Transcript Highlights:

• 2023 milin district 18 since the 2023 milin Educators<00:08:15.120> were<00:08:15.319> nominated
• <00:08:15.879> in<00:08:16.039> April<00:08:16.360> of Educators were nominated
• in April of Educators were nominated in April of 2024<00:08:17.479> we<00:08:17.639> welcome
• <00:16:51.440> to<00:16:51.600> the<00:16:51.800> policy transmits a nomination
• to the policy transmits a nomination to the policy Advisory<00:16:52.880> board<00:16:53.120>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:02:57.200> for consideration and nomination for consideration and nomination for Workforce
• <00:12:59.680> as people in support of your nomination as people in support of your nomination
• Aloha and welcome and congratulations on your nomination. Thank you.
• your nomination. your nomination. Thank<00:25:42.960> you.
• of my nomination and I thank<00:26:31.400> Governor<00:26:31.760> Green.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several gubernatorial nominations to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council and one nomination to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board. For GM 779, Mark Fong Su Wat said he would bring his experience as an electrician and labor community member to workforce development, and he committed to serving if confirmed. Testimony was unanimously supportive, with 10 in support and none opposed, and the committee voted to recommend advise and consent; the recommendation was adopted. For GM 792, Sheryl Cross sought a second term on the Workforce Development Council and described her work on employer engagement, military veteran affairs, and military spouse employment. In response to questions, she emphasized the need to better connect military spouses, underrepresented workers, and students pursuing trades or non-college pathways to jobs, including through school academies and online hiring initiatives. The item was held for later decision-making. For GM 793, Ashley Lohua, also nominated to the Workforce Development Council, said her focus would be helping people stay in Hawaii by improving job retention, listening to community concerns, and building pathways between sectors. Support testimony highlighted her work with marginalized communities and her empathy and leadership. She told the committee she would use her nonprofit and HR experience to help address vacancies and workforce barriers; the item was also held for later decision-making. For GM 774, Douglas Thomas Moore, nominated to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, said his first priority would be reducing the backlog. He proposed using informal conferences and mediation to speed workers’ compensation appeals and suggested recruiting more practitioners, especially younger ones, into the field. The committee noted 11 supportive testimonies and no opposition; no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wholeheartedly support the nomination of Gerald Gordner. You’re in, Mr.
• So he wholeheartedly supports her nomination.
• So I wholeheartedly support her nomination.
• wholeheartedly support her nomination wholeheartedly support her nomination chair<00:29:43.600><
• So I wholeheartedly support her nomination.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land opened with housekeeping remarks about testimony limits, video availability, and that decision-making would follow the hearing. The committee then heard and considered several SCRs authorizing long-term nonexclusive easements over state submerged lands for existing public or private infrastructure on Oahu, including stormwater outfalls, shoreline protection structures, concrete stairs, seawalls, and a rock revetment. DLNR supported each measure and generally requested only technical or clarifying amendments; for SCR 3, DLNR asked that the title be clarified to specify the easement would be granted to the City and County of Honolulu. After discussion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations, passing SCR 3 with amendments and SCRs 4, 6, and 7 unamended, while SCR 5 was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. Senator Meli noted general concerns about seawalls and hardening but said he would support the measures because they involved repair of existing structures and public access, though he indicated a reservation on SCR 6. The committee then took up governor’s messages for HCDA appointments. For GM 58, Gerald Gordner was nominated to the Kalaeloa district seat; HCDA’s executive director and another supporter praised his urban planning, housing, zoning, GIS, and collaborative skills, and Gordner described his interim service and background in housing affordability and disaster recovery. Members also discussed a former military hangar in Kalaeloa and possible future uses, with Gordner noting he understood there had been restrictions that were later lifted, while the chair raised concerns about airport operations and modular housing use. The committee also heard support for GM 559, nominating Micki Lidstone as cultural specialist; HCDA said she had been an active and reliable board participant and cultural resource, and Lidstone said she valued learning from Native Hawaiian testimony and helping balance community perspectives. Finally, GM 688 nominated Deborah Kabibi to the Leeward Oahu/Maui district seat; HCDA said her community ties would be valuable for South Maui planning, and Kabibi said she had learned a lot from the board’s collaborative process and was eager to represent her community. The transcript ends during discussion of GM 688, before any vote on the nominations is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have House Joint Resolution 1, Boards of Regents Nominating Commission.
• And that nominating committee would meet and recommend. Political party.
• We create nominating commissions. The goal is let's cast a wider net.
• So would the nominating commission be similar, like, when we pick a judge?
• What people would pick the nominating commission?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, Michael Kratios has been nominated to lead the White House's Office of Science and Technology
• Policy, and Mark Meador, who has been nominated to the Federal Trade Commission.
• I urge every member of this committee to vote in favor of Mark's nomination.
• And congratulations on your nominations. Mr.
• Kratios's nomination and Mr.

