Subcommittee #1 (Education)
Pérez (D-Pasadena) Chair, Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), and Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera)
Ensuring Major Investments Improve Student Outcomes. The subcommittee discussed the Governor’s proposals related to programs targeted at providing resources and services to students who fall outside the traditional school model. The Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) currently receives $4.6 billion annually and provides students with after-school and summer school academic and enrichment activities. The state has also provided $4.1 billion in one-time funding for Community Schools, which seek to align community resources with schools in an effort to provide students with integrated support services like mental health, community engagement, collaborative leadership, and extended learning time and opportunities. These programs are generally targeted toward schools with higher percentages of students who are low income, English learners, and foster youth. Senator Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) hopes to see growth in student progress among the schools that have received ELOP and Community School funding and as the state continues to provide additional funding, she would like to ensure that outcome metrics are in place to track student progress.
Key Topics to be Heard Next Week: At this time, the agenda lists all “Open Issues.”
Subcommittee #2 (Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy)
Reyes (D-Colton) Chair, Choi (R-Irvine), Blakespear (D-Encinitas), and McNerney (D- Pleasanton)
The subcommittee did not meet this week.
Key Topics to be Heard Next Week: The subcommittee will discuss issues related to water.
Subcommittee #3 (Health and Human Services)
Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) Chair, Grove (R-Bakersfield), and Weber Pierson (D-San Diego)
Meeting the Demand of 988 Suicide Prevention Calls. The subcommittee heard from the Department of Health Care Services on the 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline. California is experiencing significant growth in 988 call/text volume. The state’s network of 988 call centers report that contact volume rose by 30 percent in 2025 to roughly 52,000 contacts per month. There are concerns that the call centers cannot handle the growing demand since they answer only 87 percent of calls and respond to a surprisingly low 33 percent of texts. The Governor’s budget proposes $32 million for call center operations, but the call centers claim that at least $100 million is needed to meet the demand. Senate Republicans agree that Californians in crisis deserve a robust suicide prevention hotline and recognize that funding these centers is a priority. The subcommittee will act on this issue later this spring.
Key Topics to be Heard Next Week: The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
Subcommittee #4 (State Administration and General Government)
Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) Chair, Niello (R-Fair Oaks), Cabaldon (D-Yolo), Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles)
Streamline Housing Financing, Don’t Expand Bureaucracy. Budget Subcommittee #4 met to review the state’s housing programs and the Governor’s proposal to streamline and consolidate funding sources for affordable housing projects. California’s affordable housing system is bogged down by fragmented, slow, and overly bureaucratic funding processes that force developers to chase multiple government programs, driving up costs and delaying construction for months or even years. Even modest complexity, like adding one more funding source, can significantly increase housing costs and project timelines, showing how inefficient the system has become. While the state has tried partial fixes in the past, the Governor’s budget proposal redirects application and funding processes to the newly created Housing Development Finance Committee, consolidating funding decisions, and micromanaging bond and tax credit allocations. Senate Republicans remain concerned that this approach risks expanding government control rather than addressing the root problem of excessive red tape. California may be better served by streamlining regulations and reducing mandates, such as solar and all-electric, which could enable faster and less costly housing development.
Key Topics to be Heard Next Week: The Subcommittee will discuss budget proposals from the Secretary of State, the State Controller’s Office, the State Treasurer’s Office, and the California Military Department.
Subcommittee #5 (Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation)
Richardson (D- San Pedro) Chair, Seyarto (R-Murrieta), and Durazo (D-Los Angeles)
The subcommittee did not meet this week.
Key Topics to be Heard Next Week: The High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 Business Plan.