Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing was out here; there were nomadic tribes.
• That Tribal and Colonia are bringing in 85 million dollars to the Tribes and Colonias, and here we are
• Senator McCloskey in Alaska, a Republican. She said that they were going to allow $25 billion.
• She and the tribe are very, very concerned as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• straw but as a physician mother native straw but as a physician mother native hne<00:29:38.679><
• <01:37:00.080> foreign severe consequences on Native foreign severe consequences on Native
• I am Native Hawaiian.
• I am Native Hawaiian.
• I am Native Hawaiian.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• that would be on the third page of the large spreadsheet, item number 15, which the short title is Native
• Native American Language and Culture Salary Provisions.
• Those tribal technical assistance centers are there to serve all of our tribes, pueblos, and nations
• Those tribal technical assistance centers are there to serve all of our tribes, pueblos, and nations
• Those tribal technical assistance centers are there to serve all of our tribes, pueblos, and nations

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• seven of the HAP program and provides $500 million for cities, counties, continuums of care, and tribes
• certified mail and email to each tribe.
• In Section 2A, the tribe then has 60 days to respond to request consultation. That is new.
• That gives tribes 60 days to contemplate whether they're going to move forward or not.
• the project proponent to participate in the consultation. approval of the tribe.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did one with the Native American Workforce Partners.
• We made a commitment to increase investment for elders and tribes, pueblos, and nations.
• of the Title III dollars allocated to those tribes, pueblos, and nations find their way into the Tribes
• I know that the tribes were exempt from the 200 megawatt limit.
• Our grant programs primarily serve our nations, pueblos, and tribes throughout New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Flora Walsh-Padilla, President of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
• , the gaming tribes, are keeping an eye on and are very concerned about.
• Elijah Hadley of this tribe met his fate; he was murdered.
• Programs like the native language programs and so forth.
• As far as nomadic tribes, we knew very well in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• a member of the federally recognized tribes?
• for federally recognized tribes.
• then they reached back up to the tribe then they reached back up to the tribe it's<00:06:38.039>
• > they not provide notice to the tribes they not provide notice to the tribes they should<00:08
• <00:10:41.200> didn't<00:10:41.680> get tribe didn't get tribe didn't get notification

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• transfer to the board for native transfer to the board for native Hawaiians<00:24:01.679> that
• novel idea of how we can help native novel idea of how we can help native Hawaiian<00:36:44.960>
• <00:42:03.319> Hawaiians can build housing for native Hawaiians can build housing for native
• > have<00:59:45.799> native<00:59:46.000> wine center we should have native wine
• we can get an idea of how many Native we can get an idea of how many Native hains<01:47:58.239><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted. OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important. A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• Virginia and Williamsburg at this meeting, they had the executive director of United South and Eastern Tribes
• The Honorable Stephen Atkins, who's chief of the Chickahominy tribe in Virginia, did a really excellent
• The Honorable Stephen Atkins, who's chief of the Chickahominy tribe in Virginia, did a really excellent
• If, again, the tribe feels like it's something they want to put on. Certainly, yeah.
• You have to include other individuals or Native people, that the 67 pictures of them as well, you know

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The DEIA subcommittee of the Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution met with a quorum and discussed planning for the upcoming Patriots Day period, grant opportunities, and ways to make 250th programming more inclusive. Dr. Trent reported on a Virginia 250 conference and shared examples such as the Made by Us youth engagement toolkit and a Smithsonian-related traveling exhibition. Brian also updated the group on Mass Humanities’ grant programs, including Museum on Main Street, Reading Project Douglas Together, and the Promises of Revolution grants, noting that the latter has $600,000 available and is expected to fund roughly 30 to 40 projects through letters of intent due in June. The committee also noted that state tourism 250th grants are open with an April 11 deadline. A major discussion focused on ensuring respect for Indigenous sovereignty and improving representation in marketing. Members raised concerns that Indigenous leaders were not being treated with sufficient respect in state-level engagement, and they discussed whether the full commission should hear from tribal leaders and whether the subcommittee should recommend a broader conversation at the next commission meeting. On marketing, members criticized recent promotional materials as too formulaic and insufficiently reflective of Massachusetts’ diversity, especially in their limited inclusion of Indigenous people, Black patriots, women, and other communities. The group agreed that the commission should push for more inclusive visuals and narratives, and that there is still time to influence digital and future materials. The subcommittee also discussed possibly inviting the marketing and education committees, or commission staff and the outside marketing agency, to explain the rollout and scope of possible changes. The committee then considered a Utah 250 idea for a July 5, 2026 “America’s potluck” style community event and agreed it could be adapted for Massachusetts as a foodways-focused, culturally diverse statewide activity. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to recommend that the full commission and MOTT promote the potluck concept. The meeting ended with agreement to continue developing recommendations on representation, Indigenous engagement, and public outreach, and then adjourned by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Components agreed upon with input from tribes include areas to We need to protect the AB 52 process with
• Once approved by the local agency, the developer has 14 days to notify tribes and formally inform them
• The tribes then have 60 days to respond, and I believe that That 60 days upfront gives us all a better
• , the largest tribe in California, Table Mountain Rancheria, Tule River Indian Tribe of California, the
• Yohaviatam of the San Manuel Nation, and the San Ynez Bandit Tribe.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a different kind of justice that our Native Americans implemented.
• And I don't think they are created by our Native American cultures, because that's not who we are.
• They want to take our children, still, our Native American children, right at consent.
• Children, still, are Native American children right at conception.
• treatment that they, as Native Americans, wish to seek?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:10.720> freshwater stewardship restoring native freshwater stewardship restoring native
• There are direct payments to tribes to establish food sovereignty food rescue programs.
• There are direct payments to tribes to establish food sovereignty food rescue programs.
• There are direct payments to tribes to establish food sovereignty food rescue programs.
• There are direct payments to tribes to establish food sovereignty food rescue programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Los Angeles, the gentleman of the Aquambi Indian Tribe.
• It's ag, landowners, it's the tribe, it's the state.
• It's ag, landowners, it's the tribe, it's the state.
• And I'm sure none of our tribes want to.
• To us, it's a waste of money when we're not And I'm sure none of our tribes want to.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Bills: HJR1088, SB1280, SB1316, SB1433, SB1455, SB1456, SB1457, SB1459, SB1461, SB1463, SB1465, SB1466, SB1721

