Transcript Highlights:

• appointment-of-counsel things, and as every other judge did when I was a judge, there is in the judicial
• branch there is no I mean it judicial branch there is no I mean it would<00:51:27.280> be<00:
• Electronic filing is not done at this time in domestic violence cases, and the judicial branch does not
• <02:21:30.600> branch violence cases and the judicial branch violence cases and the judicial
• branch is already doing judicial branch is already doing something<03:01:25.920> confidence<03

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for clarity, Senator Graal, in the bill, it talks about identifying two judicial circuits.
• with the greatest need for such a program, and so that should guide the decision-making for those judicial

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first considered CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, presented by Senator Graal. The bill addressed three areas: child welfare workforce shortages, higher-acuity children in out-of-home care, and services/data for commercially sexually exploited children. It would create a CPI and case manager recruitment program aimed at former public safety and service workers, convene a workforce work group, establish a four-year treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits identified by DCF based on removal and placement data, and require more detailed, extractable child-level data on commercially sexually exploited children along with a bed capacity study and service gap analysis. Two amendments were adopted: one clarified record retention for redacted assessments, and another attached the appropriation. The committee then heard CS/SB 110 on rural communities from Senator Simon. The bill proposed a broad rural development package, including a state office of rural prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for counties with declining populations, increased housing support, major rural road funding, school consortium funding, and additional health care resources for rural facilities and training. A delete-all amendment was adopted that expanded and refined several provisions, including local sales tax trust fund distributions, county connectivity projects, agritourism marketing support, disaster-impacted rural infrastructure eligibility, insurance and provider eligibility changes, and increased funding for critical access hospitals and rural medical education reimbursement. Both bills drew broad support from local government, education, health care, housing, and rural advocacy representatives. Supporters said the rural bill was especially comprehensive and would help small counties, schools, roads, housing, and health care, while one witness cautioned that road expansion should be balanced with protection of agricultural and natural lands. Senator Bradley and Senator Simon emphasized local control and the importance of strengthening rural Florida without imposing mandates. CS/SB 7012 and CS/SB 110 were both reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• offenders, and the other one, filed in collaboration with Representative Olinsky, would provide judicial
• assurances were made that a full 38 hearing were included in the proposed legislation, which included a judicial
• I would point out that obviously this is subject to judicial review and this is not mandatory.
• I would point out that in 2019 there was a Supreme Judicial Court decision that said the aggravated rape
• And again, this is from the Supreme Judicial Court. So, and that certainly is a violent offense.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a wide range of criminal justice, victim services, and records-sealing bills. Early testimony focused on H.1811, the Clean Slate automated record-sealing bill, with supporters arguing that automatic sealing after existing waiting periods would remove barriers to jobs, housing, and education without changing eligibility rules. Advocates from legal aid, business, and housing organizations said the current petition-based system is underused, burdensome, and costly, while opponents of expanding surveillance-related laws urged the committee to preserve privacy protections. The committee also heard testimony on H.1693, which would immediately seal records in cases ending without conviction and clarify the presumption of innocence, with speakers describing how dismissed cases still create lasting collateral consequences and prevent people from moving forward. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills centered on victim safety and domestic violence. Senator Michael Moore testified for S.1201, which would keep child-protective orders in effect even if the parent or guardian who filed them dies, and for S.1204, which would update the wiretap statute. Multiple survivors and advocates supported S.1215 and S.1222, arguing for a narrow wiretap defense for recordings made to document threats or abuse and for making GPS tampering a separate felony offense. Testifiers described situations in which GPS devices were cut off or disabled and said current law leaves victims at risk and gives abusers too much leeway. The committee also heard emotional testimony on H.1685/S.1238, a bill prompted by the suicide of Stavri Yanka in custody, with the sponsor, his mother, and the sheriff describing the need for better information-sharing so suicide-risk information follows a person into custody. Law enforcement and prosecutors supported several due-process and dangerousness-related bills. MassCOP, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the State Police Association backed H.1828/S.1039/S.1235, which would require de novo Superior Court review for POST Commission suspensions over two weeks or decertifications, arguing officers need a meaningful appeal beyond administrative review. The committee also heard support for H.1691, expanding the dangerousness statute to additional offenses; Bristol County District Attorney Quinn said the changes would let prosecutors seek detention in serious cases such as child rape and manslaughter when facts warrant it. In contrast, the Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed expanding dangerousness detention, warning that pretrial detention causes serious harms and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic defendants. The hearing also included testimony on H.1654/S.1063 to enhance victims’ rights and H.1525, which would rename and expand community corrections into community justice programs, with supporters emphasizing reentry, reduced stigma, and broader service access.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Statute section 256.045, subdivision 7, allows for judicial review by a district court of Department
• Minnesota Statute section 256.045, subdivision 7, allows for judicial review by a district court of Department
• So, um this case is known in the Minnesota judicial system as an example of the system working and I
• So, um this case is known in the Minnesota judicial system as an example of the system working and I
• So, um this case is known in the Minnesota judicial system as an example of the system working and I

