Transcript Highlights:

• It's called the Line Fund, and the line is Linking Industry to Nursing Education.
• This fund was created to incentivize collaboration between nursing education programs and health care
• partners to combat the nursing shortage in the state.
• This is, as it stands now, strictly limited to nursing.
• Thank you very much, and I absolutely would support the expansion of this program from not just nursing

Bills: S0194 , S1246

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum and first considered SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s Line Fund for health service workforce shortages. Senator Davis explained that the bill would broaden eligibility beyond nursing to include health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit use of funds for scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which professions would qualify, and Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility but could be made more concrete. Several witnesses supported the bill, and the committee reported SB 1246 favorably without additional funding being requested. The committee then took up SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday. The bill drew both support and opposition from public speakers, with supporters emphasizing Kirk’s advocacy for free speech and unborn children, and opponents arguing that his public statements on race, civil rights, and Black leaders made him an inappropriate figure for state honor. Members also debated whether statute was the right vehicle for such recognition and whether the bill could encourage future requests for similar commemorations. A late-filed amendment by Senator Jones would have added George Floyd to the remembrance language, framing the issue as selective remembrance and pointing to Floyd’s death as another national reckoning. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated SB 194 at length, with supporters describing Kirk as a defender of open debate and opponents saying the bill would legitimize divisive rhetoric. The committee ultimately reported SB 194 favorably, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones voting no, Senator Rodriguez and Chair Simon voting yes, and Chair Calatayud casting the deciding favorable vote. The committee then adjourned after a motion to record Tab 2 in the affirmative was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the other thing I would like to mention, as the author had raised on nursing, and I know this has
• And the other thing I would like to mention as the author had raised on nursing, and I know this has
• nursing faculty.
• nursing faculty.
• faculty student ratio requirements in nursing and there is a dearth of nursing faculty so I just use

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first heard SB 998, which would clarify and expand school discrimination prevention coordinator roles, including new coordinators focused on disability and anti-AAPI discrimination. The author and supporters said the bill would strengthen school climate, provide clearer guidance and training, and help schools address discrimination before it escalates. Support came from education, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ groups, while some witnesses expressed support if amended but raised concerns about gubernatorial appointments and preferred civil service hiring. Several senators debated whether the bill duplicated existing protections and whether it diverted attention from academic priorities, but the chair and coauthors emphasized it as follow-up legislation tied to prior civil rights commitments. The committee voted SB 998 out on a due pass motion to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the bill was placed on call. The committee then took up SB 1082, which would streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring faster district action, concurrent review, and clearer notice when applications are incomplete. The author and sponsor said families often face long delays and inconsistent practices, and supporters argued the bill would improve fairness and reduce administrative burden without changing local approval authority. The California School Boards Association had an oppose-unless-amended position but said it was re-evaluating after amendments, and some other groups said they were removing opposition. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed it on call. Next, the committee heard SB 960 on community college baccalaureate degrees. The author argued the bill would create a statewide framework allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in unmet workforce areas when CSU programs are unavailable or effectively inaccessible because of impaction, while also limiting growth so community colleges do not drift from their core mission. Supporters said the bill would expand access for place-bound students and align with workforce needs, while CSU and faculty opponents warned it could duplicate programs, affect faculty jobs, and worsen pressure on the CSU system. Members debated the master plan, impaction, funding inequities, and whether the bill would siphon students from CSU. The committee ultimately moved SB 960 out on a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the bill was placed on call. Finally, Senator Blakespear presented SB 965, which would make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and her son described inconsistent local rules and said the bill would reduce barriers while preserving local library policies on checkout and liability. The transcript ended during testimony on SB 965, before any committee vote or further action was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was between, you know, my family's home getting red-tagged or myself having insecurity on food
• create the California-based master's degree nurse midwifery education program.
• Our NPs and nurse practitioners are even often expressing frustration with the limited access to nurse
• I even remember, too, when I was helping out at school there in the nursing program.
• So what SB 640 does is it brings that home.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• taxes to the mobile home residents, then yes, they would functionally get the Save Our Homes-type benefit
• Speaker, I have a nurse who left her job. Usually we have a house full, but we have a nurse.
• Nurse who left her job.
• Tim, come home to us safely.
• homes.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two fallen service members, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement officers and visiting students and advocates. Members then adopted the special order report and moved into the special-order calendar. The first major item was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which was explained as a broad measure covering sales tax holidays, property tax changes, tax credits, pari-mutuel tax reductions, vacation-rental tax collection, and decoupling from federal tax changes. Members asked about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution and the package’s mix of consumer and housing provisions, while opponents objected to the gun-related tax holiday. The bill passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations 107-0, with supporters saying it would strengthen Florida’s competitiveness in commercial aerospace. CS for SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed unanimously after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened specialty-plate financial and nonprofit requirements. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed 100-0 after supporters said it built on prior PBM reforms by requiring fairer pharmacy reimbursement and limiting forced losses on drugs. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed 109-0 after an amendment clarifying fingerprinting requirements, and CS/CS HB 527 on insurance claim denials passed 100-0 with a requirement for human review before claims are denied or reduced solely by AI. The House also passed CS HB 1449 on the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program 100-0 after narrowing the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims at or below $50,000. CS HB 93 on protection from surgical smoke passed 178-0 after extensive emotional debate, with supporters describing it as a long-sought patient and worker safety measure requiring smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers. Later, CS HB 1217 on prohibited governmental greenhouse-gas policies passed 29-0 after questions clarified that it would bar net-zero policies and related funding arrangements but not general energy efficiency or incidental emissions reductions; opponents argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts, while supporters said it protected energy reliability and affordability. The House then began debate on CS/CS HB 1461 on advanced nuclear reactors, with sponsors describing a framework for licensing and oversight of small modular and microreactors and supporters arguing it would help meet future energy demand and improve reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Her background is in nursing.
• I'm the associate dean over allied health and nursing.
• I'm the associate dean over allied health and nursing.
• I was the first class of nursing through that that graduated from there.
• There's now practical nursing. We've added registered nursing, LPN to RN, and such.

Summary: The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs. Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a representative of Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners.
• I have been a nurse for 22 years and a forensic nurse examiner for the past 13.
• Just real quick, so you are a forensic nurse? Yes, ma'am. Okay.
• I am a sexual assault nurse examiner in Central Texas.
• I'm a full-time forensic nurse. I have been for years.

Bills: HB220 , HB783 , HB2240 , HB3336 , HB4202 , HB4449 , HB4904 , HB3441 , HB4284

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> who call this state home. who call this state home.
• </c> the Word of Truth Ministry and home the Word of Truth Ministry and home school<00:06:16.400><c>
• </c> &gt;&gt; [applause] &gt;&gt; Welcome<00:10:18.800><c> home.</c> &gt;&gt; Welcome home.
• &gt;&gt; Welcome home.
• Y'all home um that would be help them.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is skilled nursing.
• Specifically, 11 nurses stated that they were asked to cover unsafe caseloads, including one nurse who
• Twenty nurses reported concerns with follow-up care.
• I don't care if you're in the hospital, if you die at home, on the street.
• I started printing, but I just didn't have enough paper at home.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• I commend Whitworth University for launching its new nursing program, a launching its new nursing program
• We know that owning a home is one of the most important A home is one of the most important pathways
• And teachers, nurses, and firefighters are being And teachers, nurses, and firefighters are being pushed
• For far too often back home in Missouri and across this back home in Missouri and across this nation,
• I'm deeply proud of my home state of... I'm deeply proud of my home state of Alabama.

Bills: HR915 , HB7401 , HB2478 , HR1381

Keywords: Holodomor, Ukraine famine, 1932-1933 famine, genocide recognition, Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, collectivization, grain confiscation, human rights, Ukraine, Ukrainian people, Russian aggression, Vladimir Putin, foreign affairs, sense of the House, commemorative resolution, historical remembrance, Soviet repression, Kremlin denial, Ukraine sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a nurse by background.
• Some personal and home care services.
• Trying to play nurse from a distance.
• They're not sending nurses out, and I am very disappointed in our APS.
• , and nurse practitioners to order the blood test.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:10:36.520><c> and</c><01:10:36.719><c> nurse</c> generally are used for nurses and nurse generally
• So, uh, home visiting again.
• So, uh, home visiting again.
• Those outbreaks can include anything from flu in a nursing home to measles in the Upper Valley.
• c><02:55:48.920><c> the</c><02:55:49.040><c> Upper</c> nursing home to measels in the Upper nursing home

Summary: The Finance Division III work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services budget. Department staff said Public Health has a relatively small budget compared with other DHHS divisions, is supported mostly by federal and other non-General funds, and contains nearly 100 accounting units and more than 50 federal grants. They emphasized that the governor’s budget did not include significant cuts, but that federal funding uncertainty and the winding down of pandemic-era resources were major factors affecting the division. The division also explained that some apparent budget growth reflects reorganizations, including moving the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and some programs from other DHHS divisions into Public Health. The presentation described Public Health’s mission as serving the entire state through food and water safety, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, WIC, community health center support, and public health data collection. Members asked about bird flu, and staff explained that human-health response would involve Public Health’s lab, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness units, while animal-health issues are handled with the Department of Agriculture; they also noted ongoing milk testing requested by FDA and USDA. The division said its organizational structure includes bureaus for Family Health and Nutrition, Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Protection, Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Wellness, Statistics and Informatics, and Public Health Laboratories, with about a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members questioned whether the division’s budget and staffing had really grown since pre-COVID, and staff responded that full-time authorized staffing is about the same as in 2018, with the increase largely due to federal pandemic funding that has since receded and to program transfers between divisions. They said Public Health’s General Fund share is about $24 million out of roughly $1.1 billion in DHHS General Fund spending, or about 2.2% of the department total. Members also asked about the 3,000-position cap and unfunded positions; staff explained that the cap remains in chapter law through June 30, 2025, that 394 positions were unfunded in the governor’s budget, and that the division expects flexibility to move money from personnel lines and fill unfunded positions to manage changing needs. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our patrons, for the most part, we serve from home.
• This includes the Spanish-speaking community, as well as blind children and the elderly in nursing homes
• Basin to tackle pathways to the nursing profession as part of L.A. County Nursing 2035.
• workforce opportunities and educational pathways to the bachelor's degree in nursing in L.A.
• of Science, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've been seen in a hospital setting or a nursing home setting, or at home with family.
• They've been seen in a hospital setting or a nursing home setting, or at home with family.
• They've been seen in a hospital setting or a nursing home setting, or at home with family.
• They've been seen in a hospital setting or a nursing home setting, or at home with family.
• They've been seen in a hospital setting or a nursing home setting, or at home with family.

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 146, which would remove the requirement that a medical examiner physically view a body before issuing a cremation certificate. The prime sponsor, Sen. Suprentice, and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jenny Duval explained that the bill would not change the death certificate process or the existing waiting period before cremation; it would only eliminate the in-person viewing step. They said the current review of death certificates already catches the vast majority of cases that should be reported to the medical examiner, and that the physical view changes outcomes in less than 1% of cremation cases. The witnesses emphasized that the bill is intended to improve efficiency and reduce delays for families and funeral homes, while freeing deputy medical examiners to focus on homicides, suicides, accidents, and unexpected natural deaths. Dr. Duval cited an example where review of a death certificate, not the body, uncovered a long-ago strangulation-related homicide, arguing that the key safeguard is review of records and cause of death, not the physical view. She also said the change would save travel time and some costs for the department. Committee members asked about how death certificates list primary and contributing causes of death, whether the low percentage of findings means the current process has a deterrent effect, why cremation is treated differently from burial, and whether identification concerns are adequately addressed. The sponsors responded that identification is handled earlier by hospitals, families, and funeral directors, and that any questionable identification would already fall under medical examiner jurisdiction. They also said the bill would not alter the two-day cremation delay or other existing safeguards. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The nurse was not told the procedure was an abortion until the nurse walked into the room, when the doctor
• , knowing the nurse objected to assisting in abortions, told the nurse, "Don't hate me."
• If the nurse had not done so, the nurse reasonably feared that UVMMC would fire or report the nurse to
• </c><01:45:36.080><c> and</c> individuals living in these homes and individuals living in these homes
• </c> program that is supported by the home program that is supported by the home and<02:00:16.239><c>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:02:46.800><c> Senate</c> Mississippi Home Corp, LBR and Senate Mississippi Home Corp,
• This is for vacancy funding and also for the ranking county nursing home.
• </c> and also for the ranking county nursing and also for the ranking county nursing home.<00:53:28.079
• </c><00:59:12.079><c> and</c><00:59:12.480><c> hospital</c><00:59:12.960><c> nurses</c> skilled nursing
• and hospital nurses skilled nursing and hospital nurses retention<00:59:13.839><c> loan</c><00:59:14.559

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• An example would be if, let's say, a home builder is constructing a new subdivision.
• An example would be if, let's say, a home builder is constructing a new subdivision.
• Regular parent-guided home reading activities are both. It's the parent.
• Child care centers and nursing homes are included.
• Was it not school nurses? Right, yes.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after several member introductions and announcements, including recognition of guests from foster care, a Bayless High School Scholar Bowl team, public utility representatives, and family members. The chamber then moved into House Bills for Perfection, beginning with HB 1812, a voter-roll maintenance measure that requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to send deceased-voter lists to the Secretary of State every 30 days for distribution to election authorities. An amendment added a 10-day processing deadline, and the bill was supported as an election-integrity measure before being ordered perfected and printed. Members also advanced HCS for HB 3308, a sales-tax exemption for materials used to construct facilities or improvements for public use that will be deeded to a political subdivision, such as parks. Supporters said it would help public-good projects while limiting the exemption to public-use construction; questions focused on fiscal impact and ensuring there is a formal agreement to transfer the property. The substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then took up HCS for HB 3010, a prior-authorization reform bill for health care providers. Supporters said it would reduce administrative burden, add an API-based tracking component, and create a gold-carding process for providers with high approval rates; members from both parties emphasized the strain prior authorization places on physicians and patients. The committee substitute and bill were adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber next considered HCS for HB 2872, a major literacy bill centered on the science of reading. The bill requires phonics-based instruction, early screening in grades 1-3, teacher training, and retention for students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade, subject to exemptions for students with disabilities, English learners, IEPs, 504 plans, prior retention, and other good-cause cases. Amendments clarified that three-cueing cannot be the primary instructional strategy and added parent involvement and earlier intervention language; the most contentious debate focused on retention and parental rights, but the amendment passed 103-27-1 and the bill was then adopted and ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House advanced HCS for HB 1826 and related bills to expand authorized epinephrine products beyond EpiPens to include nasal spray and other approved forms for use in schools, child care centers, nursing homes, and by first responders; supporters cited allergy emergencies and needle fear, and the substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber also began debate on HCS for HB 2069/2208, a bill to authorize autonomous vehicles in Missouri, with the sponsor describing safety and economic benefits and the first amendment adding liability, jurisdiction, and U.S.-based operator requirements; a second amendment removed commercial vehicles and made technical changes. Debate on the underlying autonomous-vehicle bill continued, with supporters emphasizing modernization and opponents raising concerns about local control, surveillance, and the lack of independent safety data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our nurse practitioner got her to a hospital, and it saved her life.
• I've been a nurse for 23 years in the state of Texas.
• My name is Serena Bumpus, I'm a proud Texas registered nurse.
• I have been a registered nurse for 23 years and currently serve as the CEO of the Texas Nurses Association
• Nurses are governed by and adhere to the code of ethics for nurses.

Bills: SB31 , SB33 , SB510 , SB871 , SB1868 , SB2024 , SB2166 , SB2309 , SB2880 , SJR27 , SJR39 , SJR40 , SB 31 , SB 33

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• , life has changed for homeownership and how people use their homes and their property.
• My HOA initially allowed only the use of a portable air conditioner in my home."
• My HOA initially allowed only the use of a portable air conditioner in my home.
• But I do agree that this could be a model for other types of industries, whether it's nursing.
• Our residents call our communities home.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a full agenda of housing-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and advancing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Early in the hearing, AB 2035 by Assembly Member Dixon was presented as a narrowly tailored fix for a large senior HOA in Laguna Woods Village, allowing a lower vote threshold to amend outdated CC&Rs after repeated failed elections; members raised questions about broader impacts, but the bill passed 12-0 to Judiciary. AB 1684 by Assembly Member Ward would bar HOAs from restricting homeowners’ ability to install or replace cooling systems; supporters cited heat-related health risks and a constituent’s experience, while HOA representatives sought amendments to preserve reasonable rules on drainage, electrical capacity, and common-area protection. The committee discussed those concerns and advanced the bill 8-0 to Judiciary. AB 1710 by Assembly Member Carrillo would extend SB 330-style vesting protections to state and regional permitting agencies so housing projects are not subjected to shifting post-entitlement standards, with supporters arguing it would improve predictability and speed housing production. Special districts and utilities opposed unless amended, warning about conflicts with changing state and regional rules, but the bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. AB 1738 by Assembly Member Crewe would require remote virtual inspections for certain simple home renovations; supporters from SPUR and Placer County described faster, lower-cost inspections already in use, while labor groups raised concerns and sought amendments. Members emphasized keeping inspections jurisdiction-based and not replacing safety oversight, and the bill passed 8-0 to Local Government. The committee also approved AB 1890 by Assembly Member Curry, which increases state matching support for Napa County farmworker housing centers from $250,000 to $500,000 annually through 2036; supporters described the centers as a successful public-private model providing housing and services for farmworkers, and the bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations. AB 2433 by Assembly Member Alvarez would modernize the density bonus law by improving notice, clarifying eligibility and ministerial approval, and adding incentives for for-sale affordable housing; it drew strong support from housing and business groups and passed 10-0 to Local Government. AB 1567 by Assembly Member Ta would allow assisted living communities to be counted in housing element reporting and RHNA-related planning, and it passed 10-0 to Local Government. The consent calendar, including AB 1573 and AB 2162, was also approved unanimously, and the committee adjourned after taking roll-call votes on the remaining items.

Transcript Highlights:

• create the California-based master's degree nurse midwifery education program.
• Our RNs and nurse practitioners are even often expressing frustration with the limited access to nurse
• I even remember, too, when I was helping out at the school there in the nursing program.
• I even remember, too, when I was helping out at the school there in the nursing program.
• So what SB 640 does is it brings that home.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student access, workforce needs, and higher education governance. SB 761 would connect Cal Grant applicants with CalFresh eligibility notices and expand qualifying programs of study; it drew broad support from student, university, anti-hunger, and advocacy groups, with members sharing personal stories about food insecurity and no opposition was heard. SB 520 would create a California Nurse Midwifery Education Fund to expand master’s-level midwifery training, especially to address maternal health shortages in rural and underserved areas; supporters emphasized the shortage of providers and poor maternal outcomes, while one member raised concerns about the bill’s use of the term “birthing people.” SB 640 would establish a statewide direct admissions process for eligible high school seniors to CSU campuses using existing data systems; supporters said it would reduce barriers and improve enrollment, while members asked about special education, dual enrollment, rural access, and measuring effectiveness. The committee also heard SB 744, which would create a state “safe harbor” so California institutions would not lose accreditation or student aid if a federally recognized accreditor loses federal approval; there was no opposition testimony, but the roll call showed some no votes and the item was held open. SB 494 would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge, similar to teachers and community college faculty; labor groups supported it as a due process and parity measure, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, local control, and implementation concerns. Finally, SB 550 would authorize a pilot public law school partnership in San Jose between San Jose State and a nonprofit law school; supporters argued it would expand affordable legal education and public-interest pipelines, while UC and private college representatives opposed it as inconsistent with the master plan and a piecemeal approach. The committee also took up consent items SB 244 and SB 271, which passed 6-0, and several bills were advanced by roll call, including SB 761, SB 640, and SB 494, while SB 744 received a split vote and was held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do your parents, or is this something you're doing at home?
• In order for covered entities, teachers, nurses, doctors, to know what they are or are not allowed to
• So now we know if you're a nurse or a doctor or a teacher, you cannot not. nurse or a doctor or a teacher
• In other cases, it can increase the risk of abuse at home.
• For kids who don't feel safe and supported at home, what option are they left with?

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules