Transcript Highlights:

• We do have funding in the budget that the two-party agreement that identifies funding for bilingual teacher
• We do have funding in the budget that the two-party agreement that identifies funding for bilingual teacher
• We do have funding in the budget that the two-party agreement that identifies funding for bilingual teacher
• We do have funding in the budget that the two-party agreement that identifies funding for bilingual teacher
• We do have funding in the budget that the two-party agreement identifies funding for bilingual teacher

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• dedicated fund account.
• and first responder fund, the legal support fund, and the debt collection fund.
• In statutory dedications, the $1.6 million has a net increase, and it includes the transfer of funding
• They can't fund it.
• She said the request is made up of $208.4 million in state general fund, with interagency transfers and

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee first reviewed the Department of Justice FY 2027 budget, which was presented at $117.8 million, with most funding coming from statutory dedications and the largest program areas being criminal law/Medicaid fraud and civil law. The Attorney General described major work in Troop NOLA, Medicaid fraud, opioid and PBM litigation, and especially child exploitation and online predator investigations. She said ICAC tips are rising sharply, local law enforcement partnerships have expanded, and her office needs more analysts, more permanent positions, and more expenditure authority for the legal support fund and related programs. Members asked about case backlogs, staffing, settlement funds, and whether more resources could be directed toward outreach, mental health, and technology; the Attorney General said she wants to expand cyber capacity, training, and prevention efforts, and that some settlement recoveries are being used to support existing programs and fraud enforcement. Committee members also focused heavily on child safety, truancy, and mental health. Several representatives described local concerns about online exploitation, trafficking, self-harm, and the need for school-based training and community outreach. The Attorney General said she wants a broader prevention strategy involving parents, schools, and behavioral health resources, and she discussed using outreach models such as anti-vaping campaigns and town halls. On opioid settlement oversight, members raised concerns about the size of the funds and the need for stronger state oversight; the Attorney General agreed more structure and compliance monitoring would be useful and said drug courts and treatment programs are effective investments. The committee then moved to the judicial branch budget presentation. The judiciary requested $229.6 million in FY 2027, plus $5.6 million in one-time funding, with most of the budget coming from state general fund. The presentation highlighted increases for judge salaries, staff pay adjustments, health insurance, operating costs, and 17 unfunded positions, along with one-time requests for security and technology upgrades. Chief Justice John Weimer and other justices said the budget would help core court functions and statewide programs such as CASA, drug courts, and FINS, and they emphasized the need for better staffing and technology in the courts. A major discussion centered on truancy and the FINS program. Justice Griffin said statewide collaboration with education officials had reduced truancy and that FINS officers are trained to identify children who may be runaways or trafficking victims. The justices and members supported expanding FINS so every judicial district has coverage, and they said the program helps keep children out of deeper system involvement. Members also asked about security funding, technology improvements, and the 17 unfunded positions, which were described as mostly clerical, IT, and support roles in appellate and district courts. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we’re going to keep the funds in the rainy day fund and their reserves and defer this bill.
• So we’re going to keep the funds in the rainy day fund and their reserves and defer this bill.
• The funds in the rainy day fund and their reserves, and defer this bill.
• Oh, by the way, mitigation items, we can use CIP funds and bond funds.
• Oh, by the way, mitigation items, we can use CIP funds and bond funds.

