Transcript Highlights:

• They're kind of vestigial components in one chapter, another chapter that agencies are not able to follow
• It's about 45 member organizations across Massachusetts.
• Institute and Center for State Policy Analysis suggests that Boston office values are likely to fall 35 to 45

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies held its first public hearing of the session, chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola with Sen. Barry Finegold. After housekeeping on livestreaming, virtual testimony, and written testimony deadlines, the committee heard testimony on several bills, with the main focus on S. 303/H. 503/S. 305 and H. 491, all related to worker ownership and business succession. Testimony generally supported expanding employee ownership, right of first refusal for workers, and incentives for owners to sell to employee groups. Speakers from worker co-ops, technical assistance organizations, lenders, and business owners said these measures could preserve local businesses, protect jobs, build worker wealth, and help communities retain valued services and storefronts. On S. 303, Vincent Lawrence Dixon described a proposal to create tools such as a special community trustee, right of first refusal, and community institution landmarks to help communities preserve important local properties and uses when owners cease operations. On H. 491 and the employee-ownership bills, witnesses including Matthew Page Lieberman, Caleb from Circus Cooperative Cafe, Sarah Acefa of Dorchester Food Co-op, Halsey Platt, Kevin O'Brien, John Abrams, Virginia Berman, Stacey Cordero, Adrian Roman, Alex Popali, Adam Trott, and Ethan Tupelo emphasized that worker-owned businesses can be more resilient, support democratic participation, and help with business transitions as owners retire or close. Committee members asked questions about the tax incentive threshold, the timing and mechanics of the right of first refusal, and whether the bills would affect sale prices or business succession. Rep. Kristen Kassner also testified on H. 490, which would create a special commission to inventory the Commonwealth’s built environment, infrastructure, permitting, and land-use barriers to help Massachusetts adapt vacant or underused spaces for the next economy. She said the commission would help identify opportunities for housing, climate and energy tech, advanced manufacturing, and other uses, and members discussed commission composition and data sources. At the end of the hearing, the chair read a series of additional bills into the record, noted an upcoming Economic Development Expo, and the committee adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• The time is 8:45 a.m. here in conference room 423.
• the Committee on Tourism and Agriculture for the purposes of hearing one bill, February 5th, 2026, 8:45
• Our primary comment is that we believe the proposed language belongs in another chapter.
• Chapter 342H is specific to solid waste management and landfills, and we defer to the Department of Business

Bills: SB2359, SB2169, SB2170, SB2263, SB2360, SB3084

Keywords: time share, registration, renewal, consumer protection, real estate, SB2170, North Kohala, Kynnersly East Site, Agribusiness Development Corporation, ADC, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, agricultural development, land acquisition, fee simple, Hawaii Island, Big Island, rural development, food security, sustainable agriculture

