Transcript Highlights:

• Fortunato, Frame, Gildon, Gaynor, Hansen, Harris, Hasegawa, Holy, Hunt, Kauffman, King, Krishnadasan, Leas
• Leas. Thank you. Aye. Krishna Dawson: Aye. Leas. Lovelet. Lovick: Aye. McHugh and Drew.
• Leas. Lovlett. Lovick. McHugh and Drew. McHugh and Jim. Mazzal: Aye. Nobles. O'Rwall: Aye.
• Leas. Lovelett. Lovick.
• , Leas, Krishnadasan.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB5520 , SB6016 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5988 , SB6097 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968 , SB5489 , SB5762 , SB5832 , SB5847 , SB5963 , SB5969 , SB6027 , SB6032 , SB6049 , SB6066 , SB6079 , SB6082 , SB6113 , SB6114 , SB6160 , SB6162 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6289 , SB6309 , SB6319 , SB6347 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SB5911 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB6346 , SB6262 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB6244 , SB5961

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• However, again, comes through LEAs, which are districts, county offices, and charter schools.
• They receive that through CalPADS monitoring of LEAs.
• These are— we're talking about LEAs that receive. We're talking about LEAs.
• Not individuals, but LEAs who are receiving this.
• Our coalition greatly appreciates staff comments on the item recognizing that the LEA match may need

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Leas, how do you vote? Senator Leas votes aye. Senator McEwen, how do you vote? No.
• King, Krishna Dawson, Leas, Leas, Lovelett, Lovick, McEwen, Drew, McEwen, Jim, Mazzall, Nobles, Horwall
• Leas. Lovelet. Lovick. McEwen Drew. O.
• Leas? Aye. Lovick. McEwen, Drew. Aye. McEwen, Drew.
• Leas. Lovelet. Thank you. Adasen. Leas. Lovelet. Lovick. McHugh and Drew. McHugh and Jim. Mazzal.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Leas. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Remarks, Senator Leas. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Leas. Krishnadasan. Leas. Lovelett. Lovick. McEwen, Drew. McEwen, Jim. Walsall. Nobles. Orwell.
• Leas. No. Thank you. Aye. Leas. No. Lovelet. No. No. Meku and Drew. Aye. Mechu and Jim. Aye.
• , Leas, Lovelet, Leyes, Lovelet, Leas, Lovelet, Lovick, McEw and Drew, Macu and Jim, Wazole, Nobles,

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB6016 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5609 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5975 , SJM8016 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB5909 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB6045 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5762 , SB6032 , SB6066 , SB6082 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6319 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB5046 , SB5387 , SB5637 , SB5647 , SB5839 , SB5888 , SB5962 , SB6018 , SB6037 , SB6047 , SB6078 , SB6130 , SB6147 , SB6151 , SB6197 , SB6220 , SB6256 , SB6311 , SB6343

