Transcript Highlights:

• Of other states in Texas, but I think it would be instructive for the committee to know that.
• And they say that he had, you know, Ignored their instructions to make her attend the regularly scheduled
• This same information I'm going to give you shows that there is virtually no difference between the admission
• That's what the instruction is.
• DPS gave them instructions to shut the truck, secure it, and don't touch it.

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• hear from as many members of the public who are able to join the committee, whether in person or virtually
• The committee also encourages those who cannot attend either in person or virtually to submit testimony

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its first meeting of the session to hear testimony on House Bill 65, a proposed constitutional amendment establishing a right to housing in Massachusetts. Co-chairs Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Richard Haggerty opened the hearing, outlined the hybrid format and testimony time limits, and noted the presence of several House members. The discussion centered on the broader housing crisis and the idea that housing should be treated as a constitutional right, with the hearing framed as the start of a series of housing-related meetings this session. Public testimony was brief but strongly supportive. Vincent Lawrence Dixon urged the committee to advance H.65, arguing that housing is a basic necessity and that the amendment could help strengthen and clarify housing policy in the Commonwealth. Erica Tetsuique, speaking from lived experience with homelessness, described time spent at Pine Street and Bridge Over Troubled Waters and said a Housing First approach and constitutional recognition of housing could help address homelessness, crime, mental health, and substance use challenges. She also criticized the Johnson v. Grant decision and called for Massachusetts to set an example nationally. Committee members thanked the speakers and acknowledged the importance of personal testimony. No votes were taken and no formal action on the bill was reported during the hearing. The meeting ended after a brief opportunity for additional comments, with the committee adjourning by motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you go down to Section 2, the virtual reality career exploration came over from the Senate at $1
• Section 4 is the funding from SIF for the virtual reality career exploration hardware.

Bills: SB2019, HB1369

Keywords: career education, funding, appropriation, technical training, workforce development, state aid, school funding, public improvement, construction loans, school district levies, boarding care costs, 908, all

Summary: The committee met to finalize and advance the Career and Technical Education budget in Engrossed Senate Bill 2019. Representative Richter walked through Amendment 2004, which included increases for salaries and wages, inflationary operating expenses, a $2.5 million federal grant increase, $12.7 million for secondary grant programs and related work-based learning support, a $100,000 increase for Marketplace for Kids, and removal of the STEM initiative and adult farm management from the CTE budget because that program funding was moved to the Department of Agriculture. The amendment also included $750,000 for workforce training branch office positions and set the total general fund appropriation at $64 million. Members also discussed a $1 million virtual reality career exploration item, which remained in the bill but was shifted to SIF one-time funding. A new $150,000 one-time general fund appropriation was added for CTE moving expenses because the agency must relocate after Legislative Council expands into its current space. Committee members noted that amount may need to be revisited in conference committee once more accurate relocation and rent costs are known. Levi from legislative staff explained that the exemption language in the bill applies to remaining coronavirus capital projects fund dollars for CTE center construction, allowing those federal funds to be spent before they expire. The committee adopted Amendment 2004 on a 5-0 roll call and then passed Engrossed Senate Bill 2019 as amended on a 5-0 roll call. Representative Richter was named the carrier, and the committee adjourned after noting that higher education and congressional budgets were the remaining items to resolve.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think they're virtual. Thank you, all right. We are virtual. Can you hear us?
• We're going virtual. Hannah Long? Is Hannah Long here? Is Hannah here? No? Bridget Kearney.
• Up next, virtually, we have Ida Lynn. Hi, can you all hear me? Yep, we can read. Thanks.
• Yes, I'm virtual. Good afternoon, Chair Cronin and Vice Chair Worrell.
• As we are in the home stretch, we have two virtuals: Peter Moyer and Patrick Curlick.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security focused on several correction-related bills, including visitation reform, elder and medical parole, incarcerated persons’ human rights, and creation of an independent correctional oversight office. Vice Chair Christopher Worrell chaired the hearing in place of Chair Dan Cahill for much of the session and explained that the committee would first hear from incarcerated individuals remotely, then move to public testimony. The committee repeatedly enforced three-minute limits and accepted written testimony as well. Much of the testimony from incarcerated people emphasized that visitation is central to rehabilitation, family stability, and reentry, and that current DOC policies—visitor caps, pre-approval requirements, scheduling rules, dress-code enforcement, and restrictions on contact—have reduced family contact and caused harm. Several speakers argued that elderly and medically frail prisoners should be released through parole because incarceration is costly, ineffective, and inhumane for people who pose little public-safety risk. Others described poor prison conditions, limited programming, inadequate healthcare, segregation-like housing, and the impact of K2 use, suicides, and self-harm. Supporters of the oversight bill said an independent office is needed to address racial disparities, grievance failures, and lack of accountability within the DOC. A number of speakers tied their support to personal experiences, including alleged racial discrimination, denial of programs, and barriers to family visits. Some testified that rehabilitative programming, education, and restorative justice reduce violence and improve outcomes, while others said the DOC spends too little on programming and too much on punishment. Committee members asked a few follow-up questions, including about K2 contraband and how to reduce drugs in facilities, and one member asked about typical visitation lengths. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony on the bills and several witnesses urged favorable reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gideon or virtually any defendant to go to court and satisfy, you know, rules, you know, one through
• Gideon or virtually any defendant to go to court and satisfy, you know, rules, you know, one through
• Gideon or virtually any defendant to go to court and satisfy, you know, rules, you know, one through
• but this bill makes it virtually but this bill makes it virtually impossible<01:04:59.119> for
• <01:05:01.440> any virtually any virtually any defendant<01:05:03.520> to<01:05:03.839>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up Senate Bill 268, a bill related to biological sex and related classifications. Members opposing the bill argued it was unnecessary, poorly drafted, and a personal attack on a small group of people, while supporters said it was needed to protect girls and women and to avoid repeated floor debate on a measure they viewed as proper. Several members also discussed the bill’s definition of biological sex, the lack of guidance on what information could be required to make determinations, and concerns about unintended consequences. The committee voted on a motion to retain the bill and approved it by a 10-8 roll call vote, with the bill retained. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 189, described by supporters as a housekeeping measure requested by the Secretary of State and the Department of Health and Human Services concerning fetal death records. Supporters said the bill was narrow, time-sensitive, and ready to pass, while opponents argued it needed further work and that the committee should not use retention to reopen the bill for broader changes. Some members said they wanted to add or explore additional provisions related to fetal death reporting, while others objected that such changes were outside the bill’s scope and poor procedure. After debate, the committee voted to retain Senate Bill 189 as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• managing CDs, the bank and the State Treasurer are now using a special rate savings account that pays virtually
• And since we're reducing the, you said virtually the same interest rate, and so as we're reducing the
• We had our fifth annual virtual job fair.
• We invested in a platform called Easy Virtual Fair.
• six different pavilions where the industries are located, and a person just has to enter into the virtual

