Transcript Highlights:

• assessment.
• And, you know, in the list, in the transportation fuels assessment, there's a list of strategies.
• My understanding, CARB and CEC is that that assessment is going to be completed in 2027.
• So I'll defer to CEC on the due dates for the transportation fuels assessment.
• E-15 is part of the assessment and the transition plan that CEC presented.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on California’s petroleum supply and price volatility amid the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Committee members and administration witnesses focused first on short-term supply conditions: the California Energy Commission said crude and refined-product imports were still arriving at healthy levels, West Coast inventories were generally adequate, and there was no expected near-term supply shortfall, though diesel inventories were tighter than gasoline or jet fuel. Officials said California’s reliance on imports has grown as in-state refining capacity has declined, and they described ongoing work to track import flows, inventories, refinery outages, and pricing. The Division of Petroleum Market Oversight said the conflict was driving real price increases, but also highlighted California’s persistent branded-gasoline premium and unusually wide station-to-station price dispersion. DPMO reported that some major-brand stations were charging far above the statewide average, that several outlier stations reduced prices after contact from the division, and that investigations and subpoenas were ongoing. Professor Severin Borenstein argued that while crude oil is a global price driver, much of California’s higher retail price gap is a downstream “mystery gasoline surcharge,” not explained by crude costs alone, and he said the state should focus on imports, port and storage capacity, and competition rather than expecting refinery subsidies or an E15 blend to solve the problem. Industry and labor witnesses took different positions on the causes and solutions. The Western States Petroleum Association said state policy had weakened California’s refining system, making it more dependent on long, fragile supply chains and vulnerable to global shocks, and urged the state to protect remaining refining capacity and reduce regulatory burdens. United Steelworkers Local 675 emphasized that refinery reliability and staffing matter for market stability. Members pressed witnesses on whether California should set fuel-supply targets, how to prepare beyond the next six weeks, whether more import dependence increases risk, and what additional data or authority the state needs. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• By doing these assessments, this allows law enforcement to take steps to prevent there being future violence
• to add to: Dutchess County was the first county in the State of New York to use these lethality assessment
• TO ADD TO, DUTCHESS COUNTY WAS THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO USE THESE LETHALITY ASSESSMENT
• And the assessment looks at things such as, has your significant other made threats to you or your pet
• AND THE ASSESSMENT LOOKS AT THINGS SUCH AS, HAS YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER MADE THREATS TO YOU OR YOUR PET

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on May 6, 2026, approved the prior journal, and accepted a Rules Committee report advancing the government appropriations bill to third reading. The chamber then took up the tenth budget extender, which sponsor Senator Serrano said would keep state government operating through Monday, May 11 and contained $482 million in new spending, bringing the total across extenders to $20.3 billion. In questioning, Senator O’Mara and Senator Helming pressed Serrano for details on the reported $268 billion budget deal, policy outcomes, revenue raisers, and whether local governments, schools, and rural health programs would receive certainty; Serrano said final budget bills were not yet in print and declined to speculate on unresolved issues. The extender passed 60-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the North Tonawanda High School girls varsity basketball team, the Tappan Zee High School girls basketball team, and SUNY student Chriss-Ann Pryce. Members praised the teams’ state championships and Pryce’s academic and leadership achievements through the Educational Opportunity Program. The chamber then returned to legislation and passed a bill designating May 9 as Overdose Awareness Day in New York; Senator Fernandez said it recognized the harm of overdose and the need to continue funding harm reduction and recovery services. Additional bills passed included a statewide domestic violence lethality assessment measure, with Senators Murray, Rolison, Webb, and Ramos describing it as a tool to identify dangerous situations and prevent fatalities; a mental health insurance bill limiting step therapy/prior authorization for serious mental health medications, supported by Senator Fahy; and measures on education, real property tax, election law, general business law, kitchen incubator economic impacts, public buildings, state finance, and mental hygiene. Several bills drew recorded opposition, including the real property tax bill and the election law and general business law measures. The Senate concluded by adjourning until Monday, May 11 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated legislative.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of my concerns is that when we look at property tax or assessment and evaluations, I I applaud the
• to my local counties, Beckham County specifically in 2025, assuming that all equipment that was assessed
• manageable as far as loss of revenue, and that is again the worst-case scenario, assuming that all assessed
• equipment was assessed at zero.
• Do you see any issue with the constitution, Article 1, where it talks about a standard assessment or

Bills: HR1038, HB3263, HB3127, HB2997, HB3115, HB2123, HB3587, HB3028, HB2035, HB3369, HB3620, HB3621, HB3622, HB3624, HB3175, HB3173, HB3178, HB1979, HB4476

