Transcript Highlights:

• [laughter] member.
• </c> Spain and members of the committee. Spain and members of the committee.
• </c> a member of the Boone and Crockett Club. a member of the Boone and Crockett Club.
• I don't know members. 1,200 members.
• </c> as a member of that evaluation board. as a member of that evaluation board.

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to note that this legislation was originally led by former member, Ranking Member Jerry
• I would like to note that this legislation was originally led by former member, Ranking Member Jerry
• > Connelly,</c> member, ranking member Jerry Connelly, member, ranking member Jerry Connelly, and<03:
• He was a senior member. I was a junior member, but he never treated me differently.
• He was a senior member. I legislature. He was a senior member.

Bills: HB8428 , HB8466 , HB5248 , HB6338 , HB7668 , HB8665 , HB7037 , HB6230 , HB6297 , HB1744 , HB3429 , HB2505 , HB6028 , HR428 , HB8107 , HB8340 , HB8467 , HB6916 , HB8463

Keywords: fraud prevention, improper payments, anti-fraud training, government oversight, federal program administration, grants management, internal controls, waste and abuse, Treasury Department, Office of Management and Budget, Office of Personnel Management, GAO fraud framework, OMB Circular A-123, Do Not Pay, data analytics, payment integrity, state and local governments, tribal governments, federal grants, program integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary, please call the absent member. Secretary, please call the absent members.
• Members, I am pleased to present AB 2221 on behalf of Assembly Member Irwin.
• by Assembly Member Rubio.
• Members, I rise to present AB 1976 by Assembly Member Wix.
• Members, I rise to present AB 2513 by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris.

Summary: The chamber took up a long series of concurrence and third-reading votes on bills spanning education, housing, elections, public safety, labor, insurance, corrections, and public employment. Early items included SB 1083 on school employee misconduct reporting and investigations, SB 1312 and AB 929 on abandoned cemeteries and cemetery transfer authority, SB 1359 on natural gas ratepayer transparency, SB 534 on foster youth family contact information, SB 457 on housing element data, SB 691 on body-worn camera redaction requests for EMS treatment, SB 1361 on transit and housing, SB 685 on special education placements at religious nonpublic schools, SB 677 on housing appeals and affordable housing bonds, SB 811 on hazardous waste licensing for metal shredders, and a series of election-related bills including AB 2017 on Eid holidays, SB 1078 on gift cards, SB 259 on vote-by-mail interference, AB 2281 on election cybersecurity, AB 2604 on electronic signature curing, and AB 2592 on lobbyist training. The chamber also considered AB 1198 on prevailing wage updates for large public works, AB 1537 on secondary employment for peace officers, AB 1627 on disqualifying immigration enforcement personnel with misconduct from becoming peace officers, AB 1578 on harassment and hate-speech training for elected officials, AB 1383 on public employee retirement changes, AB 1843 on hepatitis C treatment access, AB 2721 on hotel notice requirements when CBP or ICE is present, AB 2434 on prison visitor protections, AB 2724 on insurance distressed-area reviews, and AB 2121 on community college spending rules when federal funding is withdrawn. Several measures were described as technical or narrowly tailored, while others drew debate over federal preemption, worker protections, public safety, housing, and election administration. Key points of contention centered on SB 685, where supporters said the bill responds to a Ninth Circuit ruling by removing the non-sectarian requirement for nonpublic schools serving special education students, while opponents argued it would expand state funding to religious instruction. AB 811 drew a split over environmental licensing and small-business impacts, with opponents warning of burdens on small recycling facilities and supporters emphasizing licensing and environmental justice. SB 259 and AB 2721 prompted objections that the bills could conflict with federal authority or create risks for mail delivery and human trafficking investigations, while supporters framed them as protections for voting access and workplace transparency. AB 1537 and AB 1627 were presented as accountability measures for law enforcement and immigration-enforcement misconduct, and AB 1383 drew support from labor and public safety advocates for retirement and pension changes, especially for firefighters. The chamber also heard strong support for AB 2017 recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays, though the item was later ruled not eligible at that moment and the body returned to unfinished business. AB 2724 on insurance and AB 1843 on hepatitis C treatment were presented as consumer and public health measures, respectively, with broad support. AB 2434 on prison visitor protections and AB 2592 on lobbyist training were described as administrative or procedural reforms. Most measures passed on recorded roll calls, often with bipartisan support, though some drew notable no votes; SB 259 passed 30-10, AB 2721 passed 29-11, AB 1537 passed 27-11, and AB 1383 passed after extended supportive remarks from labor and public safety members.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are members of the Wilmer years.
• And one of our<01:29:18.000><c> first</c><01:29:18.320><c> orientation</c> our first orientation our
• And I was like, well, what about me as a former member then?
• The multi-member board governor, speaker, and pro tem authorized to replace any board member whom governor
• </c><05:31:04.878><c> of</c> family and be a contributing member of family and be a contributing member

