Transcript Highlights:

• We have 2 bills before us, which we will hear first and then we'll go on to the continuing confirmation
• And if you'll confirm, please that in order to be a member of the board of trustees, you must either
• Let me explain why I want you to vote me for confirmation to the board of trustees of Uwf.
• Is there a motion to confirm these individuals 7 named so moved?
• or choose to confirm her, not confirm.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be hearing a bill and then we're going to start the process of confirmations.
• We're going to be doing a little different confirmation process instead of simply hearing doing just
• And now we're going to go into our confirmation here.
• But I am hopeful that out here and will be a positive confirmation from you again today.
• And I look forward to confirmation by this committee in order to to advance those goals.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The nominees for said governor's messages have been confirmed. Mr.
• Uh, in the gallery we have with us newly confirmed members. Uh, GM72 is Ken Kawahara.
• And we also have our new student regent that has also been newly confirmed, Joshua from Muina.
• gallery we have with us newly confirmed gallery we have with us newly confirmed members.<00:02:50.160
• <00:03:14.000> uh<00:03:14.080> and confirmed, uh, Joshua from Muina, uh, and he has

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call, approval of the prior day’s journal, and receipt of several communications, including governor’s messages transmitting proposed conference drafts for collective bargaining agreements, House communications on concurrence with Senate amendments and conferee changes, and conference and standing committee reports. The chamber also took up advise-and-consent items on governor’s messages, approving the nominees on consent with no objections and confirming them. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 121, House Draft 1, after several members registered no votes and Senators Kim and Gabbard reserved their votes; the resolution passed with five no votes. Members also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 96 on consent. During the meeting, Senator Kim introduced newly confirmed members in the gallery, including Ken Kawahara for the Board of Regents and student regent Joshua from Muina. On final reading, the Senate passed SB 1296 CD1 relating to disaster recovery and SB 1318 CD1 relating to water pollution by unanimous consent. The Senate also reconsidered and agreed to House amendments to SB 1448 HD2, with Senator San Buenaventura noting the changes were technical and created a clean date; one-day notice was then given for final reading. A legislative communication extending the conference negotiation deadline for fiscal bills from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. was filed, and the chair announced the decking deadline for fiscal bills in conference was 11:30 p.m. The Senate then recessed until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, leaving the journal open until midnight for additional conference committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy to we support his confirmation.
• The first time we confirmed you. Okay.
• Okay. confirmed you. Okay. confirmed you.
• confirmations confirmations and<01:11:06.120> fulfilling<01:11:06.560> our<01:11:06.680
• They rely on us to confirm you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Colleagues, file item 64 is the confirmation of former Judge Frank Darnell Jr. for the appointment to
• Colleagues file item 64 is the confirmation of former Judge Frank Darnell Jr. for the appointment of
• The appointment is confirmed. Please Aye, 37, no zero. The appointment is confirmed.
• The appointment is confirmed. Please call the absent members on file item 66. Allen. Aye. Aye.
• The appointment is confirmed. Moving on to the consent calendars for the second day.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Colleagues, file item 64 is the confirmation of former Judge Frank Darnell Jr. for the appointment to
• The appointment is confirmed. Please open the roll call on Item 65. Aye, 37, no 0.
• The appointment is confirmed. Please Aye, 37, no zero. The appointment is confirmed.
• The appointment is confirmed. Please call the absent members on file, Item 66. Allen. Aye. Aye.
• The appointment is confirmed.

