Transcript Highlights:

• And so the TRIO programs are combining Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services.
• It’s dedicated to supporting low-income, first-generation, disabled, and veteran students in achieving
• So thank you all for your support.
• We need your help to support this, and I know that Jack McFarland would love for you to help increase
• Zach's father and I started that support group 40 years ago. So I'm so glad to have y'all here.

Bills: HR42, HR43, HR44, HR45, HCR22, HCR23, HCR24, HCR25, HCR26, HCR27, HCR28, HCR29, HCR30, HB894, HB983, HB984, HR39, HR40, HR41, HCR19, HCR20, HCR21, HB2, HB3, HB15, HB441, HB976, HB977, HB978, HB979, HB980, HB981, HB982, HB129, HB130, HB287, HB489, HB521, HB545, HB553, HB555, HB570, HB670, HB672, HB797, HB854, HB952, HB207, HB300, HB331, HB428, HB464, HB587, HB618, HB629, HB801, HB853, HB891, HB474, HB487, HB503, HB606, HB633, HB707, HB720, HB728, HB733, HB846, HB852, HB856, HB868, HB875, HB112, HB657, HB221, HB149, HB901, HB148, HB354

Keywords: women, chemistry industry, Louisiana, recognition, workforce, commendation, leadership, faith, community service, Bishop Weidner, log truck drivers, transportation safety, log industry, pastor, Church of Pentecost, forestry, tree farming, W.H. Ward Properties, community support, Louisiana Forestry Association

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> two 425 million dollars on behavioral two 425 million dollars on behavioral health<00:04:29.640>
• </c> subcontractors for supporting subcontractors for supporting documentation<00:10:42.800><c> such<
• support support closeout<00:15:54.680><c> evaluations.
• </c><00:25:22.520><c> health</c> and concerns in the behavioral health and concerns in the behavioral
• </c><00:36:29.800><c> health</c> of funds to promote behavioral health of funds to promote behavioral

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, sorry for all the acronyms there, but the BSP is the behavior support plan.
• And so, sorry for behavior support plan.
• </c><00:02:50.301><c> [clears throat]</c><00:02:50.319><c> support</c> the behavior [clears throat] support
• the behavior [clears throat] support plan.<00:02:51.920><c> Um,</c><00:02:52.560><c> then</c><00:02:
• </c> focus on the proactive behavioral focus on the proactive behavioral support<00:47:06.960><c> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I support the bill.
• Please support this bill.
• I support SB 28. Thank you. I support SB 28. Thank you.
• I support SB 28. Thank you. Thank you. I support SB 28. Thank you.
• In support. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Land grants need support in that area.
• We want to be able to support them with technical support.
• I just know you're supportive, and I just thank you for your support.
• She said behavioral health. The behavioral health issues I see in my office are overwhelming.
• myself a behavioral health provider.

Transcript Highlights:

• Workforce supports and long-term services and supports and health equity.
• To support students who chose the Commonwealth, there needs to be the right support system in place,
• Will be supporting.
• The behavioral health community partnership and the behavioral health line...
• We had worked with the school resources, outpatient psychiatrist, therapeutic behavioral support, in-home

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, uh, I do generally support this idea.
• I urge you to support this bill.
• We are in support of HB 4515.
• Yet his worrisome behavior didn't end.
• And much of the evidence used against them was because of their behavior in prison, aggressive behavior

Transcript Highlights:

• here in support.
• Thank you. in support and also voicing support today for Western Center on Law and Poverty.
• here in support.
• Thank you, and we ask you to support AB 2653. Thank you, and we ask you to support AB 2653.
• Megan Abel, Tech Equity Action, in support. Megan Abel, Tech Equity Action, in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the meeting of the Senate Interim and House Committee on Behavioral Health together today.
• housing, where supports are on site.
• The state used to have more robust supported housing.
• housing, where supports are on site.
• The state used to have more robust supportive housing, with supports on site to help people, and we lost

