Transcript Highlights:

• Most of these lawsuits have yet to reach a final judgment.
• Even were we to assume... ...have yet to reach a final judgment.
• Now, if you read the missing... And we disaggregate that data.
• Finally, student success and faculty success are interconnected.
• Finally, student success and faculty success are interconnected.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held an informational hearing on “Protecting Equity in Higher Education” and emphasized that no bills were being heard. Members and witnesses focused on the effects of recent federal actions on DEI, admissions, financial aid, student loans, international students, and campus equity efforts in Massachusetts. Opening remarks from the co-chairs and the chair of Higher Education highlighted Massachusetts’ investments in free community college, expanded financial aid, and early college programs, while warning that federal policy changes could undermine those gains. Testimony from BU law professor Jonathan Feingold argued that many DEI practices remain legally defensible after Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, and that the decision did not end all race-conscious or equity-oriented efforts. He said the Trump administration’s anti-DEI actions and funding threats were legally suspect and had created confusion and a chilling effect. Bahar Akman-in-Boden of the Hildreth Institute testified that proposed federal cuts to TRIO, Gear Up, Pell Grants, SEOG, work-study, and student loan programs would disproportionately harm low-income, first-generation, Black, Latino, and other underserved students, and urged the state to prepare hold-harmless and advising supports using Fair Share revenue. Commissioner Noe Ortega described Massachusetts’ long history of equity in higher education and said the state has expanded aid, success programs, and early college, but still has work to do on attainment and completion. He said the state responded to SFFA by creating ACARE and continuing to defend equity practices, while also warning that federal disruptions and “dear colleague” letters have created uncertainty. In the second panel, state university leaders and campus officials said federal threats to Pell, DEI grants, Medicaid, and international student policies could affect access, campus operations, and the economy; they stressed that most state university graduates stay in Massachusetts and that institutions are continuing their equity practices despite federal pressure. Roxbury Community College’s president said RCC remains committed to open access and inclusion, noted enrollment growth, and said executive orders do not change existing law or the college’s obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have any final thoughts?
• Finally, I believe this bill is in harmony with the ideals of the Green Burial Council.
• Finally, I believe this bill is in harmony with the ideals of the Green Burial Council.
• And also I just have a question that I was reading it about scattering of ashes and stuff.
• have any other final comments, Senator Burke?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> President: Read the report. >> Dear President Albritton, the following executive appointments were
• The reading of the report, Mr.
• >> Senator Gaetz moves the bill be read a third time. Those in favor of this motion?
• >> Senator Simon moves the bill be read a third time. Those in favor please signify. Those opposed.
• Read the bill third time. >> Committee substitute for Senate Bill 578.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have it written, and I do hope that you will read it.
• projects and then they submit a final projects and then they submit a final report<00:45:47.119>
• <01:04:51.680> Okay, You're reading to me. Okay, You're reading to me.
• read to. I wanted you to talk to me. read to. I wanted you to talk to me. >> Understood.
• >> Final<01:31:26.480> question. >> Final question. >> Final question.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have read that much written testimony.
• I have read be uh be brief I have read I have read that<00:01:32.280> much<00:01:33.040> written
• <00:24:11.039> get person on zoom and when you finally get person on zoom and when you finally
• thank you Penelope are you finally thank you Penelope are you finally on<00:25:40.159> are
• not speak for narm please read nar's not speak for narm please read nar's testimony<01:52:15.639>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can just read it and tell that. Who?
• I know there continue to be little incidents that we read about.
• Because the state, as the regulator, will make the final determination on a final remedy.
• decision maker on a final remedy.
• And recently, we did complete the final analysis, or the final interim analysis, I guess it's how it's

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this is a large complex, too, as you read through that.
• Um, I don't know that the timing will fit for us to have the finalized version or finalized agreement
• Um, I don't know that the timing will fit for us to have the finalized version or finalized agreement
• Um, I don't know that the timing will fit for us to have the finalized version or finalized agreement
• <00:20:45.600> version fit for us to have the finalized version fit for us to have the finalized