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems heard House Bill 2585 on agricultural tourism. The bill would create statewide uniform standards for agritourism in counties that adopt such ordinances, require registration with county planning departments, and require agritourism to remain secondary and accessory to farming. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity supported the measure but recommended amendments to make the language more consistent and to ensure agritourism remains tied to agricultural activity; the Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the bill with the same general guardrails, while the White Tourism Authority offered comments. A member raised concerns about a trailer/roadside-stand provision, and the department ultimately said it did not support that specific language. The chairs then recommended passage with amendments, including a definition of principal farm operations, clarification that agritourism must not interfere with on-farm operations, revised termination rules after 60 consecutive days without active production with notice and cure procedures, restoration of the department’s proposed change to the trailer language, and technical corrections. HB 2585 passed both committees unanimously with excused members noted. The committees then heard House Bill 2602 on sustainable tourism infrastructure, which would establish a matching grant program in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for capital projects that improve sustainability and climate resilience in the visitor industry. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii testified in support. The chair recommended passage with a committee report note estimating a roughly $5 million cost and a date correction, and both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. House Bill 1948 on single-use plastics was also heard. It would prohibit lodging establishments from providing certain personal care products in small plastic containers and impose civil penalties. The Department of Land and Natural Resources stood on its testimony, and the Department of Health supported the waste-reduction goal but suggested the language belonged in a different chapter. The chair recommended an HD1 that would omit lotions from the definition of personal care products, adopt the Department of Health’s proposed clarification about reusable containers, and correct the date; the measure passed both committees unanimously. Finally, House Bill 1960 on human trafficking was heard. The bill would require the Attorney General to develop human trafficking awareness training for transit accommodation workers, require employers to provide training, keep records, post signage, adopt prevention policies, and report suspected trafficking, with penalties and rulemaking by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The Department of Labor Relations supported the intent but said the Department of Law Enforcement should be the lead agency, and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the bill while asking for amendments to recognize existing industry programs and apply the requirements equitably. The chair recommended an HD1 incorporating a July 1, 2027 deadline for training materials and employer training, adopting the hotel industry and DLE-related amendments, and making technical corrections; HB 1960 passed both committees unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• You were at three minutes and 45 seconds. All right.
• Someone's out on bond, and they set the plea date out 30 days, 45 days, some period there.
• This modernizes Florida's arrest and search warrant statute by amending multiple provisions in Chapter
• Florida's arrest and search warrant statute by amending multiple provisions in Chapter 901.

Bills: S0212, S0656, S0682, S0810, S0812, S0890, S0892, S0900, S0928, S1084, S1284

Keywords: sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1084, which exempts certain identifying and location information for non-legal support staff in state attorneys’ offices from public records requests, was supported by prosecuting attorneys and reported favorably. SB 212, as amended, created new restrictions related to sexual offenders and predators, including a 200-foot restricted presence provision near certain locations and updated notification/supervision requirements; it drew strong opposition from researchers, advocates, and affected families who argued it lacked evidence and would increase homelessness, but it was reported favorably. SB 682, addressing domestic violence, coercive control, strangulation, animal abuse, injunctions, and related training and enforcement issues, received emotional survivor testimony and support from animal welfare and law enforcement groups and was reported favorably. SB 656, creating and renaming FDLE Internet Crimes Against Children funding and grant programs, was amended and reported favorably and unanimously. The committee also considered SB 810 on sealing criminal history records, which would expand eligibility for some non-conviction records and one low-level misdemeanor conviction after waiting periods and judicial review; supporters said Florida is unusually restrictive, while one senator raised concerns about the scope, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 890, creating a standalone battery by strangulation offense applicable outside domestic relationships, was reported favorably after the sponsor said it would close a gap in current law. SB 892, revising habitual offender and violent career criminal sentencing procedures and notice requirements, was reported favorably, with defense lawyers supporting the clearer pretrial notice. SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction of certain dangerous crimes, was amended to include computer pornography/child exploitation offenses and reported favorably after a family member of the namesake victim testified in support. Later, SB 1284 modernized arrest and search warrant statutes, expanding judicial summons options for some misdemeanors and broadening warrant/arrest authority in certain DUI, injunction, domestic violence, and misdemeanor force cases; defense lawyers supported the judicial-discretion portions but raised concerns about DUI/BUI arrests, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 812, a technical companion to SB 810 updating public records treatment for sealed criminal history records, was amended to clarify prosecutorial access for later cases and reported favorably. Several bills were supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups, while others drew opposition from civil liberties, treatment, homelessness, and criminal defense advocates. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes on selected tabs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say that you have quite a bit of time because at 11:45, we're going to do lunch.
• The Educational Retirement Act, Chapter 22, Article 11, spells out the... Hang on.
• Chapter 82 of the New Mexico Administrative Code, 82-1 through 82-12, spells out how we are to administer
• I represent the south side of Santa Fe and House District 45.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, our, uh, they're commissioned under, uh, 17, Chapter 1701 of the occupations code, uh, to.
• Um, specifically carry out and administer, uh, that chapter 1701.
• , to, to train, to go into the physical fitness regimen, or they're so busy that it, it may only be 45
• Grisham said, there's around 65 armories and some of these men and women may be 1 hour 45 minutes from

