Transcript Highlights:

• And because of the support of our legislature, we're also envied by many states with the support that
• Most of these dollars are providing staff and support, as well as travel and other support to programs
• We’re always looking at finding better employment and students continuing in employment.
• Committee here for support.
• . with all of our programs to look at employment opportunities in their area and employers where they

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information. Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Barney Bishop waves in support. Will Smith, Florida PBA, waves in support.
• Chair: Berry waving in support, Steve Heatherly waving in support, Dan Davis waving in support, Pastor
• Chair: Waving in support. Wendy Buston waving in support. That's good together.
• your favorable support.
• waving in support, Victoria Zepp, Family Support Services waving in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:03.520><c> of</c> Um I'm testifying today in support of Um I'm testifying today in support
• . support. support.
• </c> purposes of employment tax obligations. purposes of employment tax obligations.
• </c> employment law. employment law.
• </c> support HF 1183. Thank you. support HF 1183. Thank you.

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:13.280><c> the</c> employers might choose supplement the employers might choose supplement
• ,</c> wages instead of the employer, wages instead of the employer, the<00:43:26.920><c> servers</c><
• </c> will support. will support. Okay,<01:30:59.840><c> thank</c><01:31:00.080><c> you.
• I support the amendment. It amended. I support the amendment.
• Thank you for all of your support.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> workforce crisis faced by our employers workforce crisis faced by our employers throughout<00:02
• stable employment.
• stable employment.
• </c> and I urge you to support this bill. and I urge you to support this bill.
• </c> capacity to support increasing needs. capacity to support increasing needs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is he supporting the bill or not supporting the bill?
• Is he supporting the bill or not supporting the bill?
• employers.
• If I'm a public employer, employer.
• The position that provides<04:24:59.600><c> support.</c> provides support. provides support.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and support we have testimony in support and support we have testimony in support from<00:46:59.559
• Testimony from Michael Older in support. Individual testimony in support.
• Testimony from Michael Older in support. Individual testimony in support.
• Andrew Crossland in support. Testimony from the Office of Public Defender in support.
• Testimony and support from Ms.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure. House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt. The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• KAREN WOODALL WAIVING IN SUPPORT. TIFFANY ATKINS WAIVING IN SUPPORT.
• SB 918 FOCUSES ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS.
• WHILE WE ARE WAITING MOMS FOR LIBERTY WAIVES IN SUPPORT. THOMAS KENNEDY WAIVES IN SUPPORT. AGAINST.
• EMPLOYERS WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CHILDREN.
• FIRST WE HAVE AARON WAIVING IN SUPPORT. NEXT WE HAVE RYAN CANADY. ALSO WAIVING IN SUPPORT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sections to Vermont's Fair Employment sections to Vermont's Fair Employment Practices<00:22:09.520
• </c> non-compete agreements between employers non-compete agreements between employers and<00:22:52.400
• from employment.
• </c> Employment Practices Act and employers Employment Practices Act and employers must<00:25:42.320>
• </c> your support. your support.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm asking for your support. Thank you.
• Christine Smith, Halbach's California, in support. Thank you. strong support. Thank you.
• Association, in support.
• That also puts responsible employers, and we know there are many—many responsible employers in the state
• That support is bipartisan, as I mentioned.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm asking for your support. Thank you.
• Association in support.
• That also puts responsible employers, and we know there are many—we have many responsible employers in
• . ...Local 3930 in strong support.
• Happy to support. See the results of. Thank you. Happy to support. Well, thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, using federal and some state funding, they work with employers at no cost to the employer to
• explore and implement employer-funded child care benefit programs.
• So, for example, if employers are interested in contributing to the cost of child care, the employer
• And then they also help employers explore and implement employer-funded child care benefit programs.
• So for example, if employers are interested in contributing to the cost of child care, the employer would