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 18, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures related to state funds, public lands, wastewater, port infrastructure, and other land and water issues. Early in the hearing, SB 1395, relating to state funds and climate mitigation financing, drew support from the Governor’s office, the Hawaii Climate Advisory Team, the State Energy Office, and others, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii urged the committee not to revert to the original version because of concerns about a special fund and compliance with state statutes. After discussion, the chair said the bill would be deferred because of budget uncertainty and the need to preserve reserves, and members agreed to that recommendation. The committee then took up SB 1393, SB 1669, SB 102, SB 1511, SB 1083, and SB 946, among others. SB 1393 and SB 1669 received support or comments from agencies including the Attorney General’s office, the State Energy Office, and other departments; SB 1669 was sent on with amendments and to Finance for further review. SB 102, concerning a third-party review process, prompted questions about who would select consultants and whether the bill would affect staffing and permitting costs; it was advanced with amendments, with one member noting reservations about the shift to private third-party review. SB 1511, SB 1083, and SB 946 also moved forward, generally with amendments or as amended, and several members noted reservations tied to budget impacts or statutory language. The committee also heard testimony on HB 1393, which involved public lands and school facilities, where the Department of Education sought a change to the deletion language and the School Facilities Authority said it stood on its written comments. For SB 146, relating to the Ali Canal, the University of Hawaiʻi and DLNR supported the measure, and a member asked about the estimated annual cost, which was described as $125,000 per year. On SB 946, members discussed whether removing the term “person” could narrow the law too much; after that discussion, the committee agreed to restore the term and proceed with an HD1. The meeting ended with the committee recessing after completing its agenda and adopting the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> into the fund. Correct. into the fund. Correct. &gt;&gt; Correct. &gt;&gt; Correct.
• c> the</c> they those fund funds flow through the they those fund funds flow through the government<00
• </c> determined by the fund. determined by the fund.
• I've talked about expanding credit transferability, which means allowing the credits to be transferred
• ,</c> about expanding credit transferability, about expanding credit transferability, which<01:28:48.480

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:07 Roll Call 00:00:14 Discussion of Pro-Growth Housing Policies 00:02:01 Discussion of Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit 01:11:13 Adjournment 01:40:27, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Housing Task Force met and heard first from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, which presented findings from a housing study done with the Home Builders Association. The chamber said housing is now a major economic-development issue, citing survey results that 90% of community leaders said their region could not absorb a major job announcement and 66% said housing is holding back Kentucky’s economy. The chamber described Kentucky’s housing shortage, rising home prices, declining permits since 2008, and the need for more production to support growth. It urged policy changes including zoning and land-use reform, tax incentives, regional approaches, and especially a residential infrastructure fund modeled on Indiana’s low-interest loan program to help communities finance roads and other infrastructure needed for new housing. Members asked about the severity of the problem, workforce shortages in permitting and construction, the loan interest rate, repayment, and whether Kentucky could replicate Indiana’s results; the witness said the issue is a crisis and that the program would be a revolving public-private partnership, likely around 3% interest, with implementation details still to be worked out. The Kentucky Bankers Association then testified that the housing gap is especially acute for households at 80% of area median income and below, which it said represents about 70% of Kentucky’s housing need. It emphasized that the shortage affects both urban and rural counties and pointed to examples such as Rowan County, where workers at major employers must commute long distances because local housing is unavailable or unaffordable. The bankers said high interest rates remain a major barrier and proposed a $20 million bank commitment for a revolving fund tied to tax credits to finance new housing, not refinances. They cited Hope of the Midwest as an example of a successful tax-credit housing model with a long track record and no defaults, and said the proposal would leverage public-private partnerships to create new units. Committee members questioned how the proposed fund would compare with industrial revenue bonds and whether it could be structured like Kentucky’s tobacco settlement fund, with seed money, a review board, scoring criteria, and possible population thresholds to ensure smaller communities benefit. The bankers said the proposal would be another tool for cities and counties, specifically tied to residential infrastructure, and that larger cities should not be able to capture all of the resources. No formal votes or actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on row 133 and beyond, you have your other state funds and interagency transfers.
• Ed Fund 12.8 million for the Indian Education Fund, 12.8 million for the Indian Education Fund, 12.8
• Reform Fund.
• But overall, a transfer of $52.2 million from the general fund to PERF.
• And our last section is our other state funds and transfers, where we have 18.9 million for school bus

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you mind going back to Line 7, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund Transfer?
• Would you mind going back to Line 7, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund Transfer?
• Would you mind going back to Line 7, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund Transfer?
• But there are some other funds in there.
• happens to their unspent funds?

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one transferred the Children's Medical Services program from the Department of Health to the
• House Bill 1085 that we passed last session focused care programs for adult children and transferred
• The only piece that transferred is the administration of the CMS managed care plan.
• This did not transfer. It is just the administrative aspect of administering the plan.
• THIS DID NOT TRANSFER.