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunt, Kaufman, King, Krishna Dawson, Leas, Lovelet, Lovick, McEwen, McEwen, Jim, Mazzall, Nobles, Orwell
• Leas. Leis. Lovelett. Lovick. Lovelett. Lovick. McEwen and Drew. McEwen and Jim. Muzzall. Nobles.
• Further remarks, Senator Leas. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator Leas, please confine your remarks to the measure before us. Proceed. Thank you, Mr.
• Leas. Lovelet. Lovick. McEw and Drew. McEw and Jim. Thank you and Jim. Mazzle. Nobles. Orwall.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, including the roll call, approval of the previous day’s journal, referral of committee reports and gubernatorial appointments, and the removal of Senate Joint Memorial 8003 from the consent calendar to the regular calendar. The chamber also received and referred Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1604 to the Committee on Human Services, and later took up several gubernatorial confirmations. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 8682 recognizing the YMCA’s 150th anniversary in Washington. Senators spoke in support, describing the YMCA’s role in child care, swim lessons, youth programs, civic engagement, camps, and community health, and guests from YMCA organizations were recognized on the floor. The Senate then confirmed Jeffrey P. Fairchild to the Whatcom Community College Board of Trustees, Randall V. Scott to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Board of Trustees, and Anna M. Franklin to the Community Colleges of Spokane Board of Trustees, each by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for the family of Representative Tom Dent after his wife suffered a stroke. After caucuses, the Senate returned to floor action on two major bills. Substitute Senate Bill 5185, creating a pilot pathway to physician licensure for international medical graduates, was advanced to final passage and approved 39-1. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5993, lowering the interest rate on medical debt, drew extensive debate about affordability, charity care, and the impact on rural hospitals; amendments were considered, including one to make the bill prospective rather than retroactive, which was adopted, while a rural-hospital differential-rate amendment failed. The bill ultimately passed 29-19. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that simpler than giving the funds to the LEAs for them to run their own programs?
• If we did it that way, each LEA would incur an administrative cost.
• If the LEA upside of ELOP for one year is, are they?
• Are LEAs asking for the funding, using the funding, fully expending the funding?
• on those regional centers. ...units and reliance of local LEAs on those regional centers.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Leas. Thank you, Mr. President. I move adoption of Amendment 0751.
• Senator Leas moves adoption of Amendment 0751. Remarks, Senator Leas. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Hansen, Harris, Harris, Asagawa, Osegawa, Holy, Asagawa, Holy, Hunt, Kauffman, King, Krishna Dasen, Leas
• , Leas, Lovelet, Lovick, McEwn Drew, McEwn Jim, Thank you.
• Leas. Lovelet. Lovick. McHugh and Drew. McHugh and Jim. Mazzall. Aye. Nobles. Aye. Orwall.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB6016 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB6190 , SB5574 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5609 , SB5943 , SJM8016 , SB5907 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB5909 , SB6045 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5762 , SB6032 , SB6082 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6319 , SB6308 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB5046 , SB5387 , SB5637 , SB5647 , SB5839 , SB5888 , SB5962 , SB6018 , SB6037 , SB6047 , SB6078 , SB6130 , SB6147 , SB6256 , HB2155 , HB2304 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon to Chair Leas, Senator King, and committee members.
• Thank you, Chair Leas. Members of the committee, again, for the record, Brandon Popovac, staff.
• Once again, Chair Leas, thank you for hearing this bill.
• Good afternoon, Senator Leas and committee members. I'm Kelly Simpson, committee staff.
• Thank you, Chair Leas.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on several bills. Substitute Senate Bill 5690 would require WSDOT to give utility owners advance notice of fish barrier removal and other projects, seek federal funding for those projects when available, and report back to the Legislature; supporters said it would help small utilities plan for costly relocations, while WSDOT said the bill would not achieve its intended effect and that federal reimbursement for these costs is limited. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5746, which would create or continue an advisory process on EV charger infrastructure property crime; the sponsor and supporters said it would help address vandalism and theft affecting charging access, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor. Senate Bill 5750 would authorize state facilities to charge fees for privately owned EVs using state charging stations and deposit the revenue into the motor vehicle fund; the sponsor said this would make charging costs fairer and recover expenses, with broad support and some questions about whether the policy could be implemented administratively without legislation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6148, which would increase the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years, affecting Sound Transit. Sound Transit and transit advocates argued the longer term would better match debt to long-lived assets, help accelerate construction, and reduce near-term financial pressure without raising taxes, while opponents warned it would increase long-term costs and shift repayment burdens to future generations. Committee members asked about interest costs, asset values, and examples of eligible long-lived projects such as tunnels and bridges. No votes were taken during the hearing, and each bill closed with testimony counts recorded on the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, Representative Bennett, Albert Lea, you're up first. I will move House File 4279.
• while less than half of the users would be residents of Albert Lea.
• while less than half of the users would be residents of Albert Lea.
• </c> residents and businesses of Albert Lea residents and businesses of Albert Lea while<00:05:24.760
• </c> be residents of Albert Lea. be residents of Albert Lea.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• However, again, comes through LEAs, which are districts, county offices, and charter schools.
• They receive that through CalPADS monitoring of LEAs.
• These are—we're talking about LEAs, right, that receive... We're talking about LEAs.
• Not individuals, but LEAs who are receiving this.
• Our coalition greatly appreciates staff comments on the item recognizing that the LEA match may need

