Transcript Highlights:

• So once the new list of approved vendors is provided, we're going to do an RFP and bring a new auditor
• receive for the building so we can enter all that data into their FIMS system and Then myself and the vendor
• districts that don't Have the quality or qualified personnel to handle that, we ask them to work with the vendor

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, they've had to sometimes go to third-party vendors to manage the dollars that they've done
• Go to third-party vendors to manage the dollars that they received to put on the ground for these resource
• improvements, and in some cases those vendors have taken upwards of a third of the revenue in admin

Transcript Highlights:

• Prohibits individuals and vendors from receiving a commission or being paid on a per-violation basis,
• You know, the good news with this bill, this is not a vendor-driven piece of legislation.
• You know, the good news with this bill is that this is not a vendor-driven piece of legislation.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met with a quorum and first took up SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement, a comprehensive bill addressing red light, school zone speed, and school bus camera programs. The sponsor said the measure was intended to improve consistency, transparency, privacy protections, and due process, including virtual hearings, record-retention rules, limits on remote surveillance and data use, school zone flashing-light requirements, clerk fee retention, and school board approval and reporting for school bus camera systems. An amendment clarifying reporting periods and liability-transfer affidavits was adopted without objection, and after questions about information sharing, facial recognition, school zone warnings, and school bus stop safety, the committee reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then adopted a delete-all amendment to SB 1080 on transportation, which required FDOT rules on direct payments to first-tier subcontractors and certain takeover agreement terms involving sureties and replacement contractors. With no opposition, the amended bill was reported favorably. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of a slate of appointments in tabs 1 through 6 after taking a single roll call vote. Next, the committee considered SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. A strike-all amendment shifted the bill away from immediate enforcement changes toward data collection and study, while retaining rules requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, provide an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, and creating a task force to study e-bike safety and recommend future policy. Members raised concerns about enforceability, shared-use paths, access barriers for users who rely on e-bikes, and whether data would be shared with local governments; supporters from law enforcement and advocacy groups appeared in support. The amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee reported favorably on SB 684, which allows electronic signatures in connection with total-loss vehicles and vessels, and SB 880, which creates a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate. The meeting ended after all items were approved and the committee rose without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the hacker didn't enter through the front door but rather snuck in through a trusted vendor
• The fallout lasted months after the incident. rather snuck in through a trusted vendor rather snuck in
• through a trusted vendor to<00:04:58.560><c> gain</c><00:04:58.880><c> access</c><00:04:59.120><c> to

Transcript Highlights:

• And I, yeah, I got seven out of ten on the rating, and I'll take that as my best evaluation of the year
• And, yeah, I got seven out of ten on the rating, and I'll take that as my best evaluation of the year
• Administering that end-of-year test, and there's a process by which the test vendor is selected.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Captain is a transportation technology vendor that serves regulated carriers.
• And taxi cabs have flat rates when you get in, which I'm rarely in a taxi, but there's a flat rate.

Bills: SB507

Committee: Assembly Government Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• change, but $400 is really a low water rate to begin with.
• change, but $400 is really a low water rate to begin with.
• They don’t have vendors come out and service them because it’s expensive and inconvenient, or people
• </c> a good point you know doubling the rate a good point you know doubling the rate from<04:17:54.840
• </c> change but 400 is really low water rate change but 400 is really low water rate to<04:18:01.040>

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 332, a bill to add protection and remediation of surface waters as a new authorized purpose for New Hampshire village districts. Prime sponsor Rep. Rosemary Rung said the bill is intended to give local voters in lake communities a voluntary tool to address cyanobacteria blooms and other water-quality problems through village districts, including the ability to raise revenue, adopt ordinances, and pursue treatments or watershed management measures. She emphasized that the proposal is meant to complement, not replace, state law and that any district action would still need to comply with existing permitting and environmental requirements. Supporters, including Andrea Laro of New Hampshire Lakes and Elizabeth Harper of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, said the bill would help municipalities collaborate on lake protection when state resources are limited. They argued that local districts could bring subject-matter expertise, access grants and technical assistance, and respond more quickly to problems such as septic impacts, runoff, culvert repairs, and in-lake treatments. They also suggested clarifying the bill’s wording around “protection and remediation” to better define the scope of authorized activities. Opponents, including Steve Wolf and Chris Norwood of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, argued that village districts can already be overly broad and sometimes expand beyond their original purposes. Wolf said existing town and state agencies already handle shoreline protection and warned that village districts can impose ongoing taxes and create governance problems. Norwood urged a study bill instead, citing concerns about the scope of village districts and examples where some districts have taken on planning and zoning powers beyond their original mission. No vote or final action on HB 332 was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:12.079><c> the</c><00:17:12.240><c> Senate</c> Medicaid rates by 3%. the Senate Medicaid rates
• So when we look at our suicide rates by county, we do see um higher rates in our more rural parts of
• by county, we do see um suicide rates by county, we do see um higher<01:31:07.120><c> rates</c><01:31
• </c><01:57:45.599><c> per</c> we don't see a shift in the rates per we don't see a shift in the rates
• And this is 99.8% accuracy rating.

