Transcript Highlights:

• <02:31:30.920> and used if if the in if the structure and used if if the in if the structure
• we can read through and structure we can read through and understand<02:36:17.040> better<02:
• <03:50:43.120> throughout communities fully integrated throughout communities fully integrated
• <04:07:19.439> of<04:07:19.640> these doubt that the Integrity of these doubt that
• the Integrity of these functions<04:07:20.439> can<04:07:20.680> persist<04:07:21.120><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation. The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those attached agencies are structured Those attached agencies are structured to<01:07:57.039>
• Current economic structure is growth.
• So we have established an integrated land use working group within DBED to start aligning land use...
• <01:24:53.920> So<01:24:54.239> organ<01:24:54.719> structurally, credit for
• So organ structurally, credit for HTDC.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a structural distortion of the marketplace.
• And it is a direct threat to the integrity of our labor standards.
• <00:36:08.240> of<00:36:08.360> our direct threat to the integrity of our direct threat
• to the integrity of our labor<00:36:08.760> standards.
• at the top which leaves all structured at the top which leaves all sorts<01:44:36.920> of<01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss worker misclassification, beginning with approval of the March 4, 2026 minutes and a note that a late-posted bill would not be heard at this time. Chair Pinto opened the hearing by framing misclassification as timely and invited Lea Takapu of the Attorney General’s office to explain the issue. Takapu described misclassification as labeling workers as independent contractors when they are really employees, which can deprive workers of minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other protections while also reducing tax revenue. She said the Attorney General’s office and the MEAP partnership have been working on the issue and cited estimates that Minnesota workers lose billions annually and the state loses hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars in revenue, while noting that legitimate independent contracting is not the target. Members questioned how the committee could rely on estimates when the exact number of misclassified workers is unknown. Takapu responded that the figures were based on studies and complaint data, and that underground or undocumented work makes exact counts difficult. Chair Pinto noted the numbers were estimates and referenced a 2024 Legislative Auditor finding that Minnesota lacked an adequate, coordinated approach to proper worker classification, while saying progress had been made since then. Several industry witnesses then testified in support of stronger enforcement. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA said misclassification remains rampant in parts of construction, especially drywall, stucco, thin stone, and broadband installation, and argued it is tax, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud that harms law-abiding contractors and taxpayers. Matt Wollers of Braxton and Sons said his company loses bids to competitors that misclassify workers, creating a labor-cost advantage of 30% or more, and asked for meaningful enforcement rather than new legislation, including regular unannounced jobsite visits. Jesse Madison of Purple Tally Productions said misclassification is anti-competition and described examples from live events and entertainment, urging front-end checks on workers’ compensation, unemployment coverage, and W-2 versus 1099 status before work begins. The next testifier, Ben Ballou of the Minnesota Nurses Association, began his remarks as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:11.199> your your engineering team, your integr your your engineering team, your integr
• <00:15:13.360> teams, integrations teams, your testing teams, integrations teams, your testing
• <00:20:54.880> Our commitment to program integrity. Our commitment to program integrity.
• > program integrity approach includes program integrity approach includes controls<00:20:57.039> over
• program has serious program integrity program has serious program integrity value<00:55:56.720><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the way the workers' compensation act is structured currently is that a person would only be eligible
• currently is that um structured currently is that um a<00:02:56.080> person<00:02:56.520>
• manage text-to-911 calls, integrated manage text-to-911 calls, integrated emergency<01:36:00.800
• And yeah, all of it is structured under the National Ski Patrol system.
• <02:08:51.480> under Yeah, all of it is is structured under Yeah, all of it is is structured

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These dedicated professionals exemplify the highest standards of decorum, respect, and integrity.
• You did it with integrity. To every stakeholder who engaged on this bill on all sides, thank you.
• Our House sponsors carried this bill with integrity through an extraordinarily difficult process.
• I ask you not to jeopardize the integrity of our office that we hold or jeopardize the integrity of this
• It’s a matter of trust, and he has held that trust and the integrity of his office and the integrity

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Give us hearts of integrity and tenderness, that we would obey your commands and live lives in steadfast
• GIVE US HEARTS OF INTEGRITY AND TENDERNESS THAT WE WOULD OBEY YOUR COMMANDS AND LIVE LIVES IN STEADFAST
• The mission has always been clear: serving its listeners with truth and integrity, fostering a vibrant
• THE MISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN CLEAR, SERVING ITS LISTENERS WITH TRUTH AND INTEGRITY, FOSTERING A VIBRANT
• And when they say integrity, they actually mean inequality.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 31, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And those are soft earthen structures that are... Okay.
• And those are soft earthen structures that are ...are soft earthen structures that are susceptible to
• So it's what structures do we have? What are the building codes?
• So you're talking about organizational structure? Yeah.
• That's been the only significant change to the other structures of the SAAC.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management. The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation. Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• investigation, uh, both to structured investigation, uh, both to establish<00:36:10.320> a<00
• for an investigation within structure for an investigation within the<00:41:34.320> house.
• You have sown discord, distrust, and dishonor instead of order, integrity, and tranquility.
• You have sown discord, distrust, and dishonor instead of order, integrity, and tranquility.
• You have sown discord, distrust, and dishonor instead of order, integrity, and tranquility.

Bills: HF3900, HF1849

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not structured that way. So, again, it's intended to be there in case there...
• Do you see a difference in rate structure between those large entities and some of your smaller ones
• So that is the structure that we're working under here in Texas, and that's what TDI adheres to, is very
• So I understand that your office was trying to structure an agreement that would encourage people—I'm
• Asked us to look at how our proposed structure compared to other states, and that was when—around May

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a great structure in place.
• And Chief Justice McKenna has continued to nurture that structure.
• Well, you know, public trust is everything, Senator, and so is my integrity.
• is<01:13:50.040> my everything, Senator and so is my everything, Senator and so is my integrity
• . integrity. integrity.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The platforms also integrate with our statewide case management system to support effective and timely
• The platforms<00:26:12.159> also<00:26:12.480> integrate<00:26:12.880> with<00:26
• :13.120> our<00:26:13.279> state platforms also integrate with our state platforms also
• <00:32:35.679> and<00:32:35.919> what<00:32:36.159> responsibilities structured
• and what responsibilities structured and what responsibilities should<00:32:37.440> rest<00:32

Bills: HF3901, HF962, HF4428, HF4478, HF1775

Keywords: foster care, ombudsperson, investigative powers, children's rights, complaint process, HF4428, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, community engagement, work requirement, work mandate, employment requirement, community service, 80 hours, half-time student, income threshold, federal minimum wage, eligibility verification, benefit suspension, benefit termination