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Leadership Division of the Budget Section approved the prior meeting minutes and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s interim work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has reviewed state cash, investments, and liquidity across agencies and concluded the state’s overall mix of long-term and short-term assets is appropriate, with about $35 billion in total liquid assets and investments and roughly 89% in longer-term investments. He highlighted process improvements already underway, including replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work, and said the board sees opportunities to improve forecasting, automation, and statewide coordination. Members asked about whether the CD change would increase returns, how the Legacy Fund transfer for the homestead tax relief bill affected earnings, and whether more state cash could be consolidated or better managed through BND; Sickler and BND staff said those issues are being studied and may lead to legislation for the 2027 session. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the committee on the Task Force on Government Efficiency. He said the group has focused less on cutting dollars and more on defining metrics and asking how the legislature knows whether programs are working. The task force is pushing a standard set of questions for new or expanding programs—who is affected, expected outcomes, alternatives, how success will be measured, and full funding—and OMB has agreed to require those answers in future budget requests. Members discussed possible use of dashboards, program evaluators, AI tools, and possible rule or statutory changes to require performance measurement. Toman said the task force will continue meeting with agencies such as the courts, university system, auditor, HHS, Commerce, and ITD to identify workflow bottlenecks and potential efficiencies. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota gave a workforce update, reporting that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5% and labor force participation is about 68.7%, both well above national performance. He described Job Service’s 15 workforce programs, including H-2A housing inspections for foreign agricultural workers, the job placement partnership program with DOCR, WOTC, and other federal and state workforce efforts. Davis said the agency served more than 11,000 individuals in 2025, operates nine workforce centers, and tracks outcomes through quarterly and annual reporting. In response to questions, he said job openings data reflect only positions in the system and may understate actual hiring needs, that child care and other assistance programs could be better tied to employment outcomes, and that the DOCR partnership has shown strong results with lower recidivism and higher earnings. He also said the H-2A inspection workload is growing quickly and additional staffing or less frequent federal inspection requirements could help. Allen Knutson then presented S&P Global’s updated revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the prior month’s outlook, improving the state’s near-term revenue picture, though the economy remains volatile and agriculture is facing weaker commodity prices. Based on the updated forecast, total major tax revenues for the current biennium are projected to be about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and the next biennium could be about $500 million higher, though that estimate is preliminary and may change. He also walked through an alternate oil-price scenario showing significantly higher oil and gas collections and a larger Strategic Investment Fund balance if prices remain elevated. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about tribal allocation changes in the alternative scenario; Knutson said additional updates are possible through OMB and future forecast cycles.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is—I’m going to jump to virtual power plants.
• This leads me to speaking about what’s called a virtual power plant in the bill.
• <01:42:17.000> So, as a as a virtual power plant. So, as a as a virtual power plant.
• I used to do a lot of virtualization, P2P consulting.
• , I used to do a lot of virtualization, I used to do a lot of virtualization, P2P<02:32:16.080>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows virtual attendance to count toward a quorum.
• The bill allows virtual attendance to count toward a quorum.
• The bill allows virtual attendance to count toward a quorum.
• “Meeting and if I know that the commission is urging us to let them meet more virtually, would I not
• ability to do that is virtually ability to do that is virtually impossible,<02:30:38.319> and