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, so I'm depending on the will of the legislature, but when I read residential, I read it as a condominium
• Yes, so I'm depending on the will of the legislature, but when I read residential, I read it as a condominium
• of the legislature but when I read of the legislature but when I read residential<00:49:08.040><
• <00:49:09.359> condominium residential I read it as a condominium residential I read it as
• does not want to ex if they're reading does not want to ex if they're reading it<00:49:26.960>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining hearing procedures, including a two-minute limit for live testimony, a request not to repeat written testimony, and a reminder about decorum. The first bill heard was SB 697, which would create a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses to retrofit residences with wind-resistive devices. The Insurance Division said it supported the concept but noted it may need an appropriation or outside expertise to develop certification standards, while the Department of Taxation said the bill should retain a third-party certification requirement if the Insurance Division cannot administer the credit. The Hawaii Insurers Council supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation suggested a subsidy-style program would be more efficient than a tax credit and criticized the bill’s 100% credit structure. A testifier in support argued the measure would help homeowners fortify houses against hurricanes and reduce shelter demand; written testimony from several others, including HIEMA, was noted as supportive. The committee then moved through SB 76, which would require the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to provide commercial property coverage after two private-market denials, and SB 83, which would require insurers to give advance written premium-change notices and explanations to common-interest community policyholders and the insurance commissioner, along with a report on premium increases. For SB 76, the State Insurance Division stood on its written comments, and testimony in support came from Michael Honda, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Jessica Herzog. SB 83 drew more extensive discussion: the Insurance Division supported the need for better transparency, while the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the bill, arguing that agents—not insurers—typically communicate with AOAO boards and that the measure could worsen an already difficult market. Insurance Division staff acknowledged widespread complaints from condo associations about lack of transparency and said the division had received many calls about premium increases and nonrenewals. The discussion on SB 83 expanded into broader concerns about condo insurance, nonrenewals, surplus lines, and the difficulty of getting timely explanations for large premium increases. Committee members and testifiers described older buildings struggling to fund repairs and upgrades while facing steep insurance costs, and some urged the committee to craft baseline statutory protections for unit owners. The Insurance Division said surplus lines serve a critical gap-filling role and warned against regulating that market in a way that could slow access to coverage. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will now read the messages from the Senate.
• The clerk will now read the messages from the Senate. Mr.
• The clerk will now read the messages from the Senate. Mr.
• The gentleman from Clay County has moved for the third reading.
• The summary I'm reading is from the House Committee substitute.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 56th day by a roll call vote of 131-2. The Speaker also signed several measures, including House Bill 1768, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1866, Senate Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1870, Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 2180, and Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174. Members then offered a point of personal privilege recognizing National Infertility Awareness Week and shared a constituent’s testimony in support of HCR 28, followed by numerous introductions of student groups, guests, and legislative announcements such as Hat Day and Ken Waller Day. The House received Senate messages on a series of budget bills and other measures, including House Bills 2002 through 2013, and then adopted motions on each of the budget bills to refuse the Senate substitutes and send the bills to conference committees. During discussion, members highlighted major budget differences, including child care subsidies, transportation funding, higher education funding, and a large broadband-related funding shift that would affect the apparent size of the operating budget. The budget chair said he had not yet seen all of the Senate’s printed changes but supported going to conference and expressed hope for compromise on disputed items. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 975, relating to ambulance districts and emergency medical services. After adopting a House committee substitute and a House amendment that restored compromise language on community paramedics and made a minor change to first responder mental health services, the bill passed 136-7. Supporters said it would help struggling ambulance districts, improve emergency response, and keep patients out of emergency rooms when appropriate; one member noted the bill was the same language as a previously passed House bill. The House also considered a property tax reform package in Senate Bills 1066 and 1088, adopting two technical and policy amendments on assessor training, electronic notices, protest payments, levy uniformity, and timing of voter-approved tax increases. Despite support from several members, concerns were raised that the bill could limit local control and create legal or fiscal issues for counties and taxing districts. The combined bill ultimately passed 83-61, and the House adjourned until April 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading.
• Third reading.
• And I'll read from the bill.
• , they should read it to the end.
• Third reading.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I figured y'all could read it, so I'm just speaking.
• Finally, I'll talk about community-based care.
• Finally, we identify services that the family might need.
• Finally, we are always looking to improve our case read process.
• I'm just curious because I haven't read the report.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're still working to get that finalized, and by the end of FY26, all of our transmitters will be fiber
• The Route 66 show that our education department created is about to be completely finalized by PBS.
• A bit about the three science of reading modules in the teacher professional development, are those a
• More about the science of reading, I'll have to get back with you on that one because I know that we
• OK, our final request is $50,000 for the state correctional institution library program.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to read all these quotations. You can read them for yourselves.
• I'm not going to read all these quotations. You can read them for yourselves.
• I'm not going to read all these quotations. You can read them for yourselves.
• I'm not going to read all these quotations. You can read them for yourselves.
• I'm not going to read all these quotations. You can read them for yourselves.

