Transcript Highlights:

• these issues to have a forward-looking these issues to have a forward-looking plan<00:52:46.200>
• then we can coales around a path forward then we can coales around a path forward hopefully<00:52
• same place which is to to move forward same place which is to to move forward expeditiously<01:19
• pleased with the effort moving forward pleased with the effort moving forward it<01:25:09.360>
• I look forward to working with you.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee held an informational briefing with the University of Hawaiʻi, led by new President Wendy Hensel and Vice President for Budget and Finance Calbert Young. Hensel outlined the university system’s scope, student demographics, research activity, and campus missions, emphasizing four strategic priorities: serving Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi, student success, workforce development, and economic diversification through innovation and research. She highlighted the system’s enrollment, research funding, and the roles of Mānoa, Hilo, West Oʻahu, the community colleges, and specialized institutions such as JABSOM and the Cancer Center. Young then reviewed the budget request, focusing largely on making prior one-time appropriations permanent and supporting recurring needs. Items included funding for Mānoa athletics, the Hawaiʻi Institute for Marine Biology, K-12 teacher education, Pamantasan Council support, Hilo programs, Windward’s mental health technician certificate, Maui’s practical nursing bridge program, and student support positions such as financial aid and admissions counselors. He also described workforce-related requests tied to nursing expansion at Mānoa and West Oʻahu, as well as facilities support at West Oʻahu. A major portion of the testimony addressed the university’s two Kakaʻako medical facilities. Young explained that declining tobacco settlement and cigarette tax revenues are no longer sufficient to cover debt service for JABSOM and the Cancer Center, so the governor’s budget includes general fund support to supplement those obligations. He also described a regents-approved request not included in the governor’s proposal: expanding the Hawaiʻi Promise financial aid program to the four-year campuses, estimated at about $11–12 million. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today to congratulate University of Florida forward and New Oxford, Pennsylvania native Thomas
• and new Oxford, Pennsylvania forward and new Oxford, Pennsylvania native<00:09:31.120> Thomas
• to continuing to foster we look forward to continuing to foster our<00:12:49.680> relationship
• to prevent such a death moving forward. to prevent such a death moving forward.
• It continues every day as they carry forward the legacy of their fallen heroes. Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mlen, for four minutes. step forward fully utilizing the energy step forward fully utilizing the energy
• Today I bring forward two bills.
• <05:55:51.798> to Congress and I certainly look forward to Congress and I certainly look forward
• working men and women of America, all because they want to put forward and carry forward the...
• <07:36:58.638> with Republicans are moving forward with Republicans are moving forward with

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that by mail, or is there also a delivery method via digital map?
• The method in which they are then notified through the form, I'm not sure if that goes by mail or if
• And just to clarify, they were both internal mechanisms and what HRSA had done when they came forward
• when they came forward. when they came forward.
• This really looks at what the problems I'm hearing that got brought forward.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Bills: HCR6, HCR36, HCR175, HCR197, HB48, HB54, HB86, HB127, HB139, HB177, HB202, HB212, HB214, HB244, HB256, HB286, HB306, HB309, HB344, HB348, HB369, HB370, HB371, HB395, HB423, HB428, HB429, HB432, HB433, HB437, HB448, HB454, HB455, HB472, HB480, HB510, HB549, HB563, HB596, HB606, HB620, HB664, HB697, HB698, HB701, HB706, HB714, HB740, HB773, HB782, HB784, HB833, HB850, HB904, HB918, HB939, HB988, HB1020, HB1036, HB1037, HB1039, HB1050, HB1059, HB1079, HB1145, HB1155, HB1161, HB1164, HB1167, HB1260, HB1294, HB1295, HB1297, HB1308, HB1320, HB1325, HB1345, HB1391, HB1427, SB21, SB26, SB71, SB109, SB146, SB177, SB183, SB228, SB253, SB298, SB299, SB325, SB382, SB401, SB414, SB440, SB657, SB717, HB2001

Keywords: emergency medical treatment, abortion services, pregnancy care, reproductive health, hospitals, EMTALA, healthcare access, sister-state relationship, cultural exchange, international relations, Okayama, Hawaii, trade, tourism, Pacific governance, legislative cooperation, inter-parliamentary assembly, climate resilience, sustainable development, Hawaii-Japan relations

Bills: HCR6, HCR36, HCR175, HCR197, HB48, HB54, HB86, HB127, HB139, HB177, HB202, HB212, HB214, HB244, HB256, HB286, HB306, HB309, HB344, HB348, HB369, HB370, HB371, HB395, HB423, HB428, HB429, HB432, HB433, HB437, HB448, HB454, HB455, HB472, HB480, HB510, HB549, HB563, HB596, HB606, HB620, HB664, HB697, HB698, HB701, HB706, HB714, HB740, HB773, HB782, HB784, HB833, HB850, HB904, HB918, HB939, HB988, HB1020, HB1036, HB1037, HB1039, HB1050, HB1059, HB1079, HB1145, HB1155, HB1161, HB1164, HB1167, HB1260, HB1294, HB1295, HB1297, HB1308, HB1320, HB1325, HB1345, HB1391, HB1427, SB21, SB26, SB71, SB109, SB146, SB177, SB183, SB228, SB253, SB298, SB299, SB325, SB382, SB401, SB414, SB440, SB657, SB717, HB2001