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas had a lower error rate compared to the national rate, which was good news.
• Texas had a lower error rate compared to the national rate, which was good news.
• . ...rate or the 2026 rate to determine our 2028 cost share.
• our error rate.
• rate of greater than 50 percent.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to hear interim charges on higher education transparency and on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. The chair emphasized accountability for taxpayer dollars and asked witnesses to address financial reporting, audit practices, and whether more frequent or comprehensive audits would improve oversight. Legislative Budget Board staff described how public university systems and most community colleges respond to requests about internal audit practices, noting that university systems generally follow a similar annual audit timeline and that community colleges use a more varied mix of internal and external audit arrangements. Members focused on gaps in reporting, especially Texas Southern University’s missing submissions for several years and Collin County Community College’s nonresponse to the LBB survey. The State Auditor’s Office then outlined its higher education audit work, including mandatory statewide single audits, DEI compliance audits, HUB and State Use Program audits, benefits proportional audits, and discretionary audits based on risk. The auditor said the office has released 43 higher-ed audit reports since fiscal year 2021 and has two audits in progress, and explained that internal audit reports from institutions help guide future audit selection. Senators pressed the office on the lack of enforcement authority, the value of internal auditors at each institution, and whether community colleges should have more standardized reporting and audit requirements. The auditor and general counsel said the SAO can refer suspected fraud to law enforcement but cannot itself enforce findings, while several senators suggested stronger clawback authority and more robust internal audit structures. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board explained that it collects annual financial reports, sources-and-uses data, and community college finance reports, and uses them for funding formulas and other reporting. It also trains governing board members and said it has limited regulatory authority, though community colleges must certify compliance annually and can lose eligibility for state funds if they do not. Members questioned the reliability of self-attested data, the adequacy of board training, and whether a single reporting structure would be more efficient. During public testimony, a ScholarShot representative argued for clearer, student-facing financial transparency so students can see total cost of attendance and the gap they must cover before enrolling.

Transcript Highlights:

• These sections adjust substance use disorder treatment service rates based on the recent rate study and
• rate."
• We just want to make sure that the rate increases as opposed to taking 72% of the modeled rate.
• rates.
• rate.

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now we're working with the vendor to try to fix some of those concerns, but some of the hotter
• Uh so the um right now we're working with<00:03:29.519><c> the</c><00:03:29.680><c> vendor</c><00:03:
• 30.560><c> to</c><00:03:30.959><c> fix</c><00:03:31.280><c> some</c><00:03:31.440><c> of</c> with the vendor
• to try to fix some of with the vendor to try to fix some of those<00:03:31.760><c> concerns</c><00:03
• There was a change in vendors, so we are still waiting to receive operational data for the program for