Keywords: education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools, Statewide Charter School Board, career and technology education, CTE, OEQA, rule approval, legislative oversight, permanent rules, school governance, teacher retirement, education agencies, excise tax, oil tax

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the requirements for that funding was that the tribes, just like any county across the state,
• One of the requirements for that funding was that the tribes, just like any county across the state,
• We have had regular consultations with the tribes, you know, because it is new.
• We have had regular consultations with the tribes, you know, because it is new.
• those efforts and many of those tribes those efforts and many of those tribes are<00:15:44.160><

Bills: HF3006, HF2130, HF1290

Keywords: Department of Corrections, DOC, corrections budget, supplemental appropriation, deficiency funding, public safety finance, incarceration, prerelease services, community supervision, postrelease services, supervised release, probation, reentry, reentry services, prison reform, body-worn cameras, corrections officer cameras, ARMER radio system, PREA, Prison Rape Elimination Act

Bills: HB809, HB 1193, HB1916, HB2558, HB1973, HB2350, HB2399, HB2340, HB 116, HB330, HB2496, HB116

Keywords: digitized signature, waiver of citation, marriage dissolution, electronic notarization, family law, HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1603, a bill for an act to provide an appropriation to the State Historical Society for Native
• Their work was required to ensure compliance with the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation
• So this bill is a biennial request for $500,000 to be divided among the five North Dakota tribes, with
• each tribe providing up to $100,000 to receive an equal amount from the state.
• That committee will be made up of representatives from the tribe, particular historical preservation

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum call, then took up House amendments to Senate Bills 2009, 2147, and 2113. On motion, the Senate refused to concur in the House amendments and appointed conference committees for each bill. The chamber then considered several House bills, adopting amendments and passing House Bill 1556, which creates a Children's Cabinet work group to study out-of-home placement and treatment for children with behavioral health issues, and House Bill 1363, which directs development of a customizable cardiac emergency response plan template for schools and athletic events. House Bill 1533, requiring students to complete a half-unit of financial literacy for graduation, also passed after amendment. House Bill 1226, dealing with masks in public places and protest-related identification concerns, passed after the Judiciary Committee removed language about complying with law enforcement requests to unmask.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know that if story about the tribes you know that if the<00:25:44.279> state<00:25:44.600
• <00:25:45.360> the<00:25:45.559> land<00:25:45.960> the<00:25:46.120> tribes
• <00:25:46.480> can't the state gets the land the tribes can't the state gets the land the
• tribes can't hunt<00:25:47.039> on<00:25:47.240> it<00:25:47.679> and<00:25:47.840
• can't can't use School trust land tribes can't can't use School trust land I<00:26:22.880> disagree

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HF 1425, which would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the federal government and instead require a land trade. Representative Skraba argued the federal wilderness law requires an exchange, not a sale, and said the state should trade Boundary Waters school trust lands for federal lands elsewhere, citing potential benefits for logging, mining, and school trust revenue. He said the current proposed sale price was too low and moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill. Later, he withdrew a DE1 amendment and instead moved to re-refer the bill to the Education Finance Committee, but that motion failed. Testimony was largely opposed to the bill. Aaron Vandal of the Office of School Trust Lands said the exchange option was no longer viable, that the lands have produced no revenue for education for decades, and that selling them is the trust’s last opportunity to generate returns for schoolchildren. Bob Meyer of the DNR supported Vandal’s position and said the agency could not negotiate mineral rights in the way suggested. Aon Clems of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters both opposed HF 1425, though they emphasized different reasons: Clems argued a sale best fulfills the state’s fiduciary duty to maximize long-term returns for education, while Hefner said a sale would harm public education funding, align with the trust’s original purpose, and help consolidate federal ownership in the wilderness. Members then questioned the valuation and the practical differences between a sale and an exchange. Representative Jacob challenged the low per-acre price and asked about the federal government’s set-aside amount, while Representative Fischer asked how the appraisal was determined. DNR lands and minerals director Joe Henderson explained the valuation came from an independent appraiser, was based on the wilderness restrictions and lack of development potential, and was from a 2020 appraisal that is now being updated. Representative Schultz supported the sale approach and said the state should not transfer the land at such a low price. The committee did not advance the bill to the Education Finance Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, our counties and tribes eligibility.
• That includes American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and California Indians.
• . not American Indian or Alaskan natives.
• <01:11:25.360> are Indians and Alask Alaskan natives are Indians and Alask Alaskan natives
• We know that our counties and our tribes already have caseloads that are really high.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is part of our work in working so closely with these 38 focus groups and work with our county and tribes
• <00:14:04.560> and groups and work with our county and groups and work with our county and tribes
• 06.079> as<00:14:06.320> you<00:14:06.480> mentioned<00:14:06.800> to tribes
• is exactly as you mentioned to tribes is exactly as you mentioned to make<00:14:07.120> sure<
• on HR1 related for counties and tribes on HR1 related policy<00:40:13.280> changes<00:40:13.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all