Transcript Highlights:

• quote unquote leftover funds quote unquote leftover funds non-lapsing, non-lapsing, non-lapsing,
• are not happy that they're not funded are not happy that they're not funded<01:12:38.800> and
• funded and they're largely not funded funded and they're largely not funded because<01:12:40.480
• It's not putting it into statute that special ed funding come from the education trust fund.
• come from the education trust funding. come from the education trust funding.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up several school building aid bills. HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing, drew debate over whether the program is effective and whether funds should be allowed to carry forward. Supporters argued the program is underfunded and that even small leftover amounts should remain available for building aid; opponents said non-lapsing funds limit future budget flexibility and that the program creates winners and losers. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend HB 295 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). The committee then considered HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects and include retroactive funding for projects completed in the past. The motion to ITL was supported on the grounds that retroactive payments would be unfair to districts still waiting in line and that the legislature should focus on future projects. Supporters of the bill said the increase was modest and that districts that built during a prior moratorium on aid were left with long-term fiscal burdens. The committee again voted 4-3 to recommend ITL. The discussion also broadened into special education funding and a retained bill, HB 742, concerning catastrophic special education aid and the source of funding. Members debated whether the education trust fund should cover the aid and whether the committee should act now or wait for a separate commission studying special education costs. Several members emphasized that special education costs are rising, that more data is needed on student identification and funding formulas, and that the commission’s report may provide better guidance. The chair said the subcommittee’s recommendations would go to the full committee, and the next meeting was expected to be rescheduled from November 4 to later that week because of election-related conflicts.

Transcript Highlights:

• At special funds.
• There's no way that the general fund can backfill the loss of federal funds.
• $9.5 billion total funds.
• Specifically for groundwater funding, groundwater recharge funding. OK.
• My understanding is right now that there's about $13.5 million allocated in addition to the other funding

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, expand state-backed funding.
• The funding was promptly allocated to high priority projects.
• And to be clear, the needs for clean water and funding, funding in Texas are immense.
• We need a one-time Texas-sized investment and a dedicated annual funding with maximum allocation flexibility
• And just to say it again, with this historic water funding legislation, we need to ensure that we allocate

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement for direct HHAP recipients to equitably and meaningfully engage for allocated funds to smaller
• I would also like to emphasize that nothing in AB 1708 requires allocation of funding for smaller cities
• In addition, we've sustained ongoing services through federal funding, allocating about $22 million from
• foundation funds for homeless services. fund and $500,000 in community foundation funds for homeless
• In addition, we've sustained ongoing services through federal funding, allocating about $22 million from

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:37.320> I budget I understand is General funds I budget I understand is General funds
• So we have to spend $32.4 million of general funds in order to get $38 million of federal funds each
• funds and we assign those federal funds funds and we assign those federal funds towards<00:17:05.520
• that we can leverage those federal funds that we can leverage those federal funds and<00:17:35.760
• it's maximized available funding it's maximized available funding Staffing<00:49:15.880> and<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses. Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze. Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors. The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.

Transcript Highlights:

• one single fund.
• They show how general fund, federal funds, and other revenue sources are allocated across the department
• However, it does not increase other state funds or fund balance to offset the general fund.
• However, it does not increase other state funds or fund balance to offset the general fund reduction.
• It is primarily funded through general fund and federal sources.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vessels, allocation to those rotational management areas.
• There's two management areas open Allocation to those rotational management areas.
• There's two management areas open this year with allocations.
• still completely funded by the industry, by their donation.
• The fund is funded by 21 owners, she said. Yes. Yeah, there's, yeah.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Massachusetts sea scallop fishery, especially the economic importance of the industry, federal scallop management, and two policy questions: reopening the Northern Edge area on Georges Bank and allowing permit stacking/permit consolidation. Chairing senators emphasized their interest in hearing both sides, their frustration with federal bureaucracy, and their view that the issue should be guided by science while protecting the long-term resource and local communities. Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council and Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the Magnuson-Stevens framework, annual catch limits, rotational area management, and the role of industry-funded surveys and the research set-aside program. They said scallops remain the most lucrative council-managed commercial fishery on the East Coast, but recent changes include more small scallops, lower biomass in some areas, higher natural mortality, and shifting abundance toward Georges Bank. On the Northern Edge, they explained that the council previously considered opening the area through a framework/joint action with habitat management, but discontinued the action in 2024 because of conflicting objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and other species. They said the issue could be revisited through future council priority-setting. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund argued that the fishery needs modernization to remain economically viable. They supported reopening the Northern Edge and strongly backed permit stacking, saying it would allow two permits on one vessel while keeping ownership caps in place, reducing costs, improving safety, and helping family-owned fleets avoid financial distress and outside investment. Port of New Bedford representative John Regan stressed the port’s central role in the state economy, the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure, and the importance of any permit changes preserving local ownership and participation. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members asked that the witnesses keep the committee informed as the council and federal agencies consider next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a request for an extension on either grow funds or another special allocation of $200,000 for
• Chair, Senator Gonzales, yes, $650,000 for a special allocation to continue funding that through this
• then the percent of that that's allocated out of the Consumer Settlement Fund to our agency.
• And our reclamation fund or restoration reclamation fund at the Land Office in terms of funding some
• Working at IAD and a lot of different funding sources that we are allocating.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need members to be on a committee to figure out how we spend the remaining funds we've got in the
• The other 50% would go to a fund to be spent on the mission, and that committee that determined what
• I think they're also, towards the end, was the Odyssey Fund, so they opted for the Odyssey Fund maybe
• they opted for the Odyssey fund so they they opted for the Odyssey fund maybe<00:09:34.120> uh
• Miss Roberts is available if you need the answer, but there are two separate funds.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 289, authored by Representative Quam, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before moving the bill forward. Quam explained that the bill is intended to create a mechanism for frontline state employees, faculty, and management to identify waste, inefficiency, and possible savings in agency budgets, with a portion of any savings going back to the state budget and the remainder placed in a special fund for mission-related spending decided by a joint committee. He said the idea grew out of earlier faculty union discussions and that the bill had previously passed with bipartisan support, though it was underused when first enacted. Members generally praised the goal of empowering employees and improving efficiency, but several raised concerns about the bill’s practical operation and low historical use. Representative Jones asked why uptake had been limited and whether current conditions would improve participation; Quam responded that larger budgets and more employee engagement could make the program more useful now. Representative Freiberg and Representative Bonner both supported the concept but questioned whether employees would understand budget constraints and whether the structure might discourage managers from saving money intentionally. Quam argued that employee input would improve decisions, morale, and credibility, and could help justify needed investments. Representative Koznick asked how the bill interacted with the Odyssey Fund, and staff clarified that the two are separate accounts and do not directly affect each other. Representative Koznick also objected to comments he viewed as attacking the administration, and the chair reminded members not to impute motives. Representative Kosnik/Quam indicated openness to future improvements, but Representative Bonner said she was not ready to support the bill in its current form because of concerns about the approval process through MMB and the Legislative Audit Commission. Despite those reservations, the committee ultimately voted to send House File 289, as amended, to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• waste facility that would contain lethal radioactive waste that scientists say must be maintained and funded
• say must be waste that scientists say must be maintained<00:15:50.079> and<00:15:50.320> funded
• <00:15:50.639> for<00:15:50.800> at<00:15:50.800> least maintained and funded
• for at least maintained and funded for at least 200,000<00:15:51.880> years?
• the resources and pulling allocating the resources and pulling this<00:27:21.679> group<00:27

