Transcript Highlights:

• system system um is um within the legal system system um is really<00:13:31.120> the<00:13:31.279
• current records management system current records management system um<00:41:58.319> based
• <01:52:57.679> meaning Hawaii's child welfare system meaning Hawaii's child welfare system
• Another former foster youth described foster care in Hawaii as a system of luck.
• Another former foster youth described foster care in Hawaii as a system of luck.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 1324, which would require the Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in landlord-tenant disputes and allow attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide those services, with an appropriation. The Department of the Attorney General recommended removing reference to Hawaii Public Housing Authority tenants because HPHA eviction proceedings are administrative and could conflict with the bill. Hawaii Appleseed and other testifiers strongly supported the measure, citing studies showing much higher tenant retention when counsel is available, and suggested adding notice of the right to counsel at key points such as rent increases, eviction notices, and lease signing. The committee adopted amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested change and a technical amendment, and passed the bill out with a recommendation to move it forward; members voted aye, with one member voting with reservations and several excused. The committee then heard House Bill 126 on property forfeiture, which would increase transparency and accountability in civil asset forfeiture by clarifying covered property, changing disposition rules, and removing language requiring liberal construction of the forfeiture act. The Attorney General said forfeiture remains an important law enforcement tool and that the bill would not impair its use. The Office of the Public Defender supported the measure but argued civil forfeiture is broadly problematic because many people cannot meaningfully challenge it and are not entitled to counsel. Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, saying forfeiture is useful in fighting illegal activity and that added procedures would delay enforcement and reduce operational funding from forfeiture proceeds. Community Alliance on Prisons, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters urged reform or abolition of civil forfeiture, citing transparency concerns and the risk of abuse. No vote on HB 126 was taken in the portion provided. The final measure discussed was House Bill 166, which would require the state to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees in certain civil actions, allow employees to hire their own counsel at their own expense, and set a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the state declines to defend. Testimony from the Hawaii Association for Justice and labor representatives was in strong support, describing the bill as a negotiated clarification that balances employee protections with accountability and noting it had passed previously but died in conference. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on HB 166.

Transcript Highlights:

• These may be derived from the student information system, state financial information system, state financial
• ,<00:19:15.520> a instructional and behavioral systems, a instructional and behavioral systems
• <00:40:17.760> As for teacher retirement system. As for teacher retirement system.
• But my that I think are we should track.
• system, for bullying and harassment.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:09 Roll call 00:00:24 Election of Co-Chairs 00:01:11 Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 00:04:41 Office of Education Accountability District Data Profiles, School Year 2024 00:23:50 Update from the Education Professional Standards Board 00:58:19 Adjournment 01:08:00, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting with roll call and procedural business, including elections of co-chairs. The House elected Representative Truett as House co-chair, and the Senate elected Senator Denine as Senate co-chair. After the organizational votes, the committee heard the Office of Educational Accountability’s annual report, beginning with Brian Jones and Deborah Nelson describing OEA’s investigations and research divisions and recent staffing turnover. On the investigations side, OEA said it handled complaints only when submitted in writing and generally opened cases only when it had enough facts to evaluate. Jones reported complaint volume declined from 805 in 2023 to 738 in 2024, with 325 in the first half of the current year. He outlined the kinds of matters OEA investigates, including school-based council issues, open meetings, board eligibility, nepotism, conflicts of interest, certification, activity funds, and surplus property, while noting that routine personnel matters, bullying, child interviews, and cases tied to litigation are generally handled locally or referred elsewhere. He also said OEA refers special education, assessment/testing, discrimination, and serious misconduct matters to the appropriate agencies, and that he did not see a need for statutory changes to improve OEA’s work, though he said cases should move more quickly. The research division presentation focused on OEA’s district data profiles and annual research agenda. Nelson explained that OEA reviews KDE-reported data and underlying datasets to verify accuracy, analyze trends, and produce reports for the General Assembly. She highlighted 2024 publications on district governance models and student achievement, and said this year’s agenda includes district data profiles, student discipline analysis, and a review of early childhood regional training centers. She also noted OEA received an NCSL notable document award for its 2023 staffing shortages report, its 10th such award. Sabrina Smith then walked through the district data profiles, which compile demographic, staffing, finance, and performance data for all 171 districts, plus statewide and comparative data. She noted changes in the report format, the continued availability of an online interactive version, and several trends: adjusted average daily attendance declined statewide from 2015 to 2024; the counselor-to-student ratio has improved but has not yet reached the statutory goal of one counselor per 250 students; the share of teachers moving from rank three to rank two has declined; special education identification has risen from 13% to 16%; and starting teacher salaries vary widely by district, with Kentucky’s average starting salary around $40,000 ranking near the bottom compared with surrounding states and the nation. Members asked about the history of the research division and whether the paper copies of the district profiles would continue, and staff said the printed versions would continue unless legislators asked otherwise.

