Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• All right.
• All right.
• All right.
• All right. Thank you, thank you. All right.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> second and I can share that right now. second and I can share that right now.
• All<00:27:22.960><c> right.
• </c> disabilities and senior citizens. disabilities and senior citizens.
• Right?
• Minnesota has historically been right near the bottom every year. Right now, we're like 51.16%.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, utilities are locked into purchasing energy every six months, regardless of the price.
• Because for the ratepayer, sitting at their kitchen table right now, wondering how to pay a bill that
• But that does nothing to address the fact that we are in an energy crisis right now.
• go through the hearing process and work with me and my committee and staff on getting it right.
• Twenty-one percent of the average gas bill right now is public benefit charges.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so is there currently a process for those teachers to get that endorsement right now?
• We're on SB 277, right? Can you give me one moment?
• All right. One moment. Let's just go ahead and take a one-minute recess. All right.
• You could visit him right here or in my office if you don’t have time this afternoon.
• You could visit him right here or in my office if you don't have time this afternoon.

Committee: Assembly Education

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. Thank you, Chair Scott. Chair Scott moves approval of the minutes of April 3rd.
• On line 78, the Human Rights Commission came in with a base of $8.88 million.
• All right. Thank you very much, Mr. Hopkins.
• I, myself, live with the impacts of an invisible disability every single day.
• All right. Thank you for your testimony. Okay.

Bills: HF2300

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Right. considering um coastal hazards. Right.
• Right.
• </c><00:51:46.640><c> Right.
• Right. So, we support Please proceed. Right.
• Right.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 1296 HD1, relating to disaster recovery, would exempt reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster from special management area permits under certain conditions. OPSD, DLNR, the County of Maui, Front Street Recovery, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, saying it would speed rebuilding after disasters like the Maui fires; one witness noted the bill would not cover shoreline parcels unless amended, and members asked about the five-year rebuild window, the meaning of “lawfully constructed,” and whether unlawful structures were excluded. Testimony was also heard on SB 1413, which would allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to dispose of abandoned property in federal public housing projects after notice and within five days; HPHA said the bill would help address illegal dumping and clarify procedures. SB 31 HD1, concerning discriminatory restrictive covenants, was briefly described and had support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and comments from the Uniform Law Commission, with no in-person testimony. The committee then heard SB 1341, which would add HEMA and the Office of Homeland Security to agencies allowed to review energy industry information and would expand the program’s emergency-management purpose. The Hawaii State Energy Office supported the measure, saying the data is important for emergency response and fuel-supply planning. SB 10008 HD1 would authorize counties to adopt ordinances enforcing accessible parking space requirements and clarify county enforcement of EV-related parking provisions; the Disability and Communication Access Board strongly supported the accessible-parking provisions, saying current enforcement is weak, while noting section three on EV spaces is already largely in statute and could be struck if the committee preferred. Tina Yamaki of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition. Finally, the committee heard SB 1028 SD1 HD1, which would eliminate fees, fines, and court costs for offenses committed by minors, discharge existing related debt, limit community service for minors to 72 hours, and repeal certain penalties tied to minors and their parents or guardians. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, Community Alliance on Prisons, and DebtFree Justice Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that youth fines burden families, worsen poverty, and disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian youth. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments, raising possible constitutional title issues because the current draft incorporates material from HB 129 and includes sections that may relate more to restitution or curfew than to fines and fees; supporters responded that the title is sufficient and cited case law. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. All right. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Do you somebody? Thank you.
• These decisions did everything right.
• I don't need to tell you this, but right now, Undermining our health care system.
• I don't need to tell you this, but right now, there is a crisis in primary care.
• That's right, 6.7%. That means that we're spending 93.3% on non-primary care services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, utilities are locked into purchasing energy every six months, regardless of the price, and
• Because for the ratepayer sitting at their kitchen table right now, wondering how to pay a bill that
• But that does nothing to address the fact that we are in an energy crisis right now.
• through the hearing process and work with me and my committee and staff on getting it right.
• Twenty-one percent of the average gas bill right now is public benefit charges.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters, including adopting a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a number of petitions. The chamber also scheduled several bills for later consideration, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating work schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection namings, handicapped parking fines, public-way safety, excavation restoration, motor vehicle safety, and a Newton police age requirement. Two engrossed local bills were passed to be enacted: one authorizing retired police officers as special police in Plainville and another allowing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership. The main policy debate centered on House No. 5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. Supporters described it as a broad affordability and clean-energy package that would cut costs for ratepayers, reform Mass Save, speed clean-energy procurement and interconnection, return a portion of alternative compliance payments to customers, and address biomass and other energy issues. Opponents argued the bill relied too heavily on long-term programs and new administrative structures while offering little immediate relief, and raised concerns about costs being shifted to consumers, impacts on natural gas, and the pace of implementation. Several amendments were debated and rejected, including proposals to shift public benefit charges away from peak hours, pause public benefit charges for a year, require greater utility disclosure before rate increases, and add a forest-clearing penalty for solar development. One amendment to the energy bill was adopted: a consolidated amendment that included budget-billing consumer protections for gas customers, requiring notice and conservation recommendations when usage rises significantly. The House also adopted an amendment to a separate conservation-restriction bill for Hanson, changing a figure in the underlying law, and passed that bill to be engrossed as amended. The energy bill’s consolidated amendment passed by roll call, while several other amendments failed by roll call votes. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring Jaden Booker, Thomas Skip Karam, former Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former Representative and Senator William Q. “Biff” McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• “All right.
• All of the above, right? In different angles, right?
• We saw it in child care, right?
• We saw it in child care, right?
• They're for your kids, right?