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Joint House and Senate Subcommittee on Claims convened on April 30, first without quorum and then with quorum, at which point the committee corrected and approved the prior minutes. Members then reviewed several claims held over for informational purposes, including injury claims for Fraser, Larson, Schmidt, Stuart, and Washington, and property claims for Lidberg, Robecky, and Young, with no action taken on those items. The committee dismissed a claim by Ms. Prevally seeking reimbursement for funds liquidated from irrevocable trusts after hearing that the matter had already been litigated in court and that subcommittee rules bar claims for public assistance compensation. The panel then approved two exoneration claims: James Jovan Davis, whose murder conviction was vacated after postconviction proceedings and who settled for $250,000, and Clayton Douglas Groves, whose sexual-conduct convictions were vacated after evidence of prior false accusations was admitted and who settled for $350,000. Testimony from counsel for both claimants emphasized wrongful conviction, the length of incarceration, and negotiated settlement amounts, with members asking about the basis for the compensation and attorney-fee allocations. The final exoneration claim, Marvin Haynes, was also approved. The committee heard that Haynes was convicted as a teenager, later exonerated after new evidence showed false evidence and suggestive eyewitness identification, and that the state and claimant had reached a $4.5 million settlement. The committee then turned to Department of Corrections injury claims, denying Arnold Baker’s claim for lack of evidence of a compensable permanent injury, and approving Mark Carroll’s claim for a $4,570.40 award after he suffered a compensable ankle fracture while working. In property claims, the committee discussed Anthony Edwards’s claim for food, a JPay tablet, and shoes. After testimony from Department of Corrections counsel about property inventory procedures and the lack of a current replacement tablet program, members agreed to compensate Edwards $70 for the missing shoes, deny the food claim, and deny the tablet claim because the tablet had been returned and any malfunction was reported outside the department’s reporting window.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the bill guarantees a meaningful and impartial appeal process, including judicial review independent
• opposing this bill. impartial appeal process, including a impartial appeal process, including a judicial
• review<00:31:11.440> independent<00:31:12.000> of<00:31:12.159> the judicial
• review independent of the judicial review independent of the permitting<00:31:12.799> authority
• And since we don't take that position in our judicial system, we should not take that position in our