Keywords: Senate Committee, Commerce, Science, Technology, Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, FTC, Consumer Protection, Innovation, Emerging Technologies

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation featured significant discussions regarding technological advancements and their implications for the future. Notably, nominations were made for key positions in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Federal Trade Commission. Committee members expressed the importance of leading in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, emphasizing that the pace of innovation is crucial for maintaining the United States' global position as a leader in technology. The discussions also highlighted the role of the FTC in protecting consumers from deceptive business practices and ensuring fair competition in the marketplace. Attendees underscored the urgency of advancing research and development in areas such as quantum computing, as evidenced by a demonstration of a new quantum chip anticipated to redefine computing capabilities across industries. Various members engaged in vibrant exchanges, showing support for initiatives aimed at bolstering innovation through public and private collaboration. Overall, the meeting set a strong agenda for pursuing future science and technology policies that ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of global advancements.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are meeting today to consider the nomination of Robert F.
• This morning, we're going to vote on Robert Kennedy's nomination to serve. Before we get to Mr.
• Oppose this nomination. Thank you, Senator Warnock.
• I move that the committee favorably report the nomination of the Honorable Robert F.
• The nomination is reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• State Bar, and so I'm going to open nominations for the new vice chair.
• Are there any further nominations?
• Are there any further nominations? Mr.
• Chair, I move that the nominations be closed and that Kyle be elected by acclamation.
• Nominations be closed and that Kyle be elected by acclamation. Acclamation. I love it. Okay.

Summary: The Statute Law Committee meeting began with introductions of new staff, approval of the December 10 minutes, and election of Kyle Shiketty as vice chair by acclamation. The committee also approved a step increase for Code Reviser Kathy Buckley, with members praising her work and noting she had reached the top step. Max Weeks reported on publications: session laws had been published online and physical copies were nearing completion, while RCWs were expected online by the end of the next month with print copies following about a month later. The committee discussed print runs, free distribution to libraries and courts, and rising shipping costs, with a plan to charge actual shipping rates rather than the prior flat fee. Kathy Buckley also reviewed the office’s financial condition, reporting healthy balances in the publications account and general fund and expecting a year-end return of about $600,000. Alice reported on the annual multiple-amendment review process, explaining how the office merges nonconflicting amendments and flags possible items for a future technical corrections bill. The committee adopted the multiple amendments table and discussed plans to prepare a technical corrections bill for the fall and likely the 2027 session. The committee then heard a presentation from Kevin and Judge Anne Levinson on improving RCW disposition tables by adding hyperlinks to repealed session laws and chapter-level cross-reference notes to help readers trace recodified or replaced laws, especially in areas like protection orders and unclaimed property. In other business, the committee discussed clarifying statutory references that sometimes use “Statute Law Committee” when “Office of the Code Reviser” is intended, and agreed to review the statutes for possible cleanup legislation. Members also received an update on the office’s upcoming move to a new building in September, with an open house planned for September 24. The meeting adjourned without setting the next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• is certainly the removal process, but I do want to flag that in Senate Bill 5, there was a new nominating
• But I do want to flag that in Senate Bill 5, there was a new nominating commission on the front end.
• And that nominating commission was modeled after others and gave the governor the authority to make choices
• once the nominating commission happened.
• The goal here with tightening up the front end of the appointments and the nominating process, and then

