Transcript Highlights:

• Strengthen our resolve not to repay anyone evil for evil, but to be careful to do what is right with
• Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Senator Mitzie Epstein, Arizona State Senator, do hereby recognize
• President Pro Tem, I move the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for the consideration
• is that when those union members create a work stoppage event, when they shut down the school's operation

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and routine journal and appointment actions. Members also made brief announcements about caucus meetings and recognized guests from AIM Youth Mental Health, including a proclamation by Senator Epstein designating May 31, 2026, as Youth Mental Health Day in Arizona. The chamber then met as the Committee of the Whole to consider House Bill 2995, relating to legal decision-making and parenting time in domestic relations cases. A committee amendment and a Mesnard floor amendment were adopted; the floor amendment emphasized child and victim safety in domestic violence cases, tightened standards for rebutting presumptions, and added an emergency clause. The bill was then reported out of Committee of the Whole with a do pass as amended recommendation. Members next considered House Concurrent Resolution 2040, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning labor organization use of public resources in school districts. Supporters argued it would restrict use of district communication systems and public resources for union-related materials and work stoppages, while opponents raised constitutional, due process, contract, pension, and free speech concerns, and argued it would harm teachers and union communication. The Government Committee amendment was adopted, and after debate the resolution was reported out of Committee of the Whole with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 12-11 division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and adjourned until May 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strengthen our resolve not to repay anyone evil for evil, but to be careful to do what is right with
• Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Senator Mitzie Epstein, Arizona State Senator, do hereby recognize
• President Pro Tem, I move the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for the consideration
• is that when those union members create a work stoppage event, when they shut down the school's operation

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now therefore be it resolved by the legislature of Alabama, both houses thereof concurring, that Abby
• Therefore be it resolved by the legislature of Alabama, both houses. legislature of Alabama, both houses
• Just standing at the back of the room watching you operate and recognizing that I'm no longer a part
• So let's all of us embrace the spirit of Alabama and resolve as one man and woman, Democrat and Republican

Bills: SB 2, SJR 36, SB 2, SR 19, SR 27, SR 30, SR 32, SCR 11

Keywords: Houston East End, Chamber of Commerce, East End Day, economic development, community involvement, scholarships, business events, McAllen, celebration, community pride, cultural events, economic growth, McAllen Day, community recognition, South Texas, local pride, Wise County Day, Texas Senate, Wise County, state recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe God gives us an operation order to all the brothers and sisters in law enforcement from Romans
• That's why they're operating the way that they are.
• It's got a lot of provisions that just need to be done as part of maintenance of operating our retirement
• Page 10 includes continuous legal operation language to protect the investment and deter fraud that's
• they get into a dispute and they're deadlocked, the court says we're going to dissolve it or you resolve

