Video & Transcript : 'interdepartmental collaboration' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House higher education panel questions U of M representatives about award 1/23/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the letter, has had a relationship with the University of Minnesota, whether it's a teaching or collaboration
- the letter, has had a relationship with the University of Minnesota, whether it's a teaching or collaboration
- June 5, 2024: Governor Walz collaborated with Lan's attorneys to deny the Cobb family justice.
- 21.920><c> walls</c> Justice June 5th 2024 Governor walls Justice June 5th 2024 Governor walls collaborated
- with Lan's attorneys to collaborated with Lan's attorneys to deny<01:09:26.719><c> the</c><01:09:26.920
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- May compassion, humanity, and collaboration define the work done here.
- whereas, following their listing as an endangered species in 1976, the United States and Mexico collaborated
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Education Committee in Session Jan 20th, 2026 at 09:19 am
Transcript Highlights:
- and what options are available to all families across the state, as well as network building and collaboration
- in mind, we've been, as a relatively new organization, focusing on stakeholder interviews and collaboration
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation from Tom Franta, founding executive director of the Mountaineer Charter School Alliance. He described the new nonprofit’s goals of supporting West Virginia charter schools through advocacy, legal and compliance assistance, shared operational services, professional development, communications, and network-building. Franta emphasized that charter schools face major facility and financing challenges, and he urged use of existing public buildings, low-interest revolving loans, credit enhancement tools through the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, and federal matching funds to help level the playing field for charter schools, including both brick-and-mortar and virtual schools.
Members asked about what he meant by “level the playing field,” and Franta said charter schools receive 99% of basic state aid but lack access to the full range of public education funding and dedicated facilities support, forcing them to divert dollars toward buildings rather than classrooms. He said the goal is to ensure parents choosing a public charter option can expect appropriate funding. After the presentation, the chair announced Senate Bill 171 was removed from the day’s agenda.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 166, which creates an exception to West Virginia Invest grant eligibility so individuals who already have a post-secondary degree may still receive support if pursuing an associate degree or certificate in emergency medical services. The committee reported the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and under the original double committee reference, first be referred to the Finance Committee.
Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 428, with a committee substitute that splits the bus operator title into three pay grades based on years of service and raises the cafeteria manager title from pay grade D to E. Senators asked whether duties would change; counsel and the sponsor said the bill is intended as a retention incentive, with no change in responsibilities, and that the fiscal note would remain the same. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation, again first referring it to the Finance Committee. The meeting then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Education Postsecondary Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It authorizes the Institute to focus on research, prevention, care, education, collaboration, and outreach
- Thank you. ...care, education, collaboration, and outreach.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum present and considered several bills and one appointment. SB 720, by Senator Osgood, would allow formerly incarcerated Florida residents to retain their residency status for tuition purposes so they can qualify for in-state rates after release. Senator Osgood and supporter Eddie Fordham testified that the bill addresses documentation barriers faced by long-term incarcerated people and supports reentry and rehabilitation; several organizations waved in support. Senators Jones and Rodriguez spoke in favor, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee also heard SB 372, by Senator Trumbull, which would extend the state employee tuition waiver program to sheriff’s office employees on a space-available basis. The Florida Sheriffs Association supported the measure, and it was reported favorably. SB 176, by Senator Berman, would require public postsecondary institutions to provide clearer, publicly available procedures for reporting threats to physical safety and identifying responsible contacts and protective steps. Support came from several education and faculty groups, and the bill was reported favorably by unanimous roll call.
Members then recommended confirmation of Douglas Broxton to the State University System Board of Governors. Finally, SB 816, by Senator Bradley, would establish the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to advance diabetes research, education, prevention, and outreach. Senators emphasized the institute’s potential to improve outcomes and attract grant funding, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It authorizes the Institute to focus on research, prevention, care, education, collaboration, and outreach
- Thank you. ...care, education, collaboration, and outreach.
Committee:
Senate Education Postsecondary
Keywords:
campus safety, higher education, university safety, college safety, student safety, threat assessment, violence prevention, credible threat, campus security, law enforcement notification, emergency response, public universities, Florida College System, student conduct, workplace violence, security escorts, incident reporting, title IX-like safety procedures, institutional safety policy, school violence
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jul 10th, 2025 at 08:30 am
State Government & Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- well-established and long-term working relationship with the Lummi Nation, and we appreciate the collaborative
- We appreciate the collaborative work that we have done with the Lummi Nation during this negotiation
Committee:
House State Government & Tribal Relations
Summary:
The State Government and Tribal Relations Committee held a public hearing on July 10 at 8:30 a.m. regarding a proposed amendment to the tribal-state gaming compact between the Lummi Nation and the Washington State Gambling Commission. Director Tina Griffin and Tribal Relations Advisor Johnny Bray presented the state’s overview of the compact process under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, explaining that the parties had reached tentative agreement and that the commission would later vote on whether to forward the amendment to the governor or send it back for further negotiations. Lummi Nation Vice Chair Terence Adams and Councilperson Vindeen Washington then described the amendment as the tribe’s sixth compact amendment and said it would support tribal government revenue and expanded gaming opportunities.
