Video & Transcript Research : 'Part 91'
Page 118 of 500
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- sworn positions and and 15 part-time sworn positions and and 15 part-time sworn<01:15:24.760>
- There are large for the most part.
- There are two PowerPoints, one marked as Part One and the other as Part Two.
- <03:11:27.680>
The part one and the other as part two. - The part one and the other as part two.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think that has to be part of our recommendations.
- The Nordic countries, for the most part, yeah.
- David, are you part of the restrictive housing committee? Have you taken part in some of that?
- David, are you part of the restrictive housing committee? Have you taken part in some of that?
- So I think part of our red tape is good red tape.
Summary:
The commission opened an informal discussion focused on developing recommendations for its September report on correctional consolidation and cooperation. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasized that the group is still in an information-gathering phase, but should begin putting ideas on the table, including possible written recommendations, further hearings, and additional facility tours. Members discussed whether the commission should seek more input from frontline stakeholders such as sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, unions, and the judiciary, and whether recommendations should be organized around specific issue areas like medical costs, programming, reentry, and facility operations.
A major theme was the need for a more integrated and consistent correctional system. Participants raised concerns about fragmentation across DOC, county sheriffs, probation, and parole, and suggested exploring step-down pathways, minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and regional reentry hubs to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. Several speakers stressed the importance of uniform standards, evidence-based programming, better data on outcomes and spending, and clearer alignment between custody conditions and rehabilitation goals. There was also discussion of looking to other states and international models, as well as revisiting older reports and plans, including the 2009 commission report and the 2010 corrections master plan.
Facility-specific issues were also raised, including the need to examine women’s facilities such as Framingham, Bridgewater, and restrictive housing practices in light of suicide concerns and mental health needs. Members discussed the relationship between correctional custody and behavioral health, the role of the judiciary in sentencing and reentry planning, and whether judges should be better informed about available programming and step-down options. There was broad agreement that collaboration, transparency, and accountability should be strengthened, with some members urging that recommendations be based on firsthand facts and data rather than opinion alone.
The meeting also included presentation of a written set of eight high-level recommendations compiled by advocacy and legal organizations, which focused on clearer and more consistent programming, equitable application of rules, and reducing punitive conditions that function like solitary confinement. The chairs said the document would be shared with members and posted online. No formal votes were taken during the discussion, and the meeting ended with plans to continue the conversation at a future session, including possible follow-up on reentry centers, restrictive housing, and other systemwide reforms.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Commission on Unemployment Compensation Jul 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Delegate Carnegie, I represent the 89th District of Virginia, which is parts of Chesapeake and parts
- I represent parts of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach and Senate District 19. Thank you.
- Delegate Carnegie, I represent the 89th District of Virginia, which is parts of Chesapeake and parts
- I represent parts of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach and Senate District 19. Thank you.
- That's the conversation we're happy to be part of.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- So we figured, okay, could you be part of this, sponsor it, so we could get people in the field out there
- And part of the obligation on the employer is to interview candidates.
- So with that part, The employer is to interview candidates.
- And I haven't been a part of those conversations, but our Undersecretary and Secretary have.
- So I think that's an important part of this, too, that even over time for retention.
Summary:
The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention.
Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships.
Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
Senate Interim Committee On Early Childhood and Behavioral Health 06/17/2026 1:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's the sustainability part for the recovery of the state hospital.
- That's the easy part. Staying in compliance and sustaining your forward progress.
- So, Vice Chair, in part to your question, as Dr.
- And it's going to take everyone who touches any part of this business.
- So I was asked to present on one part, and I want to emphasize the one part of a set of, should be a
Summary:
The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committees held an informational meeting focused first on the Oregon State Hospital (OSH). OHA Director Sajal Hathi introduced the hospital’s incoming permanent superintendent, Sean Murphy, and praised interim superintendent Jim Deagle for stabilizing operations, restoring CMS compliance, and helping drive a culture change centered on safety, accountability, and transparency. Deagle and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amit Bavon described OSH’s role as the state’s highest-level forensic psychiatric hospital, the patient populations it serves, its partnerships with courts, counties, jails, hospitals, and advocates, and recent leadership changes across the hospital. They also reported improved accreditation and regulatory status, including Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and said the hospital is now using daily safety huddles, incident review meetings, stronger escalation procedures, and revised seclusion/restraint practices to reduce risk and improve oversight.
Members pressed hospital leaders on past seclusion practices, asking how prolonged seclusions could have occurred under federal standards. Leaders said they could not explain past decisions but emphasized that current leadership has changed processes, training, reporting, and oversight so that seclusion and restraint are reviewed in real time and cannot be normalized. Questions also covered staffing, falls, and future planning. OSH said it is generally staffed to budget, though it still has RN and mental health technician vacancies and is working on recruitment, training, and better staffing distribution. Hathi said the hospital is building a public dashboard with key performance and safety metrics, including workforce data, and described the long-term goal as a consistently safe, disciplined, high-functioning institution that responds quickly to mistakes and remains accountable to the public.
The committee then shifted to an informational overview of civil commitment. Oregon Judicial Department representative Chanah Newell explained the civil commitment process, including who can initiate it, the role of community mental health providers and courts, the five-day timeline to hearing, and the standards for danger to self, danger to others, and inability to meet basic needs. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised statutory language and new provisions allowing a second diversion period, but cautioned that the data are too early to show clear trends. Testimony from NAMI Oregon’s Chris Bonif and psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Lopez argued that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospital commitments because the broader community system lacks enough treatment, housing, and less restrictive alternatives. They urged the legislature to focus on upstream services, supported housing, and possible outpatient commitment tools so people can receive treatment before reaching crisis. The meeting ended with acknowledgment that additional reports and follow-up discussions are expected, including on residential treatment capacity and related behavioral health system reforms.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee May 5th, 2026
Budget and Fiscal Review
Transcript Highlights:
- And they are in completely different parts of the state.
- Is that part of the problem that hospitals are facing?
- Is that part of your process? Are you guys even discussing that?
- So it's part of an ongoing conversation.
- It's, again, part of the process, part of the deliberative process.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard Assembly Bill 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to provide a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program through HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would need to show less than 10 days cash on hand, best efforts to exhaust other financing, a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients, and nonprofit status. The bill also included a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors, plus expedited contracting and rulemaking authority so HCAI could move funds quickly.
Most of the discussion focused on whether the amount and eligibility standard were sufficient, how many hospitals might qualify, and whether the state was addressing the underlying causes of hospital distress. Members raised concerns about limited and lagging data, the 10-day threshold, fairness compared with the earlier Distressed Hospital Loan Program, and whether hospitals receiving grants should be required to maintain services. Several members cited broader pressures such as Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, seismic retrofit costs, federal policy changes, and the need for loan forgiveness or a more comprehensive hospital support plan in the next budget cycle. The LAO noted that the bill was intentionally narrow and short-term, while the administration said the grant was meant as a bridge until July 1 and that more extensive discussions would continue with the May Revision and the 2026 budget.
Public commenters from the California Hospital Association, district hospital leaders, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and county representatives supported the measure and urged additional longer-term funding for distressed hospitals. After discussion, Senator Richardson moved the bill, the committee voted unanimously in favor, and AB 108 passed 18-0, with the roll held open briefly to secure remaining votes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jun 18th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- that have come in as part of the annual reports.
- As part of its oversight, the CPUC collects substantial data from TNCs.
- And we're happy to be a part of that program. Okay. And that gets us to this.
- But it is visible in the Uber app for the most part.
- Those are for a good cause and for the most part, certainly welcome on our app. Beyond that...
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:14:32.560>
of 4525 as amended, um which was part of 4525 as amended, um which was part - This is part of the MHFA policy bill.
- This is part of the MHFA policy bill.
- This is part of the MHFA policy bill.
- And so being a part of that.
Keywords:
housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/24/2026)
Public Works and Highways
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:17:32.400>
The going to be part of phase two. The going to be part of phase two. - <00:17:34.080>
of fourth floor of the annex is part of fourth floor of the annex is part of - transition<00:17:55.360>
and <00:17:55.679>part <00:17:55.760>of it's part of - our transition and part of it's part of our transition and part of our<00:17:56.640>
uh <00:17 - That's it's part<02:09:30.719>
of part of part of the<02:09:32.719>mission <02:09:33.040
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 497, a technical correction to last year’s capital budget. Shannon Reid of the Community College System of New Hampshire explained that the bill removes leftover state-agency boilerplate from a repurposed capital appropriation and replaces it with community college language, without changing any dollar amounts. She also described a requested amendment to rename a respiratory therapy renovation appropriation at Nashua Community College as an allied health instructional center, so the space can be used more flexibly for programs such as phlebotomy, radiologic technology, and LNA training. Terry Poff of the General Court then testified on the second part of the bill, which changes legislative space references to support the move of General Court offices from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex as part of the legislative office building reconfiguration.
Members asked whether the community college changes affected funding, and Reid confirmed the amounts do not change and that the bill simply speeds up a correction that otherwise would have been handled later in the lapse process. Poff said the annex space change is part of a permanent transition, though the work cannot proceed until the General Court has legal control of the space. The committee then entered executive session, adopted Amendment 1031H on a 12-0 vote, and voted ought to pass as amended on SB 497 by a 12-0 vote, with several members absent. The bill was placed on the consent calendar.
The committee next opened a hearing on Senate Bill 529FN, which would give preference to lumber sourced in the United States on state-funded building projects. Representative Davis, introducing the bill for Senator Roachford, argued that New Hampshire timber is disadvantaged by grading rules that treat U.S. lumber differently from Canadian SPF lumber, even when the wood is from similar species and climates. He said the bill is intended to support New Hampshire’s timber industry and that architects and engineers would still be able to specify stronger materials when needed. Committee members questioned whether the bill should instead refer specifically to New Hampshire lumber, how it would be enforced, and what the cost impact would be. Davis and later witness Mike Olette said the issue is tied to industry grading standards rather than a government code, that the bill is meant to create a preference rather than a mandate, and that price differences are hard to pin down because lumber is a commodity. Olette, who lives near the border, testified that New Hampshire logs are often sent to Canada for milling and then return under a different grade, which he said puts New Hampshire loggers and mills at an economic disadvantage.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 02/13/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:01:45.760>
of parts of parts of it<01:01:47.960>Mr <01:01:48.200>chair <01:01 - <01:01:52.520>
is that it is the most predatory part is that it is the most predatory part - To find the perfect days and times and parts of the month or parts of the year when I’m more likely to
- To find the perfect days and times and parts of the month or parts of the year when I’m more likely to
- parts of the year parts of the month or parts of the year when<01:14:51.600>
I'm <01:14:51.760
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board Mar 31st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board
Transcript Highlights:
- That was an oversight on my part.
- Yeah, it is part of Invest in North Dakota. That's part of that legislation.
- internally. part of the, you know, bringing assets internally.
- We think it's part of the regular part of good best practice for running institutional funds.
- There are two parts, two categories of new things.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Feb 5th, 2026 at 04:18 pm
Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- Cancer treatment is critical in our part of New Mexico.
- It's a full fringe package right now that's part of the prevailing wage, so part of the prevailing wage
- My understanding is it's all going on the wages right now because it is part, or should be part, of the
- My understanding is it's all going on the wages right now because it is part, it should be part, well
- , My understanding is it's all going on the wages right now, because it is part, or should be part of
Bills:
SB190, SB152, SB77, SB150, SB151, SB156, SB172, SB182, SB185, SB212, SB170, SB133, SB174, SB163
Keywords:
cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 18th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- District 44 is all of Corrales, the northern part of Albuquerque, and many parts of Rio Rancho.
- That is a big part for the legislature.
- Like I've said, they're looking at just the northern part of that.
- It's kind of one question with two parts.
- Is this part of the reason that we're facing?
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 11th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We like the sleepy town part, but we also like...
- So we're part of that economic machinery, so to speak.
- That's part of it, but that's not the bulk of the employers.
- That is a big part of this.
- So I think cell phone access is a big part of that.
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 5th, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- Enhanced building standards are a potential part of the solution.
- It was just incredible to be part of.
- The administrative part, uh, in addition to the equipment purchase.
- Part of the military organizations there with us in Kerrville.
- VHF primarily out in the rural parts of the state.
Keywords:
youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Emergency Management Committee and Natural Resources and Water Committee May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's part of the affordability crisis on our part, is we're finding something.
- And that's the other part of that."
- Everyone has to pay a part. And I think I shared that yesterday. Everyone has to pay a part.
- the state, even the urban parts of the state.
- the state, even the urban parts of the state.
