Transcript Highlights:

• Jay, we're going to miss you in lots of ways.
• Jay, we're going to miss you in lots of ways.
• Jay, we're going to miss you in lots of ways.
• we're going to miss you in lots<00:04:07.240> of<00:04:07.360> ways.
• ,<00:05:42.120> not<00:05:42.400> just take it personally, not just take it personally

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The commission met following an executive session on personnel matters and announced its intent to move forward with hiring Katie Comstock as the new director of the Legislative Research Commission. Members then approved, by roll call vote, a motion to adopt the October 1, 2025 minutes with specified exceptions, approve items under new business, accept and refer communications items 1 through 151 as indicated, and approve the report of the director selection committee. The motion carried with multiple aye/yes votes and no recorded opposition from those present. In other business, President Stivers thanked Speaker Pro Tem Meade and staff for their work preparing for the Southern Legislative Conference in Lexington, noting the event’s size and expected exposure for the area. Meade credited LRC staff, Jay Hartz, and partisan staff for the work, saying his role had mainly involved phone calls and meetings. Several members then offered extended remarks recognizing Jay Hartz for his leadership, professionalism, responsiveness, and long service to the commission and the building. Speakers said his work had set a standard for staff and legislators alike and wished him well in his next chapter. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testimony is limited to three minutes per person, six minutes per panel.
• House 196 and Senate 167—the first person is Vicki Niggis. House 196 and Senate 167.
• And lastly, this issue is personal for me.
• I want to share something personal.
• Will be missed and I'll go to the people who signed up today.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House Committee on Children and Families held a hybrid hearing on a broad set of anti-hunger, family support, and basic-needs bills. Early testimony focused on SNAP and DTA operations: Rep. DeRosa and others urged passage of H. 196/S. 167 to require DTA to identify staffing, technology, funding, and operational needs to improve timeliness and customer service, warning that unanswered calls, delayed recertifications, and federal changes could sharply raise state costs through higher SNAP administrative burdens and payment-error penalties. Speakers from Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Project Bread said DTA is under-resourced, caseloads have grown, and families are being denied or delayed due to phone and paperwork barriers. Another major SNAP-related bill, H. 254/S. 147, would require the Commonwealth to replace stolen EBT/SNAP benefits; testimony described more than $13 million stolen from about 27,000 households since June 2022 and argued families should not bear losses from organized theft rings. The committee also heard strong support for H. 207/S. 117, which would restore state-funded nutrition assistance for legally present immigrants excluded from federal SNAP under recent federal changes. Advocates from Project Bread, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, local immigrant services, and public health groups said the federal cuts would leave thousands of residents, including refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors, and children, without food support, and argued Massachusetts has a history of filling this gap. Testimony also supported H. 222/S. 104 to make the Healthy Incentives Program permanent and year-round; supporters said HIP improves nutrition, boosts local farms and regional economies, and had already served more than 212,000 households in FY25. A related child-support bill, H. 201/S. 110, would increase the amount of child support passed through to TAFDC families and expand good-cause exemptions; witnesses said the change would put more money directly in families’ hands, reduce poverty, and better protect survivors of domestic violence and families with complicated co-parenting situations. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to deep-poverty and diaper-related legislation. Supporters of H. 214/S. 118 said cash assistance grants have lost value over time and should be raised annually until they reach half of the federal poverty level; advocates from Children’s HealthWatch, Hopewell, the Lift Our Kids Coalition, and parents described the links between deep poverty, poor child health, family stress, and child welfare involvement. They argued that higher grants would help families meet basic needs, reduce hospitalizations and neglect reports, and provide stability amid federal cuts. Finally, multiple witnesses backed diaper legislation, including H. 220/S. 151 and related bills, to create a diaper benefits pilot and/or diaper allowance commission. Testimony from the National Diaper Bank Network, MassCAP, Children’s HealthWatch, local diaper banks, and parents said diaper need is widespread, affects parental employment and mental health, and can cause health problems for infants; a federally funded pilot in Massachusetts was cited as showing improved employment, financial stability, reduced stress, and fewer diaper rashes. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and asked questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• next few slides off to my colleague Miss next few slides off to my colleague Miss Ericson<00:31:
• so you have a you're good for Miss so you have a you're good for Miss Beckle<00:57:22.960> so
• Thank you, Miss Beckle.
• So thank you, Miss Beckle. And with that, thank you, Commissioner Oi and Miss Erikson.
• Shaver and Miss Schneider at Education Minnesota, you're up. On deck will be Miss Nissler and Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:48.079> from whatever reason, that was missing from whatever reason, that was missing
• can be damaging to our persons. can be damaging to our persons.
• Yeah, let Miss Kalis in. Welcome, Miss Callus. Good afternoon, Chairman Olsson.
• >> Miss McCoy. >> Thank you, Mr.
• as well as a natural person.

