Transcript Highlights:

• reimbursements were offered on a first-come, first-served basis, which we certainly have gotten feedback
• Certainly, we got some feedback in this particular one that it was a look-back.
• So we did hear the feedback from a number of producers that they had already made changes to their labor
• We know that we got feedback on those, so those changes do not affect our other grant offerings that
• of stakeholder and industry recommendations ...is really about gleaning some of that additional feedback

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reviewed several House bills in executive session. Staff briefed bills on aviation assurances for wildland fire response (HB 2104), derelict vessels (HB 2199), irrigation district director spouse employment conflicts (HB 2223), statewide food security strategy (HB 2238), water quality and game farms (HB 2343), timber sales efficiencies (HB 2348), treaty reserve fishing rights and repeal of Initiative 456 (HB 2554), and a task force on reducing regulatory stress in agriculture (HB 2619). Members noted that HB 2238 had been heard previously as a striker but was now being considered as the engrossed substitute. Several bills had no amendments and little or no fiscal impact, while others carried modest fiscal notes. The committee took action on most bills: HB 2104, HB 2199, HB 2238, HB 2348, HB 2554, and HB 2619 all received due pass recommendations and were sent either to Ways and Means or Rules, with votes recorded by voice and no opposition noted. The committee took no action on HB 2223 or HB 2343. Members also thanked staff and acknowledged departing senators for their service. In the work session, the Washington State Department of Agriculture presented an overview of the 2024 local farms, workers, and food overtime reimbursement grant. WSDA described how it used targeted outreach, cross-agency coordination, and a streamlined application to administer the one-time program, which reimbursed qualifying overtime wages for hand-harvest vegetable farms selling to local markets and schools. The agency reported that 24 farms received about $213,000 total, and members asked about lessons learned, including how the experience might inform future grant design and broader agricultural support programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have reached out to the ninth floor for feedback. We want input because we want this to change.
• We have reached out to the ninth floor for feedback. We want input because we want this to change.
• I have been very open to your feedback, and I'm still open to your feedback.
• And I'm very excited to be able to move this forward and will continue to seek feedback.
• I just want to say I'm giving this feedback with the utmost respect for you.

Bills: SB1086, SB1193, SB1318, SB1345, SB1346, SB1451, SB1496, SB1611, SB1630, SB1631, SB1632, SB1672

Keywords: reimbursement, healthcare, laboratory services, noncontracting providers, Arizona health care cost containment, personal identifying information, PII, privacy, confidential records, public records exemption, commercial disclosure, data privacy, licensure, certification, health professions, health care licensing, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, emergency medical care technician, EMCT

Transcript Highlights:

• In a later version, after receiving feedback from stakeholders, I moved to a consolidation model where
• In a later version after receiving feedback from stakeholders, I moved to a consolidation model where
• And so I've had feedback that actually shows that that's really still 15% to 18%.
• And so this is based off feedback that I got directly from the solid waste district.
• And that's why I've been trying to get as much input and feedback from as many people as possible.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1586, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Senator Ben Brown said the bill was prompted by a constituent’s discovery of contamination near an old landfill and argued that the state needs clearer authority and dedicated funding to investigate and remediate 29 identified sites. He explained that the bill had been revised several times and now would keep solid waste districts intact while diverting 10% of tipping fees for landfill assessment, testing, remediation, and management, and it would also require written disclosure of abandoned landfills in property sales. He said an interim committee would continue work on the issue next year. Supporters included University of Missouri engineering dean Marisa Crusoe, who said the bill would create a clearer regulatory framework and a steady funding stream, and that environmental studies are necessary to determine the scope and cost of cleanup and could eventually return land to productive use. Opponents from solid waste districts, including Chris Busson and Diana Bryant, argued that the bill would reduce district revenues by about $1.3 million and harm existing recycling and household hazardous waste programs. They said the districts already operate under DNR oversight, that the abandoned landfill issue has long been known, and that cutting district funding would undermine local environmental services. A county commissioner, Lacey Miller, also said the districts support small-town recycling and grants that would be difficult to replace if the system were consolidated. Members questioned the size of the funding reduction, whether the abandoned landfill list had been fully vetted, and whether the bill should split the 10% between DNR and the districts. Brown said he was open to further discussion but emphasized that the bill was intended as a first step to fund environmental studies and begin addressing a long-ignored problem. No vote was taken, and the hearing on Senate Bill 1586 was concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they give us feedback: don't schedule too many meetings, don't create work.
• We're going to get feedback from them. But we have a difficult time getting feedback.
• We're going to get feedback from them.
• feedback and the value that sits with that feedback to the plan was a very smooth transition.
• There's not a really strong feedback loop.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is my very basic description, and again I welcome your feedback, and if I got any of that...
• so um continuing to work on feedback so um continuing to work on that<00:53:01.559><c> best</c><00:53
• </c><00:53:22.200><c> on</c> and get their uh feedback on and get their uh feedback on constructibility
• So we look forward to incorporating these and feedback from the legislature on that as well.
• so we can bring forward to get feedback so we can bring forward a<01:19:20.080><c> a</c><01:19:20.360

