Video & Transcript Research : 'State Soldiers Assistance Program'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard, of Hawaii, to be Director of National Intelligence; to be immediately followed by a closed hearing in SH-219. Jan 30th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Intelligence (Select) Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- That exposed the United States government's illegal programs.
- the United States.
- Was Edward Snowden a traitor to the United States?
- We are not here to be a rubber stamp for the President of the United States. Its state.
- Program.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- with American soldiers.
- program.
- Now, Fareed, not exactly a right-wing commentator, took our state, at least the governance of our state
- And then also we are bragging about our state being the sanctuary state for Medicare care services.
- They've gone up 45% in the United States.
Summary:
The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the Senate journals and adopted floor amendments. Members voted on motions to advance Budget and Fiscal Review Committee measures and to suspend Joint Rule 62A so the budget committee could hear budget-related bills with shortened notice; both motions passed by roll call. The chamber then moved through the Daily File, including several second-reading bills and gubernatorial appointments.
Three appointments were confirmed: Julie Lee and Ann Patterson to the Delta Stewardship Council, and Santa Cruz County Sheriff Christopher Clark to the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators also took up Senate Joint Resolution 17, which urges Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries to Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam; the resolution passed unanimously. The Senate then considered AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, with extensive debate on the state’s fiscal condition and major budget priorities.
Supporters said the budget is balanced, maintains reserves, reduces the structural deficit, and protects funding for child care, Medi-Cal, distressed hospitals, in-home supportive services, housing, higher education, and transit. Opponents argued it relies on future tax increases, leaves a structural deficit, and does not adequately address affordability, public safety, or repayment of unemployment insurance debt. After debate, AB 109 passed 28-9, and the chamber later approved the consent calendar items 81 through 86.
The session ended with adjournments in memory of Honorable Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie. The Senate announced its next floor session would be Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 9 a.m.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (3-10-26)
Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- We ask that you watch over our soldiers We ask that you watch over our soldiers as<00:02:20.880>
- :24.919>
of the assistant vice president of the assistant vice president of government<00:04:25.280 - impact state retirement funds. impact state retirement funds.
- >> Steve Bratcher, State Representative >> Steve Bratcher, State Representative 25th
- So it would state medal there is.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Sep 22nd, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I have one National Guardsman who started in this program and is now in the State Police Academy.
- And following that condemnation does more than that; it prohibits assistance from state and local law
- , and a Title 10 soldier.
- One is the federal authoritarianism—I think I said that right—and the state-local assistance.
- is violating state law.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 28th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine United States Special Operations Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed hearing in SVC-217. Apr 8th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Secretary of State was President Obama.
- I am named after my maternal grandfather, who was a soldier in the United States Army.
- , local and state laws to get protection?
- Bush signed the moratorium in 1992, the NNSA has utilized a stockpile stewardship program. program in
- Both federal and state? Federal. Great.
Keywords:
national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations
Summary:
The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 8th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The state of emergency that Indian country is in means the need is great for the state to commit to funding
- I also think it's a great program because it's zero dollars to the state.
- We have a program that does that. It's amazing.
- When we are given an opportunity to address fire management, holding state forestry, the State Department
- , state, or local lands.
Summary:
The Assembly met after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved routine procedural motions, and recognized several guest groups, including First Five California, a fourth-grade class from Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, visitors from Modoc and Lassen counties, and representatives from the Port of Long Beach. The chamber then moved through second reading and concurrence items, with most bills and resolutions being read, deemed adopted, or passed on file without debate.
The main floor action centered on ACR 39, designating May 2025 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. Assembly Member Ramos and many caucus members spoke in strong support, describing the crisis as a state of emergency and emphasizing violence against Native women, girls, and two-spirit people, the need for better data collection, agency coordination, tribal sovereignty, and continued action beyond symbolic recognition. The resolution passed concurrence with 67 ayes and 0 noes.
The Assembly also passed a series of bills on topics including classified school employee pay stubs (AB 374), allowing voucher preferences in housing (AB 282), authorizing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates (AB 583), student health insurance protections (AB 594), local housing pre-approval programs (AB 1206), veterans education program administration (AB 1509), expanding the Family Urgent Response System (AB 898), Star Wars Day (H.R. 33), local news sale notice requirements (AB 611), mask-wearing protections in public spaces (AB 1326), a Chula Vista university land-use measure (AB 76), undercover officer record protections (AB 1178), and preservation of Clover Valley in Rocklin (AB 1152). Most passed with broad support, though AB 282 and AB 611 drew some opposition.