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its October 3 meeting unanimously. It then reviewed follow-up status on prior performance audits, beginning with the Department of Corrections’ sex offender treatment program. DOC said all audit items from the 2016 review were resolved except one related to tracking benchmarks, progress, and recidivism. Officials explained that a new offender management system, Chorus, was recently implemented but has had rollout problems affecting operations, including restitution checks, and that they hope the system will be stable enough within about six months to begin tracking the needed metrics. Members asked about treatment inside prison and after release; DOC described in-prison treatment, parole aftercare, probation and parole oversight, administrative restrictions, and reassessment if conditions are not met. The committee next heard from OPLC on the Real Estate Commission audit. OPLC reported that all but one finding is substantially or fully resolved, with the remaining issue involving review of applicants’ adverse financial history and liabilities. The delay is tied to ongoing rulemaking, and OPLC said the commission is amending its criteria and integrating universal application procedures into board rules. The office estimated substantive completion by March 2027, with rule filing expected sooner. The committee then took up the Board of Pharmacy audit, where OPLC said most findings remain partially resolved because the board is in the middle of a major rule overhaul and a new licensing software project. Officials described a shift toward a compliance bureau and more routine, risk-informed inspections, rather than inspections driven only by complaints, and said updated manuals and forms will follow the new rules and technology. Finally, the Legislative Budget Assistant reported on ongoing audits. For special education, staff said they are writing the report, have 25 completed observations, and have expanded to 70 identified observations, with a full draft expected in the first quarter of 2026 and a final report by summer 2026. For education freedom accounts, 40 observations have been identified, 15 finalized, and a draft is expected by midspring with a fiscal committee presentation in summer. For the Doorway program, the audit plan was finalized with DHHS help, financial activity was isolated, fieldwork is expected to finish by Thanksgiving, and a draft report is planned for January or February 2026, with a final report by March or April 2026. The committee discussed scheduling its next meeting for February 6 at 10 a.m. and emphasized the value of follow-up on older audits; the meeting adjourned after members agreed the follow-up process should continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• divided by the completed and ongoing number, which gives us the completion rate of 74%.
• rate of IDD amongst the general population.
• We think that's a pretty big rate increase in a single year.
• We think that's a pretty big rate increase in a single year.
• So lots of costumes and a really fun event that we've grown with more vendors and amenities.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The committee heard presentations on three Arkansas programs serving students and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. University of Arkansas representatives described the Empower Program, a non-degree, four-year inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with mild intellectual disabilities, and the Autism Support Program, which provides intensive academic, peer, and career coaching for degree-seeking students with autism. They explained the programs’ person-centered planning, residential and employment supports, fee structure of $5,000 per semester for each program, and scholarship/fundraising efforts to offset costs. Members asked about dorm arrangements, mentoring, individualized plans, and how students move in and out of support services, and the presenters emphasized independence, integrated campus life, and transition planning. Pulaski Technical College staff then presented the 3D program, a three-year transition program in culinary, baking, and hospitality for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They outlined integrated classes, internships, job placement outcomes, and data showing strong completion and employment retention rates. Questions focused on how success is measured, tuition and financial aid, and the challenge of securing community partners for practicum and employment sites. The presenters said the program uses rubrics that include technical and professional skills, charges $5,700 per semester, and is pursuing accreditation through the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. The final presentation was from SLS Community, a Fayetteville nonprofit serving neurodivergent adults through residential supports, supported employment, and community initiatives. Leaders described their vision for a future mixed-use “live-work-play” development at Cato Springs, current residential and vocational services, and community events such as a 5K and a neurodiversity health care conference. Family members testified about the need for adult services, trained direct support professionals, and better reimbursement and behavioral health supports after age 21. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes, and members also announced upcoming autism-related events and requested future discussion on task force appointments and ABA-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• that exceeds the voter approval rate without holding an election to approve the adopted tax rate, making
• Texas Rising Star program and reimbursement rates for those providers. The Chair recognizes Mr.
• that exceeds the voter approval rate without holding a vote. the adopted tax rate, making conforming
• Sorry, it ties it to the Fed rate, basically, so we don't have to change this.
• As interest rates go up, this rate will go up. ...as they go down, this interest rate will go down as

