Transcript Highlights:

• Every year, the Minnesota Senate offers an internship program, which is open to everyone 18 and up.
• about the right policies, persuasion. >> And while spending a semester in and around Minnesota's Senate
• Being able to intern here in the Senate has given me a lot of freedom to contribute to the work of the
• It's the senator, the legislative assistant, and then you, the intern.
• :06.640> assistant, the senator, the legislative assistant, the senator, the legislative assistant

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm Brandon Elefante, and I chair the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs in the Senate
• So I'm Brandon Elefante, and I chair the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs in the Senate
• >> Carl<00:03:18.640> Rhodess,<00:03:19.280> um,<00:03:20.640> senator<00:
• So we thank them for um Senator Carlo.
• creation of a web page that the Senate creation of a web page that the Senate is<00:19:36.080>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group held its first meeting on August 21, 2025, to organize under Act 292, which directs the group to review and recommend laws, policies, and procedures on restrictive housing for vulnerable populations, including older adults, people with disabilities, people with serious mental illness, those with sensory impairments, and people perceived to be LGBTQIA+. Co-chairs Sen. Brandon Elefante and Rep. Della Au Belatti outlined the group’s purpose, membership, and timeline, noting the final recommendations are due to the Legislature by January 8, 2027. Members and invited participants introduced themselves, including legislative members, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff, the Department of Health, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, ACLU of Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, UPW, and an OHA representative in the audience. The working group discussed its initial focus and agreed that a first priority should be understanding current restrictive housing practices at DCR, including policies on solitary confinement, training, reporting, and how the department currently handles vulnerable populations. Co-chair Belatti said the group should also hear from people with lived experience, including incarcerated individuals and family members affected by solitary confinement, and review litigation, settlements, and outside expert work on best practices. DCR Director Tommy Johnson, appearing by Zoom, said the bill contains specific implementation timelines and that the group should use future meetings to surface topics tied to the act’s requirements. Rep. Shimizu asked how the working group’s recommendations would fit with SB 104 and whether they would supersede existing provisions; Belatti responded that the act allows time for review and for both departmental policy changes and legislative recommendations, with section two’s implementation date set for July 1, 2026. Public comment was limited, with no online testimony. An OHA representative thanked the chairs and said the office looked forward to participating once formally designated. House legislative attorney Sean Aronson suggested the group should hear about any outside or court-mandated oversight of DCR in a future presentation. A member of the working group also asked about scheduling an in-person visit to a correctional facility, and the chairs said that could be arranged with DCR. The group tentatively scheduled its next meeting for October 16, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., noted that September would be skipped, and discussed holding future meetings on third Thursdays. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator King? Here. Senator Gray? Senator Alvarado? Here. Senator Hinojosa? Here. Senator Hughes?
• Senator Parker? Here. Senator Paxson? Senator Sparks? Here. Eight present.
• Thank you, Senator Hinojosa. Senator Miles, you're recognized. Thank you, sir.
• Senator Alvarado. No. Senator Hinojosa. No. No. Senator Hughes? Yes. Senator Miles?
• Senator Parker, Senator Paxson, Senator Sparks, Senator Creighton? Aye. Senator Akin? Aye.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Betancourt. Senator Blanco. Here. Senator Campbell. Senator Hinojosa. Senator Kolkhorst.
• Senator Menendez. Senator Schwartner. There have been seven present; a quorum is established.
• I recognize Senator Perry to lay out Senate Bill 1.
• Senator Bettencourt is present. Members, any questions? Senator Kolkhorst.
• Senator Perry?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Keene? Here. Senator Creighton? Senator Alvarado? Senator Henderson? Senator Hues?
• Senator Miles? Senator Parker? Senator Paxton.
• Senator Alvarado. Senator Hinojosa, aye. Senator Hughes, yes. Senator Miles, aye. Senator Parker.
• Senator Paxton. Senator Sparks. Senator Creighton. Senator King.
• Senator Parker? Aye. Senator Paxson? Aye. Senator Jackson? Aye. Senator Sparks? Aye.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When—oh, go ahead, Senator.
• when oh go ahead Senator when oh go ahead Senator >> so<01:36:03.679> if<01:36:03.760
• Go ahead, Senator. You can continue. Okay. Mine is less lesser. Go ahead.
• Um, this is... >> Yes, Senator. Uh, did you guys have to hire more staff to do this?
• Thank you, Senator. being used appropriately. And uh that being used appropriately.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety. Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA. The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to seclusion, Senator Judy Seeberger and her son were introduced to the restrictive procedure
• The next meeting is Wednesday, September 17th, and you can watch it live or later on our Senate Media
• That's MN Senate Media. part of schools or is it really that part of schools or is it really that there's
• watch it live or later on our Senate watch it live or later on our Senate Media<00:02:43.599>
• That's MN Senate Media YouTube channel. That's MN Senate Media.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Senator Judy Seabberger.
• Thank you, Senator. Uh like I >> All right. Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Two members of the Senate, one appointed by the Senate Majority Leader and one appointed by the Senate
• by the Senate the Senate, one appointed by the Senate Majority<00:27:53.760> Leader<00:27:54.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Betancourt. Present. Senator Blanco. Here. Senator Campbell. Present. Senator Hinojosa.
• Senator Menendez, Senator Schwartner. Mr.
• Senate Bill 2, committee substitute Senate Bill 2.
• Thank you, Senator Bettencourt; you are my senator.
• Senator Perry moves that Senate...

