Transcript Highlights:

• public comments period.
• The process has included a series of public meetings and opportunities for public comment.
• The process included public meetings and opportunities for public comment.
• It’s about realigning our public investment with the public good. Let’s commit to the mission.
• Okay, so we don't hear from the public. Thank you. Okay. So we don't hear from the public. Okay.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• employment, public education, racial discrimination here in the state of Arizona in public employment
• , public education, and public contracts.
• We're not going to allow any type of racial discrimination in our education and our public employment
• The examples of DEI in Arizona's public institutions are well documented.
• Currently, I am the supervisor of the juvenile division of the Pima County Public Defender.

Summary: The Special Committee on Government heard three measures and advanced all of them on due pass recommendations. First, HCR 2044, sponsored by the Speaker, would expand Arizona’s constitutional prohibition on preferential treatment and discrimination based on race or ethnicity in public education, spending, hiring, and contracting. Supporters, including Goldwater Institute, Our America, and Heritage Action, argued it would close loopholes around DEI and reaffirm merit-based treatment. Some members raised concerns that the resolution would chill speech and discussion about race and identity, while others said it was needed to prevent race-based preferences. The committee approved the resolution 4-3. The committee then considered HB 2671, as amended by the Blackman Amendment. The bill narrows mandatory adult-court transfer for juveniles classified as chronic felony offenders, limiting it to higher-level felonies and preserving transfer for serious violent offenses. Sponsor Rep. Hernandez and juvenile public defender Michelle Robbins said the change would restore judicial and prosecutorial discretion, keep lower-level repeat juvenile offenders in juvenile court, and reduce recidivism by allowing access to rehabilitative services. Members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing second chances and juvenile justice reform. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 7-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 2676, also sponsored by Rep. Hernandez, which lowers the minimum age for restoring firearm possession rights for certain juvenile offenders from 30 to 25 and broadens restoration eligibility for other juvenile felony convictions. Supporters said the bill aligns firearm-rights restoration with juvenile record-destruction timelines and helps rehabilitated individuals move forward without unnecessary barriers to employment, education, and housing. The committee passed the bill 7-0 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm here today to just lift up the voices of that main streets economy in my district.
• But we are our main streets. You know, he was the town pharmacist growing up.
• But we are our main streets. We are our community, and we will take care of them. Thank you.
• We have Turner Seafoods, and we also have Rising Eagle Public House.
• We are your main streets of America. Thank you very much. Any questions?

Summary: The commission met to hear testimony on the future of credit card payments and swipe fees, with a focus on impacts to small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members and witnesses discussed interchange fees, processing fees, chargebacks, fraud risk, rewards programs, and the growing use of card-not-present and digital wallet transactions. Several witnesses urged the commission to support legislation that would prohibit fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions and allow businesses to pass credit card fees on to customers if they choose, while others warned that state regulation of interchange could reduce fraud protections and harm consumer rewards programs. Small business owners and trade groups described rising costs and thin margins, saying card fees are now among their largest expenses and are often charged on money that is merely passing through the business, such as sales tax and gratuities. Restaurant representatives said the current system shifts fraud and chargeback losses onto merchants, with little ability to negotiate rates or recover disputed funds, and argued that transparency and fee relief would help keep independent businesses open. Retailers gave similar testimony, citing rising swipe fees, complex statements, and the burden of online and phone transactions. A representative from the airline industry opposed interchange reform, arguing that airline credit card rewards are popular with consumers and support travel and jobs in Massachusetts. Credit union representatives cautioned that state-level interchange limits could weaken fraud prevention and force higher rates or reduced services, while the National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that banks and networks already operate under fee caps in other contexts and that interchange rates are fixed rather than competitive. Commission members asked questions about how chargebacks work, how fees are broken down, whether businesses can negotiate with processors or POS providers, and how consumer behavior has shifted toward cards, online ordering, and delivery since the pandemic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to facilitate the committee's business and public participation in today's hearing, we will
• When we talk about better roads and safe streets, it's easy to focus on miles of pavement and dollars
• That's the only way I can get around, and I'm representing veterans on the street, and they're a huge
• Hello, my name is Eileen, and I support this bill because my mom relies on public transportation.
• And I'm grateful for this public hearing because we are going through the process in the Legislature

