Transcript Highlights:

• :30.480> 30-something<00:31:31.160> years,<00:31:32.080> you<00:31:32.200> learn
• years, you learn a lot about<00:31:34.520> um<00:31:35.080> how<00:31:35.360> those
• Um, hopefully I'll learn more. Kauai, I think we've got two. One, I mentioned the branch you say.
• Um<00:47:52.560> hopefully<00:47:52.880> I'll<00:47:53.000> learn<00:47:53.280><
• Um hopefully I'll learn more. Um hopefully I'll learn more.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard gubernatorial nominations for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. For GM 615, Matthew Liam was nominated to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, CGAPS, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in strong support, citing his landscape industry leadership, pesticide training background, and prior service. Members asked about his experience in Australia and his approach to restricted-use pesticides; he said he avoided using restricted-use pesticides in his landscaping business but applied related safety and recordkeeping practices. Testimony was unanimous in support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 616, N. Young was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Support testimony from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council highlighted his experience with Lanai agriculture, Sensei, the Food Basket, Pacific Gateway Center, Kamehameha Schools, and institutional purchasing. In response to questions, he discussed balancing public and private funding, the need for adequate capitalization of agricultural projects, and using financial tools to help farmers and accelerate agricultural income streams. He also said the board should focus on making agricultural land productive and strengthening food security. The nomination drew strong support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 617, Jason Moniz was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported him, emphasizing his decades of veterinary and animal disease control experience, ranching background, and knowledge of biosecurity, leases, and livestock issues. Moniz said his priorities would be preserving agricultural land and water resources, improving biosecurity, supporting farmers and ranchers, and increasing food production in Hawaii. He also said he would be willing to speak up for agriculture and not let the department be sidelined. The nomination received 29 written and oral supports, with no opposition or comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I said something like, it's something I learned in civics, and they're great.
• And the justice said, yeah, I learned this in third grade.
• I want to share with this group a lesson I learned about 29 years ago in the city of Albuquerque as a
• And I am here for the discussion and to learn about all the ideas about how incarceration does not work
• I learned this last year that when we have these conferences with other states, some states have their

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And part of it is also sort of culturally learning to change some habits and how they work cases. >>
• And part of it is also sort of culturally learning to change some habits and how they work cases. >>
• And part of it is also sort of culturally learning to change some habits and how they work cases. >>
• to to change some habits and learning to to change some habits and how<00:31:46.559> they<00:
• So I've learned to you know budgets.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met on December 19, 2025, approved the draft minutes from the November 21 regular meeting, and received a DHS commissioners update. Patricia Tilly reported on the state’s rural health transformation application, saying CMS had provided only one question and positive feedback, that the final federal award amount was still pending, and that DHS was preparing an accept-and-expend item for fiscal review using an up-to amount. She also said the new Hampstead YDC facility remains on track, with substantive construction expected by late summer 2026 and move-in likely in early January 2027. In response to questions, she confirmed the playground/outdoor activity area had been in the original design and was added when funding became available. Henry Litman, Medicaid director, discussed the Senate Bill 248 study committee report on palliative and hospice care. He explained the distinction between palliative care, which can be provided while a patient still seeks curative treatment, and hospice care, which involves electing not to pursue curative services. He said the committee’s work pointed to a need for better education for providers and the public, and described ongoing conversations with the Foundation for Healthy Communities and Home Health and Hospice about developing materials and possibly addressing how palliative services are bundled. He also said the study committee itself did not generate future legislation, though members could pursue it separately. Litman then answered questions about Medicaid eligibility and long-term services and supports, including delays in processing, the backlog from pandemic-era redeterminations, and efforts to speed reviews. He said the department is using temporary staffing funded in part by last session’s legislation, working with the New Hampshire Healthcare Association, counties, and UNH Law to streamline policy and training, and relying more on electronic asset verification while still guarding against improper asset transfers. He emphasized the goal of balancing faster access to benefits with compliance and fraud prevention. Robert Rodler followed with the annual tuition waiver update for children in foster care or guardianship. He reported 82 applicants and 65 waivers granted, including 35 for USNH schools and 30 for the community college system, and noted a correction would be issued for inaccurate continuing/new student figures in the report. Senator Gray said he intends to pursue a separate budget appropriation for these tuition waiver costs in the future so the funding would be clearly identified and easier to track. No additional votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a way for them to be inside, learn how to form a cooperative or like a nonprofit, and have a board
• They'll write bylaws, build business plans, and learn to co-govern real enterprises, all necessary skills
• As the Learning Policy Institute has stated in a recent report, and I want to quote, districts often
• In fact, when I was working in the fields, I was learning English, and I think my dad took me to work
• In this work, I've learned something important: people need a chance.

