Transcript Highlights:

• This is giving school districts right now more stability and predictability, especially at a time when
• This bill helps stabilize state funding, but we can’t ignore what’s happening at the federal level and
• This<02:51:03.520> bill<02:51:03.840> helps<02:51:04.160> stabilize<02:51:04.960
• > state<02:51:05.359> funding, This bill helps stabilize state funding, This bill helps
• <03:57:57.840> and<03:57:58.560> uh provides stability and uh provides stability and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• growers on the Highline to cattle ranchers in eastern Montana, this bill will provide necessary stability
• Montana, this bill will provide eastern Montana, this bill will provide necessary<01:48:59.760> stability
• for<01:49:00.400> producers<01:49:00.880> in<01:49:01.040> my necessary stability
• for producers in my necessary stability for producers in my home<01:49:01.440> district,<01:49
• Cash remains vital to our nation's economic stability, our individual freedoms, and national security

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, May 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have, as a body, over the course of the last couple of years, eliminated the budget stabilization
• This school finance act again brings certainty, reliability, and stability so that school districts know
• So we have, as a body, over the course of the last couple of years, eliminated the budget stabilization
• This school finance act again brings certainty, reliability, and stability so that school districts know
• This school finance act again brings certainty, reliability, and stability so that school districts know

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received committee and House messages before moving into third reading and final passage on several bills. Early action included passage of House Bill 1318, which concerns traffic safety near schools; Senator Cutter offered and the chamber adopted a third-reading amendment naming it the Liam Stewart School Zone Act in honor of a child killed in a traffic accident near a school. The bill then passed 33-1. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 134 on payment card network fees, and laid over Senate Bill 17 until April 30. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 45 on workforce development opportunities in Colorado’s nuclear sector, Senate Bill 91 on excluding certain printed news deliverers from employee definitions under labor law, Senate Bill 114 on spirituous liquor manufacturer sales rooms, Senate Bill 162 on releasing healthcare test results to patients, Senate Bill 23 on school finance, Senate Bill 93 on workers’ compensation coverage compliance, Senate Bill 155 on homeowners insurance availability, Senate Bill 146 on restricting single-use food service ware, and Senate Bill 156 on State Workforce Development Council practices. Most of these bills passed, with recorded opposition on several measures: SB 91 passed 26-8, SB 114 passed 31-3, SB 162 passed 29-5, SB 93 passed 19-15, SB 155 passed 22-12, SB 146 passed 20-14, and SB 156 passed 32-2. SB 23, the school finance act, drew broad support and passed 34-0 after multiple senators emphasized education funding priorities and constitutional obligations. During debate, senators highlighted policy rationales and personal stories. On SB 162, Senator Weissman explained his no vote as a patient-autonomy concern despite acknowledging the bill’s earnest intent. On SB 23, supporters said the bill preserved and strengthened K-12 funding, while one senator argued schools should do better on safety and teacher pay. On SB 155, supporters said the homeowners insurance bill could help change market direction and improve affordability. On SB 156, Senator Marchman described the bill’s focus on out-of-school youth and the need to connect young people who are not in education, employment, or training with workforce supports. The Senate also began special-order second reading of consent-calendar bills, adopted the committee reports, and advanced House Bill 1313 on affordable housing fund requirements with amendments related to Prop 123 implementation and stakeholder processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Yosu on behalf of the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund.
• Cody Sula on behalf of the worker stabilization, as well. We submitted written testimony.
• Cody SW on behalf of the worker<00:30:17.919> stabilization<00:30:18.559> as<00:30:18.720
• <00:30:19.279> We worker stabilization as well. We worker stabilization as well.

