Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:46.079><c> of</c> I'm the U Deputy executive director of I'm the U Deputy executive director
• Next we have Randy Pereira, Executive Director for HGA, in support.
• </c> we have Randy Pera executive director we have Randy Pera executive director for<00:26:49.720><c>
• I'm Gail Stroll, Deputy Executive Director of the ERS.
• Next, we have Randy Pera, Executive Director for HGA, also in support.

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jen Troia, and I am the director of CDSS.
• No, that's excellent, Director.
• Diana Boyer, County Welfare Directors Association.
• Peck, the director for the Solano County Department.
• Child Support Directors Association, so CSDA to CalCSA.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jen Troia, and I am the Director of CDSS.
• No, that's excellent, Director. I'm just adding to that.
• Directors Association as options for you.
• Diana Boyer, County Welfare Directors Association.
• Peck, the director for the Solano County Department.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and, when selecting that director, to consult with and be advised by that commission.
• The department does consist of both the commission and the director.
• in statute the director is to supervise the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• They do appoint the director, as has been mentioned, and they may select their own staff.
• And quite—I had a frank conversation with the director earlier today in my office.

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a December 4 work session focused first on a Department of Natural Resources update. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthe Grove outlined the agency’s size and responsibilities, previewed several agency-request bills, and emphasized budget-related priorities: authority to sell ecosystem service credits, greater flexibility to use underutilized water rights for drought relief and rural/agricultural support, adding a tribal representative to the Board of Natural Resources, timber-sale efficiency changes, and inclusion of wildland firefighters in the LEOFF pension system. He also strongly urged restoration of wildfire prevention and preparedness funding, warning that cuts would reduce firefighters, forest health work, and support for rural fire districts. He said the agency supports funding the negotiated Washington Public Employees Association contract. State Forester George Geisler then reviewed the wildfire season, describing year-round fire response, mutual aid to other states, 31 aircraft used, 691 seasonal firefighters, and more than 180 corrections-based crew members. He said DNR’s success rate for keeping fires under 10 acres improved to 94.1 percent, and highlighted early detection and rapid response on the Crescent Road Fire, which was contained to 182 acres with no structures lost. He also noted 53 confirmed arson fires, mostly around Spokane, and said the department’s use of bulldozers and other ground resources is increasingly important alongside aircraft. Assistant Deputy Supervisor Dwayne Emmons presented on the trust land transfer program, explaining that it was codified in statute in 2023 after decades of being funded through the capital budget. He said the program moves non-performing or underperforming trust lands to other public entities while keeping the trust whole through replacement land purchases. He described recent funded projects, including Bechler 6, Okanogan G, South Lake Ozette, and portions of Yakama Nation’s Tract C, and said DNR is requesting funding for remaining parcels such as Tract C, Babcock Bench, and Middle Fork Snoqualmie. The committee then shifted to a historical overview of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife by staffer Jeff Olson, who traced the agency’s evolution from early fish and game commissions to the current Fish and Wildlife Commission structure established in 1995. He summarized the commission’s statutory duties and appointment structure, and noted that in other states the director may be appointed either by the governor or by a commission. In discussion, the chair said he was not proposing immediate legislation to change the commission, but wanted to explore accountability and possible reforms, including whether the department should again become a cabinet-level agency. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned with no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Wood, it's nice to have you here.
• Director, you recognize me. Thank you.
• Director Wood, would you like to respond?
• And I've had many conversations with former Director Rose, with Ryan Baird, the director before Rick
• Thank you, Director. Shall there be any more questions? Director, can you move to finding three?

Summary: The LOFT Oversight Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then received LOFT’s report on state office space utilization in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. LOFT presented three main findings: OMES is not fully exercising its statutory authority over state property and relies on flawed self-reported data; state office space is being used inefficiently and often below policy benchmarks; and better use of state-owned space could save tens of millions in private lease costs. LOFT also described errors in the state’s real property inventory, low utilization rates across OMES-owned, agency-owned, and privately leased space, and recommended stronger data verification, clearer space standards, and more active oversight of underused property. OMES responded that it believes it is meeting its statutory obligations and said it tries to balance oversight with being a partner to agencies, placing them in space that best fits their mission and service needs. OMES officials said they rely on agency-reported data, do not have enough staff to independently verify all inventory information, and do not “police” daily occupancy. Members questioned the distinction between meeting statutory duties and exercising full authority, the use of “shall” versus “recommend,” the lack of enforcement for agencies that decline space recommendations, and whether OMES should more aggressively consolidate or divest underused buildings. LOFT and OMES also discussed the methodology behind utilization calculations, including badge-swipe data, space standards, and common-area adjustments. In the final finding, LOFT estimated that relocating agencies from private leases into existing state-owned space could save roughly $16 million to $28.8 million annually, depending on the scenario used. LOFT cited other states and federal reforms as models and recommended that OMES more actively assess underutilized properties, verify data, and use actual utilization analysis to reduce private leasing. OMES said it would review the comments and work to improve. The committee then unanimously approved a rapid-response evaluation request for LOFT to examine DHS child care subsidy verification and reimbursement processes, citing concerns about possible improprieties and the need to confirm whether fraud or waste is occurring.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Director.
• >> Go ahead, Director.
• Chairman and director. &gt;&gt; Thank you, Mr. Chairman and director.
• Director, next letter, &gt;&gt; All right. Director, next letter, please.
• Director Second by represent Harlson. Director Hibbert. Hibbert. Hibbert.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Director Richards.
• Director Richards. uh 241 is accepted. Director Richards.
• Next agency, director. closed. Next agency, director.
• Um Director<02:26:30.640><c> Richards,</c> Director Richards, Director Richards, &gt;&gt; Mr.<02:26:31.680
• Director Richards. are closed. Director Richards.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Director, for the explanation.
• Hanna is our budget director and also serves as our legislative director.
• Do you want me to direct this to the director? I'll let the director take it.
• Do you want me to direct this to the director? I'll let the director take it.
• Stacey, Director of Accounting.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Director Wynn.
• Chair, Director Wynn.
• And, Director, we do have a question from Representative Steele. Yes, thank you, Director.
• Yes, thank you, Director.
• Closing remarks, Director Duffy?

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard presentations from the Department of Commerce, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and a consultant on the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) study. Commerce officials described their agency’s role in housing, energy, local government, broadband, and other capital programs, and reported on a $5 million pilot under Senate Bill 5200 that used trusted community messengers and technical assistance to help historically excluded organizations prepare for capital funding. They said 18 organizations received direct support and 79 smaller projects were also funded, but emphasized that statutory match rules, reimbursement-based payments, site-control requirements, insurance and audit costs, and extensive contracting rules remain major barriers. Commerce outlined efforts to expand outreach, digital modernization, internal contracting improvements, tribal MOUs, and innovation centers, and members asked about small business support, housing program placement, and outreach to Eastern Washington and communities of color. RCO described its grant programs for recreation, conservation, education, and salmon/orca recovery, and reviewed equity work done before and after a 2021-23 proviso. The agency had already created a small-communities carve-out in youth athletic facilities, piloted stipends for advisory committee members, and reduced match requirements where allowed. Under the proviso, RCO completed an equity review and a planning program that funded 54 projects across 34 counties, with many applicants being new or long-absent grantees. Staff said the review led to changes in scoring criteria, clearer application guidance, more objective data measures, expanded technical assistance, and targeted community engagement. Members asked about application burden, project sizes, outreach, and how the agency is broadening participation and representation on advisory committees. The final presentation summarized a planning study on SCAP, which examined rising construction costs, fragmented grant programs, local funding barriers, and uneven district capacity. The report recommended nine major changes, including stronger planning support, a new minor-modernization category, a mechanism to use unused funds more quickly, an education-specification prototype, a SCAP enhancement program for low-capacity districts, acceptance of non-SCAP funds, phased modernization, streamlined D-form and reimbursement processes, and revisions to the SCAP formula to better account for grade-band differences, enrollment projections, and regional cost factors. Additional recommendations included ongoing monitoring and evaluation, facilities-impact reviews, matching SCAP increases to construction-cost inflation, earlier locking of funding estimates, flexible program spaces, and updated statewide building-condition assessments. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• of shelter directors, got to a point where they had secured the, board of directors, which was comprised
• of certified domestic violence center directors.
• That is comprised of the executive directors of certified centers.
• We have a state's attorney on our board of directors. We work with law enforcement.
• And that is the executive director or CEO of every coalition from every state.

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s domestic violence system, focusing on the roles of the state, the federally designated coalition, direct-service providers, and law enforcement. Members reviewed the history of the system after the dissolution of the former coalition in 2020, the creation of the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, DCF’s Office of Domestic Violence, and the current contract structure involving Women in Distress and its subcontractors for hotline and legal services. Panelists also discussed the 2024 lethality assessment law, the workgroup’s conclusion that the evidence-based Maryland tool could not be used because of copyright and cost issues, and the state’s current use of statutory questions instead. DCF and FDLE described the statewide certification and funding framework, including more than $60 million in domestic violence funding for fiscal year 2025-26 and the requirement that law enforcement complete lethality-assessment training by October 1, 2026. Testimony highlighted both collaboration and conflict. Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence and Women in Distress described overlapping training and technical-assistance roles, but disagreed sharply about the quality of their relationship with DCF and whether the current structure is duplicative. DCF said it maintains communication with both the coalition and the centers and emphasized that the coalition is federally required, while the coalition argued that the department has obstructed its work. Women in Distress and Hope Villages stressed direct services, prevention, and the need for more housing, staffing, and funding, especially in rural areas. They also described programs in schools, hospitals, and child welfare settings, and noted that children exposed to domestic violence often need specialized services. Members asked about funding flows, certification, rural coverage, the number of centers, and the lethality assessment rollout. DCF said the 41 certified centers serve all 67 counties and that no new applications have been received in about 15 years. FDLE reported that 46 of roughly 400 law enforcement agencies had completed the lethality-assessment training and attestation, with the statutory deadline still ahead. Panelists said domestic violence appears to be increasing, citing higher hotline demand, shelter occupancy, and local case numbers, while also noting that statewide crime data remains outdated. The discussion ended with calls for better coordination, clearer implementation of statutes, more funding, and possible legislative fixes to improve data collection, training, and service delivery.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Director Greg Cook here with us. Welcome to the committee, Director Cook.
• Are there any questions for Director Cook? Thank you, Director Cook. Are there any members?
• Director Reitz: Thank you, Madam Chair, Mr. Chair.
• Welcome to the committee, Director Misselt.
• Director Misselt: Thank you, Chair Novotny.

Bills: HF2432

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Members will take questions now for Director Bailey.
• Representative Backer. >> Thank you, Chair, and Director Bailey.
• It could be something else if you could help address a director of Ailey. >> Director Bailey, Chair Schomacker
• Representative Backer. >> Thank you, Chair, and Director Bailey.
• I'm the director of research, analysis, and policy.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• of human resources, the director of SCURFA, and the chiefs of staff of each caucus.
• </c><00:02:25.600><c> of</c> composed of myself, the director of composed of myself, the director of
• director of SCURFA, and<00:02:29.200><c> the</c><00:02:29.240><c> chiefs</c><00:02:29.520><c> of</c>
• </c><00:02:57.480><c> of</c><00:02:57.600><c> human</c> of a merit plan by the director of human of a
• The director of human is correct.

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• As Director Grant had stated, Danielle Curvin, who is the Director of the Martin Luther King Jr.
• Executive Director.
• So since that time, I can tell you that we had an Acting Director, and then we hired the Executive Director
• Executive Director, but we don't hear you well, and so I'll take it from here. Thank you, Director.
• He is the director.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> executive director of Seeds of Peace. executive director of Seeds of Peace.
• </c> executive director of Family Huie Havi. executive director of Family Huie Havi.
• </c> director with Malamakai Foundation. director with Malamakai Foundation.
• It’s Quinn, executive director.
• Mahalo for the executive director.