Summary: The Senate first recognized the Montgomery Academy boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 3A state championship, their second straight title. Senator Barfoot introduced the team and read a resolution commending the players, coaches, and school community for the 66-39 win over Southside Selma, noting standout performances by Braden Gordon, Mason Ellis, and Jarrett Friendley. Coach Jeremy Aant and school head John Williams thanked the Senate and emphasized the team’s selflessness, teamwork, academic standards, service, and leadership development. The Senate applauded the team, added all senators to the resolution, and arranged for a picture and challenge coins for the players. After the recognition, the Senate came to order, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Committee reports followed. The Committee on State Government Affairs reported House Bill 541 favorably with one amendment; the bill would create the Safeguard Alabama Voter Engagement Act, requiring party registration for primary voting, restricting crossover voting, retaining voter history as a public record, revising voter registration forms, and requiring parties to publish candidate qualifications. The bill was ordered to a second reading and placed on the calendar. The Committee on Local Legislation reported House Bills 630, 631, and 632 favorably, all relating to Etowah County, including changes to tax exemptions and personnel board membership. These bills were also sent to second reading and the calendar. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 117, commending Dylan Nut for winning the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, and added all members as co-sponsors. During discussion, one senator used the opportunity to speak at length about a separate concern involving alleged unlicensed real estate solicitation and the need for legislation to protect citizens from property-related scams; he also discussed the calendar process and other bills. The floor later included extended informal remarks about fishing and a separate discussion of a proposal to designate Miss America as an official state ambassador, with support expressed for a possible stipend amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, with that, any comments from our members of Division 3 at this point?
• and members of the audience and presenters.
• </c><00:04:45.800><c> and</c> efforts of both committee members and efforts of both committee members
• ><c> and</c><00:04:47.880><c> presenters</c> members of the audience and presenters members of the audience
• </c> thank you I don't know other members thank you I don't know other members may<03:30:13.479><c> may

Summary: The House Finance Committee’s Division 3 held a public work session on the Behavioral Health budget on February 27, 2025. The chair opened by explaining the schedule, materials, and deadlines for the budget process, and noted there would be no motions or votes in the division that day. Division of Behavioral Health Director Ktia Fox and DHHS CFO Nathan White then walked the committee through the division’s mission, structure, and budget materials, describing the division’s four bureaus: Mental Health Services, Children’s Behavioral Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, and Homeless Services, along with the policy unit. They emphasized the division’s role in oversight, technical assistance, quality assurance, contracting, and the continuum of care from prevention and early intervention through crisis and residential services. Much of the discussion focused on major programs and funding lines, including the 988 Lifeline contract with Headrest, a technical assistance contract with UNH, Medicaid pass-through payments to New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff, crisis response services, cold-weather homeless responses, housing supports, and the children’s system of care. Members asked about the UNH contract, the 988 program, crisis stabilization centers, and the peer certification program; Fox explained that the peer certification is a training-and-credentialing pathway for people with lived experience to enter community-based behavioral health work, not a volunteer program. The committee also discussed the “Choose Love” program, which Fox said was created after the Sandy Hook tragedy to build resilience and strength-based emotional regulation in schools and communities. On the children’s side, Fox described the system of care account as the place where many contracted services are budgeted, including community mental health centers, care management entities, rapid response services, and residential programs. Members asked about temporary staffing, and Fox said roughly $500,000 in temporary staff costs shown in the current year would not be spent next year because the money came from a nonlapsing appropriation in HB 1573 for oversight of children’s residential services. She also said provider rate increases were a prioritized need but were not funded in the governor’s current budget, and that the Children’s Behavioral Health Resource Center was not funded, resulting in about a $1 million reduction. The session ended while the division was still moving through the children’s behavioral health slides, including questions about the Fast Forward high-fidelity wraparound program and medication management.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members.
• Chair and members.
• Chair and members.
• Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, thank you, Mr. Chair and members.
• Chair and members.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Members will take up pending business.
• Members, I'm Zenobia Joseph.
• Chairman and members.
• And service members.
• Members...