A major debate occurred on AJR 10, which urged the President to reverse cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. Members from both parties discussed wildfire prevention, forest health, staffing, and federal-state responsibility, with some criticizing the administration and others emphasizing forest management and the need for bipartisan cooperation. The resolution was adopted after a co-author roll and final roll vote of 67 ayes and 0 noes. The chamber then adopted the second-day consent calendar, heard an adjournment in memory for Giovanni “Johnny” of East Side Italian Deli, and adjourned until Monday, May 12, 2025.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It is very much needed in our state these days.
- Chairman, to our Assistant Attorney General Olivia Nuss.
- That's going to be the state. Okay.
- Is there a commissioner in the state? Yes, yes.
- Is this a model bill that's been adopted in other states? Yes. How many states have adopted it? 22.
Keywords:
athlete agent, registration, endorsement contracts, name image likeness, eligibility, unfair trade practices, student athletes, unclaimed property, abandoned property, escheat, state treasurer, administrator, claimant, purchase agreement, assignment, property recovery, owner verification, documentation requirements, fraud prevention, bankruptcy
Summary:
The Civil Law and Procedure Committee met on May 18, 2026, and first took up Senate Bill 389 by Senator Connick, which would update Louisiana’s athlete-agent law to address NIL representation for high school and college athletes. Testimony from the Attorney General’s office said the bill is needed because NIL agents are currently largely unregulated, especially as NIL activity has expanded into high school sports. Assistant Attorney General Olivia Nuss explained that the measure adopts a revised Uniform Athlete Agent Act framework, creating a state registry and oversight process for agents representing student-athletes in endorsement and NIL matters.
John Curtis, head of school and football coach at John Curtis Christian School, testified in support, saying agents are increasingly approaching young athletes and families without qualifications, charging high fees, and sometimes trying to steer athletes to schools. Committee members asked about how the system would work, who would administer it, and whether the Louisiana High School Athletic Association would have a role. Witnesses said the Department of Justice would house and enforce the program, while LHSAA would help disseminate information to schools, parents, and athletes. Members also raised questions about contracts involving minors and whether the bill should address agreements extending past the age of majority.
The committee adopted technical Amendment Set 5462, then reported SB 389 as amended without objection. Afterward, Senate Bill 525 was voluntarily deferred at the author’s request, and the committee adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2026-04-14
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- the state for major events.
- Concerts were about three-quarters in-state, one-quarter out of state.
- >
u than the states. - States is essentially u than the states.
- you use for other state agencies. you use for other state agencies.
Keywords:
electronic pull-tabs, pull-tabs, tipboards, gambling tax, Minnesota Racing Commission, Thoroughbred, horse racing, Minnesota-bred horses, breeders, owners, racing purses, industry subsidy, gambling revenue dedication, problem gambling, compulsive gambling treatment, general fund appropriation, state affiliate National Council on Problem Gambling, racing incentives, equine industry, public officers
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Art of Our Soul provides trauma-informed therapeutic programming inside of our Arizona state prisons.
- The former Access Medical Director has said programs like ours could end up saving the state tens of
- The former Access Medical Director has said programs like ours could end up saving the state tens of
- We were greeted by women from the Soldiers' Best Friend Program, which trains rescue dogs to serve veterans
- Is there any funding sources other than state funding for the program? Well, Mr.
Keywords:
mental health, hearings, acquaintance witnesses, patient rights, treatment evaluation, barbering, cosmetology, appropriation, funding, licensing, board operations, peace officer, training, public safety, traffic offenses, judicial system, corrections, recruitment, state budget, crime victims
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met on March 25 for what was described as its last regular meeting, with a possible special meeting tentatively planned for the following Tuesday. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1112, as amended by a strike-everything amendment that would appropriate $1 million from the Special Services Fund in FY2027 to the Arizona Department of Corrections for holistic, studio-based rehabilitative programming, with a required report due by June 30, 2028 on spending and outcomes such as self-harm, discipline, and recidivism. Testimony from the founder of Art of Our Soul and a formerly incarcerated peer facilitator emphasized trauma-informed art and music therapy, reductions in disciplinary violations and self-harm, and benefits for both incarcerated people and staff. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 1112 a do-pass recommendation.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1776, which would allow urban Indian organizations to provide traditional healing services reimbursable through AHCCCS or the Arizona Long-Term Care System. The sponsor said the bill was intended to align Arizona with federal approval and other states’ models. AHCCCS testified neutral but said the bill would require a waiver change, likely at standard FMAP rather than 100%, and estimated a $1.3 million general fund impact; the chair said a COW amendment and fiscal note were needed. Members raised concerns about cost and access, and the sponsor clarified the bill was meant for American Indians and family members served through IHS-related facilities. The committee ultimately passed the bill out with a do-pass recommendation, though several members voted no or present over funding concerns.