Bills: HB1813, HB2429, HB2423, HB1996, HB1851, HB2546, HB2028, HB2583, HB2490, HB2545, HB2114, HB1859, HB2534, HB2474, HB1863, HB2475

Keywords: taxation, general excise tax, use tax, exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, tax expenditure, tax expenditure evaluation, tax credit review, tax incentive, tax exemption, use tax exemption, income tax credit, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Taxation, fiscal oversight, budget accountability, tax policy, revenue loss, public spending

Summary: The committee opened with HB 1813 on taxation and HB 2429 on tax expenditure evaluation, taking mostly written testimony and limited oral discussion. On HB 2429, the Tax Foundation and Department of Taxation raised privacy and federal-law concerns, warning that the bill could require taxpayers to file duplicative returns and could risk disclosure of federal tax information if released publicly. Members and witnesses discussed using anonymized or summary reporting instead of individual public release, with the department saying summarized data would be preferable and that the state can ask for the information as a policy matter, but individual public release could create problems. The committee then heard HB 2423 HD1 on biodiesel, where Pacific Biodiesel said it can supply all biodiesel needed for B5 in Hawaii without imports and asked to move the implementation date earlier to November 2027 to allow rollout planning. HB 1996 HB1 on hearing aids drew broad support; a disability access representative said earlier insurance-based efforts had run into administrative problems and that this bill would immediately lower costs for consumers. HB 1851 HD1, also related to hearing aids, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the Tax Foundation argued the program would be better funded directly rather than through the tax system, citing overhead costs and blank provisions that should be filled in before passage. On HB 2546, the research activities tax credit, HCDC said the credit supports long-term R&D and should be converted from a first-come, first-served system to proration so more applicants receive some benefit; the agency described the credit as helping companies move from idea to commercialization and noted the state is leaving potential jobs and federal dollars on the table. HB 2028 HD1, relating to Labor Day for construction workers, drew support from labor representatives who said it recognizes construction workers and helps offset cost-of-living pressures, while the Tax Foundation opposed it as an industry-specific subsidy and flagged technical issues with undefined terms and blank credit amounts. The committee also heard HB 2583, HB 2490, HB 2545, HB 2114, and HB 1859 HD1. HB 2490, concerning coastal erosion at Mokuhiki Bay, received strong support from a temple representative who described severe shoreline loss, years of temporary emergency work, and the need for a long-term, nature-based solution in coordination with state agencies. HB 2545, involving HCDC and SBIR commercialization, was supported as a way to turn R&D into economic development; HCDC said it had more applications than it could fund and that the bill could help create high-wage jobs. HB 2114, the Hawaii Benefits Hub, received comments from ETS and DHS emphasizing support for the concept but cautioning that operational, policy, cybersecurity, and data-sharing standards must be carefully aligned. HB 1859 HD1 on workforce development drew strong support from workforce and philanthropic groups, who said Hawaii faces a long-term gap between projected living-wage jobs and the number of young people entering the workforce, and argued the bill would create durable infrastructure for coordination and long-term planning. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That model provides stability and access to support services while people get back on their feet.
• Behind every grant line item is a human being who has overcome great adversity to achieve stability.
• has overcome great adversity<02:12:43.360> to<02:12:43.599> achieve<02:12:44.239> stability
• <02:12:44.960> Trump's adversity to achieve stability.
• Trump's adversity to achieve stability.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, November 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Safety Cabinet, we have worked with our programs to mitigate volatility in federal awards to stabilize
• We want them to be incarcerated until we can stabilize those individuals and provide intervention and
• /c><00:13:52.560> until<00:13:52.880> we<00:13:53.040> can<00:13:53.200> stabilize
• incarcerated uh until we can stabilize incarcerated uh until we can stabilize those<00:13:54.000