Bills: SB 13 , SB 27 , SB 57 , HB1325 , HB1655 , HB3312 , HB5526 , SB13 , SB57 , SB207 , HB441 , HB591 , HB5019 , SB27 , SB843

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: lobbying, public funds, political subdivision, local government, county association, municipal lobbying, registered lobbyist, Texas Legislature, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, government finance, county dues, state association of counties, sheriffs association, law enforcement officers, legislative advocacy, bill tracking, legislative alerts, Government Code Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, members.
• Chair and members.
• Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members.
• Chair and members.
• Chair and members.

Summary: The committee heard several immigration-, health-, food access-, and tribal-rights-related bills. AB 1725 would require disclosure of oil wells near homes and sensitive sites and stronger methane monitoring; supporters described health and safety harms in communities near wells, while apartment, realtor, building, and chamber representatives opposed or sought amendments, arguing the bill should better target the responsible industry and fit existing disclosure processes. AB 1650 would require privately rented or leased vehicles used by government agencies for enforcement to be clearly identifiable and equipped with safety lighting; supporters, including immigrant-rights advocates and local officials, said unmarked vehicles create fear and confusion during ICE operations, while the chamber sought clarification and noted exemptions for ordinary undercover law enforcement. AB 1857 would prohibit grocery restrictive covenants that keep new supermarkets from opening after a store closes, with supporters framing it as a food-access and anti-hunger measure; grocers and retailers raised concerns but said amendments addressed many issues, and the committee moved the bill forward as amended to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with all members present voting aye except one absent member and the bill placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1876, which would codify federal health-care nondiscrimination protections in state law. Supporters from Equality California, Disability Rights California, Planned Parenthood, and other health groups said it would preserve coverage protections for LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and other protected classes amid federal rollbacks; opponents argued it would entrench gender-affirming-care standards and criticized the underlying medical framework. The bill passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with most members voting aye and one no vote, and was placed on call. AB 1908 would allow public entities to use judgment obligation bonds to finance self-funded victim compensation funds; Los Angeles County said the bill would fill a financing gap for faster compensation, and the committee advanced it on a recorded vote and placed it on call. AB 1881, the California Indian Freedom Act of 2026, would protect California tribes’ access to sacred sites and traditional practices on state public lands and require meaningful consultation; it drew extensive support from tribal leaders and Native organizations, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and business groups were opposed unless amended, largely seeking clarification and narrowing. The bill was amended to focus on state public lands and passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, then placed on call. Later, AB 2465 would bar businesses that profit from private detention facilities or contract with immigration-enforcement agencies from receiving state grants, loans, or tax credits and create an immigrant resilience fund. Supporters said the state should not subsidize businesses tied to immigration raids and detention; opponents, including the chamber, bankers, and contractors, raised vagueness and scope concerns, especially over what contracts would be covered. Members said they supported the concept but wanted the bill tightened, and it passed to Revenue and Taxation on a recorded vote with one no vote and was placed on call. The committee then heard AB 2662, which would create a formal state process to monitor and report on federal immigration enforcement actions and their impacts; supporters from legal aid and health centers said raids have chilled access to work, schools, clinics, and naturalization, and the bill was presented as a modest accountability measure. The transcript cuts off before any vote on AB 2662. The committee also approved a consent calendar of several bills and resolutions, sending some to Appropriations and others to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• are the members are necessary. the members are necessary.
• Members any questions?
• and members of the public.
• Chairman and members.
• Chairman, members.

