Transcript Highlights:

• [laughter] Henry Valu of the American Council of Life Insurance, for the opposite point of view.
• For the record, my name is Henry Deu, and I'm here on behalf of the American Council of Life Insurers
• The city council does the exemption, and I think the towns around us do that too.
• City council makes exemptions as it does the budget.
• <02:45:02.720> to with their local legal council to with their local legal council to address

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is from Senate File 2630, establishing the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council.
• I I mentioned that Minnesota council.
• Chair, Senator, yeah, why are we establishing an Age-Friendly Minnesota Council?
• Don't we have enough of those councils? No, we... Mr. Raven, um, I can answer that.
• The Council on Disability has two separate proposals.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to set, you know, council AC standards across the board?
• It has to be submitted and has to be approved, um, by the training council. departments first of all
• So, that in turn is going to council.
• Did the council and the chiefs weigh in on the amendment, and what was their recommendation?
• But we both the police department and city council know that dealing with the issue of the unhoused,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:53:38.240> through individuals access to council through individuals access to council
• police chief may be or new council police chief may be or new council members<00:57:51.440> could
• A recent Supreme Court case, National Pork Producers Council v.
• So, when you maybe have time, could the committee also consider talking to the author of Council, of
• ,<01:37:13.520> um,<01:37:13.679> of<01:37:14.000> the the author of Council

Bills: HB1838, HB1870, HB2445, HB2540, HB1886, HB1839, HB2269, HB1939, HB2037, HB1635, HB1941, HB1576, HB2568, HB2267, HB2590, HB2266, HB2597, HB2499, HB2500, HB2502, HB2607, HB2137, HB2357, HB1782

Keywords: HB1838, Hawaii, Act 142, U visa, T visa, U nonimmigrant status, T nonimmigrant status, immigration certification, visa certification, Form I-918 Supplement B, Form I-914 Supplement B, noncitizen victims, crime victim, human trafficking, victim helpfulness, law enforcement certification, prosecutor certification, judicial review, circuit court, confidentiality

Summary: The committee opened testimony on House Bill 1838, relating to visas. Testifiers from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the legal clinic, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the ACLU, CARES, and immigrant-rights groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would bring Hawaii into compliance with federal law, standardize and speed up certification for U and T visa applicants, and better protect survivors of crime and trafficking. Supporters emphasized that delays in certification can leave eligible survivors waiting years for federal visa access and can undermine public safety by discouraging victims from reporting crimes. The chair announced there were 103 testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on the bill in the hearing. The committee next heard House Bill 1870, concerning protected locations and immigration enforcement. Testimony from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, ACLU of Hawaii, educators, students, and community advocates supported limiting immigration enforcement at schools and other essential-service sites, arguing that families should be able to access education, health care, shelters, libraries, and social services without fear. The Department of Education said it had already issued guidance in March 2025 for how staff should respond when law enforcement comes onto campus, and the Public Charter School Commission noted implementation would need to occur at the school level. Testifiers said the bill would create standardized protocols and protect students and families from fear and disruption; the chair reported 142 testimonies in support, one in opposition, and five comments. The committee then took up House Bill 2445, relating to student safety and law enforcement on campus. The Department of Education again said it had already rolled out statewide guidance and described its process for staff to notify administration, verify law enforcement identification and purpose, and route matters through the complex area superintendent and attorney general, while noting emergencies would be handled differently. A committee member questioned whether the procedures were sufficiently standardized and whether staff were trained for unusual situations. Student and community testifiers supported the bill, saying schools should remain safe havens and that clear procedures are needed if federal immigration enforcement appears on campus. The Department of Law Enforcement testified in opposition to parts of the measure, raising concerns about masking requirements, vehicle markings, officer safety, doxxing, retaliation, costs, and possible supremacy-clause conflicts, and suggested more exemptions and a compromise approach. The chair reported 106 testimonies in support, two comments, and no opposition for the bill before moving on to the next measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're adopted at City Council meetings. All that is public as well.
• From a policy perspective, our council...
• From a policy perspective, our council has what's called a financial management policy statement.
• Those councils are voluntary, you know, folks are volunteering to do that stuff.
• On June 2nd, our council also approved another avenue to our Inner Harbor desalination plant.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our own fabulous legislative council, Rick Segal.
• fabulous legislative council, Rick fabulous legislative council, Rick Segal.<01:12:26.960> Uh
• And on the first, I will—I'm happy to defer and take a moment to talk to legislative council.
• The unnamed legislative council. Hard to find them if you know who you're looking for.
• This is a question for legislative council. So, I need to take one moment to ask.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a council document. Is it council document? Okay. We've got a council document, SF 4254.
• <00:14:48.200> document<00:14:48.880> SC4258 you for council document SC4258 you for
• council document SC4258 providing<00:14:51.640> notice<00:14:52.000> of<00:14:52.120><
• I think in this case, the city council voted the project down, that they no longer wanted to pursue it
• > Rice<01:36:47.400> County Community Action Council in Rice County Community Action Council