Bills: HB200 , HB541 , HB1803 , HB30 , HB175 , HB249 , HB721 , HB851 , HB897 , HB 1128 , HB1904 , HB1916 , HB5560 , HB3071 , HB5627 , HB5435 , HB3913 , HB2921 , HB2695 , HB2688 , HB3045 , HB3483 , HB3673 , HB4213 , HB4226 , HB783 , HB4373 , HB4735 , HB5155 , HB5057 , HB4984 , HB4944 , HB4813 , HB5339 , HB5196 , HB5033 , HB4853 , HB3486 , HB4211 , HB74 , HB4670 , HB4730 , HB4743 , HB4603 , HB4463 , HB3892 , HB4139 , HB4752 , HB4520 , HB4517 , HB4486 , HB4437 , HB4426 , HB4396 , HB4263 , HB3487 , HB3418 , HB2284 , HB2266 , HB2229 , HB4912 , HB2189 , HB4506 , HB5269 , HB5224 , HB5195 , HB3317 , HB4166 , HB3947 , HB3358 , HB3370 , HB4438 , HB3745 , HB3602 , HB3697 , HB2001 , HB1968 , HB3371 , HB3909 , HCR7 , SB1744 , SB1364 , SB1316 , HB2026 , HB3302 , HB3368 , HB1639 , HB5652 , HB4655 , HB5654 , HB5658 , HB5656 , HB4894 , HB4996 , HB5088 , HB5650 , HB4464 , HB3751 , HB5665 , HB5661 , HB 1237 , HB2802 , HB5437 , HB2703 , HB5666 , HB5667 , HCR113 , HCR86 , SB2196 , SB463 , SB856 , SB1245 , SB1169 , SB509 , SB985 , SB305 , SB552 , HB1535 , HB 123 , HB1804 , HB426 , HB1773 , HB1871 , HB2035 , HB2492 , HB1411 , HB4753 , HB4666 , HB4529 , HB1499 , HB1610 , HB2028 , HB1506 , HB886 , HB3546 , HB796 , HB223 , HB3556 , HB2448 , HB4638 , HB 111 , HB180 , HB 1027 , HB 1178 , HB610 , HB 1277 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB5342 , HB4885 , HB4751 , HB4530 , HB4488 , HB2149 , HB2071 , HB2282 , HB2248 , HB2243 , HB2522 , HB2310 , HB2513 , HB2300 , HB1902 , HB1813 , HB3719 , HB4284 , HB3743 , HB3778 , HB5153 , HB5147 , HB4877 , HB4850 , HB3261 , HB3005 , HB3033 , HB2849 , HB2967 , HB3531 , HB1768 , HB333 , HB2914 , HB2613 , HB3717 , HB3704 , HB2697 , HB3801 , HB3099 , HB3488 , HB3477 , HB3466 , HB3396 , HB3469 , HB2594 , HB2776 , HB2564 , HB2298 , HB5331 , HB5646 , HB5247 , HB5323 , HB4384 , HB3896 , HB4014 , HB3627 , HB3594 , HB2524 , HB510 , HB561 , HB5111 , HB5446 , HB 1181 , HB3963 , HB2785 , HB1661 , HB2460 , HB200 , HB541 , HB1803 , HB30 , HB175 , HB249 , HB721 , HB851 , HB897 , HB 1128 , HB1904 , HB1916 , HB5560 , HB3071 , HB5627 , HB5435 , HB3913 , HB2921 , HB2695 , HB2688 , HB3045 , HB3483 , HB3673 , HB4213 , HB4226 , HB783 , HB4373 , HB4735 , HB5155 , HB5057 , HB4984 , HB4944 , HB4813 , HB5339 , HB5196 , HB5033 , HB4853 , HB3486 , HB4211 , HB74 , HB4670 , HB4730 , HB4743 , HB4603 , HB4463 , HB3892 , HB4139 , HB4752 , HB4520 , HB4517 , HB4486 , HB4437 , HB4426 , HB4396 , HB4263 , HB3487 , HB3418 , HB2284 , HB2266 , HB2229 , HB4912 , HB2189 , HB4506 , HB5269 , HB5224 , HB5195 , HB3317 , HB4166 , HB3947 , HB3358 , HB3370 , HB4438 , HB3745 , HB3602 , HB3697 , HB2001 , HB1968 , HB3371 , HB3909 , HCR98 , HCR92 , HCR126 , HCR7

Keywords: juvenile offenders, parole eligibility, youth justice, criminal justice reform, inmate rehabilitation, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, dentist, dental hygienist, interstate practice, licensure, compact privilege, public health, military members, disaster relief, tax rates, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> employers, their effective premium rate employers, their effective premium rate is<00:08:15.599>
• And it is the basis that we use to set the small employer rate as well.
• And so if I look, it looks like we've got about a 65, about a 67 2/3 approval rate.
• And so if I look, it looks like we've got about a 65, about a 67 2/3 approval rate.
• Do we have birth rate statistics, or how do we, and then what percentage of the birth rate do you expect

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Error rate, we are all in on our FY26 error rate.
• rating.
• And so I think by and large, the before we do anything on rates We probably need a new rate study because
• And so the DHS subsidy rate may not be all of the rate that a childcare center is being paid.
• So, one clarifying question: you mentioned that the subsidy reimbursement rate is well below market rate