Bills: SB451 , SB762 , SB1490 , SB1262 , SB1459 , SB1750 , SB1962 , SB2252 , SB2253 , SB2365

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• Sincerely, Jasmine Ansari, Member of Congress.
• That should cause alarm in every single member of this body.
• Only one member of that family, Eddie Santana Jr., survived.
• Only one member of that family, Eddie Santana Jr., survived.
• S OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS IS THE LOAN MEMBER OF THE INTELLIGENCE -- LONE MEMBER OF THE INTELLIGENCE

Bills: HR878 , HB2659 , HB1608 , HB2261 , SB260 , HB5078 , HB2212 , HR782 , SB2392

Keywords: cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, CISA, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, FBI, interagency task force, Volt Typhoon, People’s Republic of China, PRC, state-sponsored cyber actors, Chinese cyber threats, cyber espionage, critical infrastructure protection, homeland security, national security, information sharing, threat intelligence, digital forensics, sector risk management agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• The quorum consists of three Senate members. No, four Senate members. Four Senate members.
• [laughter] Uh, four Senate members and four House members. Five. Six.
• Four Senate members. Anyone else want to join while we're gathering members here? Okay.
• Chair and members, the side-by-side is a landscape document and just to orient members, it's kind of
• </c> in members' packets. in members' packets.

Summary: The Safety and Security Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, with a quorum present and no immediate vote taken. Chairs explained the committee was working ahead of a possible target so it could act quickly later if needed, then proceeded with member introductions and a reminder about committee decorum. Staff noted a microphone delay and said the meeting would include a side-by-side walk-through of the House and Senate policy language and a review of the fiscal spreadsheet. Fiscal staff summarized major differences in court, public safety, and legislative security funding. The House and Senate proposals differed on safety and security funding for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, as well as on courthouse grants, capital security enhancements, and a new legislative/protective services unit. Staff also reviewed Senate-only and House-only items, including a Senate proposal to require removal of insignia from public safety vehicles sold to the public, and House provisions for a security services task force and member security costs. Total general fund impacts were reviewed, with the House total corrected to include an open appropriation that had been omitted from the spreadsheet totals. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the policy differences. The Senate language focused on a Protective Services Unit and security for principal state officials, while the House language focused on a Legislative Services Unit and security for legislators. Both bills included provisions on Capitol Complex Security, reporting requirements, and reimbursement arrangements with local law enforcement, but differed on details such as whether elected officials must provide contact information to DPS and how requests for personal protective services are handled. The House-only amendment A8 was presented for discussion; it would revise emergency contact provisions, replace the House’s personal protective services request language with a more detailed threat assessment and mitigation framework, direct implementation of the new unit, and make related reimbursement and technical changes. Judge Richard Kyle, president of the Minnesota District Judges Association, testified in support of stronger judicial and court safety measures. He described rising threats against judges, citing survey results showing high rates of judges limiting personal information, receiving inappropriate communications, changing personal behavior, and experiencing threats to themselves and family members. He said the association supports legislative authorization and funding for home security and personal data protections for judicial officers, and emphasized that safety concerns for judges and court staff have become more serious in recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our former council member. our former council member.
• Members, Well, thank you for being here. Members, any<00:13:19.839><c> discussions?
• Thank you, Chair members.
• </c> Community and also a tribal member. Community and also a tribal member.
• </c> Members,<00:59:12.640><c> discussion?</c> Members, discussion? Members, discussion?

