going up because this body needs to take more, even though we have
• So that's what we need to look at.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we need to look at all of those. We need to have all the options on the table.
• And we need to look at all of those. We need to have all the options on the table.
• No, we need an EZ form.
• Diapers are a critical basic need but are not covered by SNAP.
• When food insecurity rises, diaper need rises simultaneously.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me know that this would not be the only bill where we currently have or see some need to...
• This clearly does need to be managed, this issue, in the confines of the budget.
• Clearly needs to be in the budget. I'll be AWR. Senator Brown: I agree with that.
• Or just a fraction of it, and we would have all the money we need to provide the biggest property tax
• But it needs 12 because we're the majority of the people. All right.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee, chaired for the day by Senator John Liu, took up a long agenda of bills covering labor and benefits, corrections, health, taxation, government transparency, and public services. Early measures included increasing short-term disability benefits, adjusting a poverty-level-related earned income disregard, expanding correctional health staffing review, and authorizing the Inspector General to investigate sexual assault complaints in correctional facilities; each of these advanced to the floor. The committee also advanced bills on ovarian cancer screening access, retirement system membership changes, a trail stewardship program, live agency representative access, FOIL/open meetings fee awards, a Harriman campus development plan, court data reporting, educator conventions, park water testing, an energy storage tax abatement, a Native American Affairs office, adult changing tables in public facilities, Medicaid Inspector General audit standards, remote training certification for agency personnel, newborn Gaucher disease testing, electronic self-exclusion requests for gambling, and child daycare inspections and opioid antagonist requirements. Several bills drew discussion. The prescription drug transparency bill (Print 488A) prompted questions about possible overlap with federal Hatch-Waxman/FTC oversight and whether a New York notice requirement could slow generic-drug settlements; sponsors and staff said it was intended as a supplemental transparency measure for consumers. The court reporting bill (Print 1849A) raised concerns about mandates on local governments, but supporters said it mainly required OCA to compile data in one format. The Medicaid local-share phaseout bill (Print 5519) generated the most debate, with supporters arguing it would provide major property tax relief and should be addressed in the budget, while opponents emphasized the need to curb Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse first. Two major fiscal oversight proposals were defeated. Print 8661, which would have required the Comptroller to hire an independent private auditing firm to review state-funded programs for fraud and abuse, was opposed despite support from some members who argued outside auditing was overdue; it failed by one vote. Print 5519 was also ultimately defeated after a recount confirmed it lacked the required majority of the full 22-member committee. Most other bills were approved and sent either to the floor or, in the case of the drug transparency bill, to the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Diaper Bank's Diaper Bank.
• </c> in need. Thank you. in need. Thank you. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:37:00.239><c> you.
• Food is a basic need, and support is needed now more than ever.
• Food is a basic need, and support is needed now more than ever.
• </c> has met extraordinary community need. has met extraordinary community need.

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we need to look at all of those. We need to have all the options on the table.
• And we need to look at all of those. We need to have all the options on the table.
• No, we need an EZ form.
• Diapers are a critical basic need but are not covered by SNAP.
• When food insecurity rises, diaper need rises simultaneously.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the discussion around major federal changes to work requirements, eligibility redeterminations, immigrant eligibility, and financing rules, while noting the state’s own structural budget deficit and the need for a second hearing later in March on county and safety-net impacts. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center. LAO and Finance described H.R. 1 as driving major enrollment losses and cost shifts. LAO estimated that Medi-Cal work requirements and six-month redeterminations could affect 3.5 million people, with 1 to 2 million potentially disenrolled, while CalFresh changes could subject more than 800,000 people to work requirements and cause over 600,000 to lose food assistance. They also highlighted new ineligibility for certain non-citizens, reduced federal matching for emergency Medi-Cal services, tighter provider tax rules, and higher state and county administrative costs for CalFresh. Finance said the governor’s budget reflects about $1.4 billion in new General Fund costs in 2026-27 and a $2.4 billion reduction in federal funds, with larger out-year impacts and up to 2 million Medi-Cal disenrollments by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, though it said the state could limit losses by choosing not to apply some new requirements to state-funded populations and by keeping some immigrants in full-scope state-funded coverage. The Food Research and Action Center argued that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, homelessness risk, and health costs, while also hurting local economies and increasing administrative burden. Committee members from both parties questioned the fiscal sustainability of Medi-Cal growth, the 11% CalFresh error rate and possible $2 billion penalty, county indigent care costs, and the effect of work requirements; several Democratic members argued the federal changes and state cuts would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color, while Republican members emphasized program growth, work incentives, and the need for budget restraint. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and that fertility is flat we need and that fertility is flat we need children<00:14:35.680><c>
• You're helping us afford the essentials that every baby needs: diapers, formula, a safe place to sleep
• </c><00:16:09.720><c> diapers</c> essentials that every baby needs diapers essentials that every baby
• needs diapers formula<00:16:11.759><c> a</c><00:16:11.959><c> safe</c><00:16:12.279><c> place</c><00
• </c><00:35:17.560><c> to</c> this is a great tool and we need to this is a great tool and we need to