Keywords: emergency medical treatment, abortion services, pregnancy care, reproductive health, hospitals, EMTALA, healthcare access, sister-state relationship, cultural exchange, international relations, Okayama, Hawaii, trade, tourism, Pacific governance, legislative cooperation, inter-parliamentary assembly, climate resilience, sustainable development, Hawaii-Japan relations

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would prefer that his version of that go forward.
• <03:56:27.120> Um representatives have brought forward.
• Um representatives have brought forward.
• They were mailing them to us. We stood up a consumer battery collection program.
• Thank you for coming forward today. This is a really big bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fast forward to the next school year, we added six additional trainers.
• Fast forward to the next school year, we added six additional trainers.
• Um, so that's either sent home in the mail or via email that just explains that we will be utilizing
• in this uh in people um going forward in this uh in this<01:29:53.520> discussion.
• <01:49:05.760> with this, hopefully we can move forward with this, hopefully we can move forward

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to be the strategy going forward to be the strategy going forward forward.<00:16:22.320> It
• egg and I think that's moving us forward egg and I think that's moving us forward um<00:19:12.559
• Um our ne our next going forward.
• keep us informed as you move forward. keep us informed as you move forward.
• to do as we move forward on this issue. to do as we move forward on this issue.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• moving forward as an agency. moving forward as an agency.
• <00:12:36.880> to here and, uh, we'll look forward to here and, uh, we'll look forward to
• > with<00:13:21.440> the look forward to working with the look forward to working with
• However, with the going forward.
• I had Hansen had brought forward.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• patience and her expertise that she brings to this team and helping to support us to be able to move forward
• In addition, our risk management office continues to push forward with our insurance providers as part
• In addition, our risk management office continues to push forward with our insurance providers as part
• with the EFS project once the forward with the EFS project once the project<00:22:50.440> concludes
• So Oahu and North Shore mailed in their ballot, not necessarily we're seeing on Election Day.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• reason to move forward with this bill. reason to move forward with this bill.
• And I think we're forward to this.
• Please explain to us what concerns you have. forward with um a different amendment, forward with um a
• I agree with that um that way forward.
• forward and get it as right as we can. forward and get it as right as we can.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why I put the bill forward.
• forward. Right. forward. Right.
• Just bring it forward. That's all I want to do. Bring it forward.
• Bring it forward. There would be no do. Bring it forward.
• carry the motion forward? carry the motion forward?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since before Christmas, I've heard from Louisvillians every day about mail delays.
• Let's have an honest debate on that and how Medicaid's going to go forward as well.
• Let's have an honest debate on that and how Medicaid's going to go forward as well.
• <02:26:35.040> long Social Security but looking forward long Social Security but looking forward
• It's a way that we have to move forward.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 27, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we you're bringing the bill forward.
• continue to move forward. continue to move forward. >> So<01:10:07.199> great.
• Just I it was brought forward forward forward last<01:11:05.840> year<01:11:06.159> when
• I think it is an area that we forward.
• Uh, I look forward to work on this bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we're not going to be exacting 1603 today because we got some more information that was coming forward
• situation going forward. situation going forward. Well,<00:10:49.880> done.
• So, knowing both of those would give us a much better way to go forward.
• So, knowing both of those uh forward."
• And it and it's also a forward.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, and I really appreciate that this committee wants to move forward on a lot of this stuff.
• I really appreciate that this committee wants to move forward on a lot of this stuff, and I hate to be
• on a lot of this wants to move forward on a lot of this stuff<01:02:28.559> and<01:02:29.079>
• I think if we can push this forward, fine. I'm happy with it.
• fine I'm happy we can push this forward fine I'm happy with<01:09:37.159> it<01:09:37.319>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• moving forward moving forward >> okay<00:37:25.119> and<00:37:25.280> I<00:37
• So, this is departments moving forward.
• And again those are minimum forward.
• But departments, they're moving forward.
• Uh we look forward to your our state.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor held an informational briefing on August 22, 2025, to receive an update from DEH on statewide recruitment efforts aimed at reducing vacancies across state departments. Director Hashimoto, joined by DEH staff, presented on two hiring initiatives: Wikiwiki Hire and Operation Hire Hawaii. The committee focused on how each program works, how quickly applications are screened and referred, and how the programs differ from standard recruitment procedures. For Wikiwiki Hire, DEH described it as an accelerated recruitment pathway used mainly for classes with multiple vacancies. DEH screens applications every two weeks, then sends qualified applicants a list of participating departments and recruiter contact information so applicants and departments can connect directly. Committee members asked about effectiveness data, timelines, and whether the process aligns with the merit principle. DEH said the program is intended to speed hiring, that departments are not required to interview every person on a list, and that applicants can be hired as vacancies are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so long as all qualified applicants have the same opportunity. DEH also said it could provide data later and that it is working through a backlog of screenings. The committee then discussed Operation Hire Hawaii, an executive-order-based hiring effort launched in February to expedite hiring, including for displaced federal workers but open to all applicants. DEH reported more than 6,000 applications, 127 recruitments, 81 closed recruitments, and 142 hires, with a goal of conditional offers within two weeks. DEH said it turns applications around daily, while departments do the initial screening, interviews, and hiring decisions, with DEH completing final qualification screening and suitability checks at the end. Members asked about the program’s duration, its low conversion rate, and what happens to applicants who are not hired; DEH said it can refer qualified applicants to other vacancies and that the pilot was originally intended to run about a year, with possible extension if departments want it to continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Various tweaks were made to the handout, which we have gotten in the mail, and you should have a hard