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair and members.
• Jackson and members.
• Chair and members.
• Chair and members.
• Chair and members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair and members of the committee.
• They're known as core members. I was one in 2008.
• Many of you know me as a member of BESE.
• Chairman and committee members.
• Chairperson, members of the committee. Thank you.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:28.839><c> and</c> provider ERS all community members and provider ERS all community members
• </c><01:44:45.040><c> of</c> Hampshire thank you chair and members of Hampshire thank you chair and members
• I'm a former member of the House and a member of this committee for four years, and glad to be home.
• Good afternoon, committee members.
• The commission has 12 members and consists of landlords, property managers, lead risk inspectors, members

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Any other questions from members of the commission?
• Thank you for being a member of the commission.
• I'm a member of Eric Tublin, I'm a member of multiple organizations that were the ones to save me and
• Members of the Commission.
• , commission members.

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met at 10:07 a.m. and approved the minutes from its February 9 meeting. The commission said it would accept Department of Correction testimony in writing because of a scheduling issue, and then spent most of the hearing hearing from people with lived experience in county and state correctional settings. Members repeatedly reminded witnesses to keep remarks to about three minutes and focused the discussion on correctional consolidation, collaboration, programming, and reentry. Testimony from multiple sheriff’s offices was broadly supportive of county-based programming, treatment, education, and reentry services. Witnesses from Hampshire, Barnstable, Hampden, and Franklin counties described access to GED and college courses, vocational training, recovery meetings, therapeutic groups, housing and ID assistance, work release, and reentry centers. Several said these programs helped them gain sobriety, employment, family reunification, and parole readiness. Hampden County witnesses emphasized immediate reentry planning and individualized case management; Franklin County witnesses praised respectful treatment and an accessible off-site reentry center; Barnstable witnesses highlighted the women’s therapeutic treatment program, creative writing, and the Bridge Center; Hampshire witnesses described the Bridge House, work release, and transition supports. Several witnesses contrasted those experiences with what they described as limited or delayed programming in DOC facilities, especially for people serving longer sentences or with restrictive classifications. One witness said DOC programming was hard to access because shorter sentences and offense labels affected eligibility; another described overcrowding, little counseling, and no reentry planning in state prison. A juvenile lifer testified that classification barriers and lack of tailored programming left him feeling unprepared, and another witness said DOC’s handling of classification hearings and records was unfair and opaque. Some speakers also raised concerns about mental health care and visitation policies, especially at Framingham, where one witness said suicidal thoughts were met with inadequate responses and another said family visitation was denied without clear explanation. Commissioners asked follow-up questions about DOC access, step-down opportunities, family support, and whether more transitional housing or acclimation time before release would help. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, my name is Chad Jordan.
• Members, any more questions? Members? Questions? Thank you very much for being here today.
• Members, any questions? Senator King. Members, any questions? Senator King? Thank you.
• Would you mind submitting them to the committee members? Certainly. Members, any other questions?
• Any more questions, members?

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being a member of the commission.
• I'm a member of Eric Tublin, I'm a member of multiple organizations that were the ones to save me and
• Members of the Commission.
• Members of the Commission.
• , commission members.

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met to approve prior minutes and then heard extensive testimony from people incarcerated or formerly incarcerated in county and state facilities, along with a few family/community perspectives. Much of the testimony focused on how county sheriff programs, reentry services, and step-down placements helped people obtain education, treatment, work experience, housing, IDs, and support for sobriety and family reunification. Witnesses from Hampshire, Barnstable, Hampden, and Franklin counties repeatedly described these programs as life-changing and credited staff with treating them with dignity, helping them prepare for release, and connecting them to community resources. Several witnesses contrasted county programming favorably with their experiences in DOC custody, saying DOC facilities often had overcrowding, limited access to programs, long waits, and little individualized reentry planning. Some said their sentence length or classification status made them ineligible for needed programs, while others described county facilities as more responsive and rehabilitative. A few witnesses also highlighted the value of culturally specific programming, educational blocks, restorative justice, and employment training. One witness from Hampden County described All-Exclusive Support Services as pivotal to her recovery and later employment with the sheriff’s office; another from Franklin County said the reentry center’s outside location made it easier to access help after release. Not all testimony was uniformly positive. A witness from Framingham described serious mental health needs that were not adequately addressed, saying she was offered superficial coping tools instead of counseling and that visitation restrictions for family members worsened her mental health. Another witness, a juvenile lifer, said long sentences and classification barriers limited access to meaningful programming and delayed preparation for release. Commissioners asked follow-up questions about DOC programming access, reentry preparation, visitation policies, and whether people were ready to benefit from services. No formal votes or policy actions were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes and moving through the testimony agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any other questions from members of the commission?
• Thank you for being a member of the commission.
• I'm a member of Eric Tublin.
• Members of the Commission.
• , commission members.

