Transcript Highlights:

• The funding is structured in three different parts.
• This structured approach ensures that we maintain the quality of our investments.
• On page three, this again just shows you how our agency is structured.
• On page three, this again just shows you how our agency is structured in that 91% of our budget goes
• This experience emphasizes the positive impact that well-structured programs can have.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last two years, Act 31 and Act 36 significantly strengthened Hawaii's biosecurity structure.
• <01:19:14.800> I<01:19:15.040> said, and management u the structures.
• I said, and management u the structures.
• But this team um is going to be well served by...
• But this team<01:36:09.440> um<01:36:09.920> is<01:36:10.159> going<01:36:10.320

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we recognize Alexis Bomer, our legislative aide who has served on our team with thoughtfulness
• Well, what it does, it allows for the appraisals to set aside the value of the land and the structure
• Rhino Alert Team of Texas. We call it the Rat Patrol.
• You played on this powerful team that had these tremendous rivals like Wellesley. and Smith, St.
• Team spirit trophy. That's right. Team spirit. Loyalty. That's excellent. Yeah. Excellent.

Bills: HJR73, HB31, HB279, HB370, HB4768, HB513, HB875, HB982, HB 1085, HB2677, HB2874, HB5478, HB4880, HB4798, HB4514, HB4958, HB4508, HB3758, HB3830, HB3744, HB3622, HB741, HB2204, HB2860, HB4659, HB4578, HB813, HB712, HB1551, HB2790, HB2698, HB3365, HB3504, HB3118, HB2959, HB1862, HB 1026, HB4401, HB4164, HB3920, HB4737, HB4966, HB4967, HB1958, HB4979, HB5459, HB3862, HB1823, HB4415, HB4893, HB2343, HB 1228, HB4337, HCR141, SB250, SB1883, SB617, SB2411, SB2306, SB2929, SB552, SCR27, HJR218, HB168, HB2545, HB5436, HB4926, HB5165, HB4811, HB4755, HB3179, HB4310, HB4611, HB3637, HB3153, HB2786, HB2966, HB2159, HB5081, HB638, HB640, HB876, HB4809, HB5308, HB4687, HB5623, HB4412, HB3284, HB3420, HB3449, HB4098, HB4281, HB4120, HB4504, HB4370, HB4421, HB 1106, HB4070, HB2370, HB2407, HB2253, HB2273, HB2040, HB1586, HB3788, HB3993, HB4690, HB4696, HB2308, HB 1142, HB1533, HB1621, HB2242, HB2012, HB2193, HB2464, HB2348, HB2313, HB2289, HB1942, HB2011, HB1629, HB2993, HB3592, HB4076, HB4623, HB4535, HB4327, HB4520, HB3824, HB4921, HB2494, HB3066, HJR112, HB2695, HB3138, HB2442, HB3863, HJR73, HB4773, HB 1091, HB5115, HB5515, HB3372, HB5659, HB 127, HB386, HB 115, HB2868, HB 1249, HB4766, HB3720, HB4656, HB4879, HB 105, HB5383, HB4621, HB5431, HB5678, HB5534, HB4174, HB4212, HB3954, HB3966, HB3636, HB3918, HB1422, HB4765, HB4732, HB4742, HB5122, HB4518, HB5084, HB3986, HB4045, HB4144, HB3911, HB3976, HB4473, HB3425, HB3641, HB3642, HB3475, HB3509, HB3424, HB3383, HB4744, HB4531, HB4539, HB3159, HB5228, HB5370, HB4359, HB4398, HB4443, HB4466, HB3861, HB3849, HB4240, HB4706, HB4685, HB5354, HB5141, HB5686, HB3629, HB3554, HB3567, HB2015, HB3575, HB5381, HB1431, HB3514, HB4614, HB4546, HB4683, HB5681, HB5673, HB5663, HB4271, HB4350, HB4035, HB3807, HB3812, HB3552, HB3540, HB3715, HB3710, HB3664, HB4196, HB4233, HB4173, HB1998, HB3333, HB3510, HB4222, HB2070, HB2854, HB2347, HB 113, HB983, HB4847, HB1449, HB3833, HB5151, HB265, HB1845, HB782, HB 108, HB1960, HB158, HB1954, HB1955, HB2512, HB605, HB2581, HB2803, HB627, HB2667, HB1738, HB636, HB3679, HB2638, HB2655, HB871, HB2438, HB 1107, HB1765, HB1822, HB2153, HB4099, HB3732, HB3171, HB3178, HB3182, HB3749, HB2814, HB3977, HB4204, HB4207, HB4449, HB1820, HB1876, HB1939, HB1347, HB2593, HB2136, HB2132, HB2658, HB2413, HB2757, HB2080, HB3154, HB3063, HB3009, HB3448, HB3006, HB2844, HB3241, HB3680, HB3169, HB2078, HB2507, HB4559, HB3946, HB3460, HB3405, HB475, HB3463, HB3441, HB3520, HB2060, HB4731, HB4991, HB1991, HB5596, HB2014, HB2142, HB2673, HB2731, HB2417, HB2399, HB2301, HB3335, HB3234, HB3320, HB5573, HB4848, HB4748, HB4769, HB4795, HB2086, HB2234, HB2203, HB4916, HB5624, HB4505, HB139, HB5093, HB5302, HB5402, HB5606, HB2333, HB4630, HB4701, HB2583, HB2983, HB4924, HB3339, HB3793, HB3631, HB4882, HB5509, HB5499, HB5430, HB5561, HB5611, HB5043, HB5064, HB3733, HB3781, HB3219, HB32, HB4515, HB5348, HB3902, HB4420, HB3269, HB469, HB336, HB316, HB5396, HB993, HB1342, HB5216, HB2046, HB2188, HB2450, HB2813, HB2857, HB4075, HB2911, HB4682, HB3117, HB3253, HB3442, HB4820, HB4336, HB5356, HB3669, HB3428, HB5465, HB3662, HB2590, HB2288, HB1886, HB3458, HB5603, HB5620, HB1489, HB4101, HB4990, HB5685, HB4950, HB4980, HB5684, HB3507, HB3566, HB4487, HB4462, HB4876, HB4915, HB4663, HB5570, HB2929, HB5261, HB2920, HB4642, HB4746, HB1609, HB5403, HB5453, HB3844, HB2336, HB1572, HB 1226, HB2806, HB2617, HB2827, HB3948, HB3945, HB4266, HB4542, HB3319, HB1772, HB2496, HB1970, HB3434, HB5545, HB5577, HB31, HB279, HB370, HB4768, HB513, HB875, HB982, HB 1085, HB2677, HB2874, HB5478, HB4880, HB4798, HB4514, HB4958, HB4508, HB3758, HB3830, HB3744, HB3622, HB741, HB2204, HB2860, HB4659, HB4578, HB813, HB712, HB1551, HB2790, HB2698, HB3365, HB3504, HB3118, HB2959, HB1862, HB 1026, HB4401, HB4164, HB3920, HB4737, HB4966, HB4967, HB1958, HB4979, HB5459, HB3862, HB1823, HB4415, HB4893, HB2343, HB 1228, HB4337, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, tax limitation, elderly, disabled, low-income, homestead exemption, constitutional amendment, juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:41:18.920> Ways<00:41:19.120> and<00:41:19.200> Means<00:41:19.920> team
• Chair Frazier and Ways and Means team Chair Frazier and Ways and Means team that that that we<00
• Um, it includes funding for the BCA's threat assessment team, the B-TAM unit.
• Um, it includes funding for the BCA's threat assessment team, the B-TAM unit.
• and other structures and other structures to<01:09:13.960> hail,<01:09:14.680> for

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of charter schools in New structure of charter schools in New Hampshire<03:42:04.319> and<03:
• That's how our legal team interpreted the law, but the city of Nashville's legal team disagreed.
• That's how our<03:47:12.640> legal<03:47:13.040> team<03:47:14.080> um<03:47:14.319
• > interpreted<03:47:14.880> the<03:47:15.120> law, our legal team um interpreted
• the law, our legal team um interpreted the law, but<03:47:15.680> the<03:47:15.840> city

Keywords: 928, house, all

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:

• with the farmers and, more importantly, the distributors, because they can basically put together a team
• /c><00:18:13.880> put<00:18:14.120> together<00:18:14.320> a<00:18:14.440> team
• <00:18:14.679> to can basically put together a team to can basically put together a team to
• They were doing IFBs, but we're exploring the use of RFPs on each island, trying to put teams together
• up in with other structured up in with other school<00:52:09.760> districts<00:52:10.319>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we get into the bill, I want to acknowledge that putting this bill together is very much a team
• one of the bittersweet moments of finishing the budget bill each year is knowing that our amazing team
• Structure, permanence to work we've already committed to doing, and a real partner moving forward for
• industry and other stakeholders, environmentalists, et cetera, and they work together to develop a fee structure
• would support SB 214 by the Innocence Project, and after long and thoughtful conversation with their team

Summary: The Senate reconvened, read committee reports, and assigned House Bill 89 with House Amendment 1 and House Bill 393 with House Amendment 1 to the Senate Finance Committee. It then adopted Consent Calendar 64, which included resolutions recognizing Take Our Children to Work Day, Juneteenth, National Farmers Day, Invisible Disabilities Week, Stonewall Uprising Remembrance Day, National Nonprofit Day, and two property-assessment working group resolutions. The calendar passed by a unanimous roll call, and the chamber heard remarks supporting Juneteenth, Delaware agriculture, invisible disabilities awareness, and the nonprofit sector. The Senate passed the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates in Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, and approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget in Senate Bill 335 after extended debate on budget growth, recurring costs, health care, education, public safety, retiree obligations, and fiscal restraint. It also passed Senate Bill 336, the one-time supplemental appropriation bill, which includes one-time investments such as a $100 million transition toward a weighted education funding formula, election support, early childhood education, classroom projects, lead remediation, and campaign finance modernization. Several members praised the budget process and staff, while others cautioned against future spending growth. Among policy bills, the Senate passed House Bill 369 to codify the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, House Bill 268 to increase penalties for assaulting postal workers, House Bill 374 to require workforce reporting on large public works projects, Senate Bill 253 with House Amendment 1 to standardize school bullying parental-notification procedures, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 to modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission, House Bill 402 to extend Clean Air Act Title V permit fees, and Senate Bill 346 with Senate Amendment 1 to streamline Environmental Appeals Board timelines. The Senate also began consideration of House Bill 293, which would add hate crimes to the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program, but the transcript cuts off before its vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a new football coach, Art Bryles, who is really going to be helping the team this year.
• Committee to conduct a study examining requirements and practices related to teacher workloads and the structure
• Trujillo, and Representative Andrea Romero, an act relating to crime, providing a definition of structure
• Trujillo, and Representative Andrea Romero, an act relating to crime, providing a definition of structure

Bills: HB95, HB111, HJR1, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB8, HB30, HB43, HB156, HM2, HM16

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not substantially change the structure.
• So the public interest standard… maybe I’m missing… So the way this bill is structured, would it abolish
• Yes, but team, correct? Page two, lines 18 and 19.
• The way that it's structured...

Bills: SB324, SB1978, SB2139, SB2401, SB2587, SB2610, SB2858, SB3016

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, state contracts, immigration, labor compliance, ERCOT, Texas electric grid, interconnection, Public Utility Commission, PUC, Public convenience and necessity, electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, electric utility, transmission, generation facilities, grid reliability, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, SERC

Transcript Highlights:

• optometrists' authority to include injections directly into eyeballs as well as into the delicate structures
• Surgery is performed for the purpose of structurally altering the human body by the incision or destruction
• With the expanded ability to inject anesthetic into structures like the eyelids, a natural extension
• I have respect for optometrists and their role in the eye care team; however, surgery is a fundamentally

Transcript Highlights:

• Gabe is going to send everyone the Teams link, which is going to be better for this.
• And with these structures in place, we are able to foster close connections with one another to be truly
• up actually in the next sentence indirectly, so if we try to keep it simple and maintain parallel structure
• with section seven, I think— If we try to keep it simple and maintain parallel structure with section
• note that the... ...job, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t also just note that the Senate President’s team

