Transcript Highlights:

• We are diving deep into budget policy.
• This is the Governor's full $117.4 billion budget proposal.
• The Floridians First Budget also includes increased...
• The Floridians First Budget also includes increases in key areas of our FEFP budget: an increase of $100
• If you listen to the governor's budget presentation by Ms.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 education budget. Shelby Salmons outlined the overall budget framework, and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis highlighted major education investments, including $486 million for VPK, $30.6 billion for K-12 education, a $761.1 million increase in FEFP funding, the highest per-student funding level to date, and $201 million more for teacher pay flexibility. The presentation also emphasized school safety, mental health, civics education, and the Guardian Program, along with continued funding for TEACH, HIPPY, Help Me Grow, and civics debate and literacy initiatives. Members asked about how the mental health allocation would be used, counselor staffing ratios, school closures and whether the department intervenes, oversight of school choice and voucher-funded schools, and the Guardian Program’s pay structure and effectiveness. Senators also raised concerns about the FISH school capacity report, data collection, teacher pay, professional development, AI and tutoring technology, and whether the budget adequately supports mental health services and school safety. The Commissioner said many funding decisions are left to districts, that the department stands ready to assist, and that the Guardian Program has been successful and expanded over time. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding, and urged the committee to consider full-day VPK funding, arguing it has improved third-grade reading outcomes in Pinellas. Senators followed up on district flexibility and local spending choices. The committee took no substantive vote on the budget presentation and adjourned after thanking the department for its recommendations and partnership.

Transcript Highlights:

• budget committee. to the budget committee member is that to the budget committee member is that they
• and to explain the budget to the budget committee, and the budget committee can make corrections.
• ><c> the</c><07:03:54.558><c> budget</c> budget committee and the budget budget committee and the budget
• be school budget or town budget, and we just have to stop.
• </c> budget shall be presented to the budget budget shall be presented to the budget committee<07:13:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026, to act on a series of bills. Early in the meeting, members agreed that they could consult the online submission summaries rather than have changing submission counts read aloud. The committee then took up House Bill 1386, which would have allowed citizens in a municipality to vote to require a financial audit of a local school district. Members opposing the bill argued that school districts already have audit authority and reporting requirements under existing law, and that the proposal was unnecessary and potentially burdensome. The committee voted 17-0 to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee next considered House Bill 1181FN on public hearing notice requirements for zoning board of adjustment appeals. Members who opposed the bill said newspaper publication provides independent third-party verification and archival value, and that removing that requirement would weaken public notice. The committee voted 17-0 ITL and sent the bill to the consent calendar. It also voted 17-0 ITL on House Bill 1327, concerning the definition of commercially zoned land, largely because the sponsor was absent and members said they could not do due diligence without hearing from the sponsor. The committee then acted on House Bill 1473FN, concerning the use of agricultural fairground property, and House Bill 1147, concerning the use of capital reserve funds. In both cases, members cited the sponsor’s absence and the need for more information as reasons to recommend inexpedient to legislate; both votes were 17-0 and both bills were placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 1220, which would have allowed municipal governing bodies to review and approve school budgets, was also recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after members raised concerns about local control, legal conflicts between separate entities, and technical drafting problems. The committee recommended ought to pass on House Bill 118, which raises the amount of money municipal treasurers may hold before depositing it in the bank, with supporters saying the higher threshold would reduce unnecessary trips to the bank and improve efficiency. It also recommended ought to pass on House Bill 1151, a housekeeping bill correcting statutory references related to conservation commission appropriations, and it approved House Bill 1309 as amended after adopting Amendment 2026-0411H to clarify town meeting warrant language. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1385, prohibiting negative property tax rates in certain municipalities, and recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after testimony indicated the practice at issue had already ended and that a blanket prohibition could create problems for municipalities with excess revenues. The committee also began work on House Bill 1369, relating to posting warrants for special town meetings, and discussed an amendment to preserve newspaper notice while also allowing website posting where available.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> all of those things and in a budget all of those things and in a budget situation<00:03:13.920><
• This budget framework invests in shared goals like education, health care, and family budgets.
• This was not an easy budget Minnesota. This was not an easy budget to<00:04:58.880><c> balance.
• </c> again and we have a budget agreement. again and we have a budget agreement.
• Thank you. that this is a solid budget. It is that this is a solid budget.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The COLA would not become part of the base budget.
• We have budget language like that, I'm told.
• But there is language in our budget currently that requires certain issues to be examined in the budget
• But its desire is to keep this issue before our budget writers every time they sit down to write a budget
• This is a complicated issue in bad budget times.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ask questions with respect to your budget requests.
• Like I said, we are not asking for any budget increase.
• We also had our budget reduced 20%. And then, so we...
• You know, it's hard to budget.
• I'm going to move on to the budget.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee’s Appropriations Subcommittee met to hear budget presentations from OETA, the Commissioners of the Land Office, and the Oklahoma Educational Quality and Accountability Commission (OEQA). The chair asked witnesses to stay focused on budget requests and agency operations rather than policy, unless policy affected the numbers. OETA reported no request for additional funding. Director Sean Black highlighted the agency’s 70th year of continuous broadcasting, completion of transmitter replacements, conversion to fiber, and lower electricity costs from more efficient equipment. He said OETA would offset the loss of federal CPB funding through donations, events, and partnerships, and described its statewide reach, educational programming, and multiple broadcast and streaming channels. Members asked about energy use and were told the new transmitters had reduced power costs. The Commissioners of the Land Office discussed record distributions to schools, a flat budget, and planned spending on invasive woody species, implementation of SB 951, IT modernization, and possible changes to mineral management and staffing. The secretary requested funding for a revenue compliance director, field services manager, internal auditor support, and other adjustments, while explaining the agency’s use of stabilization funds and carryover. Senators questioned orphan and abandoned wells, AI use, and staffing efficiency; the secretary said the agency was trying to work more closely with operators, use AI and in-house software where possible, and manage wells and land in ways that protect school revenue. OEQA presented its priorities for teacher quality, including Teach Forward apprenticeship pilots, dashboard expansion, accreditation review, statutory cleanups, and continued monitoring of cell phone-free zones. The agency described a small, stable budget, five unfilled positions, and a proposed $100,000 reduction for FY 2027 based on efficiencies. Members asked about Teach Forward applications, multilingual testing, and the broader quality of teacher preparation programs; OEQA said it had received three Teach Forward applications and that translating certification tests would raise cost and validity concerns. Senators urged OEQA to play a stronger role in connecting teacher preparation programs with classroom needs, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• disabilities and their families and caregivers, but this progress comes at a price, and the state's budget
• Together, it's the largest part of the budget, and so that's our commitment.
• Never mind the politics, he had to put out a budget there. It is. That’s your priorities.
• </c><00:10:14.760><c> forecast</c> for when they do the budgeting forecast for when they do the budgeting
• </c><00:10:22.440><c> people</c> the Departments and the budget people the Departments and the budget

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last, it was important to our caucus to make sure that we had an eye on the budget and the stable budget
• Last, it was important to our caucus to make sure that we had an eye on the budget and the stable budget
• It's not a budget saver. It's priority. It's not a budget saver. It's an<00:03:22.159><c> othering.
• </c><00:04:29.360><c> She</c> budget, we had to agree to that. She budget, we had to agree to that.
• , but to Minnesota state budget. 49 other state budgets would throw all of them into a tailspin.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it at a flat-bud budget status.
• That when we created our budget and looked at our budget, we were preparing it at a flat-budget status
• So we have a unified budget.
• and budget requirements.
• You're budgeted for those or you are not budgeted for... ...you or 40%, you're budgeted for those or

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the State Land Office, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State said its requested general fund budget of $15.88 million was intended to maintain baseline operations, replace lost federal cyber and election support, and address a 12% vacancy rate. Officials warned that the House recommendation still left major gaps for election security, tabulator replacement, campaign finance system upgrades, overseas and military ballot services, ballot tracking, and a new tax lien filing system. Senators pressed about the election fund, county burdens, and the risk of underfunding election administration; the office said the House had provided $15 million for the election fund for the primary and another $15 million for the general election, but not enough for operations or all capital needs. The State Land Office said it was satisfied with the House budget action and had no additional request. Staff described the office’s record revenues, low vacancy rate, clean audits, and proposed new positions tied to forestry, economic development, petroleum, geothermal, and royalty compliance work. Senators asked about long-term revenue trends, forest thinning and biomass opportunities, and bookkeeping around the land maintenance fund; the office said the new positions were intended to generate revenue and support land management, including fire mitigation. The Attorney General’s office presented a budget built around a 0% general fund increase, greater use of the Consumer Settlement Fund, and $4.5 million in special/extraordinary litigation funding. The AG emphasized active litigation and investigations involving consumer fraud, Medicaid fraud, federal funding cuts, Meta and other technology platforms, AI and child safety, gaming compacts, tobacco, and possible litigation over abandoned uranium mine cleanup. Senators asked about scam enforcement, the structure of settlement funds, and whether the office could take on uranium-related litigation; the AG said the office could prepare a litigation budget but warned such efforts would require sustained funding. The State Auditor said the House budget added only modest increases while the office faced about a 40% vacancy rate, difficulty recruiting auditors, and a shrinking pool of public accounting firms, creating risks for constitutional audit responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The FY26 operating budget.
• The FY25 budget was 61,262 overall.
• Last year, thank God y'all did budget them.
• So we're not traveling because also one of the budget crises or budget issues that came up is per diems
• So we spent that budget, the $1.7 million.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor's H2 budget proposes...
• As such, EOED's budget proposal is organized As such, EOED's budget proposal is organized around economic
• The commission's total fiscal year 2027 budget request, The commission's total fiscal year 2027 budget
• budget.
• budget.

Summary: The hearing in Barnstable opened with remarks from the House and Senate co-chairs about the importance of holding Ways and Means budget hearings on the Cape, especially given the region’s seasonal economy and infrastructure needs. The committee then heard testimony from Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones on the governor’s FY27 budget proposal. She highlighted funding for workforce programs including the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, registered apprenticeship, YouthWorks, reentry workforce programs, and services for young adults with disabilities. She also discussed MassHire career centers, the MassHire Innovation Project, and the Department of Unemployment Assistance modernization effort, noting improved call wait times and claims processing, but acknowledging continued challenges and federal funding uncertainty. Members asked about job-seeker barriers such as child care, housing, and transportation; domestic outmigration of young workers; youth work permits; unemployment insurance costs and the COVID assessment on employers; and the state’s unemployment rate and UI trust fund solvency. Jones and Undersecretary Josh Cutler explained the difference between workforce training funds and the unemployment trust fund, described the statewide trigger that extends unemployment benefits from 26 to 30 weeks when regional unemployment averages 5.2 percent, and said the administration is reviewing the trust fund with labor and business stakeholders. They also said the administration is trying to preserve front-line DUA staffing while shifting resources to customer service and adjudication, including a Friday adjudication pilot and seasonal hires. Senators and representatives also pressed the administration on regional equity in workforce funding, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, which was described as serving a large rural area with fewer resources than other regions. Administration officials said they are reviewing MassHire funding formulas and modernizing the system with a policy committee and state workforce board input, but did not offer an immediate fix. The committee also heard that early childhood education apprenticeships are expanding quickly, with state funding leveraged to secure federal grants and support new Grow Awards. The hearing then moved to the Executive Office of Economic Development, where Secretary Eric Paley outlined House 2 proposals for economic development, including support for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, workforce partnerships, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, AI, small business assistance, tourism, and tax incentives. Undersecretary Leila D’Amilia followed with testimony on consumer affairs and business regulation, describing funding for consumer protection, banking oversight, occupational licensure, and public safety inspections.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the budget, This is the enhancement budget for indirect services, licensing and certification
• But within this budget itself, Within this budget itself, one of the things that we're trying to address
• this budget, but it's not a reflection of the budget.
• is the enhancement budget.
• I think that's it on that budget.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal and received a notice appointing Randolph J. Hill as a substitute legislator for District 14. The chamber also processed messages from the Senate and Governor, including the signing and return of Enrolled Senate Bill 1396, filing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 127, and referral or enrollment actions on several House bills. House Bill 750 was reported as having failed in the Senate, while House Bills 969 and 970 were deferred for printing and later referred for committee action. The main floor business focused on appropriations and welfare-related measures. The House suspended rules and passed Senate Bill 1432, the Health and Welfare indirect services/licensing budget, after discussion of a 1.2% increase and modernization costs. It then passed Senate Bill 1433, the Medicaid budget, after extended debate over rising Medicaid costs, supplemental funding, provider rate cuts, Medicaid expansion, and the effect of federal policy changes. Senate Bill 1434, the Division of Welfare budget, also passed; members discussed SNAP administration cost shifts, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and eligibility system changes tied to federal law and prior Idaho legislation. Senate Bill 1437, a trailer appropriation for Idaho State Police DNA and thumbprint sampling tied to sexual battery and domestic violence misdemeanors, passed as well. The House also passed House Bill 968, a year-end transfer/budget bill that redirected funds to the bottom line and moved interest and other balances among accounts; one member criticized leaving money in reserves while cutting services. After recess, the chamber returned to consider Senate-amended bills. House Bill 730, on SNAP eligibility timing, passed after the Senate changed the review period from every four months to every six months. House Bill 758, on daycare licensing, passed with a Senate cleanup amendment referencing Idaho Code. House Bill 928, on merit-based health care, also passed after Senate amendments clarifying language and adding a sex-based hiring provision for certain occupational settings. The House then made announcements, including committee meeting notices, and adjourned until April 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Katrina Austin is the budget analyst for Article 2. Patrick Philpott, budget analyst for Article 3.
• I would like to introduce Harold Stone. draft a budget and to make sure that this is a conservative budget
• I'm Julie Lindsey with the Legislative Budget Board. I'm one of the Assistant Directors of Budget.
• That's what we are assuming out of this budget. There's nothing in the budget that says GIDC.
• That's what we are assuming out of this budget. There's nothing in the budget that says GIDC.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would that not impact what their budget is?
• of need and not on budgets of have.
• County commissioners' path to develop budgets.
• Yeah, cause I'm gonna... budgets I'm gonna...
• , we have to deal with budgets too.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> budget cap or an override of a budget budget cap or an override of a budget cap,<01:02:25.440><c
• a default budget budget is similar to a default budget under<01:13:30.640><c> SP2.
• </c> the adjusted budget. the adjusted budget.
• budget.
• The operating budget for the budget.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was the major point of contention during the session building the Medicaid budget, where LFC's budget
• The president was recommending not funding these federal funds in next year's budget, in the budget they're
• So in their budget proposal, and I haven't had a chance, honestly, to look at the budget that passed
• The budget to move those funds around? **Mr.
• A new discretionary budget authority. So, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• A COLA would go into effect for Plan 1 retirees unless, in the budget, the budget explicitly said a COLA
• A COLA would go into effect for Plan 1 retirees unless, in the budget, the budget explicitly said a COLA
• So when the budget comes forward from the governor or when the maintenance-level budget is calculated
• And that becomes also an issue for our budget.
• And that becomes also an issue for our budget writers as well.

Summary: The Executive Committee of the State Committee on Pension Policy approved the June minutes and received updates from staff and counsel. The attorney reported on two class action matters: the Fowler/Probst Fowler teacher interest case, where a court ordered the state to pay $118 million and the state has appealed and sought a stay, and the Dawson case challenging last year’s HB 2034 related to the LEOFF 1 plan, where the complaint was amended and the state plans to move to dismiss. The actuary also provided a brief update on asset smoothing and offered to provide additional education on the topic. The committee then focused on interim work planning and the September agenda. Members discussed an ad hoc COLA for PERS and TRS Plan 1 retirees, with staff explaining options for making a COLA part of the base budget or otherwise structuring it. The committee agreed to move forward with a bill for a Plan 1 ad hoc COLA and to have it considered in October, with a request for fiscal analysis. The committee also heard from a Washington State Patrol Troopers Association representative about survivor medical benefits, and staff said a cost estimate could be prepared for October if the proposal included retroactive coverage. For September, the committee set the agenda to include PERS eligibility for animal control officers, a LEOFF 1 medical study update with possible action, and the Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item. Staff said the work plan would also add the ongoing Plan 1 COLA and survivor medical topics to October, along with preliminary 2027 meeting dates. The meeting ended with informal approval of the September agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that um at the top it says house budget that um at the top it says house budget resolution.<00:02
• So this is the budget resolution.
• And then we al always budget bills.
• </c> bud res 2, the house budget resolution. bud res 2, the house budget resolution.
• The budget resolution is Thank you. The budget resolution is passed.

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not the budget. The budget is a plan. It's a point of departure.
• usually wind up being under budget.
• </c> days after our budget went into effect. days after our budget went into effect.
• We<01:08:35.600><c> budgeted</c><01:08:37.040><c> properly</c> We budgeted properly We budgeted properly
• Uh the the budget cuts already.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The work session was limited to House Bill 1750, a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services’ SNAP administration. Before testimony, Representative Terski distributed a written statement from Representative Priest for the record. Department officials Karen Heert and Nathan White then walked the committee through a chart showing SNAP participation, federal benefit dollars, and state administrative costs, emphasizing that the benefits themselves do not flow through the state budget. They explained that the reported administrative cost includes overhead and cost-allocation methods used to maximize federal reimbursement, and that the current participant count is about 75,000 with the trend steady in recent years. Members questioned whether the reported costs were stable, how much of the administrative expense was directly tied to SNAP, and whether reducing overhead would lower the need for the appropriation. The department said the cost per participant and per dollar distributed would be lower if SNAP were isolated, but that the broader allocation system also supports federal claiming across multiple programs. Officials said SNAP eligibility is redetermined every six months, that the department processes nearly 50 eligibility programs with about 250 field staff, roughly 70 unfunded positions, and a vacancy rate around 25%. They also said most errors in the program are unintentional and can come from either staff or participant mistakes, and that the department reviews errors to identify systemic fixes. The committee discussed the fiscal impact of the bill and related budget issues. DHHS said the current adjusted authorization for 2026 is about $31 million, but actual spending is expected to be closer to $25–26 million because of vacancies and unfilled positions. Members asked whether the $4.4 million shortfall identified in the fiscal note would come from the rainy day fund; staff said it would not be taken directly from that fund, but would reduce the amount available to flow into it at the end of the biennium. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 603 FN, which was described as an alternative approach that would require DHHS to transfer funds within its existing budget rather than provide new money; officials said it would simply codify an option the department already has. No vote or final action on House Bill 1750 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor's operating budget, um, it's page 84-47, and it's beginning the DCF budget.
• </c><00:07:28.520><c> what</c> they are and where in the budget what they are and where in the budget
• </c> 47 and it's beginning the DCF budget 47 and it's beginning the DCF budget begins<00:08:04.960><c
• Yes, on page 865 of the budget.
• On slide 21, we’re moving into our SYC budget, our Sununu Youth Services budget.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Division 3 House Finance Committee opened a work session and announced scheduling updates, including a second Medicaid work session on March 5 at 9:00 a.m. and a reminder that recommendations or budget amendments must be moved to the full finance committee by the end of March. Members were told no motions, roll calls, or votes would be taken, and the chair also reviewed upcoming meeting dates and weather-related cancellation procedures. The day’s presentation was a budget work session on the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), with officials Marie Nunan and Nathan White introducing the agency’s budget materials and mission. DCYF’s presentation focused on its core mandates and recent operational changes. Officials described child protective services, juvenile justice services, and the Sununu Youth Services Center, then highlighted workforce improvements, including reduced vacancy rates for assessment caseworkers, juvenile justice officers, and youth counselors. They attributed the staffing gains to legislative pay raises, mass recruitment posting changes, a more stable and trauma-informed model at SYC, and broader flexibility after prior budget cuts and hiring freezes. Members asked about full-time versus part-time staffing, and DCYF said most positions discussed were full-time, with some harder-to-fill part-time youth counselor roles at SYC. The committee also discussed DCYF’s emphasis on serving families earlier through its Community Navigator hotline referrals and community-based voluntary services, which are intended to connect families to supports before abuse or neglect escalates. Officials said the Community Navigator program had received 807 referrals since August 2023. On juvenile justice, DCYF described its assessment and diversion process and said it had reduced juvenile probation involvement by 30% from 2019 to 2023; members were directed to slide 17 for 2024 data, and officials said the trend continued toward fewer in-home juvenile justice cases. The agency also reported progress in kinship care, saying initial out-of-home placements with kin now occur 74% of the time and that kinship placements are associated with more reunification. Officials said kinship caregivers are being licensed and paid similarly to foster parents, and that the legislature’s kinship law has helped. Finally, DCYF outlined transition-age youth supports, including the HOPE program, Youth Villages LifeSet, and housing vouchers. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding our budget request, our governor's budget request for additional resources to support the operations
• It also helped to build budget resiliency.
• This is a budget increase bill.
• Our budget ask.
• The SIBTF budget proposal.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard presentations on labor and public employment issues from the Employment Development Department (EDD), the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), and the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The committee first focused on EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on online claims, call center upgrades, language access, fraud prevention, and the Integrated Claims Management System (ICMS). The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged closer legislative oversight, especially as the project moves into the most difficult phase. Senators asked about the revised timeline, total cost, fraud reduction, stress testing, transparency around change orders, and the decision to phase in disability insurance and paid family leave before unemployment insurance. EDD said the overall project cost remained about $1.2 billion, that it had no major cost overruns, and that it had saved more than $20 million by shifting some shared customer portal work into ICMS. The subcommittee then considered CWDB’s request for additional operational resources and trailer bill language to streamline reporting. CWDB and the Department of Finance said staffing had been expanded during the pandemic-era surge in grant funding and should now be reduced as one-time grant programs wind down. Senators questioned the proposed staffing reduction, arguing that workforce development needs remain strong and that the board’s policy role still requires adequate capacity. The committee also discussed a proposal to consolidate multiple annual and interim reports into a single biennial report, with LAO supporting the streamlining. Members asked about reporting for specific programs and the cost savings from reducing duplicative evaluations. A major portion of the hearing addressed DIR’s proposed reforms to the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) and related workload funding. DIR and LAO described rapid growth in applications, a large and growing backlog, and sharply rising liabilities and employer assessments. The administration’s trailer bill would tighten eligibility, apply reforms to open cases, and use contemporaneous evidence and QME reports to document preexisting disabilities. LAO said the proposal largely matched its prior recommendations and would help return the program to its original intent. Senators raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, the effect on workers with undocumented preexisting conditions, and whether the QME system could absorb the added workload. The committee also heard DIR’s request to eliminate vacant positions under a statewide vacancy sweep, with members objecting that some vacancies reflect unmet enforcement and safety needs rather than excess capacity. The hearing continued with DIR proposals for additional Cal/OSHA investigative staff, permanent changes to Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board petition deadlines, and apprenticeship-related funding increases. DIR sought 14 permanent positions for its Bureau of Investigation to handle serious workplace fatalities and injuries, and members emphasized the importance of timely investigations and family communication. The WCAB requested making permanent a 2024 change that starts the 60-day reconsideration clock when a case is transmitted rather than when the petition is filed; the board said this had reduced the number of cases awaiting decisions from 637 to 460. Finally, DIR proposed increasing apprenticeship training grants from $3 million to $20 million annually using the Apprenticeship Training Contribution Fund, citing an $80 million fund balance and workforce demand tied to rebuilding and infrastructure needs, and then began discussion of a separate request to expand pre-apprenticeship programs.