Transcript Highlights:

• She said she was excited to share the results and that the collaboration between the Water Commission
• Chair Swiontek thanked her for her comments and noted the importance of collaboration between the Water
• And what has been the practice and what have you seen?
• And I want to acknowledge DWR's collaboration and insights throughout our effort.
• It would practically get it to triple just because of what they sell the water... ...to us at.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply upholds the longstanding practice of integrating road maintenance costs into utility service
• However, a recent court decision recently created uncertainty around these long-standing practices.
• However, a recent court decision recently created uncertainty around these long-standing practices.
• I am the head of the taxes, fees, and assessments practice at Best Best & Krieger.
• I am the head of the taxes, fees, and assessments practice at Best Best & Krieger.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met, established a quorum, and first approved a consent calendar containing SB 1005, SB 1080, SB 935, and S.J.R. 11 on a 4-0 vote, with those items remaining on call until later. SB 992 had been pulled at the author’s request. The committee then heard SB 922 by Senator Laird, which would clarify that local governments may recover street maintenance and repair costs caused by public service operations, such as waste hauling, through rates, fees, or franchise agreements. Supporters included the League of California Cities, county groups, cities, waste haulers, and legal counsel who argued the bill restores a long-standing practice disrupted by a recent court decision and does not authorize new taxes or development fees. The California Building Industry Association opposed unless amended, warning the bill could inadvertently broaden local fee authority. After discussion about the bill’s scope and whether it would apply only to heavy service vehicles, SB 922 passed the committee 7-0 and was sent to the Senate floor. The committee also heard SB 1078, which would allow Santa Cruz County voters to consider raising the local tax cap to fund essential services, including health care, food assistance, and hospital support, in response to federal funding cuts. The County of Santa Cruz and the Central California Alliance for Health supported the measure, emphasizing Medi-Cal enrollment, CalFresh needs, and budget shortfalls tied to HR1 impacts. Some senators questioned whether the bill was effectively authorizing a tax increase and raised concerns about setting a precedent for other counties, while supporters stressed that the measure only allows voters to decide. SB 1078 passed 5-2 and was sent to the Committee on Revenue and Taxation. The committee then reconfirmed passage of the consent calendar items 7-0 and adjourned after concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the department has an oversight committee and is collaborating with stakeholders to develop
• He spent his 30 years in private practice representing law enforcement and municipalities. might have
• He spent his 30 years in private practice representing law enforcement and municipality.
• In private practice, representing law enforcement and municipalities involved in litigation, and the
• It will help people practice real-world interactions while still supported by DOC staff.

Bills: SB5873, SB5895, SB5945

Keywords: incarcerated individuals, escorted leaves, criminal justice, rehabilitation, state law, healthcare, incarcerated, extraordinary medical placement, criminal justice reform, medical care, persistent offender, three strikes, resentencing, juvenile conviction, youth offender, juvenile sentencing, life without parole, LWOP, most serious offense, sentencing reform

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sort of a 2.0 effort to collaborate sort of a 2.0 effort to collaborate together<00:15:58.440><c
• He asked about the practical nature of what the dollars will do.
• </c> opportunities that we can collaborate opportunities that we can collaborate especially<01:25:30.280
• On top of that, we also do best practice audits, and you can take a look.
• On top of that, we also do best practice audits, and you can take a look.

Bills: HF1936, HF849, HF989, HF1130, HF1223, HF1907, HF1847, HF1957

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, career guidance, education, job skills, Duluth Promise, education funding, career training, employment support, youth apprenticeship, economic development, minority support, internship program, Bloomington, funding, youth mentorship, job training, disadvantaged youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youthprise

Transcript Highlights:

• With tools like the AB 357, thoughtful local planning and continued collaboration.
• With best practices, we can't have that, certainly not today, not ever.
• I rise to present AB 610, the Fair Housing Practices Act.
• I support not only this teacher training, evidence-based practices.
• Collaboration with stakeholders on both sides of the measure.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it will be loved by generations to come, and we are very happy to do this collaborative effort
• The legislation also clearly delineates the boundaries between commercial interior design practice, The
• legislation also clearly delineates the boundaries between commercial interior design practice and the
• This bill represents collaboration and compromise among various stakeholders and provides both clarity
• By supporting this bill, we're helping build a brighter future for those who practice commercial interior