Summary: The Senate convened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized the YMCA’s 175th anniversary through floor remarks highlighting its long history of community service, youth programs, child care, and civic engagement. The body then moved through routine messages and appointments, confirming three gubernatorial appointments: former Judge Frank Darnell Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edgar to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. On third reading, senators debated and adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12, which opposes the federal offshore oil and gas leasing proposal off California and calls for California to be removed from the plan and for stronger environmental review and public participation. Supporters emphasized coastal protection and climate goals, while opponents argued the state faces energy supply and affordability problems and needs more domestic production. The resolution passed by roll call. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 118, urging full release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files to promote transparency and accountability for survivors, and Senate Resolution 99, declaring April 21, 2026, California Agriculture Day and recognizing the state’s agricultural production, farmworkers, and climate-smart practices. The final major item was Senate Resolution 100, designating April 16, 2026, as Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness to raise awareness of child sexual abuse, support survivors, and expand prevention and mandated reporter training. The author and supporters spoke about the prevalence of abuse, the importance of reporting, and survivor support; the resolution was adopted unanimously. The Senate then lifted the calls and confirmed the earlier appointments, adopted the consent calendar, announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings, and adjourned in memory of Rob Trice and Alwyn Ben Holman. The session ended with notice that the next floor session would be Monday, April 27, 2026, with Denim Day observed that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services and placed on the confirmation Services and placed on the confirmation calendar<00:28:01.279
• I hope you will support their confirmation. Any further discussion?
• confirmation. Any further discussion? confirmation. Any further discussion?
• The motion prevails, so the appointments are confirmed.
• . confirmed. confirmed.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened under call, received a prayer and pledge, and then proceeded through routine business including roll call, quorum, and messages from the House. The chamber concurred in House amendments to Senate File 3210, a human rights bill concerning disability accommodations, and then passed the bill on final passage by a vote of 42-22. The Senate also received several House messages on conference committees and returned bills, including SF 4476, SF 4612, and SF 4760, and agreed to conference committees on House File 3426 (Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriations) and House File 4252 (higher education student aid reporting). The Senate adopted committee reports and moved several bills through second reading and introduction stages. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 86, which governs Senate business during the interim between sessions; the sponsor explained that most changes were cleanup and modernization, with one substantive change allowing the Secretary of the Senate to appoint someone to fill a vacancy in an elected officer position for the remainder of the interim. The resolution passed 57-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 87, commemorating deceased senators Bruce Anderson, Carrie Dietick, Alice Johnson, Bob Kurlin, Don Samuelson, James Yuland, and Ray Vander, followed by a moment of silence. The Senate then took up confirmations of three Minnesota Tax Court judges: Jane Bowman, Bradford Deopena, and Beverly Luther Quest. Supporters cited their combined public- and private-sector tax law experience, and the appointments were confirmed. Later, the chamber designated special orders and debated Senate File 3891, which would allow eggs to be donated up to 30 days past their quality assurance date to food shelves; supporters emphasized food insecurity, food waste reduction, and the bill’s support from food shelves and retailers. The bill passed 65-0. The Senate also considered House File 4240 on election administration, adopting an amendment that replaced House language with Senate language, including polling-place requirements for certain school district elections, a ban on candidates betting on their own elections, and an effective date for Three Rivers Park District reporting; the bill then passed 36-28. The chamber then began consideration of House File 4239, another elections-related bill, taking it from the table and offering an A5 amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to your confirmation. Again, I’m not being rude.
• Johnson’s confirmation. Thank you.
• And I am here to support the confirmation of Jason Johnson.
• Johnson in his confirmation. Thank you.
• That moves to the Senate for full confirmation. All right.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first established quorum and then approved several routine items, including one governor’s appointment not required to appear, references of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard from two CDCR appointees required to appear, Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, both nominated to associate director positions in the Division of Adult Institutions. They described their long careers in corrections and emphasized the California model, explaining that it is intended to improve staff safety, rehabilitation, trauma-informed practices, and reentry outcomes. Members raised concerns about a widely reported use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, sexual abuse and retaliation concerns in women’s prisons, visitation restrictions, and the need for consistent policies and stronger communication. The nominees said the department investigated the incident, disciplined staff, provided medical and mental health support, conducted training, and is working to improve reporting, PREA compliance, and family visitation. The committee voted 4-0 to send both nominations to the Senate floor, with public testimony largely in support from former incarcerated people, nonprofit reentry advocates, and community stakeholders. The committee then heard from Jason Johnson, nominated as Undersecretary of Operations at CDCR. Johnson framed his work as centered on rehabilitation, public safety, and culture change, and he described his background in probation, parole, and CDCR leadership. Members questioned him about opposition letters and complaints alleging retaliation, hostile work environment, discrimination, and public safety concerns tied to his leadership of adult parole operations. Johnson said many complaints were tied to efforts to change a previously toxic culture, denied retaliatory intent, and pointed to his record of creating or strengthening reentry and compliance programs, including community reentry units, community compliance units, behavioral health reintegration efforts, and transitional community reentry programs. He also addressed parole supervision tools for high-risk sex offenders, contraband interdiction, and PREA-related training and reporting systems. The discussion repeatedly returned to the need to balance institutional security with rehabilitation and to ensure that staff and incarcerated people can report misconduct safely. The committee did not take a final vote on Johnson in the portion provided, but members indicated they were weighing the late-breaking opposition materials and his responses carefully.