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a little more structure here before I wrap up on the INI.
• <00:04:15.599> here<00:04:15.840> before Just a little more structure here before Just
• a little more structure here before um<00:04:16.720> I<00:04:17.199> wrap<00:04:17.440
• Benefits also include social capital, family bonding, and social integration.
• I have a much longer list integration.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we do agree that there is a lot that could be done to improve the regulatory structure that we're
• <00:23:56.159> that<00:23:56.480> we're regulatory structure that we're regulatory
• structure that we're operating<00:23:57.200> under.
• There's no integration electronically, nothing like that, because the document will be printed.
• There's no integration involved.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1688, which would provide a general excise tax exemption for certain aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and facility construction, received comments from the Department of Taxation and support from Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Kohala Coast Resort, the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Testimony indicated the measure was intended to clarify an existing exemption rather than create a new one. The bulk of the hearing focused on HB 2386, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms and a water carrier inflationary cost index. The Department of Transportation said it would change its testimony to support the bill, citing a 2020 working group recommendation, while the PUC and DCCA offered comments. Matson, the Maritime Group, Hawaii Harbors Users Group, and Young Brothers supported the measure, arguing it would modernize regulation, improve predictability, and help maintain reliable interisland shipping. Hawaii Farm Bureau offered comments, while Hawaii Food Industry Association, Maui Brewing Company, Lani Kai Brewing Company, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii opposed it, arguing automatic rate increases were not the solution and that underlying costs and efficiencies should be addressed first. The chair noted the bill was essentially the same as one previously considered, and asked questions about how Hawaii’s water carrier regulation compares with other states. The committee also heard HB 1691, which would allow electronic signatures for certain motor vehicle title transfers after total-loss insurance settlements and remove the notary requirement for that narrow transaction. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and one individual supported it, with Copart saying the change would reduce delays and could allow a faster, largely electronic settlement process. Members asked about county impacts, and Copart said counties would only see a different form with no added cost or electronic integration. HB 1680, requiring county finance directors to notify agencies through a centralized system for vehicle transfers, drew opposition from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services and one individual in support. HB 2516, raising helmet requirements for electric foot scooters and bicycles and requiring helmets for high-speed or Class 3 electric bicycles, received support from DOT, DOH, AAA Hawaii, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. HB 193, allowing deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement, drew support from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, the Hawaii Disabilities Rights Center, and an individual who suggested amendments to broaden the bill to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and adjust the proof standard. HB 2442, increasing required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in larger parking lots, was supported by the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Disability Rights Center, which said the bill would address shortages of accessible parking and may need technical amendments to align terminology with the ADA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jill has been uh just a voice across the state talking about election integrity and just the importance
• about election integrity and and just<00:49:22.400> the<00:49:22.640> importance<00:49
• It is really problematic with the structure of our industries currently now, which in our statutes, we
• It is really problematic<01:22:53.600> with<01:22:53.840> the<01:22:54.080> structure
• with the structure of our industries<01:22:55.360> currently<01:22:56.239> now,<01:22:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for us to take into structure for us to take into consideration<01:06:49.039> the<01:06:49.280
• I think every industry needs to survive on the integrity of these operators.
• I think every industry needs to survive on the integrity of these operators.
• I think every industry needs to survive on the integrity of these operators.
• I think every industry needs to survive on the integrity of these operators.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 5 and heard testimony on a long agenda of transportation-related bills. Early measures included HB 2392, which would create an employer tax credit for transportation demand management benefits; HB 2462, which would bar auto manufacturers and dealers from charging post-sale fees for already-installed hardware; and HB 2423, which would require diesel sold for on-road use to contain at least 5% biodiesel. HB 2392 drew support from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and one individual, with the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation offering comments. HB 2462 drew support from DCCA and one individual, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed it. HB 2423 drew comments from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaii Farm Bureau, support from Pacific Biodiesel and the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a question from the chair about whether biodiesel is exported; the witness said production stays local. The committee also heard HB 1771 on voluntary carbon offsets for air travel, HB 2081 on requiring firefighters exempt from CDL rules to follow equivalent alcohol and substance abuse policies, HB 2334 on allowing the Department of Transportation to assume NEPA responsibilities for certain projects, and HB 2336 on DOT agreements with the Department of Defense for work at military installations using federal funds. HB 1771 drew comments from Life of the Land warning that carbon offsets are often unreliable and could create liability, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered comments. HB 2081 received support from DOT, county human resources offices, fire departments, and county officials, with the Hawaii Firefighters Association in opposition. HB 2334 was supported by DOT, and the director said other states using NEPA assignment can complete projects in about half the time. HB 2336 was supported by DOT, HIEMA, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council; the committee discussed the administrative fee as a way to recover costs under an intergovernmental agreement. The most extensive testimony centered on HB 1666, which would limit new motor vehicle markups above 5% of MSRP and require recordkeeping. Multiple dealer groups and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association opposed it, arguing it would threaten dealership operations, especially in Hawaii’s high-cost market and for vehicles without an MSRP. The committee also heard HB 2375 on uniform towing and parking enforcement standards on state and leased lands, including notice, disability protections, payment safeguards, and public reporting; DLNR, DAGS, and several advocacy groups testified, with strong public support and concerns about towing practices and ADA compliance. HB 2415, which would appropriate funds for crosswalks near school properties, drew support from DOT, DOE, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, and the committee discussed how counties would request projects and how funding would be allocated. Finally, HB 2451, which would move Hawaii toward fare-free public transit beginning in 2027 and create a dedicated funding source through a petroleum tax increase, received broad support from DOT, the Energy Office, public health and advocacy groups, and many individuals; DOE testified that it currently uses about $2.1 million for student bus passes and that the program is tied to savings from inactive school bus routes.

Transcript Highlights:

• some flexibility in funding streams that the districts have been asking for while protecting the integrity
• while districts have been asking for while protecting<00:03:13.519> the<00:03:13.760> integrity
• <00:03:14.560> of<00:03:14.720> what<00:03:14.959> the protecting the integrity
• of what the protecting the integrity of what the funding<00:03:15.360> streams<00:03:15.760><
• , sequential, and repetitive structured, sequential, and repetitive nature<01:09:00.319> of<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that is charged adjust the fee structure that is charged by OHI.<00:41:57.359> And<00:41:57.520
• For background, Mayo Clinic is the largest integrated nonprofit medical group practice in the world.
• for your continued support and advocacy on behalf of CentraCare and this committee for being an integral
• for your continued support and advocacy on behalf of CentraCare and this committee for being an integral
• for your continued support and advocacy on behalf of CentraCare and this committee for being an integral

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maintain their homes, build positive relationships with their property management and neighbors, and integrate
• maintain their homes, build positive relationships with their property management and neighbors, and integrate
• acuity needs are the same people currently being denied due to this unsustainable service funding structure
• <00:56:21.359> that<00:56:21.599> we've service funding structure that we've service
• funding structure that we've got.<00:56:22.720> We<00:56:22.960> are<00:56:23.200>

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• And second, uh, the problem of prosecuting cases if there was debt bondage, debt structuring.
• This bill addresses both of structuring.
• um fidelity um and with community voice um completely<01:35:44.719> uh<01:35:44.880> integrated
• <01:35:45.600> all<01:35:45.840> along<01:35:46.080> the completely uh integrated
• all along the completely uh integrated all along the way.<01:35:47.120> So,<01:35:47.840>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 281 SD1, which would define and prohibit torture as a Class A felony. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, HPD investigators, and other supporters said the bill is needed because existing laws do not adequately capture torture, especially cases involving children and vulnerable persons. Several testifiers emphasized that starvation is a common method of torture that often leaves little visible evidence, and they urged the committee to restore the original starvation language removed from the measure. The Office of the Public Defender said it did not oppose the bill’s purpose but raised concerns that the language was too broad and could create trial issues, particularly around minors and vulnerable people, and suggested narrowing amendments. The chair indicated the testimony had made a strong impression and said the committee would try to move the bill forward. The committee then heard SB 292 SD1, relating to sexual exploitation and safe harbor protections for survivors seeking medical or law enforcement help. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the measure, noting that a prior version raised equal protection concerns that were no longer present, and said survivors should be able to seek help without fear of prosecution. Written support was also noted from several advocacy and state groups. Testimony in support focused on retaliation fears, trafficking, and the need for manpower and resources to address exploitation and related crimes. Finally, the committee took up SB 295 SD1, which would increase penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and treat a violation of one as a second offense for the other. The Public Defender’s Office objected to the mandatory jail component, arguing judges should retain discretion and that there was no clear evidence mandatory jail deters violations. The transcript cuts off before any final committee action or vote on SB 295 was recorded.