Transcript Highlights:

• THE DENTAL PROGRAM?
• TWO PROGRAMS COMBINE WHAT WE CALL THE FLORIDA KID CARE PROGRAM.
• THE FIRST IS THE FRAME FLORIDA REIMBURSEMENT ASSISTANCE FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM WHICH ENCOURAGES
• SERVICE PROGRAMS OR TO EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMS TO NEW LOCATIONS.
• PROGRAM.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:11.519><c> programs,</c> in the medical assistance programs, in the medical assistance programs
• Both programs would provide enhanced technical assistance and guidance to grantees to help them through
• Both programs would provide enhanced technical assistance and guidance to grantees to help them through
• <00:48:00.319><c> are</c><00:48:01.520><c> technical</c><00:48:02.000><c> assistance</c> program are
• technical assistance program are technical assistance especially<00:48:02.960><c> for</c><00:48:03.119

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• For over 45 years, this program has assisted displaced homemakers entering or re-entering the workforce
• The program has assisted displaced homemakers for over 45 years, helping them enter or re-enter the workforce
• The MFRP is the only existing state program specifically designed to assist displaced homemakers as they
• I decided to enroll in college in the administrative assistant program.
• </c><01:05:37.480><c> I</c><01:05:37.599><c> did</c> I was in the assistant program while in college.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, we are funding one program for medical assistance, but we are not funding maternity homes
• And we already have a litany of public assistance programs and child care assistance programs that are
• But if you were on Medical Assistance or our Minnesota Care program, even though you have a dental benefit
• This is a program that will try to stabilize medical assistance funding for our hospitals without raising
• Well, for all of our insureds, but primarily for our Medical Assistance program.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 548 would continue this critical program, as well as improve the eligibility to ensure the program
• program, including California Food Assistance Program, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, CalAIM?
• CalFresh, CalWORKs, the California Assistance Program for Immigrants, and AAP.
• I've built programs for justice-impacted families.
• assistance, childcare, and WIC benefits.

Summary: The committee heard a series of child care, social services, immigrant support, disability services, and language access bills, with many measures drawing strong support and no opposition. Early in the hearing, AB 450 proposed a Department of Aging task force to study and recommend policies for undocumented adults age 55 and older; AB 593 would let CDSS identify data-sharing opportunities to improve CalFresh administration and participation; and AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility so families do not lose care during pregnancy leave, family leave, caregiving, or job search periods. All three were presented as ways to reduce barriers and improve access to essential services, and AB 904 was moved out on a 1-0 call after support testimony from child care advocates and a member of the public. AB 617, which would expand and standardize respite care access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by requiring licensing and registry participation, drew both support and significant opposition from respite providers and disability service organizations concerned about added regulation, cost, and possible delays; the author said she would continue working with opponents, and the bill was moved out on a 2-0 call. The committee also heard AB 1220, which would require regional centers to document denials, notices of action, and appeals in individual program plans and include that data in annual reports to improve transparency and equity in developmental services. The bill drew extensive public support from parents, advocates, and disability organizations, with no opposition, and passed 5-0. AB 752 would make child care centers by right in certain residential zones when co-located with multifamily housing or institutional uses, and supporters argued it would reduce zoning barriers and help expand child care capacity; it also passed 5-0. AB 1242 would create a CalHHS language access director, require human review of machine translation, and improve language coverage determinations for state and local agencies; supporters emphasized health equity and the need for better access for limited-English communities, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 call. Later, AB 548 would continue and expand the Asylee and Vulnerable Non-Citizen Program, which provides case management and integration services for asylees and certain visa holders; supporters said the program had been effective but had run out of funding, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would strengthen family safety planning for immigrant families, standardize acceptance of caregiver authorization affidavits, and create a joint guardianship process for temporary separations; testimony focused on fear of family separation and the need for clear school and medical procedures, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 1357 would exclude guaranteed income payments from being counted as income for state public assistance eligibility, with supporters arguing it would prevent recipients from falling off the “benefits cliff”; it passed 4-1. Finally, AB 1201, the Reunity Act, was introduced to require individualized court assessments before denying reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions after a five-year period, with the author and a witness describing the bill as a trauma-informed approach to family reunification.