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the problems with the bill was that the advanced manufacturing definition was so broad it could virtually
• And it had virtually no public safety protections and virtually no habitat and species protections in
• 330-megawatt project alongside a residential community and elementary school has broken ground, virtually
• While the bill offers streamlining for ELDPs, many criteria are virtually impossible to meet.
• My name is a... criteria are virtually impossible to meet.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• young people to learn more about their identities, find peer support, and make friends, similar to a virtual
• The virtual nature of this platform is important, as it helps overcome barriers to in-person support,
• The virtual nature of this platform is important, as it helps overcome barriers to in-person support,
• Mon and then we'll move to the virtual space? Perfect. Dr. Mon, you're up. Great.
• Mon and then we'll move to the virtual space? Perfect. Dr. Mon, you're up. Great.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, virtually all voters have been verified against DPS at this time and SIMS and then working with the
• Um, virtually all voters have been verified against DPS at this time and SIMS and then working with the
• Um, virtually all voters have been verified against DPS at this time and SIMS and then working with the
• Um virtually all license information.
• Um virtually all voters<00:15:11.760> have<00:15:11.920> been<00:15:12.079> verified

Keywords: Elections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 250, which would require disclosures for political advertisements that are generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence. Senator Blackman explained that the bill applies to video, image, and audio ads, with specific disclaimer requirements and exemptions for bona fide news coverage, documentaries, and certain distributors that require AI disclosure from submitters. Members asked about the bill’s scope, including that it would not cover written mailers. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2386, which would prohibit political candidates from using grand jury or jury proceedings as a captive audience for campaign activity. Senator Tate said the measure had been passed before and was intended to prevent politicizing trials. With no questions, the committee again voted title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2096 from the Secretary of State’s office, a technical elections bill establishing minimum cybersecurity standards for access to SIMS by election officials and clerks; counties would have to pass an assessment or use election support funds to fix deficiencies. That bill was likewise reported out on a title sufficient, do pass motion. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 2588, the Shield Act, which would require citizenship verification through the federal SAVE system for certain driver’s license or ID applicants who identify as noncitizens or do not provide verifiable information, and would also run the voter rolls through SAVE annually. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity and add confidence that voters are citizens, while Senator Blunt argued the bill could lead to unnecessary purges based on database mismatches and that existing systems already address the issue. The Secretary of State’s office said SAVE is used with safeguards, does not automatically remove voters, and that voters flagged in error can provide proof and remain eligible. Despite the debate, the committee voted title sufficient and do pass committee substitute, and the bill was reported out. Finally, the chairman began explaining Senate Bill 2558, a comprehensive campaign finance reform bill. He described provisions requiring candidates and committees to file statements of organization before accepting contributions or making expenditures, defining corporate contributions and coordinated expenditures, separating candidate committees from PACs, requiring more detailed reporting and electronic filing, setting rules for termination reports and anonymous contributions, and imposing tiered fines for violations. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its discussion or took final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• In-person and virtual and into disseminate
• In-person and virtual and into a virtual attendees
• regarding In-person and virtual and into a
• virtual attendees regarding benefits and services a virtual attendees regarding benefits and services

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 465, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to virtual currency, out of Banking
• House Bill 465, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to virtual currency, out of Banking
• House Bill 465, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to virtual currency, out of Banking