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson's confirmation. Thank you.
• And I am here to support the confirmation of Jason Johnson.
• Johnson in his confirmation. Thank you.
• That moves forward to the full Senate for confirmation.
• That moves to the Senate for full confirmation. All right.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first established quorum and took up several routine items, including two governor’s appointments to the Court Reporters Board, references of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. Heather Lynn Gonzalez’s appointment was approved 3-1, Allison Salton-Sall’s appointment was approved 4-0, and the other routine items were approved 4-0. The committee then heard testimony on two Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation appointments, Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, both associate directors in the Division of Adult Institutions. Senators focused heavily on the California model, staff safety, prison violence, sexual abuse prevention, retaliation concerns, and visitation. Ratliff and Tuggle said the California model is meant to balance rehabilitation with safety, that CDCR has improved communication and training, and that incidents such as the pepper-spray event at Central California Women’s Facility led to discipline, investigations, retraining, and policy review. They also described PREA reporting systems, anti-retaliation protections, statewide visiting meetings, and efforts to make visiting more family-centered and consistent. Public commenters largely supported both nominees, citing their work on rehabilitation, reentry, and sexual abuse response. The committee unanimously voted 4-0 to send both Ratliff and Tuggle to the Senate floor for confirmation. It then heard from Jason Johnson, nominated as CDCR Undersecretary of Operations. Senators questioned him about parole supervision, public safety, contraband, prison rape prevention, workplace culture, whistleblower retaliation, and repeated allegations in late-filed opposition letters. Johnson said parole risk is assessed through established scoring and supervision levels, that sex offenders are subject to GPS monitoring and treatment, and that operations use investigations, training, and collaboration with law enforcement to address contraband and misconduct. He emphasized rehabilitation, culture change, accountability, and his commitment to staff and public safety, while acknowledging criticism and the difficulty of leading a large institution. No vote on Johnson was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the committee on confirmations. from the committee on confirmations.
• Patricia Anne Jones is confirmed.
• All right, Secretary, call the next confirmation from the Committee on Confirmations.
• Angela Star is confirmed.
• Secretary, call the next confirmation from the Committee on Confirmations.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 28 senators present. The body agreed to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading and adopt the previous journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The presiding officer also recognized several guests on the floor and in the gallery, including an intern from the Lieutenant Governor’s office and guests of Senator Chambliss. Committee reports focused on confirmations for Alabama State University’s Board of Trustees. Patricia Anne Jones (Confirmation 79), Angela Star (Confirmation 80), and Bobby Singleton (Confirmation 78) each received favorable committee reports and were confirmed by the full Senate, with roll-call votes showing unanimous or near-unanimous support. The chamber spent considerable time in lighthearted debate and personal remarks during Singleton’s confirmation before adopting the motion and confirming him. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 81 commending the Coach Safely Foundation for youth sports injury mitigation, and several other resolutions honoring individuals and organizations, including Johnny Williams, Jim America, Senior Trooper Hunter Woodruff, and retired Army Colonel Shawn Thomas Prricett. A resolution encouraging Alabama public high schools to form a consortium was also adopted. On local bills, the Senate passed Senate Bill 243 regarding Jefferson County and House Bill 532 regarding Shelby County, both by using the previous roll and with no opposition. The Rules Committee then reported a special order calendar for the 22nd legislative day, which the Senate adopted 30-0. The special order calendar included bills on the Board of Funeral Services, the Public Service Commission, tax abatements, electric utilities, child support, dogs, school lands, Chambers County, and real property. The first special-order bill taken up was Senate Bill 107 by Senators Figures and Gudger, concerning the Alabama Board of Funeral Services. Senators discussed the bill’s purpose of funding the board’s increased duties, the effect on funeral home license fees, and an amendment offered by Senator Bell to reduce certain fees. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was explained as not affecting pre-need funeral arrangements. Debate continued as members asked questions about costs to families and funeral homes, but the chamber had not yet reached final disposition of the bill by the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• File item number 28 is the confirmation of Irena Ortega for the appointment to the Public Employment
• File item number 29 is the confirmation of Monica Erickson. Thank you, colleagues.
• The appointment is confirmed. Moving to item 29. Lifting the call on item 29.
• The appointment is confirmed. Moving to item 31, lifting the call on item 31.
• The appointment is confirmed. Members, moving to item 57. We're lifting the call on item 57.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through appointments, resolutions, and consent items. Three gubernatorial appointments were confirmed: Irena Ortega to the Public Employment Relations Board, Monica Erickson as director of the Department of Human Services, Armin Mayor as senior deputy commissioner in the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and Uca Dunkay to the California State Lottery Commission. All four confirmations passed by wide margins after brief presentations from Senator Grove. The chamber then took up several commemorative resolutions. SCR 152, by Senator Reyes, designated April 10, 2026 as Dolores Huerta Day; multiple senators spoke in support, highlighting Huerta’s farmworker organizing, civil rights work, and continued activism, and the resolution was adopted unanimously. SR 91 recognized Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week, and SCR 149 marked World Autism Awareness Day; both were adopted unanimously. SCR 150, honoring National Librarian Day, also passed unanimously after remarks emphasizing librarians’ role in access to information and public service. SR 98, recognizing Heat Pump Week in California, passed on a 29-5 vote. The Senate also considered SB 1078 by Senator Laird, an urgency measure allowing Santa Cruz County voters to consider a local tax increase above the 2% threshold to help fund services, including medical services. The bill passed 29-9, with the urgency clause and the bill itself both approved. The consent calendar and special consent calendar were then adopted without objection, covering numerous additional bills and resolutions. The session concluded with committee announcements and an adjournment in memory of Deanna Mooney, a nurse and community leader, before the Senate recessed until its next meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The entire Senate or Senate committee on confirmations may elect to consider an appointment.
• Rejection of an appointment by the Senate committee on confirmations shall be considered a rejection
• The entire Senate or Senate committee<00:02:13.840> on<00:02:14.000> confirmations<00:02
• :14.560> may<00:02:14.720> elect<00:02:14.959> to committee on confirmations may
• shall be considered a confirmation shall be considered a rejection<00:02:19.840> by<00:02:20.000