Bills: SB 36

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who have it or are susceptible to it need to... ...have somewhere between a 45% and 50% chance
• Well, Senator, to make the point that you're talking about, my brother lives 45 miles from a metropolitan
• reached out to Richard Albine, the CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, Houston and Southeast Texas chapter
• I'm the CEO of the AllScience Foundation and the Climbers Association, Houston and Southeast Texas chapter

Bills: SB5, SJR3, SB 5, SJR 3

Keywords: dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, district apportionment, legislative rules

Transcript Highlights:

• the clerks are at 6% over the last 10 years, whereas on average, where most of our partners are at 45%
• We have a success rate of about 45%. Unfortunately, we're working on trying to improve it.
• Number three is kind of like I feel like they should change Chapter 33 to cover my number two about the
• And I think Chapter 33 needs to change the rules so they can have fewer officers, and therefore maybe

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard an update from Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon on staffing, overtime, capital needs, and inmate population growth. Dixon said the prison population has risen by about 8,000 since January 2021 while staffing has not kept pace, forcing the agency to open 53 housing units without funded positions and rely heavily on overtime and National Guard support. He cited a $189 million deficit tied to salaries and overtime, noted that most staff have less than three years of experience, and argued the solution is to fully fund posts for operational housing units. He also reviewed the department’s fixed capital outlay projects, including repairs, new housing construction, and medical modular units intended to reduce outside hospital transports, and gave an update on the VINE victim notification system and its expansion. The committee then heard from Florida clerks of court representatives Jason Welty and Miami-Dade Clerk Juan Fernandez-Barquin, who described clerks’ court-related and county duties and said clerk budgets have not kept pace with the broader justice system. They requested reimbursements for injunctions for protection ($3.3 million), Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator cases ($2.5 million), and juror management ($4.8 million), and said future funding for new judges should include the full courtroom system, not judges alone. Fernandez-Barquin also raised concerns about unfunded mandates, rising retirement and health costs, low court-side pay, and the need to revisit filing fees and trust fund allocations. Members asked about collections, payment plans, license suspensions, and whether some fees or trust fund distributions could be redirected; the governor’s budget had already picked up the $2.5 million request for Baker/Marchman/SVP cases. During public testimony, speakers urged broader criminal justice reforms and additional funding priorities. A prosecutor emphasized that adding judges requires funding for prosecutors, public defenders, and clerks as well. Other speakers called for parole or long-term sentencing reform to reduce prison populations and costs, criticized staffing and conditions in prisons, and raised concerns about inexperienced correctional officers, visitation delays, and lack of air conditioning in some facilities. The committee took no substantive votes on the items discussed and adjourned after hearing the presentations and public comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000> uh<00:45:00.119> so<00:45:00.359> I<00:45:00.559> do<00:45:00.720
• ><00:45:06.800> we<00:45:07.079> give<00:45:07.440> out<00:45:07.760> condoms
• 45:11.000> that<00:45:11.280> that's<00:45:11.559> not<00:45:12.559> that
• not<00:45:13.960> best<00:45:14.400> practice<00:45:14.920> of<00:45:15.119>
• it opens<00:45:19.160> the<00:45:19.319> door<00:45:19.680> as<00:45:19.839>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232, which would protect health care workers’ conscience rights in connection with certain procedures, especially abortion and sterilization, and also referenced contraception. The prime sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, said the bill is meant to prevent medical professionals from being forced to participate in procedures that violate their beliefs, while still prohibiting discrimination against patients based on protected characteristics. He said the measure was intended to help retain health care workers in New Hampshire and noted he had added an amendment to address concerns about people taking jobs only to later refuse duties, as well as emergency situations where a provider is the only one available. Committee members raised concerns about how broadly the bill and amendment were written. Questions focused on whether the protections could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers, receptionists, or pharmacy employees; whether a provider could refuse to schedule, refer, or otherwise assist with services; and how “emergency” would be determined in practice. Several members also questioned whether the bill could affect access to contraception, including pharmacy sales and procedures such as tubal ligation, and whether the language was clear enough to prevent confusion or unintended refusals of care. Pearson said the bill was not intended to allow refusal of emergency care or general patient discrimination, and he acknowledged some language could be tweaked. Rep. Paige Boerman, a maternal-child health nurse, testified in opposition, saying she had seen pharmacists question prescriptions related to miscarriage care and that the bill could create barriers to contraception and other reproductive health services. She warned that the lack of a disclosure requirement and the broad definitions could create risks, especially in rural areas with limited providers. She also pointed to problems she said had occurred in other states, arguing the bill could lead to delayed care in emergencies. The hearing ended after questions and discussion; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :37.600> And<00:45:38.280> um<00:45:38.400> I<00:45:38.600> I<00:45:38.680
• > also<00:45:47.440> it<00:45:47.560> should<00:45:47.720> not<00:45:47.960>
• <00:45:49.840> So,<00:45:50.480> I<00:45:50.560> would<00:45:50.720> say<
• :45:55.200> that<00:45:55.400> that<00:45:55.600> bill<00:45:55.760> was<
• :45:19.040> for<01:45:19.240> us<01:45:19.520> to<01:45:19.680> show<01:45