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee held an informational hearing on AB 1923 by Assembly Member Soria, which would place the Fresno County Transportation Improvement Act on the November 2026 ballot as a successor to Measure C. Supporters said the measure is needed to preserve transportation funding for road repairs, transit, and matching dollars for state and federal grants, and argued that Fresno County voters should be allowed to decide after more than 32,000 petition signatures qualified the initiative. Testimony in support emphasized impacts on rural communities, students, seniors, farmworkers, caregivers, and access to medical care, with many local officials, residents, labor groups, and community organizations registering support. Opposition came from the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, which argued the bill would override local control and set a bad precedent by directing a local ballot placement contrary to the board’s action. The county also said the board did not delay intentionally, but acted at the next available meeting after signature verification, and argued that a required study was justified. California State Association of Counties registered concerns about local control but did not take a formal position. Committee discussion reflected those concerns, with one member warning about state overreach and the author responding that the board’s role is ministerial and that the bill is intended to prevent delay from pushing the measure to 2028. No vote was taken because the hearing was informational only. The chair noted the committee was hearing testimony and issues surrounding the bill, and the author closed by urging support when the measure reaches the Assembly floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to facilitate the committee's business and public participation in today's hearing, we will
• ago, our community partnered to create a transportation program that allows Kerman students to ride public
• That's the only way I can get around, and I'm representing veterans on the street, and they're a huge
• Hello, my name is Eileen, and I support this bill because my mom relies on public transportation.
• And I'm grateful for this public hearing because we are going through the process in the Legislature

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• In House Public Works, for example, the public will be happy to know that there are so many multiple
• Hall Street needs an HVAC replacement.
• The port terminal is on Market Street.
• It's right there on Market Street.
• It’s the public works process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not just the ones we see on the street, the ones behind the walls.
• But to say that we’re just going to let them on the street with a pretty new bracelet that’s going to
• So I just want to reassure the Assembly and the public who's watching that our most violent offenders
• So I just want to reassure the Assembly and the public who's watching that our most violent offenders
• They do public service things to reintegrate them into the community.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Representative Hoverson offered remarks recognizing World Autism Day, and the House then handled conference committee motions on several bills, including House Bills 1460 and 1248 and Senate Bills 2262, 2070, 2294, and 2297, with the Speaker appointing members to each conference committee. The chamber also set aside Senate Bill 2200 for re-referral to Appropriations and moved to amendments on Senate Bill 2128, which was the main subject of the day. Senate Bill 2128, a major criminal justice and corrections bill, drew extensive debate over truth-in-sentencing, mandatory minimums, parole, transitional facilities, work release, electronic monitoring, and the fiscal impact of longer incarceration. Division A of the amendments removed mandatory minimums for resisting arrest and felony simple assault while keeping consecutive-sentence language; supporters said this preserved judicial discretion and reduced costs, while opponents argued it weakened public safety. Division A was adopted 70-23. Division B proposed broader changes to preserve transitional programming, add penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring and escape, limit some work-release restrictions, create a parole board study, and fund electronic monitoring with a $600,000 appropriation. Supporters framed it as a compromise that balanced rehabilitation and public safety; opponents said it undercut the bill’s intent and left dangerous offenders with too much access to transitional release. Division B failed on a 46-46 tie. The House then took up the bill itself, with the Judiciary Committee reporting a do-not-pass recommendation as amended, and debate continued over whether the amended bill should advance, with members split between concerns about victims and public safety versus rehabilitation, prison capacity, and recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then have that clear communications to the providers and public on how this was going to be helpful
• <00:04:37.440><c> and</c> communications to the providers and communications to the providers and public
• :04:38.639><c> was</c><00:04:38.800><c> going</c><00:04:38.880><c> to</c><00:04:39.040><c> be</c> public
• on how this was going to be public on how this was going to be helpful<00:04:39.440><c> to</c><00:04
• We would be going through the surface streets, which takes more time.