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with AB 1424, AB 1340, AB 288, and AB 746 all advancing on due-pass motions to Appropriations after testimony and roll calls. AB 1424 would require climate resiliency and extreme-heat protections in CDCR facilities; supporters described dangerous heat conditions for incarcerated workers and staff, while no opposition testified. AB 1340 would allow rideshare drivers to unionize and collectively bargain; drivers, labor groups, and researchers testified that app-based work is low-paid and unstable, while TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and other business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs. AB 288 would let PERB step in when federal labor remedies are unavailable; supporters said it is needed because of NLRB dysfunction, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. AB 746 would create an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve; supporters framed it as a recidivism-reduction and reentry strategy, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard AB 858, which would extend hotel and hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies and extend existing COVID-era protections. Hospitality workers and unions supported the bill as a way to protect jobs after pandemics, wildfires, and other disasters, while hotel, chamber, retail, restaurant, trucking, travel, and attractions groups opposed it, saying the current recall rules were meant to sunset and that the bill would create broad liabilities and hiring complications. The bill was moved to Appropriations but remained on call after the roll. AB 291, creating a credentialed educator apprenticeship program to address teacher shortages and improve diversity, drew support from education groups and stakeholders who said apprenticeships could lower preparation costs and provide better support; it was also moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Later, the committee took up AB 1104, a solar-energy bill intended to clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and to ease certain business-to-business solar transactions while preserving prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements for contractors. Supporters said the current interpretation has chilled commercial solar adoption and harmed jobs, while opponents from electrical workers, PG&E, and others warned about expanded “over-the-fence” power sales and the need for clearer limits. Members questioned the lack of a definition of “small,” and the bill was held without a second. The committee also heard AB 338, which seeks $50 million for Los Angeles and Ventura wildfire workforce recovery; the author and county officials described major job loss and business destruction and said the funds would support displaced workers and rebuilding, with the testimony continuing beyond the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:54.559> from opportunity to work with and learn from opportunity to work with and learn
• And I, I've learned to live with a lot of unexpected changes, and I think we're going through some of
• And I, I've learned to live with a lot of unexpected changes, and I think we're going through some of
• And I, I've learned to live with a lot of unexpected changes, and I think we're going through some of
• And I, I've learned to live with a lot of unexpected changes, and I think we're going through some of

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held a confirmation hearing on a long list of nominees to state boards and commissions. Early nominees included David Padilla to the State Boxing Commission, Steven Pine to the Board of Dentistry, Deborah McMmen to the Board of Acupuncture, Tiffany Lyn Hmel and Gabriel Aay to the Board of Veterinary Medicine, Nathan Eslin to the Cable Advisory Committee, John Takitani and Tony Lao to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, John Arbles to the State Board of Public Accountancy, and later nominees to the Board of Psychology, Board of Pharmacy, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Board of Chiropractic, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Private Detectives and Guards, and the Real Estate Commission. Most nominations were for terms expiring in 2027, 2028, or 2029, with one Real Estate Commission term expiring in 2026. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. DCCA and the relevant boards or commissions generally stood on written testimony supporting each nominee, and many individual supporters also testified, including professional associations, industry representatives, and community members. Several nominees briefly addressed the committee, expressing appreciation and interest in continuing or beginning service. The committee asked a few questions on some nominations, especially about the Real Estate Commission and the Board of Private Detectives and Guards, where members discussed condominium-related complaints, association practices, and whether the board could do more to assist security personnel; the nominee said staffing and authority limits constrained additional training or oversight. For the Real Estate Commission, members also asked about broader housing and market conditions, and the nominee said inventory shortages and housing supply issues remained a major concern. No opposition testimony or contentious votes were described in the transcript. The chair repeatedly asked whether there were questions or additional testimony, and after each nominee the committee generally moved on without objection. The hearing was focused on receiving testimony and evaluating the nominees for later confirmation rather than taking final action during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this pilot, again, I think it is important to try things with guardrails, and we can learn from it
• And if it's not efficient, we'll learn from that.
• on the job or that they could learn during an orientation or six-month probationary period.
• on the job things that they would learn on the job or<00:38:42.400> that<00:38:42.560> they
• <00:38:43.760> an or that they could or learn during an or that they could or learn during

