Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that policy bill out of our committee that policy bill out of our committee and<00:18:50.559><c>
• ,</c><00:18:51.760><c> I</c> and this isn't a policy committee, I and this isn't a policy committee,
• and how well um the two chairs committee and how well um the two chairs and<00:20:53.039><c> committee
• </c> before the committee now as amended? before the committee now as amended?
• </c> committee would have provided their 990. committee would have provided their 990.

Bills: SF1959 , HF2444 , SF2298 , HF2445 , SF2216 , HF2443 , HF2130 , HF1943 , HF2436 , HF2442

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: veterans, military affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, omnibus veterans bill, appropriations, National Guard, state active service, armory, State Armory Building Commission, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, county veterans service office, Minnesota GI Bill, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, Secret War in Laos, Hmong veterans, Laos veterans, special guerrilla units

Transcript Highlights:

• So good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee.
• Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee. Of the committee. My name is Stacy Romero.
• So we're going to wind up with some good news, some hopeful news—I hope it's hopeful.
• And I want to apologize to the committee.
• And perhaps I want to ask that your committee strongly consider requesting not just Money for the committee

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee is a numbers committee, right?
• This committee is a numbers committee, right?
• I serve on the Public Safety Committee as well as the Mental Health Committee, and I see you on those
• Laws to your committee.
• That’s my true hope.”

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems like there should committee.
• And we hope that care of their families.
• I hope that the answer for every bills?
• </c><00:14:42.079><c> that</c> just as deserving and so I hope that just as deserving and so I hope that
• committee have signed the conference<00:36:24.000><c> committee</c><00:36:24.480><c> report.

Transcript Highlights:

• I certainly do, and I know my colleagues here on this committee and your representatives in the General
• I hope you weren't nervous.
• of the things I really want to emphasize is we have some absolutely wonderful legislators on this committee
• Uh, with that being said, um, the motion carries and I hope this carries and I hope this benefits um
• </c> carries and I hope this I hope this carries and I hope this I hope this benefits<00:13:10.399><c

Summary: The committee first considered a pulled contract involving the Department of Education and heard from KDE staff Karen Worth, Matthew Courtney, and later Mickey Ray Marinelli. Members asked about contract 42, which related to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program and broader federal budget uncertainty. KDE explained that the program is forward-funded, so current-year and next-school-year funding were secure, but future funding remained unclear because federal decisions were still in flux. Members asked to be kept informed of any changes and expressed support for the program. The committee then discussed contract 43, a $105,000 general fund agreement for a communications/digital media consultant. KDE said the position was created to help increase awareness of resources for district staff, administrators, and teachers, including Read to Succeed, numeracy, MTSS, website usability, standards resources, and the Kentucky Learning Hub. Members questioned why the work was being routed through the Green River Co-op, whether the role was new, how long it had been vacant, how many similar positions existed, and whether the work amounted to internal marketing. KDE said the selected employee was coming from Thomas More University, the position had existed for about one year, the vacancy had been less than six months, and the role was intended to improve communication and online resources. Some members voiced concern about growing administrative spending and whether more positions were needed. Both contracts were ultimately approved as reviewed without objection after motions, seconds, and roll-call votes. The committee then announced that the September 25 meeting would instead be held on Tuesday, September 9 at 9:00 a.m., and adjourned after a motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• By State Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee, Government Operations Subcommittee, Representative Persons-Mullica
• I never saw it in committee based on the committees that I serve on.
• What committees has this gone through? There is a degradation.
• What committees has this gone through?
• I hope that everyone will be up on this amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we were hoping. Well, we are...
• Thank you, members of this committee.
• Actually, like, I hope the committee can invest in IE.
• And it's called the Hope Project.
• And it's called the Hope Project.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee held an informational hearing with members of the API Legislative Caucus on California’s Stop the Hate Program and broader efforts to address hate incidents. Opening remarks emphasized the rise in hate during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of culturally and linguistically competent services, and the program’s role in serving not only AAPI communities but also Latino, Black, Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and other impacted communities. Legislators and presenters repeatedly highlighted the value of trusted community-based organizations (CBOs) in reaching people who may not report to law enforcement or seek traditional services. The first panel included the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, the Department of Social Services (CDSS), and the Commission on the State of Hate. They described the program’s origins in the state’s equity budget, its funding structure, and its service model: direct victim services, prevention, and intervention. CDSS said 180 organizations statewide have participated, with grantees selected based on experience, capacity, and service to priority populations. The Commission on the State of Hate reported that hate remains widespread and underreported, citing survey data showing about 3.1 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year and that many victims need mental health, legal, and other supports beyond police response. Members asked about best practices, youth impacts, administrative costs, and the role of regional leads; CDSS said it would provide more detail on funding distribution and that the final evaluation is still in progress. The second panel featured grantees from Jewish Family Service San Diego, Inland Chinese American Association, Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants, and Equality California. They gave examples of how Stop the Hate funding supported culturally specific response teams, counseling, language-access services, self-defense and safety workshops, youth and elder programming, legal navigation, and reporting tools. Several speakers said the program helped build trust, reduce isolation, and connect people to services they otherwise would not use. Legislators pressed the panel on lessons learned, whether the model should be reauthorized, and what would be lost if funding ends. Panelists emphasized that the program’s flexibility, regional convenings, and support for small, trusted organizations were key strengths, while also noting the need for more direct funding to frontline providers and more data on what interventions work best.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope I answered cemetery language. I hope I answered your<00:08:14.240><c> question.
• committee and sometimes this committee committee and sometimes we<01:03:24.640><c> don't</c><01:03:24.960
• </c><01:09:09.839><c> Can</c> committee. My name is Trisha Hines. Can committee.
• I hope I'm clear.
• <01:27:30.080><c> Would</c><01:27:30.320><c> love</c> committee? Would love committee?

