Transcript Highlights:

• Overall, some reductions that we've seen from a federal government perspective into reemployment, but
• I mentioned earlier that, in terms of our ReConnect system, we have taken a reduction in federal funding
• We did take a reduction in And federal funding for that.
• That's the fact that we received a reduction in our federal funding, and in part to also essentially
• It was the middle of the summer when we started to see that we were going to get reductions in funding

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to this, the president has also called for a reduction in the number of federal programs.
• equity, and inclusion, or funded by the infrastructure investment and jobs act and the inflation reduction
• While no reductions to federal funding have been implemented to date future funding levels for specific
• Cancellation of federal state contracts or a significant reduction in federal personnel and or funding
• That's up to 15 million Californians and are you aware of any federal reductions that could affect our

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Local governments also contribute primarily around defensible space and fuel reduction activities.
• It is recognizing that there is a need for fuels reduction, mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, and
• Now, efficacy in fuels reduction.
• Now, efficacy in fuels reduction.
• It is fundamental to wildfire risk reduction. This is not a hopeful sentiment.

Summary: The hearing focused on California wildfire resilience, with the first panel discussing statewide funding, policy, and strategic priorities, and the second panel shifting to home hardening and defensible space. The LAO outlined the state’s wildfire risk, the large increase in resilience spending in recent years, and the fact that most funding has been one-time rather than ongoing. Testimony emphasized that wildfire risk varies greatly by region, that the state must balance response spending with prevention, and that success should be measured more carefully than by acres treated alone. Witnesses also noted the importance of local, federal, utility, and Proposition 4 funding sources, as well as the need for long-term maintenance and strategic prioritization rather than scattered projects. Cal Fire leadership and other witnesses stressed that California’s wildfire problem is not uniform: forested areas, chaparral, and wildland-urban interface communities require different strategies. In Northern California and forested watersheds, speakers emphasized fuels reduction, prescribed and cultural burning, strategic fuel breaks, watershed protection, and maintaining forest health. In Southern California, testimony focused on wind-driven fires, ember intrusion, ignition prevention along roads and power lines, and the limits of large-scale vegetation clearing. Several witnesses argued that the state should invest where it can leverage local and regional partnerships, support capacity-building programs like Regional Forest and Fire Capacity, and improve data systems to track treatment effectiveness and project outcomes. Members repeatedly pressed witnesses on how to prioritize limited funds, asking what should be done more of, less of, and first. The chair argued that protecting homes and communities through hardening and defensible space should be a major priority, especially near structures, while also acknowledging the need for broader landscape work and watershed protection. There was discussion of incentives such as insurance discounts, property tax treatment, and community certification for hardened homes, along with the need for multiple payers rather than relying on the state alone. Cal Fire reported new and expanding data tools, including treatment trackers, defensible space inspection dashboards, and a fuels treatment effectiveness program that evaluates whether nearby treatments affected wildfire behavior. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is bill is the tab fee reduction.
• </c><00:24:59.200><c> We</c> we could make a permanent reduction.
• We we could make a permanent reduction.
• This one on natural organic reduction. Rep.
• </c> This one on natural organic reduction. This one on natural organic reduction.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When you talk about reduction in the use of seclusion, the same data shows an increase in the use of
• Another way to look at a timeline would be something like a 50% reduction annually until we get to X
• It was, we will see a 20% reduction in injurious behaviors.
• </c><01:20:40.320><c> in</c> was we will see a 20% reduction in was we will see a 20% reduction in injurious
• Targets for reduction in use, and then a threshold eventually that feels very limited. >> Miss Heiser

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh with Havi health and harm reduction uh with Havi health and harm reduction uh<01:15:08.520><c
• Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction. Nicholas Le in support. Linda Beor in support.
• Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction. Nicholas Le in support. Linda Beor in support.
• Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction. Nicholas Le in support. Linda Beor in support.
• reduction reduction support<01:36:34.639><c> Nichol</c><01:36:35.199><c> Nicholas</c> support Nichol