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Maki: I think uh director Maki will have the best answer to this.
• Director Maki, thank you, Chair and Director Maki: To be clear, our job historically is to be able to
• Director Maki: I think uh director Maki will have the best answer to this.
• Director Maki, thank you, Chair and Representative Lee: Thank you, Mr.
• Director Maki: I think uh director Maki will have the best answer to this.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are pleased to have Go-Biz Director D.D.
• We are pleased to have Go-Biz Director Dedy Myers with us to begin, and Director Myers will provide an
• Thank you for the presentation, Director.
• Director Emily Burmejo.
• I'm the Chief Deputy Director at GoBiz.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development on the state’s Jobs First economic development strategy and related budget requests. Go-Biz described its regional planning process, priority sectors such as ag-tech, space defense, life sciences, and semiconductors, and requests including an extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional film commission staff, innovation and emerging technology capacity, and a California brand campaign. Members questioned the campaign’s purpose, with some supporting efforts to counter misinformation about California and others warning it should not obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns. Go-Biz said the campaign would be nationally focused, could include business attraction efforts, and was intended to complement—not replace—policy work on permitting and workforce development. The item was informational only. The committee then heard from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and the Technical Assistance Program/Capital Infusion Program. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first round awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively increased revenue, secured contracts, and employed thousands of people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with a new administrator and expanded services. For the performing arts payroll fund, the office said all 100 awardees had been paid, but demand far exceeded available funding, and the program was oversubscribed within days. California for the Arts testified that the sector remains fragile after COVID and urged statutory changes to simplify eligibility and stretch dollars further. SBDC representatives described TAP/SIP as a statewide network supporting small businesses, capital access, and disaster recovery, emphasizing their role in underserved communities and the leverage of federal matching funds. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach smaller or disadvantaged businesses. Questions centered on long-term job retention in California RISE, outreach to ethnic and community media in the civic media program, and whether TAP/SIP are accessible to entrepreneurs with limited capital or capacity. CalOSBA and its partners said they rely heavily on local community organizations for outreach, provide one-on-one counseling and training, and are working to collect more longitudinal data. The committee also discussed the film and television tax credit program, for which Go-Biz requested funding for three permanent positions and ongoing program support. Film Commission staff said the expanded program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with most productions opting into new diversity provisions, and that a formal report to the Legislature is expected in 2027. The item concluded without a vote, as the hearing was for oversight and budget discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• is our Comms Director, Aaron Ladd is our Marketing Director, and Novella Salazar is our General Counsel
• I know I saw Director Doug Carver.
• He's the director. Mr.
• Director, Pilar Vail.
• Chairman, today we have Director Trapp from the Commission on the Blind with us, along with Budget Director

Transcript Highlights:

• Director<02:07:49.320><c> Hieburt.</c> Director Hieburt. Director Hieburt.
• Director: Mr.
• Director. Um, this one does Chairman. Director.
• Director.
• </c> Director Richards? Director Richards?

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Tommy Johnson from DCR. On our testifier list is U. Director Tommy Johnson from DCR.
• From the Director of Human Services, State of Hawaii, we have Director Ryan Mane offering comments.
• I have a question for Director Johnson.
• Thank you, Director, and thank you for your testimony and support.
• Pavich and Director Johnson if you two don’t mind coming up.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on January 27, 2025. SB 24, relating to identification, would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help inmates obtain civil ID cards and other vital documents for reentry. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from DCR, the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission, DHS, the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, health and youth advocates, and others, with comments emphasizing that reentry should begin on day one and that lack of identification is a major barrier to housing and employment. A senator asked about the low number of IDs issued in 2022 and DCR said it already has a satellite ID card machine at Hālawa and plans to procure more for other facilities. The committee recommended passage of SB 24 as is. SB 474, relating to psychologists, would require DCR clinical psychologists to obtain licensure within 10 years of employment and would sunset in 2035. DCR strongly supported the bill, citing a severe staffing shortage, low exam passage rates, and many vacant positions, while the Hawaiʻi Psychological Association expressed concerns and one testifier argued psychologists serving incarcerated people should be licensed before employment. Committee members questioned whether the 10-year period was too long and discussed alternative solutions such as pay incentives and shortage differentials. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, shortening the licensure period to 5 years, moving the sunset to July 1, 2030, and making other technical changes. SB 353, relating to emergency management, would clarify emergency authority, bar suspension of public records or vital statistics requests during emergencies, define “severe warning,” and allow the legislature or city councils to terminate a state of emergency. DHS and HMA opposed the bill, arguing it could limit executive flexibility and cut off access to the major disaster fund, while supporters included public-interest and good-government groups. The committee discussed whether legislative termination authority could interfere with ongoing emergency response and recovery, with the bill’s sponsor explaining it was aimed more at situations where emergency conditions have ended, such as prolonged COVID-era proclamations. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a delayed effective date and committee report notes referencing DHS request data and HMA’s opposition. The committee also heard SB 259, relating to recordkeeping for secondhand dealers and pawn brokers, and SB 37, relating to recordings of law enforcement activities. SB 259 was set for amendment and deferred decision-making to January 29, 2025, so the committee could seek input from HPD. SB 37 drew support from the Legal Clinic and other advocates, with a clarifying question about civil enforcement actions, and the committee recommended passage with amendments and a delayed effective date. The meeting concluded with the committee adopting its recommendations and adjourning.