Summary: The committee heard an informational discussion on California’s educator pipeline and shortages, with testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Learning Policy Institute, CSU educator preparation leaders, and CTA. Witnesses said state investments of more than $2.1 billion have helped rebuild teacher supply, with credential issuance and preparation enrollment rebounding after COVID, but demand remains high because of turnover, early-career attrition, and persistent vacancies. Panelists emphasized that shortages are especially acute in special education, bilingual education, STEM, and in high-need schools and regions, and that underprepared teachers, substitutes, and emergency permits remain heavily used. Several speakers stressed that retention, working conditions, compensation, and stable funding are as important as recruitment. Members focused on whether current data systems are sufficient to measure need and track where teachers end up working. The Commission said it can monitor assignments for credential alignment, but does not have full employment data to determine whether grant recipients or credentialed teachers are actually deployed in the shortage areas for which they were trained. The chair asked for better regional and subject-area data, and the committee discussed the risk that layoffs and budget instability could undermine teacher pipeline investments. CSU representatives urged stronger support for student-teacher stipends, better coordination with districts, more capacity for special education preparation, and more stable CSU funding to expand educator preparation. CTA testified that school climate, class size, health benefits, and administrative support are essential to retaining teachers. The committee then moved to budget proposals. For the Golden State Teacher Grant Program, Finance proposed a $14.4 million reappropriation for 2026-27, and the Student Aid Commission supported continued funding, saying the program has influenced candidates’ decisions to enter teaching and work in priority schools. For educator residencies, Finance proposed $250 million one-time Proposition 98 funding through 2029-30; the LAO said it could be adopted if aligned with legislative priorities, and CTC said the program has strong uptake and supports retention. For the computer science supplementary authorization grant, Finance proposed increasing awards from $2,500 to $6,000 and reducing the match requirement, but the LAO recommended rejecting the change because only about one-fifth of the original funding has been used. The committee also discussed registered apprenticeship pathways, rural access, and whether federal Title II, Title III, or IDEA funds could support bilingual and special education teacher preparation. Several items were held open for further information and follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of these recommendations was that the New Hampshire Department of Education require the LEAs and
• the leas and the public<00:57:50.200><c> charter</c><00:57:50.559><c> schools</c><00:57:50.960><c> to
• are able to come to agreements in leas are able to come to agreements in completing<00:58:16.839><c>
• They only implement that implementation for the LEAs, which I know has been a frustration around.
• of the LEA follow-up.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• King, Krishna Dawson, Leas, Lovelet, Lovick, McEwen Drew, McEw and Jim, Mazzal, Nobles, Orwell, Votes
• Gaynor, Hansen, Harris, Hasegawa, Hasegawa, Holy, Hunt, Holy, Hunt, Kauffman, King, Krishna Dasen, Leas
• Kauffman, King, Krishna Dawson, Krishna Dawson, Leas, Lovelett, Lovick, McHugh and Drew, McEwen, Jim,
• Kauffman, King, Krishnadasan, Leas, Lovelett, Lovick, McEwen, Drew, McEwen, Jim, Muzzall, Nobles, Orwall
• Goehner, Hansen, Harris, Hasegawa, Holy, Hunt, Kauffman, King, Kristine Dasen, King, Kristine Dasen, Leas

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1143 requires each public school and local education agency, or LEA
• Each public school or LEA must include a statement in the school report card that indicates whether the
• school or LEA complies with the requirement.
• , Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1143 requires each public school and local education agency, or LEA
• school or LEA complies with the requirement.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first approved the January 21, 2026 minutes without objection and then held an executive nomination hearing for James McCain to the Arizona Board of Regents. McCain described his military background, education at Arizona State University, and interest in serving rural, tribal, and veteran communities. Senators from both parties praised his service and bipartisan support, and the committee voted 7-0 to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then considered SB 1026, which limits how often alternative education programs and schools in good standing must recertify and allows ADE or the State Board of Education to require certain student-population and compliance showings. After adopting a committee amendment, the bill received a 4-3 do-pass recommendation, with some members objecting that the bill reduced accountability and did not clearly define good standing. SB 1126, which requires schools to provide information to DCS caseworkers during abuse or neglect investigations and bars schools from preventing employees from speaking with DCS, passed 7-0. SB 1143, requiring schools and LEAs to submit CRDC information and directing ADE to publish an annual school safety report, also passed 4-3 after testimony that the bill was redundant and burdensome. Finally, the committee heard SB 1166, which expands high school equivalency preparation instruction through accommodation schools from only 12th grade to grades 10 through 12 for students at least 16 years old. The sponsor said the bill simply broadens access to the program, while some members questioned whether it could encourage students to pursue a GED earlier than intended. The bill received a 5-2 do-pass recommendation, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have the LEAs all been consulted about this? Where is it? What's the fiscal note going to be?
• What's your definition of the LEA? The schools? Maybe that's, maybe I'm the wrong LEA.
• I just want to make sure that's the LEA we're talking about.
• So both LEA, so law enforcement agencies, and this has caused... LEA we're talking about.
• So both LEA, so law enforcement agencies, and this has caused all sorts of confusion, the LEA thing,

Committee: Joint Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So, and I guess the question— they're reported by the LEA.
• Because right now the LEA for those areas pays 100%.
• So districts on their LEA determination.
• </c><04:36:39.520><c> determination</c> each year we make an LEA determination each year we make an LEA
• </c> That we just added to their LEA determinations. >> Okay.

