Video & Transcript Research : 'validation'
Page 121 of 223
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- farmland on approximately 65,000 farms every year will be a massive mobilization of third-party validators
- <01:14:14.880>
of <01:14:15.199>third <01:14:15.520>party <01:14:15.840>validators - mobilization of third party validators mobilization of third party validators and<01:14:16.800><
Keywords:
pesticide, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, chemical safety, local agriculture, insecticides, pollinators, seeds, environmental health, neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides, civil penalties, pest management, land trends, report, appropriation, farmers, veterinary medicine, veterinary technology
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- They're designed to create the most comprehensive and valid analysis possible.
- 19:24.720>
most <01:19:24.920>comprehensive <01:19:25.520>and <01:19:25.640>valid - create the most comprehensive and valid create the most comprehensive and valid analysis<01:19:26.480
Summary:
The Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss worker misclassification, beginning with approval of the March 4, 2026 minutes and a note that a late-posted bill would not be heard at this time. Chair Pinto opened the hearing by framing misclassification as timely and invited Lea Takapu of the Attorney General’s office to explain the issue. Takapu described misclassification as labeling workers as independent contractors when they are really employees, which can deprive workers of minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other protections while also reducing tax revenue. She said the Attorney General’s office and the MEAP partnership have been working on the issue and cited estimates that Minnesota workers lose billions annually and the state loses hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars in revenue, while noting that legitimate independent contracting is not the target.
Members questioned how the committee could rely on estimates when the exact number of misclassified workers is unknown. Takapu responded that the figures were based on studies and complaint data, and that underground or undocumented work makes exact counts difficult. Chair Pinto noted the numbers were estimates and referenced a 2024 Legislative Auditor finding that Minnesota lacked an adequate, coordinated approach to proper worker classification, while saying progress had been made since then.
Several industry witnesses then testified in support of stronger enforcement. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA said misclassification remains rampant in parts of construction, especially drywall, stucco, thin stone, and broadband installation, and argued it is tax, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud that harms law-abiding contractors and taxpayers. Matt Wollers of Braxton and Sons said his company loses bids to competitors that misclassify workers, creating a labor-cost advantage of 30% or more, and asked for meaningful enforcement rather than new legislation, including regular unannounced jobsite visits. Jesse Madison of Purple Tally Productions said misclassification is anti-competition and described examples from live events and entertainment, urging front-end checks on workers’ compensation, unemployment coverage, and W-2 versus 1099 status before work begins. The next testifier, Ben Ballou of the Minnesota Nurses Association, began his remarks as the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- financial capacity and the internal controls to successfully administer the grant and is, in fact, a valid
- and uh is<00:31:09.919>
in <00:31:10.159>fact <00:31:10.399>a <00:31:10.640>valid - <00:31:10.960>
grantee <00:31:11.440>and is in fact a valid grantee and is in fact - a valid grantee and organization organization organization um<00:31:13.760>
and <00:31:14.080><
Summary:
The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on state grant-management requirements. Deputy Legislative Auditor Katherine Tyson outlined the main controls agencies must follow, including pre-award risk assessments for grants of $50,000 or more, reimbursement as the preferred payment method, limits and documentation requirements for advance payments, and monitoring obligations for active grants. She emphasized that these controls are intended to reduce improper payments and fraud, but also require staff time and strong internal systems. In response to questions, she said advance payments are used in some grants but reimbursement is more common, and noted that agencies can add controls such as retaining a portion of funds, surprise visits, or audits. She also said surety bonds are required in some state programs, but not generally for grants, and that this could be a policy discussion for the executive branch.
The committee then received a Department of Natural Resources presentation on the new Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund community grant program created in 2023 law. DNR officials said the program is intended to expand access to ENRTF funding, especially for communities affected by pollution and environmental degradation, and to support projects such as environmental education, resource restoration, trail work, and aquatic invasive species management. They said the department will use the same grants team that handles Outdoor Heritage Fund and LCCMR grants, which already manages a large volume of grants, and that the advisory council application is open through April 10.