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lots of learning. Okay, thank you.
• Have you learned any best practices from other states regarding their approaches to evaluating or modifying
• I think even for someone like myself, I learned something new today, so I appreciate that."
• As part of our workshops, we're trying to really understand their lessons learned and what the impact
• A poll earlier this year showed that nearly 70% of Californians support COLR reform once they learned

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• and provide safe and secure learning and provide safe and secure learning environments.<00:35:28.160
• We do have sites that are ALCs, or alternative learning centers, who do generate compensatory revenue
• We do have sites that are ALCs, or alternative learning centers, who do generate compensatory revenue
• This revenue helps pay the education costs of students who are unprepared to learn.
• This funding helps schools all learn.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this because it workshop so we can learn this because it is<01:00:02.400> in<01:00:02.640>
• I was surprised to learn that the primer in cartridges contained lead.
• I was surprised to learn that the primer in cartridges contained lead.
• I was surprised to learn that the primer in cartridges contained lead.
• I was surprised to learn that the primer in cartridges contained lead.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, once they are able to do that, it's a... extortion because what we have learned extortion because
• So, this is an excellent program to help not only these young families, but everyone to learn better
• habits, to actually learn about healthy food and to expand their ability to access food.
• habits, to actually learn about healthy food and to expand their ability to access food.
• habits, to actually learn about healthy food and to expand their ability to access food.

Bills: HB1546

Keywords: Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is to repair or replace, depending on what we learn, its cooling tower, which is critical for
• <00:10:13.040> uh<00:10:13.200> its depending on what we learn uh its depending on
• leadership skills um and go to to learn leadership skills um and the<00:18:14.559> FFA<00:18:
• They can learn at their full potential. Safety and security.
• Jackson asked whether the Office of Special Education and Early Learning tracks the students there.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:05 Approval of Minutes 00:01:48 Welcome New Members 00:02:03 Information Items 00:02:35 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:03:33 A. Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:04:00 B. Kentucky Department of Education 00:17:03 C. Education and Labor Cabinet 00:29:33 D. Energy and Environment Cabinet 00:42:38 E. Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:53:30 F. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet 01:13:28 G. Personnel Cabinet 01:31:04 H. School Facilities Construction Commission 01:41:39, 958, all

Summary: The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies. The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• At one point you may be learning A&P, another point you may be learning the respiratory pharmacology.
• Another point you may be learning basic airway management and at another point you may be learning advanced
• At one point you may be learning A&P, another point you may be learning the respiratory pharmacology.
• Another point you may be learning basic airway management and at another point you may be learning advanced
• another point you may be learning another point you may be learning advanced<00:41:38.160> airway

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a lot to learn, Uncle. You got to teach me, because I don't know.
• I have a lot to learn, Uncle. You got to teach me, because I don't know.
• I have a lot to learn, Uncle. You got to teach me, because I don't know.
• I have a lot to learn, Uncle. You got to teach me, because I don't know.
• <01:10:14.080> about<01:10:14.320> my learning about my learning about my honor<01:10:16.679

