Transcript Highlights:

• Well, you know, government has a lot of vendors we pay for different things.
• It was so scintillating and so crude, I had a family member text me and say, 'Your committee is X-rated
• Committee is X-rated. These are our children. We talk about librarians. We talk about the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the key to lower rates.”
• That's the key to lower rates.”
• That's the key to lower rates.”
• That's the key to lower rates.”
• </c><02:15:33.880><c> minus</c> rate rather than the earned rate minus rate rather than the earned rate

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, many states with opt-in systems can see enrollment rates under 5%.
• But when enrollment rates under 5%.
• So, it just seems like it's a very low utilization rate.
• We do use the third-party vendor to send text messages.
• </c> and adjusting the reimbursement rates. and adjusting the reimbursement rates.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 2095, which would provide supplemental appropriations for the Judiciary for the 2025-2027 biennium. Judiciary Administrative Director Brandon Kimura testified in strong support and outlined a request for about $6.4 million in supplemental operating funds, plus four permanent full-time position conversions. He grouped the request into security, services to court users, and staffing needs, including $3.25 million for supplemental armed private security at judiciary facilities statewide, nearly $200,000 for cybersecurity staffing and support, restoration of funding for substance use treatment purchase-of-service contracts, restoration of funding for the Office of Public Guardian on Kauaʻi, salary commission funding, a Kona court operations position, and two Court-Appointed Special Advocates positions converted from temporary to permanent. He also described five capital improvement requests totaling $55.4 million, led by $30 million for construction of a new South Kohala courthouse, $1.2 million each for air conditioning upgrades in Hilo and Kauaʻi, $15 million for elevator upgrades at Kahumanu Hale, and $8 million in lump-sum bond funds for emerging projects. Several organizations testified in support, including Parents and Children Together and the True Cost Coalition. Supporters emphasized the importance of the purchase-of-service funding for domestic violence and substance use treatment services and said the restoration would return funding to pre-COVID levels and help providers maintain capacity. Kimura explained that the Judiciary often shifts funds among contracts during the year to avoid service interruptions, but that the reduced funding has caused delays and operational problems for providers and probationers. Members asked detailed questions about the capital projects and operating requests. Representative Shimizu asked for more information on the lump-sum bond funds and the elevator project, and Kimura explained that the Kahumanu Hale request covers four remaining elevator shafts after earlier funding addressed the first five elevators. Representative Cochran asked about the absence of Maui County projects, and Kimura said the Judiciary is still planning for its older Maui facilities with DAGS. Chair Tarnas questioned the need for armed private guards and discussed whether court security should be prioritized within the Department of Law Enforcement; Kimura said the Judiciary needs additional personnel now and has not asked DLE to deprioritize other missions, though the chair suggested further coordination between the agencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we saw is increased recidivism rates across the county, dramatic.
• I have their—well, I have their arrest rates.
• So what I have is I can tell you what the arrest rates are.
• The LBB already calculates juvenile recidivism rates.
• And what we’ve seen is a huge success rate because of that is an instant bond.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• We have five-year rates yet.
• Our teacher residents have a two-year retention rate of 91%. three- and four-year rates of 86 percent
• Since then, we've only been able to have the accountability rate ratings released for one single. year
• with the school that doesn't want to be rated maybe but we don't No, they were not rated because their
• That's been a quality rating and there are other ratings. I see Yasmin nodding her head.

Bills: SB451 , SB762 , SB1490 , SB1262 , SB1459 , SB1750 , SB1962 , SB2252 , SB2253 , SB2365

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• are being diagnosed at higher rates.
• Is this for a vendor? I'm trying to figure out who runs this mobile stroke unit.
• Are they going to bill at the same rate?
• Increases rates of APRNs moving into the state.
• Do you have any information about the rate of malpractice among physicians versus the rate of malpractice

Bills: HB35 , HB4490 , HB4454 , HB2188 , HB3078 , HB4743 , HB2556 , HB46 , HB5342 , HB4783 , HB3785 , HB5278 , HB1639 , HB2581 , HB4224 , HB4070 , HB4099 , HB4882 , HB3794 , HB46

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going very high rate.
• We're going<01:54:20.000><c> very</c><01:54:20.239><c> high</c><01:54:20.560><c> rate.
• </c> going very high rate. going very high rate. um<01:54:21.760><c> we</c><01:54:22.000><c> are</c><
• <c> 710,24</c> effective<03:15:32.160><c> immediate</c><03:15:32.800><c> for</c><03:15:33.120><c> vendor
• </c><03:15:33.520><c> software</c> effective immediate for vendor software effective immediate for vendor