DNR described its implementation plan as similar to the Conservation Partners Legacy program, with both standard and expedited grant rounds, technical assistance, and use of technical experts. Differences include no match requirement, allowance for fiscal agents to help smaller organizations, and more flexibility for administrative expenses to reduce barriers to participation. Officials said the program will follow state grant rules, including pre-award financial reviews and monitoring, and will use the 5 percent administrative allowance to support both oversight and grantee assistance. They also said the report’s suggestion of advance payments for grants under $50,000 was raised for discussion, but they did not dispute the auditor’s emphasis that reimbursement is the preferred approach.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- not allowing a member to speak as a member of this committee with an election certificate who has a valid
- certificate<00:41:34.240>
who <00:41:34.480>has <00:41:34.640>a <00:41:34.880>valid - an election certificate who has a valid an election certificate who has a valid question<00:41:35.839
Keywords:
civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, immigration enforcement, economic impact, Operation Metro Surge, study, appropriation, local government, Legislative Commission on Legislative Security, legislator security, elected official security, staff security, statehouse security, capitol security, legislative district safety, political violence prevention, threat assessment
Summary:
The committee first attempted to approve minutes from February 24 and March 3, but members identified multiple spelling errors in names, so approval was held and the motion withdrawn. The committee then took up House File 3477, a bill by Representative Long proposing a civil remedy for constitutional violations by government actors, including federal actors. An author’s amendment (A4) was adopted to remove a subdivision and clarify retroactivity. In discussion, members raised concerns about Supremacy Clause and immigration-related issues; the author responded that the bill applies evenly to state and federal actors and is meant to enforce constitutional rights, not immigration law. After debate, the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register failed on a 6-7 vote, with one member excused.
The committee next heard House File 3480, authored by Representative Howard, which would commission an independent economic impact study of Operation Metro Surge. An A2 amendment was adopted to add a dollar amount for the study and clarify timing. Representative Howard said the study would help the legislature understand statewide impacts and noted reported harm to businesses, child care, schools, and local governments. Testimony in support came from Laura Santiago, reading a statement from Christopher Gomez of Willmar, who described ICE agents entering his family’s restaurant, the detention and deportation of family members, and resulting business losses. Rachel Ser, Minneapolis emergency management director, cited a preliminary city assessment estimating major impacts including food insecurity, lost wages, business revenue losses, hotel cancellations, and rental assistance needs. Some members questioned the cost and usefulness of the study, while others said suburban and greater Minnesota communities also wanted the data. The transcript ends during continued discussion of the bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- the required documents that the applicants are required to submit are completed taxes, for example, valid
- /c><00:36:44.400>
for <00:36:44.480>example <00:36:45.359>uh <00:36:45.440>valid - um completed taxes for example uh valid um completed taxes for example uh valid state<00:36:46.160
Summary:
The committee met on March 4, 2026, and focused almost entirely on an update and oversight discussion of the Promise Act, including its grant and loan programs. The chair opened by explaining that the committee wanted to better understand how the 2023 law was implemented, how funds are still being deployed in greater Minnesota and the metro, and whether adjustments made in 2024 and 2025 were working as intended. The minutes from March 3 were approved at the start of the meeting.
Deputy Commissioner Kevin McKinnon of DEED outlined the program’s legislative history, funding structure, eligibility rules, and oversight process. He said the grant side has about $94 million available, with $16 million going to the Minnesota Initiative Foundations and $86 million to the Neighborhood Development Center, plus administrative and technical assistance set-asides. He noted legislative changes over time, including shifting the revenue eligibility test to the prior year, adding a home-office deduction requirement for businesses using a home address, and maintaining a preference for applicants who had not received more than $10,000 in prior state assistance. McKinnon said about $22 million had been awarded to 35 businesses at the time of the update, and that the loan program has $30 million appropriated, with about $9.5 million lent so far. He also described the application, verification, audit, and payment process, emphasizing that partners handle intake and DEED conducts final review and random audits.
Shahir Ahmmed of the Neighborhood Development Center described the round-one and round-two grant process in more detail. He said NDC spent about nine months building the application platform, launched round one in June 2024, received more than 3,000 applications, and later paused awards while DEED and legislators clarified the law. He reported that 651 applications were approved in the first round for just under $9 million, and that round two launched in September 2025 with a goal of distributing up to $50 million in remaining grant funds. Ahmmed also explained the step-by-step applicant process, including email confirmation, eligibility screening, document upload, identity verification through Plaid, and final DEED review. He said applicants commonly use funds for payroll, equipment or inventory, rent, and utilities. The chair indicated there would be further testimony from other program partners and then member questions, but no votes or formal actions were taken on the Promise Act itself during this portion of the meeting.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 36 (2-27-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, the MCOs have the responsibility to try to validate the information the best way they can.
- If they can't validate that, then they'll have 14 additional days in order to try to reach that person
- Speaker, the MCOs have the responsibility to try to validate the information the best way they can.
