Transcript Highlights:

• We<00:02:09.840><c> had</c><00:02:10.080><c> two</c><00:02:10.640><c> requests</c><00:02:11.280><c> in
• It<00:02:15.280><c> broke</c><00:02:15.440><c> it</c><00:02:15.599><c> down</c><00:02:15.760><c> into
• </c><00:02:20.879><c> The</c><00:02:21.120><c> second</c><00:02:21.280><c> is</c><00:02:21.520><c> a<
• ><00:02:27.360><c> 484</c><00:02:28.000><c> from</c><00:02:28.160><c> the</c><00:02:29.120><c> 2024</
• session.<00:02:31.280><c> Uh</c><00:02:31.520><c> we</c><00:02:31.760><c> have</c><00:02:31.920><c>

Summary: The Kentucky Board of EMS presented an additional budget request focused on grant funding for local EMS agencies, not agency operations. Officials said the board has 13 full-time staff after losing employees in the 2022 transition back to state government, and that the request would be a 100% pass-through to providers. They initially described two requests totaling $12.91 million: $10.8 million for the EMS block grant and $2.1 million for workforce education tied to House Bill 484, but later said they would withdraw the $2.1 million request because rural health transformation funding appears likely to cover those education needs. Most of the testimony explained why the EMS block grant should be increased. The board said the grant began in 1980 at about $1.2 million and has remained largely unchanged while EMS costs have risen sharply. They cited higher prices for ambulances, stretchers, and cardiac monitors, along with increased labor and reimbursement pressures. Board members emphasized that modern EMS now provides much more advanced care in the field, especially in rural areas, and argued that equipment such as 12-lead cardiac monitors can significantly improve patient outcomes. They said the current grant provides about $10,000 per county, while the request would raise funding to about $100,000 per county and increase the per-capita amount from roughly 26 cents to $2.60. Members also discussed whether the block grant statute should be reformed to target need more directly. Board officials said they had considered making the grant more competitive, but decided against it for now because many counties rely on the annual funding and shifting money away from some areas would create hardship. In response to questions, they said Kentucky has about 160 class one EMS agencies providing 911 response across 120 counties, and that grant awards in recent years reached 91 counties, then 108, then 110 counties. They also highlighted the cost and safety benefits of power loading systems for stretchers, saying they can reduce back injuries and help retain EMS workers, but are often unaffordable for smaller departments. No votes were taken on the budget request during the hearing. After the testimony and questions, the committee approved the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and second, with no opposition, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:01.040><c> a</c><01:02:01.200><c> ratio</c><01:02:01.599><c> to</c><01:02:01.760><c> money
• is to<01:02:02.720><c> outcomes</c><01:02:03.200><c> and</c><01:02:03.440><c> those</c><01:02:03.680
• So I<01:02:05.119><c> think</c><01:02:05.200><c> that's</c><01:02:05.359><c> what</c><01:02:05.520><c
• &gt;&gt; Sure.<01:02:17.200><c> To</c><01:02:17.440><c> address</c><01:02:17.599><c> that,</c><01:02:
• </c><01:02:23.200><c> The</c><01:02:23.440><c> department</c><01:02:23.760><c> has</c><01:02:24.000><

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:01:34.880><c> enrollment</c> statute that would govern the enrollment statute that would govern the
• around requirements and the language around those<02:01:46.159><c> statutes.
• It<02:02:04.800><c> seems</c><02:02:05.199><c> pretty</c><02:02:06.000><c> pretty</c><02:02:06.480><c
• </c><02:02:08.560><c> statement</c><02:02:08.880><c> of</c><02:02:09.199><c> the</c><02:02:09.520><c>
• Um also<02:02:18.400><c> it</c><02:02:18.719><c> talks</c><02:02:18.960><c> about</c><02:02:19.599><c

