Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding section 4, subsection B, the bill contemplates that closed schools shall be transferred to
• closed schools shall be uh transferred closed schools shall be uh transferred to<00:39:21.839>
• Um, and we're open to discussing any proposed edits to the language.
• staff will be transferred along with that<01:16:04.719> change.
• This is with regards to Andy Hammy, the minister at the open schools.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Representative, I know when I, I mean, in '99 when I opened the Early Childhood Center, the
• So, there's a $6 million fund transfer that's been included this year.
• Chair, I would say, having more detailed information on what that transfer goes to would be helpful too
• And hearing about this bill and learning about it has been totally eye-opening to me because in addition
• Chair**, with that answer, uh, just for clarification, an open current FEMA project would be eligible

Transcript Highlights:

• One example is a contract that I reviewed, which permitted termination or transfer, slash eviction, of
• the resident if the Or transfer, slash eviction, of the resident, if the resident became a wandering
• to the higher level of care, which is a huge issue, or transfer out of the CCRC.
• Next, transfers to higher levels of care, on-site or off-site.
• And if it's the heirs that are trying to get it back, the probate is actually open during that whole

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission’s fifth meeting focused on consumer protections and resident rights in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with a presentation by Yvonne Choyah of UC Law San Francisco. She described California’s CCRC framework, including entrance fee structures, monthly fee increases, contract types (A, B, and C), disclosure requirements, and regulatory oversight. A major theme was that residents often do not understand the contracts they sign, while providers retain broad discretion over fees, transfers, terminations, and changes to the physical plant. She also emphasized that California’s regulator is understaffed and not well suited to oversee the complex financial and insurance-like aspects of CCRCs, and that resident complaints and litigation can be slow and difficult. Choyah and commission members discussed several consumer-protection issues, including refundable versus repayable-on-resale entrance fees, rising monthly care fees, the decline of life care contracts, and the need for clearer disclosures and better comparative data for prospective residents. She noted that California requires annual disclosure statements, resident bill of rights materials, and some fee-related reporting, but that enforcement and accessibility remain weak. Members raised questions about resident board representation, accreditation, refund requirements, and whether state agencies or resident associations could help explain contracts to consumers before admission. Choyah suggested stronger oversight, more financial expertise in regulation, and better transparency about ownership and fee-setting. The meeting ended with discussion of the commission’s next steps toward its August report. Staff said a draft report would be prepared from the commission’s discussions and circulated for comment before final revisions. The chair also announced staff transitions: Jennifer would be leaving the State House role, and Juliana Fernandez and Vicky Halal would be the main contacts going forward. The commission adjourned after thanking Choyah for her presentation and answering member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have indicated that if someone can bring to me a better way to do it than this, I'm open-minded and
• open-eared to that.
• and... ...licensing issued before the transfer and the continuance of the rules of a transferred occupational
• professional licensing board adopted before the transfer.
• They make my fees higher and open me up to... They make my fees higher and open me up to fines.

Bills: SB174, SB180, HB196, HB25, SB193, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, media monitoring, government contracts, state agencies, local agencies, media regulations, transparency, juvenile detention, county management, legal procedures, juvenile justice, county commission, supervision, administration, emergency services, 911

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:02:58.680> and<00:02:59.000> a<00:02:59.239> national<00:02:59.560> open
• <00:02:59.879> boy Health crisis and a national open boy Health crisis and a national open
• So on the slide that we have in front of us, my question is: does the agency have transfer authority?
• In other words, do you have the legislative authority to transfer money between these contracts?
• actually um that there's a transfer actually um that there's a transfer Authority<00:36:19.119><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Had that search open during late November, December, January, February, went through the interviewing
• So I’m the point person for any complaints about questions about transfer.
• Our largest would be liberal arts and transfer.
• And then applications are still open.
• The clinic is open and sees community people, and that started just in February.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was going to open uh whenever you do.
• <00:08:42.320> remarks, As I indicated in my opening remarks, As I indicated in my opening
• So, I'll be prohibition on transfer.
• least, this prohibited transfer thing. least, this prohibited transfer thing.
• suggesting that we are not transferring suggesting that we are not transferring massive<01:20:43.920

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But President Biden loosened those restrictions, and the door is once again open at the CCP, open to
• We have to have that open science.
• Well, it happened because America is so open and so free... that we just open the floodgates and today
• Richmond about open science.
• Your issue about the open science is right.

Keywords: national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security

Summary: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll open this up for public comment.
• This is just to open a few doors, see where we can improve.
• Can we open the consent before Senator Cortese goes?
• With that, we will now open this up.
• And seeing none, we will open this up for the public. Any comments?

Summary: The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment. The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit. The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing room is open for attendance.
• Council of Land Trusts, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, Santa Clara Valley Open
• , the Wildlands Conservancy, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Big Sur Land Trust, Coachella Valley Conservation
• the title to a qualified nonprofit. ...before they can transfer the title to a qualified nonprofit to
• that could go into helping support that very popular program that preserves agricultural land and open