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal from Friday, February 20, 2026. The chamber also announced caucus meetings during recess and received notice that the House had passed House Bills 111, 527, and 555. New Senate bills were introduced, including SB 220 on small farm wineries, SB 221 on abuse of a corpse, and SB 222 on environmental covenants and an emergency declaration. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 52, which concerns fair permitting and licensing practices. The sponsor described the bill as a response to delays and subjectivity in agency permitting, saying it would require clear standards, set deadlines, and provide meaningful appeals without eliminating existing requirements. Opponents argued that a fixed deadline could be too short for complex environmental and public-safety reviews and could pressure agencies with limited staffing; one senator also warned it could benefit large businesses at the expense of workers and communities. Supporters countered that the bill would improve accountability and help businesses, child care providers, and other applicants get timely decisions. After floor amendments were withdrawn, SB 52 passed as amended by a vote of 30 yeas to 5 nays. Before that vote, the Senate also returned SB 50 from the Appropriations and Revenue Committee to the Rules Committee under suspension of the rules. After SB 52, the chamber took up Senate Bill 124, relating to sick leave for school district personnel, and heard the sponsor’s explanation that it was intended to address classroom absences in a cost-effective way that would benefit students and taxpayers. The transcript cuts off during the discussion of SB 124, before any final vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative<00:30:00.880> branch<00:30:01.120> and<00:30:01.279> the<00:30:01.520> judicial
• legislative branch and the judicial legislative branch and the judicial branch. branch. branch.
• 56% of the people who called there were claiming violations of their civil liberties within our judicial
• And I don't know if this bill is the way to do it or not, but people don't trust our judicial system.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 518 and House Bill 652FN, both related to the family court system and child/family matters. HB 518 drew extended discussion about DCYF/DCYF’s role and whether the bill should be retained, amended, or studied further. Representative Love argued the agency is deeply troubled, citing abuse cases, lack of training, and fear among constituents, and said he would vote against ITL while preferring interim study so the bill could still be used as a future amendment vehicle. Other members emphasized that the family division has ongoing reform work underway and that abolishing or moving cases to superior court would not solve the underlying problems. On HB 652FN, the subcommittee chair and Representative Pearson gave a detailed defense of the family division, explaining its history, statewide structure, caseload, and the rationale for specialized family courts. Pearson said the bill would reverse progress by shifting jurisdiction back to superior court, overload dockets, and deprive families of judges with specialized expertise. He pointed to reforms already underway, including simplified forms, more mediation, and review of possible judicial bias patterns. Several members and public comments supported keeping the bill as a tool for reform rather than killing it, while critics argued the family court system suffers from due process, oversight, and rule-of-law problems. The committee also heard broader testimony on family court concerns, including allegations of systemic bias, discovery limits, unsworn witnesses, and lack of oversight, as well as support for mediation as a less adversarial and more effective option. Some members said the judiciary needs more judges and mediators, but that budget constraints limit those improvements. The discussion ended with no final vote recorded in the excerpt; instead, members continued debating whether the bills should be ITL’d or retained for interim study and further reform work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this was unreviewed judicial and administrative discretion.
• both produced studies that concluded that sentences were based more on a judge's background and judicial
• procedure that is cemented in the principles of fairness, equity, and due process, with a component for judicial
• An opportunity for judicial review to ensure comportment with these practices is essential.
• But we would save a tremendous amount of judicial time, court time, attorney time, and crime lab time

Summary: The committee held a work session on tort liability and parole, with the chair explaining that the topics were linked because criminal justice reform and state liability often intersect, especially in cases involving child welfare and corrections. Staff first outlined Washington’s tort liability framework, including the state’s broad waiver of sovereign immunity, statutes governing mandatory reporting and investigation of abuse, the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations, and the lack of caps on non-economic damages. Staff and presenters also compared Washington to other states and noted that Washington remains among the broadest states for state liability and childhood sexual abuse claims. Presenters from the Attorney General’s office, Washington State Association for Justice, DCYF, DSHS, and DOC discussed how tort exposure has grown, especially in claims involving DCYF, historical child abuse, juvenile rehabilitation, vulnerable adults, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and negligent supervision. DCYF and AG staff said claims and payouts are rising, with many claims tied to older abuse and new theories of liability, while defense counsel emphasized the human harm behind the claims and argued that tort cases have historically driven accountability and reform. Agency witnesses said they face large volumes of old claims with limited records, rising verdicts and settlements, and staffing and systems challenges, and they highlighted efforts such as early resolution programs, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, and improved incident review processes. The committee then shifted to parole. Sentencing experts reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained how parole could be integrated with sentencing guidelines through different models used in other states. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to a determinate-plus approach for three-strikes and persistent offender laws and a second-chance review process, noting there was no consensus on those ideas. Judges from the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association said a parole system could support rehabilitation and reduce disparities if it includes data collection, fairness, transparency, due process, and meaningful judicial review; they also pointed to research suggesting parole and structured reentry can reduce recidivism and costs, while warning that access and outcomes can vary by geography and other factors.