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• FFA this<00:02:19.000><c> year</c><00:02:19.840><c> I</c><00:02:19.959><c> am</c><00:02:20.120><c> here
• </c><00:02:20.319><c> today</c><00:02:20.760><c> on</c><00:02:21.000><c> behalf</c><00:02:21.519><c>
• ><c> 400</c><00:02:24.599><c> students</c><00:02:25.080><c> who</c><00:02:25.239><c> are</c><00:02:25.440
• </c><00:02:52.159><c> others</c><00:02:53.159><c> CTE</c><00:02:54.000><c> exposes</c><00:02:54.519><
• students to a<00:02:55.319><c> variety</c><00:02:55.840><c> of</c><00:02:56.040><c> career</c><00:02

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education bills and first received a presentation from Paige Cash of Kentucky FFA/Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education. She described the reach of CTE in Kentucky, saying more than 143,000 secondary students are enrolled in CTE courses, and highlighted work-based learning, dual credit, industry certifications, and student organizations such as FFA, DECA, FCCLA, HOSA, TSA, and SkillsUSA. She said CTE funding has helped update lab equipment, support teacher training, fund field trips, and expand participation in career and technical student organizations. Representative Wilson presented House Bill 132, which would address home hospital instruction reimbursement in cases involving short stays, particularly mental health placements that are often under five days. He said schools continue providing instruction even when they are no longer reimbursed under current rules. The committee advanced the bill unanimously after a motion and second, with the measure passing with an expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee then heard House Bill 272 on dyslexia, sponsored by Representative Heavrin. The bill would require KDE to annually update the dyslexia toolkit, require local boards to adopt policies for identifying and assisting K-3 students with dyslexia, require KDE to report district implementation data to LRC, and require teacher preparation programs to include dyslexia instruction. Members discussed whether the bill would require teacher diagnoses, how it would interact with existing IEP/504 and RTI processes, and concerns about added reporting and district burden. Supporters said many students are falling through the cracks and that earlier identification is needed; Representative Willner noted a shortage of school psychologists. The committee passed HB 272 with a motion and second, though several members voted pass and explained concerns about reporting burdens, red tape, and district costs. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 193, a dual credit cleanup bill presented by Joe Carol Ellis of KHEAA. She said the bill would consolidate the statutes governing general education dual credit and CTE/work-ready dual credit scholarships to match current funding practice and reduce confusion for K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions. The presentation was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:02:16.159><c> and</c><02:02:17.040><c> um</c><02:02:17.440><c> and</c><02:02:17.679><c> I</c><02:
• <02:02:19.119><c> cancer</c><02:02:19.440><c> nonprofit</c><02:02:20.000><c> so</c><02:02:20.239><c>
• um it<02:02:24.800><c> is</c><02:02:24.880><c> just</c><02:02:25.040><c> metastatic</c><02:02:25.760
• 02:02:29.280><c> therapy</c><02:02:30.639><c> protocols</c><02:02:31.360><c> you</c><02:02:31.440><c>
• However,<02:02:38.960><c> with</c><02:02:39.199><c> metastatic</c><02:02:39.840><c> cancer,</c><02:02

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• H77 H77 &gt;&gt; to<00:02:32.080><c> government</c><00:02:32.560><c> operations</c><00:02:33.200><c>
• H79 &gt;&gt; to<00:02:41.599><c> general</c><00:02:41.920><c> and</c><00:02:42.160><c> housing.
• 02:45.680><c> digital</c><00:02:46.080><c> infrastructure.
• &gt;&gt; H711 &gt;&gt; H711 &gt;&gt; H711 to<00:02:49.040><c> Ways</c><00:02:49.360><c> and</c><00:02
• <c> general</c><00:02:55.840><c> and</c><00:02:56.080><c> housing</c><00:02:56.800><c> H714</c> &gt;&