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• They should not affect anything with her home insurance rates.
• , you know, 56 hour work week is quality of life, that higher level of suicide, that higher higher rate
• And do you see any impact to revenue is whether or not rates will go up?
• process with the PSC, this clearly lays that through the rate process with the PSC, this clearly lays
• And it also ensures that Medicaid reimbursement rates for the home health agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• He checked last week; we have a 100% survival rate over the winter.
• So uh superseded by the pet vendor law.
• And then the last thing is the recycling efficiency rate for covered batteries.
• And then the last thing is the recycling efficiency rate for covered batteries.
• </c><04:08:54.960><c> goes</c> happens is the germination rate goes happens is the germination rate goes

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• They borrow at favorable rates, which allows them to loan at favorable rates to their customers.
• They borrow at favorable rates, which allows them to loan at favorable rates to their customers.
• They borrow at favorable rates, which allows them to loan at favorable rates to their customers.
• They borrow at favorable rates, which allows them to loan at favorable rates to their customers.
• They borrow at favorable rates, which allows them to loan at favorable rates to their customers.

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure to add ski, snowboard, and boat wax to the state’s list of banned consumer products containing PFAS. The sponsor said the product is already banned in many other places, alternatives exist, and the concern is that these products go directly into water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and argued the bill would help stop further contamination. A member of the public also described personal experience with ski wax products disappearing from the market, suggesting PFAS may have been the reason. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167. The committee next opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett explained the bill was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s NCAA v. Alston decision and was modeled on New Jersey law. He said the bill would prevent colleges from restricting NIL compensation, require athletes to use licensed attorneys or registered sports agents, and limit certain endorsements involving addictive drugs, adult entertainment, firearms, and weapons. He framed the measure as a proactive response to a changing college sports landscape and noted possible future conflicts involving schools, agents, and endorsements. Committee members raised several concerns and suggested changes. One member questioned the bill’s exclusion of two-year institutions, another objected to the weapons restriction, and others asked how the bill would affect scholarships. The sponsor said the intent was to protect scholarships, especially athletic scholarships, and clarified that need-based scholarships were not meant to be affected. He also acknowledged discomfort with the endorsement restrictions and said the committee might want to broaden or revise the language. The hearing remained open for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• but we can still certainly have our open hearing for HB 157, which is relative to lensure as pet vendor
• Uh so currently pet vendors need to uh anyone who is selling pets as defined in statute needs if they
• . vendor. vendor.
• need to uh uh currently uh pet vendors need to uh uh anyone<02:37:15.840><c> who</c><02:37:16.000><c
• Um, so, uh, anyone who's selling more than 30 of those animals needs to be licensed as a pet vendor.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say that this is not a vendor-driven bill.
• There are over five vendors that I know of in the United States that provide this copper grid.
• The bill does not regulate insurance rates.
• The bill does not regulate insurance rates, does not alter the rate approval process, and does not require
• /AIDS rates in the nation, yet there was a year where nobody was doing sex ed.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including tributes to former members and law enforcement. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the day’s special-order calendar. Early bills passed unanimously, including CS/HB 401 on FDLE security details for major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, CS/HB 1063 on gubernatorial transition procedures, HB 593 on governmental agencies and personnel, CS/CS/HB 655 on confidential attorney-client meetings for local governments in pending litigation, and HB 6011 on ethics gift/honoraria reporting procedures. Each of these measures was explained by sponsors as transparency, security, or administrative process legislation, and each passed 115-116 to 0. The chamber then took up CS/HB 125, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill drew extensive and sharply divided debate over whether a state remembrance was appropriate for Kirk, with opponents arguing he was a polarizing political figure and that the House should focus on affordability and other constituent concerns, while supporters framed the bill as a defense of free speech and opposition to political violence. A proposed amendment to replace the designation with a George Floyd remembrance was ruled not germane. After structured debate, the bill passed 82-31. Members also considered transportation designation measures. SB 628, substituted for CS/HB 885, included multiple road and bridge namings and an amendment designating a 124-mile stretch of State Road 80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway; the amendment and bill passed 82-26. CS/HB 33 similarly designated portions of roads as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, prompting another lengthy debate over the appropriateness of honoring political figures and the use of public roadways for such designations; it passed 82-30. The House then began debate on CS/HB 35, “Isaiah’s law,” which would add driving without a valid license to the habitual traffic offender list after repeated offenses, with sponsors citing a fatal hit-and-run and opponents questioning prosecutorial discretion and the bill’s practical effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bulk of the lift would be done by the vendor that is selected in the schools, not necessarily from
• The bulk of the lift would be done by the vendor selected in the schools, not necessarily from New Hampshire
• So they would be a potential vendor of this type of activity.
• schools and we have fire drills and we have active shooter drills, and the kids are not dying at the rate