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and focused on School Readiness, specifically the new provider reimbursement rates and the School Readiness Plus program. The chair gave an overview of how School Readiness is funded and administered, noting that the Legislature now sets county-based reimbursement rates using market and cost data, and that School Readiness Plus was created to help families who would otherwise fall off the subsidy “cliff” at 85% of state median income by extending assistance up to 100% of state median income. Panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and the Division of Early Learning described the programs as major workforce and family-support tools that help parents stay employed and help providers recruit and retain qualified staff. Testimony emphasized that higher reimbursement rates increase parental choice, help providers cover rising child care costs, and support better staffing and lower turnover. The panel also said School Readiness Plus is easing the pressure on families to turn down raises or promotions for fear of losing child care assistance, though uptake is still early because the program only began in late 2024 and is only available to current School Readiness families at redetermination. The Division of Early Learning reported about 275 children enrolled in School Readiness Plus as of March 10, with expenditures of about $161,420 through January 2025, and said participation is increasing. Members asked about the federal-state funding split, wait lists, reverted funds, coalition accountability, county-based rate differences, and whether the entrance eligibility threshold should be raised or shifted to state median income. The panel said roughly 70% of School Readiness funding is federal, about 4% has typically reverted in recent years, and the wait list is around 12,000 children, with reasons including income ineligibility, lack of available seats, and funding limits. They argued that raising the entrance threshold would expand access but would require additional funding, and they also discussed the need to reduce workforce barriers such as in-person testing and training requirements. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond the presentation and member discussion, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I mean, you're right. No, I mean, you're right.
• All right. Next, we'll bring up our second panel. All right.
• And then we'll get to everyone else right after that. All right.
• Right?
• Right? Because one thing is for sure, it's coming. Right?

Summary: The committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to review California hate-crime trends and hear from state agencies and community organizations about current impacts and policy responses. The California Department of Justice reported that 2025 hate-crime events declined modestly from 2024 but remained historically elevated, with race and ethnicity still the largest category, anti-Black bias the most frequently reported, and notable increases in anti-Hispanic/Latino and citizenship/immigration-status bias. The California Commission on the State of Hate said its research and victimization studies show hate is broader than official crime data alone, with millions of Californians experiencing hate incidents and many victims needing services beyond law enforcement, including mental health care, legal help, and workplace protections. The commission also emphasized online radicalization, the need for better data infrastructure, and stronger training and support systems. Members then heard from the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, CAIR California, and Equality California. Testimony described fear, underreporting, and the effects of rhetoric, federal policy changes, and online misinformation on Black, Latino, Jewish, immigrant, Asian American, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ communities. Witnesses urged sustained funding for Stop the Hate and nonprofit security grants, stronger language access, civic education, and community-based reporting and victim services. Several groups also called for specific legislation, including measures on racial profiling, immigration detention oversight, Jewish ethnicity recognition, safe worship zones, anti-Muslim hate prevention, and LGBTQ+ data privacy and health protections. Committee discussion focused on the conditions that fuel hate, especially political polarization, social media radicalization, and the role of public figures and institutions in normalizing dehumanizing language. Members and witnesses discussed the limits of current data, the need for long-term research and prevention strategies, and the importance of solidarity across communities. No formal votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, though members referenced existing and pending bills and ongoing efforts to expand training, funding, and anti-hate infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• more than two decades of service to public education, state government, behavioral health, and disability
• strengthening postsecondary transition pathways for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Right, Senator Rosino, you're recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. President.