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Melissa Wickland authored the 2023 bill not only creating the DCYF but also creating new service
• And in this moment, Senator Jim Abeler says moving forward together is crucial.
• Veronica Marshall, Senate Media Services. 2023 bill not only creating the DCIF but 2023 bill not only
• <00:02:25.040> Jim<00:02:25.280> Abler >> and in this moment, Senator Jim Abler
• Marshall, Senate Media Veronica Marshall, Senate Media Services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Creighton, here. Senator Alvarado. Senator Hinojosa. Senator Hughes, here. Senator Miles.
• Senator Parker. Senator Paxson, present. Senator Sparks.
• Senate.
• Senator Alvarado. Senator Hinojosa. Senator Hughes? Yes. Senator Miles? Senator Parker? Aye.
• Senator Paxton? Aye. Senator Sparks? Aye. Senator Crayton? Aye. Senator King? Thank you.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator King? Here. Senator Creighton? Here. Senator Alvarado? Senator Hinojosa? Present.
• Senator Hughes? Senator- Senator Miles, Senator Parker? Here. Senator Paxson? Present.
• Senator Sparks? Here. Six, yes, sir.
• So there being six present, a quorum has been established, and Senator Hughes is en route.
• Senator Hinojosa: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, and I send my best from the North Star State.
• I want to start by thanking my Minnesota colleagues, Speaker Lisa Demuth and Senate Majority Leader Erin

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• Vice Chair Flores, Senator Betancourt, Senator Blanco, Senator Campbell, Senator Hinojosa.
• Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Menendez, Senator Schwartner, being non-present Coral Menendez is established
• And one last thing, Senator Gimbel. Yes, sir. Senator Menendez.
• My Senator Campbell, I'm proud to see my Senator here representing our district.
• on the Senate joint House and Senate hearing today.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator King here. Senator Creighton here.
• Senator Alvarado, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Hughes, Senator Miles.
• Senator Parker. Aye. Senator Paxton, Senator Sparks, Senator. Creighton? No.
• Senate Resolution 5, and Senate Rule 11.20. Issue one or more subpoenas to compel Mr.
• Senator Parker? No. Senator Paxson? No. Senator Sparks? No. Senator Creighton? No.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator King? Here. Senator Creighton? Here. Senator Alvarado? Here. Senator Hinojosa? Present.
• Senator Hughes? Here. Senator Miles? Here. Senator Parker? Here. Senator Paxson? Present.
• I do, Senator.
• I believe that Senate Joint Resolution 3 is worth looking up because I hate to think we're stuck in this
• Senator, any other members? Well, Senator Blanco.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• into >> And can you tell us how he got into >> And can you tell us how he got into Senate
• 39.920> Did<00:15:40.079> he<00:15:40.240> climb<00:15:40.560> through Senate
• Did he climb through Senate chambers?
• How did he get into Senate<00:15:44.320> chambers? Senate chambers? Senate chambers?
• how he entered the Senate chambers. how he entered the Senate chambers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator King. Here. Senator. Here. Senator Alvarado. Senator Hinojosa. Present.
• Senator Hues, Senator Miles, Senator Parker, Senator Paxson, Senator Sparks.
• My understanding of the Senate resolution we passed specifically says that we cannot issue subpoenas
• and with the rules of the Senate resolution we passed on Monday.
• For instance, you could advance SJR3, the Senate Joint Resolution that proposes an amendment to establish

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator King? Here. Senator Creighton? Here. Senator Alvarado? Senator Hinojosa? Present.
• Senator Hughes? Senator Miles? Senator Parker? Senator Paxson? Senator Sparks? That's all we have.
• Senators, anything? Senator Alvarado. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator Alvarado. Mrs.
• Chair calls Senator Miles. Yeah. Ms. Robinson, this is Senator Boris Miles.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator King? Here. Senator Crayton? Here. Senator Alvarado? Here. Senator Hinojosa? Present.
• Senator Hughes? Senator Miles? Here. Senator Parker? Here. Senator Paxson? Present. Senator Sparks?
• Senator Brian Hughes, Senator Carol Alvarado, Senator Angela Paxton, Senator Kevin Sparks, and Senator
• Senator Alvarado? No. Senator Hinojosa? Senator Hughes? Yes. Senator Miles? No. Senator Parker?
• Chair, while you introduced Senate Resolution 5, you said, and I quote, "Well, I'm not sure that there's

Keywords: 1185, senate, all