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission held its 16th and final meeting to review and vote on revisions to its draft report on combating antisemitism. After roll call, members approved the prior meeting minutes, adopted a procedure for handling substantive and technical edits, and authorized limited technical corrections after the meeting. Senator John Velis’s letter was read into the record noting his military deployment and support for the final report, and the commission discussed the scope of the report, including its 118 findings and recommendations and the large volume of testimony received over the year. Members then worked through a series of amendments to the report. The chair’s prefatory statement was revised to restore language and data about Massachusetts Jews’ relationship to Israel and the impact on the commission’s work. Commissioner Liken’s proposal called for DESE guidance and teacher training to support intellectually diverse K-12 classrooms; members debated how to ensure it could not be used to justify biased or false material, and the amendment passed with discussion about existing guardrails. Commissioner Hay’s technical edits were adopted, and commissioners also discussed whether DESE’s new reporting system should anonymize data; the language was revised to specify anonymized data and approved. Additional amendments were adopted on public safety and higher education, including clarifying support for nonprofit security grants and personnel grants, refining language on academic boycotts, and adding references to Zionist identity and presumed Zionist identity as possible bases for antisemitic treatment. Commissioner Kipnis’s revisions to the prefatory statement were also considered, with some members objecting to the removal of language about minimization and traumatic invalidation and others supporting a more concise, fact-driven tone. The commission also approved language strengthening recommendations by changing several “should” statements to “must.” Treasurer Deborah Goldberg then delivered closing remarks praising the commission’s work and sharing personal family history to illustrate the persistence of antisemitism in Massachusetts. She said the report offers a practical roadmap, including bias reporting in schools, security coordination, and broader anti-discrimination training, and emphasized that the recommendations will help all communities. Commissioners thanked her for her leadership and testimony. The meeting continued with further amendments, including one on law enforcement security grants and another on higher education findings and recommendations, and the commission repeatedly voted by roll call, generally approving the revisions unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working on our trade port designation application as soon as Secretary Black and his team finish
• We are working on our trade port designation application as soon as Secretary Black and his team finish
• And also very important to see the benefit structure.
• whatever reason, unprepared for their future So somehow we need to determine and implement a solid structure
• So somehow we need to determine and implement a solid structure of employment that we can see that we're

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's something that our team, the X office, is trying to address.
• Representative, that's something that our team, the X office, is trying to address.
• This is to fix ongoing structural or construction defect issues going forward. to resolve that uh and
• > ongoing maintenance costs this is to fix ongoing maintenance costs this is to fix ongoing structural
• So, uh, we're doing our best to look into the structure, and as we use the structure more and more, we

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on construction defects and operational problems at the newly opened Hawaii State Hospital Halola building, a $160 million facility with 144 beds for forensic patients. Department of Health and DAGS officials described ongoing issues identified before and after occupancy in April 2022, including anti-ligature safety defects, roof and building-envelope leaks, drainage problems, plumbing failures, HVAC corrosion and moisture-control issues, mold, and corroding materials. They said the problems have affected patient areas, showers, hallways, the gym, and other parts of the building, creating daily operational and safety challenges for staff and patients. Officials said the state believes the defects are the responsibility of the design-builder, Hensel Phelps, but that they are working with the company and its subcontractors to address the problems while preserving the state’s legal position. The Attorney General’s office said it is conducting an inquiry and asked agencies to limit comments to factual matters. Witnesses explained that some defects appear to be latent and that repairs are being documented through photos, invoices, and testimony. They also said some work is being done by Hensel Phelps and some by other contractors, with efforts to preserve evidence for possible future claims. Committee members questioned how the defects were missed during design-build inspection, whether the state should pursue litigation sooner, and how evidence would be preserved if outside contractors make repairs. Officials said the state has two funding requests pending: about $8 million for emergency repairs and about $28.8 million for longer-term repairs, for a total near $40 million, while noting that additional defects may still be discovered. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• I talked to our team for our members.
• Number two, respect market structure and contractual relationships.
• We worked as part<05:18:47.200> of<05:18:47.280> a<05:18:47.520> team.
• <05:18:49.280> We<05:18:49.440> got part of a team. We got training.
• We got part of a team. We got training.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Senator Dames, it's part of a structured federal directed payment program.
• <01:08:25.960> Um<01:08:26.960> but structured billing processes.
• Um but structured billing processes.
• <01:55:33.280> that talking about the rate structure that talking about the rate structure
• work of my staff and um all of the team work of my staff and um all of the team that<02:12:42.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What specific structural changes are needed to ensure that community-based organizations are involved
• Their reentry team does a great job in placing individuals and finding programs for... ...does a great
• or less the basic DOC, HOC split, although some possibility of adjustments, and the basic county structure