Summary: The meeting opened without a quorum, so approval of the prior draft minutes was deferred until later. The committee then heard a DHS update from Commissioner Lori Weaver and COO David Weers, who described the recent flood at the Brown building and the relocation of nearly 400 DHS staff while operations are restored. They also outlined New Hampshire Care Connections, a privacy- and consent-focused closed-loop referral platform intended to improve referrals among providers, reduce duplication, and support continuity of care, with an Upper Valley implementation partnered with Dartmouth Health and an Epic integration already underway. Members asked whether the system would merge medical records or simply track referrals. DHS said it is not intended to store or transmit full medical records, but to integrate with providers’ electronic health record systems so referrals can be sent, received, and tracked, with consent controls limiting what information can be shared. Officials said the project will be tested over the coming months, with metrics, governance, and advisory committee oversight, and that it is tied to broader rural health transformation efforts and statewide implementation after the regional pilot. The committee also received the annual report from the Child Care Advisory Council. Maryanne Barter and Jessica Carver said the council worked with licensing to streamline the child care licensing rules, reducing the handbook by about 30%, and is now helping develop an informal dispute resolution process, revising the Granite Steps for Quality system, and creating a clearer handbook for providers handling state scholarship audits. They reported ongoing concern about child care closures and workforce shortages, said there is currently no wait list for child care assistance, and discussed questions about federal CCDF immunization requirements, which DHS said it would follow up on with federal technical assistance partners. After quorum was established, the committee moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Public Officers Law. Read the last section. Section 3.
• Calendar 848, Senate Print 2485, Senator Parker, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
• Calendar 980, Senate Print 8395, Senator Brouk, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
• Very drugs that they are selling on the street? Through you, Mr.
• As we know, the drug supply in the streets is mixed up with many different chemicals.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the journal, and took up a series of motions to discharge identical Assembly bills to the Third Reading Calendar, along with committee reports and amendments. The chamber also received an introduction from Senator Gonzalez honoring Maria Raine and her advocacy for guardrails on AI chatbots after the death of her son, and later adopted a Rules Committee report sending several General Business Law bills directly to Third Reading. The resolution calendar was adopted with some exceptions, and the Senate recognized several previously adopted resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Barnabas McHenry, Arthur Jones Jr., Floyd Todd Peterson III, the Lexington School for the Deaf, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Apraxia Awareness Month, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, Prevention Week, Physician Anesthesiologists Week, and Golf Day in New York. The Senate then considered and passed numerous bills, many on consumer protection and public policy topics. Measures included bills on General Business Law, Public Health Law, Correction Law, Environmental Conservation Law, Executive Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Public Officers Law, Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, Public Housing Law, Education Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills were laid aside, including a Public Health Law bill by Senator Fernandez and a Public Service Law bill by Senator Parker. The chamber also passed a concurrent constitutional resolution by Senator Stec proposing an amendment to Article 14. During floor debate, senators explained votes on several measures. Senator Ramos spoke in support of paid sick leave for domestic workers, describing the bill as a long-overdue labor protection for a workforce historically excluded from such rights. Senator Fernandez described her bill as the Manufacturer Disclosure and Transparency Act, aimed at requiring notice and public disclosure of certain pharmaceutical patent settlement agreements to improve transparency and competition in prescription drug pricing. Senator Ryan and Senator Martins supported a bill restricting hidden algorithmic price manipulation online, and Senator May supported a bill limiting excessive rental car fuel charges as part of a broader consumer protection package. The Senate also passed a memorial highway bill naming a portion of Route 19 in LeRoy for Lieutenant Gary A. Scott, with Senator Borrello explaining the veteran’s service and sacrifice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Normally this committee doesn't take public comments until the very end, but we will be taking public
• And then we'll be going to public comment.
• And now we’re going to go to public comment.
• We're now going to have public comment.
• is adjourned. public we've had.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department described funding for EDD Next document management work, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, UI and school employee benefit changes, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to an EDD Next reversion. PERB discussed reduced funding requests for AB 288 due to litigation and a proposal to implement AB 1 covering legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and removing a salary cap for the DWC administrative director. CalHR proposed consolidating employee assistance services into a statewide contract with enhanced support for first responders, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs, state contributions, and benefit overpayments. Members focused heavily on the unemployment insurance debt and interest payments, asking why the administration had no concrete plan to pay down principal. Finance and LAO explained that the state’s UI tax structure has long been insufficient and that any long-term solution would need to address both the outstanding federal loan and the structural imbalance in employer taxes. Questions also centered on EDD Next costs and timelines, with the chair asking for clearer long-term project cost estimates and Finance noting that future maintenance and operations costs will continue after implementation. On DIR’s emerging technologies unit, members asked whether it would address AI-driven workplace harms; DIR said the unit would focus on physical workplace safety issues involving AI, robotics, autonomous equipment, and related guardrails, while LAO noted broader labor-practice questions would likely fall outside Cal/OSHA’s scope. In the CalPERS discussion, members raised concerns about transparency in private equity and external management fees, while CalPERS said higher fees reflect a strategy of greater private-market and active-management exposure and are offset by higher net returns. Members urged more information on specific investments and future reporting. For CalSTRS, Finance presented routine contribution and overpayment adjustments, but members also raised broader transparency concerns that CalSTRS staff said they would follow up on separately. Public comment in Part A was dominated by strong support for an immigrant worker emergency relief fund, along with support for apprenticeship and workforce proposals and PERB staffing. The chair and members said they would follow up on where the immigrant relief proposal should be considered, noting it may belong in another policy area. The hearing then moved into Part B with an overview of Judicial Branch-related May Revision items, including court interpreter funding, appellate court security, workload cap changes, lactation room implementation delays, and a reduction to the state court facility construction backfill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We are also the primary source of public We are also the primary source of public amenities<00:04
• </c> other public and private entities. other public and private entities.
• Sauk Centre Main Street is the original Main Street in a designated historic district.
• </c> 1.6 million for construction of a public 1.6 million for construction of a public safety<01:36:41.400
• That That is not how public trust works.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> not safe and unwell off our streets, not safe and unwell off our streets, which<00:42:21.040><c
• <c> policy,</c><00:42:59.680><c> not</c> Let's think about public policy, not Let's think about public
• So it's to receive public money.
• </c> and eligible uh to receive public money. and eligible uh to receive public money.
• </c> embezzlement, or unlawful use of public embezzlement, or unlawful use of public funds<01:22:30.159