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s Grants Management Division on federal victim-services funding. Staff described the main grant programs they administer, including STOP VAWA, VOCA victim assistance, sexual assault services, Byrne state crisis intervention, and Project Safe Neighborhoods. They emphasized that VOCA is especially volatile because it is funded by the federal Crime Victims Fund, which has declined sharply in recent years, reducing Kentucky’s available awards and forcing cuts to state, local, and nonprofit subgrants. They also outlined steps the cabinet has taken to stabilize funding, including changing the subaward formula, aligning the grant period with the state fiscal year, subawarding one year behind the federal cycle, and retaining a reserve. Members asked about how funds reach victims, how subgrantee amounts are determined, and requested a breakdown of grant recipients and amounts; staff said they would provide that information later. The committee then received a detailed presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice on alternatives to detention. Commissioner Randy White and staff explained that ATDs are short-term, less restrictive placements for low-risk youth, including electronic monitoring, home supervision, group homes, foster care, private child care, community programs, mentoring, evening reporting centers, and in-home wraparound services. They described the referral and approval process involving court-designated workers, detention alternative coordinators, courts, and county attorneys, and said DJJ currently has 16 ATD-related contracts, with placements, programs, and electronic monitoring among them. They also reported that between July 1, 2024, and July 30, 2025, 1,652 juveniles were involved in the process, including 168 diversion cases. Members questioned the cost of juvenile detention versus adult incarceration, whether families pay for electronic monitoring, whether there is a national model for juvenile detention, and what alternatives exist for truancy and contempt cases. DJJ said families do not generally reimburse for electronic monitoring, there is no single national model, and day treatment centers are an important alternative for some youth. The department also said it builds daily routines and wellness education into its facilities, and that more than two-thirds of its programs are evidence-based. Officials said they currently monitor vendor performance through quarterly reviews and can end contracts for poor performance, but that data tracking is still largely manual. They said the new JCOM system, now in pilot in the eastern region, should improve reporting and help identify outcomes and recidivism more effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paris from the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund. We want to put our strong support for Wilson.
• George Paris, managing director, Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, in support.
• Paris, managing director,<01:14:40.560> iron<01:14:40.880> workers<01:14:41.199> stabilization
• director, iron workers stabilization director, iron workers stabilization fund<01:14:42.000>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered three judicial confirmations for the First Circuit family court. The first nominee, Maria F. Penn, was introduced for confirmation to a six-year term as a district family court judge. Testimony from family law attorneys and the Hawaii State Bar Association was strongly supportive, emphasizing her courtroom demeanor, preparation, knowledge of family law, respect for litigants and counsel, and ability to manage emotionally difficult family court matters. Judge Penn also spoke about her background, including her legal career, prior service as a PDM family court judge, and her view that family court requires both legal judgment and empathy. The chair noted that the committee would not vote that day and would take up votes the next morning. The second nomination was Wilson Aunga for a district family court judgeship. Supporters described his character, community involvement, and suitability for family court, including testimony from the Honolulu prosecutor, longtime friends, classmates, community members, and others. Speakers highlighted his work with youth, his leadership in the prosecutor’s office, his calm and impartial temperament, and his commitment to education and public service. The chair reported 105 supporters, no opposition, and one comment from the Hawaii State Bar Association. Additional testimony continued from members of the public, including a speaker discussing mental health and personal support for Aunga. Throughout the hearing, the chair enforced a two-minute limit on oral testimony and explained that the committee was short on time and would recess as needed. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair announced that voting would occur the following day in the same room.

Transcript Highlights:

• child is in intensive care and you need to learn this in order to take them home once they are stabilized
• child is in intensive care and you need to learn this in order to take them home once they are stabilized
• child is in intensive care and you need to learn this in order to take them home once they are stabilized
• child is in intensive care and you need to learn this in order to take them home once they are stabilized
• child is in intensive care and you need to learn this in order to take them home once they are stabilized

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on criminal legal debt has found that debt creates barriers to employment, housing, and financial stability

Bills: SB309, SB309

Summary: The House Corrections Committee met and considered Senate Bill 309 with Senate Amendment 1, which would end the Department of Corrections’ practice of deducting room-and-board charges from wages earned by incarcerated people. Supporters said the bill would help people in work release and other correctional programs keep more of their earnings for reentry needs, while still allowing deductions for child support, restitution, court costs, fines, and other court-ordered obligations. The sponsor also argued the current collection process costs the state more to administer than it brings in, citing roughly $40,000 in annual revenue versus about $137,000 in administrative costs. A Department of Correction witness clarified that the bill applies to level four work release only, affecting about 300 people, and would not change level five populations or Delaware Correctional Industries programming. He also said the funds are held in a non-interest-bearing account and then sent to the general fund. Public commenters, including a private citizen, the ACLU of Delaware, and the Tide Shift Justice Project, strongly supported the bill and argued that incarceration costs should be borne by the state rather than deducted from already low wages. After discussion, a motion was made to release the bill from committee and a roll-call vote was taken. The vote appeared to have enough support among members present, but because fewer than five members were present, the committee could not fully release the bill and instead would circulate it for additional signatures. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• part of the Senate as a whole to recognize the problem that property taxes represent for the fiscal stability