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So, they're stuck with debt obligations that their rate base can't support.
• the interest rates.
• the interest rates.
• the interest rates.
• middle rate is for those that fall in between those two categories.

Summary: The committee received a budget and program update from Kentucky Emergency Management on the state’s urban search and rescue buildout. Eric Gibson and Doug Hargrave said the legislature’s funding was used to create FEMA-type urban search and rescue capacity, including Kentucky Task Force 1 and 2, the incident support team, and the helicopter aquatic rescue/hoist team. They emphasized that the effort is not just equipment purchases but also training, credentialing, warehouse and training-facility development, canine program expansion, and coordination with local search and rescue agencies across the Commonwealth. Gibson reported that the agency executed 99.4% of the $16.175 million appropriation by the end of the fiscal year and said the team met its readiness target ahead of schedule, with equipment already being deployed in recent flood response operations. He also said $500,000 per year was set aside for local search and rescue grants, with about $482,000 awarded to 29 teams in one year and $490,000 to 36 teams in the next, averaging about $20,000 per grant. Several members urged the committee to consider increasing support for local responders in future budgets, noting rising equipment costs and the importance of local teams as first on scene. Members asked about staffing, coverage, and benefits. Gibson explained that the task force is a mixed workforce of full-time fire personnel loaned from local departments, professional service staff such as doctors and engineers, and temporary deployment staff, with workers’ compensation coverage provided through KYEM and/or home agencies depending on the arrangement. He also said local search and rescue members are not currently included in line-of-duty death benefits. In response to questions about coverage and deployment, he described the two task force locations as designed to keep resources within roughly 100 miles of every Kentuckian. The discussion also turned to recent flood response and disaster recovery. Gibson said the state had mobilized up to 24 teams over the weekend, documented roughly 60 to 80 water rescues or assisted evacuations, and was seeing significant damage in counties such as Cumberland, Clinton, and Metcalfe, including agricultural losses. He said several counties were meeting FEMA public assistance thresholds and that the state was preparing a broader relief request that could include FEMA, SBA, and USDA assistance. He also updated members on efforts to claw back and reallocate unused “strained fiscal liquidity” funds by the statutory deadline, saying notices were sent and funds were redirected where possible to unmet local needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So why are the rates so high? Because. of the high rates of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
• We heard the speaker earlier talk about high rates of dementia in the valley.
• Obesity, we have high rates of liver disease, we have high rates of obesity. liver disease, diabetes,
• One, it looks like South Texas has the highest rate of Alzheimer's.
• All of the 30 vendors plus that are out there.

Bills: HB5 , HJR3 , HB155 , HB513 , HB5 , HB155

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• of return within a rate case, which is adjusted during a rate case on those assets, right?
• of return within a getting their rate of return within a rate<00:59:33.520><c> case</c><00:59:34.160
• case um which is adjusted during a rate case um which is adjusted during a rate<00:59:35.440><c> case
• are higher, with net metering, of going to a time-of-use rate for net metering, right?
• </c> technology and this particular vendor technology and this particular vendor for<03:24:15.200><c>

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• seeing the studies come out that attribute the appearances of these plastics in our systems to higher rates
• normal food products, a wide range of things with different types of plastic packaging, and found high rates
• The single-stream processing rate has gone up 40% since 2021. That's post-COVID.
• The single-stream processing rate has gone up 40% since 2021. That's post-COVID.
• Environmental Protection, leaving producers to simply absorb the cost without having a say in how rates