Bills: SB1323 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1970 , SB1599 , SB1312 , SB1776 , SB1858 , SB1985 , SB1302 , SB1809 , SB1401 , SB2053 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1427 , SB1642 , SB1421 , SB1837 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1794 , SB1484 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1591 , SB1395 , SB1456 , SB1562 , SB1613 , SB1983 , SB1550 , SB2065 , SB2152 , SB2159 , SB2172 , SB2110 , SB2111 , SB2114

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 55, an act relating to the rights of parents. Representative Fister.
• House Bill 55, an act relating to the rights of parents. Representative Fister.
• House Bill 55, an act relating to the rights of parents. Representative Fister.
• House Bill 55, an act relating to the rights of parents. Representative Fister.
• House Bill 214, an act relating to disabled veterans. Representative Wesley.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• Right, absolutely.
• We've already seen evidence of which is discriminatory, right? Biases come from the data, right?
• All right, thank you very much.
• All right, thank you very much.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• All right.
• All right.
• All right.
• All right. My name is Tracy Block. I'm with Missouri Disability Empowerment Foundation.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just not right. right.
• Chair, right in front of you. Right there. We're a little bit behind the chair. Thank you.
• All right.
• Rights. Why?
• Okay, all right.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. Mr.
• It's happening right now.
• Statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.
• That’s the challenging work as well, right?
• She's sitting right there.

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations. The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support. The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right.
• Right? Right. Yeah. May I add a little bit more, Senator? Yes, we recognize.
• I'll begin on my right.
• Sometimes one hitch is enough, right? You're exactly right. All right, thank you. Thank you.
• The right to a fair. fair trial, right to due process, right to equal protection, right to remain silent

Bills: SB330 , SB663 , SB1020 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1896 , SB2111 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2797 , SB2798 , SB2371

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; All right. Thank you very much. &gt;&gt; All right. Thank you very much.
• &gt;&gt; All<00:20:12.080><c> right.
• </c> &gt;&gt; All right. Thank you very much. &gt;&gt; All right. Thank you very much.
• </c> So, first we have the disability So, first we have the disability community<00:31:43.760><c> I'm
• </c> &gt;&gt; All right. Thank you very much. &gt;&gt; All right. Thank you very much.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1872, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program to help early childhood providers participate in approved apprenticeship programs, require annual reporting, and appropriate funds. Testifiers in support included the University of Hawaiʻi, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the City and County of Honolulu, Commit to Keiki, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaiʻi, and Kīʻoka Family Learning Centers. Supporters said the bill would reduce financial barriers, strengthen recruitment and retention, improve compensation and career pathways, and help address child care shortages and workforce instability. The committee then voted to pass HB 1872 with amendments, including an HD1 and a defective date to allow further discussion. The committee next took up HB 2489, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language interpretation, with a longer-term plan for a master’s program. Testimony in support came from the Disability Communication Access Board and the University of Hawaiʻi, and members also heard detailed support from DECAP and other advocates describing a statewide shortage of ASL interpreters, long waiting lists for ASL courses, and the need for locally trained interpreters who understand Hawaiʻi’s cultural and community needs. Witnesses said the shortage affects schools, courts, hospitals, emergency services, and other settings, and that the program could be expanded through articulation with other campuses. The committee voted to pass HB 2489 with amendments, again using an HD1 and defective date. After those two measures, the committee moved to HB 441 on campus safety, which would require students, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and university policies regarding sexual misconduct before initial registration and would change how often training is provided to students and employees. The University of Hawaiʻi stood on its written testimony, while supporters including IMUA Alliance and other testifiers urged passage, citing survivor experiences, national best practices, and the need for prevention before harm occurs. No vote on HB 441 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Contrast that with the column on the right-hand side.
• In Idaho, they call it disability insurance under the code.
• With regard to this Youth Bill of Rights, is there an enforcement mechanism in there if these rights
• Will this Youth Bill of Rights actually give the youth any rights? Representative Erickson. Mr.
• rights were already there.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• All right.
• Right. Those two, and that's it. Right.
• All right.
• Right.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard House Bill 2926, which would extend sovereign or derivative immunity and a liability cap to private contractors, subcontractors, and employees working on Missouri Department of Transportation projects. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to protect contractors from being named in lawsuits before they begin work, and to limit exposure when they are following MoDOT plans and specifications, arguing that contractors are often sued as “deep pockets” even when they did nothing wrong. Several members pressed the sponsor on the bill’s wording and timing, noting confusion over whether immunity applies only before work begins or throughout the project and after completion. Supporters, including representatives from asphalt, construction, insurance, and business groups, said the current system drives up insurance costs, increases legal expenses, and discourages firms from taking roadwork jobs. They cited examples of contractors being sued before starting work or after following approved traffic-control plans, and argued that the bill would align Missouri with other states that provide similar protections. Opponents, including trial attorneys and injured workers and family members, argued that the bill would improperly extend government immunity to private businesses, reduce accountability, and limit recovery for seriously injured people. They said existing tort law already protects non-negligent actors and warned that the bill could make it harder for injured parties to find counsel or recover full damages. Testimony also focused on the $500,000 state liability cap, with opponents calling it too low and supporters saying it is already the standard for public entities and should apply to contractors acting on the state’s behalf. Several witnesses described tragic crashes and work-zone incidents on MoDOT projects, while others emphasized that distracted drivers, not contractors, often cause the accidents. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee took only testimony and then adjourned after hearing from both proponents and opponents.