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered several bills focused on environmental protection and wastewater management. HB 26 HD 2, relating to environmental protection, drew support from the Department of Health, Reworld, and Energy Justice Network. Supporters said it would preserve existing standards for waste-to-energy facilities, including H-Power, even if federal EPA rules are weakened, while Energy Justice Network urged the state to go further and require stronger pollution controls on older burners at the plant. HB 734 and HB 735, both relating to wastewater systems, received broad support from state agencies, county representatives, realtors, environmental groups, and others. Testimony emphasized reducing the cost of cesspool upgrades, updating rules, and improving coordination between the Department of Health, counties, and the University of Hawaiʻi. Members raised concerns about whether some areas, such as Ewa, should be treated differently if they are not near aquifers or the ocean, but the department said the existing prioritization process already considered statewide conditions and that cesspools generally still affect water resources. On HB 735, the committee discussed the current bedroom-based limits for individual wastewater systems and whether the bill would allow more flexibility for housing configurations, with the department explaining the limits are tied to density and system capacity. HB 879, relating to cesspool conversions, was also supported by the Department of Health, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and several advocacy groups. Testimony said the bill would help low- and moderate-income homeowners in priority areas by increasing grant assistance for cesspool upgrades, but the Department of Health noted it would need three full-time positions to administer the program. Members asked for clarification on the grant amount and staffing costs, and the department indicated the grant cap should remain at $20,000 unless changed. HB 918, relating to labeling of non-flushable wipes, drew support from wastewater and industry groups, including the Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, which said similar laws have passed in other states and that the bill reflects cooperation between manufacturers and wastewater officials. The Department of Health and county officials supported the concept but said enforcement and outreach would require additional staff, and senators questioned whether the state could effectively enforce the labeling requirement without a national standard.

Transcript Highlights:

• First and foremost, we would see a significant reduction in instances of fraud.
• </c><00:05:39.520><c> And</c> reduction in in instances of fraud.
• And reduction in in instances of fraud.
• He said this would provide a reduction in harm for anybody who is a victim of identity theft.
• And we planted a reductions from Kernza.

Bills: HF4698, HF4608

Keywords: higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses

Transcript Highlights:

• And you'll see that it's a significant reduction at the lower deciles, has very little impact at the
• refund as a reduction in um property<00:48:00.560><c> taxes.
• </c> there would be a commensurate reduction there would be a commensurate reduction in<01:37:00.960>
• </c><01:37:17.440><c> on</c> at uh 6.75, a 10% interest reduction on at uh 6.75, a 10% interest reduction
• 3/4 of a percent reduction in the interest<01:37:23.280><c> rate.

Bills: HF331, HF916

Keywords: school supplies, sales tax exemption, use tax, sales and use tax, back-to-school, classroom supplies, education tax relief, tax holiday, retail exemption, Minnesota sales tax, school materials, binders, calculators, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, book bags, local tax revenue, taxable sales base, income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that plan, that emissions reduction that plan, that emissions reduction plan.<00:21:22.880><c> Um
• in GHG emissions fuels um and reductions in GHG emissions um<00:31:22.320><c> throughout.
• </c><00:32:50.480><c> Um,</c><00:32:50.880><c> and</c><00:32:51.120><c> as</c> GHD and VMT reduction.
• </c><00:57:18.400><c> in</c><00:57:18.640><c> the</c> emissions reductions in the emissions reductions
• ><01:13:32.159><c> also</c> course, emissions reduction, but also course, emissions reduction, but also

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees received an informational briefing from Hawaii DOT and related partners on the Navahine settlement and the department’s plan to meet its climate and transportation commitments. Speakers described the settlement as a first-of-its-kind agreement rooted in the state constitution, the public trust doctrine, and prior legislative findings and laws, including Act 131. They said the settlement is intended to formalize DOT’s work, establish milestones, and keep climate and transportation policy less dependent on changes in administration. The presentation emphasized that transportation is Hawaii’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and that the plan is aimed at meeting 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals. DOT outlined several major implementation pieces: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. The youth council reported on its membership, statewide representation, meetings, and work on charter, bylaws, and committees focused on policy and legislation, events and advocacy, and ground transportation. Youth members said they provided feedback on the energy security plan and discussed walk audits and safe routes to school. The department also described a new project-scoring tool to measure greenhouse gas impacts of every DOT project, which it said is intended to make Hawaii a national leader in evaluating transportation emissions. A major topic was the settlement’s transportation network requirement, which speakers said compresses roughly 15 years of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit network work into five years and will require about $40 million to $50 million per year over the next five years. They said a GIS map is being developed to identify gaps and that the work will involve counties and other partners, with benefits for safety, connectivity, and emissions reduction. Other topics included clean fuel standards, electrification of ground transportation, sustainable aviation fuel, marine fuel transitions, cold ironing at ports, and the costs and availability challenges associated with those transitions. DOT also reported progress on EV charging infrastructure, including two completed sites and more planned, and said it is using a sustainability partner contract to maintain chargers and recover only electricity costs. The briefing also highlighted carbon sequestration and fire mitigation work, including native tree planting. DOT said it has exceeded its minimum annual tree-planting commitment, with 3,000 trees planted in 2024 and 4,200 by mid-2025, and noted that the Legislature provided $15 million for fire mitigation that is being used for this work. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reduction Center.
• </c> authority already has a reduction authority already has a reduction minimum<02:10:39.119><c> process
• </c><02:10:42.400><c> minimum</c> inmate can serve for a reduction minimum inmate can serve for a reduction
• </c><02:23:07.280><c> of</c> Gross board also considers reduction of Gross board also considers reduction
• Um, but can it reduction of sentence.

Bills: HB1531

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• a pretty broad and drastic expansion of what we already saw last year, you know, especially the reduction
• Okay, I hear you on the percentage, but won't that kind of a drastic reduction from 30% all the way down
• the application of this, as I mentioned, the 30% interest down to 5% interest is a pretty drastic reduction
• the application of this, as I mentioned, the 30% interest down to 5% interest is a pretty drastic reduction

Summary: The Federalism Committee approved the minutes from February 9, 2026, and then heard only one bill on the agenda, SB 1683, an emergency measure. The bill would broaden Arizona’s restrictions on foreign adversary involvement in real property by extending the ban to leasing and other current or future interests, lowering the “substantial interest” threshold from 20% to 5%, prohibiting foreign adversaries from installing or accessing equipment or data on Arizona property, and making violations a Class 5 felony. It also targets attempts to evade the law through intermediaries, shell companies, partnerships, or trusts, and requires certain utilities, telecom providers, critical infrastructure owners, and government agencies to notify state authorities if they suspect prohibited arrangements. Retired Lt. Col. James Rusty Mitchell testified in support, saying the bill would strengthen protections around military training areas, especially near Luke Air Force Base, and help Arizona stay ahead of foreign adversary efforts to acquire land near sensitive installations. Committee members questioned the breadth of the bill, the reduction in the ownership threshold, and how terms such as “acting in support of a foreign terrorist organization” would be defined. Travis Schulte of the Department of Emergency Affairs said the bill relies on federal statutory definitions and referenced federal investigative resources. The vice chair moved SB 1683 for a do pass recommendation. After discussion, the committee voted 5-2 to advance the bill. Senators supporting the measure emphasized national security concerns, while the dissenting senator said the bill was too broad, could sweep in unrelated transactions, and raised concerns about vague definitions and potential impacts on protest activity and First Amendment rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• a pretty broad and drastic expansion of what we already saw last year, you know, especially the reduction
• Okay, I hear you on the percentage, but won't that kind of a drastic reduction from 30% all the way down
• Okay, I hear you on the percentage, but won't that kind of a drastic reduction from 30% all the way down
• the application of this, as I mentioned, the 30% interest down to 5% interest is a pretty drastic reduction

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we do a broad-based GRT reduction, which then gets offset by local governments?
• Do you do targeted economic development-related GRT and other corporate income tax reductions.
• They then go in Utah to spending reductions.
• And I want to, I really want to talk about revenue growth from tax reductions.
• They said 58% increase in reading and 78% reduction in absenteeism. That's huge.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second point I wanted to bring up is that there are also assumed significant reductions in scope
• The second point I wanted to bring up is that there are also assumed significant reductions in scope
• So we have greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues. They're anticipated to come in through 2045.
• So not only is California getting less train under these scope reductions...
• “But that’s assuming that they’re just doing that for reasons of scope reductions only.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan and next steps for the project. Chair Cortese opened by noting major changes since the 2024 plan, including new leadership, a bottoms-up review, scope changes in the Central Valley, loss of federal funds, and renewed interest in private investment and value capture. The Authority’s CEO, Ian Chaudhary, presented the project as moving into a construction and track-laying phase, citing progress on Central Valley structures, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations, and a new procurement for track and systems. He said the plan reflects a more disciplined, optimized approach, with the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment targeted for revenue service around 2033 and the broader Phase 1 corridor envisioned as commercially viable through ancillary revenues, public-private partnerships, and future private financing. Committee members questioned the Authority about station relocations, single-tracking, tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, transparency, and the feasibility of private financing. Chaudhary said the Merced and Bakersfield station locations were still under discussion with local governments and that no contracts had been finalized. He defended the reduced scope and single-track approach as a just-in-time strategy to avoid overbuilding, while maintaining high-speed standards. He also said the Authority was exploring land value capture, broadband, energy, and other corridor-based revenue sources, but acknowledged that some tools would require legislative action and that private financing options were still being evaluated. Several senators expressed support for the project but raised concerns about permitting delays, local opposition, constitutional and statutory limits, and the need for stronger accountability. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General then gave critical assessments of the draft plan. LAO staff said the plan assumes major statutory changes, understates risk, lacks transparency about scope changes, and may not fully fund even the smaller Merced-to-Bakersfield segment once borrowing costs and other uncertainties are considered. Inspector General Ben Belknap said the draft plan does not comply with newer statutory requirements in SB 198 and AB 377, citing three main deficiencies: unauthorized scope changes to the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment, an inadequate funding plan that omits financing costs, and missing procurement milestone dates. He said the Authority’s presentation obscures the true cost and schedule impacts of the project changes, and that incomplete reporting limits legislative oversight. The Authority responded that it would address the OIG’s findings in the final business plan, and committee members indicated they expected a written response on compliance issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second point I wanted to bring up is that there are also assumed significant reductions in scope
• So we have greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues. They’re anticipated to come in through 2045.
• So we have greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues. They’re anticipated to come in through 2045.
• According to the authority's draft business plan, these project scope reductions, often lumped under
• But that's assuming that they're just doing that for reasons of scope reductions only.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan, with testimony from the authority, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General. Chair Cortese framed the hearing around the project’s recent changes: a new CEO, revised delivery strategy, proposed station and scope changes in the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment, the loss of major federal funds, and the authority’s push for private investment and ancillary revenue. He also raised concerns about financing risks, the proposed changes to the initial operating segment, and the Inspector General’s finding that the draft plan may be missing required statutory elements. Authority CEO Ian Chaudhry said the project is now in a more disciplined phase, citing major construction progress in the Central Valley, near-completion of right-of-way and utility work, and plans to begin track and systems procurement. He said the authority expects the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment to be completed around 2032-33, with broader Phase 1 service later, and argued that design optimization, direct procurement, and public-private partnerships could reduce costs and attract private capital. He also described plans for ancillary revenue from real estate, broadband, energy, and logistics, and said the authority is discussing station locations and value-capture tools with local governments rather than locking them in yet. Several senators questioned the legality and practicality of tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, transparency, and whether the project’s revised scope still meets high-speed rail standards and public expectations. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the draft plan assumes major statutory changes, including changes to station locations and scope, and warned that the plan’s cost and schedule estimates depend on assumptions that may not materialize. LAO said the plan lacks transparency because it does not clearly disclose the assumed station changes, and it questioned whether even the shorter segment can be delivered within existing funding once borrowing costs and other risks are included. The office also noted uncertainty around future greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues and said ancillary revenues are not yet credit-worthy for financing. The Inspector General’s office said the draft business plan does not appear to meet several statutory requirements, including requirements added in AB 377, and reiterated that the final plan must address those omissions. Chaudhry said the authority would respond to the OIG’s findings in the final business plan and committed to resolving the compliance issues before final adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to help address healthy forests as well as other fuel reduction projects.
• While there has been significant investment by the state, we have not seen a proportional reduction in
• While there has been significant investment by the state, we have not seen a proportional reduction in
• And it's important to think about how we're going to sustain that directionality if we have a reduction
• So now we're grappling with a reduction in the refinery capacity that we have, increased cost for every