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on April 16, 2025, and heard three resolutions. STR 57 SD1 urged Congress to create a national reinsurance program to address insurance impacts from catastrophic natural disasters; there was no public testimony, and the committee later recommended passage without amendment. STR 198 SD1 encouraged Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to pursue subrogation claims against polluters to reduce insurance costs for residents; again, there was no public testimony, and the committee recommended passage without amendment. The committee spent most of its hearing on STR 136 SD1/HD1, which would create a Hawaii State Energy Office nuclear energy working group to study advanced nuclear power technologies. The Public Utilities Commission and State Energy Office provided written testimony and answered questions. Testimony from 350 Hawaii, Energy Justice Network, and an individual witness opposed the measure, arguing nuclear power and small modular reactors are too expensive, unproven, slow to deploy, create unresolved safety and waste issues, and do not align with Hawaii’s renewable energy goals. Opponents also criticized the measure’s amendment process, saying it replaced the original contents without adequate public notice. During decision-making, the committee adopted the recommendation to pass STR 57 SD1 unamended and STR 198 SD1 unamended. For STR 136 SD1/HD1, the committee adopted a recommendation to pass the measure with amendments, including changing it to a one-year working group with an interim report in 2026 and a final report before the 2027 Legislature. The motion passed with one recorded no vote and some excused members, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The continued funding for that facility.
• You'll see the exceptional items not included and these would be funded with the agency's other funds
• and other funds.
• The Capital Fund and the Texas State History Museum Fund.
• You're not having to allocate that fund.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The remaining $442,922,517 includes the state and federal funds to be allocated to county departments
• of funds among related to the allocation of funds among counties.<01:02:35.040> The<01:02:35.280
• funds, federal funds. activity bond allocations fund created activity bond allocations fund created
• allocations fund created in section allocations fund created in section 24-32-709.52 Page 331, House
• the private activity bond allocations the private activity bond allocations fund<04:00:37.439>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chair: OTHER THAN PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
• THIS IS RELATED TO DCF AND CBC FUNDING METHODOLOGIES.
• IN ADDITION IN FISCAL YEAR 22 23 THE CBC LEAD AGENCY CORE FUNDING WAS ALLOCATED IN GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS
• >> IF YOU NOTICE AND THE GEA CORE FUNDING IS ALLOCATED.
• IT IS NOT ALL THE FUNDING FOR THE CBC. IT IS THE CORE FUNDING THAT THEY HAVE TO MANAGE THEMSELVES.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that the bill would authorize a warrant from the Education Trust Fund surplus to make up the
• He said Senator Lang believes the Education Trust Fund can absorb this and that it would take care of
• withdraw from the education trust fund withdraw from the education trust fund the<00:13:49.760><
• The mere fact that if we have a funding shortfall like we had now, there’s still a funding shortfall.
• Baker Children's Scholarship Fund.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:46.360> allocation<00:02:46.959> is 2025 their general fund allocation is 2025
• their general fund allocation is down down down 4%<00:02:49.720> um<00:02:50.280> and<
• fund retire Health within the um funds fund retire Health within the um funds appropriated<00:12
• > Public generally funds General funded uh Public generally funds General funded uh Public Works<
• General funds the green is federal funds General funds the green is federal funds and<04:27:28.080

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• highway user tax distribution fund highway user tax distribution fund dedication<00:27:07.440>
• earark funding. earark funding.
• In the Senate bill, $9 million of active transportation sales tax funds are allocated to this project
• The legislative intent for the use of the active transportation funds allocated to TAB was for them to
• We also support the allocation of $200,000 from the general fund in the next fiscal year for a Minnesota