Transcript Highlights:

• phases, on the Perkins program.
• That typically is what we're funding is, you know, our robotics programs, our art programs, programs
• You can name another program. I may be saying the wrong one. Give it the money for a program.
• You can name another program. I may be saying the wrong one. Give it the money for a program.
• Or we make it programming.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance program, the housing trust fund program, homework starts with home program, rental assistance
• ,</c><01:02:18.960><c> rental</c><01:02:19.359><c> assistance</c> ownership program, rental assistance
• ownership program, rental assistance program,<01:02:20.880><c> the</c><01:02:21.040><c> housing</c><
• assistance for mentally ill rental assistance for mentally ill program,<01:02:28.880><c> and</c><01:
• </c> assistance program, housing trust fund. assistance program, housing trust fund.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 147 is for the agriculture support program.
• On line 218 is for the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program.
• Line 224 is the Farm Down Payment Assistance Grants Program.
• There is an increase in the tails to the FBM program under the agreed program.
• Paragraph B is for the Soil Health Financial Assistance Program.

Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• And how the state can use programs like CONFIRE as a model to use statewide.
• And we provide technical assistance.
• assistance, how do you guide it?
• Are you concerned about it in any of your programs? Yeah.
• Juliette Lee, also with the Native American technical assistance provider team.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from Hernando Garzon, M.D., nominated as Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Senators asked about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, local flexibility in statewide standards, ambulance patient offload regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, rural access, and alternatives to transporting 9-1-1 callers to emergency departments. Garzon emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and providers, and the use of community paramedicine, telehealth, and pre-positioned resources in disasters. Public commenters and members supported his confirmation, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for referral to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. She described her tribal background, prior state, county, tribal, and nonprofit experience, and her focus on serving communities facing health disparities. Senators questioned her about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, balances equity work amid political opposition to DEI language, and tailors technical assistance to rural and tribal communities. Weldon pointed to work on tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, the California Reducing Disparities Project, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, housing and climate-related supports, and community advisory boards. Numerous public witnesses, including tribal and health equity advocates, spoke in strong support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• FIRST WILL TAKE UP TAB ONE A PROGRAM REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT SUPPORT PROGRAMS AS PART OF OUR REVIEW OF
• THOSE PROGRAMS WILL BE THE ASSISTANCE TO LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS, SCHOOL DISTRICT EDUCATION FOUNDATION
• AND THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM OF THE FLORIDA PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IS TO SPECIFICALLY DELIVER TEACHER
• THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.
• LET'S DEVELOP A PROGRAM ALONG THOSE NEEDS.

Transcript Highlights:

• program if this does get off the ground and rolling, but not all educational assistants want to become
• assistant-to-teacher pilot program.
• It's a few that went through the program, and you know it takes a lot of assistance with them.
• Well, the apprenticeship program, you know, they would start out in Educational Assistant 1, Educational
• </c> program well the apprenticeship program program well the apprenticeship program you<01:39:49.320

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The joint Committee on Education and Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard Senate Bill 422, which would authorize the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified people whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The Department of Education testified in support, noting a prior law that created the Kono diploma program before it sunset in 2020. Several members of the public also testified in support. Both committees later recommended passage of SB 422 without amendments, and the recommendation was adopted by voice votes. The committees then heard Senate Bill 530 on Braille literacy. The bill would establish Braille literacy as state policy, require Braille-related literacy assessments for eligible blind and low-vision students, authorize DOE rulemaking, create a Braille Literacy Resource Center, and appropriate funds. DOE and the Department of Human Services supported the measure, as did the National Federation of the Blind, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and a blind testifier who described the importance of early Braille instruction. The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about statutory language requiring yearly assessments and suggested revisions so annual decisions remain with IEP teams. The committees voted to pass SB 530 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested changes, and adopted the recommendation. The next measure was Senate Bill 532, which would allow school staff and agents trained by a licensed clinician to volunteer to administer medication to students in public schools under certain conditions and clarify who may prescribe such medication. DOE and Department of Health testimony supported the bill. The Attorney General recommended replacing the term “licensed clinician” with the defined term “health care professional.” The Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants supported the bill but asked that physician assistants be included among providers who may prescribe medications for school administration. After questions about current school health aide duties and field-trip medication procedures, the committees voted to pass SB 532 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s terminology change, and adopted the recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• DFL research assistant Sean Haydorn, committee legislative assistants Isabel Anderson, Leah Killian,
• programs and milk distribution programs, and then An extra 1.2 million in funding to farm-to-school
• and early care programs as well.
• One thing I want to highlight is the local food purchasing assistance, the LFPA programs, which our department
• says is the first state-level program of this kind in the nation because that federal program was cut

Transcript Highlights:

• versus this program versus this program?
• And that is a program that will provide financial assistance to vulnerable Californians to help them
• There had never been a home-hardening retrofit financial assistance program in the state before, and
• But then third, after education and an assessment, is this financial assistance program.
• Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Graduate programs for mental health licensure.
• And the ROI of that program also shows significant... Productivity.
• And we've actually seen really great success in that program as well.
• The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability.
• This state as a model employer program.

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and shared an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about the importance of every individual. Members then introduced themselves and their roles, including state disability advocates, providers, and commission members, before hearing a presentation from Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina of the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED). SEED described its role as a technical assistance and policy resource for states, focused on sharing best practices and examples from other states to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The presentation outlined SEED’s seven policy areas: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and work, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and retention tools, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state government as a model employer. Examples from other states included scholarship and transition supports in Kentucky and Virginia, stay-at-work programs in Alaska and Washington, accommodation funds in Minnesota, procurement and small business initiatives in New Jersey and Virginia, and model employer efforts in Colorado, New York, and Tennessee. Members also asked about digital accessibility and PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED can help with policy-level questions and peer examples, but not implementation of accessibility requirements. Discussion then shifted to possible Massachusetts projects. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work or civic engagement requirements and how people with disabilities might fall through the cracks, and they asked whether SEED could help Massachusetts use existing documentation, such as IEPs, to reduce barriers. The group identified two main areas for follow-up: a Massachusetts “state as a model employer” roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition services and apprenticeship opportunities. SEED agreed to provide Massachusetts-specific analysis and two briefs, one on career readiness policies and one on state-as-model-employer strategies, and the subcommittee planned an offline follow-up meeting to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, on assistance, miscellaneous financial assistance to municipalities.
• >> Vital Access Program.
• It is a big program. An important program, and it helps people with their health.
• THAT PROGRAM.
• We needed to stand up a program.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, we know that it is the largest nutrition assistance program providing those monthly benefits
• For instance, a lot of our funding for those particular programs actually assists students as they're
• So programs like dental assisting, EMTs, automotive and engine repair, nursing assistant, phlebotomy,
• At Central Washington University, we talked to students about their College Assistance Migrant Program
• or other programs.

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system, beginning with an update from State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, affordability, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, credential production, guided pathways work, tribal partnerships, dual enrollment, corrections education, and a new program-search tool. They also highlighted major challenges, especially student basic-needs insecurity, rising emergency aid requests, and federal disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, SNAP-related supports, adult basic education, Perkins funding, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP and BFET participation, declining high school graduates, the value of higher education, and how colleges are responding to student needs and workforce demands. AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education then testified in support of stronger state investment in community and technical colleges, emphasizing the importance of classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty to student success. They argued that low wages, unstable employment, and lack of funding for staffing and compensation directly harm advising, retention, and classroom continuity, and urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. The committee also heard from the Workforce Board on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell program and the updated Career Bridge website. The presentation explained that Workforce Pell would support short-term, job-aligned training programs with high completion and employment thresholds, and that Washington is well positioned to implement it through its existing training-provider evaluation system. Members asked about implementation gaps, how the new Pell differs from traditional Pell, and whether eligibility is determined at the program rather than student level. Washington Student Achievement Council staff presented the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. They described an advisory board, a prior pilot that used microgrants and outreach to boost FAFSA completion, and this year’s goal of 46,000 FAFSA/WASFA completions, with a focus on free-and-reduced-price-lunch students and underrepresented groups. They also demonstrated a public dashboard with subgroup data and a school leaderboard, and said they would provide legislators with outreach materials. Committee members asked about rural and homeschool outreach, Pierce County representation, and whether pilot schools overlapped with other grant programs. The meeting concluded with student leaders from the Washington Student Association, UW Tacoma, and Evergreen State College sharing personal testimony on affordability, basic needs, homelessness supports, Native student scholarships, the Shelton Promise program, and the importance of campus belonging and student support services.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a very comprehensive program. We are prepared.
• But our county office of education also developed a program.
• We also have resources and technical assistance.
• As I mentioned, the TEMS program, some counties have very robust TEMS programs where there are a lot
• But awareness and greater assistance and getting out the training and technical assistance.