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are open to communication and feedback are open to communication and feedback engagement<00:42:33.520
• That was really what occurred, and we certainly will take feedback and have taken feedback from providers
• So um certainly take that feedback.
• So um certainly take that feedback.
• So um certainly take that feedback. all. So um certainly take that feedback.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll share that feedback with the sponsor. Thank you, too. And make sure they know.
• So that was some of the feedback that we had gotten.
• So we were trying to be responsive to the feedback.
• We were trying to be responsive to your first feedback. Well, that wasn't a lot of feedback.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food met to consider a short agenda of seven bills. The committee first advanced S.1742, which would increase penalties for knowingly violating dog shelter requirements, though one member noted concern that the definition could be applied too broadly and might affect unhoused people. The committee also reported S.4769, authorizing a study on vertical farming; S.5159A, adding duties to the Community Gardens Task Force; S.6573A, concerning recovery of deceased dogs or cats from public roads, with discussion about whether state employees should be included; and S.6848, expanding regional farmers markets. The committee then took up S.9478, a bill to prohibit state incentives for siting or operating commercial renewable energy systems in sensitive environmental areas. Members supporting the bill said it would help protect farmland and environmentally sensitive land from large solar and wind projects and would remove financial incentives without changing the underlying permitting process. Questions focused on how the bill would interact with ORES, local IDAs, and existing state subsidy programs; sponsors explained that it would not stop permits but would cut off state funding and incentives for projects in protected areas. The committee agreed to report the bill to the Energy Committee. All bills were approved by committee vote, with no recorded opposition noted in the discussion, and the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're used to create formative feedback, identify misconceptions, just reading levels.
• Grammar spelling the typical things that the teacher would typically give feedback on.
• If we wanted to help that teacher to provide feedback to the students, customization that we could use
• And it would give feedback related to that in a score related to that.
• So that's a really, really important thing that is that we wanted to be based on the feedback based on

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's the feedback that Thank you so much, Deputy Secretary Garcia, and thank you, Mr.
• of the criteria to support how their submissions would be, so that we could get their input and feedback
• With them, they were able to go through each component, look at the specifics, and provide the feedback
• Here's how it relates to a little bit more specific, feedback.
• The pilot participants then gave feedback on that, and then we Compiled all the feedback, whether we

Transcript Highlights:

• like mine in the Fourth Barnstable, where you have a high level of seasonal employment, and getting feedback
• consistently going back year over year that need to be able to access those resources, and getting feedback
• I think really listening to them, that's certainly a lot of the feedback that Josh and I got from our
• aides, to be able to get their input around the process that they go through and get their feedback
• from our aides to be able to get their input around the process that they go through and get their feedback