Summary: The Health Facilities Subcommittee met to receive implementation updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration on three bills passed in prior sessions. First, Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer reported on the transfer of the Children’s Medical Services managed care plan from the Department of Health to AHCA under HB 1085. He said the move was administrative only, with no change to enrollment, providers, services, or clinical eligibility functions, and that it was intended to create efficiencies by aligning procurement and shifting staff resources between agencies. Members then questioned AHCA about reports of reductions in private duty nursing and therapy services for medically fragile children, including concerns about appeals, provider credentialing, and whether families were losing services or being transitioned appropriately. AHCA said it was reviewing denials, monitoring the plan, and using contractual remedies while focusing on maintaining access for members. The committee also reviewed implementation of a bill creating permanent Medicaid eligibility for individuals with permanent disabilities. AHCA staff explained that the agency had submitted a federal 1115 waiver request after public comment and stakeholder meetings, but CMS had indicated it did not anticipate approving the requested authority. Members pressed AHCA on why the waiver was submitted later than the bill’s directive date and on whether the delay was avoidable. AHCA said the waiver was complex and required review, drafting, and public input, and noted that DCF already has a specialized unit to help with redeterminations while the agencies work on operational changes. The committee discussed the practical impact on families who struggle with annual eligibility renewals and the need for clearer communication and faster follow-up from the agency. Finally, AHCA presented on the home health aide program for medically fragile children and related Medicaid eligibility changes. The agency described the 2023 law that created a family caregiver provider type and the 2025 changes that increased the hourly rate, expanded hours, reduced training requirements, and removed caregiver earnings from Medicaid eligibility calculations, subject to federal approval. AHCA said it had completed state public comment, submitted the waiver amendment to CMS, and was awaiting federal action. Members raised concerns that some families may have enrolled or begun work before the eligibility fix was in place and may have lost benefits, especially in Broward County. AHCA said it would work with affected families and plans, review outreach through DCF and the health plans, and continue rulemaking, system updates, and provider training. The meeting ended with the chair noting that the committee had received the updates and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We added the $5 million in general fund to that, and $40 million from the other funds.
• funds.
• Section 31 authorizes the board to transfer funds from institutions' operating line to the institution's
• So that's general fund? I'm sorry, with that general fund? So, Mr.
• it in general fund just to make it clear what the funding source was.

Bills: SB2003

Committee: House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Keywords: higher education, student loans, scholarships, capital projects, workforce development, funding, North Dakota university system, 908, all

Summary: The committee met to work through the higher education budget, beginning with a conflict-of-interest request from Representative Martinson, who was excused from voting because of a partnership that leases office space to Bismarck State College. Members then reviewed the higher education institution budget sheets, covering ongoing and one-time funding items for campuses and system projects such as BSC housing, Lake Region roof repairs, UND’s STEM and National Security Crossroads projects, the UND allied health facility, NDSU projects including New Horizons, DSU deferred maintenance and campus security, Mayville’s Old Main, Minot projects, and the regional health institutes. Members also discussed student financial assistance, the professional student exchange program, IT security funding, and workforce/education innovation grants. Several amendments and policy questions were debated. The committee adopted an amendment to make workforce education innovation grants competitive rather than automatically distributed, and then voted to remove language prohibiting those funds from being used to duplicate academic programs. Members also removed similar anti-duplication language from the New Horizons section. They agreed to extend the UND hyperbaric chamber transfer authority to 2027 and clarified language around UND land-sale proceeds. A proposed amendment to add $5.6 million for the Wahpeton State School of Science building purchase failed for lack of a second, and a proposal to restore fetal alcohol spectrum disorder funding to UND was left for conference. The committee also discussed, but did not add, a tuition cap change, a study on the Praxis exam, and several governance-related provisions. The committee spent significant time on broader higher education policy items, including a $3 million enterprise resource planning request for the university system, a $2 million grant program for students who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or are caring for young children, and a $1.1 million request for library age-verification software tied to the Odin system. Members also discussed dual-credit authority for UND and NDSU, a goal for the UND medical school to increase North Dakota resident enrollment, and intent language regarding the commissioner/chancellor model and presidential search authority. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the amendments and then gave the higher education budget a do-pass recommendation as amended, with Representative Sanford designated as the carrier. The Forest Service budget was also approved, including two additional FTEs, and the committee adjourned after noting it would continue with other budgets the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• rider appropriation of 1.3 billion for transfer to the Texas University Fund, and a net $60 million increase
• Infrastructure Fund.
• tax compliance, and a decrease of $415.7 million in all funds due primarily to a one-time transfer to
• Actual grant funding...
• And that the federal funds in there and we have state funds. Yes, sir.