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 13, 2025, and first announced that SB 1456 would be deferred to the end of the agenda and ultimately worked on later, with the chair indicating the bill would be deferred and revisited in a future measure. The committee then heard SB 841 on marine life conservation districts. DLNR supported the bill, saying it would fund carrying capacity studies to inform rules and policies. Testimony noted a pilot study already underway at the Puka Marine Life Conservation District and another nearing completion at the old Kona Airport MLCD. Members discussed costs, with DLNR estimating about $300,000 per year for one user-experience study, potentially more for ecological analysis, and also discussed possible funding from the Mālama Kai special fund. DLNR said it had no objection to consulting current operators and other users, and explained the program would be a new, ongoing adaptive-management tool. The committee next heard SB 411 on capital improvement projects at small boat harbors. DLNR supported the intent, saying the bill would help expedite use of special funds for CIP work, while the Department of Budget and Finance opposed it, arguing the draft could conflict with constitutional limits on appropriations. Public testimony from an industry representative supported the bill and urged more collaboration with commercial operators, while committee discussion focused on whether DLNR could already use special funds for repairs, how much engineering and bidding work is required before projects go out to bid, and whether the current process creates bottlenecks when bids exceed initial estimates. DLNR said it can do some repairs and maintenance within existing authority and funding ceilings, but that the bill as drafted could be too broad. The committee also heard SB 5 on historic preservation, where DLNR supported the measure and NAOP Hawaii opposed it, saying the bill’s broader definition could expand the scope beyond the stated goal of narrowing reviews and reducing backlog. The committee then took up SB 1462 on the state historic preservation income tax credit. The Department of Taxation said the revenue estimate assumes the cap would be reached each year the credit is available, and DLNR supported the bill. SHPD said the prior credit had sunset, outreach had previously been done in targeted communities such as Chinatown, and owners of eligible historic properties are notified during review. Finally, the committee heard SB 268 on island burial councils. DLNR supported the bill, and OHA strongly supported it, saying the councils have struggled with quorum and expertise and that the measure would restore the original intent of having lineal descendants and cultural practitioners as decision makers, while still allowing landowners and developers to testify and participate. OHA also said it would help provide technical support and urged continued involvement from SHPD and the Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a little four-year-old girl named Natalie, and since she learned to speak, Natalie has been telling
• Natalie and four-year-old girl named Natalie and since<00:09:14.200> she<00:09:14.320> learned
• to speak Natalie has since she learned to speak Natalie has been<00:09:15.880> telling<00:09:
• that this charge was Fairview we learned that this charge was a<00:10:30.600> facility<00:10:
• <01:03:23.440> encouraging transparency and learning encouraging transparency and learning

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are a great source of information if you're like a starting point, if you want to learn about an
• As I'm learning the area, I find it very helpful to kind of classify these various organizations into
• the area as well questions as I learn the area as well but<00:25:11.679> between<00:25:11.919
• <00:25:31.159> the category you know as I'm learning the category you know as I'm learning
• And we do hear from— Sir, I'm learning this more specifically.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met on January 16, 2025, for an organizational and informational session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Jim Nash reviewed committee expectations, including that nonpartisan staff are to be used for factual information rather than political arguments. He also noted the committee rules were a blend of prior chairs’ rules and would be posted without a vote. Helen Roberts of House Fiscal gave a high-level overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and budget structure. She explained that the State Government Finance Committee oversees funding for major administrative agencies, the legislature, constitutional offices, and several boards, councils, and commissions. She emphasized that the committee’s general fund base for fiscal years 2026-27 is about $1.31 billion, less than 2% of the state general fund, and that the largest pieces are the Department of Revenue, the legislature, and pension aids. She also described how all-funds presentations differ from general fund views, highlighting internal service funds such as Minnesota IT Services, Department of Administration services, and other chargeback or reimbursement arrangements. Members asked questions about House and Senate budgets, debt service related to the Capitol Area building project and move costs, and how Minnesota IT Services is funded through fee-for-service chargebacks. Colby Sullivan of House Research then summarized a memo in the packet that outlines the entities within the committee’s jurisdiction and the constitutional and statutory provisions governing them. He pointed members to the memo as a reference and noted that the committee also has jurisdiction over the Legislative Coordinating Commission, the legislative auditor, the legislative reference library, the reviser of statutes, the Secretary of State’s budget and certain duties, and three gambling-related agencies, though gambling policy itself is generally handled by another committee. He offered to help members with bill drafting and amendments and to provide a linked electronic version of the memo. The Office of the Legislative Auditor then began an overview of its work. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall explained that the office is nonpartisan, serves all 201 legislators, and provides oversight through financial audits, program evaluations, and special reviews focused on state funds. She distinguished the Legislative Auditor from the State Auditor, noting that the State Auditor is an elected constitutional officer who focuses on county and local government funds. Randall said the office would also present a deep dive into its November performance audit of the Minnesota State Lottery. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• for us to hear directly from those who know these communities best, and we're looking forward to learning
• from an institution, indeed a profession, in which safety was always assumed to be present, but we learned
• We have many social opportunities and learning opportunities.
• nonprofits as part of LeadingAge, to determine best practices, to go to the national conferences, to learn
• what we can do better to really serve the residents and work with the to learn what we can do better