Transcript Highlights:

• And unfortunately, we're really going to need some help from the public sector on curing this issue.
• And unfortunately, we're really going to need some help from the public sector on curing this issue.
• </c> the business development public the business development public infrastructure<00:08:45.519><c>
• Housing is an ongoing need, and virtually every project needs public infrastructure to support it.
• </c><00:42:05.800><c> you</c> Wastewater uh extending streets you Wastewater uh extending streets you

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• stepped into public service for a stepped into public service for a reason.<00:13:17.440><c> So</c><00
• Public opinion is on our side.
• </c> um back across the street. um back across the street.
• trust and that public fear.
• trust and that advantage of that public trust and that public<01:40:10.800><c> fear.

Bills: HF3433 , HF3402 , HF3412 , HF3405 , HF3404

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I do not hear 'jitis,' but I think I'll talk like Sesame Street.
• Are you suggesting public money might be invested in this?
• Because they are going to end up back on the streets and then get picked up for another.
• They are going to end up back on the streets and then get picked up for another nuisance, create a public
• These are public medical journals, peer-reviewed by MDs and PhDs. And would you believe this?

Bills: HB3552 , HB2984 , HB4124 , HB3934 , HB3448 , HB3131 , HB4200 , HB4201 , HB3011 , HB1912 , HB3380 , HB3881 , HB3538 , HB3851 , HB3907 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4457

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Summary: The committee took up a series of health, human services, and related bills. House Bill 3552, allowing child care providers to bridge the gap between subsidy reimbursement rates and standard tuition rates, was adopted and reported out 11-2. House Bill 2984, as a substitute, would direct DHS to compile a report on the child care system, including subsidy payment error rates, the number of facilities, closures, and voluntary closure feedback; it was reported out 14-0. House Bill 4201, changing master teacher requirements in child care from licensed capacity to actual enrollment, also passed unanimously. House Bill 3380, creating the Fostering the Future for Oklahoma Children and Families Act to modernize foster care data systems and improve outcomes, passed 12-0. House Bill 4430 and House Bill 4431, both cleanup measures tied to prior nurse practitioner/PA scope and pharmacy-related provisions, each passed 13-0. Several bills focused on health care access, regulation, and public safety. House Bill 4124 would allow over-the-counter ivermectin sales for human use with labeling and dosing information; after extensive questioning about safety, labeling, children, and liability, it passed 9-5. House Bill 3934, a large amended measure affecting dental practice and supervision rules, passed 14-0 after discussion about x-rays, telemedicine, and dental assistants. House Bill 3448, requiring insurance coverage related to group home provider liability for property damage, passed 14-0. House Bill 3131, setting baseline standards and oversight for homeless shelters with roles split between Commerce and Health, drew concerns about local control, temporary shelters, and fiscal impact, but passed 8-6. House Bill 4200, creating a revolving fund for forensic assertive community treatment teams to address the jail-to-homelessness cycle for people with severe mental illness, passed 11-3. The committee also advanced several public health, consumer, and industry bills. House Bill 1912, the Corn Masa Nutrition Enhancement Act, generated extensive debate over folic acid fortification, parental choice, MTHFR genetics, and potential health effects; with a PCS allowing a non-fortified option, it passed 9-5. House Bill 3011 repealed the home brewing license while keeping home-brewing limits and sales restrictions, and passed 11-3. House Bill 3881, the Alternative Nicotine Products Regulatory Act, increased application costs and removed a registry deemed inconsistent with federal law, passing 13-0. House Bill 3538, targeting pharmacy benefit manager vertical integration and its effects on access and pricing, passed 13-0 after discussion of mail-order restrictions and pharmacy closures. House Bill 3851, defining private label/control label alcoholic beverages under the three-tier system, also passed 13-0. House Bill 3907, requiring direct-hire staffing for facilities serving vulnerable adults and children with a short temporary staffing grace period, passed 13-0. The committee then moved on to House Bill 4457, a specialty-drug/PBM measure, with discussion beginning about PBM practices and specialty pharmacy access.

