Transcript Highlights:

• measure. Thank you. measure. Thank you.
• If wishes to testify on this measure?
• labor organizations to the measure labor organizations to the measure because because because >
• uh, this measure would be necessary. uh, this measure would be necessary.
• wishes to testify on this measure? wishes to testify on this measure?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The impact of this modernization is measurable.
• We have developed an internal security operations center.
• They have, they... 41,000 security events. 41,000 security events in 2025.
• So, yeah, this is actual security events. Right.
• So, yeah, this is actual security events. Right.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota's Security Operations Center Modernization Program strengthens Minnesota's Security Operations
• Minnesota's Security Operations Center Minnesota's Security Operations Center Modernization<00:29:57.360
• <00:30:00.600> Operations strengthens Minute's Security Operations strengthens Minute's Security
• <00:30:44.400> of<00:30:44.680> Mn security of Mn security of Mn uh<00:30:45.880> the
• And it would assist agencies in securing And it would assist agencies in securing specialized<01

Bills: HF1338

Keywords: Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, state oversight, government accountability, fraud, waste, abuse, audit, investigation, subpoena, whistleblower, public integrity, transparency, state agencies, executive branch, public funds, taxpayer funds, law enforcement oversight, public safety programs, advisory council

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 10 quality measures; you'll see them later on: five pay for performance We have 10 quality measures
• And I did mention the quality measures: we have 10 of them, and they are equity-sensitive.
• And this is just the measures, just to give you an idea, some of the quality measures that we're targeting
• Again, I flagged this a little bit earlier, but really focusing also on secure storage.
• Williams and the maternity bundle, I think you saw one of the measures...

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The meeting focused on maternal health and behavioral health services for pregnant and postpartum people in Connecticut. Dr. Fatmata Williams of DSS gave an update on the Husky maternity payment bundle, explaining that it was created in response to worsening maternal and neonatal outcomes and racial disparities. She said the bundle, launched in 2025, shifts payment away from fee-for-service toward prospective case rates, quality measures, and shared savings, while covering services such as doulas and maintaining access to behavioral health and other non-pregnancy-related care outside the bundle. She noted 26 maternity practices are participating, quarterly quality reports have been distributed, reconciliation is planned for 2026, and DSS is considering refinements such as adding newborns, revisiting shared losses, and possibly expanding to FQHCs after further stakeholder review. Shelly Nolan of DMHAS then described the state’s women’s services and recovery continuum, including pregnant and parenting treatment programs, women’s recovery support programs, community transition support with rent subsidies, the Proud program, REACH navigation, recovery houses, and outpatient services. She emphasized that many programs are under capacity and that DMHAS uses a no-wrong-door approach, real-time bed availability, technical assistance, and training to improve access. She also reviewed initiatives tied to substance-exposed pregnancies and safe sleep, secure storage, naloxone distribution, reproductive health integration, breastfeeding support, and upcoming conferences and trainings. She said the department works closely with DCF and community partners to reduce stigma and improve family-centered care. Beth Garrigan presented on the Access Mental Health and Substance Use for Moms program, a statewide consultation service for providers serving pregnant and postpartum individuals up to 12 months after delivery. She said the program offers real-time psychiatric consultation, referral support, and one-time face-to-face assessments, and has provided more than 4,300 consultations and resource/referral support to over 700 individuals since 2022. Members and legislators praised the service and discussed how it helps providers connect patients to care, follow up on referrals, and address barriers such as fit, stigma, and workflow. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with plans for the next meeting on June 8 and a request for Dr. Williams’ slides to be posted online.

Transcript Highlights:

• testifying, please state your name, who you represent, whether you're testifying on, for or against the measure
• Any increase in value due to the, uh, installation of border security infrastructure.
• And it would exempt land dedicated for border security infrastructure through recorded easement from
• Border security infrastructure and then somehow um. Reporting that as, as exempt from taxation.
• transactions or an occupation tax on a registered securities market operator.