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a heavily attended hybrid hearing focused primarily on plastics reduction bills, along with a few local and related waste-management measures. Chair Rauch and Chair Barber outlined strict testimony rules because of the large number of speakers. Before the plastics docket, the committee heard support for a local Sharon sewer-extension bill for a Sunrise Senior Living project, and the bill’s proponents said the project would help address senior housing needs and would still require MWRA and local approvals. The chairs also noted a separate local matter involving Sharon and the MWRA. A major portion of the hearing centered on the Plastics Reduction Act and related bills addressing single-use plastics, including plastic bags, polystyrene, black plastic, plastic beverage bottles, non-flushable wipes, skip-the-stuff provisions, and truth-in-labeling. Sponsors and supporters said the bills would reduce litter, microplastics, greenhouse gas emissions, and municipal waste costs, while creating statewide consistency and supporting environmental justice communities. Several speakers cited local bans already adopted by many Massachusetts cities and towns, and many urged the committee to advance comprehensive statewide action. The committee also heard testimony on a boat wrap recycling bill, a mattress recycling bill, and a bill to prohibit hotels from providing small plastic toiletries. Municipal officials and waste professionals supported extended producer responsibility for paint and labeling for non-flushable wipes, saying these measures would shift costs away from cities and towns and reduce strain on wastewater systems. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, Mayor Ruth Ann Fuller of Newton, and a Franklin County waste official all backed paint EPR and wipes labeling. Fire Chief Brian Nardelli testified for the Fire Chiefs Association in support of lithium-ion battery legislation, citing fire safety and disposal concerns. Other speakers, including environmental groups, local activists, and business representatives, supported bag and polystyrene bans, though the Retailers Association of Massachusetts urged any bag policy to be truly statewide and said any bag fee should be retained by retailers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2022, it has delivered a 100% completion rate and zero recidivism because it gives kids the structure
• Rate and zero recidivism because it gives kids the structure and support they need to succeed.
• It's important to note that our program has had a 100% success rate, meaning that 30 students who would
• Imposing additional financial obligations in this context will likely result in low collection rates
• The cost to their health is magnified by higher rates of preexisting health conditions.

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, after discussions with our in-house technology experts and external vendors, we determined that

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• From that plan: provide assistance to productions with hiring local crews, facilities, and vendors; develop

Bills: HB89 , HB328 , HB344 , HB365 , HB283 , HB89 , HB328 , HB344 , HB365 , HB283

Committee: Senate Elections & Government Affairs

Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee met in hybrid format, approved the June 10 draft minutes, and then heard a long agenda of bills. HB 89 (home improvement fraud dispute resolution) was presented as a consumer protection measure developed with DOJ to address contractor fraud, especially against vulnerable homeowners; members voiced support and asked to be added as sponsors. HB 283 updated realty transfer tax exemptions to use gender-neutral “spouses” language and add a direct grandparent-to-grandchild transfer exemption; it drew supportive public comment. HS1 for HB 390 would let DelDOT choose electronic-only bidding for projects, remove newspaper bid-opening notices, and clarify bidding records, with no opposition raised. HB 328/H.A. 2 modernizes the Register of Regulations statute, keeps newspaper distribution requirements, and delays some effective dates to 2027; it was described as a technical update. HB 365 would create the Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, prompting supportive testimony from Indigenous community members and some discussion about representation and internal tribal اختلافs, but no formal opposition. HB 423 would automatically enroll new state employees in the 457B deferred compensation plan unless they opt out, with exclusions for collective bargaining units and implementation tied to payroll readiness; it was presented as a retirement-savings measure. SS1 for SB 342 would modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission to support a broader film/media incentive package, with support from the Delaware Arts Alliance and a request to help attract productions to Delaware. The committee also heard SB 331, a cleanup bill on garagekeeper liens for manufactured housing and related assets. The sponsor and an attorney explained it as clarifying who can recover funds and attorney’s fees in lien sales, but the Chief Magistrate and the manufactured housing association said the issue should be addressed more carefully and possibly in another section of code; they were open to further work. HB 436 would update the Smyrna charter, including school impact fees, election challenge procedures, vacancy rules, domicile standards, Board of Elections terms, and meeting schedules. HS1 for HB 376 made technical and organizational changes to the Millville charter, including a tiebreaker for municipal elections and a property tax cap, with the town solicitor saying there was little substantive change. HB 460 would require New Castle County municipalities to submit permit data monthly rather than on a much slower schedule, limited to closed permits with certificates of occupancy, to improve property assessment data; it was presented as part of broader reassessment/data-quality efforts. Public comment was heard on several items, especially HB 365 and SS1 for SB 342. Indigenous speakers supported the commission as a way to preserve heritage, improve representation, and create a formal seat at the table. The Delaware Arts Alliance supported the film commission modernization bill as part of a broader creative-economy plan. No recorded votes were taken on the individual bills in the transcript, and the meeting ended with a unanimous motion to adjourn.