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, committee, we do have... All right, committee.
• All right, committee, we will move to our committee discussion here.
• So if there's a way you can look at both of our committees maybe and that committee, so we don't double
• So I hope that we're mindful as a legislative body and as this committee that we want to kind of include
• So I hope that we're mindful as a legislative body and as this committee that we want to kind of include

Summary: The committee met at Minot State to continue its study of artificial intelligence, with a focus on child safety, sexual exploitation, chatbot risks, and education policy. Members first approved the minutes and then received a Legislative Council overview of AI-related harms to children, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, extortion, and chatbot companion risks. The memo reviewed North Dakota and federal law, recent state enactments, First Amendment limits, and examples from other states, including Connecticut’s AI companion safeguards and federal efforts such as the Take It Down Act. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s existing 2025 laws on minors and harmful material are strong enough in light of recent court decisions, and Legislative Council indicated it would provide additional comparison material before the next meeting. Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then presented on AI in education, arguing that schools need guardrails but should not ban AI outright. He said AI should be treated as a tool that can support instruction, teacher efficiency, and digital literacy, while warning against passive use, academic integrity problems, and overreliance on machines. He suggested embedding AI and digital literacy across subjects rather than creating a standalone class, and said schools should provide basic instruction when students receive one-to-one devices. Members asked about parent concerns, local control, higher education partnerships, and how to balance access with safety; Bachmeier emphasized a “threading the needle” approach and said the department would likely seek more guidance on digital literacy and cybersecurity. Special Agent Hellseth of BCI followed with testimony on AI and child exploitation. He said AI is already being used in North Dakota to create explicit images from innocent photos, impersonate children and adults, and facilitate grooming, harassment, and extortion. He described several cases involving AI-generated sexual images and said victims often suffer lasting trauma even when the images are fake. Hellseth explained that investigators use AI tools themselves to process large volumes of data and identify synthetic images, but that the workload is growing and victim services need expansion. He urged stronger accountability for companies, more resources for law enforcement and victim support, and continued training and public education. Members asked about cyber tip volume, staffing, false accusations, and corporate reporting obligations; Hellseth said every tip is reviewed, the unit is small but expanding, and current federal reporting laws are not proactive enough. Representative Porter suggested combining the Legislative Council memo and Bachmeier’s recommendations into a comprehensive bill draft for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• that every single one of you I I hope that every single one of you I hope<01:04:40.480><c> that</c><
• staff and committee um my our committee staff and committee administrator<02:47:47.279><c> and</c><02
• I truly hope that next year this does get some time in committee.
• </c> committees. Again, this was no bill. committees. Again, this was no bill.
• Uh the first time in 17 committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hope that someday it will. And I hope it's today.
• And I hope that someday it will. And I hope it's today.
• </c> bring this bill to conference committee. bring this bill to conference committee.
• this, but I sure hope my colleagues in<03:01:10.000><c> this</c><03:01:10.600><c> committee</c><03:01
• I'll be voting green on this bill, and I hope we can get this to conference committee where you're going