Bills: HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34

Keywords: HB 195, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Schedule IV, controlled substances, mifepristone, misoprostol, carisoprodol, Health and Safety Code, drug scheduling, pharmacy regulation, prescription drugs, reproductive health, abortion medication, medication abortion, women's health, prescribing, dispensing, law enforcement, drug control, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• When originally implemented, there were special measures that were there were special measures that were
• the<02:51:36.960> domestic measurable.
• In 2025, the domestic measurable.
• The measure defines the effective revenue...
• there to be used for Social Security payments.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of security? So I'm going to share an opinion.
• So I know that security is a big part of the workforce in the future.
• You know, you talked about Senator about the security issue.
• There are additional security and like trip preparer.
• You can see it's barely measurable on the chart there.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole for the consideration of measures
• I move that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole for the consideration of measures
• I move that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole for the Considerations on Measure
• I move that the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole for the considerations of measures
• Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and the measures be properly

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That measure is out. Sorry? Oh, no. Oh, I'm sorry.
• That measure— I'm sorry, that measure, it is five to one with one abstention. That measure is out.
• Measures out. Seven to zero? Six to zero. Six to zero, measures out. Seven to zero, measures out.
• Okay, that seven to zero measure is out.
• That measure is out. Okay. Four to one, that measure is out.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through proactive, nonlethal measures such as deterrents, reporting, and community education. The author and supporters argued the prior program was effective and needed again as wildlife incidents rise; opponents from the cattle and farm sectors said they support the concept but want amendments to make nonlethal measures more practical, especially for ranchers, and to protect compensation funds for direct livestock losses. Members discussed wolf and mountain lion conflicts, compensation, and the limits of nonlethal deterrence. The bill passed 2-0 on call to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large housing and development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA. Supporters said the bill keeps water planning tied to land-use planning and prevents “paper water” problems, while opponents from the building industry warned it could create duplicative review, legal uncertainty, and delays for housing. Members debated whether the bill is useful in cases where the city is also the water provider, and whether it could increase litigation risk. The bill passed 4-1 on call to Local Government. SB 1270 was then heard to expand the state wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot beyond the original six counties to include additional high-risk counties, with amendments to direct future funding and prioritize the highest-risk areas. Supporters said recent fires showed the need to broaden access and focus on cost-effective mitigation; members discussed whether the program should remain geographically limited or be expanded statewide, and the author said she was open to broader amendments. The bill passed 5-0 on call to Emergency Management. Finally, SB 895 was presented as a major state bond measure to support scientific research and create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research. Supporters emphasized California’s research economy and the need to offset federal funding cuts, while some members raised concerns about the bond’s size, taxpayer burden, and the politics of some sponsors. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended, with no final action shown for SB 895.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to express my gratitude to Chairwoman Calderon for authoring this important measure.
• This measure is going to lay the foundation that we need.
• This measure is going to lay the foundation that we need to help make California more resilient.
• As a result, many affordable housing providers are forced to implement drastic measures such as using
• But without affordable insurance, that security is unraveling.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to consider several bills focused on California’s insurance market, wildfire resilience, and consumer protections. AB 888, the California Safe Homes Act, was heard first. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler testified in support, describing state grant programs that help homeowners harden roofs and create defensible space, with the goal of reducing losses and improving insurance affordability and availability. Supporters from the insurance industry, local government, and the Rebuild Paradise Foundation also backed the bill, and committee members emphasized the need for more incentives for mitigation. The bill passed the committee on a do pass motion and was sent to Appropriations. AB 290, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require the FAIR Plan to offer automatic payments and address non-renewal grace-period issues. The author described her own experience being forced onto the FAIR Plan and facing a large premium increase, while Consumer Federation of California called the bill common-sense consumer protection. The FAIR Plan opposed unless amended, saying it was already handling major wildfire claims and other operational demands and requested more time and changes to the non-renewal grace-period language. Members across the committee supported the bill as a needed modernization measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 1339, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would direct the Department of Insurance to study insurance availability and pricing for affordable housing providers and report policy recommendations. Supporters from affordable housing organizations said rising premiums were forcing providers to cut services, defer maintenance, and use reserves, threatening housing stability for low-income residents. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 646, by Assemblymember Wallace, also passed to Appropriations; it concerns disclosure related to motor vehicle protection products and catalytic converter theft deterrence, with support from auto dealers and industry groups. The committee also approved AB 1531 on consent. Members later added on to the record in support of the bills, and the hearing concluded without recorded opposition votes on the measures that advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• No state in the nation has figured out exactly how to measure outcomes in our system.
• But we are transparent about those measures.
• Chair, we're not as far along with these measures as we would like to be.
• One measure. And then, you know, is everybody over that 70% mark? Is that a quality measure?
• So, there's lots of ways we could measure equity.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:45.839> debt, with how rating agencies measure debt, with how rating agencies measure
• They are slightly different security structures.
• They are slightly different security They are slightly different security structures.<01:06:52.799
• starts to tighten. this debt measure starts to tighten.
• And because the guidelines measure debt differently, the outer bounds can vary based on each measure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission has exceeded that performance measure every year. While we still have work to do, well.
• Okay, let me move to your performance measures in relation to the air quality assessments planning, I
• So our capabilities are not going down so in some instances we can have a monitor that will measure..
• . for two things whereas in the past we may have had to have two separate monitors to measure for two
• So the same thing, same phenomenon as with DPS or anybody else. responding to our border security.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We secured free full-day kindergarten and launched Universal Preschool.
• We secured free We didn't stop there.
• <01:47:33.679> these instituted among men to secure these instituted among men to secure these
• Food security is national security.
• Food security is national security.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill is a cost-saving measure. That's all it is. This bill is a cost-saving measure.
• Can the crime lab measure the percentage of kratom within a product? No.
• You've got to pay another attorney, right, to secure your civil rights?
• Internet security.
• We have added new security cameras on the fuel islands, added additional security to the pumps, made