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hearing on House 5188, a late-filed bill to establish a special commission to study access to unemployment insurance in Massachusetts. Chairs and members noted the hearing was in hybrid format and limited to this one bill. Representatives Hadley Luddy and Joshua Tarski testified in support, saying they filed the bill after seeing many constituent cases involving delayed or difficult unemployment claims, especially for seasonal workers and others facing housing and financial instability. They argued a commission could review claim data, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to make the system more efficient, equitable, and transparent. Greater Boston Legal Services also testified in favor. Attorneys described representing many low-income workers whose claims were delayed for months after the launch of the new online DUA system, often leaving them in limbo while trying to pay bills. They cited examples where claimants were denied or delayed due to issues that could have been resolved more quickly, and said the new system has contributed to major backlogs. They reported that DUA’s non-monetary issue backlog more than doubled, separation issues tripled, and hearings appeals grew to more than 12,500 pending cases, with average appeal times far above required timelines. They said the commission could help identify root causes and systemic fixes, and suggested the bill might be improved by giving the commission more time to report. Committee members generally praised the bill’s intent and the filers’ collaboration. Several members shared their own experiences with constituent unemployment cases and emphasized that people should not have to contact legislators to get claims processed. Some asked whether the commission should include broader stakeholder representation, such as business groups, MassHire, staff, and people with direct claims experience, and whether its scope should be widened. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair concluded the meeting after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• like mine in the Fourth Barnstable, where you have a high level of seasonal employment, and getting feedback
• consistently going back year over year that need to be able to access those resources, and getting feedback
• I think really listening to them—that's certainly a lot of the feedback that Josh and I got from our
• aides—to be able to get their input around the process that they go through and get their feedback as
• from our aides to be able to get their input around the process that they go through and get their feedback

Bills: H5188

Keywords: unemployment insurance, labor, access, special commission, equity in claims, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so getting that feedback loop, and not just a one-time feedback, it has to be ongoing, because the
• But I think the feedback loop that Steve is mentioning could be strengthened.
• Sometimes it feels like the feedback is a one-way street, which is where feedback is collected repeatedly
• Sometimes it feels like the feedback is a one-way street, which is where feedback is collected repeatedly
• Good feedback here. Yeah, hello. I'm Bill McCabe.

Summary: The hearing focused on California’s 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and the broader crisis response system, with members and witnesses emphasizing both the system’s life-saving role and the risks posed by funding gaps, rising demand, and uneven local implementation. Opening remarks highlighted the personal impact of suicide and the need to strengthen crisis response so calls are answered quickly and linked to appropriate care rather than defaulting to 911, emergency rooms, or law enforcement. State officials described the AB 988 five-year implementation plan, which sets goals around public awareness, equitable access, high-quality call/chat/text response, and better integration with ongoing behavioral health services. State agencies reported progress on infrastructure, coordination, and related behavioral health investments. CalHHS said California has expanded mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization units, and youth behavioral health supports, and is preparing additional public awareness and grant programs tied to Proposition 1. DHCS explained that 988 is funded through a federal SAMHSA grant and the AB 988 surcharge, while Medi-Cal separately funds mobile crisis services; officials said the mobile crisis benefit is active in 53 counties and that statewide expansion remains a work in progress. Cal OES described the statewide technical buildout, including network infrastructure in all 11 crisis centers, interoperability with 911, and a pilot of next-generation routing and call-handling tools. The 988 California Consortium said call volume continues to rise sharply, missed calls remain a major concern, text/chat capacity is limited, and centers need more stable funding, better reimbursement, and stronger feedback loops with the state. County and community witnesses stressed that local systems need more flexible, sustained support to match the demand. Lake County described a peer-led rural mobile crisis model that has reduced law enforcement holds and increased housing placements, but said county-run mobile crisis teams still cannot reliably access 988 surcharge dollars and face reimbursement problems from Medi-Cal and commercial plans. Santa Clara County reported strong performance metrics, rapid call answer times, and a broad continuum of mobile crisis services, but said staffing and funding are strained and commercial reimbursement remains slow. The Mental Health Association of San Francisco said the peer-run warm line complements 988 by offering non-emergency support and warm handoffs, but recent budget changes forced cuts to Spanish-language service, federation support, and hours. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; members mainly asked questions about surcharge levels, budget timing, coordination among agencies, data collection, and how to improve collaboration with frontline crisis centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• move forward that don't match feedback.
• So, this proposal jumped out feedback.
• </c> directly reflects provider feedback. directly reflects provider feedback.
• </c> have all experienced having our feedback have all experienced having our feedback disappear<00:39
• c> intergenerational</c> more feedback on intergenerational more feedback on intergenerational programming

