Transcript Highlights:

• This is an ambitious schedule, but I see there are 11 different counties.
• Have you gone through and looked at the counties that are missing?
• So those other counties will show up in future audit schedules that we plan. Mr.
• Murray is the new chief deputy for the county school superintendent's office.
• Mojave County superintendent's... is... It’s ironic, because these are new.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it the county? Because a lot of this is zoning. It's county function.
• Is it the county?
• county? Because a lot of this is zoning. county? Because a lot of this is zoning.
• Hawaii County was 22,000.
• Hawaii County was 22,000. Hawaii County was 22,000.

Bills: HB1601, HB1828, HB1616, HB1603, HB1606, HB1604, HB1605

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii

Transcript Highlights:

• City and County of Honolulu, >> Thank you.
• City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services with comments.
• City and County of Honolulu not present.
• <00:38:48.880> Department City and County of Honolulu Department City and County of Honolulu
• shall reissue procurement for the safety shall reissue procurement for the safety traffic<01:09:14.799

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard several measures and took action on each after testimony. SB 2697 SD1 would prohibit driving on roadway shoulders except in limited circumstances, authorize towing or impoundment of vehicles with expired registrations of three or more years, increase certain fines and penalties, and require annual reporting; the Department of Transportation supported it, and the committee later adopted amendments and recommended passage. SB 2399 SD2 would provide a general excise tax exemption for aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and related facility construction; it drew support from industry groups and comments from the Department of Taxation and Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and was also passed with amendments. SB 2665 SD2 would require driver’s license renewal applicants with a recent traffic citation to complete a road-safety course and exam; DOT supported it, the Public Defender opposed it as not clearly linked to safer driving, and the committee amended the bill to raise the trigger from one citation to two citations within five years before recommending passage. The committee also heard SB 2851 SD1, which would allow deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement; the Disability and Communication Access Board supported it, Peter Fritz testified in support while urging amendments on verification and threshold issues, and the committee adopted amendments and passed the measure. SB 3102 SD2 would clarify DOT’s role in port pilotage standards and appeals; DOT, DCCA, pilots, maritime interests, labor, and harbor users supported it, and it was passed with amendments. SB 2521 SD1 would exempt emergency medical services personnel from CDL requirements, require emergency-vehicle training, and update the definition of authorized emergency vehicle; DOT, DOH, Honolulu emergency services, and UPW supported it, and it too was passed with amendments. Finally, SB 3157 would transfer unencumbered automated speed enforcement special fund balances above a set threshold to the general fund. DOT supported the concept, but members questioned whether excess funds would ever accumulate and whether the money should instead support safe routes to school; the committee increased the threshold from $12 million to $25 million, discussed but did not adopt a transfer to another special fund, and passed the bill with amendments. The chair noted the next hearing would be held the following Tuesday, likely at 8:30 or 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have quite a few people here from Marshall County.
• Uh, appreciate your being involved in leadership in your schools and in your counties.
• Frell Seymour, I counties. Also, uh Dr.
• Bib County Bib County uh<00:03:41.440> ran<00:03:41.680> out<00:03:41.920> of
• already, you would be able to um procure already, you would be able to um procure that<00:15:12.720

Bills: SB211, SB305, SB300, SB211, SB305, SB300

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, education funding, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, local education agencies, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students, tax exemption, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:08.720> things<00:28:09.000> like<00:28:09.279> pre-qualified procurement
• But, like you said, we're at the beginning in the procurement stage where we awarded a vendor.
• And there was a second bus coming around, maybe in your procurement.
• <01:51:24.440> so you guys are doing uh procurement so you guys are doing uh procurement so
• engage with uh with the city and county engage with uh with the city and county of<02:10:09.719>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I like your advocacy for Boston when I'm outside of Suffolk County in 495. I understand.
• Currently, we're procuring a new case management system vital for any investigatory agency.
• We have a procurement technical assistance team that answers questions relating to municipal procurements
• We have a procurement technical assistance team that answers questions relating to municipal procurements
• The assistance team answers questions relating to municipal procurements.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Montgomery County Inpatient Facility, Victoria County, and Beaumont Baptist.
• And so for a county that doesn't have any any beds associated...
• services to those for counties that don't have beds how do we provide services to those those counties
• You know, in Houston, we're hearing from hospitals that are well from our county.
• That is for the bearer County area and currently those counties surrounding Bexar County are covered