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That item was adopted as amended to allow the agency to allocate funding as needed, $20 million in general
• all funds.
• funds.
• funds.
• in all funds.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Increase general fund and restricted funds and federal funds to implement... health<00:16:29.440>
• Increase general fund and restricted funds and federal funds to implement a community engagement program
• funds. those funds grow considerably funds. those funds grow considerably over<00:30:44.960>
• Medicaid funding. Medicaid funding.
• . funding. funding.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:40 HB 500 Discussion 00:01:50 HB 500 Vote 00:38:40 HB 504 Discussion 00:41:45 HB 504 Vote 00:47:00, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met to consider House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, and House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget bill. The chair explained that the committee substitute for HB 500 was a starting point in the budget process and that a committee amendment was needed to correct a numbers discrepancy. The amendment to PHS1 was adopted, and the committee then adopted HB 500 as amended, with one no vote and several passes; the bill was reported favorably. The committee also voted to roll the committee amendment into PHS1 so it would be considered as a single unified version. The chair gave a broad overview of HB 500, describing funding for statewide costs, a 2% salary increase in each fiscal year for executive branch employees and elected officials, and broad percentage cuts of 4% in FY27 and 3% in FY28 with many exemptions. He highlighted funding changes for education, Medicaid, health insurance for state and school employees, public safety, corrections, health and family services, postsecondary education, fire programs, tourism and parks, and several capital projects. He also noted language changes or removals that were intended to clean up the bill rather than eliminate programs, and said some items were held steady or fully funded based on current estimates. Members asked about SEEK transportation funding, the budget reserve trust fund, and why Medicaid benefits were funded below the governor’s request. The chair said the reserve included general fund and Department of Insurance restricted funds as a safeguard, with some of that money available if Medicaid costs exceed expectations. He said Medicaid benefits were held flat at FY26 levels because eligibility and utilization have declined, but the committee added reporting requirements and oversight to monitor trends. A member expressed appreciation for the SEEK increase and KEPH stability, while another voted no on HB 500 because they were still reviewing the document and believed some items were missing. The chair then said the committee would move on to HB 504, but no action on that bill is included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• out of the public safety equipment training fund, and then it's allocated out.
• Chairman, that they have the legislature allocating this money is it was put... there was another fund
• It's a fund that was created when I represented the police union, and it was specifically allocated..
• There was a number of bills that allocated money out of the fund.
• funds, as long as it stays non-general funds.

Bills: SB1112, SB1517, SB1537, SB1584, SB1673, SB1776

Keywords: mental health, hearings, acquaintance witnesses, patient rights, treatment evaluation, barbering, cosmetology, appropriation, funding, licensing, board operations, peace officer, training, public safety, traffic offenses, judicial system, corrections, recruitment, state budget, crime victims

Transcript Highlights:

• "So, um, this bill would allocate $500,000 to build one website and it would..." 82-26. 82-26.
• bill would allocate $500,000 to<00:26:39.600> build<00:26:39.919> one<00:26:40.240>
• $500,000 to build one website, and it would allocate $100,000 to maintain that website.
• That's great that the excess contribution will go to the Hawaii election campaign fund.
• Every time money is distributed to the Hawaii election campaign fund, it needs to be itemized.

Bills: HR11, HB1872, HB2171, HB2161, HB2416, HB2518, HB2617, HB2159, HB2606, HB2362, HB2385, HB2476, HB1923, HB2444, HB1608, HB1967, HB1968, HB2502, HB1782, HB2357, HB2445, HB1870, HB1838, HB2137, HB2208, HB2458, HB1972, HB2007, HB2160, HB2343, HB2315, HB2505, HB1857, HB469, HB1452, HB814, HB1621, HB1880, HB1831, HB1572, HB2119, HB2139, HB2459, HB2194, HB2561, HB2017, HB1931, HB1700, HB1719, HB1726, HB1737, HB1742, HB2049, HB2383, HB2116, HB2446, HB2249, HB2255, HB2320, HB2360, HB2581, HB2443, HB1531, HB2622, HB9, HB2290, HB2291, HB2235, HB2263, HB2498, HB1579, HB1728, HB1900

Keywords: 808 Elite, youth football, American Youth Football National Championships, AYF, Hawaii football, youth athletics, sports recognition, commendation, House resolution, student-athletes, sportsmanship, teamwork, state pride, Hawaii youth sports, national championship, early learning, apprenticeship, child care, education funding, workforce development