Transcript Highlights:

• That is the level at which a family qualifies.
• Georgia is using three income and employment verification vendors.
• </c> level that they've got the number right. level that they've got the number right.
• We may put the wrong amount of income.
• And so those agency amount of income.

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• At a basic level, and I'll explain how this comes about later, we are strongly opposed this as a cost
• Is this for people of all income groups, those people who have no people of all-income groups, those
• All-income groups. Okay. All right. Thank you. Any of the question comments? I think that's fair.
• It can impact everyone, regardless of their income level.
• Yeah, I hope—I mean, I'm nervous given the level of concern I'm hearing.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the broadest level, at the bottom, we may be just connecting young people with services.
• A little bit more intense level of service: that second level would be to coordinate services.
• Without that knowledge or support, youth leave care without income that could have...”
• So that would, would that be counted as income?
• I will have to get back to you if that would be counted as income. Would that be counted as income?

Bills: SB5911 , SB5940 , SB5942 , SB5957

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: children, youth, financial stability, care services, department of children and families, housing assistance, foster care, pilot program, social services, accountability, family services, state department, child welfare, homeless youth, youth homelessness, runaway youth, young adult homelessness, housing instability, family reunification, family stability

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is a whole new, a whole new level, Mr.
• So when we're looking at lost income that may no longer be there, that is related to income.
• tax deduction for income from tips, income from overtime, and Social Security income deductible pursuant
• the earned income tax credit, creating the foster parent and guardian income tax credit, amending and
• of all income levels, extending a gross receipts tax deduction for health care practitioners, and amending

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM25 , HB9 , SB2 , SB19

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask the Senate to please... ...operating level.
• It's for low income. It's part of the TDC Scholarship Program. Okay?
• At our school, we serve a population that is 98% minority and 98% low income.
• This year, his math proficiency score increased from a third-grade level to a mid-sixth-grade level.
• His math proficiency score increased from a third-grade level to a mid-sixth-grade level in one year.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The increase investment income fund.
• </c><01:04:08.799><c> It's</c> is a whole a whole another level.
• It's a whole another level of high cut.
• So it changes county to county because incomes are different.
• It's 60% of area incomes are different.

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this was an opportunity to kind of simplify and level that. I thought that made sense to me.
• No financial thresholds or income requirements.
• No financial thresholds or income requirements, few parameters, few checks and balances.
• You have to have income requirements, 200% of the poverty level.
• The starting level is 18% proficiency. By the end of that year, they're at 74% proficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• These subsidies would be scaled by income.
• When we look at the scale of public investment, whether at the state level or the federal level, investment
• When we look at the scale of public investment, whether at the state level or the federal level, investment
• and the economy of our state on a macro level.
• and the economy of our state on a macro level.

Bills: HF1367 , HF2732 , HF1897 , HF1424 , HF1383 , HF2728 , HF2863 , HF1685 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• There's other levels there but there's only four other states that have this.
• And so there were certain levels that were proposed.
• I have one particular needs in terms of the level of arbitration that I might need.
• One of the questions I had was around the level of insurance.
• This bill creates the Home Internet Lifeline Program for low-income families.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• relying on free and reduced-price lunch membership as a proxy for families with students from low-income
• That's a million-dollar, you know, $1.1 million savings for low-income families in the Queen City.
• Thank you. federal level to calculate the child federal level to calculate the child care<00:33:33.039
• In fact, it would immediately begin enrolling kids from low-income families in the federal USDA grant
• families in the federal USDA low-income families in the federal USDA Grant<00:56:35.240><c> so</c><00

Summary: The committee first took up HB 112, which would require students in the University and Community College systems to pass the U.S. citizenship civics naturalization test. A motion was made to retain the bill, and the committee voted unanimously to retain it, resulting in no report. HB 510, dealing with due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty in higher education disciplinary proceedings, was passed over for a later meeting so the University and Community College systems could meet with the committee. The committee then discussed HB 659, creating a college graduate retention incentive program, but retained it without further debate after noting the prime sponsor was unavailable. HB 770, concerning tuition credits for community service, was also held for later in the day because an amendment was expected. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 583, which would have the state participate in Medicaid direct certification for free and reduced-price school meals. Supporters argued it would identify more eligible students, reduce paperwork, improve accuracy in school funding formulas, and bring in additional federal child care scholarship money; opponents argued it would significantly affect school funding calculations and should be delayed. The committee rejected the amendment by a 10-8 vote and then voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and minority report to follow. HB 646, requiring school districts to establish an online application for free and reduced-price meal participation, was also debated. One member said many districts already do this voluntarily and that the bill was unnecessary; another proposed an amendment to convert the mandate into a grant program to offset startup costs, but the committee proceeded on the underlying motion and voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and a minority OTP report. HB 665, concerning eligibility for the free school meals program, was then retained by an 11-3 vote. Finally, the committee began work on HB 703, which would prohibit school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid balances and appropriate funds for that purpose. An amendment was explained that would remove state payment of district meal debt and instead require district policies against shaming or bullying students and allow voluntary donations to reduce debt. After discussion, a motion was made to ITL the bill, with the sponsor saying constituents opposed subsidizing the program and wanted districts to retain collection tools; further debate was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Especially not at the county level.
• Employment levels of all the major agencies we're sitting at about the same levels as we were back in
• Uh, maintain revenue levels that had been enacted back in 2017 or income tax policy that had been enacted
• Enrollment levels of their population in Medicaid as well.
• Fairly high income level we are seeing that 40%, which is them missing their target and also a sign that

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this not as an expense but as an income this not as an expense but as an income generator<00:05:
• Paul to watch elite-level hockey. We know how to do hockey well in St. Paul.
• Paul to watch elite level of fans to St.
• How many, uh, how many it will generate income because I know the city of St.
• </c> will come and this will generate income will come and this will generate income for<00:21:10.080

Transcript Highlights:

• for this incoming session.
• I'm the state representative for 64A, and I'm the incoming DFL co-chair for Commerce.
• </c><00:03:04.920><c> and</c> parents are seeing the incoming and parents are seeing the incoming and
• I'm the state representative for 64A, and I'm the incoming DFL co-chair for Commerce.
• Now you can't get it done at the state, federal, any level.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, adults take it to the next level and say, ‘Hey, you have this energy drink.
• Now we must bring that same level of urgency and intentionality to mathematics.
• And can they get that student back to grade level?
• skills. ...and precise intervention all aimed at the same grade-level skills and same grade-level mastery
• Like, or is this going to bring us up to a different level?

Bills: SB293 , SB279 , SB293 , SB279

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met and first heard Senate Bill 293, the Youth Camp Licensing Act, which would amend child care licensing rules for youth camps. The sponsor said the bill, with amendments, would remove accreditation language, clarify shelter requirements for outdoor camps, and eliminate limits that had restricted the number of children camps could serve, especially for families using purchase-of-care assistance. YMCA and school representatives testified in support, saying the measure would expand access to safe, affordable summer care for low-income working families. The committee voted to release the bill. The committee then approved Senate Bill 328, which would require the Department of Education’s school facility evaluation instrument to be established by regulation and to include lead-based paint hazards in the standard of good repair. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee supported the bill, explaining that lead had not been included in the original evaluation tool and that the new language would improve transparency and public comment. Senate Bill 318, updating the Delaware State Education Association special license plate program, also passed after DSEA testified that proceeds support scholarships for educators and students pursuing education careers. House Bill 443, dealing with background checks for education volunteers and mentors, passed as well. The sponsor said it would allow DOE to continue receiving wrapback reports for mentors in the state mentoring program and ensure state and federal criminal background checks remain in place. The committee also released Senate Joint Resolution 15, which directs DOE to reevaluate Delaware’s use of the SAT, modernize the accountability framework, and develop additional measures of student achievement and readiness; supporters argued the SAT does not capture career and technical pathways or other indicators of success. House Bill 459, which prohibits the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or events, passed after discussion focused on whether the bill would affect possession versus sale and whether it could lead to student discipline; DOE said the bill only bans sales, and the sponsor said an amendment would clarify intent. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 137 passed, directing DOE to review math instruction and MTSS supports statewide; testimony emphasized low math proficiency and the need for stronger, more coherent interventions. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 279 on occupational therapist salary placement, with discussion centered on aligning OT compensation with other specialist roles and broader salary regulation updates, though the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• For students in low-income, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities, these barriers are even higher.
• Transparency levels the playing field.
• at 200, 400, and 600 percent of the federal poverty level.
• Cancellations were highest among middle-income Californians and people of color.
• It should be an opportunity to connect the person to the level of care they need.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Such otherwise nonpublic data includes income and expenses information for income-producing properties
• income and expenses information<00:58:51.720><c> for</c><00:58:51.920><c> income</c><00:58:52.319><c
• > producing</c> information for income producing information for income producing properties<00:58:53.400
• </c><01:05:07.359><c> property</c> person may obtain income property person may obtain income property
• can use income data through the use of can use income data through the use of protective<01:06:35.440

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• We added money for low-income housing tax credit.
• Specifically, income tax revenues across 2020, 2023... Deep deficits.
• I think we are approaching those levels.
• More than our sustainable level of revenues.
• For example, low-income citizens dealing with eviction defense and other matters.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• More needs to be done to show that these state-level reforms are working.
• Pulling all that data together at the state level creates opportunities.
• We need to invest in all of those different levels.
• So, there's two things you look at, at the program level and at the community level, how many people
• I think we really need to go beyond the surface level on this stuff.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've generated 1.007 million dollars in interest income.
• To generate the people, the income, and the resources that have the ability for that excess income to
• How much personal income tax is this business activity going to create?
• levels.
• Level.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• income tax purposes and exempts charitable trusts from corporate income tax law.
• Regardless of their income or spending habits, they hit seniors on fixed incomes the hardest and burden
• They handle it at the agency level. And many of these things are handled at the agency level.
• Not only did my mom pass away, but my dad, as a household went from dual income to single income, had
• We have both protections at the state level and at the federal level for making sure that children are

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed. On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.