Bills: SB104, SJR3, SM3

Keywords: wildlife commission, removal procedures, malfeasance, appointed officials, governance, education reform, public education, state board of education, superintendent, chartering authority, constitutional amendment, policy setting, insects, insect workshop, insect identification, ecology, monitoring, management, pollinators, pollination

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking forward to this opportunity, and I appreciate Speaker Ledbetter for nominating me.
• So, I want to be the first to nominate him for sure.
• So, I want to be the first to nominate him for sure. Okay.
• 44.760> to Uh so, I want I want to be the first to Uh so, I want I want to be the first to nominate
• nominate him for sure. nominate him for sure. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, I'd like to welcome everyone to the Committee on Director Nominations.
• All right, I'd like to welcome everyone to the Committee on Director Nominations.
• As chair, I'm committed to a thorough review of nominations pursuant to the statutory required check
• Before your nomination, you served as the deputy director, as we talked about earlier.
• So I would urge all of you please to support her nomination. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Ruby Dylan Williams for Director of the Arizona Department of Housing. Chair Jay Kaufman opened with remarks about the committee’s role in scrutinizing nominees’ commitment to faithfully executing state law. Williams, who has served in housing roles since 2020 and as interim director since March 2025, described her background in both public service and the private sector and said her priorities would be expanding housing supply, preserving housing stability, and improving technology-driven operations and transparency. Members questioned Williams extensively about department oversight, fraud prevention, auditor general findings, homelessness policy, budget priorities, and the cost of affordable housing programs. She said the department had strengthened internal controls, added verbal verification steps for wire transfers, increased site inspections and grantee monitoring, and was tracking 68 performance metrics. She also defended the use of LIHTC and other federal housing programs as key public-private tools, said the department was working on a real-time homelessness data system, and explained that if state funding were cut, staffing would likely be reduced before core programs. Several members pressed her on past fraud and audit findings and on whether the department had been sufficiently proactive in preventing them. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Developers and industry representatives praised Williams’ experience, her knowledge of housing finance, and her role in streamlining the qualified allocation plan and improving the department’s responsiveness. They argued that her leadership has helped attract investment and increase housing production in Arizona. After debate, the committee voted 3-2 to recommend Williams’ confirmation to the full Senate, with Senators Kavanagh and Shope voting no and Senators Bravo and Ortiz voting yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will be considering the nomination of President Trump's nominee to be the Director of the NIH
• Congratulations on your nomination, Doctor.
• Doctor, congratulations again on your nomination.
• And it's remarkable to see that you're nominated to be the head.
• Bhattacharya, congratulations on your nomination. Thank you for being here.

Keywords: NIH funding, healthcare research, chronic diseases, scientific integrity, public trust, pandemic response

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on various healthcare and scientific issues, with significant discussions surrounding the impact of recent administrative actions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research agenda. Senators expressed concerns over funding cuts and personnel reductions, particularly the reported termination of over 1,200 NIH staff members, which could jeopardize ongoing and future research projects. The session included testimonies on the importance of supporting early-stage researchers and restoring public trust in scientific institutions following pandemic-related controversies. Additionally, the potential for future healthcare management based on diverse scientific ideas was emphasized as crucial to tackle chronic diseases effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• nominations from committee, and I move that they be laid upon the table.
• Senator Bartolotta reports on the Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations the following nominations
• The following nominations, beginning with Wilhelm H.
• President, I call from the table certain nominations that I ask for their consideration.
• Will the Senate advise and consent to the nominations just read by the clerk?