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That was all based on feedback that we had heard from the counties.
• And we've been adjusting in real time as we hear this feedback.
• I really appreciate the feedback from the co-panelists.
• Is there a process set up to get that feedback back other than this committee hearing?
• Shaping of the payment system, and so in concurrence with the LAO's feedback, this is very broad.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I think that when we're thinking about all the avenues in which we are soliciting feedback,
• feedback.
• It's one of the avenues in which we appreciate being able to hear direct feedback.
• , we're consuming feedback.
• It's one of the avenues in which we appreciate being able to hear direct feedback.

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views about abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board applies Florida statutes and works through probable cause panels and legal counsel, but he also expressed strong pro-life views, skepticism of federal health guidance, and criticism of vaccines and some medical practices. Supporters praised his long medical career, military service, and family medicine background, while opponents argued his views could prevent him from being objective in disciplinary matters. The committee voted to recommend him for confirmation to the full Senate, with Senators Polsky and Ruson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch described her background in state human services and outlined priorities centered on accountability, data, lived experience, and improving service delivery. Senators asked about SNAP error rates, Hope Florida, legislative analyses, staffing, and the department’s handling of child welfare and medically complex cases. Hatch said the department was reducing SNAP error rates, that Hope Florida uses navigators to connect people with community resources and self-sufficiency supports, and that DCF is working with the Department of Health and other partners to improve investigations and accountability in child welfare. She also said the agency is reviewing medically complex cases and strengthening oversight of community-based care providers through contracts, audits, and proposed funding-model changes. A substantial portion of the Hatch discussion centered on whether the department had been responsive to legislative requests and whether it had provided timely bill analyses. Senators also pressed her on Hope Florida staffing, the number of participants served, and the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance and legal oversight. Hatch said the foundation is undergoing a financial audit and that the department is relying on required reports and ongoing investigations. The transcript ends amid continued questioning about a community-based care contractor’s finances, related-party transactions, and whether further forensic audits or repayments are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that feedback is going to come back immediately.
• And 116 that feedback is going to come back immediately.
• Teachers want that feedback.
• Teachers want that feedback.
• So it's also for teacher feedback to know what do I need to improve on.

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Summary: The House Committee on Public Education met to hear House Bill 8, which would replace STAAR with a new assessment and accountability system beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The chair described the bill as reducing testing time, limiting benchmark tests, adding beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year assessments, requiring faster score turnaround, involving Texas teachers in test development, and tightening accountability timelines and transparency rules. Members also discussed provisions on A-F ratings, cut scores, CCMR, local accountability plans, and TEA reporting requirements. Committee members and invited witnesses split sharply on the bill’s approach. Supporters, including the chair, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and Ed Trust’s Nicholas Munyon Penny, argued the bill would reduce high-stakes pressure, provide quicker and more actionable data, limit over-testing, and better align assessments to Texas standards while preserving criterion-referenced accountability. They said the new system would help teachers and parents intervene sooner and would improve transparency, including parent access to student responses and automatic rescoring in some writing cases. Opponents, including Rep. Hinojosa and student witness Ella Moran, argued the bill still increases testing and replaces one high-stakes test with multiple TEA-created tests. Moran testified that STAAR creates anxiety, disrupts instruction, and does not reflect real learning, while Hinojosa said the House had previously passed a better bill based on a nationally norm-referenced model and criticized the new proposal as a concession to the Senate. Questions also focused on AI scoring of writing, rescoring rates, and whether the bill’s new accountability rules would be reliable and fair. The committee did not take a final vote during the portion provided, but the chair said a vote on HB 8 would be called after public testimony later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The feedback and ideas are... And that their feedback is incorporated.
• Feedback and ideas are incorporated into the strategy.
• Get the feedback from the business community, get the feedback from the communities.
• Right, get the feedback from the business community, get the feedback from the communities.
• , I think it's a mixture of having something to offer that engages people and then getting their feedback

