Transcript Highlights:

• But you are aware of it now.
• This happened months ago. last year. This happened months ago. This<01:15:44.440><c> happened.
• $5 million in one month. >> Yes.
• </c> to $5 million in one month. Yes. to $5 million in one month. Yes. Wow. Wow. Wow. Okay. Okay.
• I make no I am I am aware of it.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that is within 6 months of are a person that is within 6 months of dying<03:38:22.920><c> and</c><03
• </c> time comes that I am within six months time comes that I am within six months of<03:41:06.880><c
• <03:58:51.880><c> of</c> months of months of death<03:58:54.199><c> and</c><03:58:54.840><c> and</c><
• </c> decides that somebody only has 6 months decides that somebody only has 6 months to<04:00:10.120>
• Scott is it... months and people would have two years months and people would have two years or<05:01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 199, which would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages from PFAS contamination from six years to 20 years. The prime sponsor and other supporters argued that PFAS contamination in southern New Hampshire has long-term and often delayed health and property impacts, making the current six-year period too short for victims to discover harm, connect it to exposure, and seek relief. Supporters described contamination in places such as Merrimack and surrounding communities, cited health concerns including cancer, developmental issues, and other illnesses, and said a longer period would better preserve legal rights while still requiring proof of causation. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but acknowledged the contamination and ongoing work to address it. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that evidence becomes stale over time, memories and documents fade, and a longer window would make it harder to determine causation when other exposures or intervening factors may be involved. Committee members questioned both sides about causation, the difficulty of proving PFAS-related illness, and whether a 20-year period was necessary if a plaintiff already knows of the injury and its source. Supporters responded that PFAS effects can emerge slowly, that scientific understanding continues to develop, and that current knowledge is still incomplete. Opponents said the existing discovery rule already starts the clock when harm and causal connection are known, and that extending the period would reduce clarity and fairness in litigation. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing on HB 199. The committee then opened House Bill 268 FN, which was described as a technical measure to confirm that the Board of Tax and Land Appeals may hold hearings in its Concord hearing rooms. The sponsor indicated the bill reflects current practice and does not require additional facilities. With only one witness listed and no apparent opposition, the discussion was brief and focused on why the authorization should be placed in statute rather than left to practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• The only thing that I'm aware of is the Liberty Bell Restoration, as well as some revenue coming in from
• For a specific activity that we had done, a specific event, a specific item several months ago for the
• I've actually had questions recently where people... ...that the public is aware that we're planning
• Chairman, and to that point, Secretary McGrane, on the $25,000, that was, you know, several months ago
• next couple of years, and also we're building what I talked to you last time—this is a couple of months

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council approved the April 6 meeting minutes and authorized two additional grant awards for the city of Eden and Elmore County, completing the Celebration Fund grant approvals. Staff reported that the fund now has a remaining balance of about $64,685, with most of the original $250,000 already distributed to local celebrations across the state. The committee also reapproved the treasurer’s $30,000 spending authority. Members received updates on the ambassador program, which now includes nearly 2,000 ambassadors across 170 cities, 44 counties, 50 businesses, 31 schools, and 23 veterans organizations. Treasurer Ellsworth highlighted strong turnout and publicity for recent events statewide, including museum programs, lectures, and community celebrations, and reported progress on the Liberty Bell restoration and carriage project, including a donated truck from Kendall Ford. The council also discussed the upcoming Liberty Grove designation in Payette and the continued display of quilts and other promotional materials. Secretary McGrane gave a detailed logistics update on the July 4 Capitol celebration, noting the event is about 75 days away and will include a veterans pancake breakfast, the Boise parade, a concert, booths, and space for protests at the old Ada County Courthouse. He asked to release previously reserved Capitol dates now that the main event date is set, and members agreed. He also said the committee is seeking private fundraising support through the Community Foundation and a dedicated IdahoA250.com link, with any contracts to be routed through the co-chairs. Andrew Finstuin of Boise State provided an update on the statewide higher-education civics initiative tied to America 250, describing course and program efforts at Idaho’s universities and colleges, including civic dialogue tools, Canvas modules, orientation workshops, patriotic music programs, civics badges, and community reads. Members praised the work as a lasting legacy beyond the 2026 celebration. The committee tentatively scheduled its next meeting for 10 a.m. on the 4th and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please be aware the violations of these rules may subject you to removal or other enforcement actions
• of that, or even those teachers who may not be aware of that.
• I was not aware that it was part of California Ed Code and most teachers are not.
• We need the awareness, the tools, the training, and the time to do it well.
• Just a few couple months ago in my district of South Los Angeles, the Florence Graham area which is an