The main changes discussed were authorization for electronic table games, extension of credit to customers, higher wagering limits, and the possibility of a second gaming facility. Committee members asked several questions about how electronic table games work, whether online gaming was included, how credit limits would be set, and how integrity and testing would be ensured. Witnesses explained that online gaming is not authorized, that credit limits would be developed later under internal controls and federal banking rules, and that electronic table games would require independent lab certification, state testing, and ongoing tribal oversight.
The Gambling Commission noted that similar electronic table game and credit-limit provisions have already been approved for other tribes, and that the higher-limit tables would be capped and clearly marked. Lummi representatives said they wanted to implement the changes responsibly and that the second-facility language would only allow, not require, future expansion. No vote was taken by the committee at the hearing; the matter was scheduled to go before the Gambling Commission later that morning for a formal vote.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Jul 7th, 2025
Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- All of this effort led to the most recent collaboration and win-win with the Public Education Department
- Thank you for always supporting nicotine prevention and collaborating with us on creating a healthier
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Lowering Energy Costs Through Innovation / Improving Housing Affordability and Fraud Protections May 29th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- become law and been signed by the governor, which means the House and the Senate are working and collaborating
- retiring senators from different sides of the aisle shared the same message, a call for cross-caucus collaboration
- call aisle shared the same message, a call for<00:24:38.960><c> cross-caucus</c><00:24:39.920><c> collaboration
- </c><00:24:41.080><c> and</c> for cross-caucus collaboration and for cross-caucus collaboration and compromise
Summary:
The program focused first on Minnesota’s energy and affordability agenda, with Senator Nick Frentz discussing the state’s clean-energy leadership, rising electricity demand, and the Senate’s 100% clean energy framework. He said Minnesota’s clean energy growth supports jobs, lowers costs for ratepayers, and includes recent wins such as sustainable aviation fuel tax treatment in the supplemental budget. Frentz also said the Senate passed an energy omnibus bill that continues clean-energy permitting reforms, promotes conservation and demand response, and includes a nuclear study rather than lifting the nuclear moratorium.
Frentz spent much of the interview defending data centers as both a challenge and an opportunity. He said large hyperscale projects can create major construction jobs and substantial local property-tax revenue, while a 2025 law requires data-center companies to contribute to low-income energy assistance and report water use. He pointed to the Google data center planned for Pine Island as an example, saying it is air-cooled, will pay $5 million a year, and will fund 1,600 MW of clean energy at its own expense, which he argued could save Xcel ratepayers money over time. He also said climate change is already driving higher costs through homeowners insurance and storm damage.
The second segment highlighted Senator Zach Duckworth’s housing and banking bills. Duckworth said Senate File 4168 would make it easier to finance investment properties by giving buyers more flexibility to roll closing costs and lender fees into payments, while keeping strong protections in place for primary residences. He emphasized that the bill is not about predatory lending and is intended to expand options for informed investors. He also described Senate File 4652 as an anti-fraud, no-cost measure that lets bank customers name a trusted contact so banks can alert someone if suspicious activity is detected. Duckworth said both bills passed unanimously in both chambers, and he credited quick action and good working relationships across the aisle for their success.
The program closed with a broader reflection on the end of session and the Senate’s political climate. It noted that 15 senators are retiring and two are leaving for higher office, and that final floor votes often split along party lines, including one bill passing 34-33. Several retiring senators used farewell speeches to urge civility, compromise, and putting people first, while the segment emphasized that despite partisan conflict, quiet bipartisan cooperation still produced much of the session’s enacted legislation.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It recognizes that no single system currently owns this space and enables collaboration across those
- It recognizes that no single system currently owns this space and enables collaboration across those
- It's optional, and ultimately in terms of the impact, we support that it enables collaboration.
- It's optional, and ultimately in terms of the impact, we support that it enables collaboration.
- Yes, thank you in the spirit of collaboration and knowing that every member of this committee, I believe
Summary:
The committee first adopted a 4-0 consent calendar for SB 1345, SB 1410, and SB 1421. It then heard SB 1200 on child care, which would redefine infant and toddler age categories so providers could count 18- to 24-month-olds as toddlers without changing ratios. The author and family child care providers said the bill would better reflect child development, improve reimbursement, increase capacity, and help keep family child care businesses open; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations.