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee met for its first session under the committee’s new name and heard a work session on Washington’s economic development policy from the Department of Commerce. Commerce described its Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, including small business finance, export assistance, business attraction, and sector development work, and emphasized the need for a statewide economic development strategic plan with regular review, stakeholder input, and attention to rural and regional needs. Members asked about foreign trade offices, federal funding uncertainty, tax competitiveness, workforce programs, and the role of the Keep Washington Working program. Commerce said the state’s trade and investment efforts are valuable but face funding challenges, and that Washington must compete on more than taxes, including its business ecosystem and workforce. The committee then heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5919, which would encourage fire districts and insurers to develop voluntary incentives for wildfire mitigation best practices related to agricultural activities. The sponsor described the bill as a way to reward farmers for practices such as defensible space, fire breaks, equipment storage, and avoiding high-risk work during red flag conditions. A fire chief testified in support, citing recent standing grain fires and the need for practical incentives in rural areas. The bill was described as having no appropriation and no requested fiscal note. Members also heard testimony on Washington in the Making 2040 from the Association of Washington Business and a business owner. Supporters said the 16-year economic vision plan was built from broad public engagement and focuses on workforce, business climate, infrastructure, housing, and community. They argued Washington needs more housing, a more competitive regulatory and tax environment, and reliable energy to support growth. Senators questioned how the plan would achieve its housing goals and what specific regulatory changes were needed; AWB said it would provide a regulatory study soon. The committee also received a wildfire mitigation work group update from the Office of Insurance Commissioner, which recommended stronger community mitigation, better data sharing, consumer transparency, and a possible grant program for home hardening, though it did not reach full consensus on a single property mitigation standard. Finally, the committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5871, which would prohibit assignment of benefits in property and casualty insurance and set new rules for motor vehicle glass repair claims, including ADAS-related disclosures and limits on steering and inducements. The sponsor and supporters, including the Office of Insurance Commissioner, Safelite, NAMIC, and the Northwest Insurance Council, said the bill would reduce auto glass fraud, improve transparency, and help stabilize premiums. Independent glass shop owners and the Independent Glass Association opposed the bill as written, arguing it would favor large vertically integrated companies, restrict small businesses, and fail to address insurer steering and conflicts of interest. Several witnesses requested technical amendments, and the committee took no final vote before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that really, from our feedback from school districts, has been the game changer.
• actually providing implementation supports, so that administrators are giving good coaching and feedback
• This is probably the first statewide testing system that has received a lot of positive feedback from
• So any feedback that you would have on our resiliency education standards, I would love to hear that
• They then provide ongoing feedback to those teachers.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K through 12 Education received a Department of Education presentation from Deputy Commissioner Juan Copa on Florida’s K-12 assessment system, including FAST progress monitoring, end-of-course exams, science, writing, alternate assessments, English language acquisition testing, and VPK progress monitoring. Copa reported year-over-year gains in ELA and mathematics, noted that end-of-course and science results also improved, and explained how assessment data are used for school grades, third-grade promotion, graduation requirements, and other accountability measures. He also reviewed the independent study required by SB 1048, which recommended keeping PM3 as the primary accountability measure, proceeding cautiously on further test-length reductions and remote testing expansion, and using PM1/PM2 only as supplemental evidence in limited cases. Committee members focused on whether the new system is improving student outcomes enough, what supports teachers and schools need to use the data effectively, and how Florida compares nationally. Chancellor Dr. Burns said the department is emphasizing implementation of the new standards, high-quality instructional materials, coaching, professional learning, collaboration, and school improvement support, and also pointed to resiliency education standards and mental health supports. Copa said Florida’s latest NAEP results remain mixed but still generally outperform the nation in some grades, while members pressed for more information on best practices, other states’ approaches, and how districts are using the data. Several members requested follow-up information, including the independent review report, breakdowns of PM1/PM2/PM3 results by grade and subgroup, details on VPK outcomes by provider type and full-day versus half-day programs, and data on use of the CLT versus SAT/ACT for graduation concordant scores. The committee also discussed third-grade retention outcomes, computer-based testing, district assessment calendars, and whether some districts still administer additional local testing. No votes were taken on legislation, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, that's something that I complain about here is we don't, you know, get a lot of feedback
• So currently in limbo, with no negative evaluations, no real feedback as to how this happened or how
• I'm a big feedback person. I give tons of feedback to my teachers. I would love feedback starting.
• I would love for it to be more directed as far as feedback starting as soon as the fall.
• And if you have some comments or questions, we would provide feedback and you could provide feedback