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:53.919> the And with that, I would open the And with that, I would open the proceedings
• reverse this progress by transferring reverse this progress by transferring the<00:20:44.559>
• I'll be voting against the ITL and open for an interim study. Thank you.
• I'll be voting against the ITL and open for an interim study.
• I'll be voting against the ITL and open for an interim study.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 518 and House Bill 652FN, both related to the family court system and child/family matters. HB 518 drew extended discussion about DCYF/DCYF’s role and whether the bill should be retained, amended, or studied further. Representative Love argued the agency is deeply troubled, citing abuse cases, lack of training, and fear among constituents, and said he would vote against ITL while preferring interim study so the bill could still be used as a future amendment vehicle. Other members emphasized that the family division has ongoing reform work underway and that abolishing or moving cases to superior court would not solve the underlying problems. On HB 652FN, the subcommittee chair and Representative Pearson gave a detailed defense of the family division, explaining its history, statewide structure, caseload, and the rationale for specialized family courts. Pearson said the bill would reverse progress by shifting jurisdiction back to superior court, overload dockets, and deprive families of judges with specialized expertise. He pointed to reforms already underway, including simplified forms, more mediation, and review of possible judicial bias patterns. Several members and public comments supported keeping the bill as a tool for reform rather than killing it, while critics argued the family court system suffers from due process, oversight, and rule-of-law problems. The committee also heard broader testimony on family court concerns, including allegations of systemic bias, discovery limits, unsworn witnesses, and lack of oversight, as well as support for mediation as a less adversarial and more effective option. Some members said the judiciary needs more judges and mediators, but that budget constraints limit those improvements. The discussion ended with no final vote recorded in the excerpt; instead, members continued debating whether the bills should be ITL’d or retained for interim study and further reform work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Ramos, I want to thank you for your generosity in opening up this hearing to the Legislative Women's
• Thank you for listening to my story, and I am open to any questions. Thank you for your testimony.
• Thus far, in the month of March alone, CDCR opened 203 investigations into allegations of staff sexual
• And we're more open to having those conversations and to be able to protect the women that should be
• Women, you all fear opening up and reporting the crimes that are being committed to them.

Summary: The hearing focused first on sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation in California’s women’s prisons, with testimony from CDCR wardens, the Office of Inspector General, advocacy groups, and formerly incarcerated survivors. Legislators and witnesses described a pattern of staff misconduct, fear of retaliation, gaps in reporting, and the need for stronger accountability, better investigations, and more outside access for survivor support organizations. CDCR said it has expanded training, body-worn and stationary cameras, outside partnerships, and PREA-related response procedures, while the Inspector General requested additional funding and staff to monitor more grievances and staff sexual misconduct cases under SB 1069. Members pressed CDCR on why accused staff are not always placed on leave, how cases are referred to prosecutors, and whether current protections are enough; several members argued the state should aim to investigate all complaints and do more to prevent retaliation and repeat abuse. The second issue was rehabilitative and reentry programming in women’s prisons. CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs and the wardens highlighted education, vocational training, substance use treatment, peer support, and community reentry programs, citing increased enrollment and recent graduates earning diplomas, degrees, and certifications. They said these programs are intended to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Formerly incarcerated advocates and community providers argued that current offerings are still too limited, outdated, and not aligned with today’s job market, especially around digital literacy and transferable credentials, and they urged more funding for community-based, trauma-informed, gender-responsive programming. A coalition representative asked for a $20 million continuation and expansion of the Wright Grant program, and members discussed additional budget requests for reentry and related women’s services.

Transcript Highlights:

• is going to be open this coming fall. is going to be open this coming fall.
• It being 11:00, I'd like to open up the public hearing on House Bill 1543, an act relative to the transfer
• It simply ensures prohibit transfers.
• opens up the door to everybody else. opens up the door to everybody else.
• At this time, I'd like to open up the executive session on House Bill 1543, relative to the transfer

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:13.480> that<00:10:13.760> credit a person to uh transfer that credit a person
• The governor's open to suggestions as we move forward, and we can exclude things and so forth.
• So just know that we're very open to that.
• I will say that the Department of Revenue is still open to this.
• to this uh we just want to still open to this uh we just want to make<00:43:31.960> sure<00:43

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're here to commemorate a great achievement, the opening of the university's nursing program.
• The unlawful transfer of a semi-automatic rifle referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, Public
• HB 633 by BC relating to the days and hours in which the polls are open for early voting by a peer.
• by Tupper relating to a requirement that certain water districts make audio and video recordings to open
• Secure firearm storage device and certain information will transfer of a firearm or for the Committee

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'm open for any questions.
• With that, I'm open for any questions.
• With that, I'm open for any questions.
• We’re open for discussions.”
• <01:10:30.199> of established a statutory transfer of established a statutory transfer of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• up, as long as the potential patient is qualified, that they could transfer over pretty easily.
• many patients we're looking to transfer many patients we're looking to transfer um<00:13:20.959>
• <00:14:06.240> over qualified that they could transfer over qualified that they could transfer
• <00:30:07.640> the deprivation of Liberty and opens the deprivation of Liberty and opens the
• I was very skeptical, but I remained open.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• these minimum security bids you see open these minimum security bids you see open here<00:22:38.640
• Sh then we can open it up to all four.
• <01:14:27.360> to staff left over will be transferred to staff left over will be transferred
• Yes, yeah, there is a transfer of some of the liability to the city's review processes.
• will stay where it is and we will open will stay where it is and we will open up<02:09:39.679>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this was transferred to the Department of Workforce Solutions.
• It makes me open. But I'm a little concerned about that.
• It makes me open. But I'm a little concerned about that.
• So that's basically—there's a statutory transfer to that fund.
• Chair, we come to fund transfers.

Summary: The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking. Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult. The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• up from 10 to 9, we'll try to get through as much as we can. try to break before the session gets open
• Once we have completed our invited testimony for the day, we'll open it up for public The hearing for
• to support the Texas Energy Fund programs and a new rider that directs the comptroller to make a transfer
• I believe you're referencing as a sale transfer or merger process and we have a number of ways. that
• sale transfer merger that we can set. at the rates for the acquiring utility on the. portion okay and

Keywords: 1184, house, all