Transcript Highlights:

• data from all the pension systems in Minnesota.
• <00:45:45.079> in from all the pension systems in from all the pension systems in Minnesota
• <00:47:26.920> overall these systems overall these systems overall liabilities<00:47:28.839
• <01:26:08.320> of track of track of those<01:26:10.840> representative<01:26:11.400>
• I'm legislative liaison from the Minnesota State Retirement System.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Down this track.
• of the system.
• CYFD does track that number.
• Tracking outcomes further into the adult system has been a past recommendation.
• Madam Chair, Representative Chavez, the recidivism rate does not track into the adult system, though

Transcript Highlights:

• something we'll be uh tracking closely. something we'll be uh tracking closely.
• We have not dug into the property tax system here.
• Um, too much for our university system.
• We're losing states on the same track.
• you're tracking based on Fred data? you're tracking based on Fred data?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What kind of system allows this to happen? What kind of state? Tolerates it.
• We have a legitimate system for medical research that's been in place for decades.
• And I just don't understand how we got off track. Now, I filed...
• We're trying to track back where all these problems came from, how things got derailed.
• as tracking database systems are needed. standard donor forms and a dedicated anatomical division website

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's a good first step, but, like, is there a culture change, is there a systems change?
• Because she was part of the rural track and really enjoyed the people.
• We do track it. We're right at $290,000. And $55,000 is the average debt for our students.
• We're looking for more system changes.
• DAs, public defenders, judges, ready to move them out of that system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through this process, the TNC, the CPUC has been tracking TNC's for over a decade.
• We track every trip, offering emergency assistance if needed, and give riders and drivers tools like
• California is also an incubator for policies that we see track across the country and beyond.
• We also have what's called trip range trip range management system and so one of the very fears that
• So, in conclusion, TNCs... are essential players in our transportation system.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of that every quarter to see how we're doing, make sure we're on track.
• And then another fund like land grant permanent fund might be right on track.
• So ERB is on track to do, to repay that, um, that unfunded liability within the 30 year period.
• Perhaps we can have an engaging dialogue between, um, Maybe that's not the only system.
• I was recommending that yes, we have various systems of retirement, various retirement systems available

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida has the number one state university system in the country.
• We have 12 universities in our state university system.
• It makes sense, but it shouldn’t pertain to the whole school system versus some systems that do not have
• and State University System.
• This bill addresses the limitations on the Florida College System and State University System in participating

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for CS for HB 1279, a higher education bill focused on Florida’s preeminent universities. The sponsor said the measure would increase access for Florida students, strengthen accountability and transparency, update accreditation references, adjust performance metrics, and address issues such as GPA weighting, engineering credit-hour differences, and certain fee-waiver and dental-program provisions. Members raised questions about the 95% Florida-resident enrollment target, possible funding impacts, Pell Grant metrics, and whether the bill would affect community college pathways; the sponsor said the bill was aimed at first-time-in-college students and that the 95% standard would be measured on a three-year rolling average. After an amendment removing an adjustment to the four-year graduation metric was adopted, the bill was reported favorably by a 17-2 vote. The committee then heard PCS for CS for HB 1059, which would strengthen speech and debate education by designating the Florida Debate Initiative as the statewide organization, supporting coach and judge training, statewide data collection, tournaments, and a Florida Speech and Debate Week. The sponsor and several students and advocates testified that speech and debate builds confidence, civics knowledge, leadership, and opportunities for English learners and other students, with multiple speakers describing how the program changed their lives. Members from both parties spoke strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee considered PCS for HB 725 on political activity at public institutions of higher education. The sponsor said the bill would standardize campus policies, require notice to students and employees about free-expression and political-campaign rules, and align state practice with federal guidelines while preserving free speech and nonpartisan voter engagement. An opponent argued the bill could create barriers to civic engagement and student organizing, while supporters said it would clarify existing rules and prevent institutions from favoring one viewpoint over another. The sponsor closed by emphasizing that the bill was about information and neutrality rather than restricting speech.

Transcript Highlights:

• :11:50.280> that A world-class transportation system that A world-class transportation system
• All of the LRT track is in place.
• We are on track. We we're doing well. We are on track.
• All of the LRT track is in place. All of the LRT track is in place.
• <01:09:15.920> to we're still good on track to we're still good on track to deal<01:09:17.200

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Statistics is a course that even your community college system and the four-year systems are you applying
• <00:29:05.600> as don't view college the college track as don't view college the college track
• that alternative remedial type tracks. that alternative remedial type tracks. the<00:29:58.799><
• <00:40:08.079> the going to do that, I would track the going to do that, I would track the
• <02:28:51.680> So systems and our data collection. So systems and our data collection.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• system in New York State.
• to be part of the system as well.
• Our systems are being overloaded.
• Our systems are being overloaded.
• Changed their approach in the juvenile system and in young adult systems because it proved how cost-effective