Bills: HF2254 , HF2302 , HF2502 , HF2315 , HF2475 , HF2086

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's something else we need to address.
• I think that's something else we need to look very closely at.
• But we need to back up our families, particularly those in need, and I think everybody agrees with that
• Y'all need that information; that's... Y'all need that information; that's inside info.
• I need you all, and this here, it's our budget. I need you all, and this here, it's our budget.

Bills: SB1 , SB83 , SB159 , SB160 , SB1

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: workers' compensation, public education, employee injury, insurance trust fund, on-the-job injury, administrative procedures, adult-size changing table, changing station, accessible restroom, public bathroom, public building, public entity, ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, accessibility, restroom renovation, new construction, grant program, state grant, local government facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe I need to get closer, Tom. Thank you.
• So those unmet needs continue to haunt me.
• We need that funding to continue.
• the income, and she saw the need in the community.
• the income, and she saw the need in the community.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to be able to feel free.
• We need to be able to feel free.
• We need to be able to their children. We need to be able to feel<00:16:06.959><c> free.
• um, we we need to we we need to um, we we need to we we need to understand<01:08:28.640><c> the</c><
• need it?

Bills: HF1027 , HF2226 , HF1916 , HF1915 , HF1567 , HF1986

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: mortgage foreclosure, redemption, foreclosure surplus, sheriff's sale, junior lienholder, mortgagor, homeowner protections, loss mitigation, dual tracking, foreclosure redemption period, certificate of redemption, certificate of sale, sheriff, county recorder, registrar of titles, homeownership center, lien priority, real property, foreclosure by advertisement, surplus funds

Transcript Highlights:

• We gave them the flexibility that we need.
• And I the flexibility that we need.
• </c><00:24:49.200><c> for</c> jackets, and whatever else needed for jackets, and whatever else needed
• Um, those need to really be rebased. They're at 2013 numbers.
• Um, those need to really be rebased. They're at 2013 numbers.

Bills: HF1049

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• This makes the Diaper Distribution Grant Program a sole source grant. to the Diaper Bank of Minnesota
• To find that money, I would need to raise my rates for parents, and I would probably need to pay my teachers
• We need to improve our systems.
• Because they can't get the food they need in their communities. the communities that they need.
• . needs.

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to give it time.
• That needs updating; we all know it.
• And so we need to get this right.
• food; people need food.
• We need to keep in mind the integrity and protection that our children need. Thank you, Chair.

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We still need a lot of court interpreters.
• We need men and women who are competent. We need to pay them and compensate them properly.
• United Way estimates that a single adult needs about $34,000 a year to live and meet their basic needs
• diapers, is that how often does that come up?
• We need you to prove that wrong.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several labor-related measures. AB 465 would require city and county employers, when requested by a union, to negotiate minimum disciplinary and grievance standards in MOUs, including progressive discipline, just-cause protections, grievance appeal procedures, and paid release time for representatives. Supporters said it would create fairer, more consistent due process protections for local public employees; opponents argued it could be too rigid, create litigation, and interfere with existing bargaining and civil service systems. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Appropriations. AB 792 would allow multi-region bargaining for court interpreters when more than one region is negotiating at the same time, with supporters saying it would streamline negotiations and help address interpreter recruitment and retention. There was no opposition, but some members questioned whether the proposal would meaningfully solve the underlying staffing and pay issues. The bill passed and was held for add-ons. AB 1309, which would improve Cal Fire firefighter compensation by making salaries more competitive with local fire departments, drew broad support and no opposition; members praised firefighters’ work and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also considered AJR 8, a resolution urging protection of Social Security and opposing cuts or closures that would make benefits harder to access. Supporters emphasized Social Security’s role in preventing poverty among seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, while one member objected to naming political figures in the resolution. The resolution passed and was held. AB 1247 would require contracted classified school employees to meet the same training and qualification standards as direct hires and address retirement contributions; supporters said it would protect students and improve parity, while opponents warned it would burden schools and limit flexibility. It passed 5-2. Finally, AB 288 would authorize the Public Employment Relations Board to act when the NLRB fails to remedy a labor claim by its deadline, with supporters framing it as a backstop for workers’ organizing rights amid federal inaction; it passed unanimously.