Summary: The committee held a hearing on active and mass shootings in California, focusing on prevention, response, training, communications, and gaps in preparedness across law enforcement, schools, campuses, fire, EMS, and state agencies. Opening remarks emphasized the frequency and impact of gun violence, the need for faster coordinated response, and the importance of learning from recent tragedies such as the Stockton-area mass shooting described by Sheriff Patrick Withrow. The first panel included representatives from police, sheriff, and campus public safety agencies, who discussed incident command, interoperable communications, next-generation 911, threat assessment, emergency notification systems, and the value of joint drills and cross-agency planning. Witnesses also highlighted differences in training and authority across jurisdictions, especially for private university public safety departments versus public campus police. Campus representatives said they rely heavily on municipal law enforcement for armed response, while also using run-hide-fight protocols, text alerts, surveillance, and threat assessment teams. Members raised concerns about standardized training, after-action reviews, mental health resources, school resource officers, and whether campus safety plans and drills are sufficiently consistent or workable. Sheriff Withrow argued that early intervention and accountability are being weakened by well-intentioned laws, while other witnesses stressed prevention through relationships, diversion, and coordinated support services. The second panel from Cal OES, the Department of Education, POST, and EMSA described statewide systems and standards. Cal OES outlined its Reduce the Risk initiative, gun violence restraining orders, mutual aid, unified command, after-action reporting, and nonprofit security grants. The Department of Education explained California’s statutory school safety framework, annual safety plans, regulated armed assailant drills, and local flexibility, while acknowledging compliance gaps and the need for more mental health support. POST described the new requirement for 16 hours of standardized active shooter training for recruits and ongoing local training options. EMSA explained its role in medical response and terrorism training standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistant, we have a quorum? Yes. Okay, thank you. Assistant, we have a quorum? Yes.
• The assistant then called the roll.
• The assistant called the roll on AB 710.
• Assistant, would you call the members absent?
• Assistant, would you call the members absent?

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills. AB 710 would require investor-owned utilities to share critical circuit and grid information with local and tribal governments and community choice aggregators to help plan microgrids for resilience during PSPS events and wildfires. Supporters from counties and cities said better data sharing is needed to develop microgrids for critical facilities; PG&E and SDG&E opposed the bill as drafted, citing privacy and grid-security concerns, though SDG&E said amendments may address some issues. Members generally supported the bill’s goal, and the author accepted committee amendments. AB 2182 would restructure the CPUC’s industrial energy efficiency program so industrial customers’ funds are used for industrial projects, with less review and more focus on projects that reduce transmission and distribution needs. Support came from large energy users, with members praising the bill’s ratepayer protections and asking about caps, agriculture, and carbon capture; the author said agriculture could participate and carbon capture was removed from the bill. AB 2589 would require utility federal tax savings to be returned to ratepayers, building on prior legislation; it drew little debate and no opposition on the record. The committee also heard AB 2163, which would create strategic clean energy and critical mineral development zones, especially to support geothermal and lithium development in places like Imperial County and the Salton Sea. Supporters emphasized jobs, domestic supply chains, and state competitiveness, while some members raised questions about whether other zero-carbon resources should be included; the author said the bill could be receptive to those ideas. AB 2505 would allow hydrogen refueling stations to use dedicated utility meters and service lines, with supporters from the hydrogen industry and labor. AB 1577 would require data centers to report energy and water-use information to the Energy Commission and local planners; supporters said it would protect ratepayers and communities, while industry groups opposed the bill as too broad and duplicative, though they welcomed amendments narrowing the scope and adding trade-secret protections. AB 2065 would impose penalties on utilities that seek to recover prohibited or double-counted costs from ratepayers, and AB 2516 would create a California Grid Manufacturing Initiative to reduce equipment costs and expand in-state manufacturing; both drew strong support and some concerns about overreach and implementation. Finally, AB 2647 would direct the Energy Commission to study advanced nuclear’s role in meeting California’s electricity needs, with testimony in support from nuclear advocates and academics; the hearing ended before any final votes were taken, with several motions pending quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistant, we have a quorum? Yes. Okay, thank you. Assistant, we have a quorum? Yes.
• The motion is to move the bill, and from there, Assistant, it's now closed, and Assistant, would you
• Assistant, please call the roll. Assistant, please call the roll. File item 11.
• The assistant, would you please call the roll?
• The assistant, would you please call the roll?

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as you know, the Supplemental Nutrition Committee, the Food Assistance Program or SNAP, is the largest
• Looking at slide 6, so SNAP is the largest federal food assistance program for low-income households.
• We're seeing that HCA family assistant analysts process assistance programs, including SNAP, and their
• Other public assistance programs. So, yeah, that explains.
• I believe Medicaid and other public assistance programs as well.