Video & Transcript Research : 'Native education'
Page 101 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, please proceed. gaps in foundational education and gaps in foundational education and knowledge
- hands on portion of their education hands on portion of their education licensed<00:26:51.200>
- I am Native Hawaiian.
- I am Native Hawaiian.
- I am Native Hawaiian.
Summary:
The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals.
Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible.
The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, December 15, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- On the Education Workforce Committee, we On the Education Workforce Committee, we are<02:23:50.560>
- money to Alaska Natives.
- money to Alaska Natives.
- of Alaska Natives.
- Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act. Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Kai Co manager monc native wine advocacy Kai Co manager monc native wine advocacy Corporation<00:12:59.399
- traditional and customary native traditional and customary native Hawaiian<00:20:09.799>
RS the agency to reasonably protect native the agency to reasonably protect native Hawaiian<00:20:29.440 - <00:22:40.279>
Hawaiians activities relating to native Hawaiians activities relating to native - <00:34:44.520>
Hawaiian <00:34:44.960>Community native Hawaiian Community native Hawaiian
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations.
Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation.
Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And both American Indian and Alaska Native males...
- And both American Indian and Alaska Native males and females are murdered at higher rates than our non-Native
- So Native women, of course, have a 6.3 per 100,000 rate, which is 3.7 times higher than non-Native females
- times higher than the rate for non-Natives.
- So we do Native people...
Summary:
The House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee held a field hearing on the Puyallup Reservation, where members first received an overview of sports betting in Washington. Tribal casino representatives and the Washington State Gambling Commission explained that sports betting became legal in 2020 under HB 2638 and is currently limited to tribal casinos through sportsbook, kiosk, and on-premise mobile wagering. Testimony covered how odds are set, compliance with federal anti-money-laundering rules, and the role of third-party vendors. Tribal representatives said sports betting supports tribal economic development and asked to expand betting to include Washington college teams, while warning that prediction markets and other unregulated products pose a threat. Committee members asked about geo-fencing, betting limits, in-state college betting restrictions, and regulatory oversight. No votes were taken.
The committee then heard from Vicki Lowe of the American Indian Health Commission on tribal data sovereignty and health data. She described tribal sovereignty and the federal trust responsibility, and said tribes should have equitable access to their own health data and control over how it is used. She explained that during COVID, tribes often lacked direct access to state health data, which complicated case tracing and other public health work. Lowe said the Department of Health stopped collecting tribal affiliation in some contexts because of Public Records Act concerns, and she argued that this is inconsistent with tribal data-sharing principles adopted through the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council. Members asked for clarification about what counts as tribal data and how public records concerns affected data collection. No formal action was taken.
Finally, Lucy Smartlut gave an update on the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force. She reported on the task force’s structure, its extension through 2027, and progress on recommendations including a fully funded cold case investigation unit in the Attorney General’s office, an updated missing persons resource, and forensic genetic genealogy work on unidentified remains. She said the cold case unit has active investigations, has helped locate missing Indigenous people, and made its first homicide arrest. She also presented data showing Native people are disproportionately represented among homicide and missing persons cases, and noted survey findings that many law enforcement agencies rely on officer observation for race data and have limited consultation with tribes. Committee members asked about funding, interagency coordination, and whether the task force is shifting toward prevention. The presenter said sustainability, continued awareness, and stronger collaboration remain priorities, and no vote was taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/25/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- tribal nations, educational tribal nations, educational institutions,<00:02:54.080>
and <00 - revitalizing Native American languages. revitalizing Native American languages.
- We'll also invest in interactive educational exhibits, native pollinator and plant gardens, and community-based
- <01:18:31.520>
exhibits, <01:18:32.239>native <01:18:32.640>pollinator educational - exhibits, native pollinator educational exhibits, native pollinator and<01:18:33.280>
plant <01
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Mar 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Like cultural awareness, education, and outreach activities such as through traditional games or dance
- provide services for Native youth would be helpful to them.
- I'm the Director of Education for San Pasquale. I'm happy to be here.
- Education and prevention are essential to our program.
- Parents and educators.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
Tourism and Gaming Working Group (TGWG) - Thu Jun 18, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- reconciliation process for Native reconciliation process for Native Hawaiians.
- <00:12:39.960>
Hawaiian And that's part of why Native Hawaiian And that's part of why Native - weakened 'aina, or bypassed Native weakened 'aina, or bypassed Native Hawaiian<00:15:24.320>
- So, in Native Hawaiians, you know, um, Native Hawaiian issues, um, are alleviated by economic means.
- So, in Native Hawaiians, structure.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Mar 25, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 34
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HR207, SB2595, SB3199, SB3132, SB2591, SB2089, SB2108, SB2970, SB2530, SB2442, SB3076, SB2532, SB2721, SB2055, SB2312, SB2152, SB2438, SB2982, SB2528, SB2919, SB2446, SB2315, SB2544, SB2060, SB2069, SB3011, SB2342, SB2075, SB2578, SB2580, SB2835, SB3084, SB3322, SB3053, SB888, SB709
Keywords:
Dr. David Lassner, higher education, community engagement, university leadership, innovation, Hawaii education system, agribusiness, leasing, agriculture, Hawaii, food innovation, Department of Education, mental health, emerging therapies, psychedelic treatment, task force, clinical trials, trauma recovery, MDMA, psilocybin
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Mar 24, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 33
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to introduce a former member of the Board of Education, Carol Mon Lee.
- Raised in Kaimuki, he pursued his education on the continent before returning to Hawaii to begin a career
- He was instrumental in establishing one of the first continuing legal education programs at the University
- later founded the Pacific Law Institute to ensure that lawyers across Hawaii had access to ongoing education
- he has consistently approached his advocacy with honesty, integrity, and a genuine commitment to education
Bills:
HR207, SB2595, SB3199, SB3132, SB2591, SB2089, SB2108, SB2970, SB2530, SB2442, SB3076, SB2532, SB2721, SB2055, SB2312, SB2152, SB2438, SB2982, SB2528, SB2919, SB2446, SB2315, SB2544, SB2060, SB2069, SB3011, SB2342, SB2075, SB2578, SB2580, SB2835, SB3084, SB3322, SB3053, SB888, SB709
Keywords:
Dr. David Lassner, higher education, community engagement, university leadership, innovation, Hawaii education system, agribusiness, leasing, agriculture, Hawaii, food innovation, Department of Education, mental health, emerging therapies, psychedelic treatment, task force, clinical trials, trauma recovery, MDMA, psilocybin
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 7th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise today as chair of the Legislative Native American Caucus. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- I rise as chair of the Legislative Native American Caucus. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- We have 84% of Native American people who will experience violence in their lifetime.
- Four out of five Native American women have already experienced violence in their lifetime.
- This is not a distant issue. 84.3% of Native Americans have experienced violence in their lifetime.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled a long daily file with several procedural motions and guest introductions. Members also adopted a resolution recognizing CASA volunteers and welcomed student, school, sports, and community groups to the chamber. The body approved a motion to suspend rules for several procedural purposes, including moving bills between committees and allowing a bill to be heard on shortened notice.
On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1389, which ratifies and extends a tribal-state gaming compact with the Yurok Tribe through December 31, 2026. Members then passed a series of bills on third reading, including AB 1632 on removing the notarization requirement for trespass letters, AB 2380 on county pest control fee authority, AB 2080 on county investment delegation, AB 2149 on reporting pupil achievement gaps, AB 1625 on Sacramento Regional Transit board meeting and stipend changes, AB 2179 on expanding e-filing for workplace violence restraining orders, and AB 2753 barring registered sex offenders from running for or holding elected office. AB 2636, AB 1544, AB 1637, AB 2534, and AB 2595 also passed, addressing juvenile firearm possession, court access, medical record integrity, forced marriage protections, and local e-bike restrictions for children under 12 in San Mateo County.
The Assembly adopted several resolutions, including ACR 173 reaffirming California’s sister-state relationship with Jalisco, ACR 163 designating May as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month, ACR 180 designating Compost Awareness Week, and ACR 182 establishing Youth Mental Health Awareness Week. These resolutions drew extensive supportive remarks from members across caucuses, with strong emphasis on Indigenous justice, mental health, agriculture, and environmental stewardship. AB 108, a budget bill providing up to $25 million in emergency bridge funding for distressed hospitals, received broad bipartisan support and was sent to the Governor immediately after concurrence in Senate amendments. The chamber also added coauthors to multiple resolutions and removed AB 2512 and AB 1956 from the consent calendar at the author’s request.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- I am testifying in favor of an act to protect native heritage.
- It ensures that Native American funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural importance
- Dorchester and I'm here to testify around House 3597 and Senate 2335, an act to protect Native American
- The law would expand the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the Archaeological
- I am a visual artist, muralist, and community arts educator based in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development held a hearing on October 21, opening with a moment of silence for former committee chair Senator Edward Kennedy. Chairs Senator Paul Mark and Representative Sean Garballey then heard testimony on several bills related to tourism funding, arts infrastructure, public art, Native heritage, and a choreographer laureate.