Bills: HB0083, HB0102, HB0178

Keywords: subpoena, legislative authority, penalty, compliance, law enforcement, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, public employment, labor organization, dues withdrawal, collective bargaining, public funding, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Miss Roberts.
• have more questions and if not person have more questions and if not person staff<00:09:03.760><
• <00:16:35.120> here<00:16:35.360> is first person we have here is first person we have
• mean to turn that into a personal mean to turn that into a personal moment,<00:21:33.200> but
• Am I missing something?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions<00:19:10.080> for<00:19:10.240> Miss questions for Miss questions for Miss
• Any questions for Miss very much. Any questions for Miss Lum?<00:23:35.360> Okay.
• . person. person.
• Any questions for Miss Thank you. Any questions for Miss Maderos.<00:30:44.240> Okay.
• Any questions for Miss Maderos?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Economic Development Technology Committee met on April 17, 2025, to hear STR 121, a resolution to form a working group to explore legalized gaming in Hawaii. Supporters, including DBED, labor representatives, and some industry interests, argued the measure would allow the state to gather more information, consider economic growth, job creation, investment, and tax revenue, and include a range of viewpoints before any final policy decision. Several supporters emphasized that a working group would help ensure informed decision-making and community input. Opponents argued that legalized gambling would disproportionately harm low-income residents and Native Hawaiians, increase addiction and related social harms, and bring crime, corruption, and human trafficking. Some cited examples from other states, illegal game rooms in Hawaii, and concerns that gambling revenue would be limited while social costs would be high. Others said the conversation should be led by local communities rather than industry stakeholders, and one testifier requested community representation on any working group for a potential stadium-area project. The committee also heard from witnesses who framed the measure as a way to address money leaving the state and to create a regulated alternative to illegal gambling. No vote or final action on STR 121 was taken during the hearing, and the chair noted the committee would need to adjourn in time for floor session if the hearing ran long.

Transcript Highlights:

• or suicidal thought and we have a person or persons there when they go in, maybe persons there when
• they go in, maybe persons there when they go in, maybe that person can talk to them each time that person
• And And And so if a person has that happened I mean so if a person has that happened I mean so if a person
• Really personal personal stuff at home. Really personal personal stuff at home.
• Thank you, Miss Hall. Thank you. You always ask Miss Hall. Thank you. You always ask Miss Hall.

Bills: HJR 4, HJR 6, HB 195, HB 13, HB 143, HB 135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise on a point of personal privilege. Senator Elefante: Thank you, Mr. President.
• I rise on a point of personal privilege. Please proceed, Mr.
• Senator Kim: Personal privilege.
• Senator Kim: Personal privilege.
• announcements if Senator Kim Personal announcements if Senator Kim Personal Privilege<00:04:31.639

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am so personally hurt by this because I am so personally hurt by this because it was barely a year
• person that's maybe the smartest person person that's maybe the smartest person in<00:47:08.560>
• He will be greatly missed.
• Her job was clear, even if not easy: keep a person intact.
• Denny, as you retire, please know how much you will be missed. Much you will be missed.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that kind of person.
• , and that kind of person.
• Of person, and that kind of person.
• Maybe I missed some.
• <00:38:03.240> Beckman testifiers and I I thank Miss Beckman testifiers and I I thank Miss

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Personal announcement.
• Uh, we've got Miss Maryland Volunteer and Miss Maryland Teen Volunteer.
• <00:31:07.640> Volunteer Uh, we've got Miss Maryland Volunteer Uh, we've got Miss Maryland
• and Miss Maryland Teen Volunteer. and Miss Maryland Teen Volunteer.
• other personal >> Any other personal or<00:32:21.240> guest<00:32:21.560> announcements

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 27, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, quorum call, and recognition of two House resolutions honoring student achievements. One resolution congratulated the Henry E. Lackey High School boys basketball team for winning the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference title and the Maryland State Championship; the other recognized Charles County spelling bee champion Ethan Ntanga, who will represent Maryland at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The chamber also received Governor Moore’s Supplemental Budget Number Two for fiscal 2027, which was referred to Appropriations. On third reading, the House passed House Bill 843, relating to Washington County tax sale notice changes, by 125-0, and House Bill 888, relating to eligibility for a Washington County property tax credit for disabled veterans, by 124-1. The House then took up Senate Bill 5, as amended, concerning special elections to fill legislative vacancies and related constitutional questions. Members debated whether the bill’s amendments violated the single-subject rule and whether it advanced voter control or, conversely, represented a partisan power grab and a threat to minority representation. Several members explained green or red votes on those grounds. Senate Bill 5 passed the House 93-33. The House and Senate then exchanged messages on the fiscal 2027 budget bills, Senate Bill 282 and Senate Bill 284, after each chamber declined to recede from its amendments and agreed to conference committees. The House appointed conferees for both measures. The session concluded with committee and personal announcements, including upcoming committee meetings, a Jewish Caucus and Women’s Caucus lunch event, a disabilities art show reception, recognition of the doctor of the day, and a motion to recess until Monday, March 30 at 8:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:06:32.120> in to vote or aiding another person in to vote or aiding another person in casting
• He thanked Miss Freeman.
• list that's already in statute Miss list that's already in statute Miss Freeman<00:32:45.240>
• 32.480> this<00:43:33.000> Miss comment on this Miss comment on this Miss Freeman<00:43
• Thank you, Miss Freeman.” Miss Freeman said, “Yes, that’s accurate.”