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My wife, our 12-year-old son, and the 45 staff members we employ.
• Uh, we have gone through the last, uh, 4 sessions in a row, adding, uh, multiple layers into chapter
• this bill then comes in on the backside and looks at how we do expenditures, but it has no link to chapter
• provisions that, that you expect on the, on the, uh, calculation of the expenditures, then interact with chapter
• be well over, right now, you're capped at 3.5% unless you go to a voter approval rate, uh, under chapter

Transcript Highlights:

• >> I'll<03:45:09.520> speak<03:45:09.760> up,<03:45:09.920> but<03:45
• <03:45:26.000> I<03:45:26.239> don't<03:45:26.399> know<03:45:26.560> how
• <03:45:29.680> background<03:45:30.160> for<03:45:30.479> going<03:45:30.720
• <03:45:32.479> And<03:45:32.720> I<03:45:33.040> think<03:45:33.520> um
• <03:45:41.040> But<03:45:41.439> uh<03:45:41.760> this<03:45:42.000> is

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:33.440> a<00:45:33.680> similar<00:45:34.079> view<00:45:34.319> as
• c> number<00:45:35.200> one<00:45:35.640> but<00:45:35.960> but<00:45:36.160
• > the<00:45:40.119> total<00:45:40.440> amount<00:45:40.680> of<00:45:40.880
• <00:45:46.400> it's<00:45:46.559> been<00:45:46.760> sold<00:45:47.359> or
• > to<00:45:58.599> the<00:45:58.760> limit<00:45:59.040> in<00:45:59.200>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Capital Investment held its first meeting of the 2025 session with members and staff introducing themselves and describing their priorities. Senators from both parties repeatedly emphasized the goal of passing a strong bipartisan bonding bill this year, with several members noting that local projects were delayed after no bonding bill passed the previous year. Chair Housley also said the committee would not meet later that week and previewed an upcoming presentation from MMB on federal funds. The committee then heard a presentation from MMB’s Leah Corey and Anna Ming on Minnesota’s federal funding efforts. Corey explained that MMB’s federal funds team coordinates state efforts to maximize funding from IIJA, IRA, CHIPS, and related federal programs. She said Minnesota has secured about $12.3 billion in federal funding so far, including roughly $3 billion more since the last presentation, supporting about 1,800 projects statewide. Most of the funding is going to transportation, roads, and bridges, with other major areas including clean energy and weatherization. She also highlighted an interactive public dashboard showing projects by region and noted that much of the data reflects funds flowing through the state enterprise. Corey also discussed state match programs that helped unlock federal dollars, including the IIJA discretionary match fund, the State Competitiveness Fund, and the Forward Fund. She said $180 million in state match has unlocked about $1 billion in federal investment through the IIJA discretionary match fund, nearly $17 million in state investment has unlocked nearly $90 million in federal funding through the State Competitiveness Fund, and $124 million for the Forward Fund has unlocked nearly $1 billion in federal and private investment. Members asked whether more state dollars could have brought in more federal funds; Corey said she was not sure, but noted the IIJA match fund is expected to run out in the coming months. The presentation also focused on direct pay tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, which allow tax-exempt entities such as governments, nonprofits, school districts, and tribal nations to receive payments for eligible clean energy projects after they are completed. Corey said the state is building awareness and technical assistance around direct pay, including educational sessions and a tax expert resource. She also described Minnesota’s Green Bank, the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority, which is beginning to issue loans for projects such as community energy, nonprofit geothermal systems, and solar-plus-battery installations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and<00:45:00.800> I'm<00:45:01.119> I<00:45:01.359> I<00:45:01.760> don't