Transcript Highlights:

• She told the public, it's only an 8% increase.
• Public safety would encourage cities to adequately fund fire and police and prioritize public safety.
• On top of public safety...
• You know, so now they're kind of using public safety... ...to scare the public, in a sense, in order
• This would affect our public health.

Bills: SB9 , SB 9

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of notaries public be laid on the table. of notaries public be laid on the table.
• </c> as public versus non-public? as public versus non-public?
• The public deserves to know.
• </c> schools, our communities, our streets. schools, our communities, our streets.
• </c> our schools or increase public safety. our schools or increase public safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Judicial and Public Safety Committees. Judicial and Public Safety Committees.
• We must have public transparency and public input.
• </c><00:27:54.200><c> and</c> We must have public transparency and We must have public transparency and
• public<00:27:54.680><c> input.
• </c><00:27:55.480><c> If</c> public input. If public input.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wednesday, March 25, in Room 225, and a public notice will be posted on the legislature's website.
• Okay, if not, members, any questions for the public defenders? Immigration ...
• Okay, if not, members, any questions for the public defenders?
• public service servants, especially public service servants, especially backed<00:52:25.720><c> by</
• We are convening the Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee only for a 3:01 p.m. agenda.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1976, relating to dementia training for law enforcement, and HB 2443, relating to disaster services for people with disabilities and access or functional needs. For HB 1976, the Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board opposed the bill’s process and cost, arguing there was no documented training gap because existing CALEA accreditation already includes mental illness response training that covers dementia. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, disability advocates, caregivers, and several individuals, said dementia-specific training would help first responders better handle real-world encounters and avoid harmful misunderstandings. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including changing mandatory language to permissive language in several places and removing a deadline for the first annual training cycle; the recommendation was adopted unanimously. For HB 2443, testimony was strongly supportive. The Disability Communication Access Board, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and individual testifiers said the bill would strengthen emergency planning and response by adding a Disability Integration Specialist and better integrating people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into disaster preparedness, sheltering, and FEMA coordination. Several speakers emphasized recent storms and rescues as evidence of the need. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including changes based on Attorney General comments and adding specialized communications and comprehensive communications planning provisions previously contained in another bill; that recommendation was also adopted unanimously. The transcript then moved to a separate mini hearing on HB 1768, relating to immigration enforcement. Supporters, including the ACLU of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would prevent local law enforcement from entering 287(g)-type agreements or otherwise participating in federal immigration enforcement, citing civil rights concerns, community trust, and the need for police to focus on local public safety. One testifier raised concerns that local cooperation could help avoid mistakes in enforcement, while supporters responded that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that local agencies should not be deputized for civil immigration arrests. The excerpt ends amid extended member questions and discussion, without showing a final vote on HB 1768.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the processes that we're charged with at Explore Minnesota is to work with public-private partnerships
• </c><00:02:57.120><c> uh</c><00:02:57.640><c> to</c><00:02:57.879><c> have</c><00:02:58.120><c> public
• </c> work with public uh to have public work with public uh to have public private<00:02:58.760><c> Partnerships
• Journal and that included the Street Journal and that included the Minneapolis<00:12:53.959><c> St</
• uh to the public through our website<00:25:59.600><c> uh</c><00:25:59.799><c> as</c><00:25:59.919><c

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development