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two resolutions recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the nation’s 250th anniversary and congratulating Zachary Erich on becoming an Eagle Scout, and then took up several committee reports and extension orders. The chamber suspended rules multiple times to act immediately on committee extensions for Financial Services and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and it referred a House petition on cleft lip and cleft palate treatment to Financial Services. Members also adopted an order extending the Financial Services committee’s reporting deadline on credit union and mortgage financing matters. The Senate then considered and passed House No. 4361, a bill on teacher retirement benefits, after extensive debate in support of a one-time window for certain teachers who were excluded from Retirement Plus due to administrative errors. Senators described the measure as a long-overdue fix for more than 8,500 educators, noting that eligible teachers would have to pay the difference in contributions. The bill was ordered to a third reading, passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call, and sent on for further action. The chamber also passed Senate No. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and Senate No. 3107 on commercial interior design licensure, both after supportive remarks about patient safety and professional regulation. A major item was the conference committee report on H. 5280, the FY26 fair share supplemental budget. Supporters highlighted funding for municipal winter relief, MBTA operations and capital needs, education initiatives, housing incentives, home heating assistance, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents raised concerns about MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax policy implications. After roll call, the report was approved by a 37-3 vote. The Senate also adopted the emergency preamble and passed H. 5470, the FY26 supplemental appropriations bill, and later enacted local bills including Berkeley recall authority, a Milton school deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate recognized guests from the Caribbean diplomatic corps and the Authentic Caribbean Foundation, who spoke about Caribbean American Heritage Month and partnership agreements with Massachusetts. The chamber then concurred in a House amendment to Senate No. 2563, a bill updating disability-related terminology in the general laws, with senators emphasizing the importance of person-first language and dignity for people with disabilities. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and enacted the bill. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday and with adjournment in memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it will be loved by generations to come, and we are very happy to do this collaborative effort
• The legislation also clearly delineates the boundaries between commercial interior design practice, The
• legislation also clearly delineates the boundaries between commercial interior design practice and the
• This bill represents collaboration and compromise amongst various stakeholders and provides both clarity
• By supporting this bill, we're helping build a brighter future for those who practice commercial interior

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions: one recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States and another congratulating Zachary Erich on earning Eagle Scout. The chamber then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions and adopting extension orders giving the Committee on Financial Services additional time to report on credit union and mortgage financing bills, with members emphasizing the extensions were limited and needed to complete ongoing work. The Senate then took up House No. 4361, a bill relative to benefits for teachers, which was amended by Ways and Means and passed to be engrossed after extensive support from members. Senators described the measure as a long-delayed fix to the Retirement Plus program, creating a one-time window through June 30, 2027 for eligible teachers to buy in, with required back payments of missed contributions. The bill passed by a roll call of 39-0. The chamber also passed S. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and S. 3107 on advancing the profession of commercial interior design, both after supportive floor debate. The Senate later adopted a conference committee report on the FY26 supplemental budget, H. 5470, after debate over its major spending items. Supporters highlighted municipal winter relief, MBTA operating and capital support, education funding, housing incentives, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents criticized MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax-related provisions. The report was approved by roll call, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The Senate also enacted several local bills, including measures for Berkeley recall elections, a Milton school construction deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate concurred in a House amendment to S. 2563, a broad bill revising laws affecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by replacing outdated and offensive terminology in 346 sections of the General Laws. Members described it as a dignity and language modernization measure. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday, and the day’s adjournment was dedicated to the memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, we want to maintain that collaborative, productive relationship and to avoid or mitigate
• or replaces several sections that are no longer consistent with applicable law or best compacting practices
• Today, gaming gives Chukchansi the resources to put that sovereignty into practice.
• Today, gaming gives Chichansi the resources to put that sovereignty into practice.
• As part of that collaborative spirit, the tribal government has offered that same promise not to sue