Transcript Highlights:

• And pumpers can obtain judicial review of a GSP by filing a reverse validation action.
• numbers, AB 1413 treats the exception as the rule by attempting to insulate GSAs from meaningful judicial
• One of the things about a judicial...
• The speaker said that the process is quasi-judicial, and that there is no inconsistency in objecting
• to “relitigating” because something that is quasi-judicial has already gone through a process that somewhat

Summary: The committee heard several water, wildlife, conservation, and local government bills. AB 362, by Assembly Member Ramos, would add tribal water uses as a statewide beneficial use and strengthen tribal consultation in water planning; tribal representatives and conservation groups supported it as a long-overdue correction, while water agencies, business groups, and agricultural interests raised concerns about CEQA, regulatory uncertainty, and impacts on existing water planning. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, with some members noting ongoing stakeholder discussions and one abstention. AB 1089, by Assembly Member Carrillo, would expand local permitting authority under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act to include commercial and industrial projects. The author and the City of Adelanto argued it would speed housing and economic development in the high desert while preserving the overall conservation framework, but environmental groups opposed it as premature and potentially weakening protections for Joshua trees. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion to Appropriations. AB 1024, by Assembly Member Harabedian, would require a regional black bear mitigation plan for the San Gabriel Valley and related areas; Sierra Madre officials described rising bear intrusions and the need for state help, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 846, by Assembly Member Connolly, would streamline permitting for local wildfire preparedness and vegetation management projects in local responsibility areas by creating a faster review process at Fish and Wildlife and improving mapping coordination with Cal Fire. Local government, fire service, and agricultural witnesses supported the bill as a common-sense wildfire prevention measure, and it passed to Natural Resources with no opposition. AB 263, by Assembly Member Rogers, would extend emergency minimum-flow regulations for the Scott and Shasta Rivers for five years or until permanent rules are adopted; supporters said it protects salmon recovery, tribal subsistence, and the fishing economy during a transition period, while opponents argued it bypasses normal regulatory process and harms farmers. The committee approved it on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, with one abstention and two no votes. AB 1044, by Assembly Member Bains, would create a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency for undistricted lands after other local agencies split off; the bill passed to Local Government. AB 1426, by Assembly Member Arambula, began testimony on creating a Diablo Range Conservation Program to fund habitat protection and restoration across the range.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Senators Amabile and Bridges, concerning eliminating the requirement that the Commission on Judicial
• deposited in for bond forfeiture money deposited in in<00:23:51.120> the<00:23:51.200> judicial
• in the judicial stabilization cash fund. in the judicial stabilization cash fund.
• Discipline Special Cash Fund Judicial Discipline Special Cash Fund begin<00:24:00.760> each<00
• the executive, legislative, and judicial the executive, legislative, and judicial departments<01

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the current statute, I'd be the first to admit there's a fair amount of judicial discretion.
• <00:54:42.480> discretion, allowing for judicial discretion, allowing for judicial discretion
• Mandatory minimums take away judicial discretion, which has already been discussed.
• So we have allowed judicial discretion to reduce the sentence for someone with an aggravated DUI.
• <02:06:59.760> discretion So we have allowed judicial discretion So we have allowed judicial