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Continuing Care Retirement Communities held a public hearing focused on studying CCRCs in Massachusetts, including their financial viability, consumer protections, oversight, entrance fee and refund policies, advertising, and procedures for closure or ownership changes. Chair Rep. Tom Stanley and co-chair Sen. Pat Jehlen opened by explaining the commission’s mandate under Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024 and asked speakers to keep testimony brief. Several commissioners and staff also emphasized the importance of hearing directly from residents, providers, and advocates. Resident testimony largely centered on two themes: the need for stronger resident representation and the need for clearer, faster refund protections. Multiple residents urged the legislature to require resident seats on governing boards, including full voting rights on national or nonprofit boards, and to make board minutes and meetings more transparent. Several speakers described long delays in receiving entrance-fee refunds after leaving a community, with one family reporting an 18-month wait and financial hardship; they called for a one-year refund limit, vacancy-order systems, escrow or reserve protections, and state oversight or guarantee funds. One resident also argued that CCRCs should be more clearly defined in state law and possibly licensed or certified so only approved communities can market themselves as CCRCs. Providers and operators generally described CCRCs as valuable models for aging in place and emphasized transparency, resident engagement, and the benefits of nonprofit ownership. Speakers from nonprofit communities said residents often serve on boards or committees, participate in budgeting and planning, and benefit from integrated care, amenities, and financial stability. A for-profit operator also said residents receive disclosure and input, while noting that CCRCs vary widely and that consumer education is important. Commissioners echoed several recurring issues at the end of the hearing, especially the need to define what a CCRC is and to address refund timelines and information sharing. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with notice that the next virtual meeting would be on June 23 at 10:00 a.m., and written testimony was invited by email.

Transcript Highlights:

• longer help Jack Chandler—he has since retired, since this is now five years past the five years—we've learned
• It was in those classrooms that I learned the transformative power of education.
• primary care, mental health clinics, and services that keep them in their jobs, ready to teach and learn
• primary care, mental health clinics, and services that keep them in their jobs, ready to teach and learn
• challenged to teach science and math to sixth graders at a village school and spent those two years learning

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing on a wide range of credible service and retirement-related bills, with testimony largely focused on allowing public employees to buy back prior service time or receive more appropriate retirement classifications. Bills discussed included retirement buyback for Joint Base Cape Cod firefighters (H. 4317), clarification of call firefighter buyback rights (H. 2883/S. 1915), veterans’ buyback (H. 2957), a Bridgewater State University police death-benefit/heart-law issue (filed by Rep. Gallagher), unpaid parental leave buyback for municipal employees (H. 2946), school nurse creditable service (H. 2887/S. 1787), former private/parochial school teacher buyback (S. 1900/H. 2873), Massport police retirement classification (S. 1888), contract employee buyback (H. 2795), Retirement Plus late entry (H. 2792), CVTE/teacher-related buyback issues (H. 2762), Peace Corps/AmeriCorps creditable service (H. 2927), and institutional school teacher retirement fairness (H. 2757). Several speakers also referenced related bills for teachers and nurses that had been heard previously or were filed in parallel in the other branch. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the bills. Speakers argued that the measures would correct inequities, recognize prior public service, and help recruit and retain workers in hard-to-fill public jobs. Firefighters described the unique federal-to-state transition at Joint Base Cape Cod and said some members were left out of earlier buyback opportunities. Veterans, teachers, school nurses, correctional educators, and Massport police all described service requirements, administrative gaps, or outdated statutory language that they said unfairly limited retirement credit or placed them in the wrong retirement group. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals were fiscally responsible because employees would pay the cost of the buybacks, and some noted that similar bills had been filed repeatedly in prior sessions. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions, mostly about why certain employees had been excluded under current law or how the retirement provisions would work. No opposition testimony was presented. The hearing concluded after all scheduled witnesses testified, with the chairs thanking participants for their service and the committee voting to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you learn to tell us your new credentials over there? Credentials?
• We don't know if they're learning or not. We can guess.
• We don't know if they're learning or not. We can guess, but we have no idea.
• I think we need to ensure that they're learning.
• And if they're learning, that's a different conversation.

Bills: HCR2048

Keywords: elective officers, salary regulation, compensation, Arizona Constitution, voter approval, legislative commission, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was told on the floor last week, you do learn something every time you come to Transportation.
• Today we learn what Basque was. Vertically like this. How many people knew that on the committee?
• I was told on the floor last week, you do learn something every time you come to Transportation.
• Today we learn what Basque was. The board is clear.
• We have learned at her knees that Jesus is the lily of the valley, and we are forever thankful.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Monday, April 27, and took up a series of Senate bills and resolutions, most of them memorial highway designations or prestige license plate measures. The committee first adopted amendments and reported Senate Bill 122, which directs the Department of Transportation and Development to plan, maintain, and report on bridge conditions statewide, with a focus on proactive bridge maintenance and public reporting. Members also reported favorably SCR 6 supporting an LNG facility at Port Fourchon, SCR 18 directing a study of commercial driver licensing privileges compared with neighboring states, and SB 50 naming the Bayou DeLarge Basque Bridge as the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge. The committee then approved several memorial and honorary measures, including SB 70 for Officer Mark Brock Memorial Highway, SB 96 creating a Fallen Heroes prestige license plate, SB 460 naming a highway for Hayden Lane Mangum, SB 24 designating Interstate 49 as the Senator J. Bennett Johnston Jr. Memorial Highway, SB 101 naming highways for Daniel Edward Didillo and Bill Blue Evans, SB 160 naming the Speaker Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway, SB 418 naming the Dick and Jacques Schuford Memorial Highway, SB 114 creating a prestige plate for the Foundation for Moral Law, SB 103 and SB 159 naming Franklin Parish highways, SB 412 naming a portion of Highway 13 for Roy Chaffin, SB 182 naming a highway for Mayor Billy Cobb, SB 104 naming the Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway, and SB 2 naming the Falcons Band Highway. Most of these items were reported favorably without objection after brief testimony from authors, family members, or supporters. One measure drew more discussion: SB 19, which changes the name and design of the state employee retired prestige license plate and redirects proceeds to a private nonprofit associated with retired state employees. Representative Schlegelhorn objected, but after testimony that the organization is a tax-exempt nonprofit funding scholarships and that no money had previously gone to LASERS from the plate, the committee adopted a motion to report the bill favorably by a 13-1 vote. The committee also adopted amendments to HCR 69, which urges DOTD to improve Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish with attention to drainage, flood risk, and evacuation resilience, and then reported it favorably. HCR 63, creating a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel can operate federally owned vehicles on state highways without civilian licenses, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after the agenda was cleared and a motion to adjourn was made.

Transcript Highlights:

• and New York City, but our Buffalo person had to leave, so I'm pleased to recognize those here to learn
• operations manager, and I ask that you recognize these students, distinguished students, who are here learning
• AND NEW YORK CITY, BUT OUR BUFFALO PERSON HAD TO LEAVE, SO I'M PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THOSE HERE TO LEARN
• OPERATIONS MANAGER AND I ASK THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THESE STUDENTS, DISTINGUISHED STUDENTS WHO ARE HERE LEARNING
• And it was a wonderful experience to learn the culture and everything that was great about the island

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silent reflection, approval of the prior journal, and several ceremonial introductions. Senator Mayer welcomed students and alumni from the New York Alliance for Early College Pathways, highlighting early college opportunities for high school students. Senator Zellner introduced members of the Buffalo Professional Firefighters Union Local 282 and honored fallen Buffalo firefighter Jayson Arno, with remarks praising firefighters’ service and sacrifice. The chamber then took up Senate Resolution 1489, commemorating the 182nd anniversary of Dominican Republic independence. Senator Sepúlveda presented the resolution and spoke about Dominican history, sovereignty, the Dominican diaspora in New York, and the role of Consul General Jesús Vásquez Martínez. Senators Jackson, Weber, Bailey, and others spoke in support, emphasizing the contributions of Dominican New Yorkers. The resolution was adopted and opened for co-sponsorship. The Senate next moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills on insurance, public health, education, social services, tax, penal law, and workers’ compensation. Several bills were approved by wide margins, including measures related to vaccination policy and education law; Senator Weik opposed the public health/vaccination bill, while Senator Mayer defended it as science-based. Senator Fernandez explained and secured passage of a workers’ compensation bill that would raise a pre-authorization threshold, clarify medical treatment guidelines, and restore access to out-of-network providers for injured workers. The only contentious item was Calendar 117, a bill amending the Executive Law related to climate resilience and the Office of Resilience. Senator Walczyk offered an amendment to repeal the statewide cap-and-invest program, but the chair ruled it nongermane; the Senate upheld that ruling on a 21-aye vote. Senators Harckham, Borrello, Krueger, Lanza, Martins, and Gianaris spoke at length on climate policy, energy costs, and the bill’s merits. The bill ultimately passed 51-9. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m.