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am so sorry because it was just earlier this month that I said farewell.
• I'm not aware of many times we actually do that.
• I'm not aware of many subjects in which we do send postcards.
• I'm not aware of many times we actually do that.
• I'm not aware of many times we actually do that.

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next month we'll go live with our 8th.
• And so it's going to increase our need in order to do that we're going from $300 a month to $1500 a month
• Which is 6 months. Got it.
• Uh, were you, was the board aware in 2022 that the state of Florida?
• Are you aware of this letter?

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• We're certainly aware of data centers coming in South Ada County.
• Much of the water that the data centers that I'm aware of are receiving are coming through municipal
• If they were used last year, I'm not aware that they were used at any significant level.
• Just if you could send that, I'm sure the working group is probably aware of it.
• And that was about a four-month process.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Department of Water Resources budget. Analysts and Director Matthew Weaver explained the agency’s staffing, continuously appropriated funds, and the effect of ARPA and other one-time infrastructure dollars on the budget. Members asked about efforts to stabilize the Snake River Plain aquifer, the impact of budget holdbacks, groundwater monitoring, and the status of major recharge and conversion projects. Weaver and Water Resource Board Chairman Jeff Raybould said the state is working to reduce groundwater pumping, expand recharge, and build infrastructure to reach a long-term managed recharge goal of 350,000 acre-feet annually, with current recharge averaging about 251,000 acre-feet and capacity potentially exceeding 500,000 acre-feet in good water years. They also discussed project delays caused by permitting, federal land access, and coordination with multiple landowners, and said the $30 million infrastructure appropriation was fully obligated and largely spent. The committee also discussed water projects in other basins, including the Palouse Basin, Mountain Home, Elmore County, and the Bear River. Raybould said the board is considering a Bear River study to identify storage, recharge, and irrigation opportunities under the Bear River compact, and estimated that some future projects, such as a Moscow-area pump station and pipeline, could be very expensive. Members raised concerns about data centers, water quality in the Snake River Plain aquifer, and the role of private and local matching funds in water infrastructure. Weaver said data center water use is a public-interest issue that depends on scale and location, and that groundwater contamination issues are generally handled by the Department of Environmental Quality. The committee then heard the Soil and Water Conservation Commission presentation, which focused on the proposed merger/affiliation with the Department of Water Resources and on funding for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Weaver, serving as interim administrator, said a stakeholder review recommended moving the commission’s affiliation from Agriculture to Water Resources while preserving its current duties, nonregulatory mission, and resources. He said related legislation and a concurrent resolution would support that transition and allow time for further code review and a combined budget in 2027. Analysts also explained a supplemental and FY 2027 enhancement for CREP funding, noting that rising land values increased the state match needed for enrolled acres. Weaver said CREP can help reduce groundwater pumping, that about 11,000 of the 50,000-acre statewide cap are currently enrolled, and that full enrollment could significantly aid aquifer conservation. The committee adjourned after thanking the agencies and noting the next day’s agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, everybody is aware that New Mexico is one big child care desert.
• the first 48 months following the completion of the project.
• In 36 months, they need to meet all four of the previous requirements within the first 48 months.
• It's so impressive that you were not even aware of this bill, and you've been able to resurrect.
• So our process is laid out, as you mentioned earlier, to review this month.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing I want to mention for the edification of my own colleagues, who probably are not aware
• So, as you're probably aware, Mr. Murray is now in the House of Representatives.
• So, as you're probably aware, Mr.
• This budget embodies ongoing collaboration among countless stakeholders for months.
• We will miss you, and next year's budget, we will be acutely aware of missing your presence.