The committee next approved SB 971, a permissive framework for counties to offer senior education and technology training through local public health systems and community partners. Supporters said it would help older adults with digital literacy, fraud awareness, health, and social connection, while remaining optional and locally tailored. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to the floor. The committee also passed SB 1234, which requires fentanyl to be included in court-ordered drug testing in dependency cases when drug testing is already ordered. The author, an angel family member, and a sheriff’s office witness described child deaths and fentanyl exposure risks; the bill passed 4-0 to the floor.
SB 1109, dealing with oversight of short-term residential therapeutic programs in small rural counties, drew substantial testimony. Supporters from Alpine County argued that two facilities there strain local emergency response and that annual review should be triggered by repeated serious citations or placement in counties lacking basic infrastructure. Opponents said the bill was too broad and could destabilize needed placement capacity. After discussion, the author accepted committee amendments, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also passed SB 961, which would notify financial aid applicants that they may be eligible for CalFresh; students and advocates said it would reduce food insecurity and improve college success, with no opposition, and it passed 4-0 to Appropriations.
Later, SB 1099, clarifying local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under federal PRWORA exemptions, was heard and supported by local government attorneys; it was held on call after a 2-0 roll. SB 1190, creating licensing and safety rules for youth transport companies used in out-of-state residential placements, was supported by survivors and advocacy groups, with some support-if-amended testimony; it passed 4-0 to the Public Safety Committee. Finally, SB 1325, a narrow San Diego County measure to allow Feeding San Diego to participate in Cal Food under specific conditions, drew support from the author and Feeding San Diego but opposition from the California Association of Food Banks, which argued it would shift limited resources and add administrative burden. The transcript ends during committee discussion on SB 1325, before a final vote is shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Governmental Organization Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Governmental Organization
Transcript Highlights:
- To the Latino Media Collaborative as a leading sponsor, and to each of you for your consideration.
- Hi, Matt Morris, Latino Media Collaborative, and I stand in support of this measure.
- Hi, Matt Morris, Latino Media Collaborative, and I stand in support of this measure.
- So I appreciate the chair's collaboration, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
- So I appreciate the chair's collaboration and I respectfully ask for an I vote. Thank you.
Committee:
Senate Governmental Organization
Summary:
The Senate Government Organization Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and took up a series of bills, many focused on regulatory oversight, state symbols, food insecurity, immigration enforcement, and ethnic media funding. SB 885 by Senator Strickland proposed requiring legislative approval for major regulations with an estimated economic impact over $50 million; supporters argued it would restore accountability and help address affordability, while labor and environmental opponents warned it would delay important health and safety rules. After discussion of committee amendments and concerns about timing, the bill was moved out on a due-pass motion, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 986, a similar regulatory oversight bill by Senator Saryato, which accepted committee amendments and advanced after supporters emphasized separation of powers and opponents raised delay concerns. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado created an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across departments; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight guardrails, and the bill was moved forward with the roll held open.
The committee then heard several symbolic designation bills. SB 1214 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly; supporters highlighted the species’ ecological importance and conservation value, and the bill advanced as amended. SB 1178 by Senator Reyes would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp; testimony emphasized its role in pest control and agriculture, and it also moved forward as amended. SB 1286 by Senator Richardson would designate the California sea lion as the official state pinniped; the author and Marine Mammal Care Center described sea lions as a conservation success story and a sentinel species, and the bill passed out of committee as amended.
The committee also considered SB 1171 by Senator Caballero, which would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants. Supporters framed it as a response to harmful ICE enforcement practices, while opponents warned it could sweep in providers of essential services such as food, medical care, and legal research for detainees and could invite retaliation against California funding. The bill was approved on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open. Finally, SB 1358 by Senator Rubio, the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act, would create a database and contracting framework to direct more state advertising and outreach funds to ethnic and community media; supporters said it would improve reach, trust, and effectiveness in underserved communities, and the bill advanced on a strong vote with the roll held open. The committee also took up the consent calendar after quorum was established, and several items were held open for absent members.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Apr 13th, 2026
Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a complex issue, and the collaboration that we've seen so far is pretty incredible.
