Senate Budget Committee Hearings on the May Revise: May 21, 2026
EveryChild California is deep in May Revise season. The California Constitution requires the Legislature to pass a budget by June 15, which means May and early June are when things move at a relentless pace. This time of year goes well beyond tracking the Governor's budget release. We are also closely watching committees, subcommittees, hearings, revisions, and the intense, real-time legislative negotiations that will shape the final budget expected in June. (California's fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30.)
How the Senate Budget Process Works
The California State Senate's Budget and Fiscal Review Committee oversees the entire state budget. Because California's budget is vast and spans a wide range of issue areas, the full committee divides its work among smaller subcommittees that each specialize in particular topics. The two most relevant to ECE are:
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Senate Budget Subcommittee 1 (Education), which handles education programs including the California State Preschool Program (CSPP)
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Senate Budget Subcommittee 3 (Health and Human Services), which covers child care broadly, including General Child Care (CCTR), the Alternative Payment Program, foster care, Medi-Cal, and related areas
Both subcommittees hold public hearings where members review the Governor's budget proposals, hear from stakeholders, and make recommendations on any changes to the May Revision.
What's Happening This Week
Both subcommittees are meeting today and tomorrow. On Thursday, May 21:
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Senate Budget Subcommittee 1 (Education) meets at 9:00 a.m. in Room 2100 of the Capitol Annex (1021 O Street) and is expected to take up CSPP, Universal PreKindergarten (UPK), and other education program issues.
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Senate Budget Subcommittee 3 (Health and Human Services) convenes at 9:30 a.m. in Room 1200 of the same building. EveryChild California will be monitoring for discussion of the proposed General Child Care slot reductions, COLA reductions, and any other issues affecting our members.
Why This Matters
EveryChild California closely monitors these hearings for three reasons:
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Funding shapes what's possible. Budget decisions determine what programs can actually do. A well-designed policy cannot be implemented without adequate funding, and these hearings are where that negotiation continues.
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Timely awareness enables advocacy. If a harmful cut is being discussed, advocates need to know immediately in order to mobilize coalition partners, submit letters, arrange public comment, and meet with legislative staff.
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Presence builds relationships. Being there in person, through public comment, or through follow-up communication helps lawmakers and staff recognize that early childhood advocates are informed, engaged partners who can provide valuable input.
How to Follow Along
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Senate Budget Committee agendas and materials are posted at sbud.senate.ca.gov
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Many hearings are livestreamed and archived at senate.ca.gov/streaming-media-television
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow's hearings are one piece of a much larger and still-unfolding conversation. Outcomes won't be final until June 15, when the Legislature passes the budget, and June 30, when the Governor signs it. But these May hearings are where the most consequential work and negotiation takes place. EveryChild California will be monitoring both hearings and providing updates on any discussion or action related to child care, State Preschool, and the early learning system.
If you have questions about the budget process, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help make this work accessible and understandable for everyone.