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill expands CESAC's membership to include members of the judicial branch, which will help ensure
• c> branch<00:53:22.119> which<00:53:22.240> will<00:53:22.400> help the judicial
• branch which will help the judicial branch which will help ensure<00:53:23.000> that<00:53:23.160
• <01:03:43.640> that<01:03:43.839> states<01:03:44.799> the<01:03:45.000> judicial
• reie review that states the judicial reie review that states the judicial branch<01:03:46.000>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• also preserves due process by providing defendants with notice and an opportunity to object and judicial
• opportunity to object and judicial opportunity to object and judicial oversight<00:41:28.960>
• for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial
• c><01:13:24.080> a<01:13:24.239> valid<01:13:24.719> valid<01:13:25.360> judicial
• violation of a valid valid judicial violation of a valid valid judicial protective<01:13:26.320>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills related to bribery and public corruption. On SB 2249, which would increase penalties for bribery under certain circumstances, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, arguing that Hawaii’s current class B felony penalty is probationable and too weak to secure cooperation in corruption cases, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Snyder decision narrowed federal bribery prosecutions. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that elevating bribery to a class A felony and making it non-probationable was excessive, overbroad, and would remove judicial discretion. Multiple individuals also testified in support. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about removing deferred acceptance of plea provisions and asked HPD about the $20,000 threshold; the prosecutor said alternative charges could still be used in plea bargaining, and HPD said the threshold aligns with first-degree theft. The committee also discussed how current law tolls the bribery statute of limitations while an official remains in office, with the prosecutor explaining it can extend up to six years total. The committee then heard SB 2494, which would set a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses. The Public Defender opposed the extension, saying the justification based on the length of federal investigations was too broad and that bribery already has a longer limitations period than most felonies. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill, saying bribery cases often involve coordination with federal investigators, that federal and state evidence-gathering methods may differ, and that a longer period would help ensure admissible evidence and allow state prosecution when federal law no longer applies. Members asked whether there were public examples of cases lost to the current limitations period; the prosecutor said he was not aware of any publicly available examples, but maintained nine years was a reasonable period. The committee also considered SB 2737, which would create a misdemeanor for failure by a state or county elected official to report bribery. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and suggested changing the term to “public servant” for consistency with existing law. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the intent but warned the reporting requirement could create Fifth Amendment issues for witnesses who might otherwise be useful in grand jury proceedings. The bill drew broad public support, with 33 supporters and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up SB 3071, which revises sex trafficking and promoting prostitution statutes by redefining “profits from prostitution” and adding an affirmative defense for certain lawful transactions. The Public Defender opposed the measure, saying it still could reach people without the required criminal intent and that the affirmative defense language could be applied unevenly. The Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported the bill, saying it better addresses concerns raised by the State v. Ibarra decision while closing loopholes that allow traffickers to disguise profits as loans or gifts. The prosecutor emphasized that traffickers are sophisticated and can structure transactions to evade current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Confirmation of justices and judicial nominations. Sponsor: Senator Steinmetz.
• This would create the Judicial Nominating Commission, expanding it to nine members.
• This would create the Judicial Nominating Commission, expanding it to nine members.
• This would create the Judicial Nominating Commission, expanding it to nine members.
• This would create the Judicial Nominating Commission, expanding it to nine members.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Well, it had less qualifications for the J1 visa holders, the visiting teachers.
• like to see is some movement as to how we can get those wishing to teach that they do meet those qualifications
• ><02:12:42.560> it<02:12:42.800> had<02:12:42.960> less<02:12:43.199> qualifications
• >> Well, it it had less qualifications >> Well, it it had less qualifications um<02:
• 02:14:33.280> meet<02:14:33.440> those Wishing to teach that they do meet those qualifications

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Education and Higher Education committees met on February 10, 2026, first hearing HB 1676, which would create an AI and education task force, require documentation from AI vendors before procurement or use, and appropriate funds. The Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, and University of Hawaii all supported the bill’s intent and described existing AI literacy efforts, teacher training, guidance for students and staff, and privacy/monitoring safeguards. DOE said it had already convened an AI task force, produced a report, trained over 10,000 educators, and embedded AI into computer science and broader curricular guidance. Members questioned DOE about student privacy, harmful content monitoring, personal devices, cell phone policy, teacher training, and whether AI literacy should extend beyond computer science into all subjects and across rural schools. After discussion, the chair announced HB 1676 would be deferred to Friday, February 13, and that a HD1 draft would be prepared. The chair said the committee would revisit the task force composition and procurement standards, with possible elimination of the procurement section, and circulate the revised draft before the next hearing. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for HB 1811, a student loan repayment program for educators. Testimony from the Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, HSTA, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus was generally supportive, with HSTA and the Teacher Standards Board emphasizing teacher recruitment and retention, student loan burden, and the need to address the teacher shortage. In decision-making on HB 1811, the committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The main amendment collapsed the repayment structure into a single disbursement of up to $25,000 after five years of service, with technical/non-substantive changes and a corrected effective date. Both the Education and Higher Education committees voted unanimously in favor. Later in the meeting, the Education Committee began hearing HB 1561 on student meals, which drew broad support from the Public Charter School Commission, Department of Health, HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and many individuals. Appleseed requested amendments to ensure charter schools are treated the same as other public schools if eligibility expands and to address reimbursement issues for schools already participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision; members discussed those concerns but no action was taken in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then moved on to HB 779, on expanding student meal coverage, where DOE supported the intent but said it could not support the bill in its current form because of fiscal constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• or 2022, was document that, yes, in fact, this person was full-time, that they met the other qualifications
• or 2022, was document that, yes, in fact, this person was full-time, that they met the other qualifications
• or 2022, was document that, yes, in fact, this person was full-time, that they met the other qualifications
• or 2022, was document that, yes, in fact, this person was full-time, that they met the other qualifications
• or 2022, was document that, yes, in fact, this person was full-time, that they met the other qualifications