Bills: HB150

Keywords: improvement district, special assessment, assessment lien, public infrastructure, bond financing, bond interest rate, county commission, tax assessor, tax collector, judge of probate, ad valorem tax, tax lien, tax sale, foreclosure, delinquent taxes, municipal finance, public improvements, infrastructure financing, collection enforcement, property lien

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, we will be taking a vote on the confirmation of Lieutenant Governor Jeanette M. Nunes.
• Seeing none, is there a motion to recommend confirmation? Thank you very much, Senator Truenow.
• Senator Truenow moves to recommend the confirmation. Thank you very much, Senator Truenow.
• And by your vote, the confirmation of Lieutenant Governor... Vice Chair Collins? Chair Wright.
• And by your vote, the confirmation of Lieutenant Governor Jeanette M.

Summary: The Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and heard one item: confirmation of Lieutenant Governor Jeanette M. Nunes as chair of the Board of Directors of Space Florida. Nunes was not present, and there were no questions from members. One appearance form was filed by Ellsworth Williams, who spoke about veterans’ issues, especially the rising suicide risk among older veterans, and described his organization’s counseling, referral, advocacy, and support services for elderly veterans and caregivers. After brief discussion, Senator Truenow moved to recommend confirmation of Lieutenant Governor Nunes. The committee adopted the motion without objection and then took a roll call vote, which resulted in a favorable recommendation for confirmation. Members then exchanged closing remarks thanking one another for service and noting the committee’s work on veterans and military issues. The meeting concluded with no further business and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires that the drug testing include laboratory confirmation of any positive result; often
• that's sent away for confirmation.
• that the, the positive test results the bill requires that the drug testing include laboratory confirmation
• So if it returns a tentative non-confirmation, ...or other mismatch result, the employer shall provide
• . ...if he takes the opportunity to contest the non-confirmation.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee considered and advanced several bills. House Bill 4995, concerning video cameras in special education classrooms, was explained as requiring parents to be notified of recording interruptions, providing written notice of the law to parents and school employees, shortening the required random review of recordings from every 90 days to every 30 days, and clarifying that school boards must still conduct independent investigations even if DHS or prosecutors do not act. The committee adopted the motion to report the bill to the full Senate. House Bill 5214, dealing with drug testing in child abuse and neglect cases, would allow courts to order testing of parents in certain cases, require laboratory confirmation of positives, and require DHS to notify the court and other parties; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, then reported the bill as amended and adopted a title amendment. The committee also advanced House Bill 4025 and House Bill 5441, both restructuring state personnel systems. HB 4025 would exempt employees of the Department of Health, health facilities, and human services from classified civil service and grievance procedures beginning July 1, 2026, while preserving status for some current employees and allowing exemptions to comply with federal requirements; the committee adopted a piecemeal amendment and reported it as amended. HB 5441 would eliminate separate civil service systems for Transportation, Revenue, and the Bureau for Social Services and move classifications and compensation structures to the Division of Personnel, with testimony from the governor’s counsel emphasizing faster hiring and more flexibility; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment and reported the bill as amended. House Bill 4602, a child welfare pilot program creating a private community-based system for post-removal services, drew testimony from DHS about concerns over costs, continuity, oversight, and child well-being outcomes, while supporters argued it could reduce caseloads and improve flexibility. The chair amended the bill to remove one of the two pilot regions, leaving only the Berkeley/Jefferson County pilot, and the committee then reported the bill as amended despite opposition from the senator from Marion. House Bill 4106, removing the provisional concealed handgun license requirement for ages 18 to 21, heard testimony from a pediatrician opposing the change and from a gun rights advocate supporting it; an amendment requiring firearms training for under-21 carriers failed by a 1-14 roll call, and the committee then reported the bill as amended. Finally, House Bill 4198, after a subcommittee rewrite, was advanced with a strike-and-insert amendment that refined E-Verify requirements for public and private employers, added exemptions for certain small or new employers and sole proprietors, clarified recordkeeping and notice requirements, and adjusted penalties and enforcement procedures. After a motion for the previous question, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 4198 as amended. House Bill 5319 was removed from the agenda, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cravens be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, chairman. Mr.
• Rees be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, chairman. Mr.
• Cravens be approved and confirmed signed T.J.
• Williams be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, chairman. Mr.
• Radijack be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, chairman. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cravens be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.
• Rees be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.
• Williams be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.
• Williams be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.
• Radijack be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.

Summary: The meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a guest introduction for Deputy Frank Sloop. The Senate then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations after brief explanations and, in several cases, floor amendments. Topics included public records, capital outlay review, local government, taxation, state budget implementation, higher education appropriations, utility regulation, towing regulation, homeowners association disclosures, nursing board regulation, veteran services, criminal justice, human services, K-12 education, state property management, and the continuation of the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Several bills were amended on the floor before receiving favorable recommendations. House Bill 2114 on motorcycle-related provisions was amended to require that at least one registered owner be legally licensed to operate a motorcycle in Arizona. House Bill 2397 on HOA/condominium disclosures was amended to change disclosure timing and fee rules and make other conforming changes. House Bill 2408 on nursing board regulatory action was amended to remove a clear-and-convincing-evidence burden in disciplinary matters and clarify complaint-sharing procedures. House Bill 2957 on driver’s license/handheld provisions, House Bill 2305 on towing regulation, and House Bill 2321 on DCS-related reporting also received amendments before do-pass recommendations. The largest item was Senate Bill 1847, the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act. Senators offered extensive floor amendments affecting agriculture, corrections, criminal justice, school safety, law enforcement equipment, vehicle theft task force funding, liquor licensing, and other budget items. During third reading and debate on the budget, Democratic senators praised negotiated gains such as funding for aging services, food assistance, civil legal aid, school meals, heat relief, and a three-year moratorium on new data center tax incentives, while criticizing border-related funding, ESA/voucher policy, and cuts to higher education and adult education. One member’s remarks were ruled dilatory after repeated off-topic comments, and the ruling of the chair was sustained by a 16-12 vote. The transcript ends with additional budget-related explanation of votes continuing after the budget’s third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you may recall, uh, when we confirmed a recommendation to be confirmed to the full Senate of
• for your confirmation.
• > by<00:00:33.800> this That confirmation was approved by this That confirmation was approved
• I also appreciate my and confirmation.
• for your confirmation. confirmation. confirmation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a governor's message and Judiciary communications agenda, which is for confirming judges and members
• > continuing confirmed, I commit to continuing confirmed, I commit to continuing continuing<00
• I respectfully urge you to vote no on this confirmation. Thank you.
• vote no on this confirmation. vote no on this confirmation. Thank<00:31:40.559> you.
• <01:09:47.440> the consideration confirmation to the consideration confirmation to the Defender

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 767, the nomination of Kanoi AD Jackson to serve as circuit court judge for the Third Circuit. The chair announced that the committee would not vote on the governor’s message or two judge nominations until Tuesday, April 15, but planned to vote that day on two Defender Council items. Testimony on Jackson’s nomination was limited to two minutes per speaker, and the hearing was conducted partly by Zoom. Supporters emphasized Jackson’s qualifications, work ethic, judicial temperament, and community ties. Testifiers included the West Hawaii Bar Association, family members, a retired teacher, retired Judge Robert Kim, and the Hawaii State Bar Association. The West Hawaii Bar Association said Jackson received high marks from its review process and that the Third Circuit needed a permanent judge for stability. Judge Kim and others praised her preparation, intelligence, humility, and experience as a prosecutor and litigator. Jackson also spoke in her own behalf, acknowledging that her background is primarily criminal rather than civil, but saying she is committed to learning the civil docket and serving the community if confirmed. Members questioned the Hawaii State Bar Association about the basis for its support, including how many members responded and whether concerns were raised about Jackson’s lack of civil experience. HSBA said it uses a confidential review process, receives both positive and negative comments, and does not track votes or percentages, but its board voted to support her. Judge Kim responded that judges can learn new areas of law, that civil dockets can be managed with benchbooks and help from other judges, and that Jackson’s trial experience would serve her well. No vote was taken on Jackson’s nomination during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two bills before us, which we will hear first, and then we will go on to the continuing confirmation
• Already, is there a motion to confirm these individuals, so named? So moved.
• And so my votes to confirm appointees are hopefully and only perceived as a reflection of that.
• And obviously, our role to review under certain criteria and confirm or choose to confirm or not confirm
• For confirmation to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Next, we will take... Which one? Mr.

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate. The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, the place will get confirmed and confirmed. It's confirmed. Okay.
• <00:51:28.160> and place the place will get confirmed and place the place will get confirmed
• and confirmed.<00:51:29.599> H,<00:51:29.920> it's<00:51:30.160> confirmed.
• <00:51:30.800> It's confirmed. H, it's confirmed. It's confirmed. H, it's confirmed.
• It's confirmed.<00:51:31.760> Okay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first accepted the minutes from the April 4 meeting, then moved to a discussion of potential audit topics and follow-up on prior performance audits. Christine Young, Director of Audits, and Jay Henry, performance audit supervisor, walked members through a spreadsheet showing the status of roughly 30 performance audit reports from the past 10 years, including the number of observations, whether agencies concurred, how many observations were fully addressed, and when each report was last updated. They explained that “fully addressed” only means the agency addressed the observations it agreed with, and that some reports include rejoinders when the audit office disagrees with an agency’s response. Members also discussed how some audits have been updated and others have not, including an example from the prescription drug monitoring program, which moved from the Board of Pharmacy/OPLC to HHS and was recently updated after staff contacted HHS. A major focus was the mental health workforce licensing audit, which was described as having little or no follow-up in the spreadsheet. Several members said this was especially concerning given the ongoing mental health crisis and argued that the committee should require a response. The committee agreed to start by sending letters to the chairs of the boards listed under that audit, asking the chair or designee to appear at the next meeting or respond in writing about what has been done and what remains unresolved. Members noted that the current process is voluntary and self-reported, which can lead to long delays or no response, especially for boards that meet only monthly and may have changed membership or leadership since the audit was issued. The committee also discussed other audit follow-up issues, including the liquor commission division of enforcement and licensing, which staff said was farther along than its percentage suggested, and a recently released human rights report that was not yet due for update. Members raised the possibility of using future budget reviews to ask agencies what they have done about old audit findings. In addition, the committee briefly discussed future audit topics, including a possible audit of local school districts related to special education, and staff explained that the statute allows the LBA to audit a limited number of non-state entities over a five-year period. The motion to authorize the chair and LBA to draft and send letters to the mental health workforce licensing boards passed by show of hands with one abstention. The next meeting was tentatively set for June 6 in State House 100, with staff to confirm the room and schedule.