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their curricula to offer courses and degree paths to train the workforce that will construct and operate
• the workforce that will<00:07:51.280> construct<00:07:51.880> and<00:07:52.000> operate
• and operate the next generation<00:07:54.320> of<00:07:54.520> nuclear<00:07:55.200>
• Senate Bill 280, an act relating to the operation of a motor vehicle, Senator Reed.
• of a motor vehicle, Senator operation of a motor vehicle, Senator Reed.<01:11:27.600> Senate<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and excused absent members. The chamber received second readings of several bills and resolutions, including measures on ad valorem taxes, planning and zoning, tax-dollar restrictions, provisional medical licensing, Medicaid oversight, environmental regulations, municipal financial reporting, nuclear workforce development, and county law libraries. Committee reports advanced bills on economic development, education, judiciary, and veterans/public protection, and the body also received a list of newly filed bills and resolutions covering topics such as rural revitalization, athletics, SNAP eligibility, diaper tax exemption, domestic violence, middle school math, pedestrian bridges, constitutional amendments, education, and several honorary resolutions. The Senate then took up House Bill 314, which would reorganize the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (Kentucky Wired) by moving it under the Commonwealth Office of Technology, restructuring its board, and adding members representing cities and counties. Supporters said the bill was an administrative change, not a funding measure, intended to focus the network on students, teachers, and public users while awaiting an audit. Critics argued the project has been a costly taxpayer burden and called for stronger oversight. The bill passed final passage 32-6. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 157, which aligns Kentucky law with federal mortgage rules so that certain rate buy-down payments do not count against borrower fee caps, with supporters saying it would help housing affordability and reduce costs for borrowers. Senate Bill 214 also passed unanimously; it allows the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to accept non-federal funding for grants without routing those funds through the Department of Finance. The Senate later adopted several resolutions, including Senate Resolution 61 recognizing Links Incorporated Day, Senate Resolution 114 commemorating the 80th Southern Legislative Conference, and Senate Resolution 118 honoring Joseph H. Mattingly Jr. Additional remarks highlighted a Black History Celebration event and a lengthy floor speech criticizing the Kentucky Hospital Association’s reserves and urging investigation, followed by consideration of Senate Resolution 55 on Profound Autism Day in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• operating officer at UL Health. operating officer at UL Health.
• . >> That has been resolved.
• . >> That has been resolved.
• <01:21:42.960> Um been resolved. Um been resolved.
• >> that has been resolved. Okay. >> that has been resolved. Okay.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board’s fourth meeting focused primarily on a presentation from University of Kentucky and University of Louisville health leaders about the state university directed payment program. Mark Birdwhistle and Ken Marshall described the program as a long-running, value-based Medicaid arrangement that began in 2019, uses university-provided matching funds rather than provider taxes, and ties a portion of payments to quality outcomes. They said the program has improved measures such as tobacco cessation, diabetes control, depression screening, and cancer screening, while supporting access to specialty care, medical education, and workforce training. They also emphasized that Kentucky’s model is nationally notable and has helped improve health rankings and generate cost savings. A major topic was the federal reconciliation bill signed July 4, which the presenters said will reduce directed payments by 10% annually for 10 years beginning in 2028. UL Health estimated a first-year loss of about $75 million and a cumulative loss of about $600 million over the decade; UK estimated about $100 million in the first year, for a combined first-year impact of roughly $175 million. Both speakers warned the cuts could affect access to care, training capacity, and the sustainability of Kentucky’s value-based model, though they expressed hope that congressional action could alter or delay the changes. They also noted that 340B drug pricing changes could further strain already thin operating margins, but did not provide exact figures during the meeting. Committee members responded positively to the program’s reported outcomes and the institutions’ role in Kentucky health care. Senator Berg praised the quality of care and shared a personal example of being advised to stay at UofL for breast cancer treatment. Representative Moer highlighted Kentucky’s strong cancer-control score and asked for more explanation of the value-based payment structure; the presenters said the system is built around ongoing measurement, accountability, and collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended August 27 minutes by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will listen, legislate, and lead with empathy and resolve.
• My approach to leadership and lead with empathy and resolve.
• Army and all forces in the Special Operations Command.
• Inadvertently, there were a couple of inconsistencies that relate to how timeshares operate.
• Inadvertently, there were a couple of inconsistencies that relates to how timeshares operate.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including remarks from Senator Berman on Democratic priorities and introductions of military leaders and an intern. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with many bills substituted to House companions, amended, and passed, while several others were temporarily postponed. Major measures approved included the dangerous dogs/Pam Rock Act (SB 572/HB 593), which tightened penalties and procedures for dog attacks and passed 36-0; local government land regulation (SB 1080), which was amended to remove agricultural enclave language and passed 26-8; vessel/freedom-related legislation (SB 1388/HB 1137), which passed 35-0; blood clot screening and treatment (SB 890/HB 1421), which added registry and training provisions and passed 36-0; fleeing or eluding law enforcement (SB 468/HB 113), which increased offense levels and passed 36-0; concealed carry/licensing for certain officers and service members (SB 490/HB 383), which passed 33-3; timeshare management (SB 496/HB 897), which clarified governance and annual meeting requirements and passed 36-0; background screening education (SB 614/HB 531), which created a public webpage and passed 36-0; utility service restrictions (SB 1002/HB 1137), which preempted local energy-source restrictions and passed 36-0; Medicaid oversight (SB 1060), which created a joint oversight committee and passed 35-0; health facilities authorities (SB 68), amended to make fentanyl urine screening more discretionary, and passed 36-0; and veterans’ nursing home beds (SB 78/HB 797), which authorized veteran- and spouse-designated beds and passed 36-0. The chamber also passed disability history and awareness instruction (SB 540/HB 447), a highly personal bill honoring Evan Hartzell that drew extended debate about disability language, inclusion, and education; it passed 35-0 after 35 co-sponsors were added. Manufacturing policy bills SB 600 and SB 602 were approved after amendments to add reporting, ranking metrics, and fee-use restrictions, both passing 35-0. Educational opportunities for military children (SB 1528) passed 36-0 after testimony from student sponsors and senators praising the bill’s origin. Several other bills, including Medicaid oversight, mammograms, Parkinson’s disease, condominium/cooperative associations, waste management, human trafficking, and Bright Futures, were postponed or not taken up during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you have spent a lot of time and effort discussing agency needs and operations.
• , to establish and operate central facilities for the acquisition, disposal, operation, maintenance,
• Here is how we have resolved the issue.
• Here is how we have resolved the issue.
• So who uses FLAIR and how is that operated, and why is there such a...? You're recognized.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a lengthy Auditor General presentation on the Department of Management Services’ fleet management operations. The audit found major problems with oversight, recordkeeping, policies, fee-setting, purchase and disposal approvals, public auction controls, and FleetWave system access and processing. Key findings included that 2,279 vehicles valued at more than $57 million could not be matched between FleetWave and FLAIR, disposal records were missing or incomplete, user access remained active long after employees separated, and the department had not documented a reasonable basis for its $1.75 per-vehicle monthly fee. Members expressed strong concern about the accuracy of the state’s fleet inventory and the risk of waste or misuse. DMS Secretary Allende said the department concurred with the findings, was working with the Auditor General, and planned corrective actions, including better training, clearer guidance, improved reconciliation, and possible centralization or pilot programs for fleet purchasing and management. The committee then returned to vacancy discussions with several agencies. The Division of Administrative Hearings said its two long-vacant judges of compensation claims positions had been hard to fill because of low pay and short reappointment terms, but the chief judge said the division could operate without them and offered those positions up as part of a reduction exercise. The Public Service Commission reported 42 vacancies but said statutory deadlines were still being met, though staff workloads and depth of analysis were affected. The commission also said vacancies help it manage salaries within its trust-fund budget. Members questioned whether some of those positions were truly needed given the lack of delays. The Florida Gaming Control Commission reported 29 vacancies, including a vacant chair that prevented appointment of an inspector general, and said the chair vacancy was a gubernatorial appointment issue. The acting executive director also said the commission’s compulsive gambling prevention program had lapsed after no responsive bids were received for a new contract, but an invitation to negotiate was nearly complete and a new provider was expected soon. The Public Employee Relations Commission reported that its caseload had more than doubled after Senate Bill 256, which increased union recertification work; it said it was meeting deadlines only with overtime and that the workload had not fallen despite decertifications. Members asked for follow-up data on union cases, vacancy needs, and whether some positions across agencies could be reallocated to better match workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to let folks know that we will operate with quorum in this committee, and if you come
• <00:01:54.200> that<00:01:54.360> we<00:01:54.520> will<00:01:54.920> operate
• to let folks know that we will operate to let folks know that we will operate with<00:01:55.479>
• <00:09:58.519> funds increases an increase in operating funds increases an increase in operating
• <00:10:35.440> cases accountable and helping to resolve cases accountable and helping to resolve