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization held an informational hearing on seven tribal-state gaming compacts and compact amendments executed by Governor Newsom and several federally recognized tribes. Chair Blanca Rubio noted that no formal vote would be taken at the hearing, but that the ratification bills — AB 1579, AB 2173, SB 542, and SB 1235 — would later go to the Assembly floor. Much of the discussion focused on how the compacts were updated in response to the Ninth Circuit’s Chicken Ranch decision, which limited the state’s ability to bargain over certain topics in gaming compacts, and on preserving government-to-government relationships while reducing litigation risk. The committee heard first from the Pechanga Band of Indians and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians on first amendments that added gaming-device flexibility, revised revenue-sharing terms, and included commitments not to sue over certain revenue provisions. Both tribes emphasized their role as major employers and public-service providers, including fire, health, education, and cultural programs, and described the amendments as modernization measures. The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe presented a new compact replacing an expired 2004 agreement, allowing up to 1,200 gaming devices and a possible future site near Needles through a federal two-part determination process, while the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians sought a fifth amendment extending its existing compact during ongoing litigation. The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians each supported amendments that increased device flexibility, adjusted revenue-sharing obligations, and updated compact terms to reflect current law. San Manuel also highlighted supplemental payments to the revenue-sharing trust fund, philanthropic work, and local public-safety agreements, while county and city representatives spoke in support. The Chumash amendment included a longer compact term and narrowed liability provisions, including self-insurance language. Finally, the Yurok Tribe presented a new compact replacing a 1999 agreement, allowing up to 349 devices at up to three facilities; tribal counsel explained that gaming is not the tribe’s primary economic driver but that the compact would preserve limited-gaming status and provide needed flexibility. The hearing ended with no committee questions or votes, and the chair adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it came from years of thoughtful advocacy, collaboration, and persistence.
• And it came from years of thoughtful advocacy, collaboration, and persistence.
• So I guess I'm just giving voice early on in our process here to offer up as much collaboration as we
• So I guess I'm just giving voice early on in our process here to offer up as much collaboration as we
• Whether we are clinicians—I am a perinatal psychotherapist in private practice.

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression met to reopen its work for the year, confirm attendance, and note several membership transitions, including the departure of Beth Buxton, Nekah Hall, and Dr. Lisa Scarfo. Senator Miranda stepped down as co-chair, and Senator Adam Gomez was welcomed as the new Senate co-chair. Both outgoing and incoming leaders spoke about the importance of the commission’s work, the need for continued advocacy on maternal mental health, and personal losses that have shaped their commitment to the issue. Members discussed priorities for the coming year, including implementation of the maternal health omnibus law, publicizing upcoming maternal health events, and improving information-sharing through a biweekly digest. Several commissioners raised concerns about the closure of birthing centers and inpatient obstetric units, workforce shortages in obstetrics and midwifery, and the need to preserve or expand training slots and federal matching opportunities. Others emphasized the need to strengthen community-based perinatal mental health supports, including Moms Do Care and First Steps Together, and to increase funding beyond the $220,000 appropriated for community organizations. The commission also heard updates from the Division of Insurance and the Department of Public Health about regulatory and reimbursement issues, including a new community of learning for payers, mental health exam reimbursement guidance, and concerns about sustainability of birth centers and midwifery reimbursement. Commissioners stressed the importance of better coordination among OB-GYN, pediatric, infant mental health, home visiting, and clinical providers, with some suggesting a stronger role for clinicians and perinatal mental health organizations such as PSI of Massachusetts. The meeting ended with a motion and vote to create a biweekly information digest, with urgent items to be shared by email, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the sake practices and modern needs.
• I come from a small community of Hana where many cultural traditions are practiced around Aloha.
• I come from a small community of Hana, where many cultural traditions are practiced around water.
• It builds pono to our kūpuna by keeping their ʻike alive in those Hawaiian practices.
• Supporting this resolution is one way we can move toward decolonized professional practice.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Water and Land Committee held a hearing on several governor’s messages for confirmation to land and water-related boards and commissions. The first item was GM 745, confirming Nor Abbott to a second term on the Natural Area Reserves System Commission through June 30, 2029. DLNR and other supporters submitted testimony, and Abbott said his focus has been on watching for potential impacts to marine reserves from nearby land activity and helping ensure those impacts are avoided, minimized, or mitigated through a thorough process. The committee then took up GM 783 and GM 762, both involving the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission. Fenton Pang and Jensen Chop were nominated for terms ending June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029, respectively. Multiple individuals and organizations testified in strong support, including representatives of civic clubs, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, and other community groups. Testimony emphasized Pang’s scientific background, cultural values, humility, and service, and described Chop as a long-time Kahoʻolawe steward with strong ties to restoration work and the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. Chop said his goal is to help more people build a connection to ʻāina and to continue restoration and cultural education efforts on Kahoʻolawe. The final major item was GM 770, confirming Hannah Kihalani Springer to the Commission on Water Resource Management through June 30, 2028. DLNR strongly supported her nomination, describing her as a cultural expert and advocate who can ensure indigenous knowledge is meaningfully included in water policy. Testimony from community members, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, and others highlighted her experience, integrity, and role in protecting customary and traditional water rights, especially for place-based and Native Hawaiian communities. Supporters also said her appointment was important given current water and climate challenges. The chair indicated the committee would proceed to decision-making after the hearing, and no opposition was noted in the testimony summarized here.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:36.880><c> I'm</c> small business and practically I'm small business and practically I'm running
• I'd love to see some more collaboration. I'm anxious to help you in legislation with that.
• Do you think collaborating with agencies such as Dare to Care would be beneficial?
• ><c> with</c><00:51:42.240><c> agencies</c> do you think collaborating with agencies do you think collaborating
• </c> try nutritious foods and to practice try nutritious foods and to practice handwashing<01:13:16.640