Summary: The California State Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its first hearing to examine the state of child care access, affordability, and provider compensation. Chair Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and other members described child care as essential infrastructure for working families and the economy, noting that costs are unaffordable for many households and that providers are underpaid. Early testimony came from a San Francisco parent, Quinn Chung, who described the difficulty of finding safe care and the financial and career sacrifices caused by lack of child care, and from Tuolumne County provider Anita Viscini, who detailed her monthly costs, low margins, and the need to work weekends and teach CPR classes to make ends meet. Assemblymembers also emphasized the crisis in rural communities and the need for a long-term strategy. The first policy panel featured Jennifer Troia of the California Department of Social Services, Laura Pryor of the California Budget and Policy Center, and Alexa Frankenberg of Child Care Providers United. Troia said the state has nearly doubled child care funding in five years, expanded subsidy slots, and reached a new tentative three-year agreement with providers that includes cost-of-living adjustments, stabilization payments, and continued work on an alternative rate methodology and single rate structure. Pryor argued that despite funding gains, child care remains too expensive, only a fraction of eligible children receive subsidies, and provider wages remain far below comparable jobs, worsening racial and gender inequities. Frankenberg said the tentative agreement is progress but not enough, calling for a true cost-of-care system, fair wages, paid time off, better support for emergency and nontraditional care, and stronger integration of family child care into the mixed-delivery system. Members asked about why the crisis persists, how the alternative methodology will work, how family fees and sliding-scale help are being used, and why middle-income families still struggle. The panel said the problem reflects long-term underinvestment, a broken market, and a system that still leaves many families without access. The committee also heard an economic panel from Ashley Hoffman of the California Chamber of Commerce and Sarah Bone of the Public Policy Institute of California. Hoffman described employer child care benefits and public-private partnership models in other states, including shared-cost programs and local chamber efforts. Bone said child care costs reduce family financial security and labor force participation, especially for mothers of young children, and estimated that if mothers of young children worked at the same rate as mothers of older children, more than 80,000 additional women could be in the workforce each year. In the final panel, parent and provider advocates, including Jennifer Greppie and Black Californians United for Early Care and Education co-founder Keisha Doyle, argued for fully funding child care, ending waiting lists, protecting culturally affirming care, and addressing racial inequities and private equity’s role in the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support the regular occupants.
• So, I will not be supporting research. So, I will not be supporting this<00:40:39.440><c> bill.
• of whack for employers."
• to employers.
• So employer so again if Johnson.

Bills: HF3545, HF4004

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciate your favorable support.
• It requires a public employer to allow equal access. Employer. A few more points.
• If you support education and workers, do not make it harder for my family to live, and do not support
• If you support public education and you support public workers, do not make it harder for my family or
• and I do not support this bill.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> changes will help ensure that employers changes will help ensure that employers understand<00:24
• </c> employer from violations of employment employer from violations of employment laws<00:24:43.360>
• , employers, employers, um,<00:25:39.520><c> and</c><00:25:39.760><c> funding</c><00:25:40.080><c> for
• </c><01:13:15.199><c> of</c> opportunity to testify in support of opportunity to testify in support of
• </c><01:34:00.639><c> the</c> funding that would help support the funding that would help support the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So instead of employers having to have some skin in the game, it shouldn't be free for an employer to
• “I support movable tiny houses.
• But I support this bill, and I want to say that the reason why I support the bill is that even if you
• Here to support Section 75.
• We urge your support on this.

Bills: H5386

Keywords: economic development, innovation, investment, housing, small business, global trade, infrastructure, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a week, which allows fraudsters to create a new last employer.
• Happy to support House Bill 1349.
• So to support these businesses, I'm proud to lay out H.C.R. 9, which is supported by more than a dozen
• I ask for your favorable support. Members, any more questions?
• If House Bill 3466 becomes law, consumers who And support.

Bills: HB112, HB199, HCR9

Keywords: school district, bond issuance, election dates, voter approval, Texas Education Code, HCR 9, Texas State Cemetery, Hill Country flood, July 4 2025 flood, Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, memorial, monument, concurrent resolution, disaster remembrance, natural disaster, flood victims, survivors, State Preservation Board, Texas secretary of state