Senate Bill 1537, which would rename the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeal an inactive advisory commission, failed after testimony from a legislative liaison explaining the fund’s history and use for equipment and de-escalation tools. Some members supported the cleanup, but others objected after the Arizona Police Association opposed the change and argued the commission should be reformed rather than repealed. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1584, as amended, which would provide $1 million for Department of Corrections recruitment and training, funded instead from the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. Testimony supported the need to address DOC staffing shortages, but some members objected that the fund was restricted to peace officer equipment; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill out.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1673, which would fund the law enforcement crime victim notification system. A chair amendment shifted the source from the general fund to the victim compensation fund and reduced the amount to about $2.5 million. Testimony from the Arizona Sheriffs Association, a vendor, and the City of Phoenix described the notification system as constitutionally required, widely used, and important for victim safety and communication, but several members argued the amendment would take money from victim compensation and “rob Peter to pay Paul.” The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 1673, as amended, a do-pass recommendation. The chair closed by noting the committee was adjourned and that a special meeting might be posted for the following week.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- We were hoping that we would have a plan for the seven states, but the upper basin states are not agreeing
- I really think this is the right thing for the state, and almost every state does this.
- But the state has been covering the costs of... ...the state, too, but the state has been covering the
- I think that the first $15 million goes to DES for low-income energy programs, utility assistance. $3
- , state employees, and ACJC, as a victim's compensation program that makes cash payments.
Keywords:
stormwater, recharge mapping, water resources, groundwater, appropriation, Arizona, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation, state budget, interstate water compact, Colorado River Compact, water litigation, A.R.S. 45-119, natural resources, water policy, river management
Summary:
The committee first considered House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million in fiscal year 2027 from the State General Fund to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The sponsor said it was a repeat of last year’s request and was intended as a backup if the seven Colorado River basin states cannot reach a new agreement. Arizona Department of Water Resources staff testified in support, explaining the state’s role in ongoing Colorado River negotiations and distinguishing the litigation fund from the executive’s separate Colorado River Protection Fund. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 17-1 vote.
The committee then took up House Bill 2053, which appropriates $100,000 to ADWR for updated stormwater recharge mapping and expands the mapping effort beyond state trust lands to private lands. The committee adopted Chairman Livingston’s amendment, which extended the coordination timeline to one year, broadened the agencies involved, and revised language on site eligibility and the definition of stormwater. The sponsor said the bill would help identify more places to capture stormwater for recharge, while ADWR testified neutral, supporting the mapping work but raising a concern about language tied to appropriable surface water because that is a legal determination for the courts. The amended bill passed 11-7.
House Bill 2148 was then heard, proposing to give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies, with requirements for specifying purposes and allowing agencies to spend such funds if the legislature does not act. An amendment excluded university and Board of Regents research grants from the bill’s scope, which the chair said was intended to avoid implementation problems. The sponsor framed the bill as a transparency measure, and members discussed the large amount of federal pass-through funding Arizona receives. The amended bill passed 11-7.
After the bills, the committee received a lengthy JLBC presentation comparing the executive budget with the JLBC baseline. Discussion focused on revenue forecasts, the impact of federal tax conformity, state employee health insurance costs, SNAP administrative and error-rate costs under H.R. 1, developmental disabilities and AHCCCS growth, and K-12/ESA funding trends. Members repeatedly criticized the executive budget for funding some ongoing costs on a one-year basis and expressed concern about rising caseloads and supplemental needs. No formal action was taken on the presentation.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Information Technology Oversight Committee (9-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- This program provides statewide aerial imagery and lidar elevation data to support state agencies, federal
- The only state agency that I'm aware of that's not utilizing our GIS program is the Personnel Cabinet
- It also supports our Integrated Health Insurance Premium Payment Program, the state-based marketplace
- , known as SNAP, Kentucky's Transitional Assistance Program, KTAP, or TANF, Child Care Assistance Program
- , known as SNAP, Kentucky's Transitional Assistance Program, KTAP, or TANF, Child Care Assistance Program
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Commonwealth Office of Technology 00:01:00
Department of Education 00:21:00
Transportation Cabinet 00:35:30
Secretary of State 00:45:15
Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:56:11
Discussion of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Related legislation 01:09:11, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then focused first on the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s legacy systems and two specific projects. COT officials said many agencies have made progress moving off legacy applications, with remaining mainframe systems slated to be retired through RFPs or other work orders. They also described a legacy funding pool of $10 million per biennium used to help agencies transition. The two projects discussed were the Kentucky aerial photography and elevation data program, which provides statewide aerial imagery and lidar data for GIS, E911, environmental, transportation, and other uses, and a citizen identity and access management system intended to give residents a single login for state services. Officials said the GIS program costs about $1.2 million annually to host and maintain, with data acquisition costing several million more per year, and that the citizen identity system would cost about $2.5 million per year after an initial three-year COT investment. Members asked about duplication of funding, licensing, local government use, and whether multi-factor authentication would be required; COT said the GIS data is being acquired as statewide unlicensed data and that MFA would be available but not yet mandated statewide.
Committee members pressed COT on costs, overlap with cabinet-level IT spending, and the practical benefits of the GIS and identity projects. COT explained that GIS hosting is generally covered through enterprise assessments billed quarterly to agencies, while the new aerial data is intended to benefit the whole state and local partners. On the identity project, officials said it would centralize authentication for citizens who use state systems, improve compliance with zero-trust and NIST-related security expectations, and reduce help desk and maintenance burdens through self-service account tools. Members also discussed whether the system would extend to local governments; COT said it would be a Kentucky.gov-style state login for users inside the state identity infrastructure, not a local-government system.
The Department of Education then testified that it does not operate mainframes or major legacy systems, having moved long ago to cloud-based, off-the-shelf products and vendor-supported services. KDE officials described a strong emphasis on staff cybersecurity awareness, standardized statewide systems, vendor risk-sharing, and reducing sensitive data exposure, including efforts to move away from student Social Security numbers. They also highlighted a transition from Microsoft Active Directory to Identity Automation, which they said will improve identity management and make multi-factor authentication universal across K-12. In response to questions about Kentucky Wired and internet service, KDE said all 171 school districts and KDE agencies have been moved to a new next-generation internet service through ENA by Zayo, with strong satisfaction, e-rate savings, and better reliability. Officials warned that any internet disruption would immediately affect attendance, grades, student records, payroll, security systems, and communications across the K-12 system.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation (7-17-24)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KESOq4l34uc, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:14 Call to Order and Roll Call
01:13 Kentucky State Police – Road Fund Appropriations
19:59 KY Transportation Cabinet – Federal Funds Match
50:40 Adjournment, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Twenty-seven other states already do this.
- Twenty-seven other states already do this.
- Tina Tran, State Director of AARP Texas.
- That happened in the state of Arizona.
- Tina Tran, State Director of AARP Texas. Good morning.
Keywords:
Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 24, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The big one is to cut the Medicaid program, a program which provides health care for 70 million Americans
- SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 825, THE ASSISTING SMALL SBA financial assistance programs are
- s disaster loan program assists communities after ... CLOSE OUT THE RECOMMENDATION.
- S DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM ASSISTS COMMUNITIES AFTER Disasters.
- program that was canceled, the X-33 program.
HI
Bills:
HCR11, HCR181, HCR187, HCR47, HCR44, HCR161, HCR102, HCR107, HCR118, HCR42, HCR176, HCR84, HCR94, HCR195, HR14, HR171, HR177, HR43, HR40, HR151, HR94, HR99, HR110, HR38, HR166, HR76, HR86, HR185
Keywords:
charter schools, facilities, school funding, education, Hawaii, student enrollment, policy change, HCR181, House Concurrent Resolution, Department of Education, DOE, temporary positions, position renewal, superintendent-level positions, legislative intent, statutory interpretation, budget accountability, fiscal oversight, government transparency, state employment
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Senate and Governmental Affairs May 6th, 2026
Senate & Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- What does that mean, assistance day of assistance? I'm not, what is that? Go ahead. Talk.
- Catherine Newsom, First Assistant Secretary of State, came to the table on behalf of Secretary of State
- Please state your name for the record. Chris Deere, Deputy Director, State Civil Service.
- You don't have a state senator? No, sir. I do have a state senator, and it's Senator Barthelmy.
- Louisiana State Bar exam.
Keywords:
Senate rules, Louisiana Senate, Senate Chamber, smart glasses, recording eyewear, audio recording, video recording, wearable technology, covert recording, legislative security, media access, chamber decorum, Senate President, internal rules, public access, lobbyists, official journal, public notices, competitive bid, Louisiana legislation
LA
Keywords:
building codes, construction standards, state uniform construction code, local option, municipal ordinance, parish ordinance, resilient construction, FORTIFIED Home, IBHS, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, hurricane resistance, storm resilience, roof replacement, residential construction, certificate of occupancy, code enforcement, building resilience, home hardening, wind mitigation, residential roof
LA
Bills:
HB214, HB217, HB253, HB411, HB440, HB514, HB515, HB543, HB614, HB620, HB658, HB812, HB898, HB961
Keywords:
property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, income tax, tax repeal, individuals, estates, trusts, tax reduction, state revenue
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:01:43.520>
Ethics Harris on behalf of the Y State Ethics Harris on behalf of the Y State - >
procurement Kui, administrator, state procurement Kui, administrator, state procurement office - ,<00:09:13.200>
increases rehabilitative programming, increases rehabilitative programming - I'm Kevin Ramirez, program manager with the Coalition for Tobacco-Free Hawaii, a program of the Hawaii
- to payments to the state under protest. to payments to the state under protest.
Keywords:
freedom of speech, elections, campaign finance, non-natural persons, regulated participation, constitutional amendment, financial disclosures, government transparency, public confidence, Senate confirmation, conflicts of interest, state ethics commission, campaign contributions, state contracts, transparency, conflict of interest, government ethics, pretrial release, bail reform, financial ability
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2248 would expand financial disclosure requirements to certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. The State Ethics Commission supported the measure, saying disclosures should be filed before confirmation so the public and interested parties can review them in advance. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with 22 supporters, no opposition, and one comment.
SB 2530 would broaden Hawaii’s campaign contribution ban for state and county contractors to include officers and immediate family members, and would extend the ban to certain grantees and their officers and family members, with specified contract thresholds. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is its own proposal and would align the thresholds with procurement guidelines. Testimony was entirely favorable, with 30 in support, no opposition, and two comments. Members asked about conforming amendments and how the existing prohibition on soliciting contributions applies; CSC said the calendar-day language clarifies current practice and that the solicitation ban already applies to contractors, with the bill extending the same standard to officers and immediate family members.
SB 2732 would require courts to consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail, including excluding public benefits from income calculations and clarifying the 40-hour affordability benchmark for those above 150% of the federal poverty level. The Office of the Public Defender, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that unaffordable bail creates wealth-based disparities, contributes to jail overcrowding, and can cause severe collateral consequences for people not yet convicted. There was one opposition testimony and 18 supporters. Committee discussion focused on when the 40-hour period should begin, how income would be verified, and whether misrepresentation could affect bail; the Public Defender said the measure should be read to start from initial appearance and that judges could address false statements through existing remedies.
SB 2871 would prohibit discrimination based on perceived characteristics, association with someone who has or is perceived to have protected characteristics, and intersectional combinations of characteristics. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked for clear definitions, while the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the bill does not add new protected classes and simply codifies the Lamb v. University of Hawaii decision on intersectional discrimination. LGBTQ+, civil rights, ACLU, and other advocacy groups testified in support, with one opposition testimony and a total of 27 in support, two opposed, and one comment. The committee then heard SB 2919, which appropriates funds for one full-time public deputy public defender position. The Public Defender’s Office said the position would provide statewide legal support and a centralized resource on constitutional, appellate, and immigration-related issues; several advocacy groups supported the measure, and committee questions focused on how the new position would complement existing training and keep staff updated on changing law.