Keywords: Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition

Transcript Highlights:

• AND DESIGNATE A PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CARE COORDINATOR AND CONDUCT THE NATIONAL PEDIATRIC READINESS ASSESSMENT
• , AND REQUIRE ACHA TO PUBLISH THE RESULTS OF THE PEDIATRIC READINESS ASSESSMENT AND FINALLY, THE BILL
• NEEDS TO BE CLEAR OFF GROUPS FOR PEOPLE TO RAISE THEIR HANDS AND SAY I NEED INDIVIDUALIZED CARE ASSESSMENT
• IS NOT CAPTURING MY HEALTH EXPERIENCE AND SO REALLY ABLE TO GET BACK TO THE INDIVIDUALIZED CARE ASSESSMENT
• SO SAYING YEAH, WE NEED TO HAVE REGULAR ASSESSMENTS TO MAKE SURE THESE MODELS ARE CONTINUING TO BEHAVE

Transcript Highlights:

• Who monitor and assess internal affair investigations performed by CDCR's Office of Internal Affairs.
• once each case closes and we complete our monitoring and assessment.
• We currently also have another assessment coming through to look at the various different blind spots
• In regards to potential blind spots, we are making another assessment and eventually going to address
• And being able to do an assessment of CDCR.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We only have one bill today, and that bill is Senate Bill 4, relative to commercial property assessed
• colleague, Senator Murphy. uh relative to commercial property uh relative to commercial property assess
• 38.840> energy<00:04:39.320> and<00:04:39.560> resiliency<00:04:40.320> or assess
• clean energy and resiliency or assess clean energy and resiliency or the<00:04:40.639> C<00:04
• C-PACE refers to commercial property assessed clean energy programs, and it's funding that's provided

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:00:46.720> Rob and assessment division and Mr. Rob and assessment division and Mr.
• <03:01:22.080> and highlights within the assessment and highlights within the assessment and
• 05.680> and questions on assessment and questions on assessment and accountability<03:12:06.640
• <03:33:50.479> is leave us and on the YTOP assessment is leave us and on the YTOP assessment
• assessments, what does it look like? assessments, what does it look like?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance fees that would be assessed maintenance fees that would be assessed to<00:49:41.720>
• the budget to do a uh assessment the budget to do a uh assessment community<01:15:43.360> outreach
• On the landowner assessment fee, I'm glad that OHA amended the bill to have them collect the fees.
• The hope is that this assessment fee is reasonable and is proportional to an affordable unit, because
• Then an environmental assessment is conducted to evaluate the impacts of that master plan.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted. OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important. A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• in a landing, including but not limited to a touch-and-go landing, or when the fee would be assessed
• based on an aircraft entering into a specific radius of the airspace of the airport assessing the fee
• Senate Bill 434, a bill to be entitled an act relating to assessment of property used for residential
• Senate Bill 434, a bill to be entitled an act relating to assessment of property used for residential
• Senate Bill 434, a bill to be entitled an act relating to assessment of property used for residential

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, visiting groups, and special honorees in the galleries. The chamber then took up committee and executive appointment business, adopting a report confirming 42 gubernatorial appointments by a vote of 36-0. The Senate next considered a long special-order calendar of bills, most of them passing with little or no opposition. Measures included public-records sunset reviews and trade secret/cybersecurity exemptions; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; commercial driving school oversight; human trafficking training for nurses; a new injunction for protection against serious violence and its related public-records exemption; nature-based coastal resiliency and mangrove protection; a chiropractic trust-funds cap repeal; specialty license plates; a waiver of late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation; the Florida Farm Bill with multiple agriculture, biosolids, and enforcement provisions; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leases; disability presumption clarifications for first responders; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and the Blue Envelope program; campus safety reporting procedures for public postsecondary institutions; and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary critical-need practice certificates, and domestic animals. The floor debate featured the most discussion on the farm bill, the HCSM/nonprofit religious organizations bill, the autism law-enforcement bill, and the school athletics bill. The HCSM bill drew extended debate over whether licensed insurance agents should be allowed to market faith-based health care sharing ministries, with supporters emphasizing consumer choice, free speech, and religious liberty, and opponents warning about unregulated products and commissions; it passed 32-5. The athletics bill, prompted by the Teddy Bridgewater/Miami Northwestern situation, would let coaches provide good-faith support to student-athletes while requiring reporting and FHSAA oversight; it passed 38-0. Most other measures passed overwhelmingly, including the autism bill 38-0, the campus safety bill 37-0, the public school patriotic displays bill 36-2, and the farm bill 38-0 after amendments addressing Everglades lands and biosolids timing were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as for these individuals that are newly subject to the requirements, they'll be assessed for them
• for them as their interview assessed for them as their interview comes<00:13:31.120> up.
• January is when they would be assessed January is when they would be assessed for<00:13:45.760><
• <00:13:58.959> to categories when you would be assessed to categories when you would be assessed
• <00:48:23.040> occurs submit to us, but the assessment occurs submit to us, but the assessment

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Human Services and Homelessness received a briefing from Scott Morish of the Hawaii Department of Human Services on upcoming SNAP changes tied to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1/OBBA) and on the federal government shutdown’s impact on November SNAP benefits. DHS described its SNAP workload and statewide participation, noting about 86,229 households and 168,947 individuals receiving benefits in September, with roughly $58–$60 million distributed monthly. Morish said DHS has already made system and policy updates in preparation for the November 1 implementation date. Most of the briefing focused on expanded able-bodied adult work requirements. DHS explained that the work rule now applies to additional groups, including adults ages 55 to 64, households with dependent children age 14 and older, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and youth ages 18 to 24 who transitioned from foster care. The department said affected individuals must generally work or participate in qualifying activities for 80 hours per month, with noncompliance leading to a three-month benefit limit and a 36-month ineligibility period. DHS also reviewed exemptions, including for disability, pregnancy, caregiving, school or training, unemployment, and substance use treatment, and clarified that the new Indian Health Care Improvement Act exemption does not include Native Hawaiians. DHS said it received approval for Hawaii’s request for a non-contiguous-state exemption from payment error penalties through September 30, 2026, but must still make good-faith efforts to implement the work rules. Morish also outlined OBBA changes to non-citizen eligibility, saying that beginning November 1 only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible, while other previously eligible categories such as refugees, asylees, and some parolees will no longer qualify. He noted that ineligible non-citizens must still be included in household reporting and their income counted. The committee then discussed the federal shutdown’s effect on SNAP, with DHS saying USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP issuance because of insufficient funding; existing October benefits remain usable, and TANF and general assistance are not affected. DHS said it has posted FAQs and call-center messages, and is working with the Hawaii Food Bank on an additional $2 million in support and with nonprofit partners on a new Hawaii Relief program funded by TANF for families with dependent children. Members asked about eligibility for kūpuna and documentation for the relief program, and DHS said the TANF-funded program is limited to households with a child under 18, while FAQs are now available online.

Transcript Highlights:

• , lethality assessment questionnaires, and to be able so police or law enforcement can be able to take
• , lethality assessment questionnaires, and to be able so police or law enforcement can be able to take
• <00:23:11.600> questionnaires<00:23:12.960> and lethality assessment questionnaires
• and lethality assessment questionnaires and uh<00:23:14.400> to<00:23:14.640> be<00:23
• Well, witness credibility is an assessment that a judge makes.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee on Family Court reviewed several previously distributed reports, including a comparison of family court structures in other states and a report on improving New Hampshire family court pre-trial and mediation practices. The main new topic was a report on the intersection of domestic violence and family courts in New Hampshire, with members discussing how domestic violence cases in superior or district court can overlap with custody matters in family court and how courts may not be aware of related proceedings in other venues. Members discussed RSA 490-D:2 and related statutes, noting that family courts have original jurisdiction over certain abuse, neglect, and domestic violence matters, with concurrent jurisdiction in some protective-order cases. The discussion focused on practical problems such as confidentiality in domestic violence cases, limited access to case information by nonparties, and the need for courts to better communicate about companion cases. Suggestions included a shared or unified database, expanded lethality assessments for law enforcement, and a requirement that criminal courts report domestic violence convictions or protective-order violations to family court so judges are aware of the full case context. The subcommittee also discussed ways to help self-represented litigants, including better education at first appearance, clearer guidance about raising protective orders or criminal charges at hearings, daily docket review by clerks, and a possible “lawyer for the day” program modeled on Massachusetts. One member raised the idea of a family safety docket, while another noted that New Hampshire already has a complex case docket for high-conflict matters and that cases generally stay with one judge when possible. No votes were taken, and the chair said the subcommittee would continue reviewing materials and could return to work next year, with possible bill amendments to follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• that assesses both cost and benefits.
• We prepare a standardized regulatory impact assessment that assesses both cost and benefits of the rules
• No, we've always done that impact assessment.
• or health impact assessment that's done that was deemed appropriate by the courts.
• or health impact assessment that's done that was deemed appropriate by the courts.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Utilities and Energy, Transportation, and Natural Resources focused on California’s transportation fuels sector, especially the state’s response to refinery closures and the broader transition away from fossil fuels. Opening remarks emphasized the tension between climate and air-quality goals, fuel affordability, refinery jobs and local tax bases, and the need to avoid crisis-driven responses as Phillips 66 and Valero consider shutting refineries in Wilmington and Benicia. Professor Emily Grubert framed the issue as a long-term managed transition in which the public already bears much of the risk and should also capture benefits from a well-planned shift. CARB Chair Leanne Randolph reviewed the state’s emissions and fuel policies, including AB 32, the low-carbon fuel standard, clean vehicle programs, and the at-berth regulation for ocean-going vessels. She said California’s transportation sector remains the largest source of greenhouse gases and a major source of smog-forming pollution, but that the state has made substantial progress and still needs to reduce demand for fossil fuels while maintaining compliance with federal air-quality standards. Randolph also said CARB’s recent LCFS amendments had not caused the predicted spike in gas prices and explained that compliance pathways for the at-berth rule include emissions-reduction technologies or payments into a remediation fund. CEC Vice Chair Gunda described declining gasoline demand, shrinking in-state refining capacity, and growing dependence on imports, arguing that the state is in a “mid-transition” period that requires both support for legacy infrastructure and continued investment in cleaner alternatives. He outlined the administration’s petroleum market stabilization proposal, which aims to return California crude production to 125 million barrels a year through four components: codifying the ban on fracking, validating the Kern County oil-and-gas permitting ordinance, creating a temporary CEQA exemption paired with a two-for-one plug-and-drill framework, and strengthening pipeline and spill-safety requirements. Department of Conservation Director Jennifer Lucasey said the proposal is intended to stabilize crude supply and pipeline throughput while preserving health and environmental protections, and noted that CalGEM would still review permits and enforce other requirements. Mayor Steve Young of Benicia testified that a Valero closure would significantly reduce city revenue and leave the community facing years of cleanup and redevelopment challenges. He said the city supports environmental protection but is worried about the economic hit, the possibility that Benicia becomes a fuel-import terminal, and the lack of local influence over refinery decisions. Members pressed the panel on the CEQA exemption, tribal and habitat review, disclosure of closure liabilities, fuel-demand projections, and whether the proposal should include more demand-side measures. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and officials said some proposals, including a margin-cap pause and further transition planning, would be taken up later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• So turning to page six on our assessment we have three critiques of this plan and they're all somewhat
• So turning to page 2 in our assessment.
• Office of the president is taking a 10% reduction by lowering the campus assessment.
• It's from the campus assessments specifically. OK. All right.
• I want to focus my questions on the Cal Grant numbers and really trying to better assess.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What we've developed is an assessment tool. It's about 20 questions.
• And what we're going to do with that assessment tool is gauge housing risk.
• So the assessments is where a majority of our income for that division comes from.
• The last biennium, 23 to 25, about 90% of our income came from those assessments.
• The assessments are also based on asset size for the credit unions.

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our key considerations in that assessment include how to minimize and avoid any service disruptions
• What I would add is as we continue to assess those direct contractors that applied for the dollars and
• On page two, you'll see a summary, one-pager of our local planning child care needs assessment.
• We're completing a statewide wraparound capacity assessment...
• The tiered rate structure relies on time assessment and coordinated teams.

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:57:21.520> rates be and based on that they assess rates be and based on that they assess
• That's going to be an assessment on the people who have the program, on those cities and towns who've
• <01:12:02.080> if additional amount for assessments if additional amount for assessments if
• problematic they have an assessment. problematic they have an assessment.
• insurance that they have an assessment insurance that they have an assessment system.<01:21:36.239

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several insurance-related bills. Senate Bill 47, concerning health insurance policies related to the birth of the mother, was moved ought to pass with no amendments and was approved on a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 121, dealing with Medicare Advantage plan notice requirements, was amended to reduce the required notice from 120 days to 90 days and to remove a federal citation; the department said the change was to avoid conflict with federal notice rules. After discussion about the stress caused when carriers leave the Medicare Advantage market, the committee voted ought to pass as amended, 7-0. The committee then heard a detailed explanation of the continuing care retirement communities bill, described by the Insurance Department as a rewrite of a 1989 law to modernize oversight, require quarterly financial reporting as an early warning system, create a bill of rights for residents, and clarify issues such as entrance fees and removal of dangerous residents. A member recalled the bill’s original purpose as protecting solvency because residents pay substantial upfront fees. The bill was moved ought to pass and approved unanimously, 7-0. The final major discussion concerned a pooled risk organizations bill. Members debated whether oversight should remain with the Secretary of State or be moved to the Insurance Department. Supporters of moving it argued the issue is solvency, citing concerns about reserve levels, prior insolvencies, and the Insurance Department’s expertise. Opponents said the Secretary of State’s office had historically overseen the entities and that the bill would fundamentally change how they operate. A straw vote favored an amendment, but the committee ultimately voted to retain the bill for further work, with plans to revisit it later in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, moving on SB 482 relating to cognitive assessments.
• Okay, moving on SB 482 relating to cognitive assessments.
• Okay, moving on SB 482 relating to cognitive assessments.
• Okay, moving on SB 482 relating to cognitive assessments.
• and it also the way the bill assessment and it also the way the bill is<01:15:11.280> written

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our own needs assessment again showed that water providers have a real need, a large need, for new water
• And we can do a more holistic assessment of what is the need of these communities, how are they meeting
• those needs, environmental assessments, those types of things.
• So yes, highlighting again the water demand that we found through our needs assessment was a supply gap
• So I think if we went back to do that needs assessment again, we would probably see a bigger number,

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee was called to order with member and staff introductions, then heard a presentation from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA). Director Chelsea McGuire described WIFA’s core revolving loan programs for clean water and drinking water infrastructure, its rural water supply development fund, its conservation grant fund, and the long-term water augmentation fund. She said WIFA has invested nearly $3 billion over 30 years in water infrastructure, awarded $87.3 million under the rural fund, and allocated about $211 million in conservation grants expected to save 6.6 million acre-feet of water. She also reported that the conservation grant fund is fully allocated and that WIFA is seeking renewed funding support from the legislature. A major focus was the long-term augmentation fund, which WIFA is using to evaluate large-scale water supply projects through a competitive solicitation and due-diligence process. McGuire said 17 proposals were received and seven projects were selected for further development, including desalination, reuse, groundwater storage, and exchange-based supply arrangements involving Arizona, California, and Mexico. She emphasized that the next phase will include public engagement, technical and financial analysis, and input from potential water buyers, and that the projects are intended to address an identified supply gap of 100,000 to 500,000 acre-feet per year over the next 10 to 15 years. Members generally praised WIFA’s work, especially its support for small and rural communities, and asked about public transparency, conservation savings, federal funding for revolving funds, and the cost and timeline of augmentation projects. McGuire said the revolving funds remain financially stable even if federal funding declines, though forgivable-principal grants could be affected. She also said smaller utilities often need staff help to navigate applications and that WIFA is working to make the rural fund’s process more predictable and accessible. Several senators urged the legislature not to cut WIFA’s funding, while McGuire argued that stable state support is needed to keep project costs down and maintain momentum. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the two ways that we assess compactness are visual and mathematical.
• There are a couple of mathematical measures that are used to assess compactness.
• It provides some assistance in assessing compactness.
• The second measure that we use to assess compactness is the convex hull score.
• Ultimately, I think the visual assessment is the primary way to assess it, but the scores are helpful

Summary: The Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting met for an informational presentation from outside counsel Andy Bartos on the legal standards governing congressional redistricting. He reviewed federal Equal Protection principles, Florida’s non-diminishment provision, and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, explaining how race can be considered in redistricting but generally cannot be the predominant factor. He also discussed the Florida Constitution’s tiered standards, including the prohibition on intentional political favoritism, compactness, and the requirement to use existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible. Bartos focused on two recent or pending cases: the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision, which upheld the legislature’s 2022 congressional map and held that the non-diminishment clause does not justify making race predominant absent specific identifiable discrimination, and Louisiana v. Callais, pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, which may further clarify whether race may be used predominantly to comply with the Voting Rights Act or whether Section 2 remains constitutional as applied. He also explained how courts assess compactness and intent, and how data such as the 2020 census, voter registration, turnout, and election results are used for voting-rights analysis. Members asked about what triggers redistricting, whether the legislature must redraw maps now, what data is available in the mapping tool, how intent is measured, and whether public input opportunities will be provided. Bartos said redistricting timing is largely a legislative judgment unless a court requires changes, that the committee can consider whether BVM or the eventual Callais decision warrants revisions, and that the Callais ruling will bind Louisiana directly but serve as precedent for other courts. No votes or legislative actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• $304,000 per year and again that's run through the special revenue fund and those costs would be assessed
• $304,000 per year and again that's run through the special revenue fund and those costs would be assessed
• 04:47.520> be revenue fund and those costs would be revenue fund and those costs would be assessed
• back through the uh natural gas assessed back through the uh natural gas utilities.<00:04:51.840>
• to PUC and to the one assessment at the Department of Commerce.

Keywords: 1183, house