Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, that being said, I do have that amendment ending in 0.03H, and it's been distributed, and I move

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first considered Senate Bill 959, by Senator Roberts. After no discussion, the committee voted the bill do pass by a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1092, by Senator Lewis, and adopted a House Committee substitute. Members reviewed the substitute’s additions, which included provisions related to professional licensure and interstate compacts: a licensing application process for certain out-of-state professionals with at least three years of experience, the Dental Compact, physician assistant licensure reciprocity for telehealth services, changes to speech-language pathologist licensure supervision requirements, and the Dietitians Compact. The underlying bill would reduce the supervision period for social workers from five years to three years. The committee also adopted a House Committee amendment changing a time period from 90 days to 60 days to match Senate language, then rolled the amendments into a new substitute and adopted the substitute. Finally, the committee voted the House Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1092 do pass by a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , similar to last time, and then this time providing a little bit of clarity on a formula-type distribution
• This would be annual distributions that take place in January of each year, half of it in the first year
• So we did not lock it down and say, for example, in that first part, it doesn't say 15% must be distributed
• things, it's a little frustrating that, you know, between Operation Prairie Dog, State Aid, revenue distribution
• things, it's a little frustrating that, you know, between Operation Prairie Dog, State Aid, Revenue Distribution

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , similar to last time, and then this time providing a little bit of clarity on a formula-type distribution
• This would be annual distributions that take place in January of each year, half of it in the first year
• So we did not lock it down and say, for example, in that first part, it doesn't say 15% must be distributed
• things, it’s a little frustrating that, you know, between Operation Prairie Dog, State Aid, revenue distribution
• things, it's a little frustrating that, you know, between Operation Prairie Dog, State Aid, Revenue Distribution

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically what it means is the pot will be bigger to distribute across the cost-of-care-plus payments
• , and... ...means is the pot will be bigger to distribute across the cost-of-care-plus payments, and
• humbly would add my name to as well—but I'm wondering why the initial proposal was to do uneven distributions
• request is regarding the passage of AB 896 for one-time funding of $300,000 to update, print, and distribute
• stakeholders on tribes on the modifications, finalize and translate those materials, and then publish and distribute

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically what it means is the pot will be bigger to distribute across the cost-of-care-plus payments
• , and... ...means is the pot will be bigger to distribute across the cost-of-care-plus payments, and
• But I'm wondering why the initial proposal was to do uneven distributions of COLA increases, knowing
• request is regarding the passage of AB 896 for one-time funding of $300,000 to update, print, and distribute
• stakeholders on tribes on the modifications, finalize and translate those materials, and then publish and distribute

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a meeting with that group on May 1st, and we will be distributing our scorecard ahead of time
• We have a meeting with that group on May 1st, and we will be distributing our scorecard ahead of time
• We have a meeting with that group on May 1st, and we will be distributing our scorecard ahead of time
• We have a meeting with that group on May 1st, and we will be distributing our scorecard ahead of time
• Henry for distribution?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, with that, representatives, I appreciate the time, and I will distribute this packet and hope you
• I will have that distributed at least by next week's session.
• I will have<01:21:04.840> that have that have that distributed<01:21:06.720> at<01:21:06.840
• > least<01:21:07.160> by<01:21:07.320> next<01:21:07.640> week's distributed
• at least by next week's distributed at least by next week's session.<01:21:09.040> Next<01:21

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, and I'll distribute it. All right. Thank you very much. All right.
• That's page five, line five, to add quote, "the sale, distribution, possession or use of seeds treated
• quote That's page five line five to add quote the<01:09:20.719> sale,<01:09:21.120> distribution
• ,<01:09:21.759> possession<01:09:22.239> or the sale, distribution, possession or the
• sale, distribution, possession or use<01:09:22.560> of<01:09:22.799> seeds<01:09:23.120

Bills: SB2489, SB2310, SB2372, SB2426, SB2334, SB2925, SB3323

Keywords: invasive species, agriculture, biosecurity, lease provisions, environment, natural resources, flood management, vegetation removal, Kainahola stream, Hawaii legislation, trees, exceptional trees, significant trees, urban forestry, arborist advisory committee, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, county planning, tree preservation

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to agriculture, invasive species control, trees, reef protection, and land use. SP 2489 would require Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity leases to include access, invasive-species control, and termination provisions; DAB and DLNR supported it, as did several outside groups, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council raised concerns about notice, cooperation with lessees, and placing penalties on leaseholders for preexisting infestations. The chair noted six testifiers in support, one opposed, and three with comments. SP 2310 would appropriate funds to remove overgrown vegetation from the Kohola stream. DAB supported the bill but explained that the work already completed by its contractor stopped at a DOT boundary, and that the affected parcel appears to be a DOT highway segment on ceded lands; the committee discussed whether the appropriation should instead go to DOT. SP 2372, on exceptional and significant trees, received support from DNR and Outdoor Circle, with testimony describing trees as critical infrastructure and suggesting technical amendments to committee membership and the process for recommending trees to county councils. SP 2426, which would authorize DNR to contract with private parties to maintain sunscreen dispensers at state beaches and promote mineral-based sunscreen as reef-protective, drew support from DNR and reef advocates, while another witness questioned the science behind claims about mineral versus chemical sunscreens and urged broader environmental solutions. SP 2334 would impose a land conversion fee on agricultural land converted to other uses, create a fee fund for programs including healthy soils, and require state agricultural lands to use a conservation metric. DAB offered comments, and testimony from climate and farm groups generally supported the conservation goals but questioned references to programs not yet in place and objected to language excluding solar and wind uses, with one witness urging that agri-voltaics remain allowed. SP 2925, concerning coconut trees, would recognize them as food, water, and cultural resources, require signage for landscape palms, set labeling standards, and create a tax credit for naturally managed consumable coconut trees. DAB shifted from opposition to comments, DNR supported, and testimony from cultural and subsistence advocates strongly backed the bill as a response to coconut rhinoceros beetle impacts; committee questions focused on enforcement of signage, inspection resources, and the proposed tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we support the current partnership with NDE and the distribution of those funds, and we ask for your
• of Agriculture purchases nutritious foods that are grown, produced, or processed in Nevada, and distributes
• them throughout the state. ...distributes them throughout designated food banks.
• districts, they're all using the same test that was created by the Department of Education and is distributed
• I don't think that that has been fully distributed through Clark County at this point, which is part

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what the A4 amendment would do, I'm not sure if it's been distributed or not. All right.
• would do, um I'm not sure if<01:02:40.480> it's<01:02:40.720> been<01:02:40.880> distributed
• <01:02:42.079> Um<01:02:43.280> All if it's been distributed or not.
• Um All if it's been distributed or not.
• I think it needs to be distributed to most people. Um, thank you, Madam Chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's a need to follow up on answers, you can just distribute them to our great staff, and we'll
• The recommendation was to distribute those funds throughout the counties.
• Our budget committee proposed a distribution to the Supreme Court that they adopted over the summer,
• believe the supplemental funding is all going to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) for distribution
• From there, they're getting the intake and distributed throughout the prison systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• The feed bill also provides for public money to be distributed to various nonprofits and charities for

Summary: The committee considered a motion declaring House Bills 4138, 4139, 4140, 4141, 4143, 4144, 4145, 4146, 4147, 4148, 4149, and Senate Bill 1798 constitutional and in proper form. Rules attorney Tim Fleming said SB 1798, though not part of the budget package, had been reviewed and was constitutional and in proper form. He then discussed the budget-related bills, saying they were substantially constitutional and in proper form but flagged recurring issues in the feed bill and related budget measures. Fleming noted potential constitutional concerns with policy language in the feed bill, including child safety training requirements in the Department of Child Safety appropriation and restrictions on out-of-state provisional beds in the Department of Corrections appropriation. He also cautioned about appropriations conditioned on legislative approval, possible separation-of-powers concerns, nonprofit and charity distributions that could implicate the gift clause, and a provision exempting counties from the constitutional expenditure limitation. After no questions or comments, the committee voted 8-0 to recommend the measures as constitutional and in proper form. The motion passed with eight ayes and zero nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• PROCEEDS FOR THE COLLEGE SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE MIAMI DADE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Distribute that amendment, we do follow your direction on that.

Transcript Highlights:

• 1409 by Representatives Brown and Surovell and Senators Bridges and Kirkmeyer, concerning the distribution
• simply says, nope, it's up to the voters and they make the decision how that documentary fee is distributed
• agreement must provide that all or part of the taxes levied in accordance with this subsection 5 are distributed
• agreement must provide that all or part of the taxes levied in accordance with this subsection 5 are distributed
• agreement must provide that all or part of the taxes levied in accordance with this subsection 5 are distributed

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Primo a few minutes to draft it up as a written amendment that can be distributed.
• Primo a few minutes to draft it up as a written amendment that can be distributed.
• amendment that can be distributed. amendment that can be distributed.
• the Minnesota Statistical Analysis Center, which is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and distributing
• collecting, analyzing, and distributing collecting, analyzing, and distributing crime<01:03:11.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the bar graph on the left shows, of the 131 ACA marketplace plans, how they make up the distribution
• make up marketplace plans how they um make up what's<01:24:40.080> the<01:24:40.320> distribution
• in<01:24:41.120> terms<01:24:41.280> of<01:24:41.440> the what's the distribution
• in terms of the what's the distribution in terms of the percent<01:24:42.159> increase.
• of population uh like their distribution of population uh like that<02:03:21.520> but<02:03:21.920

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing by the Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees focused on projected impacts to Hawaii consumers from federal changes affecting Med-QUEST and the ACA marketplace, including the loss of ACA premium tax credits, OBVA/HR1-related Medicaid changes, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements. Committee members noted the meeting was being streamed live and emphasized the need to explain potential coverage losses affecting a significant share of the state population. Med-QUEST administrators reported current enrollment at 390,766, about 27% of Hawaii’s population, and broke that down into major groups including roughly 128,000 ACA expansion adults and about 52,000 parent/caretaker relatives. They said the expansion adult population would be most affected by the new federal requirements, which will shorten renewal periods from 12 months to 6 months and impose community engagement rules beginning in late 2026 and 2027. They described the work requirement as 80 hours per month of work, community service, work program participation, or half-time education, with an income-based pathway tied to $580 per month at the federal minimum wage; they also noted a long list of exemptions, but said many details are still awaiting federal guidance and rulemaking. The administrators said federal changes to immigrant eligibility would eliminate Medicaid coverage for certain noncitizen categories, with an estimated 1,200 to 2,400 people affected, though about 200 may remain covered through a state-funded program for otherwise eligible individuals. They also said marketplace subsidies would no longer be available for some immigrants under 100% of the federal poverty level starting January 1, 2026, with further restrictions expected in 2027. For Hawaii overall, they estimated the new Medicaid work and renewal rules could push an additional 19,000 to 38,000 people into uninsured status, with another estimated 6,000 at risk from the six-month renewal process alone. Members asked about how exemptions would be determined, especially for medically frail and seriously mentally ill individuals, and administrators said they were still awaiting detailed federal rules and were working on data-matching and verification processes to reduce coverage losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• of what you're eligible to receive or take out and then you say you at the end of the year it's distributed
• of what you're eligible to receive or take out and then you say you at the end of the year it's distributed
• of what you're eligible to receive or take out and then you say you at the end of the year it's distributed
• of what you're eligible to receive or take out and then you say you at the end of the year it's distributed
• back to those parents which distributed back to those parents which are<01:00:05.200> in<01:00

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study the cost of special education met, confirmed a quorum, introduced members and guests, and approved the minutes from the October 29 meeting. Members noted the commission’s mandate under Senate Bill 57 and emphasized the need to focus on recommendations and findings by July 1, 2026. The chair also distributed additional handouts, including materials related to the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and administrative rules tied to differentiated aid and disability determinations. The main discussion centered on how students qualify for differentiated aid under the EFA program. Matt Sutherton of the Children’s Scholarship Fund explained that the organization, which contracts with the state to administer EFAs, accepts either school-district/IEP documentation or a medical certification of disability (MCD) from a licensed medical professional. Members questioned how this process relates to the state’s special education rules and whether the school-district examiner standards in ED 107/1107.04 apply to EFAs. Sutherton said the MCD form, created with the department, requires the medical professional to sign that they are qualified to make the determination and to identify the disability. Several members expressed concern that the EFA process is less rigorous than the school-district IEP process and may be inflating disability counts. One member argued that the administrative rules cited are primarily for school districts, not EFAs, and said the Department of Education may not know how many of the roughly 890 EFA students receiving differentiated aid came through school-district documentation versus the MCD pathway. Another member said the EFA system appears more generous than the school system and raised concerns about oversight, auditing, and whether the program’s data are accurate. Sutherton said the organization reviews signed documentation, credentials, and diagnosis information, and may request additional records to help adjudicate expenses. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were about to launch a big food distribution drive.
• We were about to launch a big food distribution drive.
• We were about to launch a big food distribution drive.
• We were about to launch a big food distribution drive.
• We were about to launch a big food distribution drive.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services held an informational briefing on the impacts of federal funding cuts, inflation, labor shortages, and chronic underfunding on Hawaii’s nonprofit social safety net. Hawaii Community Foundation opened with a story about a federal worker family relying on food pantry support, then described a “perfect storm” facing human services nonprofits: historically high demand, rising costs, staffing challenges, federal cuts, and state and county contracts that do not cover true service costs. The foundation said it has reactivated its Hawaii Resilience Fund, launched strengthened service grants, and is tracking policy changes and data to help nonprofits respond. Trey Gordner of UHERO presented research on the vulnerability of Hawaii’s nonprofit sector, explaining a framework that assessed political, financial, and structural risk. He said about 8,200 501(c)(3) nonprofits are active in Hawaii, but only about 200 receive direct federal funds; 74 grants to 59 organizations were flagged as politically at risk, totaling about $126 million in unpaid obligations. He said about 68 of the direct-funding recipients rely on federal funds for more than 20% of annual revenue, and that human services nonprofits are among the most exposed subsectors because they serve vulnerable populations and depend heavily on federal support. Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Hawaii True Cost Coalition said community-based organizations were already under strain before the current crisis, with most contracts not covering full costs and many groups depending on private philanthropy to fill gaps. They reported that half of surveyed organizations expect to reduce programs, more than a third may decline future contracts, and some are waiting months for reimbursements. Examples included reduced shelter admissions, fewer case management hours, and cutbacks in kūpuna services. The coalition urged higher contract rates, regular inflation and cost-of-living reviews, and timely reimbursement; no votes or formal actions were taken. Partners in Development Foundation described the loss of Native Hawaiian education funding as especially damaging, saying the federal Department of Education has zeroed out support that creates a roughly $46 million gap, including about $20 million for early childhood programs. The speaker shared a family story from the Nā Pono program to illustrate how early learning services support both children and parents, and warned that the organization’s federal funds make up 72% of its budget. The briefing ended with a call for continued emergency funding and longer-term structural changes to sustain nonprofits statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• The feed bill also provides for public money to be distributed to various nonprofits and charities for

Keywords: 1182, all