- If they can't validate that, then they'll have 14 additional days in order to try to reach that person
Summary:
The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 26, 2026. The clerk then reported several bills on second reading, including measures on state personnel, domestic violence, fish and wildlife resources, open records, workforce investment, data centers, guardians ad litem and domestic relations, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 on a Medicaid pilot feasibility study and Senate Joint Resolution 23 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state.
The main floor business was House Bill 2, the Medicaid reform and appropriation bill. The sponsor described it as a response to rising Medicaid costs and federal changes, saying it would improve transparency, oversight, fraud prevention, and program operations. He said the bill would apply mainly to the Medicaid expansion population and include community engagement, cost-sharing, eligibility safeguards, stronger managed care oversight, transportation and dental delivery changes, waiver program prioritization, greater legislative access to CHFS data, a transparency dashboard, periodic auditor review, and limits on certain weight-management drug coverage. A House committee substitute was adopted, and a floor amendment on phasing in a marginal medical loss ratio requirement over four years was offered as a friendly amendment and adopted.
The House then debated House Floor Amendment 1, which would have removed state-mandated co-payments and limited cost sharing to the federal minimum, while also prohibiting reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Supporters argued the amendment would protect low-income Kentuckians from barriers to care and prevent medical debt from worsening poverty. Opponents said the bill’s co-pays were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, especially to reduce non-emergency emergency room visits, and noted that providers and MCOs could waive or work around some charges. After a roll call vote, the amendment failed 20-39.
After the amendment vote, the House continued discussion of the bill, with the sponsor defending the co-payment structure as a way to promote personal responsibility and sustainability while preserving access to primary care. The transcript ends during further debate on House Bill 2, and no final passage vote is shown in the provided excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/24/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that is, Madam Chair, I think that is a very valid concern, and I think as, uh, there is also
- c> is<00:25:48.240>
a <00:25:48.480>a <00:25:48.799>very <00:25:49.039>valid - <00:25:49.440>
concern <00:25:49.840>and <00:25:50.080>I that is a a very valid - concern and I that is a a very valid concern and I think<00:25:50.960>
as <00:25:52.080>uh
Keywords:
civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, constitutional rights, color of law, 42 U.S.C. 1983, section 1983, civil action, damages, injunctive relief, attorney fees, law enforcement task force, federal-state cooperation, intergovernmental agreement, federal agency partnership, Minnesota Constitution, U.S. Constitution, police accountability
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 9, February 19, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- funds are spent as they should be, based on eligible activities, and that invoices and expenses are validated
- activities and that invoices and<00:46:14.240>
expenses <00:46:14.800>are <00:46:15.520>validated - <00:46:16.079>
as <00:46:16.319>they and expenses are validated as they and expenses - are validated as they should<00:46:16.640>
be.
Bills:
HF1925
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- I think it's a valid concern that if you move some of this material to another section of the library
- I think it's a<01:47:25.119>
valid <01:47:25.520>concern <01:47:26.320>that <01:47 - 47:27.040>
you <01:47:27.280>move <01:47:27.520>some <01:47:27.760>of a valid - concern that if you move some of a valid concern that if you move some of this<01:47:28.080>
material
Keywords:
administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, state agencies, regulatory interpretation, statutory interpretation, separation of powers, individual liberty, administrative procedure, agency action, Wyoming Supreme Court, district court review, oil and gas inspector, regulatory challenge, anti-deference, law enforcement, memorial, Patrolman Rosa
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Info Briefing - Wed Dec 3, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Online banking does provide a valid service.
- banking does into online banking online banking does provide<01:34:31.840>
a <01:34:32.080>valid - service<01:34:33.199>
it's <01:34:33.520>really <01:34:33.760>just provide a valid - service it's really just provide a valid service it's really just empowering<01:34:34.639>
the
Summary:
The committee held an informational briefing on fraud in the community, with presenters from ARP, CoinFlip, HPD, the Hawaii Bankers Association, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, and the Department of Law Enforcement. The chair described widespread scams targeting kupuna and other residents, including impersonation of grandchildren, lottery/inheritance schemes, romance scams, online shopping fraud, investment scams, and tech-support scams. Members emphasized the emotional manipulation used by scammers, the difficulty of getting victims to report losses, and the need to educate the public on warning signs and available resources.
ARP said scams are an epidemic and highlighted national data showing major losses among older adults, including $4.8 billion lost by people age 60 and over in 2024. ARP focused especially on cryptocurrency kiosks as a growing scam channel in Hawaii, citing 64 complaints totaling $922,000 in 2024 and noting that complaints nearly doubled from the prior year. ARP urged stronger safeguards such as limits on transactions, refunds, live customer support, and a law-enforcement contact for operators, and said its Fraud Watch Network can help victims freeze credit, identify next steps, and track current scams. The chair said he intends to introduce legislation to lower and ultimately eliminate the amount of Bitcoin that can be purchased through ATMs.
CoinFlip said it supports consumer-protection regulation and described its compliance practices, including scam warning screens, anti-money-laundering controls, blockchain analytics, wallet pinning, transaction monitoring, and cooperation with law enforcement. The company said it is registered as a money services business, files suspicious activity and currency transaction reports, and holds money transmitter licenses in many jurisdictions. It also pointed to Illinois-style refund protections for new users and said it refunds fees to scam victims, though not the underlying funds. In response to committee questions, members and the company discussed whether crypto kiosks are necessary, how scams can be traced, and whether banks and kiosks can better intervene when suspicious activity is detected.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Transportation (11-4-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- KSP input identified the need for AcuSense to include a certification with every validated enforcement
- to include a certification<00:45:33.200>
with <00:45:33.440>every <00:45:33.839>validated - certification with every validated certification with every validated enforcement<00:45:35.119><
Summary:
The committee met for its sixth and final interim meeting after a brief technical delay, approved the October 14 minutes, and heard a presentation on a proposed Kentucky hands-free driving bill. The main discussion centered on distracted driving and a draft measure modeled on South Carolina law that would prohibit holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while driving on public roads, while allowing limited exceptions for parked/stopped vehicles, navigation, emergency reporting, dispatch systems, first responders, and certain hands-free call functions. The bill would make a violation a $100 fine plus court costs, with the draft allocating fine revenue to the traumatic brain injury trust fund, Kentucky trauma care system, and veteran program trust fund. The sponsor also said the bill would address prior concerns about enforcement and clarify that officers need a clear, unobstructed visual observation before stopping a driver, and that they may not search or seize devices or make custodial arrests solely for the violation.
Alyssa Burns gave emotional testimony in support of the bill, describing the death of her young daughter Kimberly in a crash she attributed to a distracted driver and urging lawmakers to pass the measure to improve roadway safety. The sponsor cited Kentucky traffic fatality statistics, including 814 deaths in 2023 and an estimated 20% involving distracted driving, and argued that the bill could reduce preventable deaths. Several members voiced support and sympathy, including remarks comparing the effort to past seat belt legislation and suggesting possible future additions such as community service. One member raised concerns about enforcement and whether officers could reliably observe phone use inside vehicles, while another asked about the bill’s interaction with existing texting-while-driving penalties and whether points would still apply. The sponsor said the draft was still being refined, acknowledged gray areas, and invited further changes as the bill moves forward.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- You’ve got 2011 opinions, um, all of which may still be valid, I don’t know.
- Um all of which may still be<00:19:43.360>
valid. - 19:44.559>
But <00:19:45.280>um <00:19:45.520>my <00:19:45.840>point be valid - But um my point be valid. I don't know.
Summary:
The task force met for its third meeting, approved the minutes, and heard testimony from Dr. Jack on behalf of the American Beverage Association and Kentucky Beverage Association. Dr. Jack argued that the “totality of the science” supports low- and no-calorie sweeteners as safe and useful tools for reducing sugar and calories, citing FDA and other domestic and international reviews, clinical trials, and the FDA’s recent healthy-label rule. He also described the industry’s transparency efforts, including a “Good to Know” database compiling ingredient and safety information, and said the beverage industry has voluntarily worked to offer more choices with less sugar.
Members questioned him about whether beverage ingredients are restricted in other countries, possible health effects beyond weight and cancer, concerns about metabolic issues and gut microbiome effects, whether sweeteners are addictive, and why companies do not simply remove sweeteners. Dr. Jack responded that most ingredients are permitted in many jurisdictions, that broad food-safety reviews have looked at multiple endpoints and found the ingredients safe, that the gut microbiome is still being studied, and that recent clinical evidence does not show increased sweetness preference. He also said business decisions about formulations are up to companies and noted that cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are metabolically similar.
The committee also discussed consumer apps and ingredient-scoring tools; Dr. Jack said the industry’s website presents facts without interpretation and is based on food-safety agency assessments. At the end of his testimony, the chair accepted additional fact sheets for the committee. The meeting then moved on to introduce Dr. Gary Huber, who began testimony by emphasizing integrative medicine, metabolic syndrome, and the role of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress in health, but his full presentation was not included in the excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (05/20/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think that's a valid concern.