Summary:
The joint Senate hearing of the Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Emergency Management Committee focused on wildfire resilience, with members discussing the SB 254 report on enhancing California’s response to natural catastrophes. Opening remarks emphasized the scale of wildfire damage, the need for prevention and preparedness, and concerns about the affordability and insurability crisis. Senators repeatedly contrasted the relatively small share of funding going to community hardening with the much larger amounts spent on utility wildfire mitigation and landscape-scale projects, and several members raised concerns about CEQA delays, one-time funding, and the need for more sustainable, ongoing financing.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview showing about $4.7 billion in state wildfire resilience appropriations from 2018-19 through 2025-26, with funding shifting from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the General Fund and then to Proposition 4. LAO noted that only about $65 million had been specifically targeted to community hardening, while most funding went to forest health, fuels, research, and related programs. LAO also said one-time funding will decline in coming years and that future GGRF support is uncertain, though General Fund use is not legally precluded. Members asked about maintenance costs, polluter-pays ideas, and whether performance metrics should focus more on property and community risk reduction than acres treated.
Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation. He said roughly 4 million homes are in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern fire-resistant standards, and argued that the state must move from response to prevention. He said Cal Fire is incorporating the SB 254 recommendations into its updated action plan, has streamlined some fuel-reduction projects under a recent executive proclamation, and is shifting some grant funding toward maintenance of existing treatments. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying the pilot helped build tools and standards for home hardening but that federal approval delays remain a major barrier; the agency reported 155 hardened properties, 19 under construction, and 370 assessed and waiting. The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said it has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, is moving toward regional block grants and better data-driven prioritization, and is developing separate community and landscape strategies. The hearing ended with discussion of modeling, data gaps, utility coordination, contractor capacity, and possible legislative or budget changes to better align funding and metrics with community safety outcomes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Containment, part of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Part of that is education.
- Part of that is education.
- This part of the state relies, and many parts of the state rely on fire to remain healthy.
- You have these various tiers that are a part of that structure.
Summary:
The subcommittee began by announcing a change in the agenda order, moving item 6 ahead of item 1 and then item 7, and noting there would be no votes taken on any items that day. Item 6 covered a proposed operational efficiencies control section for the Natural Resources Agency that would let multiple departments jointly fund landscape-scale or multi-jurisdictional projects and allow Finance to transfer climate bond funds to a lead state entity. The LAO said the proposal was reasonable but suggested the Legislature consider requiring summary notification on how it is used; Finance said it would consider that request.
Item 7 focused on the 2026-27 biodiversity and nature-based solutions spending plan. Finance and the Wildlife Conservation Board described the climate bond funding for habitat restoration, wildlife crossings, public access, tribal nature-based solutions, and related work, including $111 million proposed for WCB and $30 million for Salton Sea habitat and public access projects. The LAO supported the overall approach but flagged the San Andreas Corridor Program as an area where the Legislature may want to specify geographic priorities. Members discussed the pace of Salton Sea work and whether the proposed projects would count toward disadvantaged community goals.
Item 8 addressed Cal Fire’s aviation contract and staffing needs for wildfire response. Cal Fire said year-round fire activity, a larger and more complex aircraft fleet, and labor market pressures justified the proposed contract increase, including more mechanics, pilots, and maintenance support. The LAO recommended approval, saying the proposal addressed health and safety concerns. Members asked about contractor staffing, competition in the bidding process, and future technology for early fire detection and suppression.
The committee then took up item 1 on golden mussel containment. Fish and Wildlife described the invasive species’ spread in the Delta, the task force and response framework, and a request for eight new positions funded by Prop. 4 to support control plans, outreach, monitoring, research, and coordination with partners and law enforcement. Members pressed the department on whether the state should fund more direct decontamination infrastructure and grants to local water managers, and on the realistic goal of containing the mussel. The chair and several members emphasized the urgency of the threat and requested an itemized breakdown of the $20 million request. The hearing then moved to a broader LAO overview of wildfire prevention and response funding, where the LAO summarized the state’s funding mix and warned that ongoing wildfire resilience funding will likely decline as one-time bond and GGRF funds are exhausted, prompting discussion of long-term funding options and the balance between prevention, suppression, and community hardening.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/07/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- We are not going to get below 10 parts We are not going to get below 10 parts per<00:23:04.120><
- <00:35:08.560>
of public beyond what is normally part of public beyond what is normally part - croplands in certain parts of the state. croplands in certain parts of the state.