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the January 21 minutes and then reviewed committee rules, emphasizing deadlines for handouts, testimony notices, and substantive amendments, along with a warning that disruptive signs, noise, or demonstrations could lead to removal from the hearing room. The chair said the rules would be shared with the full House and noted the committee would operate with quorum and not tolerate chaos. The committee then heard a presentation from Tammy Baker Olson, the state program administrator for the Guardian ad Litem Board, on the program’s structure and budget request. She explained that guardians ad litem are independent voices for children’s best interests in child protection and family court cases, not attorneys or direct service providers. She said the program operates statewide, with 243 employees, and in 2024 advocated for more than 12,000 children, attended over 30,000 court proceedings, and filed reports in over 16,000 hearings. She also described specialized Family Court and Indian Child Welfare divisions, efforts to address racial disparities, and training requirements for guardians. Members asked about mileage and travel demands, the distinction between a child’s attorney and a guardian ad litem, caseloads, re-entry outcomes, the move from contractor/volunteer models to employee-based staffing, and the role of volunteers. Olson said most guardians use personal vehicles and mileage reimbursement, average caseloads are about 24, and the program has not seen a statewide increase in cases but does face staffing vacancies and turnover in some areas. She said the board believes the employee model improved advocacy and supervision, while the program is rebuilding a modest volunteer pool. She also said the program supports Indian Family Preservation Act-related work and has a formal process for handling conflicts of interest, which should be raised immediately to a supervisor rather than waiting for a complaint process.