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on June 15 with co-chairs Senator Will Brownsberger and Representative Dan Hunt. After deciding not to approve prior meeting summary notes at this session, the commission heard testimony from the Massachusetts Parole Officers Association (Brian Lucier and Shauna Hawksley). They described parole officers’ work in both institutions and the community, including housing, mental health, substance use, employment, education, and benefits referrals, and argued that parole officers often know local service providers best. They also said the former reentry navigator positions were lost in 2025 and that regional reentry centers used in the past helped reduce duplication and improve information sharing; they urged more funding, staffing, and training, and said parole should be better integrated with MPTC/POST training and with community-based reentry resources. Commission members asked about the relationship between parole and Community Justice Support Centers, training and arrest authority, revocation practices, and coordination with sheriffs and the Department of Correction. The witnesses said CJSC access is limited by location, transportation, and scheduling, while parole’s older reentry centers were referral-based and did not require regular attendance. They also said parole officers are special state police officers with arrest authority, receive a parole-specific academy plus firearms/defensive tactics/first responder training, and would benefit from more formal reentry training. On revocations, they said they lacked data but believed parole now returns fewer people for mental health or first-time substance use issues and focuses more on public safety threats. They also said collaboration with sheriffs and DOC reentry staff is generally good but still suffers from duplicative referrals and last-minute changes that can undo work done inside facilities. After testimony, the commission discussed next steps, including extending its reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30 through the pending budget, finishing remaining DOC facility visits in the fall, and holding additional meetings on mental health and other unresolved issues. Members also discussed whether to seek more input from the judiciary and district attorneys, with agreement to continue outreach and document responses. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, and the commission indicated it would reconvene in the fall.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the big three, I don't think I can necessarily talk too much about the details of how they've structured
• The way that we structure our contracts with our plan sponsors is we pass back 100% of any rebate received
• Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons when, in fact, the referee is now being paid by one of those teams

Summary: The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments. The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state. HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• President Trump and his team are focused on reducing burdens for all businesses, including banking.
• an employee benefit plan, not purchased directly by uninformed consumers but selected through a structured
• Different insurers have the ability right now to structure their rollover plans to fit their specific

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE INCLUDES THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS.
• BE OVERTURNED IS RECKLESS AND RESPONSIBLE FOR CAR TEXTILE IT SHOULD BE FUNDING SCHOOLS AND OF A STRUCTURE
• OF WHAT CONSTITUTE A POLITICAL OR PARTISAN VIEWPOINT SO FOR FOLKS I JUST READ THE BILL, OUR POLICY TEAM

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think trying to maintain that family structure and that family unit and for them to understand.
• have the funding at first, but a lot of people who come to our events— we've done events where we've teamed

Summary: The Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces met informally and heard a presentation from Tron Peterson, director of Peterson Outdoors Ministries. Peterson described the organization’s 20-year mission of providing free outdoor recreational therapy and faith-based support to veterans, active-duty service members, military chaplains, female veterans, and families at its Lodge of Hope near Sheldon, Missouri, as well as at events in several other states and Canada. He said the ministry serves more than 500 veterans a year, uses adaptive equipment for severely injured participants, and focuses on helping with PTSD, family stress, and veteran suicide prevention. Committee members praised the ministry and asked about its funding, expansion, and outreach model. Peterson said the organization is supported mainly by churches, individuals, businesses, sponsors, and volunteers, with many expenses covered through donated services and travel support. He also said the ministry recently added RV pads and a bunkhouse to expand capacity and is planning marriage retreats for special forces, a June gathering for military chaplains, and other future events. Members highlighted the reported high divorce rate among veterans and special forces, and Peterson said family support is a major part of the program. No legislation was considered and no votes were taken. The meeting ended with members thanking Peterson for his work and the chair adjourning the committee.