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committee met for informational presentations on the Oregon State Hospital and civil commitment, followed by a planned tour of the hospital. Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital leaders reported that Sean Murphy will become the next permanent superintendent on July 13, with Sarah Castle to follow as permanent chief nursing officer on July 20. They described recent leadership turnover, a major organizational restructure, and efforts to build a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. Officials said the hospital regained Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and they highlighted daily safety huddles, incident review processes, stronger escalation procedures, and improved management of seclusion and restraint. Committee members pressed hospital leaders on past prolonged seclusion practices, falls, staffing, and the need for better public reporting; OHA said it is building a public dashboard of key safety and workforce metrics. The committee then heard a civil commitment overview from the Oregon Judicial Department. The presenter explained that civil commitment is a separate legal process from criminal cases, usually beginning with a hospital hold, investigation, court review, appointed counsel, and a hearing within five days. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised standards for danger to self, danger to others, and basic-needs commitments, plus a second 14-day diversion option. She cautioned that the new law has only been in effect since January and that it is too early to draw firm conclusions from the data, though there has been a recent uptick in commitments and a decrease in diversions. Testimony from NAMI Oregon and a forensic psychiatrist emphasized that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospitals because community services, housing, and outpatient supports are insufficient. They argued that the state needs more less-restrictive alternatives, including better use of assisted outpatient treatment or outpatient civil commitment, and more supported housing so people do not cycle between homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization. A family member described a relative remaining psychotic in jail for more than 120 days before ending up back at the state hospital, urging faster intervention and better collaboration among courts, counties, hospitals, and state agencies. Committee members and witnesses also discussed workforce shortages, the expansion of secure residential treatment beds, and the need for broader system reforms beyond the hospital itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• School-based health centers support families, support schools, and help ensure students are healthy,
• These are going to be disputes over the delivery of behavioral health services.
• These are going to be disputes over the delivery of behavioral health services.
• I just think it's as important that behavioral health is addressed. Absolutely.
• So we would urge you to please support this bill and advance it to the floor.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I speak in support of this bill.
• </c> of drug or alcoh alcoholfueled behavior. of drug or alcoh alcoholfueled behavior.
• I think it has big support.
• It was terrifying to her behavior.
• </c> criminal behavior. criminal behavior.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Behavioral health, it's early on.
• Other specifics around behavioral health, I heard you mentioned behavioral health, is that we are seeing
• the list, being able to implement the BHSA, Behavioral Health Services Act, Prop 1, and supporting that
• able to implement the BHSA, Behavioral Health Services Act, Prop 1, and supporting that; housing and
• So I support this confirmation. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened, established quorum, and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear: 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/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee then heard and advanced two appointments requiring testimony. Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as chief medical officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority, discussed his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, EMS data modernization, local flexibility within statewide standards, ambulance offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and alternatives to emergency transport such as community paramedicine and telehealth. Members pressed him on strategic planning, rural and climate-related disaster response, ambulance rate reporting, and how EMSA can better protect vulnerable people during evacuations; his appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the Senate floor. Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, described her tribal background, prior public service, and focus on health equity, behavioral health, tribal consultation, data, and community-led programs. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, serving rural communities, balancing equity work amid federal DEI opposition, youth mental health, and preventing fraud or waste through transparency. Public commenters, including tribal, health, and community advocates, strongly supported her nomination. Her appointment was also approved 4-0 and forwarded to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have strong prevention support services.
• So I encourage your support.
• It's great to see so much support. PCC also strongly supports the bill.
• This is the primary reason we support it.
• We are signed in support of HB 2382. We are signed in support of HB 2382.