• this committee for some of these changes and what DHHS in the state of New Hampshire needs to move forward
• this committee for some of these changes and what DHHS in the state of New Hampshire needs to move forward
• will then just have a set of parameters where you qualify or you don't qualify, or will we going forward
• So, um I I get better going forward.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes from its May 29 meeting and then received an informational update from the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing about the state’s ASL interpreter pipeline. Representative Woods and Associate Commissioner Ann Landry explained that the American Sign Language program at UNH Manchester, the nation’s first fully accredited program, is facing viability concerns because high tuition has left only two of a potential 20 students committed so far. They warned that if enrollment does not recover, the program could face a teachout and eventually be lost, which they said would be detrimental because many state services and legal proceedings require qualified interpreters. Members discussed possible alternatives, including whether community colleges could help, and asked for follow-up research and contact information for UNH officials. The committee also heard that interpreter demand across DHHS continues to rise and that the department must ensure compliance with civil rights and service-access requirements. The committee then turned to Medicaid policy changes tied to Senate Bill 134 and a new federal interim final rule on Medicaid community engagement, or work, requirements. DHHS officials Olivia May and Ann Landry explained that the state law and federal rule align in many areas, but the committee still needed to decide how to implement several remaining policy choices. The department recommended adopting all four short-term hardship exceptions because the federal rule requires states to take them all or none: inpatient or institutional care, federally declared emergencies, high-unemployment areas, and extensive out-of-state travel for serious medical care. Members generally supported the exceptions but raised concerns about how they would be defined and applied, especially the emergency and medical-travel categories. Several legislators asked for more clarity on terms like “extensively” and “serious or complex medical care,” and DHHS said the federal rule does not rigidly define them, though the state could refine implementation through rulemaking if authorized. The department also said the emergency exception would apply only to federally declared emergencies, not state declarations, and would be tied to the emergency event itself. No final vote on the Medicaid policy was recorded in the portion provided, but the discussion indicated the committee was reviewing the remaining decisions needed to implement Senate Bill 134 under the new federal framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• may not be in relation to what you or may not be in relation to what you predict<00:34:14.359> forward
• you bring up a good predict forward you bring up a good point<00:34:16.079> it<00:34:16.280><
• He then said that plea by mail was added to the highway fund in fiscal year 2024, and that in fiscal
• <01:16:34.920> that<01:16:35.199> the we're in as we go forward that the we're in as
• we go forward that the proceeds<01:16:36.080> from<01:16:36.320> that<01:16:36.560>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Safety presented an overview of highway fund and unrestricted revenue collections, focusing on the Division of Administration, the Road Toll Bureau, and the Division of Motor Vehicles. Amy Newbery explained that the main unrestricted funding sources are highway funds and general funds, with highway fund revenue of about $263 million in FY 2024 and a FY 2025 projection of $261.2 million. She said revenue growth has been modest and has not kept pace with costs, creating structural deficits that required general fund transfers of $50 million in FY 2022-23 and another $10 million in FY 2024-25 to balance the fund. Jennifer Hall described Road Toll operations, including motor fuel tax collection at the distributor level, compliance enforcement, and licensing for fuel distributors, transporters, IFTA carriers, and oil discharge/pollution control. Members asked about IFTA, dyed-fuel enforcement, the possibility of using the state forensic lab for dyed-fuel testing, and whether audit positions had been filled; the department said it recently hired a part-time fuel enforcement officer, still uses IRS testing, could explore lab testing, and had no audit vacancies. Hall also discussed factors affecting fuel-tax revenue, including gas prices, crude oil forecasts, weather, tourism, GDP, and inflation, and said FY 2024 road toll revenue was $127.5 million, above plan, with FY 2025 projected at $127.71 million. The committee then turned to DMV-related revenues. Newbery said motor vehicle registration revenue was $93.1 million in FY 2024 and is projected at $90.4 million in FY 2025, with the state share going directly to the highway fund. Members asked about the state/town fee split, the five-year registration cycle dip, the distribution of registration revenue by vehicle weight category, and the impact of electric-vehicle surcharges; the department said the five-year dip is still occurring and will fade over time, and it would follow up on the weight-category breakdown. The presentation also noted that driver-license revenues have stabilized, inspection revenues remain steady, plea-by-mail revenue was added to the highway fund in FY 2024, and general fund revenues tied to the department are relatively small and have declined as some functions moved to OPLC. No votes or formal actions were taken.