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, communications, committee reports, and leaves of absence. The journal was approved 50-0. The chamber then took up House Bill 1505, which drew extended debate over school funding and adequacy/tax equity. Senators Coleman and Keefer argued the bill continued to pour money into districts like Allentown without accountability or improved results, while Senators Costa, Miller, Haywood, and Anthony Williams defended the funding as a response to historic underfunding and the Commonwealth Court decision. A motion allowing Senator Coleman a third speaking turn was adopted 27-23, and the bill ultimately passed 45-5. The Senate then considered House Bill 2400, the General Appropriation Act. Supporters, including Senators Martin, Dush, Phillips-Hill, Costa, Ward, Street, Hughes, and Pittman, emphasized that the budget was balanced without using the rainy day fund or raising taxes, reduced the governor’s proposal, increased education and child care funding, supported nursing homes, rape crisis centers, infrastructure, and workforce programs, and shifted money from lapsed or unused accounts to current priorities. Opponents, including Senators Saval and Muth, said the budget failed to address structural deficits and omitted new revenue options, emergency services funding, and other major issues. The bill passed 44-6 with amendments and was returned to the House for concurrence. The Senate also passed a series of other bills, including House Bills 2412, 2413, 96, 858, 1042, 1286, 1646, 1851, 1862, 2017, 2024, 2401, and 2559, with varying margins, and sent them to the House, some with amendments. House Bill 1042 drew a negative recommendation from Senator Costa over a late amendment involving second-degree murder/felony language, but after reconsideration and vote changes it passed 30-20 with amendments. House Bill 1862, creating an Ignition Interlock Driver’s License, passed 45-5 after support from Senator Judy Ward. House Bill 1248 passed 43-7 and designates Pennsylvania rye whiskey as the official state spirit, with Senators Bartolotta and Robinson speaking in support. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 216, after defeating Senator Haywood’s amendment to narrow the scope of a proposed Legislative Budget and Finance Committee study of managed care organizations; the resolution passed 31-19. Several other bills were held over in their order, and the Senate later moved toward a condolence resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rollins, congratulations to you on your nomination.
• Again, congratulations on your nomination.
• Rollins' nomination into the record.
• Rollins' nomination without objection.
• . ...on your nomination.

Transcript Highlights:

• COME BEFORE THE ETHICS COMMITTEE, ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE AND OUR FIRST APPOINTMENT, FIRST NOMINATION
• THERE ARE NOT, WE WILL GO TO DEBATE, IS THERE DEBATE ON THE NOMINATION? SENATOR BRADLEY. >> Sen.
• I WILL SUPPORT YOUR NOMINATION TODAY BUT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING AND YOUR COMMITMENT AND I BELIEVE IT
• Rouson: YES. >> Vice Chair Bernard: YES. >> Chair Gaetz: YES, BY YOUR ACTION THE NOMINATION MOVES FORWARD
• THERE BEING NO DEBATE, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE NOMINATIONS? SEN.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On pages 1 to 21, Governor's message numbers 527 to 674 and 676: transmit nominations to various boards
• Governor's message 675 corrects the term Governor's message 675 corrects the term for the nominations
• >> Governor's message 675 corrects the term for<00:01:37.119> the<00:01:37.280> nominations
• <00:01:37.840> in<00:01:38.079> Governor's for the nominations in Governor's for the
• nominations in Governor's message<00:01:38.880> numbers<00:01:39.280> 520<00:01:40.000

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Director Nominations is called to order.
• So welcome, everyone, to the Committee on Director Nominations.
• Conley, welcome to the Committee on Director Nominations.
• ...the nomination of John A.
• I move that the Senate Director of Nominations Committee recommend to the full Senate confirm the nomination

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Papano has been nominated to be Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security
• Papano has been nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense. Mr.
• He's been nominated to a position that is relatively new, but it must not be overlooked.
• Congratulations on your nomination.
• General Kane, congratulations on your nomination.

Keywords: defense industrial base, small business, workforce development, acquisition processes, national security, cybersecurity, critical minerals

Summary: The meeting of the committee revolved around critical discussions on enhancing the defense industrial base, focusing on small business engagement and the importance of streamlined processes in defense contracting. There was a significant emphasis on the need for more investment in the defense manufacturing sector, particularly in the face of competition from countries like China. Some members expressed frustration over the treatment of small businesses, citing barriers that prevent these innovative companies from effectively participating in defense contracts. The need for a workforce capable of meeting the common challenges posed by evolving technologies and geopolitical threats was also highlighted throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In accordance with the power and authority vested in me, I have the honor hereby to nominate for advice
• Wednesday, July 8: Senate Resolution 352 referred to Rules and Executive Nominations; Senate Resolution
• 353 referred to Rules and Executive Nominations.
• Resolution 349 referred to Transportation; Senate Resolution 350 referred to Rules and Executive Nominations
• ; Senate Resolution 351 referred to Rules and Executive Nominations.