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the state lobbying law to include certain communications with government officials regarding procurement
• and the state lobbying law includes certain communications with government officials regarding procurement
• and the state lobbying law includes certain communications with government officials regarding procurement
• Authorizes state and county law enforcement agencies to accept digitized identification cards.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met to take up several House bills and adopted recommendations on a number of them. HB 111, which would authorize civil claims against persons or businesses profiting from sexual exploitation or sex trafficking and extend the civil statute of limitations to 10 years, was recommended to pass unamended after discussion with the Attorney General’s office. HB 54, increasing penalties for repeated excessive speeding offenses, was recommended to pass with the Attorney General’s first suggested amendment requiring identification processing, including fingerprinting and photographing, for convicted violators unless already done. HB 70, dealing with condominium budget summaries and reserve requirements, was recommended to pass as amended, and HB 320, allowing supported decision-making agreements for qualified adults including those with disabilities, mental illness, or age 65 and older, was also recommended to pass as amended. These recommendations were adopted without objection, though some members noted reservations on HB 54 and HB 70. HB 239, which would clarify that inability to provide certain needs to a child due solely to lack of financial resources does not constitute abuse or neglect, was deferred to Thursday, April 3, at 10:00 a.m. HB 359, concerning covered offender registration and a proposed exemption related to sexual assault in the fourth degree, was recommended to pass with amendments deleting section 2 after concerns that the current statute already covers the issue and that the added language would create a title problem by addressing two topics. The committee adopted that recommendation. HB 412, establishing presumptions and expanding lobbying-related definitions for certain communications with government officials, was recommended to pass with an added clarification excluding purely informational, ceremonial, or routine relationship-building communications from the presumption; that recommendation was also adopted. HB 472, which would allow digitized identification cards to be accepted as valid identification and authorize law enforcement agencies to accept them under certain circumstances, was not decided. After a recess, the chair announced that everything after HB 412 would be deferred to Thursday, the 27th, at 10:30 p.m. in room 016, and the remaining items were postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• to share, obviously, I will be biased because I am going to talk about my district, is that Fresno County
• Many of them come from my district, again, the west side of Fresno County, and some out in Merced County
• The situation in Orange County with the 32nd DAA was very different.
• How would it affect the day-to-day procurement and the contracting process?
• For example, in Orange County and the one in San Diego, they set a minimum qualification.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met to hear one bill, SB 1223 by Senator Padilla, which would require district agricultural associations and fairs to follow competitive bidding standards under the Public Contract Code and prohibit sole-source contracting. Senator Padilla and his witness argued the bill was needed to close a loophole exposed by litigation and investigations involving fair contracts, citing alleged bid tailoring and favoritism in San Diego and Orange County fair contracting. They said the measure would promote transparency, accountability, and fair competition, while noting that existing exemptions and guidance should allow smaller fairs to continue routine procurement without difficulty. Committee members asked how the bill would affect small and rural fairs and what steps managers would need to take to comply. The author and witness responded that the bill was aimed at large contracts where abuse had occurred, and that fair managers generally already know how to write RFPs so more than one bidder can qualify. The vice chair indicated support after receiving clarification, and the chair and other members spoke in favor of the bill as a safeguard against corruption. No opposition was presented in committee or public comment. The committee then voted to send SB 1223 to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call showed the measure passing with eight aye votes. Before adjournment, the chair also recognized the committee’s chief consultant, Victor, and secretary, Nicole, for their long service and upcoming retirements, thanking them for their work with the Agriculture Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the sheriff of Anoka County.
• I'm the sheriff of Anoka County.
• I'm the sheriff of Anoka County.
• I'm the sheriff of Anoka County.
• I'm the sheriff of Anoka County.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It looks like we've got him in Oklahoma County.
• increased compliance with reduced improper purchase orders and increased compliance and reduced procurement
• The first would be in procurement compliance. We now review 100% of purchase orders.
• We're estimating a savings of at least 30% to procurement costs to all state agencies, and essentially
• Since I've been in my role of being told to make procurement faster and simpler, and I'm very confident

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And a SEC began as a health plan in the Medicaid program in with the new procurement that started February
• Some of the things that all of us committed to and that procurement process or a faster turnaround times
• One is what they're called quality metrics that were put into our contracts through the new procurement
• they decided that the network capacity was fined for pediatric psychiatry assist in Hillsborough County
• I think the the carrot and the stick approach that the agency took in the last procurement, you kind

Transcript Highlights:

• County—that share the Cuyama Valley.
• Yes, when I went to the Cuyama Valley once, I had to spend two miles in Kern County on my way there.
• While we had that, we haven't fully seen Kern County producing yet, and I think part of it goes to the
• Two, we looked at being behind on procurement and really making sure that we procure.
• And since then, the PUC has done an extraordinary amount of procurement through their processes.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are responsible for approval, procurement, and oversight of the state's IT projects.
• CDT, uh, to procure a vendor for phase two, uh, but unfortunately that procurement process didn't result
• So we have to go back through the procurement process.
• And so we have to do the procurement again and and and pay more, authorize more.
• And I live in Northern Sacramento County, so this is a pay cut on both ends.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like if you look at Hawaii, County of Hawaii, County of Maui, they don't have any HPH provider in their
• Haima, uh, alongside with the county. Haima, uh, alongside with the county.
• But the state and county, the governor, the Department of Human Services, and the county of Maui, we
• February 10th and August when the county February 10th and August when the county is<01:18:40.080
• Maui County. And we are currently Maui County.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to competitively procure it, so it'll be everything in compliance with what the procurement rules
• We have to competitively procure it, so it'll be everything in compliance with what the procurement rules
• <00:42:21.280> High Um I'm a student at Boyd County High Um I'm a student at Boyd County High
• Every school in every county is impacted.
• Every school in every county is impacted.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee heard a presentation from Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Program. He said Kentucky received about $213 million in federal funding, among the highest awards nationally, after a fast application and negotiation process. He emphasized that the grant is time-limited, must be used for the specific goals in the state’s application, and cannot be treated as a general bailout or replacement for existing funding. He also noted the state will use a website, ruralhealthplan.ky.gov, to share the full application, award terms, and future opportunities. Dr. Stack outlined five focus areas: maternal health and prenatal/early childhood supports; EMS and trauma response workforce and transfer capacity; behavioral health crisis care through the EMPATH model and mobile crisis services; oral health access through more hygienists, telehealth, and hub-and-spoke models; and rural community hubs for chronic disease prevention and innovation, including food-as-medicine and healthier lifestyle interventions. He stressed that the program is meant to be transformative, not duplicative, and that it cannot pay clinician salaries, fund new construction, replace EMR systems broadly, or duplicate billable services. He said the state will work with community partners, hospitals, universities, and others, including the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, to begin implementation. Members responded positively overall. Senator Berg praised the award and the goal of integrating care across the state, but raised concerns about access to prenatal care and about possible future changes to water fluoridation, warning both could harm children and rural families. The chair and other members thanked Dr. Stack for the update and congratulated him on the award. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I met with my counties, and my counties are getting shifted a lot of money, a lot of costs down to counties
• <00:26:54.720> operate help our cities and counties operate help our cities and counties operate
• <00:46:43.200> process competition in the procurement process competition in the procurement
• It's 5 million total that's going to Ramsey County for the Ramsey County Sheriff.
• <01:19:02.239> And whether it's their county taxes. And whether it's their county taxes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and contracts with Minnesota's counties, and contracts with Minnesota's counties, tribes,<00:09
• As a county human service Monday.
• Miss Underwood, just a to the counties?
• Uh because our our counties, our it did.
• State's EBT system and improve efficiency in the procurement process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Broward County.
• And Broward County has informed me that the way the bill is currently written, the county does not have
• We have Jessica Janice Seawitz waiving in support from Osceola County Schools.
• We have Scott Howitt, Orange County Public Schools, waving in support.
• Danielle Thomas waving in support from Pasco County Schools. Thank you.

Bills: S0290, S0320

Keywords: agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, educational efficiency, public schools, district school boards, budget transparency, school accountability, instructional personnel

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first took up CS for SB 290, a broad Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment that, among other things, set density requirements for certain small municipalities, delayed biosolids-related changes from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028, required higher insurance coverage for fumigation businesses, increased fines for fumigation violations, extended the time contractors have to pay subcontractors and suppliers from 15 to 30 business days, preempted certain county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renamed the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about local government preemption, the biosolids timeline, and especially the new felony penalty for nonpayment of subcontractors and suppliers. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids provisions, while several agricultural and industry groups waived in support. The bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senator Bracy Davis voting no and Senator Jones expressing concern about the contractor penalty. The committee then heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities, budgeting, and early learning administration; expand teacher apprenticeship pathways; create longer instructional contracts and renewable professional certificates; simplify testing and evaluation rules; increase flexibility for Title I and discretionary capital funding; and streamline facility planning and architectural requirements. School district and education association representatives waived in support. Senators Osgood and others praised the deregulation and flexibility, while Senator Bracy Davis asked about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education expenditure questions. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce administrative burden while preserving accountability. SB 320 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to sit in on the henpen uh County to sit in on the henpen uh County veterans<00:18:16.000> treatment
• need to be traveling to other counties need to be traveling to other counties to<00:20:38.559>
• <00:20:45.159> to could come to any of your counties to could come to any of your counties
• I first met him down at the county jail when he was wearing an orange jumpsuit.
• I first met him down at the county jail when he was wearing an orange jumpsuit.

Keywords: 1183, house