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the legislative auditor on a performance audit of the governor’s office and lieutenant governor’s office covering July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. The audit reviewed receipts, inventory, payroll, and non-payroll expenditures and found 12 findings, concluding the office generally did not comply with the criteria tested because of internal control deficiencies. The auditor said four of five prior findings that remained relevant were not fully resolved, and that the problems were widespread across financial operations, creating opportunities for waste and fraud, though no evidence of wrongdoing or misuse of funds was found. The main findings involved weak segregation of duties, late vendor payments, inaccurate reimbursements and vendor payments, missing documentation, and poor receipt management. Auditors said one employee handled purchasing, receiving, payment processing, and inventory functions without adequate oversight; vendors were often paid late, resulting in more than $1,000 in late/reactivation fees; reimbursements and some state airplane payments contained errors; and many vendor payments, reimbursements, and purchasing card transactions lacked required support. The office also failed to collect about $12,000 for events at the governor’s residence, did not fully process several deposits, and lacked documentation for some billed or deposited amounts. Members reacted strongly to the repeated control failures and the lack of documentation, with several saying the issues were pervasive and concerning even if the dollar amounts were not large. Questions focused on whether the problems reflected different treatment of vendors versus employee expenses, whether restitution was being sought, and whether legislation was needed. The auditor responded that the state already has the necessary policies and procedures, and that the issue is implementation and oversight by the governor’s office, not new legislation. The auditor also said the governor’s office had been receptive and had begun taking steps to address the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are no minimum qualifications to be an Emergency Management Coordinator in the state of Texas.
• You mentioned it in a way, you said emergency coordinators' qualifications.
• There are no qualifications; it can be an assistant to basically the mayor or judge.
• There’s one... ...sentence, and there are no qualifications whatsoever, right? Yes, sir.
• Within that report, there were some recommendations of the EMQ, we call it qualifications, but it could

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are no minimum qualifications to be an Emergency Management Coordinator in the state of Texas.
• You said it in a way regarding emergency coordinators' qualifications.
• There are no qualifications; it's an assistant, basically, to the mayor or judge.
• There's one sentence, and there's no qualifications whatsoever, right? Yes, sir. That's a concern.
• One of the things that has been brought to light is the emergency coordinator's qualifications.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are currently no minimum qualifications to be an emergency management coordinator in the state
• You mentioned it in a way that referred to emergency coordinators' qualifications.
• There are no qualifications, right? It can be an assistant, basically, to the mayor or judge.
• There’s one sentence, and there are no qualifications whatsoever, right? Yes, sir.
• Qualifications.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > and<00:51:08.559> for And he or she goes through and looks at three firms, their qualifications
• selection committee kind of following 45A.800 through 840, a five-person group that comes up with qualifications
• five person group that comes<00:52:09.119> up<00:52:09.280> with<00:52:09.440> qualifications
• <00:52:10.079> and comes up with qualifications and comes up with qualifications and provides
• We like to get one big group pool that we go through a qualifications-based selection and get a

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from its May 13 meeting. Members then reviewed a deferred contract with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy for the Kentucky Pharmacist Recovery Network (KYPRN), a program that provides monitoring and support for pharmacists and pharmacy interns with substance abuse or mental health issues. Board representatives explained that the contract is a long-running arrangement, renewed periodically, with an option for two additional two-year renewals. Senators asked about the program’s structure, participation trends, follow-up, and consequences for noncompliance. The board said enrollment has remained fairly consistent at about 52 participants, with roughly 500 participants over the life of the program, weekly and monthly check-ins during the five-year typical enrollment period, and possible additional sanctions if participants fail to meet obligations. The committee then approved the contract. The committee next considered a group of economic development contracts, including items from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Secretary Jeff Null and general counsel Matt Wingate testified about contracts tied to regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Members focused on the large differences in funding between regions and pressed for more support for rural and eastern Kentucky. Null said the cabinet is working on a more tailored, non-one-size-fits-all approach, including possible changes to capital support, build-to-suit options, and additional resources for rural areas. He said the hubs have helped 193 startups over the last two years and helped attract nearly $350 million in private capital, and he agreed to provide a written report by hub district on startup viability. The committee approved the economic development contracts. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation then presented its contracts with vendor IGT for retail and internet sales systems. Lottery officials said the contracts are mission-critical, cover both the traditional retail system and iLottery, and are structured as a percentage of sales so no payment is made until revenue is earned. They described planned equipment upgrades, including refreshed terminals, new ticket checkers, cashless vending and bill acceptors, and connected-play features that would link retail and online wallets. Officials said keeping the same vendor reduces the risk of business disruption and that the arrangement has already produced cost savings. They also said the lottery continues to see year-over-year growth and expects to meet its annual contribution target of $360 million for scholarships and grants. The committee approved the lottery contract after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• code of Alabama 1975 to provide further code of Alabama 1975 to provide further for the minimum qualifications
• for for the minimum qualifications for for the minimum qualifications for registrations as a speech
• Uh, this doesn't change any pay, change any pay, change any pay, compensation, qualifications, compensation
• , qualifications, compensation, qualifications, consideration.

