Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:56.039> is might be of interest to this group is might be of interest to this group
• We've gone through this language line by line with that group as well.
• um to your point we have a robust group um to your point we have a robust group of<00:14:08.720>
• <00:14:29.959> as language line by line with that group as language line by line with that
• so this is not one of them that group so this is not one of them and<00:14:36.399> it's<00:14

Bills: HF747, HF360

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, trusts, Uniform Trust Code, probate, estate planning, trust protector, directed trust, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor, excluded fiduciary, decanting, power of appointment, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, uneconomic trust, rule against perpetuities

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, they evolved the university system to get out of just the small groups, but they introduced ideas
• I had a group come to me that wanted more representation for Greater Minnesota and really specifically
• as our group in our Austin Community as our community<00:26:19.080> changed<00:26:19.440>
• You know, I mentioned this group that encouraged me to run, and what really caught me off guard, I've
• <00:31:19.360> that you know I mentioned this group that you know I mentioned this group that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The forum focused on the University of Minnesota system’s future, with candidates largely agreeing that the five campuses should remain distinct while working more closely together. Speakers emphasized the land-grant mission, the importance of serving Greater Minnesota, and the need for each campus to have a clear value proposition tied to local communities. Several suggested stronger cross-campus partnerships, more use of technology, and more seamless student pathways between campuses, while also noting enrollment declines and the need to preserve campus identities. A second major topic was public trust in higher education and the perceived value of a college degree. Candidates pointed to rising tuition, student debt, and concerns about post-graduation job prospects as key challenges. Proposed responses included better storytelling about university outcomes, stronger partnerships with schools, legislators, and communities, more targeted fundraising and commercialization of research, and clearer evidence of return on investment for students and families. The discussion then turned to athletics, where most candidates described sports as the university’s “front door” but said academics must remain the priority. They raised NIL, revenue sharing, and the need to keep athletics funding separate from core university funding, while also recognizing athletics’ role in campus culture and student recruitment. In later questions, candidates discussed why they sought regent service and how to support diversity, equity, and inclusion, with responses stressing access, belonging, open debate, and meeting students where they are. No formal votes or actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will be brief, as this group has heard me speak on this legislation in the past, but just want to make
• From that group, from the participants of that group, from my chamber colleagues in other states, it
• From that group, from the participants of that group, from my chamber colleagues in other states, it

Summary: The committee first established a quorum and heard Senate Bill 1553, sponsored by Senator Curtis Gregory, which would provide incentives related to reshoring critical supply chains for pharmaceuticals and critical minerals/materials. Gregory said the bill is aimed at national defense and clarified that the relevant materials would be tied to federal critical-material and FDA lists. Witnesses in support argued that Missouri has an opportunity to expand production of pharmaceuticals and critical minerals, but that foreign competition, especially from China and India, makes domestic production difficult without incentives. Several witnesses emphasized national security concerns, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and the need for state support to help existing Missouri companies expand into these markets. Support testimony came from Jost Chemical, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the API Innovation Center, Doe Run Company, and Associated Industries of Missouri. Testimony highlighted the difficulty of competing with subsidized foreign producers, the long lead times and capital needs for mines and production lines, and the importance of transferable tax credits and possible future federal support. One witness noted that the bill’s grant component may be more limited and would likely be useful for startup, testing, or initial development rather than fully funding a mine. Another witness suggested that tariffs or price floors could also help create a market for domestic production. There was no opposition or informational testimony. After closing the hearing, the committee moved into executive session and voted Senate Bill 1553 do pass by a unanimous 9-0 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are very proud to welcome this wonderful group of students from San Luis Obispo and thrilled that
• Today I am proud to introduce the Light of the World youth group, who have come from all over Southern
• This youth group is led by Ricardo Ortega, the National Director of Government Relations for the Light
• So please join me in welcoming the Light of the World Youth Group to the California Assembly, 300 strong
• So I stand here tonight, today, to say it opened my heart today to see the Cal Poly leadership group