Summary: The Senate continued debate on the FY27 state budget, with several distinguished introductions and a series of amendment actions. Early amendments from Senator Collins on restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay were withdrawn without objection. The Chair then sustained a point of order that a group of tax-related amendments, including proposals on teacher tax relief, tips, overtime, estate tax, and income tax rates, were out of order because they would create money bills that must originate in the House; the Senate voted 35-4 to uphold that ruling. Senator Tarr’s gas tax suspension amendment and several other amendments were defeated, while Senator Fattman’s amendment extending domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, 39-0. The Senate also adopted Senator Fernandes’ amendment creating a commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after debate focused on inequities in local aid distribution and the need for a modern formula. The chamber then took up House No. 5375, the Chapter 90 municipal roads and bridges bill, and passed it to be engrossed. Additional amendments were considered on the budget, including a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, both adopted, after which the Ways and Means amendment as amended was adopted and the underlying budget was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also handled several procedural matters, including concurrence in a House referral for a bill on poverty-related legislation and ordering a sick leave bank bill for Carla Johnson to a third reading. After extensive closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and others praising the collaborative budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted on final passage of House No. 5501, the FY27 appropriations bill. The roll call showed 40-0 in favor, and the bill was passed to be engrossed. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing I want to mention for the edification of my own colleagues, who probably are not aware
• So as you're probably aware, Mr. Murray is now. In the House of Representatives.
• So, as you're probably aware, Mr.
• This budget embodies ongoing collaboration among countless stakeholders for months.
• We will miss you, and next year's budget, we will be acutely aware of missing your presence.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:48:40.640><c> and</c> know education U education awareness and know education U education awareness
• </c> that sit at a table every other month that sit at a table every other month and<00:50:00.559><c>
• </c><01:33:40.960><c> after</c> give them effectively nine months after give them effectively nine months
• So you agree that six months is what we're putting in? What? Because we're putting in six months?
• </c> ability to do it I think six six months ability to do it I think six six months is<01:38:48.560>

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it didn't take us six months.
• Last year as I stood before you, I was in the job for three months.
• And so this time I'm here about 15 months.
• Last year as I stood before you, I was in the job for three months.
• And so this time I'm here about 15 months.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations first for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and then for the State Liquor Division. For Agriculture, analyst Morgan Poloni outlined the agency’s structure, staffing, dedicated funds, and major FY 2025-2027 budget items, including ongoing pay enhancements for investigators and fruit and vegetable inspectors, replacement items, IT hardware, reappropriation of the Resilient Food Systems Grant, and two FY 2026 requests: a deficiency warrant for exotic pest response and a supplemental appropriation for quagga mussel treatment. Director Chanel Tewalt emphasized the history and statutory basis of Idaho’s invasive species program, described the quagga mussel response and its impacts, and said the agency is trying to manage risk while maintaining inspection coverage. Members asked about grant delays, vehicle replacement, signage costs, chemical treatment costs, possible research or biological solutions, and whether cuts would reduce station hours or openings; Tewalt said some stations would be delayed or reduced under cuts and that the department would continue to seek creative enforcement and funding options. The committee then reviewed the Liquor Division budget. Poloni described the division as a dedicated-fund operation with retail, accounting, and distribution functions, and summarized FY 2025-2027 enhancements for personnel, store maintenance, ADA website compliance, replacement items, and IT/security equipment. Director Andrew Arulenandum said he had prioritized spending based on safety, legal exposure, and operational needs, citing a store shelving collapse and warehouse safety concerns as reasons for some requests. Members asked about a pending policy issue involving bulk lottery ticket purchases by out-of-state syndicates, and Arulenandum said the proposal would not have a fiscal impact but would protect the integrity of the lottery. He also addressed questions about liquor pricing and distributor concerns, explaining that Idaho uses a standard tiered markup and that smaller manufacturers can be disadvantaged by higher production costs, though the division sells premium bottles close to cost. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken, and the committee announced it would meet the next morning to take action on FY 2027 maintenance budgets before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• They score discipline anywhere from 12 months to 60 months.
• We score discipline 12 months and 18 months.
• They score discipline anywhere from 12 months to 60 months.
• We score discipline 12 months and 18 months.
• No, we don't do three months triage. It happened to be three months. Mine was.