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget and presentations from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Chair Laird described the proposal as roughly balanced with $23 billion in reserves, while Vice Chair Niello argued the revenue estimates were overly optimistic and warned of a structural deficit, calling for a deeper review of programs and concern over the state’s $20 billion unemployment insurance debt. Finance said the budget is balanced in the budget year but still leaves a roughly $2.9 billion deficit, with out-year gaps above $20 billion, and characterized the plan as largely a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. The LAO said its office sees substantial downside risk to the revenue forecast, emphasized the volatility of stock-market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to begin addressing the structural deficit now rather than waiting until May. Members focused on the implications of federal policy changes, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and the MCO tax, as well as the state’s reserve strategy. Senators Menjivar and Richardson raised concerns about health coverage reductions, county costs, hospital finances, and the lack of a broader revenue solution, while Finance said the state cannot fully backfill federal cuts and is still assessing the impacts. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal to suspend the rainy day fund deposit and setting aside the proposed Proposition 98 settle-up rather than using it for spending. Finance defended both proposals as necessary to balance the budget year and said it plans to begin discussions with legislative leaders before the May Revision. The committee also discussed climate and transportation funding, including cap-and-trade/GGRF allocations for Cal Fire, interest earnings from the fund, zero-emission vehicle incentives, and AB 617 air quality investments. Senator Reyes questioned the focus on light-duty ZEV incentives instead of heavy-duty vehicles, and Finance said the proposal is intended to partially replace the federal consumer tax credit and that some heavy-duty funding remains from prior years. Senator Richardson also raised concerns about Olympics-related infrastructure, courthouse repairs, and displaced workers, while other members stressed homelessness funding and the need for more immediate action on out-year budget problems. No formal votes or actions were taken during the portion provided; the hearing was informational and moved into member questions after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• that federal funding on income support will be due to the reconciliation bill, and much of these reductions
• If you look at Chart 5, you can see what those estimated reductions will look like.
• And so there's just been pretty substantial reductions.
• We were anticipating changes or reductions this year that did not materialize.
• reductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said it was a previous appropriation in a prior bill, but the reduction in this bill is $3 million
• He said it was a previous appropriation in a prior bill, but the reduction in this bill is $3 million
• He said it was a previous appropriation in a prior bill, but the reduction in this bill is $3 million
• He said it was a previous appropriation in a prior bill, but the reduction in this bill is $3 million
• Moving down further, he said there is a reduction for the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation of

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just one more tool in the toolbox to make sure that California is meeting its long-term reduction
• , landfill methane reduction, and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
• AB 623, Dixon, fuel reduction reports, holding committee.
• AB 623, Dixon, fuel reduction reports, holding committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The increased driving time is a reduction in service delivery time.
• The increased driving time is a reduction in service delivery time.
• As such, any reduction in federal funding for those programs risks increases in poverty.
• in staff and reductions in call availability of call centers.
• in staff and reductions in call availability of call centers.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.