Summary: The committee heard briefings, sponsor presentations, and public testimony on several finance bills. HB 2038 would impose an additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms beginning in 2027 and create a youth behavioral health account funded by the tax. The sponsor argued the bill would help address youth mental health harms linked to social media and support implementation of the Washington Thriving plan. Supporters in testimony, including youth advocates and some public health voices, said social media contributes to youth anxiety and addiction and that the revenue should be used for behavioral health services. Opponents, including technology and business groups, argued the tax unfairly singles out one sector, could be passed on to consumers, and may violate federal internet tax law. The hearing on HB 2038 was suspended and later reopened for public testimony; no vote was taken. HB 2297 would create tax incentives for grocery stores in underserved communities, including local B&O preferences, a sales tax exemption for security services, a 30-year property tax exemption program, a B&O tax credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to preserve and attract grocery stores in food deserts, especially after recent store closures, and to help communities with limited transportation and access to healthy food. County representatives supported the goal but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption and its effect on local revenues. Public testimony was largely supportive, with advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents describing grocery stores as essential community infrastructure. No action was taken. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco product taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to a time-sensitive emergency system, tobacco enforcement, and the foundational public health services account. The sponsor said the bill would generate needed revenue, support cancer research funding, and strengthen public health and enforcement. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce use and help cover long-term health costs, while some public health witnesses supported the revenue but suggested directing more funds to existing tobacco prevention accounts. Opponents from retail and industry groups argued the proposal is regressive, could increase illicit sales and cross-border purchasing, and would hurt small businesses and low-income consumers. The committee also heard HB 2487, a Department of Revenue request bill that would narrow the B&O exemption for insurers to clarify that it applies only to premium income subject to insurance premium tax, and apply the change retroactively to 2019. The sponsor and supporters said the bill closes a loophole created by a recent Supreme Court ruling and preserves tax equity, while insurers and business groups objected to the retroactive application, warning of higher premiums and unfair taxation. Finally, HB 2018 would increase the solid waste tax by 0.5% per year for five years and direct the new revenue to a local government solid waste assistance account for county and city waste management plans. County officials supported the bill as a way to stabilize funding for solid waste systems, and testimony emphasized rising disposal and infrastructure costs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:55.680><c> health</c><00:35:56.000><c> services</c> behavioral health services behavioral health
• </c><00:36:10.160><c> health</c> category of um BHSO behavioral health category of um BHSO behavioral
• We had access to medical care, psychiatry, behavioral support, therapies, and dental care, ophthalmology
• But we do because we live... behaviors. Most people have never had to behaviors.
• </c> severe behavioral changes. severe behavioral changes.