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 and heard a presentation from Department of Correction officials and UMass Chan researchers on DOC’s objective point-based classification system. DOC described how the system, in place since 2007, uses standardized criteria to assign custody levels and is intended to balance public safety with reintegration. Officials reviewed the system’s initial and reclassification tools, the role of trained classification staff, and the use of non-discretionary restrictions and discretionary overrides. They said the current population is about 16% maximum security, 74% medium, and 10% minimum/pre-release, and that discretionary overrides remain within national guidance levels. UMass Chan presented findings from a multi-year NIJ-funded study using historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on male reclassification cases. Researchers said the scored custody level predicted institutional misconduct well, with stronger separation between minimum, medium, and maximum groups. They reported violent misconduct in the sample was under 5% over the follow-up period, while general misconduct ranged from about 30% to 45%. When DOC’s override-informed final custody levels were analyzed, predictive accuracy declined somewhat, and researchers said the reduction was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They noted that removing the non-discretionary restrictions, especially Code C civil-commitment-related restrictions, improved the model’s performance. Commission members and guests questioned whether the system overclassifies people into medium security, whether the low minimum-security rate reflects infrastructure and risk tolerance differences from other states, and how much historical practice and subjective judgment still affect placement. DOC officials said the restrictions are designed around safety concerns such as flight risk, serious legal issues, and medical needs, and that the system has been revised over time through revalidation. UMass researchers said there is no compelling evidence that release from minimum security is necessary for successful community outcomes once risk level is accounted for, and they emphasized that comparisons with other states are difficult because Massachusetts’ correctional structure is different. The commission asked members to submit follow-up questions for additional data, and a public commenter argued that the data suggest overclassification to medium security harms incarcerated people.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:06.079><c> it</c> saying uh for uh two or three months it saying uh for uh two or three months
• </c> warrants so that people are also aware warrants so that people are also aware of<01:17:22.719><c
• We've had multiple months of together.
• And then after that it is a theft over $1,000. within a six-month period of time, within a six-month
• <01:25:53.040><c> prison</c> 21-month prison 21-month prison sentence.<01:25:56.000><c> As</c><01:25:

Bills: HF3043 , HF2891

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:12.560><c> is</c> Outreach and financial aid awareness is Outreach and financial aid awareness
• </c><00:09:22.360><c> and</c> promote financial aid awareness and promote financial aid awareness and
• </c><00:10:43.480><c> so</c> will be in duth in in next month so will be in duth in in next month so
• I didn't—we weren't aware of that, but we've got one.
• </c><00:58:58.520><c> of</c> curious if you have any awareness of curious if you have any awareness of

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in soil. ...for months and sometimes years, particularly in soil.
• Second, growing public awareness. And third, regulation by the Department of Environment.
• Within a month, we had the problem under control.
• A six-month-old red fox taking its last breath. We need to do better. They deserve better.
• In Chicago's Wicker Park, rat activity fell dramatically within months. No poisons used.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> don't need it in eight months don't need it in eight months &gt;&gt; you<00:40:56.560><c> know</
• <00:42:49.920><c> it's</c><00:42:50.319><c> possible</c> aware of 30% but it's possible aware of 30%
• and months.
• </c><01:16:51.679><c> of,</c> available, what people were aware of, available, what people were aware
• </c> period, but we kind of have an awareness period, but we kind of have an awareness of<01:22:01.760