Summary: The commission meeting focused on reviewing and correcting draft minutes and then working through a draft report on the cost of special education. Members made mostly clerical corrections, including clarifying references to Spalding, fixing acronyms such as LETRS, and cleaning up membership titles and appointee roles to match SB 57. The minutes were approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair also noted the commission’s deadline to complete findings and recommendations by July 1 and said the final report must be delivered to legislative leaders, the governor, the state librarian, and others. The main substantive discussion centered on the report’s findings about special education funding. Members agreed the report should emphasize that the commission was created to study the cost of special education and reduce reliance on local property taxes. One draft section described FY24 special education funding as coming from three primary state and federal sources totaling about $152 million, or roughly 15% of annual costs, with the remaining 85% paid by local school districts through property tax revenue, estimated at about $825 million. Members discussed adding historical or longitudinal data to show trends over time, and some suggested attaching charts or tables showing funding over the last 20 to 30 years. A second major topic was demographic data. The draft noted that statewide K-12 enrollment has declined since 2003 while the number and share of students with IEPs has increased. Members questioned whether the data compared like with like, especially given the growth of Education Freedom Accounts and charter school enrollment, and whether the figures included or excluded those students. Several members asked for clearer sourcing from the Department of Education and suggested keeping a list of unresolved questions, including the impact of the shift from ADMA to ADMR and the effect of the EFA program. The discussion ended with agreement to continue refining the report and to gather additional attachments and clarifications before finalizing recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that simpler than giving the funds to the LEAs for them to run their own programs?
• If we did it that way, each LEA would incur an administrative cost.
• Okay, so this would not be funding to the LEAs, so the student wouldn't have to go on the Kern County
• Our LEA is asking for the funding, using the funding, fully expending the funding.
• It's just a line here in TBL requires LEAs to provide information on CalCids accounts to families.

Transcript Highlights:

• The needs assessment in particular does require LEAs to do that targeted assessment looking at their
• Tier 1 requires that LEAs offer and provide access to all students. All means all.
• helping network them to other LEAs, but it's still a work in progress.
• We did see a list from the department of LEAs who haven't operated the program in previous years.
• We're in the process of contacting all the LEAs that showed zero expenditures for 21-22 and 22-23.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding flows through a weighted formula, targeting LEAs with the greatest need, and the bill requires
• I'm not sure where the 'all' came from because McKinney-Vento is a competitive grant that LEAs apply
• There was also a $9 million allocation with $450,000 per LEA that is currently available.
• So the idea is to try to help LEAs identify that particular subpopulation.
• So the idea is to try to help LEAs identify that particular subpopulation.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several education-related bills, beginning with AB 65 on paid pregnancy leave for public school employees. The bill drew strong support from teachers, school employees, unions, and education groups, who argued it would provide up to 14 weeks of paid leave, reduce financial penalties tied to sick leave use, and help recruit and retain educators. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about funding, district eligibility, and implementation, but the bill was advanced on a do-pass recommendation to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, with one member not voting and the bill placed on call for absent members. Members then heard AB 673 on an unaccompanied youth support grant program for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, AB 1552 on reporting recommendations to strengthen civic engagement in higher education, AB 1572 on annual CIF review and qualification standards for sports officials, and AB 1586 on opioid overdose response training and naloxone access for school resource officers. AB 673 and AB 1552 received support from education, youth, and advocacy organizations; AB 673 also drew questions about overlap with existing homeless and foster-care-related programs, while supporters said the bill targets a vulnerable subpopulation that is often missed. AB 1552 and AB 1572 were broadly supported and advanced, and AB 1586 was backed by treatment providers, school nurses, and education groups as a practical student-safety measure; all were moved forward with do-pass recommendations and placed on call. The committee also considered AB 1721, which would create a work group to review and streamline school safety plans, and AB 2060, which would establish a mentor teacher grant program and stipend to strengthen the teacher pipeline. Both bills were supported by administrators, educators, and school-related organizations, and both advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 2440, aimed at clarifying Proposition 28 arts and music education funding rules and allowing small districts to pool resources, also received broad support and moved to Appropriations. AB 1784, which would extend pregnancy-related protections to undergraduate students and prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions, passed to the Senate Judiciary Committee after support from higher education and women’s advocacy groups. Finally, AB 2660, which would codify the CalBridge STEM pathway program and related efforts to diversify the STEM workforce, was supported by higher education and workforce advocates and advanced to Appropriations after questions about the related EnLACE program and its funding sources.

Transcript Highlights:

• In light of these concerns, ACSA requests an exemption for LEAs if they cannot project that they are
• AB 917 will force small LEAs to not only pink slip every teacher every year. How's that for morale?
• There is precedent through the Education Code to treat small LEAs differently.
• Maybe AB 917 will force small LEAs to limit options and services for students and families and break
• Feasibility: Can it be done even for small or rural LEAs?

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Administrative and billing structures, particularly as we integrate the LEA billing option program, the
• It’s been described by several folks in our LEAs that it’s been difficult navigating the billing and
• that is the primary biller... ...where you have a lead LEA that is the primary biller, and they are
• Imperial County Office of Education is the lead LEA in a consortium where all of their member LEAs are
• Yeah, I think the statistics show that, like, 50 percent—500 of our LEAs are rural.