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• outreach, education, and program implementation efforts for the sidewalk vending program, helping vendors
• In fact, she has been instrumental in uplifting queer vendors across the region, helping them not only
• leadership, collaboration, and commitment to equity consistently go above and beyond to connect with vendors
• leadership, collaboration, and commitment to equity consistently go above and beyond to connect with vendors

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session on floor recognitions and Pride Month observances. Members welcomed guests and honorees including APICA fellowship participants, the El Dorado Roses, retiring Loma Linda University Health president Dr. Richard Hart and incoming leader Dr. Anthony Hilliard, and Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Shrey Parique. The chamber also heard several personal and community tributes tied to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, including a long series of introductions of Pride honorees from across the state. The main legislative item was SR 116 recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Senators Cervantes, Weber Pierson, Becker, Menjivar, Arreguín, Wahab, Ochoa Bogh, Wiener, and Laird, among others, spoke in support, emphasizing the history of Stonewall and other LGBTQ+ resistance movements, the contributions of Black, Latino, Jewish, women, and Asian American LGBTQ communities, and the need to oppose ongoing discrimination, violence, and attacks on transgender people. The resolution was adopted after a roll call vote of 28-0, and the Senate then proceeded to honor a large slate of Pride honorees from multiple districts and organizations. The Senate also adopted SCR 166 designating Soju Day, with support highlighting Korean American culture and soju as a symbol of hospitality and cross-cultural exchange. SCR 155, naming the State Route 52/Interstate 805 interchange in San Diego County the Officer Kirk Leeland Johnson Memorial Interchange, also passed unanimously after remarks honoring Johnson’s military and police service and the long effort by his partner to secure the memorial. In addition, the Senate confirmed Laura Capps to the Board of State and Community Corrections by a 27-9 vote and confirmed Danielle Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology by a 28-0 vote. The body also approved several Joint Rule 62(a) suspensions to allow committee hearings on short notice, moved AB 2294 to the inactive file, and sent SB 1189 back to the Assembly for further action. The session concluded with adjournment in memory motions for Judith Helene Ware, Huntley Gordon, and Adolfo Franceschi Colon, followed by announcements that the Senate would reconvene on June 25, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The last thing that we need to do right now is give the vendor another excuse to do what has already
• situation under control, and get that fixed, then maybe put something else on the agenda for these vendors
• THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED TO DO NOW, RIGHT NOW, IS GIVE THE VENDOR ANOTHER EXCUSE TO WHAT THAT ALREADY
• SITUATION UNDER CONTROL, AND GET THAT FIXED, THEN, MAYBE PUT SOMETHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA FOR THESE VENDORS

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and discharged several identical Assembly/Senate bills from committee so they could be substituted on the calendar. The chamber then took up and previously adopted two commemorative resolutions: one designating April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month and another honoring Korean War veterans. Senators from both parties spoke in support of the Sikh resolution, emphasizing the community’s contributions, service, and the need for recognition and inclusion; the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship and the Sikh guests in the gallery were recognized. The Korean War resolution drew remarks from members recalling family service and the sacrifices of veterans, with repeated calls to preserve their stories and honor their legacy. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills. Among them were measures related to charter bus safety and seat belt awareness, coverage for doula services under insurance, social services/EBT-related changes, education, navigation, highway, public service, and hospital-closure reporting. Several bills passed unanimously or with only one dissenting vote; the social services bill drew the most opposition, with Senator Murray objecting that New York should first address EBT chip technology and skimming before adding new vendor requirements. One bill on the calendar was laid aside for the day. The chamber also adopted a supplemental bill authorizing the South Country Central School District to finance certain deficits, described by Senator Murray as a necessary rescue to keep the district operating and pay staff. Senators discussed the state budget impasse during debate on an extender bill, with the sponsor explaining it was a “clean extender” to keep government running through May 4 and cover payroll, health, education, and other essential payments. Senator Helming raised concerns about the lack of rural health transformation funding and the consequences of the delayed budget for schools, local governments, and hospitals. The extender passed, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, May 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under 2211, DSHS and the HCA are to prioritize vendors that are nonprofit organizations or small businesses
• They actually adopted an amendment from the Republican side, prioritizing procurement from vendors that
• They actually adopted an amendment from the Republican side, prioritizing procurement from vendors that
• could produce meals. ...procurement from vendors that could produce meals from locally, sorry, make