Summary: The Assembly convened in Sacramento with an initial quorum call, then established a quorum and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine opening business. The chamber dispensed with reading the prior journal, deferred introductions and references of bills, and reported no Governor or Senate messages. Procedural motions were approved, including suspending rules to allow adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest access, and withdrawing S.J.R. 7 from committee and placing it on the third reading file. Members then recognized several guest groups, including Grace Valley Christian School, College of San Mateo student-athletes, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agricultural Leadership Class, the Light of the World youth group, and exchange students from Germany and Tajikistan. There was no substantive floor debate on legislation; daily file and several file items were passed, retained, or continued without further action. The main floor activity centered on adjournment-in-memory tributes. Assemblymember Ortega honored former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy for his public service, school and hospital advocacy, and civic leadership. Assemblymember Wilson honored Joseph R. Martinez, a Solano County agricultural leader and advocate for rural health care. The Assembly observed moments of silence for both individuals. The session concluded with announcements, including a reminder that FPPC Form 700 was due that day, notice of committee meetings, and an adjournment motion carrying the House until Thursday, March 5 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 165, comes out of a bill from Speaker Yeager last session to create an outdoor advisory group
• council, and we talked to over a thousand people from stakeholders through surveys, through focus groups
• For that year and a half, we met as a group. We had different subcommittees.
• And what you see here is the number one item that was voted on by those who were in the group.
• But again, we want to let this group come up with that. So we're not telling them what to do.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is with Claire's Consulting Group.
• This contract is with Claire's Consulting Group for $269,800 in state funds, and it runs through the
• This is a new contract, but it's really a continuation with Taylor and his group of education lawyers
• They merged with some when this group decided they did not wish to merge.
• They did not wish to merge with that group, so they merged with a firm in Birmingham and became Bishop

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you'll bring your group up and introduce them at this time, while you're doing that, we do have a
• The 1% funds also pay for our international and group sales, trade shows, product development, asset
• for our do uh the 1% funds also pay for our International<00:07:18.400> and<00:07:18.520> group
• <00:07:18.800> sales<00:07:19.240> trade International and group sales trade International
• and group sales trade shows<00:07:20.080> product<00:07:20.440> development<00:07:21.080

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for the second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. After a quorum was confirmed, members heard a presentation from Melissa Brewer of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, along with Olivia Atkins of Kentucky State Parks and Commissioner Mike Manet of the Kentucky Department of Tourism. The presentation focused on the state’s 1% tourism meeting and convention marketing fund and the broader role of tourism in Kentucky’s economy. Brewer explained that the fund is used only for marketing and promoting tourism-related activities, cannot be used for capital or construction projects, and must be reported annually to the governor and LRC. She said the Governor’s budget and enacted budget increased appropriations in response to growing transient room tax receipts, adding $3 million in FY 2025 and $7 million in FY 2026, and noted legislative support for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative. Manet emphasized that tourism marketing drives overnight visitation, local spending, jobs, and economic development, and described the 1% fund as the source for marketing, advertising, website development, public relations, international and group sales, trade shows, research, and regional matching funds. He highlighted efforts to secure media coverage and said the matching funds program distributed $2 million last year to 87 local tourism commissions across the state. No votes or other committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Not a group home that I'm talking about, not with children, but a group home of, uh, generally maybe
• centers around all other well group centers around all other well group homes<02:21:43.040> to
• being educated within these group homes. being educated within these group homes.
• <04:11:57.920> of except for the very very small group of except for the very very small group
• <04:20:55.600> Thank for a certain group of people. Thank for a certain group of people.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 177, requesting the Department of Accounting and General Services to convene a cooperative working group
• working group to address state<00:45:45.680> projects<00:45:46.240> that<00:45:46.400>
• <00:48:00.920> on that the permitted interaction group on that the permitted interaction group
• 177, requesting the Department of Accounting and General Services to convene a cooperative working group
• working group to adjust state<00:57:42.080> projects<00:57:42.520> that<00:57:42.640><

Bills: SCR8, SCR40, SCR83, SCR179, SCR90, SCR94, SCR159, SCR165, SCR177

Keywords: building permits, seniors, health care, disability, safety modifications, county regulations, expedited processing, environment, pollution, tourism, disposable bodyboards, polystyrene, marine ecosystems, lithium-ion batteries, environmental safety, recycling, public safety, waste management, Honolulu, Maui County

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions related to water, coastal management, and permitting. Early measures included SCR 8 on faster county action for certain home-modification permits for older adults and people with disabilities, SCR 40 on banning disposable body boards, SCR 83 on creating a lithium-ion battery disposal facility, SCR 179 on enforcing Maui fire-code provisions for brush clearance and emergency access, and SCR 90 on kupuna-friendly permit requirements. No testifiers were present for those measures, and the chair moved through them without taking votes in the portion provided. The most extensive discussion was on SCR 94, endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, and SCR 159, urging shared guiding principles for restoring and maintaining Waikiki’s beaches and shoreline. University of Hawaii testimony said the surfing-reserve designation would bring recognition, could help attract grants, and would require a stewardship committee and management plan, but would not itself block beach nourishment or shoreline restoration. Members asked about possible effects on dredging, beach nourishment, and shoreline structures; the witness said impacts on surfing were not expected to be immediate or significant. For SCR 159, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the resolution but requested clarifying amendments to broaden references to law, stakeholder collaboration, and coastal science expertise. The Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association also supported the measure, emphasizing coordinated maintenance, public access, and the economic importance of Waikiki beaches, while noting that existing legal agreements and court decisions should be reflected in the resolution. The discussion also covered whether the state and private owners share repair and maintenance obligations for Waikiki seawalls; testimony said existing agreements remain relevant but must yield to current law. The committee also heard SCR 165 designating March as Water Month, with support from the Board of Water Supply and others, and SCR 177 requesting DAGS to convene a cooperative working group on state projects needing county permits. Mary Alice Evans said the latter would help expedite permitting, especially for housing and other state projects, and would complement efforts to standardize county permitting processes. No final votes or dispositions were announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• man right here because he was an integral part in putting the subject matter on the table for the groups
• <00:17:53.039> I<00:17:53.280> said we as a group and I speak.
• I said we as a group and I speak.
• to make a decision, you know, groups to make a decision, you know, whoever<00:18:21.200> made
• group, last year's cohort, had on how we can improve our state or what we need to invest in from the

Bills: SB342, HB379, HB326, HB233, HB388, SB342, HB379, HB326, HB233, HB388

Keywords: land bank, land bank authority, local land bank authority, Alabama Land Bank Authority, tax delinquent property, tax sale, tax lien, redemption period, quiet title, blight remediation, vacant property, foreclosure, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, intergovernmental agreement, county government, municipal government, redevelopment, brownfields, floodplain management

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:01.320> James change and health working group James change and health working group
• testify on beh of the working group testify on beh of the working group please<00:20:09.320>
• <00:20:23.880> but<00:20:24.039> also<00:20:24.559> submitted working group
• but also submitted working group but also submitted testimony<00:20:25.600> as<00:20:25.679>
• and I helped to hb45 working group and I helped to author<00:20:30.280> the<00:20:30.400>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on several measures. On HB 1233 relating to storm water management, the Attorney General’s office said the state may need to share costs with counties for any new inspection or regulatory program. Testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and a community member who described her daughter’s death in a poorly maintained detention pond and urged statewide inspections and a comprehensive approach. A member asked the Attorney General about the cost-sharing issue, and the office said state appropriations would be needed if counties are required to take on new duties. The committee then heard HB 245 on student heat exposure safety. The Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure. A physician testifying for the Climate Change and Health Working Group described children’s vulnerability to heat and cited examples from other states that adopted stronger heat guidelines after school heat deaths. The Department of Education said it could do the feasibility study without additional funding and preferred to wait for the study before deciding on equipment needs. The Attorney General’s office later testified on HB 903, authorizing schools to maintain bronchodilators, supporting the concept but warning that the bill’s definition of school was broad and that DOE may not have jurisdiction over all covered entities; it suggested changing “protocol” to “guidelines” and involving the Public Charter School Commission. On HB 1314 relating to youth mental health, the Department of Education testified in opposition, though no additional testimony was offered. The committee also heard HB 1334 on meat donation, with DLNR and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supporting the measure. HB 799 on health care drew support from HMSA and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, while the Department of Health said it supported the intent but wanted amendments, including limiting the bill to Maui, adding a sunset, and requiring a study of quality and access impacts. On HB 952 relating to Parkinson’s disease research, the Department of Health said the proposal would require additional appropriations and staffing and suggested a public-private partnership approach; the Hawaii Parkinson Association, Queen’s clinicians, and other supporters testified that a registry would help identify the number of patients and improve care. Finally, SHPDA strongly supported HB 1431 establishing an oral health task force, saying the state lacks sufficient dental oversight and that both keiki and kūpuna need better access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then Section 7 provides $86,000 appropriated to the LCC for administrative costs of the working group
• And it consists of the, yeah, the appropriation for the working group as well.
• for the working group as well. for the working group as well.
• <00:45:43.720> or any more on the working group or any more on the working group or I<00:45
• There's a number of groups this bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're working with NDIT and the SLDS group there.
• So we're working with NDIT and the SLDS group there.
• We didn't come to consensus as a group to agree that this is the way we were all going to do it.
• My ideal objective for our group was that we land at the question shifting from if to when and how.
• I guess I would look to this group to help decide if that's best to go. Is it separate?

Summary: The committee received several informational reports from NDIT and DPI. Justin Data reviewed the quarterly major IT project portfolio, noting the portfolio was slightly under budget and behind schedule overall, with three red schedule items: Bed Management System and Vital Records were essentially complete and being closed out, and the Roadway Capital Planning Project was delayed by vendor bug fixes after testing. He also summarized recent project startups and closeouts, including the Victim Notification System, Medicaid data exchange, Highway Patrol’s motor carrier permit system, and several completed HHS and RIMS projects. Members asked for follow-up on ADA compliance work, the public-facing RIO website, and the state’s mainframe retirement timeline, and staff agreed to provide updates later. Craig Falkley reported on coordination of services with political subdivisions and higher education, including StageNet, cybersecurity, radio/911 services, and PeopleSoft coordination. He also explained distributed ledger technology as a tool for transparency and fraud prevention, but said it is not widely used in state government and suggested the report be modernized to focus more broadly on emerging technologies such as AI and cybersecurity. The committee generally agreed that the topic should be updated. Chris Gurgan presented the mandatory cybersecurity incident reporting program created by HB 1314, explaining how agencies and political subdivisions report incidents through NDIT’s website or service desk. He said 77 incidents had been reported since 2021, 47 met the statutory definition, and most were phishing-related; most reported incidents were resolved, with one recent ransomware matter still open. He also reviewed notable incidents since the last report, including the PowerSchool compromise, a SimpleHelp intrusion at a school district, a court intrusion, a WSUS vulnerability, a business email compromise, and a recent ransomware incident involving a non-state critical infrastructure entity. Members asked about recovery of stolen funds, early warning signs, smishing, training, MFA, conditional access, and cybersecurity maturity assessments; Gurgan said the state uses MFA and conditional access, provides awareness training to state employees, and would return with more information on maturity assessments. Tony Ambrose then updated the committee on the K-12 student information system bridge project. He said district implementation of Infinite Campus had begun statewide, but the data migration vendor originally selected was terminated for poor performance and replaced by Aurora Educational Technology, which had experience with similar statewide migrations. He also said DPI is migrating special education data from Tynet into Infinite Campus, and that some SLDS-based tools such as e-transcripts and Choice Ready may not function exactly as they do now at July 1, requiring interim or alternative solutions. Members raised concerns about summer school disruptions, the timing of the cutover, and whether the new system would support existing reporting and transcript functions; DPI said it was working on identity, authentication, data-sharing agreements, and post-go-live integrations, and would continue to refine the plan beyond June 30.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's often consultants and other industry groups that do this type of analysis as well, and their
• So there is, you know, this dynamic analysis out there from other groups as well.
• is out there from other groups as well. is out there from other groups as well.
• to meet with opportunity for this group to meet with the<00:54:14.240> Minnesota<00:54:14.640
• It's not only one group.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Budget Office Oversight Commission met on January 22, 2026, with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the December 17, 2025 meeting. The main presentation was by Erikica McKeler of the National Conference of State Legislatures on dynamic fiscal notes, dynamic scoring, and how they differ from static fiscal notes. She explained that dynamic analysis tries to capture broader economic and behavioral effects of policy changes, but that most states have experimented with it only briefly, often for tax bills, and many have later scaled back or abandoned the practice because it is staff-intensive, expensive, and difficult to validate. McKeler highlighted examples from Texas, Utah, and Arkansas. Texas requires dynamic fiscal impact statements for certain large tax or fee measures and for the biennial appropriations bill; Utah has done such analyses on request during the interim but only when staff time allows; and Arkansas recently began producing dynamic fiscal notes with thresholds and request limits. She noted that these states generally use REMI software, though Utah switched to IMPLAN for cost reasons. She also outlined common challenges, including the need for strong staff expertise, the sensitivity of results to assumptions, the expense of software licenses, and the difficulty of measuring accuracy over time. Members then discussed whether dynamic scoring could be useful for health and human services programs where a policy may shift costs between settings rather than create a simple new expense. Senator Marty raised a Medicaid example involving home-based blue light therapy for newborns, arguing that dynamic analysis might better capture potential savings from avoiding longer hospital stays. Legislative Budget Office and Minnesota Management and Budget staff responded that such effects may be better understood as direct program substitutions rather than true dynamic effects, and emphasized the need for reliable data and caution because savings estimates could reduce appropriations if they do not materialize. The discussion also touched on whether dynamic models would capture local government impacts, but no formal action was taken beyond the approval of minutes and receipt of the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and there are people can get exemptions, but there is a group of people that were concerned about
• Um, and there's a group of people that will have exemption, but there's also a group of people that may
• Um, and and this<00:13:58.480> there's<00:13:58.800> a<00:13:59.040> group<00:13
• have exemption, but there's also a group have exemption, but there's also a group of<00:14:02.480
• and they support it's a cohesive group and they support one<00:21:56.480> another.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, a group that says it's bipartisan or one that's there just for show.
• President, a group that says it's bipartisan or one that's there just for show.
• President, a group that says it's bipartisan or one that's there just for show.
• President, a group that says it's bipartisan or one that's there just for show.
• President, a group that says it's bipartisan or one that's there just for show.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now also in your group is another $100,000 for marketing. How about that?
• 101 I think which is the end of this 101 I think which is the end of this group group group here<01:00
• The first time I sat in on a bipartisan working group call, I was there.
• The first time I sat in on a bipartisan working group call, I was there.
• set up. this this group right this division was this this group right this division was to<04:32:14.319

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:50.840> for<00:03:51.360> a<00:03:52.079> certain<00:03:52.439> group
• an emergency shelter for a certain group an emergency shelter for a certain group of<00:03:53.159
• It's not my position to figure out where these groups will go, only to say that we shouldn't displace
• group of students who sent in video Tes group of students who sent in video Tes that<04:06:13.880>
• On different types of demographic groups among the students.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on House Bill 71, which would bar public elementary and secondary schools and higher education facilities from being used as shelters for certain non-citizens, with a stated exception for short-term emergency sheltering of up to 72 hours and for community-wide emergency use. Prime sponsor Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia said the bill was modeled on federal and out-of-state proposals and was prompted by examples in New York and Massachusetts where schools or other facilities were used as shelters, causing disruption. She argued the bill does not truly “ban” anything, but instead places a condition on receipt of state funds, and said the fiscal note’s projected loss of federal funding was unsupported and should have been described as undeterminable. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope and practical effects, including whether it would apply to vacant school-owned buildings, schools used during summer, charter schools, and situations where other states send people without advance notice. Harvey-Bolia said vacant buildings not functioning as schools would not be covered, and that the bill would still allow short-term emergency sheltering and community-wide use during weather events. She also said the bill would not prevent remote learning, and that its purpose was to avoid displacing students. Several members pressed her on the fiscal note and whether any federal or state program would actually be at risk; she said she found no evidence that funding would be lost and that DHHS had not identified a real threat. A witness from the New Hampshire Association of School Administrators, Jerry FW, raised practical concerns about who would determine eligibility at a shelter site, how the 72-hour limit would be enforced, and whether the bill would apply to charter schools. He also noted that remote learning is no longer an option in New Hampshire, making one of the bill’s stated concerns less relevant. The discussion also included clarification of the terms “refugee” and “asylum seeker,” with members and the sponsor debating the distinction and whether refugees are vetted. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• National and state and local groups National and state and local groups advocating<00:35:36.880>
• > their groups advocacy groups opposing their groups advocacy groups opposing their legislation
• explain why more than 200 groups explain why more than 200 groups advocating<00:57:00.599> for
• <01:10:59.880> as why over 200 National local groups as why over 200 National local groups
• That's why I'm excited about this DOGE group that Elon Musk and Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and more than 2,000 supporters um groups and more than 2,000 supporters um Statewide<00:38:32.319>
• veterans advisory Council it's a group veterans advisory Council it's a group of<00:42:08.079>
• guardianship conservatorship working group that we've been meeting since 2023.
• We participated in the working group, and so, obviously, we're in support of the bill.
• Next measure, relating to the public land trust working group.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.