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes,<01:02:35.080><c> JBC</c><01:02:35.600><c> will</c><01:02:35.720><c> be</c><01:02:35.840><c> meeting
• :02:38.160><c> adjournment</c><01:02:38.680><c> of</c><01:02:38.800><c> the</c><01:02:38.920><c> house
• We will be recessing<01:02:49.680><c> as</c><01:02:49.800><c> we</c><01:02:49.960><c> need</c><01:02:
• </c><01:02:51.120><c> There</c><01:02:51.240><c> is</c><01:02:51.320><c> no</c><01:02:51.440><c> need
• </c><01:02:52.840><c> President,</c><01:02:53.280><c> I</c><01:02:53.360><c> move</c><01:02:53.520><c

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, suspended Rule 1B to allow a non-senator to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a special guest introduction before approving the March 2, 2026 journal. The chamber then received committee reports and messages from the House and revisor, including action on several bills and appointments, and briefly moved out of order for personal privileges recognizing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the challenges facing that community amid budget pressures. The Senate adopted House Joint Resolution 1018, designating State Highway 86 through Elbert County as the Plains to Pines Scenic Corridor, after lengthy remarks describing the route, local communities, and scenic and historic features. The resolution passed 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also passed the consent-calendar bills on third reading: SB 59, SB 50, SB 51, SB 110, SB 61, and SB 26, with several senators recording no votes on SB 59, SB 50, and SB 51. SB 21, concerning the clean fleet enterprise and replacement of high-emitting trucks and fleets, also passed 33-2. The Senate confirmed governor’s appointments to the Colorado Tourism Office Board of Directors on the consent calendar, including Lisa Augustin, Carolyn Glover, Megan Letham, George Keriannac, and Lisa Boyer, all by a 35-0 vote. It also laid over general orders, second reading of bills, until March 4, 2026. The meeting ended with announcements about committee meetings, Read Across America Week, and a Colorado Optometrist Association reception, followed by a motion to recess until 11:00 a.m., which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen people detained in indiscriminate raids in L.A., D.C., Chicago, and Minnesota.
• So we're saying that Minnesota and Florida and other states, they're overloaded with cases.
• In Minnesota and Florida and other states, they're overloaded with cases.
• So how does this not conflict with state statute?
• Madam Chair, Representative, this bill does not conflict with that state statute in any form.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.040><c> of</c><00:02:00.120><c> a</c><00:02:00.160><c> term</c><00:02:00.400><c> of</c><00:02:00.640
• And<00:02:05.720><c> then</c><00:02:05.840><c> also</c><00:02:06.080><c> like</c><00:02:06.200><c> to
• On<00:02:44.480><c> SB</c><00:02:44.720><c> 2479,</c><00:02:45.880><c> the</c><00:02:45.960><c> recommendation
• 02:48.480><c> any</c><00:02:48.600><c> no</c><00:02:48.760><c> votes</c><00:02:49.000><c> or</c> present
• We'll<00:02:50.840><c> look</c><00:02:51.000><c> for</c><00:02:51.120><c> Senator</c><00:02:51.400><c

Bills: SB888 , SB2479 , SB2489 , SB2519 , SB2521 , SB2527 , SB2575 , SB2591 , SB2611 , SB2665 , SB2667 , SB2695 , SB2697 , SB2713 , SB2730 , SB2751 , SB2765 , SB2795 , SB2797 , SB2806 , SB2812 , SB2818 , SB2835 , SB2849 , SB2851 , SB2896 , SB2922 , SB2970 , SB2972 , SB2973

