Transcript Highlights:

• :25:12.520> make<00:25:12.640> a<00:25:12.799> change<00:25:13.799> we<00
• c><00:25:15.240> to<00:25:15.360> stay<00:25:15.600> in<00:25:15.720> the
• <00:25:16.679> term<00:25:17.399> we<00:25:17.679> probably<00:25:18.000>
• so but um<00:25:23.440> we<00:25:23.559> needed<00:25:24.080> to<00:25:24.279>
• :25:28.640> you<00:25:28.799> and<00:25:28.919> the<00:25:29.039> Egg the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee held a Dairy Day hearing focused on Minnesota’s dairy industry, beginning with a presentation recognizing Pat and Jodi Lunneman of Twin Eagle Dairy in Clarissa as Minnesota Milk Producers’ Dairy Producer of the Year. Their farm’s history, growth from a 50-stall tie-stall barn to an 800-900 cow freestall operation, and the role of family and long-term employees were highlighted. Members praised the Lunnemans’ work, community involvement, and the collaborative nature of the video tribute. Garrett Luthin, president of Minnesota Milk Producers Association, testified on industry priorities. He said the group represents Minnesota’s 1,625 dairy farms and emphasized that dairy farmers invest in their communities and want policies that support long-term viability. He raised concerns about compliance with labor mandates such as earned sick and safe time, paid family leave, and secure retirement requirements, saying dairy work does not fit a standard schedule and that smaller farms lack HR capacity to track leave requirements. He also urged improvements to county and state permitting by allowing processes to run concurrently rather than sequentially, and he expressed support for dairy profitability and development programs. Members asked about the status of federal dairy support programs, labor mandate implementation, and the realities of dairy work. Luthin said Minnesota Milk was waiting on federal action to keep certain dairy funds in place and described labor compliance as a wage and administrative burden. Pat and Jodi Lunneman later described why they expanded their farm in the 1990s, citing labor efficiency, changing economics, and the need to remain profitable; they said they do not use robotic milkers but do use robotic calf feeders. Pat explained their double-12 parallel parlor, three-shift milking schedule, and the need to keep equipment fully utilized. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:02.000> of<00:25:02.159> the<00:25:02.320> matter,<00:25:03.360> and
• Eric<00:25:06.559> has<00:25:06.799> been<00:25:06.960> by<00:25:07.120> my
• <00:25:12.080> late<00:25:12.320> night<00:25:12.720> community<00:25:13.120>
• During<00:25:22.640> my<00:25:22.960> Boston<00:25:23.360> City<00:25:23.600>
• As<00:25:32.240> he<00:25:32.480> closes<00:25:32.799> out<00:25:32.960> this

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be issued<01:25:04.880> under<01:25:05.199> RSA<01:25:05.840> 635<01:25:07.280>
• The<01:25:20.000> bill<01:25:20.480> as<01:25:20.719> written<01:25:21.520> is
• <01:25:28.800> What<01:25:29.040> happens<01:25:29.280> to<01:25:29.440>
• been issued<01:25:32.400> the<01:25:32.560> 24-hour<01:25:33.280> no<01:25:33.520
• <01:25:50.880> I<01:25:51.199> is<01:25:52.320> does<01:25:52.560> the<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sub, the<00:25:12.480> first<00:25:12.880> draft<00:25:13.200> of<00:25:13.440>
• <00:25:22.559> any<00:25:22.880> sale,<00:25:23.200> lease<00:25:23.520>
• of<00:25:24.480> this<00:25:24.720> property<00:25:25.200> would<00:25:25.520
• <00:25:28.000> Um<00:25:28.559> the<00:25:28.799> bill<00:25:29.120> also
• 25:41.919> a<00:25:42.159> sale<00:25:42.559> or<00:25:42.880> lease.