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Joel Reynolds, and I serve with the Minnesota Council on Disabilities.
• So for these reasons, Minnesota Council on Disability supports HF 2380. Thank you for your time.
• So for these reasons, Minnesota Council on Disability supports HF 2380. Thank you for your time.
• So for these reasons, Minnesota Council on Disability supports HF 2380. Thank you for your time.
• So for these reasons, Minnesota Council on Disability supports HF 2380. Thank you for your time.

Bills: HF3661, HF2380, HF3468, HF3483

Keywords: facial recognition, privacy, government surveillance, public safety, data protection, civil liberties, disability rights, discrimination, accommodations, employment, housing, public services, education, civil action, failure to render aid, damages, Minnesota Statutes, legal liability, trespass, civil immigration enforcement

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 24 and February 26. It then took up House File 3661, a bill originally authored by Representative Gomez and presented by Representative Feist, which would ban government use of facial recognition technology and be re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. The committee adopted the A1 amendment, described as a technical amendment based on House Research recommendations, before hearing testimony on the bill. Representative Feist said the bill is aimed at preventing serious privacy and civil-liberties harms, including secretive surveillance, racial and gender bias, and the lack of statewide rules governing government use of facial recognition. Supportive testimony came from Chad Marlo of the ACLU, who argued the issue is bipartisan, the technology has accuracy problems, and government use is expanding against vulnerable groups. Chris Wayland of Restore the Fourth Minnesota also supported a ban, emphasizing the inability to opt out of facial recognition and the lack of standards, disclosure, and community input. Rich Newmeister urged stronger transparency measures, including agency policies and public notice in buildings using the technology. Major Spencer Baky of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office opposed an outright ban, saying facial recognition is used only as an investigative lead, not for positive identification or real-time surveillance, and that results are corroborated before use. He said the office has used the tool in hundreds of investigations and supports a statutory framework with safeguards instead of a ban. In member discussion, Representative Hudson argued a blanket ban was too broad and suggested a more targeted evidentiary approach, while Representative Moller and Representative Kurr expressed concern about misuse and the federal government's use of the technology. Representative Durant asked whether there was a current Minnesota problem and whether stakeholders and law enforcement had been involved in drafting the bill. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the amendment and the committee’s continued consideration of HF 3661.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh this comes from Senate file council.
• from Senate File 2137 from Seed Council from Senate File 2137 from Senator<00:15:25.600> Johnson,
• I'm told by Senate council<01:13:07.840> that<01:13:08.159> we<01:13:08.400> may
• that we may need to remove that council that we may need to remove that because<01:13:09.840> the
• > the<01:29:41.360> change Could Senate Council restate the change Could Senate Council

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > election judges and having been on a election judges and having been on a city<00:37:12.720> council
• you always see the full city council you always see the full list<00:37:14.640> of<00:37:14.760
• And that makes me think also of, again, in our local community, our city council and school boards are
• and school boards are city council and school boards are nonpartisan<01:04:12.000> elections<
• and Schoolboard elections city Council and Schoolboard elections tend<01:14:27.520> to<01:14:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Council Member Buisan for Kauai County Council in support.
• So it's the same situation for the victim witness program. kaai kaai Kawai County Council in kaai kaai
• Council Member Bullan from Kauai and Dar Carin in support. Anyone else wish to testify on SB 287?
• thank you uh next is Addison on council thank you uh next is Addison on council member<00:10:00.200
• <01:32:24.800> for Alis Dar Whitney legislative Council for Alis Dar Whitney legislative Council