Bills: SB1067, SB1234, SB1285, SB1295, SB1392, SB1413, SB1436, SB1470, SB1476, SB1489, SB1512, SB1535, SB1540, SB1556, SB1568, SB1569, SB1570, SB1573, SB1585, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1635, SB1644, SB1647, SB1648, SB1650, SB1653, SB1654, SB1655, SB1656, SB1657, SB1658, SB1661, SB1662, SB1664, SB1666, SB1667, SB1669, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1746, SB1748, SB1755, SB1786, SB1820, SB1822, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048

Keywords: tax lien, property tax lien, real property tax lien, foreclosure, right of redemption, redeem, excess proceeds, county abatement lien, abatement lien, lien priority, assessment lien, easement, county treasurer, certificate of purchase, tax delinquency, delinquent property taxes, property owner equity, judgment foreclosure, title report, Arizona Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• We need permanent data infrastructure in California to comprehensively measure how hate is impacting
• So this is where the data is slightly off because that data is measured in hate crime offenses.
• We need to invest in education, in security, and in programs that build understanding and not division
• We need to invest in education, in security, and in programs that build understanding and not division
• these safety measures they now require.

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations. The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support. The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• How are opportunity gaps measured? How are opportunity gaps measured? That's a good question.
• One of the key measurements, if not the sole measurement for opportunity gaps in public schools, is a
• Is it a good measure?
• Colorado strengthen their cyber security Colorado strengthen their cyber security and<03:46:05.040
• 03:46:06.479> that and their uh security procedures that and their uh security procedures that

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once we have established quorum, we have 21 measures on the agenda, six of which are consent.
• and ensuring newborns have the opportunity for a safe and secure future.
• This measure builds on that foundation.
• Every month, child support garnishes $50 from my Social Security.
• This is not measuring data or keeping people in poverty.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• competitive measure for sure for Hawaii. competitive measure for sure for Hawaii.
• measure? measure? I'm<00:57:57.880> seeing<00:57:58.120> none.
• And the real false sense of security is silence.
• A false sense of security is silence.
• strongly support this uh measure. strongly support this uh measure.

Bills: SB2607, SB2031, SB2043, SB2623, SB2876, SB2396, SB2964, SB2089

Keywords: landscape architecture, licensure, educational requirements, examination, professional standards, consumer protection, junk fees, live-event tickets, short-term lodging, transparency, pricing disclosure, deceptive practices, insurance, captives, regulations, policyholders, SB2623, Hawaii pharmacy law, Board of Pharmacy, registered pharmacy technician

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 168 and HR 158, which would create a temporary working group to study utility capacity, coastline infrastructure lifespan, and the costs of needed expansions. Public Utilities Commission staff said the commission was not the right entity to direct all of the work because it lacks authority over many affected agencies. Members discussed whether the study should be limited to a coastal area or broadened to the whole island, and in decision-making the committee amended the measure to focus on the County of Honolulu, correct references to the Public Utilities Commission, and revise the working group membership to include the PUC chair, legislative designees, and directors or designees from DLNR, DOT, HIEMA, and DCCA Consumer Advocacy. The committee then passed both resolutions with amendments; the vote was adopted unanimously, with some members excused. The committee next considered HCR 145 and HR 137, which would convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division stood on its written comments, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission supported the intent, and the Attorney General opposed the measure, warning that a working group could create discoverable materials that might complicate the state’s climate litigation and noting a technical ambiguity in the reference to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund administrator. After questions about discovery and the lawsuit, the committee amended the resolutions to replace the administrator reference with the chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors, remove the Attorney General as convener while keeping the office as a member, and have the working group share findings and recommendations with the House CPC and Senate CPN committees instead of issuing a report. The committee passed the measures with amendments, with Rep. Martin voting with reservations. In the later agenda, the committee heard SB 2607, SD 1 on landscape architect licensure. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects supported the bill, explaining it modernizes licensure requirements to align with national standards and clarifies the profession’s design-focused role. The bill was discussed as distinguishing landscape architecture from groundskeeping and from civil engineering drainage work. No opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 2031, SD 2 on consumer protection and price transparency for live ticket events and short-term lodging. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill, saying it largely mirrors an FTC rule requiring all-in pricing and would give the state enforcement authority and remedies. The Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill as drafted and sought a limited exemption for credit card issuers relying on third-party hotel information, while the Hawaii Hotel Alliance supported the measure but asked for language deeming compliance with the federal rule sufficient for short-term lodging. Committee members questioned whether those proposed exemptions would conflict with federal law or weaken state enforcement, and the discussion focused on preemption, liability, and the value of state remedies such as restitution.

Transcript Highlights:

• 09:21.520> gives<00:09:21.760> Vermonters<00:09:22.360> some<00:09:22.560> measure
• <00:09:22.839> of that gives Vermonters some measure of that gives Vermonters some measure
• In essence, controllers must take reasonable measures to ensure any de-identified data remain so and
• In essence, controllers must take reasonable measures to ensure any de-identified data remain so and
• Internet Safety Labs, Economic Security Internet Safety Labs, Economic Security Policy<00:23:09.800

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House Bill 955, relating to next steps in transforming Vermont’s education system. The chamber suspended rules to consider the Senate proposal of amendment immediately, and the House Education Committee reported that while it appreciated the Senate’s work, differences remained on issues including the timing of class size minimums, possible tuition or fees under the foundation formula, school construction details, and merger committee groupings. The committee voted 11-0-0 to refuse concurrence and request a committee of conference. After a brief correction on the committee straw poll, the House voted to refuse concurrence in the Senate amendment and appointed Representatives Conlin, Kornheiser, and Quimby as the House conferees. The House then suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The House next took up Senate Bill 71, the consumer data privacy and online surveillance bill. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee recommended amendment, and the floor report described the bill as creating a comprehensive Vermont data privacy law effective January 1, 2028. The report outlined consumer rights to know, access, correct, delete, and port personal data, and to opt out of targeted advertising and sale of data; duties for controllers and processors; limits on sensitive data use; special protections for minors and health-related geofencing; Attorney General enforcement; and an 18-month cure period. The committee heard extensive testimony from a broad range of advocates, industry representatives, privacy experts, and other stakeholders, and it reported the bill out favorably with amendment on a vote of 11-0-0 before the House recessed for dinner.