Keywords: Public Property - Room 409, 29 January, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The Public Property Committee held its organizational meeting and elected Senator Ladner as secretary. It then took up Senate Bill 2203, which would centralize leasing authority for state agencies in privately owned space under DFA and, when cheaper, move certain agencies into the capital complex area to encourage consolidation and cost savings. Senator Seymour questioned specific references in the bill, including a corporation mentioned in current law and whether the measure could affect ports, the Gulf Coast Coliseum, universities, community colleges, or local offices outside Metro Jackson. Blunt said the bill was intended only for state agencies in the Metro Jackson area and not for local county offices or other institutions, and he later identified the corporation reference as the Mississippi Home Corporation. The committee adopted a title-sufficient do-pass motion and reported the bill out. The committee next considered a bill by Senator Hobson authorizing the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to construct a levee project in Yazoo County using federal funds, at an estimated cost of more than $100 million. Hobson said the project would address significant flooding and complete a portion of levee work near Carter and Satartia. With no questions, the committee again adopted a title-sufficient do-pass motion and reported the bill out. Senator Williams then presented Senate Bill 2594, the Mississippi Antiquities Law bill, which would streamline demolition of abandoned, vacant, or blighted buildings on public university and community college campuses while preserving historic properties. He said the measure would require coordination with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, define blight, require engineering analysis in some cases, and give MDH 90 days to respond before demolition or further inspection proceeds. Several senators raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the definitions of blight and other causes, and that it might let institutions tear down too much without sufficient oversight. Williams said the bill was meant to balance preservation with practical needs and agreed to work on a floor amendment to tighten the language. The committee then voted to report the bill out. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2340, authorizing DFA to sell, lease, or convey the former DPS property at 1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson. The committee substitute would direct proceeds to the general fund rather than DPS, while preserving mineral rights, allowing repurchase under certain conditions, and requiring DFA review of proposals. Senators discussed possible redevelopment uses, including University Medical Center, and the bill’s restrictions on uses such as heavy industrial, adult entertainment, casinos, liquor stores, and solid waste facilities. No final vote on this bill was reflected in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :25:11.440> we've<00:25:11.679> received<00:25:12.240> as<00:25:12.480> well<
• as the<00:25:13.039> balance<00:25:13.360> in<00:25:13.520> the<00:25:13.679>
• at<00:25:17.679> the<00:25:17.840> end<00:25:17.919> of<00:25:18.000>
• That<00:25:19.360> report<00:25:19.679> from<00:25:19.840> the<00:25:20.000>
• Uh<00:25:25.840> with<00:25:26.000> that,<00:25:26.640> we<00:25:26.960> want

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:25:34.000> So,<00:25:34.240> it<00:25:34.480> gives<00:25:34.640> them
• c> of<00:25:36.320> living<00:25:36.880> and<00:25:37.120> then<00:25:37.360
• :37.919> to<00:25:38.159> build<00:25:38.400> on<00:25:38.559> that<00:25
• The cost<00:25:40.640> of<00:25:40.880> that<00:25:41.039> pair<00:25:41.360>
• .<00:25:46.799> For<00:25:47.039> our<00:25:47.279> state<00:25:47.520> patrol

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to win those business expansion projects, but this is certainly a deterrent.
• And again, you project it out farther and the effects only accumulate.
• If it's a government project, you can ask for those costs to be reimbursed.
• If it's a government project, you can ask for those costs to be reimbursed.
• Missouri unemployment rate went up roughly 25 percent-ish, from what I gathered.

Summary: The committee held a study on the potential effects of living wage or minimum wage laws in Oklahoma, with the chair emphasizing that the discussion was not intended to advocate for or against State Question 832. The first panel focused on economic and workforce impacts. An Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative argued that living wage calculations vary by region and household type, that Oklahoma’s average wages are already near or above many living-wage estimates, and that higher mandated wages could lead employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, automate, or avoid expansion, especially in rural areas where childcare, healthcare, broadband, and infrastructure constraints also affect labor participation. Committee members asked about wage distributions, rural cost differences, training pathways, and whether higher wages might draw workers or businesses out of state; the witness said many low-wage workers move up over time and that Oklahoma has seen net in-migration. A State Chamber Research Foundation witness then testified that a $15 statewide wage floor would raise payroll costs substantially, especially for small rural employers, and cited examples from California and Seattle to argue that higher wages can reduce hours, jobs, and benefits while increasing consumer prices. She suggested alternatives such as expanding the state earned income tax credit and promoting upskilling through existing education and training programs. A Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative described Missouri’s recent voter-approved minimum wage increase to $13.75, rising to $15, along with paid sick leave provisions. She said the chamber opposed the measure because it would raise business costs, hurt rural communities and youth employment, and force some employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, or close. She cited examples from Missouri businesses facing significant added costs and warned that a future ballot initiative could create a patchwork of local minimum wages. In response to questions, she said Missouri’s law did not distinguish by age or industry, that businesses had raised concerns about union contracts and compliance, and that the chamber viewed the measure as harmful to competitiveness. Peter Hansen of NFIB presented the final major testimony, summarizing an NFIB study projecting that a higher Oklahoma minimum wage would produce some short-term GDP gains but longer-term losses, with GDP turning negative by the early 2030s and job losses growing over time. He said businesses respond to higher wage mandates by raising prices, trimming jobs, converting full-time positions to part-time, reducing benefits, and shifting investment toward automation or other capital. He argued that the burden falls most heavily on vulnerable workers such as young or marginal employees, who are less likely to be hired when labor costs rise. In questioning, he acknowledged that higher wages can improve pay for some workers and may have some short-term positive effects, but maintained that the long-term employment and investment effects are negative. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• These<01:25:15.040> shared<01:25:15.360> values<01:25:15.679> are<01:25:15.840><
• <01:25:16.880> that<01:25:17.199> we<01:25:17.440> must<01:25:17.840> continue
• build<01:25:18.719> upon<01:25:19.040> on<01:25:19.199> the<01:25:19.360> years
• I'd also<01:25:21.199> be<01:25:21.360> remiss<01:25:21.600> if<01:25:21.760>
• , the DAGs<01:25:52.639> teams,<01:25:52.960> and<01:25:53.120> all<01:25:53.280