- the clean water fund is a critical part the clean water fund is a critical part of<01:04:27.520>
- without acting becomes part of the harm. without acting becomes part of the harm.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Information Technology Oversight Committee (7-8-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- not a contractual violation on our part not a contractual violation on our part and<00:32:30.960
- stick around for uh the the uh next part stick around for uh the the uh next part as<00:34:19.119
- as part of the tech refresh. as part of the tech refresh.
- >> as a part of the refresh. >> as a part of the refresh.
- for work that they've completed as part for work that they've completed as part of<00:57:12.000>
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Kentucky Office of the Attorney General 00:01:18
LTS Kentucky Managed Technical Services LLC 00:13:41
Kentucky Wired Operations Company 00:34:20, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its May 21 and June 10 meetings, then heard testimony from the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General on the effect of HB 314 on the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) board. The Attorney General’s representative said HB 314 changed KCNA’s structure and staffing, but did not alter the statutory duties of the board, which still include developing and implementing strategic plans, providing policy direction, monitoring results, and approving fiscal planning. He argued the board is not merely advisory, has operational and budget authority, and that actions taken outside board approval could be ultra vires and without effect. He also noted the board historically approved settlements and contracts, including matters involving Open Fiber, and said the removal of the executive director position reduced direct personnel control but did not eliminate the board’s broader oversight.
The committee then heard from representatives of Kentucky Managed Technical Services/LTS, who described a dispute over the Kentucky Wired network refresh and service-provider transition. They said the project agreement required a market test and acceptance of a proposal for both the network refresh and service-provider role, but that their proposals were rejected and the refresh work was later treated by the parties as a change order issue. They said some equipment worth about $3 million had been delivered, transferred, and paid for, while roughly $7 million in additional equipment was canceled by LTS but reportedly shipped to a KCNA warehouse and not paid for. They also said no refresh installation work has been performed, that they continue providing network maintenance to avoid service disruption, but believe the contract has expired and that there is no current agreement for ongoing service-provider work.
Committee members asked whether actions taken without board approval would be invalid, whether the board could alter or terminate contractor arrangements, whether the bond disclosures suggesting a successful contract extension were accurate, and what equipment had been purchased or remained in storage. LTS representatives said they would follow up with the committee on the financial delta between the contracted rate and the month-to-month billing they say has been in effect since the contract expired, and on an inventory of in-service equipment and end-of-life dates. They said they want a commercial resolution, but if no resolution is reached soon they may pursue the formal contractual dispute process, and identified September 1 as their stated target date for resolving the matter and completing the refresh.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDT-WTL, EDT-AEN, EDT Public Hearings 03-18-2025
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- We do understand the need for part one of the bill, but we do recommend that some work be done on part
- We do understand the need for part one of the bill, but we do recommend that some work be done on part
- We do understand the need for part one of the bill, but we do recommend that some work be done on part
- special fund and the proceeds of part special fund and the proceeds of part one<00:03:42.000>
- The difference between that and part two was no, I know the difference between part one and part two,
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on Water and Land heard testimony on HB 504, a measure relating to environmental stewardship and funding for natural resource protection and restoration. Supporters included multiple state agencies and advocacy groups, such as DLNR, HTA, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resources Legacy Fund, the Hawaiʻi Climate Action Coalition, and others, who said the bill would create dedicated funding for environmental, climate, and cultural resource needs and help address wildfire, flood, coastal storm, and tourism-related impacts. Several witnesses emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s environmental funding gap is large and that visitor contributions should be directed to stewardship and restoration. Some supporters also urged that the measure be applied equitably across all visitor accommodations and related uses, including cruise ship cabins and state rooms, while a few suggested amendments to broaden coverage or create a working group for implementation.
Opposition and concerns focused largely on the bill’s tax structure and legal/administrative issues. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation questioned the reimbursable general obligation bond special fund in part two, suggesting it be converted to a regular special fund or deleted. The Attorney General’s office said part two may violate the single-subject rule in the state constitution and recommended deleting it. The Department of Taxation said the proposed points-and-miles language would be difficult to audit and enforce, and Expedia and others said the proposed tax treatment of loyalty points and certain payment forms would be operationally difficult. Industry witnesses also warned the bill could raise costs in a high-tax destination and asked for more marketing support if the tax is increased. The committee also heard concerns that a new tax on cruise ship cabins could raise federal preemption issues.
The chair noted the testimony count as 23 in support, 179 in opposition, and one with comments. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the hearing ended with questions from senators and agency responses about possible amendments, enforcement, and constitutional concerns.