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one part of the state's juvenile justice system.
• Those decisions are made by others in the justice system.
• DCYF had also not previously tracked compliance with DCYF had also not previously tracked compliance
• HVAC systems, and building materials, or even electricity.
• HVAC systems, array of qualifying equipment such as security systems, HVAC systems, and building materials

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so it could not adopt prior minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and new JLARC staff, and noted national recognition for recent JLARC reports. The meeting then moved into a series of preliminary audit presentations and an agency strategic management update, with committee members asking questions after each item. JLARC presented a preliminary audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Staff concluded that crowding, staffing shortages, weak risk assessments, and inconsistent programming combine to create unsafe conditions. The report found that most youth are housed in two large secure facilities operating near or above capacity, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessment tools are not valid for the population, and program access depends more on facility than individual need. JLARC made one recommendation to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF, including improving retention, training, incident response procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, and data quality. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said the agency agreed overcrowding is a serious problem, described ongoing efforts to improve staffing and safety, and said a detailed response would be provided later. Committee members raised concerns about education access, retaliation against staff or youth who participated in the audit, and whether JR-25 has helped or worsened conditions. JLARC then presented a preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. The audit found that L&I generally meets inspection timelines for health and safety complaints, but not for wage and hour or retaliation complaints, where delays are driven largely by time before assignment to an investigator. Staff said complaint volume exceeds capacity, though the agency has added staff, created screening processes, and reorganized workloads, and 2026 legislation now allows prioritization of complaints and broader investigations. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. An L&I representative said the agency is hiring additional staff and will provide a formal response later. The committee also received a JLARC overview and Department of Health strategic management plan update on hospital data reporting, inspections, complaints, and adverse event reporting. DOH reported measurable progress on inspection compliance, new staffing and licensing systems, translated complaint forms, and plans for future work on language access, adverse event reporting, and financial data dashboards. After lunch, JLARC began its 2026 tax preference performance reviews. The first review covered the Main Street tax credit, which JLARC said has helped increase the number of Main Street communities and businesses, with positive growth near designated districts; JLARC recommended continuing the preference and improving business-count data. The second review covered the equitable access to credit program, which JLARC said appears to support underserved communities by funding loans through CDFIs; JLARC recommended continuing the preference beyond its 2027 expiration. The committee began questions on the program mechanics and the role of the Community Reinvestment Act, and the presentation was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Tracks to Auschwitz were laid much earlier.
• The question is, will we drive the train off its tracks before it reaches Auschwitz?
• you what you face when tracking threats to the community through the deep dark web?
• Is this something that you're tracking?
• And all, are we tracking? Yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• system like this is very difficult to implement.
• system like this is very difficult to implement.
• system like this is very difficult to implement.
• to make sure that they are keeping track to make sure that they are keeping track of<01:16:07.199
• After that, they're going to have to track hours worked like they would for payroll, and, you know, track

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the system.
• But there is in the juvenile system.
• So when I look at a misdemeanor and this kid is in the system, entangled in the system, and ultimately
• This isn't the adult system.
• We don't really track that in the DCF system, but we know that we also have about 20 to about 2,000 unaccompanied