Keywords: During the committee meeting live stream, portion of the video was lost due to network issues. There were also some technical difficulties with content and the incorrect background image being used. The lost footage was recovered from backup, and the other issues corrected in post production editing. 1. 00:00:41 Call to Order 2. 00:01:02 Roll Call 3. 00:02:54 Approval of Minutes 4. 00:05:06 Statutory Reports and Data Requests 5. 00:35:14 2025 and 2026 Session Update 6. 01:03:10 Board Structure Updates and Subcommittees 7. 01:05:20 Public Comment 8. 02:23:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board meeting opened with quorum, approval of the March 9 and March 16, 2026 minutes, and a welcome to new member Representative Willner. The board then heard a presentation from the Department of Medicaid Services on several statutory reports: the quarterly budget analysis (LRC) report, the quarterly MCO report, the provider tax and assessment report, the enrollee demographic report, the annual behavioral health/substance use disorder utilization report, and the Medicaid pharmaceutical rebate fund. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Bechal explained the reports and answered questions. On spending, DMS said the quarterly budget analysis report should be read using the summary tabs because the first tab reflects only traditional Medicaid and does not include all populations. Lee said the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026 showed about $191 million more in waiver spending than the same period last year, about $250 million more in other categories such as nursing facilities, CCBHCs, and FQHCs, and roughly $450 million more in total fee-for-service spending. She also noted that Medicare Part D premiums are 100% state funds and estimated the state-fund increase at about $140 million. For managed care, DMS said pharmacy, inpatient hospital, and outpatient hospital spending made up about 66% of MCO payments so far this fiscal year. Members asked about administrative costs, provider tax impacts, citizenship-status categories, medical loss ratio, and whether the reports could be expanded to show recoupments and citizenship-based spending. DMS clarified that the spending figures discussed were benefit costs only, not administrative costs, and said administrative match rates vary. On the provider tax and directed payments report, Lee said the new CMS proposed rule would allow separate payment terms to continue through the grandfathering period, but that the impact would be substantial for providers even if the administrative effect was minimal. She also said DMS was still reviewing unusual citizenship categories such as “other” and “unspecified,” and would provide more information on medical loss ratio and recoupments if available. Auditor Ball raised concerns about alleged waste, duplicate Social Security numbers, ineligible enrollees, and high error rates in other programs. Lee responded that Medicaid focuses on fraud, waste, and abuse, but said the cited $800 million figure was not factual because it did not account for people enrolled in more than one Medicaid program at the same time. She said DMS is reviewing eligibility systems, including changes tied to community engagement requirements, and is working with the cabinet’s eligibility staff and ombudsman division on error rates. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• ..and support funding through surcharges on birth, marriage, and divorce filings.
• The Behavioral Health Council is one where I think they've done a phenomenal job.
• And then we provide support in some manner.
• You know, we're supporting a system that's supporting a system.
• You know, we're supporting a system that's supporting a system.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the January 29, 2006 minutes, then spent most of the meeting reviewing Idaho Children’s Trust Fund and related prevention-focused grant requests. Members repeatedly discussed whether proposals fit the committee’s mission of youth substance-abuse prevention, the need for measurable outcomes and oversight, and whether some requests were more like child care or general social services than prevention. Several members also noted that future legislation and a clearer planning framework may be needed so the committee is not simply reacting to applicants’ own goals. The committee then considered individual funding requests. It approved one-time funding for the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund ($692,240), the Idaho Safety Assessment Center Coalition ($1 million through the Department of Juvenile Corrections), the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers ($3 million through ICDVVA), a recovery center request ($150,000 ongoing through Health and Welfare), a statewide drug awareness media campaign ($5 million through the Office of Drug Policy), and the governor’s recommended $25 million one-time transfer to the Department of Health and Welfare/Division of Medicaid to help address the Medicaid forecast and general fund impact. The Children’s Bridge request for $3.5 million did not receive a second and died. Throughout the meeting, members emphasized that any approved funding should include intent language for distribution, oversight, reporting, and in some cases procurement or performance measures. There was also discussion that some programs should have a designated state agency “home” for long-term sustainability, and that the committee should better track whether funded programs are actually reducing youth substance use and related harms. The meeting ended after the committee adopted the motions and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm testifying in support of H. 730 / S. 736.
• I come here today in support of H. 573.
• I co-sponsored the law, and I support it.
• written testimony in support.
• but supported in their full potential.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with much of the testimony focused on school discipline and student equity. Bills discussed included measures to address inequities in suspension and expulsion, clarify school exclusion rules, reduce discipline for dress and grooming violations, and expand protections related to fair educational practices. Committee members repeatedly reminded witnesses of the two-minute limit and asked for written testimony to supplement oral remarks. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on the RAISE Act and related school discipline bills, including H. 730/S. 376 and H. 731/S. 380. Testifiers from advocacy groups, legal services, and the legislature argued that exclusionary discipline disproportionately affects Black and Latino students, students with disabilities, low-income students, and DCF-involved youth. They said current law is overly broad or unclear in areas such as “assault on educational staff,” indefinite suspensions tied to felony complaints, and definitions of weapons, leading to unnecessary removals from school. Supporters said the bills would add due process, clearer definitions, and better accountability, while one legislator testified in support of the discipline reforms and opposed several other bills on the agenda. The committee also heard testimony on H. 576/S. 368, which would prohibit suspensions and expulsions for dress and grooming violations and require clearer, non-discriminatory dress code policies. Witnesses cited research and personal stories about disproportionate enforcement against Black girls, girls of color, non-binary students, and students wearing religious attire, and said the bill would prevent physical contact used to enforce dress codes. Another major topic was H. 641/S. 349, which would add “special medical status” protections in education; supporters said it would prevent exclusion based on medical decisions or conditions, though members questioned how it would interact with existing disability law and vaccination-related school requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 625, which would extend the ban on corporal punishment from public to private schools, with witnesses citing research on harm and disproportionate impact. Additional testimony covered bills on accelerated learning and gifted education, with parents, educators, and advocates saying Massachusetts under-identifies advanced learners and lacks adequate acceleration pathways. A senator also testified for S. 406 on recovery high schools, saying the funding formula should be updated to better support students in recovery. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair closed testimony on several bill groups and noted that written testimony would remain open for a week.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee unanimously supports it.
• I do generally support this idea.
• I am here today in support of House Bill 3618.
• I urge you to support this bill.
• Much of the evidence used against them was because of their behavior in prison—aggressive behavior, sexual

Bills: HB1826, HB1969, HB2708, HB2729, HB3618, HB4515, HB4764, SB1021, SB1610

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, inmate release, identification certificate, Texas Department of Corrections, personal identification, driver's license, state law, reentry services, nondisclosure, criminal history, criminal defendants, community supervision, misdemeanors, felonies, rehabilitation, hearsay

Transcript Highlights:

• So those included supportive services for teens.
• The other piece is the behavioral health component, where they have to receive certain behavioral health
• Youth were coming in because they were not getting the behavioral health supports they need.
• We support them throughout the way of that process.
• We support them in that.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety met to review child welfare reforms developed after prior oversight hearings on the deaths of Emily Pike, Zariah Dodd, and Rebecca Baptiste. Committee members and the chair described a series of stakeholder meetings with tribes, DCS, law enforcement, county attorneys, schools, and other advocates that produced several bills aimed at improving communication, reporting, investigations, and court decision-making. The chair said SB 1125, creating a tribal-DCS memorandum of understanding, had already been signed, and highlighted HB 1126 on school records access, HB 1127 on mandatory reporting by people with direct knowledge, HB 1174 on hotline case history and review of prior reports, HB 1175 on photo documentation of children in care, HB 1496 on allowing attorneys to share more safety information with judges, and HB 1631 requiring advanced forensic interviews within 72 hours in sexual abuse cases, with some exceptions. DCS Director Catherine Patak presented agency data showing nearly 160,000 hotline calls in 2025, about 43,000 investigations, and a relatively steady out-of-home care population that ended the year at 7,077 children. She said about 3,000 children were reunified, 1,300 adopted, and 800 entered guardianship, while 1,100 young adults received transition services. She also reported 534 new foster homes licensed, a 50% reimbursement increase for older youth caregivers, a 40% decrease in youth missing from care since September 2024, and a 30% reduction in fatalities of children in care since 2024. Patak discussed the annual fatality review process, noting that 52 of 123 alleged fatality or near-fatality reports had prior DCS involvement, and described agency responses such as health plans for children with complex medical needs, a diabetes training app, expanded LifeSet services, fentanyl and safe-sleep prevention campaigns, staffing realignment, retention efforts, and improved coordination with law enforcement and tribes. Members asked about group home notification rules, the distinction between “missing” and “runaway,” behavioral health needs driving children back into care, training under Jacob’s Law, and whether best practices exist for placing sexually abused youth with appropriate staff. Patak said DCS is updating rules to remove “runaway” and “AWOL” in favor of “missing,” and that the agency is considering whether the statute’s immediate-or-24-hour reporting language should be clarified. She also said DCS does not currently have a specific staffing requirement tied to a child’s sex in group homes, but would look into practices in other states. The committee then heard from Malcolm Hightower of Casey Family Programs, who said Arizona is generally in the middle of the pack nationally: slightly higher than average in foster care entries and congregate care use, but near the national average on screening, substantiation, recurrence, re-entry, and maltreatment fatalities. He praised Arizona’s kin placement rate, said congregate care remains a challenge, and noted that neglect definitions and poverty-related removals remain an area of policy discussion. Finally, K.C. Melsick of Collaborative Safety described the organization’s safety-science approach to systemic critical incident reviews, arguing that child welfare systems should move away from blame and toward learning from near-misses and system failures. Members discussed applying similar methods across state agencies, and the committee adjourned after members and witnesses emphasized continued collaboration and further reforms in the interim and next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Behavioral health, it's early on.
• Other specifics around behavioral health, I heard you mention behavioral health, is that we are seeing
• Other specifics around behavioral health, I heard you mentioned behavioral health, is that we are seeing
• I mean, there's a lot to do, but primarily, of course, behavioral... ...behavioral health, that's right
• So I support this confirmation. Thank you. ...So I support this confirmation. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met 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 from Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as Chief Medical Officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Members questioned him about EMSA’s strategic plan, statewide standards versus local flexibility, ambulance patient offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, and alternatives to emergency department transport. Garzon emphasized data-driven planning, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and other stakeholders, and the need for safe alternatives such as community paramedicine, telehealth, and triage programs. He was confirmed by the committee on a 4-0 vote and sent to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. Weldon described her tribal background, rural experience, and prior public service, and said her work would focus on equity, community partnership, and serving underserved populations. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, rural technical assistance, and how the office would continue its work amid federal opposition to DEI language. Public commenters strongly supported her nomination, citing her leadership on the California Reducing Disparities Project and related programs. The committee approved her appointment 4-0 and adjourned after concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• No support, no monitoring, communities. No support, no monitoring, no<00:25:27.200><c> treatment.
• . behavior. behavior.
• </c><00:30:54.560><c> of</c> Respectfully, I ask for your support of Respectfully, I ask for your support
• Um we of an amend position into support.
• So, we are creating a new behaviors.

Keywords: 981, all