• I<00:45:05.200> don't<00:45:05.440> believe<00:45:05.599> that<00:45:05.839
• <00:45:08.640> Um,<00:45:09.520> I<00:45:10.160> maybe<00:45:10.560> some
• that<00:45:23.599> they<00:45:23.839> can<00:45:24.079> perform<00:45:24.560
• <00:45:26.640> I<00:45:26.960> and<00:45:27.200> I<00:45:27.440> don't

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:30.880> who<00:45:31.119> came<00:45:31.520> before<00:45:31.920> us,<
• > to<00:45:37.520> guide<00:45:37.839> our<00:45:38.160> path<00:45:38.720><
• Mr.<00:45:41.839> Speaker,<00:45:42.720> I<00:45:42.960> rise<00:45:43.280> to
• <03:45:23.680> Clum<03:45:24.640> Tribal<03:45:25.600> Project<03:45:26.239>
• <03:45:52.800> The<03:45:53.040> tribe<03:45:53.920> signed<03:45:54.239>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hours to<00:45:52.480> provide<00:45:52.800> rides<00:45:53.119> for<00:45:53.319
• and they're<00:45:54.040> un<00:45:54.400> using<00:45:54.680> the<00:45:54.839
• <00:45:56.720> so<00:45:56.960> so<00:45:57.079> I<00:45:57.160> think<00
• <00:45:58.800> and<00:45:58.960> I<00:45:59.160> actually<00:45:59.359> was
• :13.800> and<01:45:14.000> with<01:45:14.280> that<01:45:14.920> we<01:45

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the January 21 minutes and then heard an overview from the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement on its community engagement awards program. Amber Cameron explained that the office supports partnerships across the university’s campuses and that nominations for the Outstanding Community Service Awards were evaluated by faculty and staff selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall application quality. She said the community partner award was based only on the nomination materials and described the award process, including that nominations could come from individuals, grassroots groups, or organizations and that the award carried a $5,000 prize. The main discussion focused on the 2024 community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality. Cameron said the nomination documented a long-standing relationship with the university through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning, including work in 130 course offerings over 24 years across 17 academic departments and participation by about 1,000 students. She cited examples from the nomination such as student research and policy work that contributed to Travis’s Law. Committee members questioned the organization’s age, its letterhead and public activism, the meaning of its relationship with the university, and whether the work was appropriate for an award. Cameron responded that the award did not require formal tax status and that her office facilitated the process rather than judging the organization’s broader views. Members also asked for additional information on the vetting process, the courses involved, the award funding source, the ceremony, and related materials. Cameron said the awards were funded through OMN funding, that the program was being sunset and replaced with a new internal engaged-scholar awards structure, and that she would follow up on requests for documents, speaking notes, and other details. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the committee moved on after the testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:24.079> County<00:45:24.680> all<00:45:24.920> my<00:45:25.160> life
• <00:45:27.960> there<00:45:28.079> was<00:45:28.240> a<00:45:28.440> house
• ><00:45:28.680> in<00:45:28.920> the<00:45:29.319> dog<00:45:29.599> in<00
• house<00:45:30.240> when<00:45:30.400> I<00:45:30.520> was<00:45:30.680> born
• 50.119> a<01:45:50.239> study<01:45:50.679> with<01:45:50.920> part<01:45

