Video & Transcript Research : 'skills path program'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations Feb 19th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • program.
  • And I want to talk about the impact of HB 1 on those programs on page 2 those two major programs for
  • The last area is seaport connectivity program that program has been around for a while.
  • SWIFT program is oversubscribed.
  • We used two programs. One, the Water Loan Assistance Program.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Feb 12th, 2026

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • uh so that they have a clear legal path uh so that they have a clear legal path in<02:17:34.719>
  • knowledges and skills. knowledges and skills.
  • The program is aimed at Alabamians who have some college, but no degree.
  • Would this grant program allow them the opportunity to do that? Correct.
  • education program. Okay. Okay. Okay. education program. Okay. Okay. Okay.
Keywords: 920, all
Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber also recognized guests, including members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and employees of the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative. A senator then delivered a Black History Month-style presentation highlighting James Weldon Johnson, A. Philip Randolph, Jan E. Matzeliger, and Percy Lavon Julian for their contributions to civil rights, labor, industry, and science. The Senate received House messages referring two Archives and History board appointments to the Committee on Confirmations, then took up numerous committee reports. Several bills from Finance and Taxation, Judiciary, Education Policy, Agriculture, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Healthcare, Tourism, Veterans and Military Affairs, State Government Affairs, and Local Legislation received favorable reports, some with amendments or substitutes, and were advanced to second reading and placement on the next legislative day’s calendar. The chamber also recommitted Senate Bill 266 to the Tourism Committee. The Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Llaya McNair to the Alabama Trust Fund Board, several members to the Credit Union Administration Board, and Elizabeth Smithart, Leslie Sanders, and Wayne Sers to the Alabama State Board of Human Resources. It then adopted several resolutions, including commendations and memorials, such as resolutions honoring Mary Francis Holland, the Stanhope Elmore boys bowling team, and Alicia Cannon for more than 50 years of service to the Alabama judicial system. The Senate also adopted a resolution creating the Study Commission on Artificial Intelligence and Children’s Internet Safety, after discussion about its purpose, membership, and duties; an amendment to the commission resolution was adopted before the resolution itself was adopted.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It is the path to upward mobility for our kids in this... state and for families.
  • California enacted the cap-and-trade program with AB 32 in 2006.
  • Although the program has not been perfect, it's been a flagship program for reducing greenhouse gases
  • SB 840 only deals with one small part of the cap-and-trade program.
  • like the safer water program, EBD, TCC, and CRC programs.
Summary: The committee first established a quorum, adopted the consent calendar for SB 423 and SB 581, and then heard a series of bills, most of which were presented as streamlining or safety measures tied to transportation, climate, public lands, health care, and higher education. SB 71 by Senator Wiener would extend and expand a CEQA exemption for sustainable transportation projects, adding modes such as microtransit, paratransit, shuttles, and ferries, while also accepting committee amendments that narrowed a Tier 4 diesel rail provision, restored existing right-of-way language with utility protections, and set a new sunset date. Support came from transit agencies, local governments, and advocacy groups; some members raised concerns about the diesel rail language and possible interactions with housing-related legislation, but the bill advanced on a due pass vote as amended. The committee then heard SB 614 by Senator Stern on carbon dioxide pipeline safety. The bill would direct the State Fire Marshal to adopt safety standards for intrastate CO2 pipelines, building from federal draft rules and adding state discretion and possible enhanced protections such as planning zones and more detailed exposure modeling. Supporters argued California needs to fill a federal regulatory gap to advance carbon capture and climate goals, while environmental justice and conservation groups opposed unless amended, citing risks from CO2 leaks and asking for stronger siting restrictions and more specificity. The bill passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations, with members noting the need for continued work on the safety provisions. Senator Arreguín also presented SB 304, which would temporarily lift public trust use restrictions on specific land at Jack London Square to allow the Port of Oakland more leasing flexibility under conditions and annual reporting. The measure was described as a limited, time-bound effort to address high vacancy and revitalize the waterfront, and it drew support from Oakland city and county representatives with no opposition in the room. The committee then approved SB 304 on a due pass vote. Arreguín’s SB 830 followed, creating CEQA streamlining for Sutter Health’s new Emeryville hospital campus and designating the City of Emeryville as lead agency; supporters said it would preserve East Bay hospital access before seismic deadlines, and the bill passed with broad support and no opposition. Finally, Senator Caballero presented SB 486, a higher education planning bill intended to align UC and CSU enrollment growth with regional sustainable communities plans and to remove the need to analyze a no-project alternative in certain long-range development plans. Supporters said the bill would better integrate university enrollment forecasting into regional planning, while opponents warned that eliminating the no-project analysis could weaken accountability for housing and infrastructure impacts around campuses. Committee members expressed mixed views and asked for further clarification, but the bill was moved out on a due pass as amended vote to Appropriations. The transcript then shifted to SB 629, a fire response and rebuilding bill, with the author describing amendments to apply fire safety requirements in wildfire-burned areas, update fire mapping, and require annual defensible space inspections, though the discussion was cut off before any final action was shown.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This legislation would be advantageous to the program.
  • It's item C on the grant program.
  • It's item 3: coordinate volunteer programs by local governments to ensure programs align with state standards
  • This being, if you look at the path, it's ...a very narrow path that it impacted, but it cost us a lot
  • It's a good program.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Apr 7th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It provides grants for day program and residential programs, adds language to grants providing training
  • Now, in addition to that, we're adding funds as part of the Foundation School Program...
  • Senate Bill 2811 by Alvarado relating to the Texas Music Incubator Program, to Finance.
  • Texas Music Incubator Program, to Finance.
  • the Thriving Texas Families program, to Health and Human Services.
Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, approval of routine motions, and the reading of gubernatorial nominations and several honorary resolutions. The chamber adopted resolutions recognizing Jack and Jill of America Day and DJ Daniel Day at the Capitol, with multiple senators offering remarks praising youth leadership, perseverance, and public service. The Senate also introduced the Doctor of the Day and then proceeded to a long series of floor actions on bills. A major focus was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 568, which overhauls special education funding and services in public schools by moving from a placement-based model to an intensity-based system tied to student needs and IEPs. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Menendez emphasized transparency, parent input, evaluation funding, dyslexia services, and better alignment of funding with actual services; Senator Hinojosa shared a personal story about dyslexia and the importance of early intervention. The bill was advanced on second and third reading and finally passed 30-0. The Senate also passed SB 1396 to prohibit national sex education standards in public schools, SB 2065 on the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, SB 1664 requiring clearer public disclosure of transmission and distribution utility rate changes, SB 1029 on advertising certain used motor vehicles, SB 1120 expanding rights for family violence victims, SB 1036 regulating residential solar retail transactions, SB 464 creating school-proximity restrictions and penalties for tobacco and vaping sales, SB 1035 giving farmers and ranchers equitable relief from certain local agricultural regulations, SB 1610 addressing civil commitment facility safety and prosecution issues, SB 1197 extending drone restrictions to spaceports, and SB 1386 changing legislative witness immunity from transactional to testimonial immunity. Another major bill was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1188, which updates electronic health record requirements. Senator Kolkhorst said the bill builds on Texas medical privacy law by requiring U.S.-based storage of EMR data, prohibiting recording of voter registration status and credit score information, requiring provider verification and disclosure for AI-assisted diagnosis or treatment recommendations, preserving parental access to minors’ records until age 18, and ensuring EMRs can capture metabolic health and biological sex information. A floor amendment clarified the bill’s scope and enforcement, and the bill passed 23-7. Several measures drew debate, especially SB 414 on bond ballot transparency, where Senators Eckhardt and Menendez questioned whether requiring estimated interest and total debt cost on ballots could be misleading or difficult to implement because interest rates and financing terms can change before issuance or over time. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final action shown on SB 414.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Apr 9th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • last two years, the judiciary has seen a troubling trend: increasing difficulty recruiting highly skilled
  • If you do it, sometimes numbers don't really reflect the work or skill or knowledge of the judge.
  • You and the Senate have provided a path to ensure the judiciary You and the Senate have provided a path
Bills: HB40
Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence met to hear House Bill 1761, a broad judicial package focused on increasing judicial compensation and adding accountability and efficiency measures. The chair explained that HB 1707 and HB 2100 were withdrawn from the agenda, and that HB 1761 would be taken up first because many judges and stakeholders were present. The committee substitute for HB 1761 proposed a 30% increase in base judicial pay to $182,000, changes to judicial retirement linkage, stronger judicial conduct provisions, and efficiency measures such as targeted reporting for judges not meeting benchmarks, appellate in-person meeting encouragement, and time limits on certain motions. The chair and several supporters said judicial pay had reached “emergency status,” citing Texas’s low national ranking and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified judges. Witnesses in support included presiding and district judges, the State Bar’s judicial section, business and trial lawyer groups, and prosecutors. They emphasized that many judges work long hours off the bench, handle warrants at night and on weekends, manage heavy dockets, and face recruitment problems in both urban and rural counties. Supporters also said higher pay would help attract experienced lawyers, retain judges, and improve court efficiency. Several witnesses and members discussed judicial accountability, including public reporting of court performance and the role of the Texas Supreme Court and presiding judges in setting benchmarks. Some members raised concerns that raw statistics can be misleading because judges also do substantial off-the-bench work and often help cover other courts’ dockets. There was also testimony and discussion about the bill’s conduct and discipline provisions. A representative of the Texas Civil Rights Project opposed parts of the bill that would tie pay raises to changes affecting judicial independence, warning about subjective bail-related discipline standards and possible chilling effects. The executive director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct cautioned against civil penalties for complainants, saying it could discourage good-faith complaints and create litigation risks. Other witnesses supported accountability reforms but urged caution about unintended consequences, especially for family and emergency cases and for judges handling warrants and other time-sensitive matters. After testimony, the committee withdrew the committee substitute and left HB 1761 pending, then recessed the committee.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Jan 20th, 2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • I do want you to know that we're working on an uninsured motorist program, too.
  • I do want you to know that we're working on an uninsured motorist program, too.
  • So we have some skills and some things. And we'll have real-time insurance.
  • So we have some skills and some things in our back pocket. Mr.
  • I think Representative Taylor or Henderson stated we need to do a re-education program that...
Keywords: 959, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Sep 10th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a program near and dear to my heart because it's one of the programs that got me thrown off the
  • We should not be extending this program.
  • We should be voting against this bill and closing this program down.
  • , the AFA program.
  • I am grateful for his service, for his example, and for the path he helped carve for so many of us.
Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then returned to session with prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk following news of his shooting. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including suspending rules, moving several bills to the inactive file, re-referring bills to committees, and authorizing committee meetings. The chamber also observed adjournments in memory for several individuals, including Ermilo Don Rodas, John Burton, Nina Chomsky, and Barbara “Bobby” Samperey. On the floor file, members considered and passed a long list of Senate bills, largely on bipartisan or unanimous votes. Topics included consumer protection and transparency for self-storage contracts (SB 709), adoption jurisdiction (SB 450), privacy and name/image protections (SB 683), an audit of the February 2025 bar exam (SB 47), data broker transparency (SB 361), used-car buyer protections (SB 76), state parks land acquisition streamlining (SB 630), cemetery work group deadlines (SB 777), financial enforcement authority (SB 825), utility outage reporting and reliability planning (SB 292), vital records confidentiality (SB 313), health care coverage and hormone therapy access (SB 418), workplace outreach (SB 578), Holocaust and genocide education (SB 472), county jail treatment for misdemeanor incompetency cases (SB 820), and AI companion chatbot safeguards for minors and self-harm risks (SB 243). Most measures passed with little or no opposition, though SB 578 drew sharp debate over the workplace outreach program and its funding. The Assembly also took up concurrence items and approved numerous Assembly bills with Senate amendments. These included transparency in legislative nondisclosure agreements (AB 1370), affordable faculty/staff housing provisions at community colleges (AB 648), tribal youth foster care reforms (AB 1378), EV charger payment regulations (AB 1423), technical Political Reform Act changes (AB 1511), diacritical marks on vital records (AB 64), reproductive health protections with urgency (AB 260), union and collective bargaining protections (AB 288), bench trial statement-of-decision streamlining (AB 515), agricultural land stewardship (AB 524), geothermal exploratory project rules (AB 527), Medi-Cal field medicine changes (AB 543), tobacco-related provisions (AB 573), social media platform rules (AB 656), state parks transaction reporting (AB 679), professional licensing changes (AB 742), and child care staffing and assistant teacher pathways with urgency (AB 753). Votes were generally strong, with several measures passing unanimously or near-unanimously.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, June 24, 2026 - PM

Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yeah, are those programs, the federal free and reduced lunch program and our state farm to school program
  • school snacks program.
  • snacks program.
  • vegetable program?
  • School Lunch Program.
Keywords: 916, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Public Health May 12th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • More than 4 billion of that savings are in Medicare and Medicaid program alone.
  • He worked through a dual diagnostic program for 8.5 months.
  • about prescribing medication, we also learned to do therapy during medical, uh, during a residency program
  • That's the doctoral program. I'm sorry.
  • HB 5537 creates a safe, evidence-based path forward.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Criminal Justice Mar 18th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I'm confident that I have the knowledge and skills and the boots on the ground experience to make
  • able to the spear nights for book fairs to schools which helped fund their library media center programming
  • We're just going to continue down this path.
  • minute. >> Yes, I just want to say society court requires more availability for substance abuse programs
  • 90% believe prison with the same mental health substance abuse issue due to only 17% of the programs
Keywords: 999, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • , sleeping quarters, separate programming, sleeping quarters, separate programming, separate<00:30
  • > in handle with care program not only in handle with care program not only in detention<00:47
  • This program focuses on building essential social and emotional regulation skills required to manage
  • We have supplies in hand to begin training our staff. program uh helps staff understand how program uh
  • The<00:53:38.880> program<00:53:39.119> includes<00:53:39.680> resiliency The program
Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council approved the minutes from its November 8, 2024 meeting and welcomed new member Representative Nick Wilson. The council also heard an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on a school attendance awareness campaign aimed at reducing truancy referrals to court, and a member requested a future, more detailed presentation on truancy trends. The council then received an update from the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board from Dr. David Frink and Elsie Berger. They described the board’s membership, meeting schedule, public access, annual report and three-year plan, and its role in helping Kentucky remain compliant with federal juvenile justice requirements so the state can receive Title II funding. They said the board reviews grant applications for community-based services, substance use, and early intervention programs, with about $584,000 in federal funds this year and a little over $600,000 expected next year. Members asked about participation, board vacancies, and how to engage with the board, and the presenters emphasized the importance of statewide representation and community input. The Department of Juvenile Justice then provided a broader update through Commissioner Randy White and Deputy Secretary Mona Wamik. White said DJJ is under an ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation focused on conditions in detention facilities, including use of force, isolation, abuse, mental health care, and special education, and said the department has cooperated with repeated information requests and site visits. He also reviewed recent legislative and administrative changes, including 2023 Senate Bill 162, regional detention planning, facility segregation requirements, staffing and salary investments, improved staffing levels, reduced mental health vacancies, and training efforts related to security threat groups. He said DJJ has made progress but continues to work on staffing, safety, and facility improvements.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Mar 12th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the good that is possible, and the wisdom and skill to accomplish it.
  • The bill updates the Early Steps program by aligning Neonatal intensive care services.
  • He's a member of the Florida State University Honors Program.
  • It also sunsets the program on July 1, 2013. That is the amendment.
  • The House removed the provision referencing my Safe Florida Condo Pilot Program.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored retiring Senate staffer Susan Miller and recognized a veteran injured in combat. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to returning messages from the House and began taking up bills and amendments. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed SB 118 on RV park assessments and SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, both by 38-0 votes. It then took up the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity by tightening citizenship verification and ID rules; opponents argued it would burden eligible voters, especially students, seniors, disabled voters, and others without the newly required documents. The bill passed 27-12. The chamber also passed the education package SB 182 after adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, and approved SB 474 on military affairs, SB 425 on historic cemeteries, HB 929 on local regulation of chickees, and HB 35/SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation, all with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate then considered SB 902/ HB 733, the Department of Health package. Members adopted an amendment and amendment-to-amendment that preserved most Senate provisions while modifying or removing several House additions, including some early steps and medical marijuana-related changes, and the bill passed 37-0. The chamber also began work on HB 905, the foreign influence bill, with a strike-all amendment offered to expand restrictions on foreign influence, sister-city agreements, linkage institutes, and related activities, but the debate on that measure was still underway when the transcript ended. Several other returning messages and bills were temporarily postponed, and the Senate recessed briefly before resuming business.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 2nd, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So by this kind of like design regarding the program, they are trying to brainwash you.
  • Chairman Wilson mentioned the academic security and counter-exploitation program.
  • This grant program will be housed in the office of the governor.
  • enforcement. enforcement programs which account for 30% of the safety programs.
  • So, it will choose the easy path of not lending to any normal people like me.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Sep 9th, 2025

New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Generally, but it's another example that they were able to get money quickly through this program.
  • And so that ship flying that infrequent once a month was not a sustainable path. Right?
  • What kind of program do you have that goes and visits the elementary and high schools?
  • We are preparing other paths forward if we're ultimately not successful with the Water Trust Board.
  • They made the investment there through the acceptance program with CBP to accommodate the wind blades
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Feb 3rd, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • services for veterans grant programs, state veterans home care payments to states for programs to promote
  • These are programs that help victims of human trafficking.
  • Many of these legal aid programs have traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support.
  • These are not new programs and they deserve our support.
  • My father came to this country through the Bracero program.
Keywords: 988, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jul 21st, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So one year at UNM and three years at San Miguel for this program or Doña Ana County for the other program
  • And so we are coming to the close for the Doña Ana County program and just kicking off this program,
  • It's called the Better Way Forward program.
  • Program, the Rapid Rehousing Homeless Prevention Program, the Home Supportive Services Program, and the
  • So if we use 100% state funds, like in the Linkages Program. programs, then we can help people who are
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/12/2025)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • feel that you mean programs do you feel that you mean programs do you feel pushed<00:06:30.840>
  • It would absolutely be complimentary. involved in programs for and the federal involved in programs for
  • program which means out of that program program which means the<00:24:00.039> New<00:24:00.240
  • , so a full nursing program, as they matriculate through the program.
  • <00:43:33.720> are program so the RN LPM programs are program so the RN LPM programs are already
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This budget cuts elder care programs and...
  • It's truly a program that's saving lives.
  • That is why this budget funds the Distressed Hospital Loan Program, the program that saved Madera Community
  • Hospital, and it brought it... ...loan program, the program that saved Madera Community Hospital, and
  • , our programs for all-inclusive care for the elderly.
Keywords: 988, house, all
Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for the fatal B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base, and proceeded with routine procedural business, including re-referrals of numerous Senate bills to different committees and several rule suspensions to allow bills to be heard or moved. Assembly Member DeMaio attempted to amend and then return AB 109 to the Senate to add health care premium reductions, but the motions were ruled out of order and his request to suspend the rules failed on a 13-45 vote. The main floor action was on AB 109, the 2026-27 state budget. Assembly Member Gabriel presented the budget as balancing fiscal responsibility with protections for health care, schools, housing, wildfire prevention, and the safety net, while opponents argued it raised costs, underfunded education and public safety, and relied on gimmicks. Supporters emphasized investments in hospitals, Medi-Cal, IHSS, child care, food banks, housing, and reserves, and repeatedly defended the budget’s approach to Proposition 36 funding and prison closures. After extensive debate, the Assembly voted to concur in the Senate amendments to AB 109, and the bill was immediately transmitted to the Governor. Later, the Assembly took up SCR 89 on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Members from several caucuses spoke in support, arguing DEI is central to equal opportunity, civil rights, and California’s identity, and warning against federal efforts to roll back such programs. Assembly Member DeMaio spoke in opposition, saying DEI treats people differently based on immutable characteristics. The transcript ends during that debate, with the resolution still under consideration.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, the prosecutors have a jail diversion program of their own.
  • So, the prosecutors have a jail diversion program of their own.
  • So, the prosecutors have a jail diversion program of their own.
  • So, the prosecutors have a jail diversion program of their own.
  • So, the prosecutors have a jail diversion program of their own.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Messages 796 and 797, both judicial confirmation nominations, but announced at the outset that no votes would be taken that day. The committee said it would hold the vote the next day in Room 225. For GM 796, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was nominated to serve as circuit court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui) for a 10-year term. Supporters included former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, former judges, attorneys, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, all describing her as fair, hardworking, experienced on both criminal and civil matters, and active in the legal community. Judge Lee testified about her background as a Maui native, former public defender and prosecutor, and current district court judge, and said her experience on all sides of the courtroom shaped her commitment to fairness and access to justice. Senators asked about diversion, sentencing repeat offenders, and the role of a circuit court judge; Lee said she would consider cases individually, support diversion and pretrial collaboration where appropriate, and use judicial power to address underlying problems when possible. For GM 797, Michael K. Soong was nominated to the Fifth Circuit Court for Kauai and Niihau. Former Chief Justice Recktenwald and other supporters praised his long legal career, including service as a prosecutor, district court judge, and acting chief judge during a period when Kauai lacked a full-time circuit judge. They emphasized his courtroom control, common sense, community ties, and willingness to take on extra judicial committee work. Soong testified that he had served as a district court judge since 2017 and had recently been handling circuit court duties, including civil, criminal, and jury trial matters. He described the differences between district and circuit court, his experience presiding over complex trials, and his support for specialty courts such as drug court, veterans court, and mental health calendars. The Hawaii State Bar Association said it found him qualified after its review. No votes were taken on either nomination during this hearing.