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several bills on January 30. SB 286 and SB 287 both concerned supplemental funding for the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney: SB 286 for the career criminal prosecution unit and SB 287 for the victim witness assistance program. Testimony from the department explained that these bills are filed each year because the Attorney General’s core budget allocation may not be sufficient, though the department said the core had recently been increased and the supplemental request might no longer be necessary. For SB 287, the department also warned of a possible federal Victims of Crime Act funding freeze that could cut about $1.88 million and severely harm victim services. Both bills drew support from county and community witnesses, and members asked about prior-year funding and why the requests were limited to fiscal 2025-26; no votes were taken in the excerpt. SB 289, from the State Ethics Commission, would create a more uniform administrative fine process under the ethics code and lobbyist law. The commission said the measure would not change substantive enforcement but would let it issue a notice and order of fine first, with the respondent able to request a hearing within 20 days, which would speed up cases that are not factually disputed. Members questioned whether the bill would deny due process or function like an automatic parking ticket, and the commission responded that respondents could still challenge the fine and that the process would apply to violations with fines under $1,000. The committee also heard SB 304, which would add 11 positions for the First Circuit Adult Client Services Branch; Judiciary testimony said probation caseloads are high, with an average of 116 cases per officer, and the added staff would help meet national supervision standards and better serve higher-risk clients. Members asked whether the positions were already in the budget and about current staffing ratios; the witness said the positions were not already funded and that the Judiciary supported the bill with amendments. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment to exclude spending money to influence elections from protected free speech. Testimony was strongly divided: supporters argued that Citizens United has distorted elections and empowered special interests, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could affect nonprofit advocacy and grassroots groups. Finally, SB 313 would impose a 1% wealth asset tax on individuals with $20 million or more in assets. The Department of Taxation said it had concerns about the bill’s ambiguity and administration and noted it would require annual valuation and likely additional resources; opponents, including family business representatives and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued the tax would be difficult and costly to administer, would require sensitive business disclosures, and could force family businesses to pay from company cash. Supporters said wealthy residents should pay a fair share. The committee heard testimony and questions on these bills, but the excerpt does not show final committee votes or actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Chris White, and one of my other roles is I sit on the OneCare Implementation Council.
• There are a couple, I think, local leaders that sit on their council.
• And I also want to say thank you for our advisory council members who joined us in this presentation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities equity subcommittee met, approved the prior minutes, and heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Cater Center (Care Coordination Assistance, Training, Education, and Resources for Kids). Presenters Toria Haffey and Patty Loza explained that Cater provides training and technical assistance to MassHealth’s Cares for Kids providers serving children with medical complexity, with a focus on enhanced care coordination, family partnership, racial/cultural/linguistic equity, community resources, education systems, shared plans of care, and transition support. They described five e-learning modules, flexible one-on-one and group technical assistance, case review support, and informal virtual “cafes” for providers. They also noted the program has been operating for about two to three years and currently works with five hospital-based providers, including Boston Children’s, BMC, Tufts, NeighborHealth, and Baystate. Committee members asked about the number of families served, the relationship to MassHealth, and whether the model could be expanded beyond Boston-area providers. The presenters said Cater does not track enrollment numbers because that is handled by providers and MassHealth, and they agreed there is room to broaden reach and improve data collection. Members suggested connecting Cater with regional disability and case management networks, the Health Equity Compact, ACOs, and DDS-related contacts. Questions also focused on funding stability amid federal Medicaid cuts and workforce shortages in family engagement roles; Cater said the work remains a priority for MassHealth, though funding is a concern, and acknowledged staffing gaps, especially for family partners with lived experience. After the presentation, the committee discussed a NIH strategic plan for disability health research that had been circulated for future review. Because members had not yet read it, they agreed to place it on the agenda for the next meeting. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public School Capital Outlay Council has awarded a complete rebuild of their campus.
• These are the kinds of things that they would not receive funding for from the Capital Outlay Council
• And the concern came, it was a member of our caucus because legislative council service allocated capital

Transcript Highlights:

• for our local constituency, agencies, stakeholders, legislators, and our hard-working legislative council
• The bill also repeals the Governor's Broadband Development Council, as its functions have become duplicative
• The bill also repeals the Governor's Broadband Development Council, as its functions have become duplicative

Bills: HB1240, HB2768, HB2788, HB3146, HB4850, HB5032, HCR90

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, HB 2768, Texas information technology apprenticeship, state IT credential, information resources workforce, junior college, technical institute, apprenticeship program, workforce development, state agency hiring, job classification, career ladder, bachelor's degree substitution, associate degree, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, state auditor classification officer