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Make America Healthy Kentucky Task Force met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard a presentation on the state’s “food is medicine” efforts. Chair Funky Fromm opened by describing a recent foot injury from a road hazard and used it to emphasize the importance of infrastructure, nutrition, sleep, and activity as part of a broader wellness culture. The main witnesses were Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, Holly Harris of Appalachian Regional Health Care (ARH), and Jim Muser of the Kentucky Hospital Association. Shell and Harris described a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and hospitals such as ARH to connect local farmers with hospital cafeterias, farmers markets, CSA-style subscription food boxes, and medically tailored meals. Harris said ARH serves a large region with 14 hospitals, more than 95 clinics, about 6,700 employees, and 1,300 medical staff, and that the system began by improving employee food options because hospital workers often have limited access to healthy meals during shifts. They reported examples such as a local-protein burger, parking-lot farmers markets, subsidized CSA boxes for employees, and plans for container gardens at some hospitals. The witnesses said the program is intended to improve health outcomes, reduce readmissions, support chronic disease management, and also increase rural prosperity by expanding demand for Kentucky farm products. Shell said more than 40 hospitals had already been onboarded into the food-is-medicine program, with measurable outcomes being studied through pilots such as one at Russell County Hospital. He also noted that some systems, including CHI St. Joseph Health, Taylor Regional, and UK King’s Daughters, have formally embedded food-as-medicine goals into strategic plans. Members and witnesses also discussed barriers, especially the lack of reimbursement, fragmented short-term funding, and regulatory or purchasing hurdles that make it difficult for small farmers to participate. Shell said the goal is to make the model scalable and easier for hospitals and farmers to navigate, while Harris emphasized that ARH has been funding its efforts without reimbursement because of its mission. No votes or formal policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• practices focusing on promoting<00:35:15.160><c> academic</c> promoting academic promoting academic
• Closing this provision allows district leaders to collaborate at a time when problem-solving together
• Closing this provision allows district leaders to collaborate at a time when problem-solving together
• </c> Mota Heights Egan this collaboration Mota Heights Egan this collaboration created<01:01:54.799><
• </c> allows District leaders to collaborate allows District leaders to collaborate at<01:02:17.400><c