Bills: HB 135, HCR 64, SCR 3, SCR 30, SB 500, SB 739, SB 816, SB 898, SB 1283, SB 1351, SB 1423, SB 1531, SB 1540, SB 1666, SB 1721, SB 1886, SB 1931, SB 2001, SB 2075, SB 2154, SB 2173, SB 2217, SB 2284, SB 2375, SB 2383, SB 2386, SB 2398, SB 2448, SB 2476, SB 2540, SB 2580, SB 2589, SB 2693, SB 2707, SB 2776, SB 2786, SB 2801, SB 2864, SB 2927, SJR 84, SCR 30, SB 243, SB 324, SB 393, SB 457, SB 511, SB 529, SB 547, SB 636, SB 646, SB 659, SB 715, SB 731, SB 735, SB 800, SB 801, SB 904, SB 1065, SB 1141, SB 1181, SB 1224, SB 1241, SB 1242, SB 1250, SB 1266, SB 1285, SB 1359, SB 1434, SB 1442, SB 1467, SB 1502, SB 1524, SB 1528, SB 1551, SB 1585, SB 1640, SB 1754, SB 1757, SB 1777, SB 1844, SB 1863, SB 1972, SB 2007, SB 2035, SB 2046, SB 2055, SB 2069, SB 2082, SB 2119, SB 2139, SB 2154, SB 2200, SB 2201, SB 2269, SB 2310, SB 2330, SB 2357, SB 2366, SB 2401, SB 2422, SB 2514, SB 2530, SB 2533, SB 2543, SB 2544, SB 2550, SB 2568, SB 2589, SB 2660, SB 2693, SB 2695, SB 2707, SB 2717, SB 2721, SB 2742, SB 2753, SB 2807, SB 2846, SB 2891, SB 2925, SB 2938, SJR 3, SJR 18, SB 5, SB 326, SB 767, SB 769, SB 783, SB 914, SB 963, SB 1035, SB 1197, SB 1271, SB 1415, SB 1437, SB 1619, SB 1637, SB 1786, SB 1806, SB 494, SB 530, SB 2312, SB 1, SB 260, HB 135, HB 1109, HB 1392, HB 22, HCR 64, SJR 36, SJR 50, SJR 63, SJR 84, SJR 59, SCR 12, SCR 39, SCR 48, SCR 19, SCR 30, SCR 3, SB 2023, SB 62, SB 666, SB 847, SB 284, SB 854, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 1505, SB 583, SB 1502, SB 507, SB 1434, SB 1376, SB 1585, SB 1772, SB 2016, SB 1163, SB 1122, SB 731, SB 397, SB 508, SB 1436, SB 287, SB 261, SB 1882, SB 393, SB 1791, SB 209, SB 2429, SB 1999, SB 511, SB 2309, SB 510, SB 1085, SB 1975, SB 2717, SB 1262, SB 1524, SB 636, SB 2056, SB 884, SB 517, SB 1200, SB 1845, SB 1863, SB 2681, SB 2200, SB 2199, SB 1757, SB 2458, SB 2201, SB 801, SB 2533, SB 3014, SB 3013, SB 758, SB 1721, SB 1013, SB 2797, SB 2383, SB 2119, SB 2448, SB 1777, SB 1283, SB 2076, SB 2786, SB 2876, SB 2284, SB 1540, SB 2929, SB 2540, SB 2595, SB 2217, SB 715, SB 500, SB 1640, SB 2001, SB 2514, SB 2753, SB 2398, SB 1241, SB 2927, SB 2173, SB 2538, SB 898, SB 1449, SB 2529, SB 2846, SB 2476, SB 986, SB 1181, SB 2075, SB 2154, SB 2864, SB 1359, SB 2386, SB 2550, SB 1351, SB 1423, SB 1931, SB 2245, SB 2589, SB 2707, SB 410, SB 2776, SB 2580, SB 1886, SB 1234, SB 739, SB 456, SB 1666, SB 2801, SB 2055, SB 1012, SB 2926, SB 2138, SB 1242, SB 2615, SB 2310, SB 1224, SB 2972, SB 2841, SB 3016, SB 