A major focus was legislation to require earlier distribution of regional tourism council grants from the Tourism Trust Fund, with testimony from regional tourism leaders from North of Boston, Metro West, Cape Cod, and Senator Joan Lovely. Witnesses said delayed grant allocations make it difficult to plan fall, winter, and shoulder-season marketing, and they argued that an October 1 or September 1 deadline would help preserve tourism’s economic impact without increasing appropriations. They cited tourism’s role in jobs, tax revenue, and regional economic development, especially for smaller and less prominent tourism regions.
The committee also heard strong support for the Creative Space Act and the PLACE Act, which would help municipalities preserve affordable creative workspace and create a public art funding mechanism tied to state construction projects. Testimony from MassCreative, MAPC, arts organizations, muralists, and local arts leaders emphasized loss of workspace, displacement of artists, and the economic and community benefits of public art. Additional testimony supported bills to protect Native American heritage by preventing the sale of funerary and sacred objects in public or nonprofit collections, and a bill to establish a first-in-the-nation choreographer laureate of the Commonwealth. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after public testimony concluded.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 7th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise today as chair of the Legislative Native American Caucus. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- I rise as chair of the Legislative Native American Caucus. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- We have 84% of Native American people who will experience violence in their lifetime.
- Four out of five Native American women have already experienced violence in their lifetime.
- This is not a distant issue. 84.3% of Native Americans have experienced violence in their lifetime.
Summary:
The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a large daily file of bills and resolutions. Early procedural motions were adopted, including re-referrals and a motion to allow the Appropriations Committee to notice SB 73, which passed 46-15. Members also introduced several guests, including young legislators, schoolchildren, a championship girls’ basketball team, realtors, and CASA advocates.
On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1389, a tribal gaming compact urgency bill for the Yurok Tribe, which passed 55-0 on the urgency and measure. The body then passed a series of bills on topics including trespass enforcement (AB 1632), pest control fees (AB 2380), county investment authority (AB 2080), pupil achievement gap reporting (AB 2149), transit board stipends (AB 1625), e-filing for workplace violence restraining orders (AB 2179), election eligibility restrictions for registered sex offenders (AB 2753), juvenile firearm possession and deferred entry of judgment (AB 2636), court access and First Amendment issues (AB 1544), physician medical record integrity (AB 1637), forced marriage protections (AB 2534), and local authority to restrict under-12 e-bike use in San Mateo County (AB 2595). Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, with votes ranging from 53-0 to 63-0.
The Assembly also adopted ACR 173, reaffirming California’s sister-state relationship with Jalisco, Mexico, after adding 50 coauthors. Later, it adopted ACR 163 designating May as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month after extensive testimony from the author and multiple caucus members emphasizing the crisis, data gaps, tribal sovereignty, and the need for more resources and action; 64 coauthors were added before the resolution passed by voice vote. The chamber likewise adopted ACR 180 designating Compost Awareness Week and ACR 182 establishing Youth Mental Health Awareness Week, both after coauthor roll calls and voice votes.
The day concluded with urgent action on AB 108, which provides up to $25 million in one-time emergency bridge funding for distressed hospitals facing imminent closure. Members from both parties spoke in support, citing rural access, prior hospital closures, and the need to protect community health care; the bill passed 59-0 and was sent to the Governor immediately. The Assembly then handled consent calendar items, heard an adjournment in memory for labor leader Larry Mazzola Sr., and adjourned until Monday, May 11 at 1 p.m.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:28:45.120>
Hawaiian protect traditional Native Hawaiian protect traditional Native Hawaiian - seen strong implementation of native seen strong implementation of native healing<00:31:02.000><
- :31:14.720>
healing by reinforcing Native Hawaiian healing by reinforcing Native Hawaiian healing - health care education health care education um<00:36:25.680>
a <00:36:25.920>module <00:37:12.320>on testify and please focus education on testify and please focus education
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related resolutions and received testimony on each. HCR 28/HR 27 would ask the Department of Health to reconvene a working group on water and air contamination and remediation tied to the Pu‘uloa Range training facility; supporters said nearby residents and the broader public may be exposed to lead and heavy metals, and that further testing and eventual relocation of the range are needed. HCR 35 would request an auditor’s report on the social and financial effects of mandatory insurance coverage for biomarker testing, and HCR 36 would request a similar report on colorectal cancer screening coverage. The Department of Health and cancer advocates supported both, saying biomarker testing helps match patients to the right treatment and that earlier colorectal screening improves outcomes; DOH also cited screening data showing lower screening rates among uninsured people. HCR 134, on limiting cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging, drew support from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and others, who said out-of-pocket costs can delay diagnosis and treatment. HCR 171, on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitoring, also drew support from health and disability advocates. HCR 185, on coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practitioners through federally qualified health centers, received support from Papa Ola Lōkahi and a community testifier who described the value of traditional healing and access gaps. HCR 173, urging DOH outreach and vaccination drives at schools with low vaccination rates, drew support from DOH, DOE, and public health and disability advocates, but also strong opposition from several testifiers who argued the measure was government overreach and raised concerns about vaccine safety and parental choice.