Bills: HF6, HF52, HF53

Keywords: education, literacy, science of reading, school performance, funding flexibility, innovation zones, equity and inclusion, HF52, New Germany, wastewater treatment, wastewater facility, sewer infrastructure, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, municipal infrastructure, water quality, sanitation, sewage treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• management, I moved back to Tampa with my wife, who was raised there, and went into private law practice
• I'm a former chair of the firm's real estate practice group and a former member of the firm's management
• And as a trustee, I can assure you that I would be presently engaged with a servant collaboration with
• If granted the privilege to serve, I will work collaboratively with President Hazner, the administration
• As a trustee, my focus is to help it earn that reputation in practice, not just in slogan.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmations for 19 appointees and reappointees to university and state college boards, with most of the agenda focused on the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Pensacola State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, North Florida College, South Florida State College, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Testimony from the nominees generally emphasized their educational backgrounds, professional experience, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving institutional rankings. Several UF trustees highlighted the university’s “One UF” vision, institutional neutrality, and goals of reaching top-three or top-one national status. Other nominees stressed the role of state colleges in workforce pipelines, and Florida Poly witnesses focused on STEM growth, housing, and strong graduate outcomes. One in-person public testimony came from Elijah Hooks, who spoke in opposition to the current FAMU administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from campus after protesting the appointment of President Marva Johnson. For FAMU, Jocelyn Dobson Rodriguez testified in support of her appointment, emphasizing her legal background, alumni ties, and goals of strengthening leadership, alumni engagement, and the connection between the main campus and the College of Law in Orlando. For Florida Atlantic University, Tina Vidal-Duart was questioned closely about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about CDR Health’s involvement in state contracts; she said she was not aware of the foundation’s governance problems at the time and that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate. The committee then voted to report all appointees favorably except for Tina Vidal-Duart, whose confirmation was held for a separate vote at the request of Senator Bracy Davis. After discussion, the committee voted 5-1 to report her confirmation favorably as well. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• information, opened for many weeks, and proved that locals and tourists alike wanted to see this practice
• So there's no—San Antonio's banned the practice, is that correct?
• We don't get any credit for those practices because they aren't mentioned in our regulations, but that
• State law allows for collaboration between... ...between political subdivisions in a variety of ways
• However, there is not enough clarity when it comes to collaboration between counties and ESDs regarding

Bills: HB386, HB1449, HB1701, HB2142, HB2675, HB2857, HB3063, HB3171, HB3641, HB3732, HB4045, HB4370, HB4491, HB4505, HB4626, HB5267, HB5356

Keywords: construction contracts, change orders, local government, budget limits, Texas legislation, HB 1449, mobile food vendors, food trucks, mobile food service establishments, permits, county health permit, municipal permitting, Health and Safety Code Chapter 437A, Chapter 437, inspection agreements, permit reciprocity, fee cap, preemption, large counties, population over one million

Transcript Highlights:

• Using your culture and land-based practices can help Native Hawaiian youth feel more connected, proud
• 28.880><c> culture</c><00:07:29.199><c> and</c><00:07:29.360><c> land-based</c><00:07:30.000><c> practices
• </c> your culture and land-based practices your culture and land-based practices can<00:07:30.720><c>
• reflect that change so that it will be whereas the state has used in-AAB-based approaches with collaborative
• </c> approaches with collaborative approaches with collaborative partnerships<00:18:20.720><c> at</c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 190, asking the Department of Health to convene a demolition waste reduction work group, drew only written testimony; the Department of Health provided comments in opposition and the Department of Attorney General Services supported it. HCR 91, on requiring insurers and managed care providers to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices, received supportive testimony from SHIPA and an amputee youth advocate who described the high cost and importance of sports prosthetics. HCR 174, on examining the availability and use of land-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system, drew support from the Office of the Public Defender, youth advocates, and a youth council that described land-based learning as culturally rooted and rehabilitative. HR 171, on assessing the social and financial effects of mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitors, received support from SHIPA, the Hawaiʻi Medical Association, and kidney care and dialysis groups. HCR 146, on the Elderly Simplified Application Project for SNAP, drew support from disability, hunger, and public health groups, with DHS explaining it could implement the project but would need to do manual certification work until its new system is ready. During decision-making, the committee deferred HCR 190 because the Department of Health said it could not carry out the work group without an appropriation. The committee voted to pass HCR 91 as is. HCR 174 was recommended for passage with amendments to clarify that the resolution would request continued use of land-based learning programs and to reflect existing work already underway. HCR 171 was recommended for passage with amendments to correct a statute description. HCR 146 was recommended for passage with amendments to add language that DHS should apply for and implement the project when capable, acknowledging current system limitations. All recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two is $155,000 to Mid-South Soybean Board for interstate collaboration on research projects for
• Arkansas Aware program for mental health awareness and trauma-informed practices.
• Number six, DHS with Collaborative Counseling Associates.
• Next page is page 25, number six, DHS with collaborative counseling associates.
• DHS with collaborative counseling associates.