Summary: The Senate received a large number of House communications and committee reports, including several nominations and many bills and resolutions returned from House committees or passed by the House. Committee reports covered a wide range of topics, including education, health, judiciary, finance, housing, transportation, emergency management, and business/technology. The Senate also assigned several measures to committees for further consideration and noted upcoming committee meetings. The chamber confirmed three nominations by roll call: Michael T. Scuse to the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, J. Eric Firewold to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees, and Joan F. Coker to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees. The Senate also passed Consent Calendar 66, which included Senate Concurrent Resolution 223 on DIA broadcast access for playoff and championship games and House Concurrent Resolution 149 designating June 12, 2026, as Loving Day in Delaware. Members discussed Loving Day and the importance of recognizing interracial marriage rights, with Senator Huxstable, Senator Buckson, and Senator Townsend offering remarks. On the floor, the Senate passed House Bill 141, requiring a firearm responsibilities notice for gun purchasers, after debate over gun safety and industry burden; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 200, as amended, expanding insurance coverage for HIV prevention medications PrEP and PEP; House Bill 426, modernizing municipal street-aid reporting; and Senate Resolution 21, directing a study of portable solar generation devices and related safety and utility issues. The Senate also passed Consent Agenda O, a large package of bills covering topics such as money transmission and stablecoins, nursing advancement, pilot licenses, commerce and trade, subaqueous lands, driver’s license loss due to medical issues, residential speed limits, electronic bidding, family court jurisdiction, agency regulations, technical corrections to multiple local charters, and other measures. The Senate then recessed until June 25, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• If Cloverport starts a virtual school, we want to make sure that's in the model.
• If Cloverport starts a virtual school, we want to make sure that's in the model.
• If Cloverport starts a virtual school, we want to make sure that's in the model.
• If Cloverport starts a virtual school, we want to make sure that's in the model.
• Could be attributed directly to the virtual school in Cloverport?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development received a presentation from Kentucky Department of Education officials on the final SEEK estimate for fiscal year 2025. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, Matt Ross, and Chay Ritter explained that SEEK is developed through a consensus process with the Office of the State Budget Director using multiple models and district-level inputs, and that the estimate is a projection made well before actual data are available. They emphasized that the discussion was separate from the pending education-funding lawsuit and described SEEK as one part of a much larger K-12 budget picture. The presenters said the current SEEK estimate shows a statutory shortfall of about $14.7 million, or roughly 0.53% of the appropriation, with additional optional items that could bring the total to about $40.5 million if funds are available. They noted that prior years have sometimes produced excess funds, which are redirected according to budget language rather than automatically flowing back through SEEK. They also reviewed the main drivers of the estimate, including property assessments, average daily attendance, free lunch counts, exceptional child counts, home hospital, and limited English proficiency, and said property assessments have been especially volatile while exceptional child counts and ELL populations are difficult to predict. Members asked about why the estimate missed on some categories, especially special education and ELL, and whether district-level changes were being monitored closely enough. The presenters said KDE does monitor special education counts and will review larger districts and districts with unusual growth, and they acknowledged that exceptional child growth has been hard to forecast. Representative Bojanowski asked about the Cloverport virtual school, and staff said its growth was much larger than projected and accounted for a significant portion of the shortfall. Members also discussed the impact of property value growth, population shifts, illness, and legislative changes on SEEK projections. No vote or formal action was taken, and the meeting ended after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• government needs to prepare the people of Puerto Rico for the possibility that power will go out virtually
• power<00:55:40.880> will<00:55:41.119> go<00:55:41.359> out<00:55:41.799> virtually
• <00:55:42.720> every<00:55:43.280> day power will go out virtually every day power
• will go out virtually every day during<00:55:44.480> this during this during this summer<00:55
• It also instructs the education secretary to prioritize school choice when awarding discretionary grants

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are maintaining abstinence-based instruction.
• >> Yeah, that's some additional instruction. >> Okay, good. Okay.
• >> Yeah, that's some additional instruction. >> Okay, good. Okay.
• >> Yeah, that's some additional instruction. >> Okay, good. Okay.
• >> Yeah, that's some additional instruction. >> Okay, good. Okay.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He did find that virtually every state uses the same three terms as New Hampshire: reprimand, censure
• He did<00:26:23.520> find<00:26:23.760> that<00:26:24.080> virtually<00:26:24.640
• > every<00:26:25.039> state<00:26:25.520> uses did find that virtually every state
• uses did find that virtually every state uses the<00:26:26.159> same<00:26:26.400> three
• Um, reprimand is virtually meaningless in my opinion.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that going to be virtual testimony? Go ahead, Mr. Huffman.
• that<00:16:11.399> going<00:16:11.519> to<00:16:11.560> be<00:16:11.720> virtual
• badana uh is that going to be virtual badana uh is that going to be virtual testimony<00:16:13.440
• We do have one more testifier, virtually, Rich True from the Forward Party of Minnesota.
• Rich true from the forward virtually Rich true from the forward party<00:31:15.840> of<00:31:

Bills: HF550

Keywords: redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It took Brockton much longer to get kids back into virtual class just because that was a new implementation
• solution to this is to be able to provide care through alternative mechanisms, through telehealth and virtual
• previous representative talked about how broadband and access to affordable connectivity enables virtually
• We also see families without reliable transportation for whom virtual therapy sessions can mean the difference

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy opened its hearing with testimony on several broadband, towing, and rideshare-related bills. The first major issue was H. 3470/S. 2259, which would add data privacy and integrity protections for transportation network driver information. Rideshare drivers and labor advocates strongly opposed the bill, saying it would delay implementation of Question 3, which Massachusetts voters approved to give rideshare drivers a path to unionize. Drivers described low pay, deactivations, harassment, safety risks, and the need for a union to negotiate fairer working conditions. Legal and labor experts testified that the bill was largely duplicative of existing law and regulations and would unnecessarily postpone drivers’ organizing rights. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on broadband affordability and access bills, including S. 2318/H. 3527 and related measures. Supporters, including legislators, digital equity advocates, senior advocates, and service providers, said low-income households need a permanent affordable broadband option after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended. They argued that internet access is now essential for jobs, school, health care, housing, and daily life, and supported a flat-rate low-income plan around $15 per month with protections such as no installation fees or termination fees. Opponents from cable and wireless industry groups argued the bills would impose artificial price mandates, discourage investment, and reduce consumer choice, noting that providers already offer discounted programs. The committee also heard support for broadband deployment and pole-attachment streamlining bills, with providers and municipal broadband advocates saying permitting delays and pole access bottlenecks slow expansion and raise costs. Additional testimony covered H. 3566, which would exempt municipal broadband projects from surety bond requirements, and towing-related bills including S. 2235, H. 3507, H. 3516, and H. 3482. Insurance and anti-fraud witnesses supported stronger towing protections, saying some towers charge excessive fees and hold vehicles hostage, while one witness urged broader consumer safeguards. The hearing ended after the chairs shortened testimony to fit the room schedule, asked for final comments on remaining bills, and then adjourned by motion and voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• lower-tier speeds is because it's the same infrastructure delivering all of those service tiers at virtually
• lower-tier speeds is because it's the same infrastructure delivering all of those service tiers at virtually
• lower-tier speeds is because it's the same infrastructure delivering all of those service tiers at virtually
• lower-tier speeds is because it's the same infrastructure delivering all of those service tiers at virtually

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee held an informational hearing on the state of broadband affordability in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the committee was examining how broadband prices, access, and affordability are affecting households, especially after the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program and amid concerns about federal resistance to state broadband regulation. She noted the committee’s continued interest in policy options for 2026 and referenced prior legislation, including AB 353, that would have required affordable home internet as a condition of doing business in California. Industry witnesses from U.S. Telecom and CTIA argued that broadband and wireless prices have generally fallen in real terms even as inflation and other household costs have risen, citing competition, infrastructure investment, and faster speeds as the main drivers. They said California’s higher costs are tied to permitting delays, taxes, copper theft, and legacy obligations such as COLR requirements, and they urged the Legislature to preserve market incentives, reduce fees and regulatory burdens, and support infrastructure deployment. They also discussed fixed wireless access, federal BEAD funding, and Universal Service Fund reform, arguing that more entities benefiting from networks, including tech platforms, should contribute to support programs. Consumer and public-interest witnesses presented a different view, saying California still has a serious affordability and adoption problem, especially for low-income households. Sunny McPhee of the California Emerging Technology Fund said broadband adoption has improved dramatically over time, but about 500,000 households remain offline or underconnected and many low-income households still pay above the FCC affordability benchmark. Ernesto Falcon of the CPUC Public Advocates Office said California’s market is losing its competitive edge, with prices higher than in other states and meaningful price pressure coming mainly from fiber competition at the gigabit tier. He said roughly 4.8 million Californians are limited to one gigabit option and estimated that more competition could save consumers more than $1 billion annually. Both witnesses emphasized the need for stronger transparency, targeted subsidies, and a permanent affordability solution, including extending and refining the CPUC broadband Lifeline pilot and advancing SB 716. Public commenters, including representatives from cable providers, nonprofits, and digital equity organizations, largely supported SB 716 and a permanent broadband affordability program. Several urged the committee to remove a cap on the Lifeline program, expand the CPUC pilot, and invest in digital navigators, outreach, and enrollment assistance. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, after the chair thanked the witnesses and public commenters for their testimony.