Bills: SB 1 , SB1

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget includes an increase of $139,600,000 in general fund revenues as a result of a one-time transfer
• Lastly, the bill transfers over $17 million of outlined project surpluses from the State Highway Fund
• Additionally, the bills increase the amount transferred annually from the Corrections Fund to the DOC
• The bill tasks ADOT to allocate and transfer $2,500,000 of HURF revenues to this fund. ...to allocate
• apply for a grant for the transfer funds, or what does that mean?

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• monies from the Strategic Initiatives Program Fund to the General Fund for fiscal year 2026, transferring
• monies from the Opportunity Scholarship Program to the General Fund for fiscal year 2026, transferring
• 2026, transferring monies from the Permanent Building Fund to the General Fund for fiscal year 2026,
• transferring monies from the Permanent Building Funding Fund to the General Fund for fiscal year 2026
• , transferring monies from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund for fiscal year 2027, and declaring

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows the fund to accumulate from year to year with revenues transferring to the general fund
• Constant transfers between the revolving fund and the general fund would complicate financial management
• The bill allows the fund to accumulate from year to year with revenues transferring to the general fund
• Constant transfers between the revolving fund and the general fund would complicate financial management
• /c><03:16:44.920><c> when</c> transferring to the general fund when transferring to the general fund

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:27:03.239><c> that</c> services uh and so they transferred that services uh and so they transferred
• The rental income used to go to a scholarship fund.
• </c> the Armory the sort of scholarship fund the Armory the sort of scholarship fund 108<01:32:00.000
• We have an existing L of account, and we're also with funding.
• </c><01:44:28.199><c> especially</c> all of the crossb transfers especially all of the crossb transfers

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Transferring state oversight and funding in the middle of those critical projects will be complicated
• before the transfer is made.
• account, also known as Fund Nine.
• funds, and other restricted funds.
• some initial funding.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A budget provision requires committee review of transfers in or out of the special election expenses
• At your last meeting, you reviewed the use of some of these monies and a similar transfer for cybersecurity
• This is a transfer to the operating budget from that special election line item.
• If it's not, if it's coming out of some separate fund within the Secretary of State's office, I'd like
• Number two, any monies transferred from the special election expense... Expense line.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Budget Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an annual transfer of money from the environmental fund to the remediation fund, and this keeps
• This is an annual transfer of money from the environmental fund to the remediation fund, and this keeps
• This is an annual transfer of money from the environmental fund to the remediation fund, and this keeps
• This is an annual transfer of money from the environmental fund to the remediation fund, and this keeps
• That proposal would take nearly $130 million per year and transfer it out of the general fund into the