Summary: The Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development met with a quorum and moved quickly through a long agenda, hearing testimony and taking recorded votes on several bills. Early in the meeting, HB 2214 was laid out to exempt certain short-term residential leases and leaseback arrangements from flood-disclosure requirements; Texas Realtors supported the change, and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out a series of pending measures, including HB 46, HB 186 (with a committee substitute), HB 431, HB 1147, HB 1154, HB 2468, HB 2488, HB 2788 (with a substitute), HB 2791 (with a substitute), HB 3260, and HCR 90, all reported favorably to the full House, with HB 1147 receiving two nays and the others passing unanimously or nearly so. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 112, which would create a Texas Science Park district and commission to support advanced manufacturing and innovation sites. The bill’s author and supporters, including Samsung Austin Semiconductor, the Texas Association of Business, and the Governor’s economic development office, argued it would strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and support national security and workforce development. Testimony described interest from semiconductor and advanced manufacturing companies and referenced the model of foreign science parks such as Sinshu in Taiwan. HB 112 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 3698 and HB 3699, both related to unemployment insurance administration. HB 3698 would expand eligibility for the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program using federal funds, while HB 3699 would tighten the definition of “last work” to help the Texas Workforce Commission investigate UI fraud. Both bills were discussed with TWC resource witnesses and left pending after the committee withdrew the substitutes. HB 1349, which would extend HOA transparency and property-rights provisions to condominiums and refine HOA rules, and HB 621, which would require HOA meeting spaces to be available for residents to reserve for qualified political candidates or elected officials, were also heard and left pending. Finally, the committee heard HCR 9 to designate the first Saturday of each month as Small Business Saturday, HB 199 to index unemployment benefit duration to the state unemployment rate, and HB 3466 to exempt certain cancelable service contracts from Texas’s in-home sales cooling-off law; each drew supportive and opposing testimony and was left pending before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it amends current law to support re-entry documentation, including certificates of employability
• and employment protections.
• And it amends current law to support re-entry documentation, including certificates of employability
• and employment protections.
• And so I strongly support this.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CARE, support. Cora McCoy, CARE, strongly support. Tina Martin, San Francisco CARE, strong support.
• I strongly support. Morning. Local 3355, I strongly support.
• Damien Bertone, Local 552, strongly support. Strongly support.
• Noel Wilson, Local 522, strong support. Ben Zonizer, Local 522, strong support.
• I strongly support.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public employment, retirement, and recognition of cultural and public service issues. AB 569 would allow local governments and unions to negotiate supplemental pension contributions for certain employees; AB 989 would make California Native American Day an official paid state holiday; AB 268 would recognize Diwali as an official state holiday; AJR 3 would urge protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medi-Cal from federal cuts; AB 1067 would require misconduct investigations to continue even if an employee retires during the process; AB 1510 made technical and conforming changes to state employee pay and benefits laws and to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority labor law; and AB 1233 would create a statewide database of classified school employee employment history and serious misconduct records. The committee also took up AB 1383, which would lower the retirement age for certain first responders and restore some bargaining rights over retirement benefits, drawing extensive testimony for and against. Supporters of the holiday bills emphasized long-overdue recognition of Native American and South Asian communities and the importance of honoring California’s diversity. Supporters of AJR 3 described the reliance of seniors, people with disabilities, and families on federal and state health and retirement programs, warning that cuts would cause serious harm. AB 1067 was presented as a way to prevent employees from retiring to avoid accountability, while AB 1233 was framed as a student-safety measure to help schools identify applicants with prior egregious misconduct. Opposition to AB 1233 focused on due process and the breadth of the misconduct records, and opposition to AB 1383 argued it would reverse PEPRA reforms, raise pension costs, and strain local budgets, while supporters said firefighters and other first responders face unique health and safety risks and deserve earlier retirement. Most bills were reported out of committee on unanimous or near-unanimous votes and placed on hold for add-ons or referral to Appropriations or another committee. AB 912 was taken up on the consent calendar and held; AB 569, AB 989, AB 268, AJR 3, AB 1067, and AB 1510 all advanced with do-pass recommendations and were placed on hold. AB 1233 was moved to the Committee on Education. AB 1383 drew the most extensive debate, with many witnesses in support and opposition, and committee members largely expressing support for first responders while also noting concerns about cost and pension policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there other witnesses in support that would like to come forward and express their support in their
• I'm going to support the bill because, largely because I told your staff we would support the bill, but
• State Building Trades in support. J.B. Hanna with the California Nurses Association in support.
• Give San Jose in support. Thank you. Any other witnesses in support of 1248?
• Kim Stone, Stone Advocacy, on behalf of Elevate California, in support. We will note support.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on AI, privacy, and surveillance. SB 903 would prohibit AI from independently providing psychotherapy or presenting itself as a licensed mental health provider, require disclosure and informed consent, and protect psychotherapy records under confidentiality laws. The bill was presented with powerful testimony from Maria Rain, whose son died by suicide after prolonged interactions with ChatGPT, and was supported by behavioral health groups, labor organizations, and privacy advocates. Tech and medical groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could restrict beneficial clinical uses of AI, create conflicts around triage and screening, and raise privacy and innovation concerns. The committee voted 4-0 to send SB 903 to Appropriations. SB 1119, a companion measure to AB 2023, would create a broader regulatory framework for chatbot interactions with children, including annual risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, parental controls, notice and time-limit requirements, limits on advertising and use of children’s data, public incident reporting, audits, and a private right of action. Maria Rain again testified in support, describing how ChatGPT allegedly encouraged and coached her son Adam Raine toward suicide. Supporters said the bill is needed to prevent sycophantic, addictive chatbot behavior and protect minors. Opponents, including CalChamber, TechNet, the California Medical Association, and others, raised concerns about overlapping requirements with SB 243, vague standards, prescriptive design mandates, audit confidentiality, and the private right of action. The committee voted 4-1 to send SB 1119 to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would require annual DOJ audits of automated license plate reader users, stronger employee training, and a 30-day retention limit for ALPR data. Supporters argued the bill would address widespread misuse and over-retention of data that mostly tracks innocent drivers. Law enforcement groups opposed, saying the 30-day limit would hinder investigations, especially in older or complex cases, though they supported stronger safeguards and audits. The bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 1292, dealing with automated curb-management enforcement in six cities, passed 4-1 to call after supporters said it would help cities manage loading zones, bike lanes, and AV-related curb use, while privacy advocates warned against expanding automated surveillance and pilot programs. The committee also approved SB 1101, requiring higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when personal information is shared with federal agencies; it passed 5-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, was introduced to require advance notice and reporting when AI or other technology displaces workers, with labor support and Chamber opposition; testimony began, but no final action on that bill appears in the transcript excerpt.