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and took up a long list of Senate bills, mostly advancing them with either no amendments or committee amendments. Early measures included SB 888, which bars smart household security device operators from sharing user data with law enforcement without consent or a warrant, and SB 2479, which allows certain defendants to seek reduced sentences based on family violence, dating violence, or child abuse history; both were adopted, with SB 2479 amended for technical and procedural changes. The committee also adopted SB 2489 on invasive species provisions in Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity leases, SB 2519 on Law Enforcement Standards Board deadlines, SB 2521 and SB 2527 on CDL-related exemptions and training/policies for emergency personnel, and SB 2575 on firearm-related mandatory minimum penalties, which was amended to clarify scope and set a far-future effective date. Several transportation and public safety bills were also approved. SB 2591 created a Waikiki refuse-collection pilot program; SB 2611 expanded criminal trespass rules for school premises to weekends and holidays, though one member raised concerns about use of school property as a park; SB 2665 required driver-license renewal applicants with recent citations to complete a road-safety course, later narrowed to moving violations only; SB 2667 restricted towing vehicles from far-left lanes; SB 2695 clarified crosswalk duties; SB 2697 prohibited driving on shoulders except in limited cases; and SB 2812 required driver testing on dangers posed by larger vehicles, with court-ordered timing for re-examination. Most of these measures passed unanimously or with one or more members recording no votes or reservations, but they were still adopted. The committee also advanced SB 2713 on restricting certain pesticide use near elderly care facilities, SB 2730 on warrantless arrest and detention factors for petty misdemeanors and violations, SB 2765 on condominium foreclosure rental income, SB 2795 on flag display rights in housing associations with health and safety carve-outs, SB 2797 on gift card fraud, SB 2806 on real estate listing restrictions, SB 2818 on boating and ocean recreation penalties, SB 2835 on liquor licensing and education funding, SB 2849 on public meeting notice requirements, SB 2851 on a deafness designation for vehicle registration, SB 2896 lowering the commercial driving age to 18, SB 2922 on cooperative association definitions, SB 2970 on state contracting conflicts involving relatives, SB 2972 on temporary Oahu spearing restrictions for certain fish, and SB 2973 on banning jug-line fishing. A few bills drew objections over breadth or penalties, especially the boating and fishing measures, but the committee still adopted the recommendations. SB 2751 on workers’ compensation prescription drug rules was deferred indefinitely, and the meeting ended with the chair noting upcoming joint and committee meetings for the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:10.840><c> theoretically</c><02:02:11.320><c> show</c><02:02:11.599><c> up</c><02:02:12.440><c> do
• <02:02:13.400><c> records</c><02:02:13.800><c> there</c><02:02:14.000><c> that</c><02:02:14.159><c> they
• could use<02:02:14.920><c> to</c><02:02:15.079><c> trace</c><02:02:15.400><c> back</c><02:02:15.599>
• ><c> do</c><02:02:18.599><c> maintain</c><02:02:19.079><c> those</c><02:02:19.320><c> records</c><02:
• :02:20.079><c> think</c><02:02:20.239><c> we</c><02:02:20.360><c> would</c><02:02:20.639><c> be</c><02

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:00.159><c> First</c><00:02:00.479><c> first</c><00:02:00.799><c> meeting</c><00:02:01.119>
• &gt;&gt; That's<00:02:02.240><c> why</c><00:02:02.880><c> he's</c><00:02:03.119><c> here.
• would</c><01:02:04.799><c> then</c><01:02:05.040><c> have</c><01:02:05.200><c> the</c><01:02:05.359>
• </c><01:02:06.559><c> investigate</c><01:02:07.200><c> and</c><01:02:07.680><c> and</c><01:02:08.160>
• </c><01:02:10.400><c> it</c><01:02:10.640><c> from</c><01:02:11.760><c> not</c> that.

Bills: SF0069 , SF0070 , SF0016 , HB0078 , HJ0002 , HB0085 , HB0086

Committee: House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• c> be</c><04:02:06.000><c> built</c><04:02:06.319><c> on</c><04:02:06.720><c> any</c><04:02:07.040><c
• ><c> the</c><04:02:09.040><c> one</c><04:02:09.279><c> of</c><04:02:09.359><c> the</c><04:02:09.439><
• ><c> talked</c><04:02:10.239><c> about</c><04:02:10.399><c> they</c><04:02:10.560><c> were</c><04:02:
• </c><04:02:14.640><c> And</c><04:02:14.880><c> so</c><04:02:15.359><c> could</c><04:02:15.600><c> a</
• 04:02:16.640><c> on</c><04:02:16.800><c> a</c><04:02:17.199><c> half</c><04:02:17.359><c> on</c><04:02

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:40.599><c> that</c><02:02:41.000><c> year</c><02:02:41.599><c> that</c><02:02:41.800><c> Governor
• :46.040><c> governor</c><02:02:46.480><c> sonunu</c><02:02:47.480><c> uh</c><02:02:47.679><c> I</c><02
• </c><02:02:58.679><c> as</c><02:02:59.119><c> one</c><02:02:59.360><c> that</c><02:02:59.560><c> could
• :34.399><c> the</c><02:35:34.600><c> statute</c> model was built in light of the statute model was built
• in light of the statute including<02:35:35.399><c> that</c><02:35:35.680><c> pu</c><02:35:36.160><c>

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• merging lots<04:02:11.760><c> and</c><04:02:12.080><c> had</c><04:02:12.239><c> to</c><04:02:12.399>
• </c><04:02:14.640><c> And</c><04:02:14.880><c> so</c><04:02:15.359><c> could</c><04:02:15.600><c> a</
• 04:02:16.640><c> on</c><04:02:16.800><c> a</c><04:02:17.199><c> half</c><04:02:17.359><c> on</c><04:02
• :17.920><c> lot</c><04:02:18.080><c> and</c><04:02:18.319><c> half</c><04:02:18.479><c> on</c><04:02:
• 04:02:25.120><c> but</c><04:02:25.359><c> I</c><04:02:25.520><c> could</c><04:02:25.680><c> look</c><

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334. The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed. Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:15.280><c> I</c><00:02:15.520><c> am</c><00:02:15.599><c> a</c><00:02:15.760><c> state</c>
• /c><00:02:24.160><c> nurses</c><00:02:24.640><c> Hawaii</c><00:02:25.040><c> ANA</c><00:02:25.520><c>
• </c><00:02:30.959><c> uh</c><00:02:31.120><c> full</c><00:02:31.680><c> testimony</c><00:02:32.720><c
• ><c> more</c><00:02:33.680><c> facts</c><00:02:34.000><c> and</c><00:02:34.239><c> details</c><00:02:
• our</c><00:02:58.640><c> state</c><00:02:59.040><c> statute</c><00:02:59.920><c> by</c> closes a gap

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several public safety and emergency-related measures. SB 3192, on emergency healthcare license waivers, drew support from nursing and healthcare advocates who said automatic emergency licensure during a governor-declared emergency would help avoid delays in bringing qualified clinicians to disaster areas, citing the Lahaina wildfire response. The committee reported 13 supportive testimonies, none in opposition, and one comment. It later recommended passage of SB 3192 with technical non-substantive amendments and a defective effective date, and the recommendation was adopted by vote. SB 2121, requiring ASL interpretation and visible picture-in-picture display during official emergency announcements, received supportive testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the Hawaii Association of Broadcasters. DAP demonstrated why captions alone are not sufficient and why an interpreter on screen improves effective communication. Broadcasters supported the bill’s intent but raised practical concerns about implementation and staffing, suggesting amendments. SB 3239, which would appropriate funds to HMA for bilingual resources and services for residents with limited English proficiency, was supported by legal aid and immigrant-rights advocates who emphasized the need for language access during disasters and noted the large LEP population in Hawaii. After discussion, the chair proposed folding the sign-language and multilingual access concepts into SB 21109, a broader emergency preparedness communications bill, and the committee deferred SB 2121 and SB 3239. The committee also heard SB 2645 on fire prevention and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire marshal supported the bill’s provisions to modernize the office, create cross-certified assistant fire marshals, shift inspections to a risk-based schedule, establish the state fire code as the baseline, and create a special fund, but DLNR opposed the section changing the marshal selection process from a council-based appointment to gubernatorial appointment. The chair ultimately recommended passage of the proposed SD2 with blank appropriation amounts and committee-report concerns, and the recommendation was adopted. The committee then passed SB 21109 with amendments, incorporating the deferred sign-language and language-access ideas into the broader emergency communications framework. It also later took up measures from the prior day’s agenda, passing SB 2882, SB 3191, and SB 2339 with amendments, including changes to the state buildings, water safety/drowning prevention, and building code council measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• that</c><02:08:54.079><c> that</c> statute we're just concerned that that statute we're just concerned
• :20:33.200><c> statute</c><02:20:33.600><c> that</c><02:20:33.720><c> this</c> we address it in the statute
• that this we address it in the statute that this is<02:20:33.920><c> for</c><02:20:34.120><c> infrastructure
• imprisonment in the penal code boy imprisonment in the penal code boy revised<02:42:59.359><c> statutes
• and</c><02:43:02.520><c> 706</c> revised statutes section 76- 663 and 706 revised statutes section 76

