Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to automatic re-enrollment in the low-income home energy assistance program,
• An act relative to automatic re-enrollment in the low-income home energy assistance program, LIHEAP,
• An act relative to automatic re-enrollment in the low-income home energy assistance program, LIHEAP,
• commissions, and for certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest sinking fund and serial bond requirements
• institutions, and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• A roll call is required. Are you ready for the question? The clerk shall call the roll.
• A roll call is required. Are you ready for the question?
• The proposed adoption of enrolled bill amendment number 2920 on House Bill 778 is before us.
• </c><00:34:12.800><c> bill</c><00:34:13.119><c> reports</c><00:34:13.919><c> and</c> processing enrolled
• bill reports and processing enrolled bill reports and amendments.<00:34:14.960><c> And</c><00:34:15.200

Transcript Highlights:

• Kids being able to take dual enrollment now in ways that we hadn't before.
• Dual enrollment agreement with Indian River State College.
• They're also enrolled in technical colleges.
• They're also enrolled in technical colleges.
• So any youth that has a firearm offense, they would be required to complete this program in this course

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall on the Florida Scholars Academy, a new unified education model for youth in residential commitment programs. He explained that the academy replaced the prior decentralized district-run system with a contracted model through Florida Virtual School, allowing individualized blended learning, real-time progress monitoring, expanded special education services, and a broader course catalog including dual enrollment, CTE, GED testing, and postsecondary pathways through the Florida Youth College partnership with Tallahassee State College. Hall said the department is using data to focus on academic achievement, workforce credentials, and peer-group change as strategies to reduce recidivism, and reported early results including 60 diplomas or GEDs, a 5.5% teacher vacancy rate, and progress-monitoring gains for most students. Hall also reviewed implementation of House Bill 1181 on swift accountability and juvenile justice reforms. He said the law strengthened pre-arrest delinquency citation use, raised the target for eligible citations to 70%, required written justification for releasing youth charged with certain felony firearm offenses, and directed the department to develop a firearm-offending curriculum focused on avoidance and consequences. He described a new statewide graduated sanctions matrix for probation technical violations, intended to provide quicker and more consistent responses without overburdening courts. He said early data showed reductions in weapons/firearm offenses and auto theft, and that the department had conducted circuit-level outreach to law enforcement, courts, and providers to support implementation. Members asked about the number of unauthorized alien children in detention or residential care, teacher vacancies and whether instruction continues when staff are absent, screen-time and supervision concerns with laptops, and whether students are reentering local schools with improved academic performance. Hall said he did not have data on immigration status, that FLVS and classroom staff provide continuity when teachers are absent, that devices are checked in and out and security has been tightened, and that the department is still early in implementation but is hearing positive anecdotal feedback from parents. Vice Chair Smith asked for more detail on the firearm curriculum, and Hall offered to provide it. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after no public testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of that requirement, though, state-directed payments are required to have a certain requirements
• And those are analyzed to make sure that they be time distance requirement ratio requirements.
• Todd required timeframe.
• There is mailing which also is sounds technical but is a it is a federal requirement in the federal requirement
• them to complete their job requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• inherently requires.
• requirements.
• , IRS nonprofit reporting requirements, government and public transparency requirements.
• The IRS requires us to perform an audit, and the EFA law requires us to perform an audit.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Where the student is enrolled. &gt;&gt; Where the student is enrolled.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the highlights of that agreement, it requires local governments and the state to create a separate
• in BeWell New Mexico, that's the state's health insurance exchange, record enrollment year over year
• We also have record enrollment among Native Americans in BeWell New Mexico.
• in Medicaid during the COVID pandemic, or folks who are able to enroll in some marketplace coverage
• for Medicaid, the Senate version requires parents of children aged 15 or older to comply with work requirements

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• that were not otherwise enrolled in a retirement plan.
• To qualify, the new construction must meet certain requirements.
• CPDA formation requires legislative approval.
• a project, to follow specified labor requirements.
• in their medical records, requires patients to provide a copy of their authorization, and requires the

Bills: HB1069 , HB2091 , SB6355 , HB2104 , SB6003 , HB2441 , HB2124 , HB2610 , HB2338

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed House Bill 2317 relates to early learning program licensing requirements.
• Sir, the bill actually requires you to have passed the levy.
• Districts must be financially stable, and public notice and hearing requirements apply.
• It will also require OSPI to show the legislature...” “...as their housed peers.
• In gross, Substitute House Bill 2534 makes changes to school district requirements for enrolling children

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several House education bills. HB 1796 would allow school districts, under existing debt limits and with voter-approved capital levies, to issue non-voted bonds for certain new construction projects. The sponsor and school district witnesses said it would let districts front-fund projects, speed construction, and reduce inflation-related costs; a member of the public opposed it as bypassing voters. HB 2317 would exempt school-day ECEAP and Head Start programs located in public school or community/technical college buildings from child care licensing. The sponsor and providers said the current licensing process is duplicative, delays services, and creates barriers to expanding early learning; no opposition was heard. The committee also heard HB 2594, which would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections in state law, require OSPI planning and reporting, and reinforce district responsibilities for students experiencing homelessness. The sponsor gave personal testimony about experiencing homelessness as a student, and advocates said the bill would improve coordination and accountability at no added cost. For HB 2557, which requires school districts to give parents a copy of special education evaluation reports by the 35th school day and hold the eligibility meeting at least five school days later, the sponsor said it would give families time to review reports; school psychologists and OSPI supported the substitute version, while some advocates asked for shorter timelines and clearer waiver language. After the hearings, the committee moved to executive session and advanced two bills: Substitute HB 2360, allowing schools to maintain and use stock albuterol under specified conditions, and Engrossed Substitute HB 2534, updating requirements for military families’ enrollment, records transfer, and related services. Both bills received due pass recommendations and were sent to Rules, with no recorded opposition in the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They develop a plan of study to finish the remaining teacher ed requirements.
• They are also required to pass the state's exit tests like all other candidates.
• Enrollment in teacher ed programs rose to 13,675 in the 2024-25 school year.
• And are they able to then enroll in the PSRS as a certified teacher? Yes.
• under state requirements.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• That is an automatic exemption as well from the work requirements.
• That is required at that recertification, and counties have been meeting that requirement for quite some
• , exemptions, and if they met the requirements.
• Yeah, I mean, the federal model requires a one-to-one public dollar match.
• There's a private investment requirement. In-kind support.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused on the impacts of federal HR1 on CalFresh and Medi-Cal, along with related state mitigation efforts. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, county representatives, LAO, and Finance discussed automatic exemptions, data-sharing between departments, county workload, and the timing of implementation. CDSS said about two-thirds of adults ages 18 to 64 are already known to be exempt in CalFresh, and that administrative data matches could newly exempt about 200,000 of the roughly 955,000 adults potentially at risk. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would begin in 2027 and the department is working to automate exemptions, including for IHSS recipients and some caregivers, while DDS said its population is expected to be covered by auto-exemptions. County welfare directors emphasized that individualized worker contact is critical, that counties need more staffing and stable funding, and that without it they expect delays, higher error rates, and reduced exemption screening capacity. Members pressed for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and clearer guidance; the administration said it would provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. No votes were taken. The committee then heard a separate discussion on a proposed CFAP expansion or “CFAP Plus” concept to provide state-funded benefits to additional populations affected by HR1, including lawfully present non-citizens and ABODs. CDSS said implementation could not occur before October 1, 2027 because of policy and system-design constraints, and that adding unique eligibility rules would increase complexity and cost. Finance cautioned that any expansion would have General Fund impacts likely in the hundreds of millions to multiple billions. Members asked for cost estimates and technical feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS said it would review the proposal and respond. The hearing also covered CDSS’s CalFresh strategic plan and mandated reporter training updates. CDSS said it is hiring a strategic plan lead to develop a long-term, data-informed CalFresh plan, and that the revised mandated reporter training is on track for launch in fall/winter 2026, ahead of the July 1, 2027 statutory deadline. The training will include updated content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting families. Members praised the work and asked for continued updates. Later panels focused on Promise Neighborhoods, Stop the Hate, and housing programs. Promise Neighborhood advocates and CDSS described the state’s prior $12 million investment, a positive evaluation showing roughly a 4-to-1 return, and a new proposal to support place-based partnerships and community schools through AB 1969. Stop the Hate grantees and CDSS reported that the program has provided direct services, prevention, and statewide coordination to millions of Californians, and urged reauthorization before funding expires; members asked for best-practice language and discussed focusing future funding on solidarity work, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS presented on the CalWORKs Housing Support Program and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, saying proposed General Fund investments of $105 million and $55 million would prevent funding cliffs and allow the programs to continue through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in housing assistance, subsidies, and enrollments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I transmit herewith enrolled ... From the Senate, March 19, 2026, Mr.
• House Bill 87 was sent to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for enrolling.
• And as I said, it's in fact required by certain organizations, but it is patient care.
• Requiring them to blind themselves to reality does not advance merit.
• It requires two-thirds of the body, or 47 votes, to pass. Clerk will lock the machine.

Transcript Highlights:

• The requirements, as you go down the tiers from tier one to tier two to tier three, require additional
• Requirements for the United States.
• It says how we’re going to do this, the permitting requirements, the planning requirements, on and on
• And then finally, enrollment momentum.
• That would require committee action.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, you all changed New Mexico's graduation requirements to include a graduate profile.
• This summer, this section of the actual bill just requires PD to report to the LAC and LFC on the need
• Obviously, we see sort of this upside-down U-shape or mountain shape in terms of enrollment where you
• have smaller enrollment, because you have smaller classes coming in at kindergarten, and bigger enrollment
• And there are requirements, and the state also has some statutory and regulatory language about how to

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We've grown enrollment 20% over the last two years, on track... ...institution produces.
• And three of my daughters have earned dual enrollment credits at Pensacola State.
• And three of my daughters have earned dual enrollment credits at Pensacola State.
• And finally, I saw that enrollment figures were about 685 students at the time.
• And finally, the enrollment numbers are up. We are hoping to break 1,000 students next fall.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• They required me to go get a court order. district was this? Fort Worth ISD, sir.
• They are required to protect have proof that they have not done their job.
• This bill relates to requiring the higher.
• to enroll in the institution's self-funded health benefit plan.
• Get enrolled in services. and then receive referrals they need.

Bills: SB604 , SB843 , SB1636 , SB2395 , SB571 , SB1224 , SB1832 , SB2392 , SB747 , SB2623 , SB2624 , SB2185

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that the B&O exemption does not require the entity performing
• Lastly, Substitute House Bill 2689 creates a minimum provider response rate requirement for a market
• Second, the cancellation of the upcoming enrollment-based payment transition is estimated to generate
• Second, the cancellation of the upcoming enrollment-based payment transition is estimated to generate
• We also support Senator Wilson's amendment to adjust the market rate survey response requirement found

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its last scheduled public hearing of the year on March 9, 2026, taking testimony on House Bill 2487, Substitute House Bill 2689, and Engrossed House Bill 2681. For HB 2487, staff and the Department of Revenue explained that the bill would narrow a B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses after a 2024 Supreme Court decision, make several related changes including annuity and assigned risk plan exemptions, adjust the advanced computing surcharge threshold for certain affiliated groups, and allow a penalties-and-interest waiver with a repayment plan. DOR supported the bill as clarifying the original intent and preventing double taxation, while insurers and health plan groups opposed it, arguing it would create higher costs, retroactive tax liability, and uncertainty; consumer and policy groups testified in support, saying it closes a loophole and restores the intended tax structure. Committee members questioned the retroactivity, the number of affected businesses, and the fiscal estimates, and the chair reminded members that amendment requests were due by noon for the next day’s executive session. For Substitute HB 2689, staff described changes to the Working Connections Child Care program that would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, reduce future rate-setting from the 85th to the 75th percentile, block enhanced rates for certain cross-region providers, cancel the planned move to enrollment-based prospective payments, revise attendance-based reimbursement to a full month for absences of 10 days or fewer and half-month for longer absences, and require a 65% market survey response rate for validity. The fiscal note projected substantial savings, offset by implementation and staffing costs. SEIU 925 and Head Start representatives supported the simpler House approach to attendance billing but raised concerns about the new survey threshold and the risk of increased audits and provider burden; they also noted an amendment under discussion to address the 2026 survey issue. Committee questions focused on how a full month is defined under the attendance rules. For HB 2681, staff said the bill would raise annual issuance and renewal fees for cannabis producer, processor, and retail licenses by $400, generating about $866,000 per year for the dedicated cannabis account with minimal administrative cost. No one signed up to testify, and the chair closed the hearing without a vote on any of the bills. The chair also thanked committee staff for their work and reiterated that amendments for the heard bills were due by noon that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I transmit herewith enrolled House Bills 558, 500, 577, 636, and 539 for the signature of
• Having been enrolled and signed by the Speaker, House Bills 558, 500, 577, 636, and 539 will be signed
• We're cutting back on some of these requirements.
• The residency requirement is already implicit in the statute.
• In 1993, Idaho increased the education requirements to become a CPA, and over time, those higher requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• On this bill regarding residency requirements for incarcerated and justice-impacted students, I will
• You see, the guidance requires documentation that many long-term incarcerated individuals no longer have
• an additional 12 months after their release from prison to establish residency so that they could enroll
• They need to be able to enroll in college immediately. and transition to a successful life of freedom
• They need to be able to enroll in college immediately.

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Transcript Highlights:

• Community colleges also, we have seen enrollment growth in community colleges.
• Community colleges also, we have seen enrollment growth in community colleges.
• Counties will face challenges in administering Medi-Cal and CalFresh as new federal requirements take
• Achieving shared community safety requires more than any single system can deliver alone.
• Getting it right requires thoughtful discussion, transparency, and time.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we don't have any such requirement on our public schools, to my knowledge.
• If security is available or required or needed, then yes, that would be on top of that.
• It says that universities cannot create extra requirements or admissions requirements for students that
• It says that universities cannot create extra requirements or admissions requirements for students that
• This is for concurrent enrollment.

Bills: HB3700 , HB3315 , HB3242 , HB3379 , HB3129 , HB3132 , HB2950

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Summary: The House Postsecondary Education Committee met and considered several higher education bills. HB 3700, by Rep. Chad Caldwell, would require public college grades to be based only on academic criteria, including attendance, and not on students’ opinions, beliefs, or conduct outside the classroom. Supporters said it formalizes an existing expectation and protects free speech; opponents raised concerns about local control and whether it was a response to a specific incident. The bill passed 6-2. The committee also passed HB 3379, a “ban-the-box” style bill by Rep. Ranson that would bar colleges from asking about felony history before admission, with exceptions for sex-related felonies and post-admission follow-up on housing, payment, and degree planning. Members questioned campus safety and whether violent offenses should be excluded, but the bill advanced 6-2. Rep. West’s HB 3129, prohibiting public institutions from charging security fees to student groups based on the content of their expression, passed 7-1 after discussion about whether schools could still assess security costs based on event size or risk. His HB 3132, which would limit the use of DEI-related practices in accreditation and require annual reporting on accreditors, also passed 6-3. Rep. Eves’ HB 3315, directing a feasibility study on three-year bachelor’s degrees, passed unanimously 9-0. Rep. Woolley’s HB 2950, as amended, would prevent extra admissions requirements for students from unaccredited backgrounds, address Oklahoma’s Promise requirements for homeschoolers, and allow OLAP applications up to age 18; it passed 7-2. Finally, Vice Chair Wolfley’s HB 3242, aimed at protecting women’s privacy in restrooms, locker rooms, showers, shelters, and correctional facilities, passed 6-2 after extensive questioning about how it would apply to transgender individuals and safety concerns for both women and trans people.