Video & Transcript : 'Securities Commission' :
Page 205 of 500
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. May 1st, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- Daniel Zimmerman has been nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security
- Every single national security option the President needs. is underpinned by air and space power.
- If confirmed, I look forward to bringing over 25 years of intelligence and security experience to the
- If confirmed, I would draw on almost two decades of national security experience and intelligence in
- Overbaugh, I see the intelligence and the security shop in the Undersecretary of Defense for policy,
Keywords:
Department of Defense, nominations, Matthew Lohmeyer, Justin Overbaugh, global security, military readiness, NATO, Russia, China, defense infrastructure
Summary:
The meeting was primarily focused on discussing nominations for key positions within the Department of Defense, specifically for roles such as the Undersecretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Senators expressed urgent concerns about global security threats, the need for robust military readiness, and the emphasis on effective collaboration with NATO allies amidst rising tensions with adversaries such as Russia and China. Several senators highlighted the challenges facing military infrastructure and defense capabilities, suggesting a critical need for improvements and investment in these areas to ensure national security.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Number three under the RFQs is with Disability Determination for the Social Security Administration,
- Number five, Department of Education with Umbrella Security Solutions.
- This is for armed security services for Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind.
- Number 13, DHS, DCFS, with Secure Foundation Counseling.
- Number 24, University of Arkansas, with Dynamic Integrated Security.
Committee:
All ALC-REVIEW
Summary:
The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot.
The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees.
Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- And number three under the RFQs is with Disability Determination for Social Security Administration,
- Number five, Department of Education with Umbrella Security Solutions.
- This is for armed security services for Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind.
- Number 13, DHS, DCFS, with Secure Foundation Counseling.
- Number 24, University of Arkansas, with Dynamic Integrated Security.
Committee:
All ALC-REVIEW
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and non-commissioned security personnel employed in jails by a county with a population of 70,000 or
- The Employment Security Department's current rules clarify that these plans can allow...
- The Employment Security Department's current rules clarify that these plans can allow...
- The Employment Security Department's current rules clarify that these plans can allow an employee to
- But I can also ask the Employment Security Department to see how many claims they've had based on this
Summary:
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held its first meeting of the session and heard four bills. HB 2107 would make permanent and slightly narrow a temporary L&I requirement that, after an on-site safety inspection at a building construction site, the agency make a good-faith effort to notify the owner or employer within 10 working days if an immediately identified hazard could injure a worker. Construction industry groups and L&I supported the bill and said the pilot had worked well, with L&I reporting it had been able to notify owners almost 96% of the time during about 1,400 inspections.
HB 2137 would remove the population threshold for binding interest arbitration for correctional employees in city and county jails. Teamsters representatives said the change would give corrections officers in smaller jurisdictions the same bargaining rights as other uniformed personnel and help address safety, staffing, and wage inequities. County representatives opposed the bill, saying it would increase bargaining and compensation costs for many counties, and asked for amendments requiring arbitrators to consider county finances and making awards nonbinding on county legislative authorities.
HB 2264 would clarify unemployment insurance eligibility for workers who opt into an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan, even if they can rescind their decision, so long as the termination results from the employer’s plan. Supporters said current court rulings create confusing and unfair denials of benefits for workers who leave in good faith during layoffs; NFIB raised questions about severance, retirement, and UI solvency. HB 2243 would allow physical therapists and occupational therapists to serve as attending providers in the workers’ compensation system. Physical therapy and occupational therapy advocates said this would speed care and return workers to work sooner, while retailers, food industry representatives, NFIB, the Washington State Medical Association, and L&I raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, added costs, and the possibility that all PTs and OTs would have to join the provider network. No votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Young decided to start his journey into real estate investment to secure his family's finances upon his
- Young decided to start his journey into real estate investment to secure his family's finances upon his
- I bring with me 22 years of military service and extensive border security experience from my time in
- In 2015, I was working on the Beltran case with Homeland Security Investigations.
- In 2015, I was working on the Beltran case with Homeland Security investigations.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee heard and laid out a series of criminal justice bills, with public and invited testimony on restitution, juvenile justice, child abuse reporting, public-safety protections, organ trafficking, property fraud, disaster-response worker protections, fentanyl exposure, emergency data disclosure, insurance-fraud investigations, blood warrant execution, human smuggling, and TJJD advocacy access. Several measures drew support from prosecutors, clerks, law enforcement, utility companies, and victims who described real-world harms and delays in current law; opposition or caution came from civil-rights and advocacy groups on bills involving expanded criminal liability, data disclosure, and juvenile-facility access. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with the committee later voting out SB 127 favorably and placing it on the local and uncontested calendar.
SB 1666 would streamline restitution payments for parole or mandatory supervision cases by requiring TDCJ to include victim information when forwarding payments, shortening the period before unclaimed funds go to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, and clarifying confidentiality and contact procedures; county clerks supported it as an efficiency measure. SB 2776 would let TJJD disclose certain information, with written consent, to support the Credible Messengers Program, and SB 127 would extend limitations periods for failure-to-report child abuse and concealment offenses, with testimony emphasizing delayed discovery of abuse and the need for accountability. SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting or interfering with peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers, and SB 456 would raise penalties for organ purchasing/trafficking and create a more specific criminal framework for the offense; both drew strong support from law enforcement and victims.
The committee also heard SB 2611 on real property theft and deed fraud, which would create separate offenses for real property theft and fraud, add a ten-year limitations period, require criminal judgments to be filed in county property records, and expand restitution and title-clearing remedies. Witnesses described forged deeds, stolen church and family properties, and long, costly efforts to restore title; county clerks and prosecutors said the bill would help victims and streamline civil remedies. SB 482 would increase penalties for offenses against utility workers during declared disasters or evacuation orders, prompted by reports of threats and assaults during Hurricane Beryl; utility representatives said the bill is needed to keep mutual-aid crews coming to Texas. SB 1234 would add fentanyl to the endangerment statute for vulnerable people, while SB 816 would allow providers to disclose electronic data in immediate life-threatening situations; both drew support from prosecutors and criticism from civil-rights advocates concerned about overbreadth and liability protections.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- commission on addiction.
- The governor's commission on addiction treatment and prevention, representing the New Hampshire Chiefs
- When this chamber passed 574, we built a commission with genuine stakeholders, superintendent, school
- <01:00:17.680><c> with</c><01:00:18.000><c> genuine</c><01:00:18.559><c> stakeholders,</c> commission
- </c><01:02:07.760><c> You</c> You don’t get a study commission.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Lastly, the budget provides funding to improve campus security at postsecondary institutions.
- Within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there is funding for artificial reefs, wildlife
- We did fund the two new law enforcement squads that the Florida Gaming Commission recommended.
- and authorizes the tax collector to waive commissions on voted school millages.
- And it also allows for the tax collector to also waive those commissions on that tax collection.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 44 (3-11-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in the process and to be forced security in the process and to be forced into<00:37:56.160><c> that<
- Senate Bill 312 is a result of my work in collaboration with Darren Allen, court security manager of
- as set forth by the commission.
- ,</c><01:00:22.680><c> requiring</c> Motor Vehicle Commission, requiring Motor Vehicle Commission, requiring
- . commission. commission.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Other states and countries are moving aggressively to secure innovation-driven industries.
- This is very much a national security issue. Thank you for your time. Very good. Thank you, Mr.
- Christopher Lee, you're here on behalf of the North Texas Commission and you're here for the bill.
- I'm the Director of State Advocacy at the North Texas Commission.
- The North Texas Commission is a regional advocacy organization that covers the 13 counties known as the
Committee:
House Ways & Means
Keywords:
SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Minerals, Business & Economic Development, February 11, 2026
Minerals, Business & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Commission. Um, this bill was very Commission.
- </c><00:04:30.080><c> contract</c> requested that the commission contract requested that the commission
- It was commission form of government.
- </c> commission style of government. So Mr. commission style of government.
- </c> legislature and then the commission legislature and then the commission process,<01:21:59.600><c
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The Edgewood Commission just recently passed Resolution 2026-006 in support of SB 38.
- And every single year, we find more assault weapons in the commission of a crime in New Mexico.
- Right now, New Mexico has no state rules requiring gun stores to secure their inventory, track suspicious
- Last year, this legislature earmarked $35 million for school security in New Mexico. $35 million for
- school security in New Mexico.
Committee:
House House Judiciary
Keywords:
SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 38, which would make permanent the New Mexico affordable spay-neuter program funded by fees on registered pet food. The sponsor and supporters said the program helps reduce companion animal overpopulation, shelter intake, and euthanasia, while opponents argued the charge is an unlawful tax, is tied to ongoing litigation, and that required annual reporting has not been done. After public testimony, the committee adopted a due pass motion on SB 38 by a 10-1 vote.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 17, a gun-safety measure that would impose new requirements on firearms dealers and prohibit future sale of certain assault-style and high-capacity weapons. Supporters, including sponsors, gun-violence survivors, public safety advocates, and some local officials, argued the bill would address straw purchasing, trafficking, dealer accountability, and mass-casualty weapons. Opponents, including firearms retailers, ranchers, law enforcement, and gun owners, said the bill would burden lawful businesses, raise constitutional concerns, and do little to stop crime. After extensive testimony and questions about the bill’s legal basis, definitions, and dealer regulations, the committee did not vote and instead rolled the bill for further work on amendments.
Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 41, as amended, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for second-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor. Support came from the Chamber of Commerce and sexual assault advocacy groups, who said delayed disclosure is common and justice should not expire before survivors are ready to come forward. Committee members asked detailed questions about the bill’s scope, including why certain offenses remained covered and how the criminal statutes are categorized. The committee adopted an amendment to correct drafting issues and then passed SB 41 as amended on a 10-0 vote.
Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 264, an elections safety bill that would strengthen penalties for election interference, create emergency polling-place protocols, and clarify when law enforcement may be present at polling places at the request of election officials. Supporters said it was needed to protect voters from intimidation, while an opponent argued it could put law enforcement at risk and restrict their ability to vote. The sponsor and Secretary of State explained that the bill was aimed at preventing ordered deployment of armed personnel to polling places, not barring officers or service members from voting. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint hearings with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and multi VSOs: Paralyzed Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Student Veterans Mar 4th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And while training in Georgia, he attended officer candidate school and was commissioned as an infantry
- Congress passed the Social Security Fairness Act in the last session, ending a similar unjust offset
- for Social Security recipients.
- To take this, to secure this nation, and we deserve to have the VA fully funded, fully staffed. so we
- Back on the road, providing security to convoys, dodging roadside bombs, and ducking small arms. fire
Committee:
Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs
Keywords:
veteran services, Secretary Collins, healthcare provisions, contract cancellations, transparency, accountability, committee meeting, legislation
Summary:
During this committee meeting, various bills were discussed with a specific focus on veteran services and healthcare provisions. Notably, the cancellation of critical contracts under Secretary Collins sparked significant debate, with representatives emphasizing the adverse impact on veteran care. The meeting featured testimonies from veterans and stakeholders who expressed their concerns regarding the potential fallout of these cancellations, demonstrating the urgency of transparency and accountability in management decisions. Discussions also delved into various legislative proposals aimed at improving services for veterans amidst these challenges.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- and the Louisiana Literacy Advisory Commission.
- Of this commission is to really focus specifically pre-K to 8th grade.
- This is a foundational learning commission, and why it's important.
- Commission.
- Thank you again, Acting Chairwoman and members of the commission.
Committee:
House Education
Summary:
The House Education Committee met on March 18, 2026, with 11 members present and adopted prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee first heard HB 649 by Rep. Brass, which would create a statewide common application portal for dual enrollment. Supporters from the Pelican Institute and the Board of Regents said the bill would simplify enrollment, reduce paperwork for counselors and families, and improve awareness of dual enrollment options. Members asked about nonparticipation by institutions and access for nontraditional students; the bill was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then took up HB 807 by Rep. Brass, which would establish the Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program within LCTCS to help recruit and retain instructors for high-demand workforce programs. Testimony from River Parishes Community College, Dow, and the Louisiana Chemical Association described instructor shortages as a bottleneck for training workers for major industrial projects, and said employer-sharing models and apprenticeships have been successful. An amendment expanded eligibility to include LSU Eunice and Southern University at Shreveport, and the committee adopted the amendments. After debate about whether the state needed a new fund versus using existing systems, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-1 roll call vote.
Next, the committee heard HB 285 by Chairman Bacala, which authorizes school boards to cooperate with banks and credit unions to operate branches in high schools as part of financial literacy programs. Bacala said the bill clarifies statutory authority, and an amendment added banks to the original credit union language. Members discussed ethics, exclusivity, student access, and whether the branches could market products; supporters from LABI and financial industry groups said the programs improve hands-on financial education. The bill was reported with amendments without objection.
The committee also considered HB 28 by Rep. Owen, which adds a BESE-level appeal for certain teacher certification applicants affected by administrative or contractor errors. Owen described a case in which applicants paid for certification programs but were denied because of a mentor-signature issue, and said the amendment would require BESE or its designee to act within 30 days. Department of Education staff said the Teacher Certification Appeals Council had already granted extensions rather than outright denials in the affected cases, but the committee advanced the bill after a 9-4 roll call vote. Finally, the committee began HB 268 by Rep. Carver, which would strengthen career exposure requirements for students by tying activities more closely to high-wage, high-demand jobs and adding an annual exposure requirement in K-5; testimony emphasized early workforce awareness, and discussion focused on keeping the requirements manageable for schools.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 2243 would establish a state bank commission to evaluate how a state bank or some additional public
- AB 2243 will take a deliberative phased approach, establishing a state bank commission to guide implementation
- The state has billions which are invested in deposits and securities.
- Funds that are currently placed as deposit securities may instead be used for loan participations or
- many of the questions that were put forward and the concerns, those would be considered by this commission
Summary:
The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct.
The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations.
AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Apr 8th, 2026
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- So this home rule petition asks for time so we can establish appropriate zoning, secure expert guidance
- I'm also a member of the Goshen Conservation Commission.
- I joined the Conservation Commission here in Goshen because...
- I joined the Conservation Commission here in Goshen because for a long time there were only two members
- I joined the Conservation Commission here in Goshen because for a long time there were only two members
Keywords:
Holyoke, municipal governance, acting mayor, city council, local government, Oxford, town charter, municipal government, town manager, residency requirement, local approval, charter amendment, home rule, local governance, municipal administration, residence of officials, Worcester County, Worthington, solar, solar photovoltaic
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 14th, 2026 at 02:15 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- So again, we need to secure that.
- And with that, we'll go to our final presentation of the Crime Victims Commission.
- I'm the LFC analyst for CVRC, the Crime Victims Reparation Commission.
- The commission has two programs: victim compensation and grant administration.
- Frank Zubia, Director for the New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Texas Low-Level Radioactive Disposal Compact Commission, because they do not have any EFTEs, so.
- Also, provided a sample response from the Texas Workforce Commission as a sample.
- And when they log in, they're in a secure connection.
- So they have all the same. security protections as someone sitting in the office.
- That rider is for five million at the Animal Health Commission.
Committee:
Senate Finance
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAL Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3,2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- [laughter] Um so the commission is able to submit a Um so the commission is able to submit a statement
- </c> received from the commission. received from the commission.
- :17.440><c> the</c> commission, the water commission and the commission, the water commission and the
- </c> Katie Roth with the water commission. Katie Roth with the water commission.
- I I don't have that Security.
Summary:
The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation.
The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown.
For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Moving on to H. 1766, an Act Relative to Judicial Security.
- Moving on to H. 1766, an Act Relative to Judicial Security.
- By protecting the privacy and security of judges and their families, this legislation strengthens one
- It eliminates the need to jump through the procedural hoops of obtaining a commission or local ...
- It eliminates the need to jump through the procedural hoops of obtaining a commission or local counsel
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on bills in the Civil Actions 2 and Court Administration areas, with testimony spanning judicial security, judicial compensation, civil process fees, bar advocate compensation, interstate discovery, defamation protections for sexual assault survivors, and related criminal procedure changes. Chairs Edwards and Day opened with housekeeping rules on testimony limits and written submissions, then called witnesses on each bill in turn.
On H. 1766, judicial officers and the Massachusetts Bar Association strongly supported a judicial security bill that would protect judges’ personal information, citing threats, online harassment, swatting, and violence against judges and their families. On H. 1819, judges and the Massachusetts Judges Conference asked for higher compensation, saying Massachusetts judges rank low nationally after cost-of-living adjustment and that pay affects recruitment and retention. The committee also heard support for H. 1582/S. 1183 to raise civil process service fees, with sheriffs saying the fees have been unchanged since 2003 and are needed to cover rising costs, safety equipment, and operations funded by those fees.
The committee heard from prosecutors on H. 1604 and H. 1846, which would give district courts concurrent jurisdiction over certain school-threat and leaving-the-scene offenses, allowing prosecutors to handle less serious or panic-driven cases more efficiently while preserving mandatory penalties. CPCS and bar advocates supported H. 1876 on bar advocate compensation, describing a continuing shortage and crisis in indigent defense despite recent pay increases and staffing investments. The Boston Bar Association supported H. 1857, a Massachusetts version of the Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, saying it would simplify out-of-state discovery and reduce cost and delay.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1974/S. 1143, which would protect survivors of sexual assault and harassment from retaliatory defamation suits unless the plaintiff proves actual malice, and would allow fee shifting and damages against abusive suits. Survivors, advocates, and attorneys described threats, legal costs, and chilling effects that silence reporting, while supporters said the bill would protect truthful speech and improve access to counsel. The committee also heard insurance-industry testimony on S. 1101, which would change personal injury protection payment rules to require insurers to tender disputed amounts within 30 days to avoid attorney’s fees; insurers said the bill would curb a growing volume of provider lawsuits and reduce abuse of the no-fault system. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed after all scheduled testimony was complete.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HOU-HWN, HOU-GVO, HOU Public Hearings 01-30-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a Native Hawaiian beneficiary of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
- </c> history of hor man right the commission history of hor man right the commission and<00:32:16.919
- </c><00:34:46.079><c> says</c> let's say your board commission says let's say your board commission says
- </c> us greater flexibility and how we secure us greater flexibility and how we secure the<00:59:14.000
- I'm a Native Hawaiian beneficiary of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 834, which would change restrictions on transfers of real property under chapter 201H, HRS, and was discussed in the context of Hawaiian homelands and HHFDC-funded projects. Supporters, including HHFDC, DHHL, and individual testifiers, said the bill would clarify that Hawaiian homelands should not be subject to the 201H buyback and appreciation restrictions, while preserving affordability requirements tied to federal mortgage and tax credit programs. HHFDC explained that the main concern was the buyback/share-appreciation provisions, especially for DHHL projects using LIHTC or similar financing, and said aligning the statute with DHHL’s program goals would not be a problem. Members questioned whether removing the restrictions could weaken affordability protections, and whether the state could still prioritize beneficiaries and workforce housing, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then took up SB 759, which would add the DHHL chairperson or designee to the HHFDC board of directors and adjust quorum requirements. DHHL and several supporters argued the measure would give Hawaiian Homes a seat at the table, improve access to HHFDC funding sources such as tax credits, private activity bonds, and revolving funds, and help leverage limited resources to reduce the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. One testifier supported the bill but urged safeguards to prevent favoritism or abuse of power, and another raised concerns about whether a DHHL representative would need to recuse from voting on projects involving DHHL. HHFDC testified that DHHL projects still must compete under the same criteria and set-asides as other applicants, and that the board already includes multiple public and executive representatives.
Members pressed on whether DHHL could achieve the same informational goals without a voting seat, and whether the added board role would create leverage or conflicts. The DHHL witness said a nonvoting role could provide information, but a voting seat would be more useful for decision-making and advocacy. The discussion also covered DHHL’s use of LIHTC, rent-to-own models, transitional housing, and other layered financing, as well as the broader need to coordinate state housing resources. The transcript ends during continued questioning, with no final committee action or vote shown.