- /c><00:59:06.240>
think <00:59:06.319>that's <00:59:06.480>a <00:59:06.640>valid - And I I think that's a valid Yeah.
- And I I think that's a valid concern.<00:59:07.359>
We <00:59:07.599>don't <00:59:07.760
Summary:
The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause.
A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action.
The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/03/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- And there's really not a valid justification for amending that policy right now.
- there's<01:04:19.920>
really <01:04:20.240>not <01:04:20.480>a <01:04:20.799>valid - <01:04:21.200>
justification there's really not a valid justification there's really not a - valid justification for<01:04:22.240>
amending <01:04:23.039>that <01:04:23.359>policy
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- enforcement agency to whatever community organizations they think it is, so that it would have some valid
- think it is so that it would have some think it is so that it would have some some<01:47:42.840>
valid - 45.119>
we <01:47:45.320>can't <01:47:45.639>do <01:47:46.000>that some valid - local impact we can't do that some valid local impact we can't do that if<01:47:46.719>
we <01
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Learning-rich environments where children can safely explore, play, create, and thrive cannot be validated
- Association for the Education of Young Children, many programs choose to seek that accreditation as a validation
- Association for the Education of Young Children, many programs choose to seek that accreditation as a validation
- Association for the Education of Young Children, many programs choose to seek that accreditation as a validation
Keywords:
HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , there was a White Earth needs assessment done by the Minnesota Department of Health that's still valid
- > Department of Health that's still uh Department of Health that's still uh still<00:04:32.560>
valid - 33.840>
shows <00:04:34.080>that <00:04:34.880>uh <00:04:34.960>the still valid - . uh and it shows that uh the still valid. uh and it shows that uh the urban<00:04:35.520>
Indian<
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/18/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- All reagents to add MLDD are commercially available, including assay reagents and validation standards
- assay commercially available including assay regions<00:13:08.240>
and <00:13:08.560>validation - regions and validation standards. regions and validation standards.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Mar 12, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It was only after all the ballots were added in that were received on Election Day and validated that
- The ballots received on Election Day were only later added and validated, which is why the recount threshold
- the ballots were only after all the ballots were added in that were received on Election Day and validated
- This measure clarifies requirements to establish a quorum to do business and validate acts of the Stadium
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several election-related and governance measures. On SB 176, relating to recounts, the Office of Elections supported clarifying that recount triggers should be based on the final Election Day report rather than the 6:00 a.m. next-day report, citing a 2022 recount example. The chair noted 3 testimonies in support, 42 in opposition, and 1 comment. On SB 1337, relating to the Stadium Authority, the authority supported changing quorum rules so only voting members count, explaining that the current interpretation makes it difficult to conduct business; written testimony from DBEDT was also received. On SB 289, relating to ethics administrative fines, the Ethics Commission supported uniform procedures to resolve uncontested enforcement matters more quickly while preserving due process; written support was also noted.
The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment on freedom of speech and money in elections. Supporters, including Community Alliance on Prisons, Our Revolution Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii, and others, argued that money in politics distorts democracy and that the amendment would help prevent wealthy interests from buying influence. Opponents, including the Hawaii Christian Coalition and individual testifiers, argued that changing the constitution was too serious, that the proposal should be handled by ordinary legislation instead, and that the measure could create legal conflict. Deputy Attorney General Candace Park said the bill would only matter if key federal cases such as Buckley and Citizens United were overturned, and the chair thanked her for the legal input.
The committee also heard SB 780, relating to election ballot disqualification, which would exclude candidates disqualified by constitutional or statutory provisions and create procedures for challenges. Opposition testimony said the bill would undermine voter choice, burden courts and election officials, and invite misuse; the Hawaii Christian Coalition echoed those concerns. Members raised questions about whether the measure would apply only to state and county offices, and the Attorney General’s office said it would follow up. Finally, on SB 1030, relating to election intimidation, supporters said firearms should not be brought near polling places or ballot drop boxes, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and could affect lawful possession; the committee received 12 testimonies, with 39 in support. The committee then began SB 1225, a proposed constitutional amendment changing the vote threshold for legislative amendments to a majority of votes tallied, excluding blanks, spoiled ballots, and overvotes; testimony in support was heard from the LGBTQ+ Commission and others, and the discussion was still underway when the excerpt ended.