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met to approve prior minutes and then heard extensive testimony focused on reentry, programming, and the differences between Department of Correction facilities and county sheriff programs. Much of the testimony came from incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people describing how county facilities offered education, treatment, work release, identification documents, housing help, and reentry planning that they said were often unavailable or harder to access in state DOC settings. Several witnesses emphasized that these programs helped them obtain sobriety, employment, family reunification, and parole readiness, while others said they needed more time, mentoring, or transitional support before release to make the most of those services. Witnesses from Hampshire, Barnstable, Hampden, and Franklin counties described specific programs such as high school/GED completion, college courses, culinary arts, vocational training, recovery groups, therapeutic treatment, and community-based reentry centers. Many said staff treated them with dignity and that the facilities’ culture encouraged accountability and personal change. A few witnesses also noted that some programs were not a fit for their needs, especially for people without substance-use issues or for those whose mental health needs were not adequately addressed. One Barnstable witness said she returned to custody within 48 hours of release because she was not mentally prepared for reentry, and another from Framingham said mental health support was insufficient and visitation restrictions worsened her experience. Commissioners asked follow-up questions about DOC access to programming, classification barriers, reentry preparation, and visitation policies. Several witnesses said DOC programming was limited by sentence length, classification status, or program waitlists, and that some people were steered into programs that did not match their needs. A number of commissioners and the sheriff present responded by stressing the importance of wraparound services, individualized planning, and hiring formerly incarcerated staff. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• But any member of the public are welcome to watch, of course, or be here in the room and send their comments
• But uh any<00:14:52.720><c> any</c><00:14:53.040><c> member</c><00:14:53.199><c> of</c><00:14:53.360>
• of the public are welcome any any member of the public are welcome to<00:14:54.399><c> watch</c><00:
• uh speak up um where where board members uh speak up um they're<00:34:11.520><c> fired.
• many of the members are often often<01:04:24.960><c> the</c><01:04:25.119><c> members</c><01:04:25.359

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the rule of law with U.S. Representative Ed Case. Chair Carl Rhodes opened by explaining the purpose of the briefing, noting it was being livestreamed and that public testimony would not be taken in the usual way. He described the rule of law as central to democracy and introduced Case, who was invited to discuss the concept and its relevance to recent federal actions affecting Hawaii. Case framed the rule of law as a durable system grounded in the Constitution, federal laws, separation of powers, and checks and balances, with each branch of government and the public itself playing a role. He emphasized that Congress makes the laws, the president executes them, and the courts decide whether the Constitution and laws are being followed. He also stressed that elected officials swear to uphold this structure and that the rule of law is distinct from ordinary policy disagreements. Case then argued that the Trump administration has undermined the rule of law through actions such as dismantling or weakening agencies created and funded by law, withholding appropriated funds, removing inspectors general and other independent officials, ignoring or challenging court orders, weakening the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve, and intimidating dissenting voices, the press, and other opponents. He said these actions have harmed Hawaii and reflect a coordinated effort to concentrate power in the executive branch. He noted that Congress has not been serving as an effective check, while federal courts have been the main remaining check through more than 46 lawsuits, and he identified voters as the ultimate check and balance, briefly correcting the timing of the next midterm election to 2026.