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies. Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options. The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our work depends on collaboration across all levels of government: local, regional, state, federal, and
• collaboration with industry and contractors, and equally important, with the communities that we're
• Our work depends on collaboration across all levels of government, local, regional, state, federal, and
• collaboration with industry and contractors, and equally important with the communities that we're here
• in our construction and maintenance practices.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several governor’s appointments, routine agenda items, and the confirmation hearing for Dina El-Tawansy to serve as Director of the California Department of Transportation. The committee first approved a series of appointments to the Board of Behavioral Sciences, Contractors State License Board, and Medical Board of California, along with bill referrals, a rule waiver for guests on the Senate floor for a memorial adjournment in honor of former President Pro Tempore John Burton, and floor acknowledgments. Most of these actions were approved on 5-0 votes, with the early appointment items passing 3-2. The committee then heard testimony from El-Tawansy, who emphasized her 28 years at Caltrans, a focus on safety, equity, climate resilience, workforce development, and multimodal transportation. Senators questioned her on a range of transportation issues, including the impact of federal and state disputes affecting immigrant truck drivers and highway funding, the Highway 58 truck climbing lane project, DBE reevaluation under new federal rules, asphalt recycling and disposal, climate-related damage to roads and coastal infrastructure, and the future of gas-tax revenue and road user charges. El-Tawansy said Caltrans is prioritizing safety and emergency projects, working on reevaluating DBEs, advancing climate adaptation planning, and studying road user charge pilots and related technology. Members also asked about small business participation, toll lane agreements, homelessness encampments on Caltrans property, and the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo rail corridor. El-Tawansy described Caltrans programs to support small and disadvantaged businesses, local hiring, heavy equipment and CDL training, standardized toll lane agreements, delegated maintenance MOUs with local governments, and expanded efforts on encampment response and rail/transit planning. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with representatives from transportation agencies, contractors, local governments, labor, and technology firms urging confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to advance El-Tawansy’s appointment to the full Senate for confirmation, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our work depends on collaboration across all levels of government: local, regional, state, and federal
• ; and collaboration with industry and contractors, and equally important, with the communities that we're
• Our work depends on collaboration across all levels of government, local, regional, state, federal, and
• collaboration with industry and contractors, and equally important with the communities that we're here
• in our construction and maintenance practices.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I would hope there would be some collaborative work to help make sure that we are getting the
• And here we are talking about how we're alleviating pain and suffering rather than practicing medicine
• Are you... ...working in collaboration. Our ER times go up.
• Just because, I mean, we have, in practice, not been submitting reports to the State Controller's Office
• It's not what's currently practice.

Summary: The hearing focused on the expected loss of health coverage in California due to H.R. 1 and related federal policy changes, and what that could mean for county indigent care programs. Members and the chair said the state expects large Medi-Cal and Covered California disenrollments, with concerns that counties will again become the safety net for uninsured residents. The committee also framed the hearing as a chance to assess whether current systems are ready and what policy or budget changes may be needed before the next budget cycle. The Legislative Analyst’s Office described county indigent care as a long-standing, county-run program of last resort with wide variation in eligibility and benefits, funded largely through realignment dollars that also support public health. LAO said enrollment in county indigent care fell sharply after the ACA, but could rise again, and estimated that 20% to 50% of newly uninsured people might seek county care. LAO and administration witnesses emphasized that data on county programs is fragmented, not centrally collected, and would need to be standardized before the Legislature could make major structural decisions. Administration officials said Medi-Cal disenrollment could reach more than 1 million members at full implementation, with additional losses possible because a new federal rule makes medical-frailty exemptions more restrictive. They also said Covered California enrollment is projected to decline, though state subsidies may soften the drop. Members pressed the administration on the lack of real-time data and whether statutory authority might be needed to require county reporting. Officials said a statewide, apples-to-apples data system would likely take years, though some existing HCAI and DHCS data could help in the meantime. County representatives from Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Tulare described the practical effects of the coverage losses and asked for state help. They said their indigent care systems are limited, often reactive, and far less comprehensive than Medi-Cal, with many patients likely to show up only after conditions worsen. Counties warned that they would need bridge funding, updated statutory authority, and more flexible realignment rules to rebuild capacity and serve newly uninsured residents. The California Health Care Foundation echoed that the problem is statewide and cannot be solved county by county alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the most recent amendments, it reflects an in-depth conversation and collaboration that we've taken
• Many of these students are sent to high-risk facilities where practices like seclusion, restraint, and
• The change to "flex-based" more accurately reflects the current law and the practice in this field.
• Again, I think there was a practical decision not to try to do two big things in one bill—attack LCFF
• But I'm really responding to your offer of collaboration, or invitation to collaborate, because I think

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum. Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum. Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.