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting began with a roll call and approval of the October 7 meeting minutes. The chair then reordered the agenda to hear the item on Medicaid reimbursement rates and network adequacy first because of scheduling issues. Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association was sworn in and testified at length about Kentucky’s dental Medicaid program, arguing that reimbursement rates are unsustainably low, have been largely flat for decades, and are often below the cost of providing care. He said Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in oral health, dental Medicaid rates are often 60% or less of commercial rates, and the program’s share of the Medicaid budget has effectively remained around 2% despite growth in enrollment and services. Dr. Robertson said the low rates are contributing to provider losses, rural access gaps, longer wait times, dental deserts, and greater use of emergency rooms for preventable dental problems. He cited examples of office costs exceeding reimbursement for basic procedures, noted that many dentists are small private businesses, and said the state is struggling to recruit and retain dentists because of low payment levels and high student debt. He also pointed to disparities with neighboring states and said recent increases in some oral surgery and cleaning codes were not enough to address the broader problem. His recommendations included completing the rebasing study, increasing dental reimbursement in the upcoming budget, tying future reviews to inflation and cost data, aligning benchmarks, and prioritizing preventive and restorative care to improve workforce stability and access. Board members asked about the size of the needed increase, the effect of private insurance on dental practice finances, and what a new dentist might expect to earn. Dr. Robertson said the association is working on an appropriations request and that private insurance pressures are part of the problem as well, since many plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited provider control over rates. He also said the association can no longer conduct reimbursement surveys because of FTC restrictions, but would try to obtain current ADA data. In response to questions about the future of the program, he warned that without significant changes it could become unsustainable and cited Ohio and Missouri as examples where higher reimbursement improved provider participation and access. The board then heard from Mr. Bowman of Baldwin Consulting, who discussed outpatient behavioral health providers, including ABA therapy and mental health/substance use disorder services. He said these providers face similar issues of rising costs, flat reimbursement, and access problems. He reviewed Kentucky’s network adequacy standards, including travel-time standards, 30-day appointment limits, and newer federal requirements that will require services within 10 business days by 2029. He said wait times for outpatient behavioral health, especially children’s services and ABA, have grown substantially, sometimes to more than a year, and emphasized that the Medicaid department must enforce these standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolutions filed by Representatives Beal of Boston and Finn of West Springfield, recognizing the month
• of May 2025 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.
• Representative Garcia of Chelsea and other members of the House recognizing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis awareness
• members of the House, commending local veterans' organizations and veterans for their efforts to raise awareness

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a message from the Governor recommending legislation on energy affordability, independence, and innovation, which was referred to the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. The House also recognized several guest groups, including visitors from the Celiac Disease Foundation and a sixth-grade class from Holy Name School in West Roxbury. The Committee on Rules reported a series of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including observances for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month and ALS awareness, a commemoration of Wakefield’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monuments, recognition of veterans’ efforts regarding Agent Orange awareness, and congratulations to an Eagle Scout. The House suspended the rules and adopted these resolutions. The House then considered Senate amendments to House Bill 4010/House 4100, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The House did not concur in the Senate’s amendment and instead ordered a committee of conference, appointing Representatives Michalowitz, Ferranti, and Smola. The House also concurred in the referral of a retirement-credit petition and suspended Joint Rule 12 for several other petitions, including measures on arts education, a psychedelics treatment pilot program, toxic-free medical devices, and retirement credit service. House 4100 was later taken up for final passage, its emergency preamble was adopted, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The House adopted an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> spent 18 months in prison. spent 18 months in prison.
• Um focus very much on awareness budget. Um focus very much on awareness right<02:46:30.880><c> now.
• >> Well, I'm not a lawyer, but I am aware, somewhat aware, that Texas is always considered a kind of
• >> Well, I'm not a lawyer, but I am aware, somewhat aware, that Texas is always considered a kind of
• >> Well, I'm not a lawyer, but I am aware, somewhat aware, that Texas is always considered a kind of

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , or all of you are aware, of the fundamental reasons.
• As I'm sure many of you are aware, or all of you are aware, the fundamental reason California housing
• Within a few months, my husband also lost his job.
• And six months later, he forgot to come and get a certificate for completing the training.
• So about six months later, he shows up, gets a certificate with a brand-new car.

Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.