2139, SB 1856, SB 2035, SB 1528, SB 1141, SB 2401, SB 2530, SB 2375, SB 547, SB 1266, SB 1373, SB 1467, SB 2069, SB 2269, SB 2480, SB 672, SB 904, SB 2695, SB 2891, SB 2422, SB 2543, SB 1854, SB 317, SB 2539, SB 2532, SB 2925, SB 1250, SB 2082, SB 2203, SB 457, SB 2357, SB 2721, SB 243, SB 1285, SB 2568, SB 1959, SB 1442, SB 1454, SB 2520, SB 2541, SB 1708, SB 1237, SB 1844, SB 1586, SB 1551, SB 3039, SB 2819, SB 66, SB 629, SB 1015, SB 2342, SB 2903, SB 2933, SB 1965, SB 2477, SB 3029, SB 2605, SB 2419, SB 1957, SB 375, SB 250, SB 777, SB 628, SB 2523, SB 2367, SB 2703, SB 2608, SB 2778, SB 3044, SB 2965, SB 2521, SB 865, HB 2525, HB 3093, SB 1032, SB 2165, SB 2501, SB 2675, SB 2452, SB 2835, SJR 84, SB 457, SB 547, SB 904, SB 1467, SB 1757, SB 1777, SB 2055, SB 2069, SB 2139, SB 2401, SB 2530, SB 2543, SB 2695, SR 349, SR 367, SR 468, SB 3064, SB 3065, HJR 7, HB 119, HB 130, HB 163, HB 166, HB 201, HB 272, HB 331, HB 380, HB 654, HB 694, HB 718, HB 865, HB 1266, HB 1397, HB 1500, HB 1552, HB 1576, HB 1583, HB 1584, HB 1760, HB 1894, HB 1965, HB 2018, HB 2029, HB 2286, HB 2340, HB 2427, HB 2455, HB 2467, HB 2508, HB 2523, HB 2730, HB 2756, HB 2791, HB 2970, HB 3016, HB 3096, HB 3248, HB 3255, HB 3336, HB 3623, HB 3698, HB 3699, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4129, HB 4187, HB 4236, HB 4238, HB 4643, HB 4738, HB 4739, HB 5333, SCR 3, SCR 30, SB 500, SB 739, SB 898, SB 1283, SB 1351, SB 1423, SB 1540, SB 1666, SB 1721, SB 1886, SB 1931, SB 2001, SB 2075, SB 2154, SB 2173, SB 2217, SB 2375, SB 2383, SB 2386, SB 2398, SB 2448, SB 2476, SB 2540, SB 2580, SB 2589, SB 2707, SB 2776, SB 2786, SB 2801, SB 2864, SB 2927, HB 135, HCR 64, SB 2284, SB 3064, SB 3065, HJR 7, HB 119, HB 130, HB 163, HB 166, HB 201, HB 272, HB 331, HB 380, HB 654, HB 694, HB 718, HB 865, HB 1266, HB 1397, HB 1500, HB 1552, HB 1576, HB 1583, HB 1584, HB 1760, HB 1894, HB 1965, HB 2018, HB 2029, HB 2286, HB 2340, HB 2427, HB 2455, HB 2467, HB 2508, HB 2523, HB 2730, HB 2756, HB 2791, HB 2970, HB 3016, HB 3096, HB 3248, HB 3255, HB 3336, HB 3623, HB 3698, HB 3699, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4129, HB 4187, HB 4236, HB 4238, HB 4643, HB 4738, HB 4739, HB 5333

Keywords: sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, gifted education, education support, student achievement, academic excellence, Texas education, cowboy culture, Bandera, cultural heritage, historical significance, Texas identity, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature