Transcript Highlights:

• Fund, Common Schools Trust Fund, Water Development...
• You can see the allocations between the Community Health Trust Fund, Common Schools Trust Fund, Water
• This is from the Public Service Commission.
• Commissioner, valuation—some of us have been contacted by the public.
• analyses we have the 23-25 actuals for each of the major trust funds.

Committee: Joint Budget Section

Transcript Highlights:

• for the public to come sit and reflect.
• Jews were blocked, mentored in public buildings, mocked, and jeered during public meetings.
• I was told that Israel was a land without a people or a people without a land.
• I was told that Israel was a land without a people or a people without a land.
• I was told that Israel was a land without a people or a people without a land.

Summary: The meeting focused on the commission’s work addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, including security, education, victim services, and legal responses. A major presentation came from former federal prosecutor Eric O’Sham, who described the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the attack’s planning and execution, the 11 victims killed, the defendant’s white supremacist and antisemitic online activity, the federal prosecution, and the long aftermath for the victim community. Commissioners asked about prevention, radicalization online, security for houses of worship, and how to support victims; O’Sham emphasized the limits of law enforcement when speech is protected, the importance of public education, security grants, and victim-witness support. The commission also heard from Ariel Holman of Agudath Israel, who described a wide range of antisemitic incidents affecting Orthodox Jews, including assaults, threats, vandalism, school harassment, and zoning barriers, and urged expanded security personnel grants, mental health resources, kosher food access, and support for synagogue development. Other speakers included advocates and local officials who supported Holocaust education, the planned Boston Holocaust Museum, cemetery protection, and broader public education efforts, while some public commenters criticized the commission’s focus or raised concerns about definitions of antisemitism and free speech. The meeting concluded with approval of prior meeting minutes and the start of public comment, which was limited to three minutes per speaker due to time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• owners who are are the and the two land owners who are are the major<00:08:37.599><c> land</c><00:08
• Any public comment? Does anyone want to come forward on this bill? Any public comment online?
• Any public behind the scenes. Thank you. Any public comment?
• Any public comment forward on this bill? Any public comment online? online? online?
• </c> go to some public comment on the bill. go to some public comment on the bill.

Bills: SF0052 , SF0024

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• What we've landed on is we will do the Senate proposal, and they actually had some better phraseology
• That whoever gets the organizations have to have an MOU with a public school or a school district.
• We wanted to make sure that all of this money stayed within the public realm or controlled by the public
• the higher ed trust fund should not be used Higher ed trust fund should not be used for such a large
• We do still take 2 million from the higher ed trust fund The higher ed trust fund for the multi-purpose

Transcript Highlights:

• lands designated as public hunting areas.
• </c><00:02:54.800><c> without</c> who hunts on private land without who hunts on private land without
• </c> and preservation of existing public art. and preservation of existing public art.
• </c> acting lands administrator Liaka. acting lands administrator Liaka.
• </c> already an outstanding um trust already an outstanding um trust membership<01:12:22.320><c> uh</

Bills: SB2341 , SB2306 , SB2782 , SB2161 , SB17 , SB2358 , SB2367 , SB2240 , SB2547 , SB2401 , SB3031 , SB1406 , SB521 , SB3247 , SB1654 , SB1112 , SB1301 , SB2443 , SB2996

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to hunting, trespass enforcement, conservation banking, coral reef resilience, and search and rescue. SB 2130 would require DLNR to increase the percentage of public land acreage designated for public hunting areas; DLNR offered comments, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council expressed concern, and a Game Management Advisory Commission member urged adequate funding for both study and maintenance of any expanded hunting areas. SB 2128 would require forfeiture to the state of firearms or motor vehicles used in hunting trespass on private land; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the bill, and another signer testified without additional detail. The committee also heard SB 3053, which appropriates funds to DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline/stream maintenance in the Westlock and Middleock shorelines and watersheds. DLNR supported the measure and noted staff involved in mangrove removal work; no other testimony was offered. On SB 20005, which authorizes conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in habitat conservation plans and incidental take licenses, DLNR supported the bill but said a House measure, HB 1802, would place key safeguards in statute rather than administrative rules. Earthjustice opposed SB 20005 for lacking statutory safeguards and said it would support incorporating the House language, while CARES supported the bill as a modernization that could reduce permit processing time and provide more predictable costs. A lengthy discussion followed on SB 3201, which would direct DLNR to prioritize coral reef resilience and set performance targets for coral cover and herbivore biomass. DLNR said it supported the intent but wanted more flexibility because outside factors such as climate and emissions policy affect reef conditions; the Nature Conservancy shared that concern and asked for more flexible language. For the bill, For the Fishes strongly supported stronger protections and suggested adding abundance as a metric, while NOAA and DLNR discussed the difficulty of setting universal benchmarks because reef conditions vary by location. Randy Kosaki and CARES supported the bill, emphasizing coral decline and the need for measurable goals, while committee members asked about restoration projects, benchmarks, and whether the bill’s deadlines were meant to require a plan rather than immediate achievement. Finally, the committee took up SB 2937, which would create a search and rescue card program and special fund to reimburse state, county, and volunteer search-and-rescue operations. DLNR’s wildlife division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii SAR Alliance supported the concept but said Hawaii first needs a stronger search-and-rescue framework, including a state coordinator, before implementing such a program. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:10:16.000><c> was</c> returned to public service and was returned to public service and
• The bill simply transfers land. So, let's get that land transferred.
• The bill simply transfers land. So, let's get that land transferred.
• </c> public life. Transgender people exist. public life. Transgender people exist.
• It's about restoring that trust. It's about restoring that trust.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think the public—87% of the public—intended that result. We'll stand for questions.
• And so this swap would give the state the land that DPS is built on and give the city the land that is
• And so we are asking this committee to approve the land so that way the state can own the land.
• In addition, there are other public amenities such as Folkison Library, our public safety efforts.
• So don't trust government.

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Summary: The committee first heard HB 124, which would codify the Office of New Americans within the Workforce Solutions Department. The sponsor and Workforce Solutions officials said the office has already been operating on a grant and has become a key resource for businesses and immigrant workers, especially for workforce development, credential recognition, language access, and referrals. Supporters from immigrant advocacy, child care, conservation, and civic groups argued the office would help address labor shortages, improve integration, and strengthen economic growth. Several members questioned whether the office would serve people without legal status, what services would be provided, and whether it would create taxpayer costs; sponsors said eligibility would depend on specific programs, the office would mainly provide referrals and workforce support, and it is currently philanthropic grant-funded. The bill was ultimately passed on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee then considered SJR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment to change New Mexico’s pretrial detention standards. The sponsor argued the 2016 bail reform language has contributed to a “revolving door” for repeat offenders and that the current standard is too restrictive and inconsistently applied across judicial districts. Supporters from State Police said the resolution would give clearer direction and let voters revisit the issue. Opponents from the ACLU and the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association warned it would expand pretrial detention, weaken the requirement that the state prove no release conditions are adequate, and disproportionately affect poor people and people of color. After extended debate over public safety, judicial discretion, and whether the proposal should include a clearer standard, the committee approved the resolution on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee also passed SJR 7, a land swap between the state and the City of Santa Fe involving the DPS site and part of the Midtown campus. The sponsor, the Department of Public Safety, and the Santa Fe mayor said the exchange had been discussed for years, would allow the state to own the land under its DPS facilities, and would help the city advance its Midtown redevelopment plan, including housing and public amenities. Members asked about the parcels involved, whether both sides agreed, and whether any member had a financial interest; the sponsor said the swap was non-monetary and fully agreed to by both parties. The resolution passed without opposition. Finally, the committee heard SM 31, which creates a workgroup with LFC, DFA, and PERA to study the loss of COLAs for PERA retirees and recommend solutions. Retiree advocates said the reduced COLA has significantly eroded pension value and that retirees relied on the statutory promise of a 2% COLA. Other speakers emphasized the need to protect long-term fund solvency while addressing retiree losses. The memorial passed unanimously by roll call. The meeting then recessed, with the chair noting the next day’s agenda would be posted later.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we get to public comment, each member of the public will have one minute to speak.
• We will then open it up to the. public and have the public comment on high-speed rail.
• no public involvement or no public process.
• My name is megan cleveland on behalf of the nature conservancy California Council of Land Trusts, Ducks
• Second, on behalf of the Nature Conservancy, California Council of Land Trusts, and Trout Land Trust,

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll now take public testimony on the bill.
• The public adjuster knocks on the door and this man signs a contract with the public adjuster.
• public 397 adjuster.
• He's the only public adjuster from Florida to become the president of the National Association of Public
• We'll take public testimony on the bill.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several insurance and banking bills. HB 1399, relating to property insurance affiliates, would increase Office of Insurance Regulation oversight of transactions between property insurers and affiliates, require fair-and-reasonable documentation, review of dividends and asset pledges, contract termination clauses, affiliate registration, and penalties for violations. Members from both parties generally supported the goal of transparency and accountability, though some raised concerns about costs and whether the bill would actually return money to insureds. The bill was reported favorably. HB 427, on public adjuster contracts, would allow vulnerable adults or their legal representatives to rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, reflecting the sponsor’s personal concerns about protecting elderly and otherwise vulnerable family members from predatory contracting. Public testimony included support from several industry and elder-law groups, while the public adjuster association warned the bill could unfairly target one profession and urged broader language. Members debated whether the bill should be expanded to cover other solicitations and whether legal representatives should be treated differently, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also approved HB 893, which aligns bank handling of law-firm trust accounts with Florida Supreme Court rules and supports legal aid funding, and HB 767, a transparency bill requiring insurers to provide consumers with plain-language explanations of rate increases and related factors. Members emphasized consumer education and clearer disclosures, and HB 767 passed 2-0. Later, HB 381, the Office of Financial Regulation agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it updates financial regulation provisions including cybersecurity-related requirements, money services business rules, credit union and financial institution provisions, and fee timing. HB 777, a related public-records bill protecting nonpublic personal information submitted to OFR, was also heard and moved forward without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a great alignment around looking at land a great alignment around looking at land use<00:14:59.240
• </c> training technical assistance public training technical assistance public policy<00:20:33.240><c
• </c><00:42:50.640><c> underneath</c> residents rent is the land underneath residents rent is the land
• </c> homes when they're placed on least land homes when they're placed on least land are<00:46:35.319
• </c><01:47:55.280><c> public</c> is um we do work uh in the public public is um we do work uh in the

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• It's giving a blank check to a public... ...because there's no cost savings put in.
• So I'll end, and then we will take as much public comment as we can after that.
• We'll take as much public comment as we can after that.
• I want to put this into perspective for public transit.
• Mark Fenstermaker for the California Council of Land Trusts.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision, especially the proposed extension of the cap-and-trade program to 2045 as “cap-and-invest,” the related greenhouse gas reduction fund (GGRF) spending framework, and several trailer bill proposals. Department of Finance staff outlined budget solutions including a $1.5 billion annual General Fund-to-GGRF shift for Cal Fire that would grow to $1.9 billion by 2029-30, continued support for high-speed rail, climate bond implementation, and various environmental and water-related statutory changes. The administration also described proposals affecting the Delta Conveyance Project, water quality planning, groundwater bulletin timing, Exide cleanup funding, and other agency-specific items, though the chair repeatedly asked staff to keep the presentation high-level and save details for the next hearing. Members from both parties raised strong concerns about the cap-and-invest proposal, arguing that it could reduce or displace funding for transit, affordable housing, active transportation, wildfire prevention, zero-emission vehicles, and other previously committed programs. Several members questioned whether the administration was effectively shifting essential ongoing services like Cal Fire onto a temporary carbon market fund, how the General Fund backstop would work if auction revenues fall short, and whether the proposal would leave enough money for continuous appropriations and future awards. Members also criticized the inclusion of cap-and-invest reauthorization in the budget process and asked for clearer information on the impact to high-speed rail, transit, and other GGRF priorities. The Delta Conveyance Project and related trailer bill language drew significant opposition from members and public commenters, who argued the proposal would fast-track the project, weaken CEQA-related review, and authorize revenue bond financing without sufficient legislative oversight. Public testimony also included support for maintaining or expanding funding for transit, affordable housing, AB 617 community air protection, offshore wind infrastructure, and ignition interlock programs, while environmental and community groups opposed cuts to wildfire prevention, housing, and school climate-related programs. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and the chair said the committee would continue the discussion and receive more detailed responses at the follow-up hearing on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also stipulates that if the outlined private land is former state trust land, the owner or operator
• of the proposed non-thermal electric generating units must have acquired the former state trust land
• at a public auction. ...at a public auction that was open to all eligible bidders from all industries
• and state trust lands that are located in a groundwater transportation basin.
• It could be a public park. So one group might plan a rally... ...could be a public park.

Transcript Highlights:

• Facilities, public works, broadband—all of that goes to the Department of Commerce.
• sector grants. there's parameters are You can even access public sector grants.
• However, we do not regulate, nor do we manage land.
• However, we do not regulate, nor do we manage land. We administer grants.
• They were not big public meetings. That was not the intent.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard presentations from the Department of Commerce, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and a consultant on the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) study. Commerce officials described their agency’s role in housing, energy, local government, broadband, and other capital programs, and reported on a $5 million pilot under Senate Bill 5200 that used trusted community messengers and technical assistance to help historically excluded organizations prepare for capital funding. They said 18 organizations received direct support and 79 smaller projects were also funded, but emphasized that statutory match rules, reimbursement-based payments, site-control requirements, insurance and audit costs, and extensive contracting rules remain major barriers. Commerce outlined efforts to expand outreach, digital modernization, internal contracting improvements, tribal MOUs, and innovation centers, and members asked about small business support, housing program placement, and outreach to Eastern Washington and communities of color. RCO described its grant programs for recreation, conservation, education, and salmon/orca recovery, and reviewed equity work done before and after a 2021-23 proviso. The agency had already created a small-communities carve-out in youth athletic facilities, piloted stipends for advisory committee members, and reduced match requirements where allowed. Under the proviso, RCO completed an equity review and a planning program that funded 54 projects across 34 counties, with many applicants being new or long-absent grantees. Staff said the review led to changes in scoring criteria, clearer application guidance, more objective data measures, expanded technical assistance, and targeted community engagement. Members asked about application burden, project sizes, outreach, and how the agency is broadening participation and representation on advisory committees. The final presentation summarized a planning study on SCAP, which examined rising construction costs, fragmented grant programs, local funding barriers, and uneven district capacity. The report recommended nine major changes, including stronger planning support, a new minor-modernization category, a mechanism to use unused funds more quickly, an education-specification prototype, a SCAP enhancement program for low-capacity districts, acceptance of non-SCAP funds, phased modernization, streamlined D-form and reimbursement processes, and revisions to the SCAP formula to better account for grade-band differences, enrollment projections, and regional cost factors. Additional recommendations included ongoing monitoring and evaluation, facilities-impact reviews, matching SCAP increases to construction-cost inflation, earlier locking of funding estimates, flexible program spaces, and updated statewide building-condition assessments. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The land, we should honor our ally and call the land Judea and Samaria. Samaria. Thank you, Mr.
• It was political rebranding and designed to shape public perception of the land.
• records that, if the public wants to access them or get to them, they can still get their public email
• address, their public work number, and their public work address.
• Thank you, Chair Buchanan, for trusting me to land this plane.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests and visitors. The chamber then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The main measure taken up was HB 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors in public schools and charter schools, which the sponsor described as a clarification of existing law to keep pornographic or sexually explicit material away from minors and to give districts clearer standards for review and objection processes. The bill drew extensive debate over constitutional concerns, local control, litigation risk, and the scope of the definition of “harmful to minors.” Members supporting the bill argued it was needed to close loopholes and protect children, while opponents warned it could lead to overbroad book removals, conflict with federal court rulings, and costly lawsuits. A series of amendments sought to narrow or redirect the bill: proposals by Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris would have preserved literary value review, protected educational and abuse-prevention materials, exempted LGBTQ-inclusive books, limited objections, preserved funding for districts, or delayed enforcement during ongoing litigation. Supporters of the amendments framed them as protecting parental choice, academic value, student safety, and district finances; opponents said they would weaken the bill’s child-protection purpose. All of the amendments failed. After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. Debate continued along the same lines, with opponents emphasizing book removals, First Amendment concerns, and the impact on students and schools, and supporters reiterating that the bill was intended to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The transcript provided ends during structured debate and does not include the final vote on HB 1119.

Transcript Highlights:

• trust.
• Public safety extends beyond traditional policing.
• And the public depends on that particular oversight.
• environmental or public health standards.
• We want to trust those folks.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• That will close the public hearing for Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2229.
• House Bill 2091 relates to requiring public employers under the personnel system...
• Public safety protections are already built into that system.
• With that, that closes public hearing on House Bill 2091. On House Bill 2091.
• With that, that closes public hearing on House Bill 291. on House Bill 2091.

Bills: HB1347 , HB2091 , HB2264

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: education, funding, student loans, affordability, higher education, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, unemployment insurance, benefits, employment, layoffs, workforce reduction

Bills: SB253 , SB317

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: massage therapy, licensing board, public safety, criminal background check, temporary permit, emergency order, Alabama Innovation Corporation, board of directors, staggered terms, economic development, entrepreneurship

Transcript Highlights:

• owned by nonprofit or community land trusts, special flood hazard areas, and regulatory or community
• land trusts, special flood hazard areas, and regulatory floodways.
• It is also Treatment grounded in clinical judgment and public safety.
• This cycle is a market failure with broad public consequences.
• It does not create a new category of land.

Transcript Highlights:

• Facilities, public works, broadband—all of that goes to the Department of Commerce.
• sector grants. there's parameters are You can even access public sector grants.
• However, we do not regulate, nor do we manage land.
• However, we do not regulate, nor do we manage land. We administer grants.
• They were not big public meetings. That was not the intent.

Committee: House Capital Budget

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee met on December 4 and heard presentations from the Department of Commerce, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and a consultant on the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) study. Commerce described its $5 million pilot under SB 5200 to reduce barriers for historically excluded community organizations and local governments, using trusted community messengers and technical assistance; officials said 18 organizations received readiness funding and 79 smaller projects were also supported. Commerce emphasized persistent barriers such as match requirements, reimbursement-based payments, site-control rules, insurance and audit costs, and extensive contracting requirements, and said it is responding with more outreach, digital modernization, internal process improvements, and planned innovation centers. Members asked about small business support, housing program placement, outreach in Eastern Washington, and tribal engagement, and Commerce said it would share contact and demographic information and continue follow-up. RCO reported on its equity work and implementation of a 2021-23 proviso directing it to reduce barriers and improve equitable delivery of grants. The agency said it had already made changes before the proviso, including a small-communities carve-out in youth athletic facilities, stipends for advisory committee members, and match reductions in some programs. Its equity review recommended prioritizing high-need areas, changing scoring criteria, improving applicant capacity, and funding projects that address broader community challenges. RCO said it has since updated grant criteria, added objective measures, aligned application questions, expanded technical assistance, and launched the Planning for Recreation Access program, which funded 54 projects in 34 counties. It also described the Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities program, which did not require match and drew broad interest, with about $200 million in applications across COAF and youth athletic facilities. Members raised concerns about access to information and application complexity, and RCO said it is expanding outreach, advisory committee diversity, and support for outdoor learning programs. The final presentation summarized the SCAP planning study and proposed nine policy changes to address school facility funding challenges. The report found that construction costs have risen faster than SCAP support, many districts have limited debt capacity, and local bond/levy approvals have become harder to secure. Proposed solutions included stronger planning support, a new minor modernization category, use of unused biennial SCAP funds for faster deployment, an education-specification prototype, a SCAP enhancement program for low-capacity districts, acceptance of all non-SCAP local funding, phased modernization, streamlined D-form and reimbursement processes, and revisions to the SCAP formula to better reflect grade-band differences, enrollment projections, and regional cost variation. Committee members said some recommendations could be implemented by OSPI in the near term and asked for supporting documentation on the application and funding formulas. The committee took no formal vote and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony inerson public for public testimony inerson public testimony<00:56:41.200><c> also</c><00:
• This change provides clarity, promotes fairness and public confidence in quasi-judicial and other land
• :47:12.080><c> use</c> judicial and other land board land use judicial and other land board land use
• </c> land use board members. land use board members.
• </c> in public. in public.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government