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:10.559> important<00:25:11.159> so<00:25:11.600> think<00:25:11.840><
• many<00:25:15.120> of<00:25:15.279> you<00:25:15.520> are<00:25:15.760>
• <00:25:20.919> that<00:25:21.080> the<00:25:21.720> enduser<00:25:22.720>
• > a<00:25:29.919> lot<00:25:30.080> of<00:25:30.320> really<00:25:30.600>
• for me<00:25:43.840> maybe<00:25:44.080> that's<00:25:44.320> more<00:25:44.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:25:28.280> is<00:25:28.480> less<00:25:28.800> than<00:25:29.000> 20%?
• >> There was<00:25:30.240> a<00:25:30.320> maximum<00:25:30.800> of<00:25:
• <00:25:37.440> this<00:25:37.640> point,<00:25:38.200> for<00:25:38.280>
• :54.080> by<00:25:54.200> making<00:25:54.520> it<00:25:54.640> 50<00:25:
• :25:57.200> the<00:25:57.320> idea<00:25:57.520> is<00:25:57.640> you<00:

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, quorum call, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then received Senate Bill 890 and several House committee reports. The first major measure taken up was House Bill 627, which establishes a Commission on Histories, Culture, and Civics in Education. Committee amendments clarified the commission’s purpose, membership, and charge to review curriculum materials and school calendars and make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Additional amendments added a disability community expert and preamble language. The bill prompted extended debate about whether the commission would promote diversity in curriculum, how it would address religious and ethnic representation, and whether it would include Christian or Catholic perspectives; supporters said it was meant to reflect communities that had requested inclusion and to improve the completeness of Maryland history, while critics questioned the need for a new commission and raised concerns about identity politics and curriculum control. The bill was ordered printed for third reading after second-reader consideration. The House also considered House Bill 1582, the Education Program Accountability, Comprehensive Outcomes and Measures of Progress for Supporting Schools (COMPASS) Act. An amendment removed references to advanced professional certificates and national board certification from school quality indicators and required annual reporting on the relationship between composite scores and concentrations of low-income students. During discussion, members asked whether the bill was changing the scoring system and how much weight academics would carry; the response was that academic indicators would remain a majority of the score, but no single indicator could exceed 20% of the composite. The amendment and favorable report were adopted, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The House then took up House Bill 1514 concerning Calvert County county officials and Board of Education salaries and benefits. Committee amendments were technical and removed a benefit provision related to a former commissioner; both the amendment and favorable report were adopted without opposition, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. Finally, the chamber moved to special order calendar item Senate Bill 283, the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. The House Appropriations Committee presented 198 amendments to the capital budget, describing them as balanced across regions and within debt affordability limits, and began moving the amendments in groups, starting with a technical amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to Senator<00:25:05.440> Port<00:25:05.760> as<00:25:06.000> well<00:25
• <00:25:09.840> Uh<00:25:10.159> this<00:25:10.400> is<00:25:10.720> a
• 5 million<00:25:13.840> of<00:25:14.080> the<00:25:14.240> existing<00:25:14.720
• <00:25:19.440> Um<00:25:19.760> a<00:25:20.000> lot<00:25:20.080> of
• . project. project.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a call of the Senate, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and moved to messages from the House. The chamber received several House-passed Senate files, including SF 2814 (real estate appraisers), SF 3637 (transportation), and SF 4244 (technical corrections), and took up SF 1714 on payment transparency and public contracts. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to SF 1714, advanced it to third reading, and then passed the bill 65-0. The Senate also received House amendments to SF 3432 on public safety, but instead of concurring, it voted to send the bill to a five-member conference committee. The Senate likewise agreed to a conference committee request on HF 4188, a commerce bill dealing with consumer protections for insurance and financial products. The Senate then handled additional House messages and routine business, including first reading of several House files and adoption of committee reports. A committee report on SF 453, relating to thermal energy networks as public improvements and water works, recommended amendment and passage under Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, and the report was adopted except for the referenced resolution item. The chamber also completed second readings of several Senate bills and one House bill, and approved a motion to withdraw SF 4464 from the Committee on State and Local Government and return it to the author. The main floor debate centered on HF 1141, the housing finance and policy omnibus. Senator Port described the bill as focused on affordability, including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota infrastructure grants, manufactured housing protections, limits on large institutional investors buying single-family homes, and increased oversight of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The Senate adopted several amendments, including a technical A12 amendment, A7 to dedicate $5 million of bonding to manufactured home park improvements, and A4 on manufactured housing protections such as rent receipts and longer move-out time after eviction. Senator Abler then offered A14, which would limit rent increases in certain non-market-rate, tax-credit housing for seniors to CPI-based increases; supporters framed it as a humanitarian measure for elderly residents facing steep rent hikes, while opponents raised concerns about rent control, the scope of the amendment, and the need for more detail. The transcript ends during continued debate on A14, with no final vote shown on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• on on<00:25:04.960> the<00:25:05.040> coldest<00:25:05.360> days,<00:25:05.640>
• <00:25:07.440> turn<00:25:08.040> benefiting<00:25:08.440> from<00:25:08.560
• ,<00:25:12.280> but<00:25:12.600> hopefully<00:25:12.960> those<00:25:13.200
• > do<00:25:14.160> our<00:25:14.280> best<00:25:14.560> to<00:25:14.640><
• :25:54.400> on<01:25:54.600> it<01:25:54.720> is<01:25:54.880> an<01:25:55.000

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :17.480> to<00:25:17.600> my<00:25:17.760> psychology<00:25:18.520> but<00
• :25:18.960> uh<00:25:19.480> you<00:25:19.600> know regards to my psychology but
• > I'm<00:25:21.840> here<00:25:22.840> thank<00:25:23.039> you<00:25:23.679
• Lambert okay<00:25:27.600> if<00:25:27.760> not<00:25:28.039> thank<00:25:28.159
• > you<00:25:28.320> thank<00:25:28.399> you<00:25:28.440> so<00:25:28.520

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees met on February 19, 2025, to hear advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with GM 645/GM 650 for Mike Lambert as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state officials, community leaders, nonprofit representatives, and others, who praised Lambert’s collaboration with communities, communication skills, and practical approach to public safety. Several speakers highlighted his work on homelessness, game rooms, community policing, and his ability to work across public health and law enforcement lines. Lambert told the committee he has 22 years of law enforcement experience, including patrol, community policing, training, narcotics/vice, and work on fentanyl, internet crimes against children, and ghost guns, and said his priorities would include building community trust, improving training and discipline, and addressing fireworks and firearms enforcement. Senators asked about fireworks, federal collaboration, ports and airport screening, recruitment, pay parity, and whether the department should expand into a more formal state police force; Lambert said he would need time to learn the new port/shipping environment and would support a state police class and expanded enforcement capacity. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then heard GM 567 for Jean Dello Jr. as chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Supporters, including Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice and Hawaii Paroling Authority staff, described him as honest, ethical, fair, and experienced in balancing public safety with rehabilitation and re-entry. Dello said he came out of retirement in 2021 to serve on the board, and that his background in federal probation and state corrections led him to favor evidence-based practices over simple compliance monitoring. He emphasized the need to weigh public safety with giving inmates a real opportunity to transition successfully back into the community. No final action or vote was announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:42.400> This<00:25:42.559> is<00:25:42.799> used<00:25:43.440> uh<
• So,<00:25:48.880> I<00:25:49.039> like<00:25:49.200> to<00:25:49.360> think
• c><00:25:49.440> of<00:25:49.679> this<00:25:49.840> as<00:25:50.640> uh
• a<00:25:53.919> demand<00:25:54.320> response<00:25:55.440> and<00:25:55.679
• 25:57.600> can<00:25:57.760> ask<00:25:57.919> our<00:25:58.159> customers

Bills: HF4770

Keywords: biomass, anaerobic digester, renewable energy, sustainability, energy generation

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then took up House File 4770, as amended by an A1 technical amendment. The bill was presented as a proposal to help Liberty Diversified International and Liberty Paper in Becker plan for replacement steam and energy supply as the Shuro facility closure approaches in 2030. Testimony described Liberty Paper’s current closed-loop steam arrangement with Shuro, the need to study future fuel and technology options, and the potential use of anaerobic digestion, biomass, construction and demolition waste, and food waste to produce steam and possibly power. Members asked about feedstock availability, the need for a feasibility study, possible backup natural gas use, and whether waste heat or wastewater heat could be useful. The bill was laid over as amended. The committee then heard a presentation from CenterPoint Energy on Minnesota heating demand and electrification. CenterPoint staff said affordability and reliability are central concerns and outlined how the utility manages customer costs through energy efficiency, contracting, storage, peak shaving, and conservation. Dr. Joel Lynch presented research on peak heating with natural gas and the “missing piece” in Minnesota’s electrification puzzle, explaining that Minnesota’s cold climate makes winter heating demand especially challenging and that replacing natural gas would require substantial new electric capacity and renewable resources. He compared his work with prior national and state studies and said the analysis used Minnesota-specific gas throughput, COP assumptions across several electrification scenarios, and January renewable capacity data. Lynch summarized preliminary findings that Minnesota’s peak gas heating throughput could be up to 40 gigawatts, with electric resistance heating implying roughly 36 gigawatts of new demand, and lower but still substantial demand under heat-pump scenarios. The presentation was informational only; no vote was taken on the CenterPoint presentation. The meeting ended with House File 4770 laid over and the energy demand presentation continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• practice<00:25:11.840> there<00:25:12.080> is<00:25:12.399> still<00:25:13.120>
• <00:25:15.760> um<00:25:15.919> we<00:25:16.120> did<00:25:16.640> um<00:
• :43.120> on<00:25:43.399> the<00:25:43.600> impacts<00:25:44.000> of<00:25
• c><00:25:46.799> a<00:25:47.000> positive<00:25:47.320> test<00:25:47.559> for
• /c><00:25:54.120> will<00:25:54.760> um<00:25:54.919> continue<00:25:55.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to really look at that waiver amendment to really look at that projection<00:25:11.799> to<00
• projection to see if that's something projection to see if that's something that<00:25:13.640>
• you know explain why our projection<00:25:51.919> isn't<00:25:52.360> what<00:25:52.919
• > you<00:25:53.039> know<00:25:53.200> is<00:25:53.360> being projection
• isn't what you know is being projection isn't what you know is being served<00:25:54.039> and<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:25:52.400> Currently<00:25:52.720> the<00:25:53.200> the<00:25:53.360> latest
• Currently the the latest that state<00:25:54.720> law<00:25:54.960> is<00:25:55.200>
• written<00:25:55.600> it<00:25:55.840> just state law is written it just state law
• is written it just specifically<00:25:56.559> says<00:25:56.799> undergraduate<00:25:57.520
• So<00:25:58.000> we're<00:25:58.159> just<00:25:58.320> adding<00:25:58.559>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard and then took action on several measures. Senate Bill 3048, relating to the State Building Code Council and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, received support from OPSD and the Chamber of Commerce, with OPSD requesting amendments tied to software licensing and a public permitting dashboard. The committees ultimately recommended passing the bill with amendments, including an effective date, and later adopted that recommendation by vote. Senate Bill 3083, relating to protective orders, drew support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the Military and Community Relations Office, and a member of the public, while the Judiciary asked that the bill be deferred or amended because a prior notification process had lapsed and a new mandate could be difficult to implement. The committees nevertheless recommended passage with amendments and an effective date, noting implementation concerns in the report, and that recommendation was adopted. The committees also considered Senate Bill 3010, which would allow law enforcement, animal control officers, and firefighters to enter unattended vehicles to rescue animals in distress. The Animal Legal Defense Fund supported the measure as a common-sense good Samaritan protection, and the Hawaii Association for Justice recommended a small amendment. The bill was recommended for passage with amendments and later adopted. Senate Bill 3187, relating to off-site construction and SPEED Task Force recommendations, received OPSD testimony in support with comments; the committees recommended passing it with amendments, deleting the dollar amount and adding an effective date, and adopted that recommendation. In a later joint hearing with the Committee on Education, Senate Bill 2138, which would expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to graduate study, received support from the University of Hawaii, the Department of Defense, the Hawaii Army National Guard, and the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office. Members asked whether the current law limited assistance to undergraduate degrees and whether the program would require new funding; witnesses said the bill would simply expand authority and could be implemented within the current budget. Senate Bill 2614, authorizing high school diplomas for certain veterans whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices, also drew support from DOE and the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, with DOE explaining it had previously issued diplomas under an earlier version of the law and would verify eligibility through an application process. Senate Bill 2687, requiring a 100th Infantry Battalion history curriculum plan and pilot program, drew mixed testimony: DOE said the topic is already covered in existing social studies standards and the bill was unnecessary, while supporters argued the history is not being consistently taught and should be mandated. The transcript cuts off before final action on the education bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that 499 you see in 25 was for that equipment, and there's no money projected in the future.
• <00:25:31.520> We<00:25:31.840> are<00:25:32.000> trying<00:25:32.159> to
• <00:25:34.960> and<00:25:35.200> we<00:25:35.440> need<00:25:35.520> to
• give<00:25:36.640> some<00:25:37.200> uh<00:25:37.440> salary<00:25:37.840>
• <00:25:43.279> Additional<00:25:43.840> state<00:25:44.400> EF<00:25:44.960>

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 14 January, 2026; 1:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation from a charter-school authorizer agency. Witnesses explained that the agency no longer receives the federal CSP grant, that a one-time $499,000 equipment grant was not recurring, and that in FY25 they also had no general fund appropriation. They said their special-fund revenue has grown but is not enough to sustain operations alone, especially because the money arrives once a year and the agency needs a cash balance in advance. Their budget request sought a mix of general and special funds, but the legislative budget recommendation stayed near the FY26 appropriation level. Members asked about salary growth and contractual spending; the agency said higher salaries reflected doctorate-level staff and a planned sixth position, while contractual costs covered technical assistance, consultants, CPA reviews, and outside legal support. The agency also said a pending bill, identified as House Bill 2, could significantly affect its operations and revenue. Members asked about Republic, and the agency said a peer report had just been released, the school had made operational changes, and progress was being made though questions remained. The Library Commission then presented its budget request. The outgoing director announced retirement and introduced the incoming director, and praised the agency’s recent federal and state audits with no findings. The commission asked to restore two headcount reductions in the budget recommendation, saying the positions were hard to fill because they require specialized librarianship credentials and that losing them would cost about $130,000. It also asked to restore federal spending authority in case IMLS funding became uncertain, and requested about $173,000 for a 5% salary progression pool because turnover had reached 35% and many employees were near the start step. Senators asked about the open positions and turnover; the commission said one position had been open 10 months, another about eight months, and some turnover was due to retirements. Mississippi Public Broadcasting then presented its request for an $18.153 million appropriation. The agency said it wanted salary progressions to retain staff, four new vehicles for engineering and transmitter work, and $522,000 in reappropriated digitization funds to continue a project that has digitized more than half its library holdings for online access. The director also highlighted programming and outreach, including a new food-focused show, a music program, live coverage of the National Folk Festival, a Medgar Evers documentary now in national distribution, and expanded radio programming. He said MPB reaches nearly 1 million TV viewers annually, has strong radio and app usage, and continues to provide required weather, Silver Alert, and Amber Alert notifications. He also described a partnership with the Department of Education using e-glass technology to connect teachers to classrooms lacking instructors, saying the program is already serving multiple districts and drawing national interest.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiscal<00:25:31.120> year<00:25:31.520> 25<00:25:31.919> was<00:25:32.080> a<
• But<00:25:38.320> at<00:25:38.559> the<00:25:38.720> same<00:25:38.880> time,
• And<00:25:49.120> then<00:25:49.360> this<00:25:49.679> is<00:25:49.919> a
• ><00:25:50.240> chart<00:25:50.480> that<00:25:50.640> is<00:25:50.880> not
• my favorite,<00:25:51.600> but<00:25:51.840> we<00:25:52.320> have<00:25:52.559

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the sentence goes beyond age 25, they transfer... until they're 25.
• And one reason... to 25 laws were passed.
• So that would be all the way up to probably age 25.
• Then a community uses these donations for operations, marketing, beautification projects, and other projects
• All the projects have been refurbishments.

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