Bills: HF1151, HF1239, HF1240, HF2020, HF2514, HF2515, HF2451

Keywords: Compensation Council, salaries, state officials, judicial compensation, legislative process, public funds, misuse, law enforcement, accountability, state government, legislative auditor, compliance, transparency, retirement benefits, health insurance, dependents, state employees, Medicare, legislative studies, government oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• David did not learn to read even in the first grade because there was neither remedial reading specialists
• grade able to read read and that was grade able to read read and that was with<00:06:00.560>
• read and when you don't know how to read read and when you don't know how to read it<00:39:05.760
• We read books that involve those subjects in reading.
• We read books that involve those subjects in reading.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by announcing that afternoon hearings, including House Bill 283, would be moved to Representatives Hall because of expected public interest. It then took up House Bill 671, which would establish a kindergarten literacy readiness program. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, described the measure as a way to close gaps in early reading readiness and said it was intended as a first step, with only a placeholder appropriation while details are developed. He framed it as a targeted effort to help children who are not entering first grade ready to read. Testimony on HB 671 was largely supportive. Representatives asked about the bill’s structure, whether a specific program had been identified, how it would interact with play-based learning, and why the provider was limited to a registered nonprofit. Waterford.org representatives Teresa Rosenberger and Rob Riley testified in support, describing Waterford Upstart as a home-based, evidence-based early learning program already used in New Hampshire. They said the program provides adaptive instruction, family coaching, and technology support, including computers, tablets, internet access, and translation services in more than 100 languages. They also said the model has been successful in New Hampshire, including a Nashua pilot and later statewide efforts, and that similar legislation has existed in other states. Rep. Jonah Wheeler also spoke in support of the bill. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 671. After a fiscal note for HB 671 was distributed, the committee moved to House Bill 781, which would require school districts to adopt policies for a cell phone-free education and includes an appropriation. The transcript cuts off as Rep. Litchfield was introduced to testify on that bill, so no testimony, debate, or vote on HB 781 is included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just recently I read in one of the news reports that Leader Lis Niska and Leader Long said, 'Hey,
• So, just recently I read in one of the news reports that Leader Harry Niska and Leader Long said, 'Hey
• I I read in the bill that mechanism?
• I I read in the bill that it's<00:11:46.800> cutting<00:11:47.080> another<00:11:47.480
• What are the things that absolutely have to be in that final school safety bill?

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Education Finance and Policy leaders discussed House File 3493, a school safety package presented as a bipartisan, common-sense effort to protect students in public, non-public, tribal, and charter schools. Rep. Brian Lawrence said the bill would provide more school safety funding, more student mental health support, local anonymous threat reporting options, safe school plans, and student discipline reforms. Chair Peggy Bennett and Rep. Ben Bakeberg emphasized that the proposal was intended to be flexible, practical, and responsive to local needs rather than a one-size-fits-all mandate. Several questions focused on whether the package would include gun restrictions, but the authors said the committee was focused on education-related tools it could control and on areas of agreement. They repeatedly said they were not willing to advance a package that left any students out, including those in non-public or tribal schools. Bennett said schools should be able to opt into anonymous threat reporting systems rather than being mandated, arguing schools are already overmandated and that good ideas will be adopted voluntarily. Members also discussed funding, including a proposed $50 million shift from Northern Lights money and the overall size of the appropriation, which was described as still unsettled but roughly $52 million a year in the latest figures. The speakers said the package was being moved during committee deadlines and that they wanted to act quickly on the areas where there was agreement. They expressed frustration that no Democratic counterproposal had been brought forward and said they hoped to pass a school safety package that could keep all kids safe.

Transcript Highlights:

• I try to not just read from the testimony.
• I try to not just read from the testimony.
• I try to not just read from the testimony.
• I try to not just read from the testimony.
• I try to not just read from the testimony.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on February 19, 2025, and first heard House Bill 150, which would prohibit lending a firearm to someone who does not have a firearm permit or a registered firearm. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, though HPD said enforcing any time limit on a loaned firearm would be difficult. Several members of the public opposed the measure, arguing it would interfere with lawful lending for hunting, competitions, training, military-related use, and family situations, and could create unintended criminal liability. One supporter said the bill would strengthen gun safety and encourage more responsible ownership. No vote was taken during the testimony portion described. The committee then heard House Bill 186, which would make harassment by stalking a class C felony. The Office of the Public Defender requested deferral, arguing the bill would remove a misdemeanor option that can help deter escalation and could be unnecessarily severe and burdensome. Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying stalking can be a precursor to more serious violence. The Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney raised concerns about how the new felony would fit within the existing grading scheme, noting that aggravated harassment by stalking and first-degree terroristic threatening are already class C felonies. April Bautista testified in strong support, describing her own experience with domestic violence and stalking and urging passage of the bill. Committee members discussed whether other penalty structures might be possible, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard House Bill 991, which would delete the term “agent of the contractor” from criminal history record check provisions to comply with FBI requirements. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center supported the bill with comments, explaining that the FBI had found the term too broad for fingerprint-based background checks tied to access to federal tax information. In addition, House Bill 995 was introduced, changing deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting; the Department of the Attorney General supported it, saying the revised deadlines would allow a more complete report, and HPD was also heard on the measure. The transcript ends before any votes or final committee actions on these bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• if there is no objection further reading if there is no objection further reading of<00:07:02.520
• Second reading House File 360. Second reading House File 747. Second reading House File 1034.
• bill its third reading bill its third reading third<00:14:30.320> reading<00:14:30.839>
• third reading housea third reading third reading housea number<00:24:36.799> 72<00:24:37.799>
• The clerk will give the bill its third reading. House File 21, as amended, third reading.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and be placed upon its final passage.
• and be placed upon its final passage.
• The clerk will give the bill its third reading. House File 18 as amended. Third reading.
• <00:04:22.479> Third<00:04:22.720> reading. bill its third reading.
• Third reading. bill its third reading. Third reading.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Reading clerk David A Bowman reading. System Majority Leader Garcia moves and Mr.
• The clerk will read.
• Okay, we are on to the Senate third reading file.
• That takes us to the Senate third reading file.
• Clerk will read.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Final words, Representative Mohler: It's a good bill. Please vote yes.
• It has particular interest to me in reading the OA's report on front-line worker pay.
• She also said there is a retroactive date in case the forms are not final legally by April 1.
• The original from 2.29 to 2.32 has a hard-to-read list in paragraph form.
• a data request uh however the final a data request uh however the final order<01:15:32.760> from

Bills: HF1855, HF102, HF1082, HF1354, HF2184, HF1792, HF2296, HF2429, HF2543, HF2566

Keywords: veterans, benefit services, accreditation, consumer protection, civil penalties, disclosure requirements, HF102, Sibley County Road 166, Freedom Drive, Arlington, Sibley County, Minnesota transportation bonds, bonding bill, capital investment, road extension, highway access, intersection improvements, right-of-way acquisition, water main, sewer improvements