Testimony on HCR 173 was the most divided, with supporters emphasizing the need to raise immunization rates to prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable children, while opponents argued schools should not host vaccine drives and that parents should make vaccination decisions without government involvement. The Department of Health said it is already working with schools and community partners to expand school-based immunization efforts and would prioritize schools with rates under 30%. The State Health Planning and Development Agency also supported the measure, saying rates below 50% are a serious public health concern. No votes or final committee actions were announced in the portion of the meeting provided.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WAM/FIN Joint Info Briefing - Fri Feb 14, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Our focus is on water safety education for our Native Hawaiian community, who drown at a higher rate
- Our focus is on water safety education for our Native Hawaiian community, who drown at a higher rate
- Our focus is on water safety education for our Native Hawaiian community, who drown at a higher rate
- <03:54:26.399>
center native Hine education and culture center native Hine education and culture - Native Pacific education<04:39:51.080>
and <04:39:51.440>culture <04:39:52.440>not
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (1-20-26)
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- make our public higher education make our public higher education institutions<00:24:33.039>
- ,<00:33:31.279>
the Council on Post-Secary Education, the Council on Post-Secary Education - graduating more efficiently than native graduating more efficiently than native students,<00:52:
- graduates have both that are native graduates have both that are native students<00:53:58.000>
- <01:12:58.880>
These hours for native students. These hours for native students. - <01:12:58.880>
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education opened its first meeting with roll call, member introductions, and introductions of numerous interns from Kentucky colleges and universities. The chair reviewed committee rules for the 2026 session, including witness oaths, sign-up procedures, limits on testimony, and the deadline for submitting committee substitutes and amendments.
The committee then took up House Bill 96, sponsored by Chair Tipton, which would revise the membership and timing of the performance-based funding work group. Tipton said the bill would expand legislative participation from one House and one Senate member to five from each chamber, keep university and KCTCS presidents on the group, make the CPE president a nonvoting chair, and change the work group’s schedule from a fiscal year to a calendar year. He argued the changes would build institutional knowledge, allow university leaders to meet without creating quorum/open-meeting issues, and help the group develop recommendations for the next General Assembly. Members raised concerns about politicization and the even-numbered membership, while Tipton said he wanted consensus rather than a tied vote. The committee approved HB 96 on a roll call vote, with most members voting yes and Representative Willner voting no but saying she might change her vote later on the House floor.
The committee also heard House Bill 94 for discussion only, so no vote was taken. Representative Vanessa Gracel and CPE counsel Travis Pal described the bill as a transfer-pathways measure aimed at making two-year-to-four-year and four-year-to-four-year transfers more seamless in high-demand programs. They said the proposal would require CPE, public universities, and KCTCS to collaborate on statewide transfer pathways based on student and workforce demand, with institutions able to opt in or out of specific pathways but required to disclose nontransferable courses for transparency. Gracel argued the bill would reduce credit loss, lower time and cost to degree, improve completion rates, and help students and families understand transfer options; she also criticized some universities for not engaging in the process. No action was taken on HB 94 at this meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- and through our Blue Thumb education and through our Blue Thumb education program<00:24:27.080><
- it's also a tool for public education it's also a tool for public education and<00:26:33.720>
- Unfamiliar with native plants through the planning and planting process.
- <00:35:42.760>
pollinator did three areas of native pollinator did three areas of native pollinator - um uh science projects for um Native um uh science projects for um Native bees<00:36:35.240>
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Press Conference: Senate POCI Caucus Announces 2025 Priorities - 02/03/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I wish I didn't have to say this in 20125, but access to education and housing are gut, and concentration
- to<00:00:56.760>
housing <00:00:57.760>are <00:00:58.039>gut access to education - to housing are gut access to education to housing are gut and<00:00:58.879>
concentration <00: - and the Minnesota building Educators and the Minnesota building families<00:04:06.239>
act <00 - Legacy preferences are exclusionary, and they exacerbate inequities in higher education.