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met without a quorum, so no votes or formal actions were taken. The chair laid out several bills and resolutions for explanation and public testimony, with each item left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early items included House Bill 1240, a cleanup measure to create a single uniform definition of the Texas-Mexico border region across state law, and House Bill 2768, which would establish an IT apprenticeship credential through junior colleges and technical institutions to help fill state government technology jobs. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 90, which would encourage establishing a Texas trade and investment office in Jerusalem. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided: one witness opposed it on foreign policy and values grounds, while a Texas Association of Business representative strongly supported it, citing Israel’s innovation and trade potential. Another major item was House Bill 4187, a committee substitute for legislation affecting the Texas Historical Commission; the sponsor described changes expanding use of trust fund money for historic sites, allowing more affiliated nonprofits, clarifying retail operations, and creating a framework for training and consistent interpretation at historic sites. A Texas Historical Commission witness explained that the bill would shift responsibility for maintaining many state-owned historical markers and monuments, including markers on private land, to the commission. Additional measures included House Bill 2788, which would shield Texas Workforce Commission fraud-prevention methods from public information requests; House Bill 5032, directing state agencies to plan for public display of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Texas Constitution, and the Victory or Death letter at the Capitol Complex; House Bill 3146, which would eliminate outdated memoranda-of-understanding requirements for certain State Office of Administrative Hearings arrangements; and House Bill 4815, a cleanup bill modernizing economic development statutes, revising the Made in Texas standard to 51% Texas-origin content, repealing the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, and making other conforming changes. The committee ended by recessing, with members indicating they would likely vote on pending business later when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Current statute under Section 21 of the local government code requires municipalities with city council
• This law as it stands does not make any exceptions for cities that have both city council districts and
• at-large city council seats, meaning that under current statute, those at-large seats would also be

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:41.120> of<00:15:41.240> their<00:15:41.399> student<00:15:41.759> council
• grade 7 to 12 of their student council grade 7 to 12 of their student council and<00:15:42.800><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jim Lights on behalf of the National Rental Home Council. We're in opposition to this bill.
• Sophia Kwatch, on behalf of the Bay Area Council and Chamber of Progress, in respectful opposition.
• Here to testify in support is Alberto Terrico on behalf of UFCW Western States Council.
• I'm here, Alberto Terrico, on behalf of the UFCW Western States Council.
• Vincenzo Caperelli, on behalf of the California Association of Councils of Governments, in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• planning commission legislative council planning commission legislative council chief<00:26:43.520
• and the Vermont Council on Rural Development to come up with a plan to engage people on the risks to
• <01:15:51.440> and<01:15:51.679> the<01:15:51.840> Vermont Conservation Council
• and the Vermont Conservation Council and the Vermont Council<01:15:52.400> on<01:15:52.560>
• on Rural Development to come up Council on Rural Development to come up with<01:15:54.239> a<

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, next up is Council Member Matt Wier in support. Council Member Okimoto in support.
• Uh, Hale Balu Bakalahi, president and CEO for Council on Social Work Education, in support.
• council member Matt wire in support. council member Matt wire in support.
• <00:26:47.919> Uh, Council member Okimoto in support.
• Uh, Council member Okimoto in support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered three judicial confirmations for the First Circuit family court. The first nominee, Maria F. Penn, was introduced for confirmation to a six-year term as a district family court judge. Testimony from family law attorneys and the Hawaii State Bar Association was strongly supportive, emphasizing her courtroom demeanor, preparation, knowledge of family law, respect for litigants and counsel, and ability to manage emotionally difficult family court matters. Judge Penn also spoke about her background, including her legal career, prior service as a PDM family court judge, and her view that family court requires both legal judgment and empathy. The chair noted that the committee would not vote that day and would take up votes the next morning. The second nomination was Wilson Aunga for a district family court judgeship. Supporters described his character, community involvement, and suitability for family court, including testimony from the Honolulu prosecutor, longtime friends, classmates, community members, and others. Speakers highlighted his work with youth, his leadership in the prosecutor’s office, his calm and impartial temperament, and his commitment to education and public service. The chair reported 105 supporters, no opposition, and one comment from the Hawaii State Bar Association. Additional testimony continued from members of the public, including a speaker discussing mental health and personal support for Aunga. Throughout the hearing, the chair enforced a two-minute limit on oral testimony and explained that the committee was short on time and would recess as needed. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair announced that voting would occur the following day in the same room.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the senior manager of policy and partnerships with the Minnesota Council and Foundation.
• and Foundation if the Minnesota Council and Foundation if you<00:10:48.440> would<00:10:48.560
• As a city council member in Wyoming, I've had an invaluable opportunity to participate in a training
• member in Wyoming I've a city council member in Wyoming I've had<00:34:22.000> an<00:34:22.200
• I know there’s several council members here that have been through, you know, use-of-force training,

Bills: HF550, HF412, HF796, HF140

Keywords: redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, HF412, Minnesota legislature, education committee, K-12 education, school observation, teacher observation, administrator observation, legislative transparency, legislator accountability, House rules, Senate rules, Legislative Reference Library, public reporting, education finance, education policy