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on diversion programs and services for high-risk youth, with no bills before the committee and no votes taken. The chair and members emphasized that the session was intended to hear from invited testimony and discuss how to strengthen diversion, reduce court involvement, and improve outcomes for youth. The committee heard first from the Office of the Child Advocate and diversion providers, who described the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program, its statewide expansion to 10 of 11 court counties, and its reported success rate of about 80% completion without reoffending. Testimony highlighted that diversion keeps youth out of court, connects them more quickly to community-based services, and can address needs such as mental health, education, and substance use. Witnesses also pointed to racial and ethnic disparities in arrests versus summonses, regional variation in diversion access, and the need for clearer statutory authority, more funding, and broader use of pre-arrest diversion. Committee members asked about the difference between arrest and summons, who can initiate diversion, why arrest rates have increased relative to summonses, and how diversion might prevent harmful downstream consequences such as detention or immigration enforcement involvement. Witnesses said police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges can refer youth to diversion, and argued that local policy, training, and legislative changes could expand use. They also discussed the impact of detention on youth, including stigma, lost school time, and the lack of credit for time served in the juvenile system. Testimony from Citizens for Juvenile Justice focused on prevention, school discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline, arguing for more restorative practices, better data, and legislation to limit suspensions and expulsions, especially for younger students and nonviolent conduct. They also raised concerns about DCF-involved and foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the juvenile system. The final panel, the Children's League of Massachusetts and transition-age youth providers, shifted to child welfare and young adult supports. They supported reducing court involvement in child requiring assistance cases, expanding family resource centers, and strengthening services for transition-age youth leaving DCF or DYS custody. Providers described housing instability, homelessness, and the need for education, employment, behavioral health, and supportive housing services for young adults ages 18 to 23. Across the hearing, witnesses consistently argued that early intervention, community-based supports, and diversion are more effective than court processing or detention for most youth, and that the legislature can help through funding, statutory clarity, expanded eligibility, and stronger data collection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our HVAC system performance is an issue, and the use of incompatible materials...
• <00:24:56.880> and sound like more like an HVAC system and sound like more like an HVAC system
• Okay, here we see some of what's happening with the HVAC system.
• Okay, here we see some of what's happening with the HVAC system.
• litigation can go on Parallel tracks litigation can go on Parallel tracks with<00:48:39.079>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on construction defects and operational problems at the newly opened Hawaii State Hospital Halola building, a $160 million facility with 144 beds for forensic patients. Department of Health and DAGS officials described ongoing issues identified before and after occupancy in April 2022, including anti-ligature safety defects, roof and building-envelope leaks, drainage problems, plumbing failures, HVAC corrosion and moisture-control issues, mold, and corroding materials. They said the problems have affected patient areas, showers, hallways, the gym, and other parts of the building, creating daily operational and safety challenges for staff and patients. Officials said the state believes the defects are the responsibility of the design-builder, Hensel Phelps, but that they are working with the company and its subcontractors to address the problems while preserving the state’s legal position. The Attorney General’s office said it is conducting an inquiry and asked agencies to limit comments to factual matters. Witnesses explained that some defects appear to be latent and that repairs are being documented through photos, invoices, and testimony. They also said some work is being done by Hensel Phelps and some by other contractors, with efforts to preserve evidence for possible future claims. Committee members questioned how the defects were missed during design-build inspection, whether the state should pursue litigation sooner, and how evidence would be preserved if outside contractors make repairs. Officials said the state has two funding requests pending: about $8 million for emergency repairs and about $28.8 million for longer-term repairs, for a total near $40 million, while noting that additional defects may still be discovered. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• that that you don't overload the system. that that you don't overload the system.
• Our major to put in new systems.
• <02:00:01.840> And there trying to keep that track. And there trying to keep that track.
• Um so between those two systems<02:52:09.640> that<02:52:09.880> did systems that did systems
• systems over 20 years. systems over 20 years.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a variety of metrics to see um tracking a variety of metrics to see um are<00:08:17.960> the<
• If it's not successfully built within the student information system platform, or if they don't have
• platform uh and or if information system platform uh and or if they<00:44:02.680> don't<00:44
• general fund that's where we track general fund that's where we track it<01:30:53.679> so
• 175 in my more like detailed tracking 175 in my more like detailed tracking spreadsheet<01:33:43.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Office of Higher Education on college access efforts, with a focus on FAFSA outreach, the Get Ready program, and Direct Admissions Minnesota. Wendy Robinson said OHE’s role is to provide nonpartisan information, partner with K-12, colleges, and community groups, and use statewide programs to expand awareness of higher education options and financial aid. She highlighted outreach through brochures, virtual sessions, conferences, the State Fair, and events serving specific populations, as well as the Lumina-funded Connect College grant and the federally funded Get Ready program, which serves about 7,500 low-income students across 14 capacity-building schools and 28 additional schools with tutoring, college visits, application help, and financial aid support. A member asked for demographic data on Get Ready students, and staff said they would provide it later. Robinson also reviewed FAFSA outreach, noting that last year was especially difficult for students because of federal FAFSA problems. OHE’s Ready Set FAFSA sessions drew 1,300 unique registrations in October and 939 in January, and the agency continued training K-12 and college staff on state aid programs, FAFSA simplification, and implementation of North Star Promise. OHE said it also held FAFSA completion events with partners, including at the State Fair, and planned another financial aid event in Duluth. The bulk of the presentation covered Direct Admissions Minnesota. Robinson said the program is now in its fourth year, with 55 participating colleges and universities and 182 participating high schools in the third cohort, serving just over 32,000 students. She described the program as a broad, collaborative model that sends students letters listing colleges that would admit them based on junior-year performance, while preserving student choice and waiving application fees for participating schools. She said the program is intended to reduce anxiety about admissions, encourage FAFSA completion, and keep more Minnesota students in-state. Robinson previewed second-year data showing continued positive outcomes, including higher FAFSA completion, increased college enrollment, and more students staying in Minnesota. Participation increased among students eligible for free and reduced lunch, rising from 21% in the first year to 40% in the second year. She noted a continuing concern about American Indian and Alaska Native students, whose FAFSA completion declined and whose participation numbers were lower in the newest cohort, and said the agency would continue to study that data. She also said some of the increase in free-and-reduced-lunch participation may reflect the impact of North Star Promise and related financial aid messaging. No votes or formal actions were taken.