Summary:
Senate POCI caucus members held a press event outlining their priorities for the session and framing them as a response to federal actions and rhetoric they described as harmful to Black, Brown, Indigenous, immigrant, and other marginalized communities. Senator Zaynab Mohamed said the caucus would not be silent and emphasized goals including culturally responsive and accessible health care, protection from discrimination, fully funded education from cradle to college, an equitable bonding bill, and safe, dignified housing. Senator Erin Maye Quade said the caucus would fight efforts to “resegregate” society and highlighted support for strengthening the READ Act and advancing the Minnesota Building Families Act to cover infertility care through insurance.
Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten pointed to recent DFL accomplishments such as the CROWN Act, restoring the vote, and the African-American Family Preservation Act, and urged colleagues to consider how legislation and budgets affect communities of color. She also said she would champion Minnesota Connecting Families, a proposal to make communication free for incarcerated people, along with a ban on legacy admissions and legislation preventing housing discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders. Senator Mary Kunesh reviewed education investments made over the past two years, including increased school funding, free lunches, library funding, pre-K expansion, the READ Act, and the Teachers of Color and Indigenous Act, and said her top priority is advancing an Equal Rights Amendment and protecting tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
Senator Susan Pha said the caucus remains necessary because people of color and immigrants still face discrimination, including her own family, and said the group would continue fighting for equality and opportunity. In response to questions, caucus members said they hoped for bipartisan support on some proposals but were prepared to use their majority if needed. They said they were not intimidated by the new federal administration or Republican control in Washington, argued that Minnesota should protect residents from federal harm, and criticized GOP efforts they characterized as attacks on DEI and racial equity. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the meeting.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Indian Affairs Jul 17th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't have my education chair here. Who's on education with me?
- So we've been doing education Native education in New Mexico for the last 50 years.
- And I'm not an educator, but we have educators.
- Education Act.
- It doesn't seem to be about education. But we can do something about education.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 18, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:52:33.760>
and implementation of the educational and implementation of the educational - <01:01:16.400>
Thank Native Hawaiian practitioners. Thank Native Hawaiian practitioners. - increase funding for public education. increase funding for public education.
- Education with comments not present. Education with comments not present.
- But because we are on a education.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.
The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HWN, HWN, TCA-HWN Public Hearings 02-13-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And then we also have an area for Native Hawaiian games.
- <00:10:58.560>
Hawaiian <00:10:59.000>Gam for native Hawaiian Gam for native Hawaiian - Establishing a Hawaiian Independence Day would help educate youth of Hawaiʻi that the Hawaiian Kingdom
- Establishing a Hawaiian Independence Day would help educate youth of Hawaiʻi that the Hawaiian Kingdom
- Establishing a Hawaiian Independence Day would help educate youth of Hawaiʻi that the Hawaiian Kingdom
Summary:
The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs met on February 13 and heard testimony on three measures before taking up decision-making. On SB 1410, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a practical way to require counties to timely respond when DHHL seeks transfer of infrastructure or facilities, and the chair later recommended passage without amendment. The committee adopted that recommendation, with Senator Ihara excused.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on SB 1549, which would help fund the Kahili Homestead community’s planned multi-service center and park improvements. DHHL supported the measure, and community witnesses described a 16-year planning process, prior grant and developer funding, completed phase-one park work, and the need for state bonding to complete phase two. Members asked about community engagement, fundraising, and whether the design included features such as a lāʻau garden, Hōlua mound, imu hall, craft pavilion, and space for Native Hawaiian games and lua practice. The chair recommended passage of SB 1549 unamended, and the committee adopted the recommendation.
The committee also considered SB 903, described as a housekeeping bill to create a vehicle for continued funding of OHA after the current working group sunsets. The chair recommended passage with amendments incorporating the contents of proposed Senate Draft 1 and recommittal to the Hawaiian Affairs committee, and that recommendation was adopted. The meeting then shifted to a joint hearing with Transportation and Culture and the Arts on SB 614, relating to Hawaiian Independence Day, and SB 1051, relating to Hawaiian History Month. Testimony on SB 614 was largely supportive, emphasizing cultural recognition and education, though one witness from Hawaii Sovereignty Studies opposed it; the Office of Collective Bargaining said it did not yet know the cost. SB 1051 also drew support, with testimony stressing the importance of teaching the history of the overthrow and Hawaiian sovereignty. Both bills were advanced with amendments, including technical changes and effective dates, and both committees adopted the chair’s recommendations.