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:19.200><c> of</c> marketplaces for transferability of marketplaces for transferability of
• , or thereabouts revolving fund.
• So under this statute, all funds collected should be deposited into the state parking revolving fund.
• So you're asking for the additional funding to go into the special fund, correct? Yes. Okay.
• The rebate come from the general fund, from the highway fund? Yeah. Oh, okay. I got it. Smart.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 282 would increase penalties for using an uncrewed aircraft, or drone, in the commission of a felony. The Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney strongly supported the bill, saying drones are being used to facilitate crimes such as burglaries, sex offender registration violations, and even murders, and that the measure would create a stronger deterrent and address sentencing issues. Members discussed how drone use could be investigated and noted that a prior Uncrewed Aircraft Offenses Act already covers a range of drone-related offenses. Testimony also included support from a Kauaʻi County Council member and the Office of the Public Defender, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved on. The committee also heard SB 1032 on campaign finance, which would amend restrictions on foreign nationals and foreign corporations making contributions and expenditures. Testimony was listed in support from labor, civic, and advocacy groups, with some opposition, but the measure was not debated further in the portion provided. SB 1160, a consumer protection bill on ticket resale, drew support from venues and event groups and opposition from the Chamber of Progress, which argued the bill should target scalpers and deceptive practices rather than legitimate resale platforms. The Attorney General suggested an amendment to limit the bill’s scope to Hawaiʻi events, citing Commerce Clause concerns. On SB 344, requiring skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported the measure. SB 106, which would let pedestrians cross outside marked crosswalks when a reasonably careful pedestrian would see no immediate danger, drew mixed testimony: public health and equity advocates supported it as a safety and anti-profiling measure, while others opposed it, warning it could increase danger on wider, faster roads. Committee members questioned whether Hawaiʻi’s current law is more dangerous because pedestrians must step into the roadway before drivers are required to stop, and the discussion continued at length without a final vote in the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 10009 on accessible parking fines, with DCAB and DAGS supporting the intent; a member asked that any new fine revenue go to the state parking revolving fund. SB 820, shortening the vehicle title transfer deadline from 30 days to 14 days, drew opposition from the Public Defender and Honolulu Customer Services, who said the current deadline is reasonable and the bill did not clearly solve a problem. Later measures included SB 1095 on license plate decal restrictions, SB 215 on towing and immobilization fees, and SB 1117 on electric mobility rebates and age/helmet rules, which received support from transportation and safety groups, though the transcript cuts off before any final actions or votes on those bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• members of the Legislature for consent of the state to be given for any acquisition, sale, gift, or transfer
• On the opening of escrow for the sale or transfer of private real property to the federal government
• the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
• Act, which fully and permanently funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
• The requirements to have the governor and Legislature approve any sale or transfer of private land to

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:20.880><c> all</c> whereas there should be transfers all whereas there should be transfers
• A transfer for answer to this one.
• been an easier transfer, but an interdepartmental transfer is harder.
• However, only allowed transfers from OC.
• Um, what's funding to protect them.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The working group convened with all members present, approved the minutes from its October 16, 2025 meeting and its October 28, 2025 Halawa Correctional Facility site visit by unanimous consent, and received no public testimony on the agenda or minutes. The chair then reviewed the statutory timeline under Act 292/SB 104, noting the group continues until January 8, 2027, and discussed required reporting dates and the need to develop a work plan for the remaining meetings. The chair also said the October 16 DCR presentation would be treated as satisfying the group’s interim-report purpose, though the legal reporting obligations to the Legislature and oversight commission still needed to be sorted out. The main discussion focused on DCR’s proposed amendments to Act 292 and the department’s interim report. Director Johnson said the department’s October 16 presentation included recommended statutory amendments because the law, as written, could not be fully complied with; the proposals were described as section-by-section changes intended to address implementation problems. Members discussed several specific issues, including transfer language for higher levels of care, the 2010 MOA with the Department of Health, and replacing “physician” with “clinician” to reflect staffing realities. DCR explained that the change would allow licensed clinicians, including APRNs and doctors of osteopathy, to make decisions when physicians are not on duty, and that the MOA is being updated so transfers can occur from any DCR facility to the state hospital. An OHA staff member gave a detailed critique of the proposed amendments, saying they would weaken Act 292’s intent by reducing procedural protections, expanding exceptions, and relying on aspirational language such as “strive” and “if practicable.” OHA also raised concerns about the lack of baseline data on restrictive housing use and said the department’s report showed serious operational problems, including overcrowded and outdated facilities, limited space for private medical or mental health exams, and the use of suicide/safety cells for people who may not need mental health treatment. DCR responded that it had requested 35 new medical positions in the budget, supported by the governor, and said those positions are needed to meet basic care obligations for people in custody. The group did not take a vote on the proposed amendments. Instead, members agreed to continue the discussion, with the chair saying the reports, settlement tracker, 2010 MOA, and comparison guidelines would be distributed and used as the basis for future work. In the final discussion on work-plan priorities, members identified staffing shortages, physical plant limitations, and the need to examine humane alternatives and implementation challenges as key topics for upcoming meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um it has a net general fund report.
• Economic Protection Trust Fund Economic Protection Trust Fund and<00:08:23.840><c> it</c><00:08:23.919
• Sections 12 and 13 cancel and transfer money from the Minnesota Forward Fund.
• account to the general fund. um and transfer uh money from the um and transfer uh money from the Minnesota
• And section 14 transfers<00:10:48.160><c> $75</c><00:10:48.760><c> million</c> transfers $75 million

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all