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee and floor matters. The Committee on Rules reported two municipal property tax relief bills, Senate Nos. 1933 and 1935, and both were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Senator Tarr emphasized the urgency of advancing the bills, describing them as measures to address property tax shocks and provide relief through a rebate or credit mechanism. The Senate then enacted House No. 3916, authorizing Westfield to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer, and took a brief recess to sign the bill. On third reading, the Senate passed to be engrossed Senate No. 24, amending the charter of the town of Sandwich, after accepting a committee report recommending a new draft, Senate No. 2859. It also passed to be engrossed House No. 4173, further regulating appointments to the Acton Memorial Library, and House No. 4031, increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston, after adopting an amendment offered by Senator Barrett. The Senate also considered House No. 3912, increasing the Marblehead Board of Health from three to five members, which had been returned by the Governor with a recommended amendment under Article 56. The Senate suspended its rules, adopted the Governor’s amendment, and returned the bill to the House for reenactment. Finally, a House petition concerning a special commission on perimenopause and menopause care was referred to the Committee on Public Health, and the Senate adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• These efforts are intended to stabilize progress, resolve outstanding issues, and establish a clearer

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The commission received updates on several Capitol accessibility and facilities projects. For the ADA chairlift study, the consultant recommended replacing chairlifts in the legislative library, House chamber, and Senate chamber because of noncompliance and age-related maintenance issues. Staff said preliminary budget information put the replacement cost at about $400,000, with design expected to take a few months and construction another month or two, and that a new project would be set up. Members asked whether the work would fit into the broader capital master plan, and staff said the chairlift locations would be coordinated with that plan to avoid doing work that would later be removed. The commission also discussed the updated capital master plan and the planned owner’s representative. Members said the RFQ is prepared but will not be released until budget authority is available, likely after the FY26 budget is approved. They emphasized the need to move quickly once funding is available so preliminary work can begin without delay. No action was taken beyond discussion, and members noted that earlier hopes of funding in an early supplemental did not materialize. An update was also provided on the Governor’s Council on Disability’s Digital Wayfinding Project. Staff said the team is working on the technical architecture, content governance, and how visitors will use the system, and that the commission is currently only being asked to approve signage, not to fund the project. Members raised questions about long-term software and upkeep costs and asked that House and Senate leadership and administrative offices be included in reviewing the sign designs. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, overall, the goals of this bill are to stabilize people and reduce the need for the program.
• So, to offer programming to folks who might need housing stability, employment, education, or treatment
• So, to offer programming to folks who might need housing stability, employment, education, or treatment
• <02:34:03.680> outcomes<02:34:04.480> including housing stability outcomes including
• housing stability outcomes including rates<02:34:05.400> of<02:34:05.520> return<02:34

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to<03:18:47.320> provide avoid overtime than to provide avoid overtime than to provide stability
• . stability. stability.
• It should mean stability, it should mean dignity, and it should mean we can take care of the people that
• Because if we have the chance, we move even one family out of survival and closer to stability, closer
• And with that, members, I will be a yes vote today. stability, closer to dignity, and closer stability

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in order to have stability and predictability in the program, um, it would be beneficial for us to
• c><00:04:53.600> order<00:04:53.919> to<00:04:54.080> have<00:04:54.440> stability
• <00:04:55.240> and So, in order to have stability and So, in order to have stability and predictability
• So, the idea there is to create some sense of stability for these programs because, as you can imagine
• for these programs sense of stability for these programs because because because as<00:14:15.040>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that to me is a huge concern, especially after we had just passed the stabilization bill.
• The stabilization bill requires HBIA to cover a number of our uninsured entities. because we don't know
• 02:35:41.680> just<02:35:41.920> passed<02:35:42.800> the<02:35:43.040> stabilization
• had just passed the stabilization bill. had just passed the stabilization bill. stabilization<02
• :35:45.680> bill<02:35:46.000> requires stabilization bill requires stabilization bill

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, in other states that have done this, the health plans have asked for that stability and predictability
• Again, in other states that have done this, the health plans have asked for that stability and predictability
• What we have seen work time and again is that when we provide mental health services to stabilize the
• we provide Mental Health<02:11:24.199> Services<02:11:24.639> to<02:11:24.840> stabilize
• <02:11:25.320> the Health Services to stabilize the Health Services to stabilize the caregiver

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:13.280> reserve legislative stabilization reserve legislative stabilization reserve
• Page 10 stabilization reserve account.
• The Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account.
• Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account is certainly another option.
• Legislative<02:21:20.479> stabilization<02:21:21.280> reserve Legislative stabilization

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• petition of Susannah Whipps, relative to the Athol-Royalston Regional School District Financial Stability

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and local bills. It concurred in a Senate referral of a petition on fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles and suspended Joint Rule 12 for additional petitions, including measures on construction supervisory licensing, the Athol-Royalston Regional School District Financial Stability Fund, and zero-emission vehicle taxes. The House also acted on a Judiciary Committee report recommending passage of House No. 4647, establishing a sick leave bank for Amy Tangway, and ordered it to a third reading. The chamber then considered a series of bills reported by Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures for tax abatement for permanently disabled veterans, line-of-duty death benefits for firefighters, Building Trades Recovery Week, and a civil service exam exemption for a Haverhill police officer candidate. These bills were advanced to third reading. The House also passed several engrossed bills to enactment, including a sick leave bank for Candy J. Pike, a special fund for the Festival of Hills in Conway, authorization for Watertown to lease property, a change to the Holden moderator term, and an update to Medford’s linkage exaction program. Later, the House concurred in Senate amendments related to sewer service authority in Sharon, and passed to engrossment bills authorizing parking fines in Marblehead and an additional liquor license in Somerset. It also engrossed sick leave bank bills for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran; the McCarran bill was amended to add an emergency preamble before passage. Finally, the House enacted the Candy J. Pike sick leave bank bill, adopted an order to meet the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned in formal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill represents a total of $234 million investment in the stability and vitality of our health care

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the pledge and quickly took up several committee reports and local matters. It adopted a resolution congratulating Captain Mark S. Tommel on his retirement as fire captain in Maynard. The chamber then advanced multiple bills from Ways and Means, including a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill (House 4530), a bill setting the 2026 state primary election date (House 4531), and a local bill on affordable housing and branch library space in Dorchester (House 4532, with an amendment). It also passed to enact two local bills already on final passage: one authorizing Lexington to grant additional on-premises wine and malt beverage licenses and another authorizing Melrose to establish a means-tested senior property tax exemption. The most substantial debate centered on House 4530, the supplemental appropriations bill. Representative Lawn spoke in support, describing it as an urgent response to federal health care funding cuts and emphasizing support for safety net hospitals, community health centers, and the Health Safety Net. He cited a total $234 million investment, including $122 million for acute care hospitals, $35 million for community health centers, $2.5 million for the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and $77 million for the Health Safety Net. After a roll call vote, the House passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 148-1. The House also observed a moment of silence in memory of former House clerk Bartley J. Bart Joyce, recognizing his long service to the chamber. Earlier, members briefly recessed and later resumed after a quorum issue and a roll call. The session concluded with adoption of an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m., and the House adjourned to meet Thursday in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• simply preserves the term through December 31, 2026, to protect the tribe's economic development, stability

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee held an informational hearing on the Tribal-State gaming compact extension between the State of California and the Yurok Tribe. Chair Blanca Rubio explained that the hearing was for briefing only, with no formal vote, and that AB 1389 would later serve as the ratification bill on the Assembly floor. She said the extension does not change the existing compact’s terms, but preserves them through December 31, 2026 to support the tribe’s economic stability and self-sufficiency. Matthew Lee, senior advisor for tribal negotiations for Governor Newsom, said the extension simply maintains the status quo while negotiations continue on a new compact expected to come before the Legislature later this year. Yurok Tribe Chairman Joseph James said the amendment extends the compact for one year without changing substantive terms, allowing the tribe to continue operating its gaming and related facilities under the current framework while a new agreement is negotiated. A representative of the California Tribal Business Alliance testified in support. There was no opposition and no questions from committee members. The chair thanked the witnesses and adjourned the hearing.