- clearinghouse within the Department of Justice to ensure integrity and oversight, while allowing collaboration
- clearinghouse within the Department of Justice to ensure integrity and oversight, while allowing collaboration
- And I was an FBI agent for 16 years and worked collaboratively in joint terrorism task forces with state
- enforcement agencies to affiliate or join a fusion center, because all the fusion center is is a collaboration
Summary:
The committee heard several privacy, technology, and public safety bills. SB 898 would require manufacturers of connected consumer products to disclose how long software support will last and to notify consumers when support is nearing its end; Consumer Reports supported the measure, while members raised concerns about private enforcement, notice mechanics, and replacement obligations for leased devices. The bill was amended and passed 5-1 to Judiciary, with the measure placed on call.
SB 1279 would authorize Long Beach to install additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway under the same privacy and equity guardrails as the existing pilot program, including limits on data use, no facial recognition, warning periods, and reduced fees for low-income recipients. Supporters cited severe crashes and fatalities on PCH, while opponents raised civil liberties and due process concerns and questioned how the system identifies the actual driver. The committee approved the bill 6-2 and placed it on call.
SB 1111, the Artificial Intelligence Abuse Protection Act, would create civil remedies for non-consensual AI voice, image, and video cloning and digital replicas. Support came from SAG-AFTRA and Common Sense Media, and members discussed concerns about background images and employer liability, including a request to preserve a rebuttable presumption for good-faith employers. The bill passed 7-1 to Public Safety and was placed on call. SB 1217 would create a DOJ-run clearinghouse for survivors of non-consensual intimate imagery and deepfakes to request removal from online platforms; survivors and advocacy groups testified in strong support, and members discussed privacy, cybersecurity, funding, and the lack of a private right of action. It passed 8-0 to Public Safety and was placed on call.
The committee also heard SB 1095, which would require fusion centers and participating agencies to adopt MOUs barring use of sensitive personal information for immigration enforcement or racial/identity profiling, require annual reporting, and allow audits and inspections. Supporters argued fusion centers have operated with too little oversight and have been used to circumvent state privacy and immigration laws; some members supported the transparency goals while others raised concerns about operational ambiguity and the bill’s interaction with existing law. The discussion continued, with the author and members debating the scope of permissible information sharing and enforcement consequences for violations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Interagency Council on Student Attendance created 3/4/26
Transcript Highlights:
- work they have undertaken over the last few years really sets a solid foundation for the kind of collaborative
- collaboration this interagency council on student attendance can build on to be successful from the
- to situate this effort within education while maintaining strong requirements for interagency collaboration
- When students disengage from school, our systems need to respond quickly, collaboratively, and consistently
- But I've not seen that historically, and I would like to push our agencies to collaborate and talk.
Summary:
The committee heard House File 3585, as amended, which would create an interagency council on student attendance and re-refer the bill to education finance. Representative Keeler moved the bill and an A1 amendment that corrected the council’s placement from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to the Department of Education; the amendment was adopted. Keeler and Representative Bakeberg described the bill as the product of several years of bipartisan work on chronic absenteeism and truancy, emphasizing that attendance problems involve multiple systems and require ongoing coordination rather than a single-agency response.
Testimony was strongly supportive. Matt Shaver of Allies cited statewide chronic absenteeism data and argued that schools cannot solve the problem alone because root causes such as housing, transportation, health, and economic instability lie outside school control. Assistant Commissioner Angela Mansfield of MDE said the task force and pilot districts showed coordination gaps and supported the council, while also noting MDE’s Compass staff would need permanent funding to carry out the work. Ashley High Totower of Hennepin County’s BEET program said attendance is a public health, child welfare, transportation, housing, and economic issue, and Kenneth Avon of the Minneapolis Foundation said absenteeism is an ecological problem requiring cross-sector coordination.
Student witnesses also supported the bill but urged stronger youth representation. Henry Brick of Catalyst for Systems Change said students understand the causes of absenteeism best and proposed expanding student seats on the council from one to five. Ava Northrup of the Minnesota Youth Council said youth voices should be more than symbolic and suggested two youth representatives, one from the metro and one from greater Minnesota, plus additional youth task forces or panels. In member discussion, Representative Lawrence questioned whether the council duplicated existing MDE work, asked who would coordinate the group, and raised the lack of a sunset; Keeler and Bakeberg said the Department of Education would coordinate and that a sunset could be considered later. Other members asked about fiscal impact, and the chair said a fiscal note had been requested and the bill would move on to education finance.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- In these clinical settings, chaplains can hone their counseling skills in collaboration with traditionally
- This collaboration includes so much interdisciplinary and differential diagnoses as well.
- That's equivalent to 8 to 12 counseling classes where we collaborate.
- That's equivalent to eight to 12 counseling classes where we collaborate, help diagnose, right?
- We’ve collaborated on a lot of things. I understand the education requirements.”
Committee:
House Business
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 2/25/26
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- We will also collaborate with the U.S.