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on a bill arising from the Lee case involving animal seizures and humane society involvement. Members and the commissioner discussed concerns about due process, lack of clear notice to animal owners, the need for owners to understand when they are surrendering ownership, and whether humane agents should have additional training or certification. Several members also questioned the role of the NH SPCA and humane societies, the absence of oversight, and whether there was any financial or policy conflict in their involvement. The commissioner said the Department of Agriculture does not have a direct relationship with humane societies, but does coordinate with police on seizures, and noted that problems tend to arise when agencies do not consult the department first. Testimony and discussion focused on possible fixes to the bill, including clearer written notice of rights, requiring a third-party qualified veterinarian or other neutral evaluator, establishing the condition of animals at the time of seizure for later court proceedings, and possibly using teleconferencing with a veterinarian in limited circumstances. Some members suggested the bill may need a broader study committee, while others said it should be amended now rather than delayed. The chair said the bill would be worked on further and sent to the subcommittee for more detailed review. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 250, which would allow local governing bodies to regulate dog muzzling. Representative Jodi Newell testified that the bill was intended to let municipalities respond to dangerous dogs, citing Keene’s attempt to require muzzling after a serious incident but lack of clear authority under current law. Deborah LeBlanc also testified about a dog attack that seriously injured her dog and said a muzzle requirement could have prevented the attack. Committee members asked about the incident, existing dog-control laws, and whether the dog had been leashed; the discussion suggested the bill was meant to clarify local authority over muzzling as a public safety measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02.079> scope<00:45:03.040> and<00:45:03.280> also<00:45:03.640> to<00:45
• <00:45:06.920> paths<00:45:07.319> with<00:45:07.640> when<00:45:08.400> the<
• c> level<00:45:09.920> than<00:45:10.119> say<00:45:10.440> a<00:45:10.599><
• peer support<00:45:11.680> may<00:45:11.920> be<00:45:12.400> kind<00:45:12.520
• f is<00:45:17.599> that<00:45:18.000> um<00:45:18.520> uh<00:45:19.200> like

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work. Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract. White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• um whether you<00:45:23.839> know<00:45:23.920> it's<00:45:24.160> the<00:45:24.319
• > sort<00:45:26.400> of<00:45:26.560> process<00:45:26.960> for<00:45:27.280
• ><00:45:32.880> we<00:45:33.119> had<00:45:33.960> um<00:45:34.960> inserted<
• well<00:45:49.359> as<00:45:49.599> the<00:45:50.240> periodic<00:45:51.160
• > moved<00:45:57.280> out<00:45:57.440> of<00:45:57.839> CPC<00:45:58.319

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate committees heard HB 108 HD2, which would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require liquor commissions to adopt rules. Most testimony came from craft brewers and distillers in support, who said the bill would help small and fragile producers reach customers, move limited or specialty products that wholesalers do not carry, and maintain relationships with visitors after they leave Hawaii. Supporters also argued that direct-to-consumer shipping would not meaningfully increase underage access because common carriers age-gate deliveries and require adult signatures, and that the measure would supplement rather than replace the three-tier system. Opposition came from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Hawaii Liquor Wholesalers Association, which said the bill could create problems with minor access and tax revenue and would allow out-of-state manufacturers to ship directly to Hawaii households. Supporters responded that similar concerns were raised when wine direct shipping was adopted and said the existing shipping and reporting systems can track and tax these sales. Several witnesses, including Maui Brewing, Ola Brew, Koloa Rum, Hana Rum, Koulana Rumworks, Koval Distillery, and the Brewers Association, described their small-batch operations, limited distribution options, and the potential for direct shipping to expand sales and jobs. Committee members questioned witnesses about underage access, tax collection, and the impact on the three-tier system. One witness discussed efforts to protect and potentially scale the Hawaiian spirit Okolehao through geographic and sourcing rules. The transcript does not show a final vote or disposition on HB 108 HD2 in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > so<00:45:35.079> we'll<00:45:35.280> get<00:45:35.400> to<00:45:35.760>
• like one instance<00:45:47.440> one<00:45:47.880> you<00:45:48.000> know<00:45:
• :52.079> just<00:45:52.280> to<00:45:52.480> sort<00:45:52.640> of<00:45:
• and<00:45:57.240> what<00:45:57.359> was<00:45:57.480> more<00:45:57.640>
• :58.319> so<00:45:59.280> what<00:45:59.400> we<00:45:59.559> found<00:45

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on restricted use pesticides in Hawaiʻi, with Senate and House members opening the meeting and explaining that the session was intended to hear expert presentations and community concerns. Fern Holland outlined the background for the briefing, describing how restricted use pesticides differ from general-use products, why state-level regulation matters, and how community advocates have sought disclosure and protections for years. She summarized 2019 reporting data, saying a small number of users accounted for most reported use, with especially heavy application in North Central Oʻahu and on the west side of Kauaʻi. She highlighted concerns about applications near schools, homes, and coastlines, and identified 1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium as among the heaviest-used fumigants. She also noted concerns about highly hazardous pesticides, some banned in other countries, and the lack of research on long-term combined exposure to multiple pesticides. Greg Takashima of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture described the department’s pesticide program and regulatory authority under FIFRA and state law. He explained the distinction between general-use and restricted use pesticides, the certification requirements for applicators, and the department’s role in tracking RUPs from sale through use. He reviewed the branch’s functions in enforcement, education and certification, registration and technical review, and laboratory analysis, including inspections, complaint response, market surveillance, product registration, groundwater review, and outreach on drift reduction and integrated pest management. He also noted staffing and funding limitations, saying the branch lacks a toxicologist and long-term monitoring capacity, and compared Hawaiʻi’s resources to California’s much larger pesticide regulatory program. Takashima thanked the legislature for passing Act 231 the prior year and said the department supports the measure as it moves forward this session. Dr. Lee, speaking for the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and as a former member of the Kauaʻi Joint Fact-Finding Task Force, said pediatric guidance has shifted from focusing on acute poisoning to recognizing chronic low-level pesticide exposure as a concern. He cited AAP publications linking pesticide exposure to cancer, brain tumors, leukemia, birth outcomes, neurobehavioral effects, and asthma, and said pediatricians are now encouraged to advise families on reducing exposure and to support right-to-know measures and buffer zones around schools and public gathering places. He also described the Kauaʻi task force’s work, saying it found the west side of the island to be an unhealthy community but could not prove causation because of missing drift, geospatial, and biomarker data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, questions were held until after presentations, and the department expressed support for Act 231.

Transcript Highlights:

• 08.479> and<03:45:08.720> pass<03:45:08.960> the<03:45:09.120> bill<03:45
• Those<03:45:11.439> in<03:45:11.600> favor<03:45:11.920> say<03:45:12.160> I.
• > is<03:45:21.279> laid<03:45:21.600> on<03:45:21.760> the<03:45:21.840><
• <03:45:23.040> For<03:45:23.279> what<03:45:23.439> purpose<03:45:23.600> does
• > and<03:45:28.000> pass<03:45:28.239> the<03:45:28.399> bill<03:45:28.720

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 14, 2025, 1012, house, all