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> look</c><01:02:04.720><c> at</c><01:02:04.840><c> it</c><01:02:04.960><c> again</c><01:02:05.360
• how<01:02:10.480><c> much</c><01:02:10.760><c> information</c><01:02:12.040><c> we</c><01:02:12.320>
• 01:02:19.920><c> when</c><01:02:20.280><c> more</c><01:02:21.280><c> members</c><01:02:21.880><c> of<
• <01:02:22.840><c> system</c><01:02:23.640><c> showed</c><01:02:24.120><c> up</c><01:02:24.480><c> to<
• Um they<01:02:29.480><c> were</c><01:02:30.240><c> super</c><01:02:31.080><c> super</c><01:02:31.640>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:16.400><c> we</c><02:02:16.719><c> we</c><02:02:16.880><c> route</c><02:02:17.159><c> it</c><02:02
• <c> we</c><02:02:19.840><c> we</c><02:02:19.920><c> don't</c><02:02:20.119><c> do</c><02:02:20.360><c
• > a</c><02:02:23.239><c> door</c><02:02:24.119><c> fix</c><02:02:24.280><c> a</c><02:02:24.440><c> lighting
• light switch<02:02:25.560><c> those</c><02:02:25.679><c> kind</c><02:02:25.800><c> of</c><02:02:25.920
• </c><02:02:28.040><c> yeah</c><02:02:28.400><c> thanks</c><02:02:28.639><c> so</c><02:02:28.840><c> much

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and<00:02:17.920><c> it's</c><00:02:18.160><c> very</c><00:02:18.480><c> specific</c><00:02:19.040><
• <00:02:23.040><c> in</c><00:02:23.520><c> line</c><00:02:24.000><c> 104</c><00:02:25.360><c> of</c><00
• the bill<00:02:26.080><c> in</c><00:02:26.239><c> front</c><00:02:26.400><c> of</c><00:02:26.480><c>
• or apparatus<00:02:38.879><c> within</c><00:02:39.200><c> the</c><00:02:39.360><c> borders</c><00:02
• Um, I'll be<00:02:54.239><c> candid</c><00:02:54.640><c> and</c><00:02:54.879><c> say</c><00:02:55.280

Committee: Joint Environment Prot, Cons and Water Res

Transcript Highlights:

• c><02:02:29.679><c> has</c><02:02:30.000><c> been</c><02:02:30.159><c> spent.
• It<02:02:32.000><c> is</c><02:02:32.159><c> why</c><02:02:32.400><c> that</c><02:02:32.800><c> the</c
• c> further</c><02:02:35.679><c> money</c><02:02:36.080><c> in</c><02:02:36.400><c> this</c><02:02:36.880
• </c> So<02:02:43.040><c> if</c><02:02:43.280><c> that</c><02:02:43.599><c> money</c><02:02:43.920><c>
• been established<02:03:50.880><c> in</c><02:03:51.199><c> statute</c><02:03:52.000><c> as</c><02:03: