Transcript Highlights:

• Families Committee, where she served for 10 years as the first chair, and spearheaded efforts to launch
• And spearheaded efforts to launch family courts in Missouri while supporting legislative key to uplift
• And I spoke last year as a teacher who constantly had to kick students off of a particular porn site
• because I do want it to go through, because I do want students not to be able to get on that porn site
• And yet, Students not to be able to get on that porn site.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the House Journal by a 121-0 vote, and a brief suspension of business for the Speaker to sign HB 2014. Members also observed a moment of silence for Butler County Fire Protection District Sergeant Commander Jatin Warren, who died in the line of duty, and the chamber introduced several guest groups, including Missouri Council on Aging representatives and county clerks. A resolution was also presented honoring former state representative K. H. Steinmetz for her 18 years of service in the Missouri House. The House then received committee reports recommending passage of HB 2934, HB 1800, and HB 1707. On third reading, HB 2974 passed 136-0 on telehealth and licensure reciprocity; HB 2934 passed 121-24 on consolidating St. Louis convention center governance; HB 2057 passed 137-10 on entertainment districts for Osage Beach and Chesterfield; the combined HB 1839/2921/3015 passed 120-19 on age verification for harmful online content; HB 1707 passed 149-0 to bar the Department of Revenue from taxing credit card processing fees; HB 2819 passed 145-0 to set rounding rules as the penny is phased out; and HB 2600 passed 148-0 to allow ambulance districts to combine resources for coverage. HB 1800, which reduces the inflationary growth factor for certain taxing districts from 5% to 3% and adjusts assessment ranges, drew the most extended debate over its effect on schools, fire districts, and taxpayers; it ultimately passed 82-61. Members also perfected HB 2774, which bars state and local governments from restricting equipment sales or use based on fuel source, and HB 2383, a utility infrastructure protection bill adding wired/copper infrastructure to existing critical infrastructure protections and setting penalties for theft or damage; HB 2383 was amended to align with the Senate version and then perfected. Finally, the House began debate on a combined bill package including HB 1664, 1610, 1645, and 2182, which would extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil claims while also shortening the general personal injury statute of limitations from five years to three; the child sexual abuse provisions drew broad support, while the tort-reform portion prompted sharp disagreement over access to justice versus business certainty.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one other thing I'd add is we continue testing for weaknesses and fixes after launch.
• And one other thing I'd add is we continue testing for weaknesses and fixes after launch.
• On July 31, the Department of Technology launched CalSecure 2.0.
• On July 31st, Department of Technology launched CalSecure 2.0.
• Thanks to Governor Newsom, of technology launched CalSecure 2.0.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how frontier AI is changing cybersecurity, with testimony from OpenAI, Anthropic, Palo Alto Networks, California OES/Cal-CSIC, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Witnesses said AI is making attacks faster, cheaper, and more scalable, while also giving defenders new tools for vulnerability discovery, incident response, and patching. Several recent incidents were discussed, including AI systems autonomously reaching real production systems during testing, and AI-assisted cyber activity against critical infrastructure, especially water systems and operational technology. OpenAI and Anthropic described their internal safety and evaluation processes, including pre-release testing, layered safeguards, monitoring, and restricted access programs for vetted defenders. They discussed the recent Hugging Face and related incidents as lessons in safer testing, stronger isolation, and the need for independent review. Both companies emphasized that the same capabilities that can find vulnerabilities can also be used offensively, and said they are working to put advanced cyber tools into the hands of trusted defenders, including California agencies and utilities. State officials from Cal OES said California is expanding its cyber posture through CalSecure 2.0, the California Cybersecurity Collaboration Playbook, MS-ISAC membership, and a secure portal for reporting under SB 53. They said the state is working with CDT, local governments, and critical infrastructure partners to improve cyber hygiene, information sharing, and incident response, especially for water districts and other resource-strapped entities. Palo Alto Networks described the scale of current threats and the value of machine-speed defense, virtual patching, and attack-surface monitoring. Lawrence Livermore warned that open-weight models pose distinct risks because they can be downloaded, modified, and used without developer oversight, and argued that the U.S. should not cede leadership in that space to China. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with calls for continued collaboration and follow-up briefings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We initiated rulemaking to address TNC issues following Uber's launch in California.
• In response to Uber's launch of a product called Uber for Teens, which allowed for the transportation
• I would like to open up to my committee members for any questions before I launch into a series of mine
• So the TNC industry has launched, TNC industry has launched a public information campaign to inform.
• So the TNC industry has launched a public information campaign to inform drivers about how insurance

Summary: The hearing focused on transportation network companies in California, with the chair framing it as an informational hearing on the history, regulation, safety, climate, accessibility, and data issues surrounding Uber, Lyft, and smaller or autonomous TNC services. The CPUC described its decade-long regulatory role, including safety rules, background checks, insurance requirements, reporting obligations, and two major legislative programs from 2018: the Clean Miles Standard and the Access for All program. Members asked about complaint trends, data collection and disclosure, program implementation, and how the CPUC uses annual reports for policymaking, compliance, and program oversight. Uber and Lyft said the statewide framework has supported growth while providing safety and access benefits, but both companies emphasized that insurance is a major cost driver and argued that California’s UM/UIM requirement is unusually high compared with other vehicles. They said the Clean Miles Standard is pushing electrification but faces headwinds from EV affordability and charging infrastructure, while Access for All has expanded wheelchair-accessible service but still needs continued support. They also discussed transit partnerships, wildfire response, and the potential role of autonomous vehicles, with both companies saying human drivers will remain important and that future regulation should account for new technology. The final panel, including the San Francisco County Transportation Authority and UC Berkeley researchers, presented evidence that TNCs have increased congestion and reduced transit ridership, especially in dense urban areas. They described prior research showing TNCs contributed to congestion growth in San Francisco and noted that this work helped spur local taxes on ride-hailing trips to fund safety and transit improvements. The panel also discussed the CPUC’s evolving data-disclosure decisions, arguing that public access to TNC trip data is important for understanding transportation impacts and informing local policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what we also know is that this one-size-fits-all government-run program is not ready to launch, and
• We've got to get serious about this bill that is set to launch in January of 2026, which, by the way,
• I have been reaching over to say, can we have a conversation about this major bill that is yet to launch
• I have been reaching over to say, can we have a conversation about this major bill that is yet to launch
• Can we have a conversation about this major bill that is yet to launch?

Transcript Highlights:

• service customers since we launched service nearly<01:43:41.599><c> two</c><01:43:41.880><c> years</
• Around 34% of behind-the-meter solar output is used in New Hampshire today to reduce on-site load.
• Around 34% of behind-the-meter solar output is used in New Hampshire today to reduce on-site load.
• Around 34% of behind-the-meter solar output is used in New Hampshire today to reduce on-site load.
• Around 34% of behind-the-meter solar output is used in New Hampshire today to reduce on-site load.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2010, the GHGRP has collected and tracked greenhouse gas emissions from more than 8,000 sites,
• ,</c><00:52:18.720><c> including</c> more than 8,000 sites, including more than 8,000 sites, including
• </c><01:09:35.359><c> model</c> designing, building, and launching model designing, building, and launching
• As costs were already rising, Donald Trump launched us into this reckless war of choice on Iran.
• Uh, again, this is a, uh, situation where these sites are created.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> slide here uh is enough to launch slide here uh is enough to launch operations<00:20:35.919><c>
• </c><01:03:37.839><c> with</c><01:03:38.839><c> uh</c> to launch with uh to launch with uh the<01:03:
• To serve as the initial capital base to launch the commercial product.
• The sufficiency of capital—we need capital to be able to launch the commercial product, right?
• </c><01:59:57.119><c> our</c> of a minimum Capital to to launch our of a minimum Capital to to launch

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we launched in May of 2025.
• </c><01:05:27.200><c> really</c> factory, assembled on site really factory, assembled on site really
• to the new site site B which is in a to the new site site B which is in a different<01:35:38.400><c>
• , whether there's any showstoppers at those sites.
• . the zoning site get the exemption. the zoning site control.<01:37:53.360><c> You</c><01:37:53.520><

Transcript Highlights:

• So these can be things like if a licensor is out on site and they tour the bathroom and they see that
• </c><00:28:45.919><c> and</c><00:28:46.360><c> they</c> like if a licensers out on site and they like
• if a licensers out on site and they tour<00:28:46.919><c> the</c><00:28:47.039><c> bathroom</c><00:28
• have to be on site and that providers<00:42:16.920><c> have</c><00:42:17.040><c> to</c><00:42:17.119
• I've answered the question on whether site visits are announced or unannounced.

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And then secondly, the requirement for the listings of permit fields to be on sites, I think is something
• And if it's true that, looking at the permit fields, for example, that should be listed on the site,
• already have that information because that permit number came from the local government. ...on the site
• for code enforcement, and a lot of that was to make sure that we were compliant for permitted on the site
• We have a lot of trouble getting out to sites, following up on investigations, but because we're not

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to local government, housing, public safety, and data privacy. SB 346 on short-term rental tax collection and enforcement drew the most discussion: the author and local government supporters said platforms should provide listing addresses so cities and counties can verify transient occupancy tax payments and enforce local ordinances, while Airbnb, Expedia, and Booking Holdings argued the bill bypassed existing administrative subpoena procedures and raised due process and privacy concerns. After committee amendments limiting requests and tying audits to platforms that collect the tax, the bill passed 7-0 to Judiciary. SB 635, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, was presented as a privacy measure to protect street vendors’ personal information from being shared with federal immigration authorities; supporters described raids and fear in immigrant communities, and the bill passed 6-1 to Public Safety. The committee also approved SB 499, which narrows when parks and recreational facilities can qualify for certain fee deferrals by requiring that they be designated in a local safety element or hazard mitigation plan for emergency purposes. Supporters said parks can serve as fire buffers, evacuation sites, and disaster response hubs, while some members questioned the nexus between new development and upfront fee collection; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 358, which modernizes the Mitigation Fee Act to ensure traffic impact fees reflect lower automobile trip generation for walkable, transit-oriented housing, passed 8-0 to Appropriations with support from housing and transit advocates and no formal opposition beyond a few cities in respectful opposition. SB 515, which would improve how local governments collect and report demographic data by using more detailed ethnic categories, passed 7-0 to Appropriations with little debate. Earlier in the hearing, SB 276, presented on behalf of Senator Wiener, passed 9-0 to Public Safety; it would let San Francisco require permits for the sale of commonly stolen goods on sidewalks and add misdemeanor penalties for repeat violations, with supporters saying it targets fencing and organized theft while protecting legitimate vendors. The committee also took up other items and consent calendar bills, with multiple measures moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• large amount of cost-effective TSB and can help balance the portfolio of programs which may still be launching
• note that the energy system we have today has changed dramatically from when these portfolios first launched
• And so it takes time for us to help them develop a project with our technical assistance, our site audits

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on how California Public Utilities Commission energy efficiency programs are budgeted, evaluated, and measured for cost-effectiveness. The chair framed the issue as not whether energy efficiency works, but how to ensure ratepayer-funded programs continue to deliver value as the portfolio has shifted from simple measures like lighting to more complex retrofits, electrification, workforce, and equity programs. CPUC staff outlined the statutory framework, the four-year budget cycle, recent spending of about $795 million in 2025, and the use of total system benefit (TSB) and the total resource cost (TRC) test, noting that some programs are exempt from cost-effectiveness requirements at the individual program level but not at the resource acquisition portfolio level. Utility, regional network, implementer, and advocacy witnesses offered differing views on the current metrics. PG&E described its portfolio as cost-effective overall and argued that cost-effectiveness should remain at the portfolio level to allow innovation and multi-year program flexibility. SoCalREN and the Energy Coalition emphasized the value of local government delivery, equity-focused programs, and the need to credit programs for broader benefits such as workforce development, market transformation, and electrification. The Public Advocates Office argued that ratepayer-funded programs should produce benefits greater than costs and raised concerns about the growing share of budgets going to programs that have not met cost-effectiveness thresholds. Several witnesses said the current math is too complicated and that different program types may need different metrics. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses on the complexity of the TRC and TSB calculations, the treatment of participant costs, and whether the state should use a simpler or more transparent framework. CPUC staff said the relevant issues are already being addressed in two open proceedings, with one budget application proceeding expected to conclude in roughly the second or third quarter of next year and a broader policy rulemaking ongoing. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported; the hearing functioned as an informational discussion and policy review.

Transcript Highlights:

• On November 20, 2023, the Healey-Driscoll administration launched a new statewide initiative to combat
• We had filed a resolution and produced it, and it's on our site, about this very issue, especially law
• We're hosting an open house for the Massachusetts launch of the Mobile Museum of Tolerance.

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to hear testimony from Chief James Hicks of the Natick Police Department, who chairs the Municipal Police Training Committee, and Chief Thomas Fowler of the Salisbury Police Department. They described the statewide civil-rights-officer model for hate-crime response, the HEART Unit, and MPTC training authority under POST, and urged the commission to recommend incorporating the IHRA definition of antisemitism into police training and to fund that effort. Commissioners asked about how law enforcement should handle antisemitic incidents that may not rise to crimes, the 2022 Mapping Project, masking during protests, and the role of HART; the chiefs said departments can update training quickly, that every department should have a trained civil-rights officer, and that HART’s expertise should be integrated statewide. The commission also approved the October 16, 2025 minutes after correcting an initial procedural error. The rest of the meeting focused on the draft report, especially the prefatory statement and the definition section. Commissioners broadly praised the report’s scope and the chairs’ work, but offered many edits aimed at tightening language, reducing advocacy tone, and clarifying the “Massachusetts way” of combating antisemitism. Several members wanted stronger emphasis on Massachusetts values, education, moral leadership, and the distinction between hate incidents, hate crimes, and statutory offenses; others urged clearer references to constitutional protections, First Amendment limits, and Attorney General review of legal statements. There was also discussion of whether to keep or remove references to alternative definitions of antisemitism: some commissioners argued that only the IHRA definition should be centered, while others said acknowledging other definitions was factually important and would reflect the range of testimony. Commissioners also raised specific substantive edits for later sections, including adding examples such as the 2022 Mapping Project, strengthening language on online intimidation, academic boycotts, and divestment campaigns, and clarifying that some conduct may be hateful even if lawful. In the higher education section, members praised recommendations on mandatory training, bystander intervention, trauma-informed responses, mental health supports, and campus climate surveys, while suggesting a few technical edits and additional best-practice examples. No final votes were taken on the draft report during this portion; the chairs said they would incorporate feedback into a revised draft before the remaining meetings and eventual vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• consultants who divide their time among our 53 California state preschool programs, general child care sites
• We've made significant progress, launching CalKIDS, children's savings accounts, investing in community
• I, 12 years ago, 15 years ago, launched in partnership with the California Department of Social Services

Summary: The committee heard several child welfare, food assistance, child care, and developmental services bills. AB 308 would require a statewide evaluation of regional center safety training and crisis-response services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; supporters said it would help reduce reliance on law enforcement and improve de-escalation and emergency preparedness. AB 1049 would remove sponsor deeming from the California Food Assistance Program, with supporters from food banks and legal aid arguing the rule creates confusion, chilling effects, and wrongful denials, while one member raised concerns about accountability and fraud. AB 1201 would narrow when a parent’s prior violent felony can bar reunification services, limiting the bypass to offenses involving a child or a child’s other parent/guardian; county and advocacy witnesses said the bill preserves judicial discretion and avoids automatic denials, though a member expressed concern about child safety in violent or criminal environments. AB 2379 would require family child care providers to be notified of constitutional rights and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2429 would make ACEs screening optional and reduce required classroom observations in the early childhood mental health consultation program, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burdens and expand participation. AB 1755 would eliminate CalWORKs’ 100-hour monthly work penalty for two-parent families, and supporters said it would reduce poverty and administrative burden without changing income eligibility. AB 1981, presented later, would advance “true cost of care” child care rate reform, with providers describing the current reimbursement system as unsustainable. AB 2478 would create a streamlined kinship family approval pathway for foster care placements with relatives and other kin, and AB 1969 and AB 1996 would create statewide structures to coordinate cradle-to-career services and reduce child poverty, respectively; both were presented as data-driven, place-based efforts to align services and set measurable reduction goals. Most bills received strong support from county agencies, advocacy organizations, and service providers, with little or no opposition testimony. Members generally praised the goals of the measures but asked questions about implementation, accountability, and child safety in the reunification and benefits bills. The committee took roll calls on the bills it heard, and the votes shown in the transcript were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with several measures held on call after passing committee votes. AB 1049 was voted out 2-1, AB 1201 and AB 2379 were each voted out 3-0, AB 2429 and AB 1755 were voted out 2-0, and AB 2478, AB 1969, and AB 1996 were each voted out 2-0; the chair repeatedly noted that some bills would remain on call pending absent members. AB 1981 drew extensive support testimony from child care providers and allies, but the committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided because no motion was available at that moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• consultants who divide their time among our 53 California state preschool programs and general child care sites
• We've made significant progress, launching CalKIDS, children's savings accounts, investing in community
• I, 12 years ago, 15 years ago, launched in partnership with the California Department of Social Services

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's launched in the last few years, and that does allow students to be essentially guaranteed admission
• just trying to balance their daily lives, maybe participating in sports or fine arts at their school sites
• CSU Buy is a new procurement system that was launched in January that allows every university to find

Transcript Highlights:

• So today I'll be talking a little bit about the Hawaii Road Usage Program, which we've just launched.
• The Hawaii Road Usage Charge Program, which we've just launched, began implementation on July 1st of
• Customers go to VAAmileagechoice.com to enroll; the site is run by MOVIS.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar with 11 aye votes and no no votes, then adjourned the bill-hearing portion. Members also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service, noting his contributions to bill analysis and staff support. The committee then held an informational hearing on alternatives to the gas tax, focused on the projected decline in fuel-tax revenue and the need for a more sustainable transportation funding model. The chair and invited experts described how inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles are eroding gas-tax revenues. Presenters from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the University of California discussed state options such as higher or indexed gas taxes, EV registration fees, road usage charges, delivery fees, public EV charging fees, transportation network company fees, and managed lanes, emphasizing tradeoffs among revenue adequacy, fairness, administrative cost, and public acceptance. Committee members raised concerns that mileage-based fees or EV fees could function as new taxes on commuters and lower-income drivers, especially if the gas tax is not repealed. Presenters responded that road usage charges are generally intended as replacements for the gas tax, not additions, and argued that mileage-based systems better preserve the user-pays principle while being less tied to vehicle fuel efficiency. They also noted that flat EV registration fees are easy to administer but can be less equitable because they are not linked to actual road use. Officials from Hawaii, Utah, and Oregon described their state programs and policy choices. Hawaii said its new road usage charge began July 1, 2025, for EVs, offers a choice between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee through 2028, and will transition to mandatory EV participation before expanding to all light-duty vehicles by 2033. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and legislative scenarios for removing the cap or making participation mandatory. Oregon outlined its constitutional cost-responsibility framework and broader transportation funding challenges, including reliance on user fees and limited use of general-fund support.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in my capacity as executive director of PCA, I just want to say that we have launched a program
• This is newly launched, and we have just started a couple of the first certifications.
• This is newly launched, and we have just started a couple of the first certifications.
• This is newly launched, and we have just started a couple of the first certifications.
• This is newly launched, and we have just started a couple of the first certifications.

Summary: The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority advisory council met for its first public comment session, approved the November 21, 2025 minutes, and heard extensive comments from patients, industry members, and advocates. Public testimony focused on concerns about proposed legislative changes, including potency limits, tax increases, grow-license caps, reclamation bonds, hemp-derived cannabinoids, and bills affecting employee credentialing and edible definitions. Commenters also raised transparency concerns about the council’s composition, OMMA’s “secret shopper” program, access to records, and the need for more patient, processor, lab, and small-business representation. OMMA leadership gave agency updates, reporting that the medical portal had improved after earlier problems and that turnaround times were now about 36 days for commercial renewals, same day for credentials and transport agents, and eight days for patients. The agency also said it had added an administrative actions tab to its website, was moving forward with QA lab accreditation, and was working more closely with law enforcement on hemp-derived cannabinoid enforcement. The new Chief Science Officer reported accreditation progress for the QA lab, completion of several validation processes, 12 lab cases filed for 2024-2025 inspections, and one lab license revoked for noncompliance. Legislative staff reviewed bills moving through the session, including measures extending a moratorium, capping commercial grow licenses at 2,550, repealing the grow bond and adding a reclamation fee, and limiting THC in certain products, though one THC-cap bill had been amended into an advertising bill. Council discussion centered on proposed 10 mg per serving and 100 mg per package limits, with members arguing those limits could harm patients who need individualized dosing and create business disruptions. Members also discussed the need for better scientific testing methods, more timely inspection reports, and clearer guidance on license transfers. A major portion of the meeting addressed coordination between OMMA and OBNDD on enforcement against illegal or “gas station” cannabis products and bad actors. OBNDD explained its role in criminal enforcement, the use of search warrants and emergency suspensions, and how OMMA license revocations automatically affect OBN registrations. OMMA said it is now receiving more regular information from OBNDD and using that data to shut down licenses more quickly. The council also discussed whether public-facing license information should be redacted for safety, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• and accessibility coordinator at New Village, which is a nonprofit collective of family child care sites
• We're a collective of family child care sites, but we operate as a nonprofit.
• I'm also a research scientist and director of multi-site operations at Children's HealthWatch, a nonpartisan
• is titled “Changing Diapers, Changing Lives: The Health and Economic Impacts of Diaper Benefits,” launched
• We operate a food pantry, We operate a food pantry that serves 10 food distribution sites, as well as

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The House Committee on Children and Families held a hybrid hearing on a broad set of anti-hunger, family support, and basic-needs bills. Early testimony focused on SNAP and DTA operations: Rep. DeRosa and others urged passage of H. 196/S. 167 to require DTA to identify staffing, technology, funding, and operational needs to improve timeliness and customer service, warning that unanswered calls, delayed recertifications, and federal changes could sharply raise state costs through higher SNAP administrative burdens and payment-error penalties. Speakers from Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Project Bread said DTA is under-resourced, caseloads have grown, and families are being denied or delayed due to phone and paperwork barriers. Another major SNAP-related bill, H. 254/S. 147, would require the Commonwealth to replace stolen EBT/SNAP benefits; testimony described more than $13 million stolen from about 27,000 households since June 2022 and argued families should not bear losses from organized theft rings. The committee also heard strong support for H. 207/S. 117, which would restore state-funded nutrition assistance for legally present immigrants excluded from federal SNAP under recent federal changes. Advocates from Project Bread, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, local immigrant services, and public health groups said the federal cuts would leave thousands of residents, including refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors, and children, without food support, and argued Massachusetts has a history of filling this gap. Testimony also supported H. 222/S. 104 to make the Healthy Incentives Program permanent and year-round; supporters said HIP improves nutrition, boosts local farms and regional economies, and had already served more than 212,000 households in FY25. A related child-support bill, H. 201/S. 110, would increase the amount of child support passed through to TAFDC families and expand good-cause exemptions; witnesses said the change would put more money directly in families’ hands, reduce poverty, and better protect survivors of domestic violence and families with complicated co-parenting situations. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to deep-poverty and diaper-related legislation. Supporters of H. 214/S. 118 said cash assistance grants have lost value over time and should be raised annually until they reach half of the federal poverty level; advocates from Children’s HealthWatch, Hopewell, the Lift Our Kids Coalition, and parents described the links between deep poverty, poor child health, family stress, and child welfare involvement. They argued that higher grants would help families meet basic needs, reduce hospitalizations and neglect reports, and provide stability amid federal cuts. Finally, multiple witnesses backed diaper legislation, including H. 220/S. 151 and related bills, to create a diaper benefits pilot and/or diaper allowance commission. Testimony from the National Diaper Bank Network, MassCAP, Children’s HealthWatch, local diaper banks, and parents said diaper need is widespread, affects parental employment and mental health, and can cause health problems for infants; a federally funded pilot in Massachusetts was cited as showing improved employment, financial stability, reduced stress, and fewer diaper rashes. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and asked questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• I bring 42 years in California public education, including 30 years as a site, district, and county administrator
• I appreciate the opportunity to bring clarity from the applicable site level as well as district level
• establish outdoor learning as a recommended instructional strategy, provide guidance to schools, and launch
• significant impacts of this funding has been the direct engagement of our teachers, our principals, and site-based
• significant impacts of this funding has been the direct engagement of our teachers, our principals, and site-based

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• district I am proud to represent here in the Florida Senate, state workers secretly arrived at the site
• 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' the Black National Anthem; athletes like Cocoa Golf; astronauts who launched
• And I appreciate, you know, that you were reading from the Leon County Supervisors' site.
• And I appreciate, you know, that you were reading from the Leon County Supervisors' site.
• The Leon County Supervisors site.

Bills: S0174 , S1342 , S1334 , S1362 , S1602 , S1604

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development