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope I didn't miss anything.
• I hope you're able to take a couple of things away from that. I hope I didn't go too long.
• Leader Hope. Thank you, Mr. Lee. Are there any questions or comments? Leader Hope. Thank you, Mr.
• Hope that helps.
• Leader Hope. Thank you, Mr. Leader.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous minutes, and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has been reviewing statewide cash, liquidity, and investment practices, finding that the state generally manages money well but could improve forecasting, automation, and coordination across agencies. He highlighted that the state has about $35 billion in liquid assets and investments, with most in longer-term investments, and described a change already underway replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work. Members also discussed the impact of House Bill 1176 on Legacy Fund earnings and the possibility of future legislation to avoid losing investment returns when large transfers are made all at once. The board also noted that some agencies still hold funds outside the Bank of North Dakota system, and that this is being reviewed. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the Task Force on Government Efficiency, saying the group has focused on how to measure whether programs are actually working. He said the task force has not yet proposed legislation, but the administration has agreed that new and expanding programs should answer five questions, including who is affected, what outcome is expected, whether there is another way to do it, and how success will be measured. Members discussed the need for dashboards, program evaluators, better data collection, and possible use of artificial intelligence to identify duplicate or outdated programs. Toman said the task force will continue reviewing agency workflows, with upcoming presentations from courts, the university system, the auditor, and other agencies, and that future legislation or rule changes may be needed to require performance metrics. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota presented labor market and program updates. He reported that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5%, labor force participation is about 68.7%, and the state continues to rank near the top nationally. He reviewed job openings, in-demand occupations, and several workforce programs, including H-2A agricultural worker inspections, the Job Placement Partnership Program with DOCR, and virtual and in-person job fairs. Davis said the DOCR partnership has shown strong results, with lower recidivism and higher earnings for participants, and he emphasized that Job Service tracks outcomes and reports them to federal and state partners. Members asked about child care subsidies, workforce participation, agency coordination, and whether more staff are needed for H-2A inspections. Finally, Allen Knutson presented the updated S&P Global revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the last update, making the revenue outlook more favorable but still volatile. S&P’s baseline forecast showed the current biennium’s four major tax collections about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and a much larger increase for the next biennium, though he cautioned that federal tax changes and oil market uncertainty could alter the numbers. In an alternate scenario using higher near-term oil prices, he estimated about $242 million more in oil and gas tax collections and roughly $120 million more for the Strategic Investment Fund. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about changes in tribal oil production assumptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• General, last week, the committee Democrats exercised their right under the committee rules to hold the
• Two weeks ago, she testified before this committee.
• Bondi, several members of this committee characterized Ms. Bondi as an election denier.
• I thank my colleagues, and I really do hope that Ms.
• I do hope one thing, because she seems very likely to be confirmed. I hope she proves me wrong.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hope you'll read them. hope you'll read them.
• On that committee.
• and other committees on that committee and other committees that<01:16:26.960><c> I've</c><01:16:27.080
• I feel for the committee this committee.
• </c> used as I think the hope was. used as I think the hope was.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in the committee on finance.
• c><00:05:07.199><c> ac</c> is an issue that hits every committee ac is an issue that hits every committee
• It's something that this committee is committed to.
• Uh, to the committee administrator, Miss Schoff, uh, the committee assistant, Miss Larson, the committee
• Uh, to the committee administrator, Miss Schoff, uh, the committee assistant, Miss Larson, the committee

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope it's not.
• the proposal from the committee.
• the proposal from the committee.
• the proposal from the committee.
• the proposal from the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives your standing committee Representatives your standing committee on rules begs leave
• for fre reports standing committee for fre reports standing committee for fre reports without today
• that I'm that's yes sir and I'm hoping that I'm that's yes sir and I'm hoping that I'm being and I'm
• hoping that I'm in being and I'm hoping that I'm in being and I'm hoping that I'm in accordance because
• out there and then there's Greater Hope out there and then there's Greater Hope out there and then I

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:58.879><c> for</c> Thank you members of the committee for Thank you members of the committee
• I think we can also hope to bring forward other bills in this committee and on other committees that
• Um, and then the hope of, you know, and potential, and it would be up to this committee that in the future
• </c> importance of data in this committee importance of data in this committee because<00:27:45.840><
• You hope they eat to make friends. You hope they eat right. right. right.

Bills: HF3432 , HF3411

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to working with everyone on this committee. Thank you. I'm sorry.
• But my hope is to help the committee... particular eye towards options the legislature has that won't
• But my hope is to sort of help the committee ...hearings, right? They're very complicated topics.
• But my hope is to help the committee focus its further inquiries as it moves forward trying to address
• I sit on the higher ed committee and the education committee, and I can't help but think of your certification

Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting will come to order.
• Good morning, members of the committee. My name is Cecile.
• No maps have been proposed or presented to the committee.
• That's not that uncommon in a committee hearing.
• Greetings to the committee. My name is Svenela Malampati.