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Fontaine, will you walk us through the bill? Miss Fontaine, will you walk us through the bill?
• And then as long as you are able to be in person, physically present for an in-person interview, that
• And then as long as you are able to be in person, physically present for an in-person interview, that
• Miss Grimwald Nner. Miss Grimwald Nner.
• and Miss Nner.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > iligan ichiyama Mr iligan ichiyama Mr iligan miss miss miss iwamoto<00:51:29.319> miss iwamoto
• miss iwamoto miss kahaloa<00:51:31.400> miss kahaloa miss kahaloa miss capella<00:51:33.640><
• c> miss<00:51:33.960> kapu capella miss kapu capella miss kapu leoy<00:51:36.440> Mr
• Kong miss Kong miss leika<00:51:44.680> miss leika miss leika miss lamosa<00:51:46.799>
• > Mr lamosa Mr lamosa Mr Lee<00:51:48.680> Miss Lee Miss Lee Miss loen<00:51:50.640> Miss

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to my formal VR title, I have also been given the nicknames of Miss Money Bags and Miss Contingency
• Missed money bags and miscontingency? Missed money bags and miscontingency.
• AR audits invoices for missing PODs, potential duplicate invoices, or missed freight charges, and will
• I have missed something.
• We don't want to miss anything.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• yes we covered that at beginning um Miss yes we covered that at beginning um Miss monska<00:15:32.160
• likely to kill them than a white person likely to kill them than a white person living<00:16:41.319
• <00:37:39.200> is own identity as a young person is own identity as a young person is complicated
• again real data is conspicuously missing again real data is conspicuously missing from<00:53:10.760
• , Miss Shepard turned us into a family.

Bills: HF29, HF921, HF922, HF1048, HF1049

Keywords: railroad, infrastructure, transportation funding, environmental remediation, capital investment, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

Transcript Highlights:

• missed.
• that was missed. that was missed.
• I can walk anything that's missed.
• Um<01:34:37.680> Miss<01:34:38.080> uh Um Miss uh Um Miss uh is<01:34:39.200> it
• don't want to miss anybody. don't want to miss anybody.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Miss Stenzel. Miss Anderson, could you make room for Joel Carlson?
• consumers thank you thank you Miss consumers thank you thank you Miss stenzel<00:08:04.680> could
• Thank you, Miss Anderson. Miss Stenzel, can you give your seat to Mr. Carlson, please? Thank you.
• > can thank you Miss Anderson Miss stenzel can thank you Miss Anderson Miss stenzel can you<00
• <00:26:25.960> trying medication decision is a person trying medication decision is a person

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are all that I have registered to testify in person.
• Those are all that I have registered to testify in person.
• Those are all that I have registered to testify in person.
• <00:43:58.400> dedicated professionally and personally dedicated professionally and personally
• Testifiers, we have in person again, Jessica.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard Governor’s Message 590, the nomination of Archie Kappa Kappa Kappa to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and received extensive testimony in support from Department of Hawaiian Home Lands staff, labor representatives, and community members. Supporters emphasized his leadership during the Maui wildfire response, his cultural standing, his long community service, and his experience with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. In his own remarks, Kappa described his background as a lifelong Lahaina resident, former lifeguard supervisor, and community organizer, and said he would prioritize commission duties while balancing his voyaging commitments. Members questioned Kappa about attendance, his understanding of the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s responsibilities, and his views on commercialization and revenue generation. He said commission meetings would be his priority, acknowledged he could not guarantee attendance at every meeting, and explained that commercialization meant using commercial properties and leases to generate revenue for Hawaiian Homes communities. He also said he supported using land assets to reduce reliance on legislative appropriations. A senator raised Act 279 and the need to focus spending on reducing the waitlist; Kappa said the act was complex and that he did not yet know enough to speak confidently beyond what he had read. The committee did not vote on the nomination in the portion provided and said it would return to voting later. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 591, the nomination of Lawrence Luua to the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Testimony described his background in banking, military service, Maui County planning, and long involvement with Molokaʻi homestead matters. Luua told the committee he had lived the challenges of homestead life, including housing and road issues, and said he wanted to continue the work of Prince Kūhiō by helping Native Hawaiians return to and live on the land. In response to questions, he said he began attending DHHL meetings regularly in July 2024, discussed concerns about county road obligations versus homestead responsibilities, and said he had struggled with Act 279 because he was concerned about moving funds away from other projects even though he supported its goal of reducing the waitlist. The committee then moved on to the next governor’s message and testimony for another nominee, with a SHPD representative briefly introducing the background of that nominee, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appreciate it, Miss Lee.
• before the judge with that I personally before the judge with that I personally have<00:29:15.840
• Thank you very much, Miss Changen. Thank you, Miss Kendrick.
• Thank you very much, Miss Changen. Thank you, Miss Kendrick.
• Miss changen thank you Miss Kendrick Miss changen thank you Miss Kendrick thank<00:53:02.520> you<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.