Bills: HB2510 , SGA9305

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• just put it into their system so at least they know it's there, and then you don't know if these vendors
• </c><00:19:31.440><c> um</c><00:19:32.559><c> the</c><00:19:32.880><c> these</c><00:19:33.200><c> vendors
• </c><00:19:33.760><c> might</c> don't know if um the these vendors might don't know if um the these vendors

Bills: SB2359 , SB2169 , SB2170 , SB2263 , SB2360 , SB3084

Committee: House Tourism

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems heard House Bill 2585 on agricultural tourism. The bill would create statewide uniform standards for agritourism in counties that adopt such ordinances, require registration with county planning departments, and require agritourism to remain secondary and accessory to farming. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity supported the measure but recommended amendments to make the language more consistent and to ensure agritourism remains tied to agricultural activity; the Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the bill with the same general guardrails, while the White Tourism Authority offered comments. A member raised concerns about a trailer/roadside-stand provision, and the department ultimately said it did not support that specific language. The chairs then recommended passage with amendments, including a definition of principal farm operations, clarification that agritourism must not interfere with on-farm operations, revised termination rules after 60 consecutive days without active production with notice and cure procedures, restoration of the department’s proposed change to the trailer language, and technical corrections. HB 2585 passed both committees unanimously with excused members noted. The committees then heard House Bill 2602 on sustainable tourism infrastructure, which would establish a matching grant program in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for capital projects that improve sustainability and climate resilience in the visitor industry. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii testified in support. The chair recommended passage with a committee report note estimating a roughly $5 million cost and a date correction, and both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. House Bill 1948 on single-use plastics was also heard. It would prohibit lodging establishments from providing certain personal care products in small plastic containers and impose civil penalties. The Department of Land and Natural Resources stood on its testimony, and the Department of Health supported the waste-reduction goal but suggested the language belonged in a different chapter. The chair recommended an HD1 that would omit lotions from the definition of personal care products, adopt the Department of Health’s proposed clarification about reusable containers, and correct the date; the measure passed both committees unanimously. Finally, House Bill 1960 on human trafficking was heard. The bill would require the Attorney General to develop human trafficking awareness training for transit accommodation workers, require employers to provide training, keep records, post signage, adopt prevention policies, and report suspected trafficking, with penalties and rulemaking by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The Department of Labor Relations supported the intent but said the Department of Law Enforcement should be the lead agency, and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the bill while asking for amendments to recognize existing industry programs and apply the requirements equitably. The chair recommended an HD1 incorporating a July 1, 2027 deadline for training materials and employer training, adopting the hotel industry and DLE-related amendments, and making technical corrections; HB 1960 passed both committees unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second final question is, uh— So it seems like KCNA has gotten us in a situation where every vendor out
• has gotten us in a situation<00:16:17.199><c> where</c><00:16:17.680><c> every</c><00:16:18.000><c> vendor
• </c><00:16:18.399><c> out</c><00:16:18.560><c> there</c> situation where every vendor out there situation
• where every vendor out there is<00:16:19.440><c> suing</c><00:16:20.639><c> somebody</c><00:16:21.279

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Michael McCurley, president of Zo Education and a senior vice president with Zo Group, about the company’s role in providing broadband and managed network services to Kentucky schools. He said Zo Education serves all Kentucky K-12 public school districts in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, offering more bandwidth at lower cost than the prior provider and also providing cybersecurity and network protection. He emphasized that reliable connectivity is essential for instruction, testing, remote coursework, and school administration. McCurley also addressed the ongoing contract dispute involving the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Open Fiber Silicom, saying Zo Education is not a party to the litigation but is concerned about possible disruption to schools and students. In response to committee questions, he said the company incurred unexpected costs when it had to reroute connections and build alternate network paths, including one school move that cost more than $50,000 to serve a site generating under $2,000 per month. He said outages and incidents are more frequent when Kentucky Wired access is unavailable, and that Zo could not have bid at its current price without access to Kentucky Wired. Committee members discussed the broader implications of the dispute and the state’s broadband structure. Senator Williams said the committee’s priority is avoiding disruption to students and noted concerns about infrastructure purchases and upgrades tied to the network, saying he had not seen clear contractual support for some of the expenditures. He also referenced a future audit and said the committee should preserve options and taxpayer funds. The committee then reviewed its report to LRC, including changes related to infrastructure purchases and water asset management technology, and agreed to submit the report without a committee vote. The chair announced the next meeting would be in January, with no December meeting scheduled, and the committee adjourned.