Transcript Highlights:

• The opening and illegal gambling operations are spreading across Florida.
• Operators are members. They're very concerned about things of that nature.
• Operator took a break during COVID. They were left out of the bonus structure.
• Years as a 9-1-1, operator for BSO came out of retirement.
• On condominium and co-operative associations by Senator Bradley Center.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , we do have a focal area that is kind of like an audit on ourselves, where we will look at the operations
• , we do have a focal area that is kind of like an audit on ourselves, where we will look at the operations
• <00:34:50.800> So<00:34:51.040> there for our operating money.
• So there for our operating money.
• section regarding the it further resolve section regarding the working<00:54:32.240> group<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to University of Hawaiʻi programs, audits, and workforce development. Testimony on SCR 50, which urged establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Maui campus, was strongly supportive, with witnesses citing the state’s nursing shortage and Maui’s acute physician and nurse shortages. The committee later recommended passage with a technical HD1 amendment, and the measure was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee also heard SCR 137, SCR 138, and SCR 142, all involving proposed audits. SCR 137 sought a performance audit of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation; the Foundation opposed it, and the chair recommended deferral after noting the legislative auditor’s view that the office lacks jurisdiction over the private nonprofit. SCR 138 proposed a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy, and SCR 142 proposed an audit of the UH Mānoa athletics department. UH representatives provided comments on both, with athletics explaining existing NCAA-required financial audits, internal performance evaluations, and a strategic plan that includes self-review. The committee ultimately recommended passage of SCR 138 and SCR 142 with technical HD1 amendments. For SCR 192, which proposed a veterinary medicine expansion working group, UH and other witnesses discussed the idea of exploring a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, but the chair said a community college is not the appropriate venue for a doctoral program. The committee recommended substantial HD1 changes removing Windward Community College from the title and shifting the effort to the UH system level, adding the UH president or designee and a Hilo campus representative to the working group; the amended resolution was adopted. The committee also heard SCR 193, calling for community colleges to identify bachelor’s degree and workforce pathways aligned with regional needs, and SCR 203, which sought exploration of an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements; both drew supportive comments and no opposition. The meeting recessed briefly for lack of quorum, then reconvened for decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• We see a bill like this every year that is assigned to rules only, and what it does is resolve any defects
• in statute that Legislative Council has identified What it does is resolve any defects in statute that
• to some exceptions, and prohibits those nations and their agents from installing, maintaining, or operating

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rulemaking process, excuse me to correct this issue, the Legislature could and should take action to resolve
• specific question would be, regardless of any of that, could a just have pursued An amendment to resolve
• Is that something they could have done if they wanted to resolve the issue? Deputy Tyson?
• That's kind of what it— I mean, when I go there, read the potential ways to resolve this.
• I think it would be for anybody to have a service that was operating before licensure and choosing not

Transcript Highlights:

• But I look forward to working with the author, the sponsors, the opposition, and this committee to resolve
• As you may know, appeals routinely take years to resolve, even after the court has determined an at-large
• the CVRA and would force the city to implement the trial court's order before the case is fully resolved
• the CVRA and would force the city to implement the trial court's order before the case is fully resolved
• through appeal, which could lead to unnecessary and potentially ...for the case is fully resolved through

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on April 30, 2025, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. The committee first approved six bills on consent, including AB 950, AB 953, AB 1214, and three committee bills. It then heard several measures dealing with election administration, ballot transparency, and campaign finance, with most authors accepting committee amendments and several bills being held on call for absent members. AB 930 by Assembly Member Ward would extend the deadline for counting timely postmarked vote-by-mail ballots from three to seven days after Election Day and update recount procedures, including online posting of recount results and clearer rules for recount requests. The bill was supported by county election officials and passed out of committee with a due-pass recommendation, though it was initially held on call. AB 459 by Assembly Member DeMaio proposed allowing electronic signatures for initiatives, referenda, and recalls; the Secretary of State and labor groups opposed it over security, implementation, and cost concerns, and the committee ultimately rejected the bill after reconsideration. AB 699 by Assembly Member Stephanie would change how local tiered tax and bond measures are described on ballots by allowing more detail to be placed in the voter guide; housing, school, and local government groups supported it, while taxpayer and realtor groups opposed it as reducing ballot transparency. AB 1188, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Ortega, would list the top three funders supporting and opposing statewide initiatives and referenda directly on the ballot; transparency advocates and labor supported it, while county election officials and business groups raised concerns about ballot length and processing costs. Both AB 699 and AB 1188 passed out of committee with amendments and were held on call. The committee also heard AB 827 by Assembly Member Berman, which would standardize and extend the deadline for curing vote-by-mail signature problems, add a link to cure forms in ballot-tracking notifications, and make other changes to improve ballot curing. It drew no opposition in the hearing and passed with a due-pass recommendation. AB 351 by Assembly Member McKenna would raise the Levine Act contribution threshold for local officials to $1,500 and add CPI adjustments; supporters said it would reduce administrative burdens and reflect modern campaign finance realities, while good-government groups and the League of Women Voters opposed it as weakening anti-corruption protections. The committee initially failed AB 351, then granted reconsideration, but the transcript ends before a final disposition is clearly completed. Finally, AB 1079 by Assembly Member Farías would eliminate the automatic appellate stay in California Voting Rights Act and Fair Maps Act cases; it was supported as a way to prevent delayed remedies in voting rights cases, opposed by the City of Santa Monica over impacts on ongoing litigation, and passed with amendments. After taking up the held items, the committee recorded final votes on the bills, including passage of AB 930, AB 699, AB 1188, AB 827, and AB 1079, and rejection of AB 459.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, I guess just the normal operations of SRB as they are. operations of SRB as they are
• It says a county or city school system operating public K-12 schools. Okay, I just...
• Since this past year, they've addressed those issues and resolved them.
• Operations and do business with Alabama.
• Jefferson operates. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My concern always...

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Material change to ownership, operations, or governance structure.
• And they're all operating in the shadows.
• It also puts financial pressure on a system already operating within margins and high demand.
• Once resolved, those should remain expungable, just like other medical professionals.
• Return to the operating room at a mortality risk as high as 50%. not a joke.

Bills: HB5141, HB4638, HB2264, HB2035, HB4813, HB4408, HB2684, HB1621, HB2300, HB216, HB3829, HB4466, HB1747, HB2284, HB3614, HB2587, HB3219, HB3318, HB5147, HB4014, HB216

Keywords: lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions

Transcript Highlights:

• IT WASN'T WAITING TO CREATE THE CERTIFICATION FOR ADULT SAFE HOMES TO START OPERATING.
• YOU ARE RIGHT THEY ARE SAFEHOUSES, BUT UNLESS, THEY BEEN OPERATING WITHOUT ANY KIND OF REGULATORY OVERSIGHT
• CURRENTLY LOCATED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES WHICH HAS NO JURISDICTION OVER DAILY OPERATIONS
• WE HAVE FOUND AGENCIES REQUESTED THAT AS A MEANS OF PROVIDING A WAY TO GET THE CASE RESOLVED BEFORE THE
• IT IS NONBINDING AND IF THE PARTIES SETTLE TO GET THE CASE RESOLVED AND IT NARROWS THE ISSUES OR THE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Be it resolved by the Senate of the Legislature of Alabama that immediately upon the adoption of this
• Be it resolved by the Senate calendar.
• Be it resolved by the Senate of<00:42:31.599> the<00:42:31.680> Legislature<00:42:32.079
• operating efficiently, gracious. Yeah. operating efficiently, gracious. Yeah.
• However, we did come to an resolved.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then approved the prior journal and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The chamber received multiple committee reports, including favorable reports on several finance and taxation bills, confirmations, local bills, and a series of resolutions. The Senate also confirmed several appointments to higher education and university boards, including Nicholas J. Balden, Jennifer Wit, Ronnie Stalworth, and Rex Reynolds, using long or previous roll calls as applicable. The Senate adopted a special order calendar that set up floor consideration of several bills, including measures on physician assistants, seafood/aquaculture, motor vehicles, campaign practices, property insurance and energy reduction, child custody, and school bus drivers. During debate on the special order calendar, Senator Smitherman raised concern that no bills on the calendar were sponsored by minority members, noting a prior understanding that minority-sponsored bills should be represented; Senator Wagner responded that the calendar was prepared based on legislation rather than sponsor party, and the exchange ended with an agreement to continue moving forward. The Senate then adopted the special order calendar and began taking up the listed bills. On the special order calendar, the Senate advanced House Bill 156 on physician assistant compacts, House Bill 277 on seafood/aquaculture tastings, and House Bill 42 on motor vehicles, with supporters describing each as consumer-friendly or supportive of industry. The chamber also considered local legislation, including bills for Madison, Tallapoosa, and Shelby counties; House Bill 337 for Madison County was amended and carried over, while House Bills 490, 491, and 493 passed after roll-call votes. Throughout the meeting, the Senate also adopted several commendatory and memorial resolutions, including measures honoring individuals, recognizing organizations and events, and naming a highway, with most adopted by voice vote and no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• not asking us to get involved in operations.
• not asking us to get involved in operations.
• not asking us to get involved in operations.
• This doesn't say that they have any operational control.
• <01:48:10.639> as<01:48:10.760> I operate and we contract to operate as I operate and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Government Operations Health and Government Operations Committee,<00:29:40.880> but
• It simply changes the name of our new committee from the Government Operations Committee.
• Um, but I do move the amendment. from the government operations from the government operations committee
• Resolve the Speaker makes the following committee appointments.
• > the<01:14:49.520> following Resolve the speaker makes the following Resolve the speaker

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened for the first day of session and first elected Delegate Luke Clippinger as Speaker Pro Tem. Members nominated and seconded him with remarks praising his leadership, work on Judiciary Committee issues, and ability to mentor colleagues. Nominations were then closed, the House voted by voice, and Clippinger was sworn in. The chamber then opened nominations for Speaker of the House. Multiple members spoke in support of Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, highlighting her personal story, legal background, public service, and committee leadership. Speakers emphasized her work on major policy areas including education, police reform, racial and economic justice, reproductive freedom, and support for historically Black colleges and universities. One member from the minority party also seconded the nomination, saying she had been inclusive and respectful in committee work and legislative process. After nominations were closed, the House voted by voice and elected Peña-Melnyk Speaker of the House of Delegates. She was sworn in and thanked members for their support, reflecting on the diversity in the chamber and the significance of the moment. In her remarks, she also praised outgoing Speaker Adrienne Jones and recognized family members, dignitaries, and colleagues in attendance.