- We will also collaborate with the U.S.
- We will<00:29:03.039><c> also</c><00:29:03.279><c> collaborate</c><00:29:03.679><c> with</c><00:29:03.840
- ><c> the</c><00:29:04.080><c> US</c> will also collaborate with the US will also collaborate with the
Committee:
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Keywords:
veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 19th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Colors, an organization already trusted by the New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative, to ensure
- The boards set the professional requirements, but working in collaboration with higher education institutions
- Additionally, we welcome conversations and collaboration as the Higher Education Director in legislative
- earnings for foundation operations, and then follow-up questions to the department regarding their collaboration
- We work in coordination and collaboration for the New Mexico statewide longitudinal data system, also
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommitee Jul 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We collaborate with El Paso at all levels, not just the agencies.
- National Border Master Plan, but we also collaborate with Texas on their Border Master Plan.
- president of Mexico, Claudia Chamberlain, and the governor of Chihuahua signed the agreement to collaborate
- That's again, it's a very, very good and close collaboration between both sides where the U.S. side would
- I do believe, exactly like you said, very much so that when we all work together, collaboratively, and
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human services finance bill, HF3, passes MN House during 2025 special session 6/9/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It reflects bipartisan, bicameral, and collaborative problem solving by all four caucuses, including
- This was a collaborative effort to get us where we are. members.<00:01:57.520><c> Uh</c><00:01:57.840
- Gandhi.<00:04:38.400><c> This</c><00:04:38.639><c> was</c><00:04:38.800><c> a</c><00:04:39.040><c> collaborative
- This was a collaborative effort Gandhi.
- This was a collaborative effort to<00:04:40.080><c> get</c><00:04:40.240><c> us</c><00:04:40.479><c>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- financial support services, our foster youth independence programs, or FYI centers around the state in collaboration
- It directs Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Commission on State Emergency Communications
- It directs Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Commission on State Emergency Communications
- House Bill 1639 requires the Department of State Health Services, in collaboration with the Texas Commission
- HB 2187 is an update to the collaborative 2009 agreement that clarifies HHSC's enforcement, allowing
Bills:
HB 107 , HB742 , HB1639 , HB1700 , HB2071 , HB2187 , HB2402 , HB2516 , HB3211 , HB4529 , HB5342 , HB694 , HB923 , HB4655 , HB107
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) Apr 8th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- We see this in collaboration with various companies seeking to build first-of-a-kind power plants, as
- Texas Energy Efficient Council and the Public Utilities Commission of Texas in order to foster collaboration
- So the main purpose would be to provide a statewide collaborative approach to promoting energy.
- They would collaborate, meet a couple of times a year, and come back with some recommendations.
- It's non-regulatory, but it's meant both so that they can collaborate on those different problems and
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Indivisible Hawaii, Amy Monk, support. ...collaborative stand. Thank you very much.
- To summarize, we strongly support 67, which urges DHER to collaborate more closely with state agencies
- 48.480><c> to</c> strongly support 67 which urges DHER to strongly support 67 which urges DHER to collaborate
- ><c> more</c><00:32:49.200><c> closely</c><00:32:49.519><c> with</c><00:32:49.760><c> state</c> collaborate
- more closely with state collaborate more closely with state agencies<00:32:50.480><c> to</c><00:32:50.720
Committee:
Senate Labor and Technology
Summary:
The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several resolutions focused on workforce shortages and program development. STR 145/SR 117 would create a legislative working group on paid family and medical leave; testimony from state agencies, labor groups, advocacy organizations, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, though some asked for broader representation and legal expertise. Members raised questions about prior studies, staffing estimates, and funding needs for administering a future program. The chair ultimately deferred decision making on this measure to March 28, 2025.
The committee also heard STR 55/SR 37 on reviewing the boiler and elevator inspection branch to improve recruitment and retention. DLIR supported the measure, while the Department of Human Resources Development supported the intent but suggested labor should lead the study. Industry witnesses described long inspection wait times, backlogs, and difficulty recruiting inspectors, and several said higher pay and training pathways were needed. The committee voted to pass the resolution unamended.
For STR 64/SR 49, which would establish a Hawaii State Fellows Program, the department supported the concept but said resources would be needed and should be included in the budget rather than a resolution; the committee recommended deferral indefinitely. STR 67/SR 51, addressing hiring shortages in the public mental health care system, drew support from the State Council on Mental Health and others, with requests for amendments to ensure broader cooperation and added agencies. The committee moved the measure as a Senate draft with amendments. STR 63/SR 48, proposing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award, received support from DLIR, and the committee later recessed and reconvened for decision making on the measures.