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 3532 and House Bill 3483, which were combined by amendment into a House Committee Substitute. Representative Kelly explained the amendment corrected a clerical error and merged the two bill strings; members discussed removing the phrase “public school” so the measure would apply more broadly. The committee adopted the amendment and substitute, then voted the combined House Committee Substitute do pass by a 16-0 roll call vote, sending it next to the Rules Committee and then potentially to the House floor. The committee then heard House Bill 2965, sponsored by Representative Bosley, which would require Missouri students to complete one unit each of Black history and Black literature before graduation, with standards and model curriculum developed by the State Board of Education. Bosley argued the bill would provide a fuller and more accurate account of American history, improve student engagement and outcomes, and empower all students. Supporters from the NAACP and committee members praised the goal, but several members raised concerns about making the courses graduation requirements, the burden on transfer students, and whether the bill should instead be tied to existing social studies credits or broader K-12 standards. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bills 2126 and 2197, presented together as similar measures on building-level administrator evaluations. The sponsors said the bills would require annual evaluations of principals and other building administrators, set a March 1 timeline for renewal or nonrenewal decisions, and allow administrators with at least five consecutive years to request written reasons if their contracts are not renewed. Committee members and witnesses generally supported regular evaluations and timely notice, but several questioned whether the bills were too restrictive on reasons for nonrenewal and whether the language created a kind of tenure-like protection. Supporters from principals’ groups, Missouri NEA, and Missouri State Teachers Association backed the bills, emphasizing fairness, feedback, and professional growth. The hearing concluded without a vote on these two bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've received some feedback that the regulations were adopted and need some clarity.
• They've given us feedback. We've heard similar things.
• And could you give us just a specific case or a specific example where maybe you got feedback?
• And thank you for your feedback. With that, we will go ahead and conclude the hearing.
• Thank you for your feedback. With that, we will go ahead and conclude the hearing.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from Hernando Garzon, M.D., nominated as Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Senators asked about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, local flexibility in statewide standards, ambulance patient offload regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, rural access, and alternatives to transporting 9-1-1 callers to emergency departments. Garzon emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and providers, and the use of community paramedicine, telehealth, and pre-positioned resources in disasters. Public commenters and members supported his confirmation, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for referral to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. She described her tribal background, prior state, county, tribal, and nonprofit experience, and her focus on serving communities facing health disparities. Senators questioned her about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, balances equity work amid political opposition to DEI language, and tailors technical assistance to rural and tribal communities. Weldon pointed to work on tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, the California Reducing Disparities Project, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, housing and climate-related supports, and community advisory boards. Numerous public witnesses, including tribal and health equity advocates, spoke in strong support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for the full Senate.