Summary: The Senate met in a non-voting session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and received routine communications from the President pro tempore, the Governor, and the House. The House transmitted Senate Bills 604, 971, 972, and 1259, and several Senate and House bills and resolutions were referred to committees, including Judiciary, Appropriations, Finance, Education, Transportation, Labor and Industry, and others. The Senate also noted reports from the Department of State and the Department of Environmental Protection, and announced a minority leader appointment of Boyes Butler to the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. The chamber recessed briefly for committee meetings, including Judiciary and Appropriations in the Rules Room. When the Senate returned, Senator Pittman moved that all bills and resolutions on the day’s calendar go over in their order without prejudice, and the motion was adopted without objection. Committee reports were then received: Appropriations reported House Bills 2401, 2412, and 2413 as committed, and re-reported several other House bills as committed; Judiciary reported House Bill 1042 as amended. The Senate then agreed to proceed on the first-time committee reports for House Bills 1042, 2401, 2412, and 2413, and moved on without further action. Announcements indicated the Appropriations Committee would meet the next day to consider House Bills 1042, 1505, and 2400. The Senate finally adopted a motion to recess until Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 5 p.m., unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm just happy to be nominated, supporting, and honored to have been selected or whatever.
• Thank you for being here. nominated, supporting, and um, honored nominated, supporting, and um, honored
• I'm excited to be<00:14:51.240> nominated<00:14:52.280> nominated<00:14:52.800> for<
• /c><00:14:52.920> this<00:14:53.320> for<00:14:53.440> this be nominated nominated
• for this for this be nominated nominated for this for this this<00:14:54.480> uh<00:14:54.560

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard and considered several gubernatorial nominations to advisory boards and councils. Early in the meeting, members heard testimony in support of Miriam Chang for the Health Planning Council Windward O‘ahu subarea, with supporters highlighting her long medical practice on the Windward side, work at Ko‘olau Health Center, and community involvement. Chang said she wanted to help improve health, especially in rural areas. The committee also heard support for Terrilyn Luke’s nomination to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board; the Center for Nursing director and nursing organizations backed her, and Luke said she would bring a front-line nursing perspective, focus on workforce conditions, retention, and collaboration, and help address tensions between the Center and nursing labor groups. The committee then heard support for Valerie Rose’s nomination to the Language Access Advisory Council; Rose briefly noted her prior work in the Chronic Disease Branch and Bilingual Health Aide Section. The committee also took up nominations in a later agenda segment. James Montgomery was heard for the State Rehabilitation Council and described his interest in serving based on a family experience with disability and his work in talent management, saying he wanted to help people with disabilities gain opportunities. Kevin Nakamura was heard for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants and said his 30-plus years of wastewater experience would help ensure operators are properly trained and certified to protect resources and the environment. Pina Lemusu was heard for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities; she said her long career with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and personal experience with disability would help her contribute to the council. Additional testimony in support came from the State DD Council and Voc Rehab representatives. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent on the nominations it considered, including Miriam Chang, Terrilyn Luke, Valerie Rose, James Montgomery, Kevin Nakamura, and Pina Lemusu. Most recommendations were adopted without objection, though Senator Dela Cruz voted no on some of the later nominations. The meeting also briefly noted another nomination, Olivia Kim, which was recalled and advanced with an advise-and-consent recommendation before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also critical to the process is that we're creating a nominating commission.
• The nominating committee will take applications and review the required qualifications.
• I really like the nomination process.
• involved in even the nominating process, so that's a real improvement.
• It might be under the nominating commission language. But that's the number: at least three.