Transcript Highlights:

• Raymond executive director of the donkey Raymond executive director of the donkey Mill<00:15:53.160><
• </c><00:19:30.280><c> Museum</c> executive director of the Lyman Museum executive director of the Lyman
• </c> executive director of Pearl Harbor executive director of Pearl Harbor Aviation<01:50:45.239><c>
• </c><02:58:27.439><c> director</c> my name is Ki koha executive director my name is Ki koha executive
• </c><03:09:17.359><c> United</c> executive director for the Hawaii United executive director for the

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we're going to have a presentation from Tim Rennon, the executive director of the governor's office
• Now we're going to have a presentation from Tim Raynon, the executive director of the governor's office
• My name is Tim Rennon, and I'm a member of the Puyallup Tribe, and I'm the executive director of the
• My name is Tim Rennon, and I am the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs.
• As I mentioned previously, I serve as the Executive Director.

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Summary: The committee met for a pre-session kickoff focused first on voting access on tribal lands. Dr. Chelsea Jones of the Brennan Center presented research showing turnout on tribal lands trails turnout off tribal lands in every federal election studied from 2012 to 2022, with about a 10-point gap in Washington and about 11 points nationally. She identified barriers such as long travel distances to polling places and drop boxes, nontraditional addressing, unreliable postal service, lack of language assistance, and limited broadband and voter information. Members asked about the meaning of the turnout gap, the role of tribal leadership and community outreach, and whether the figures reflected lost ballots or missed voting opportunities; Dr. Jones emphasized the issue is access, not ballot disappearance, and said trusted local voices and tribal-government partnerships are important complements to policy fixes. The University of Washington Elections Database then presented vote-by-mail data for tribal reservation areas from 2020 to 2024. The presentation showed voter registration on reservations rose steadily from about 107,000 in 2010 to 137,000 in 2024. Turnout on reservations remained lower than outside reservations by roughly 8 to 9 percentage points in general elections, with similar but slightly smaller gaps in primaries. The UW team also reported that about 1.5% of ballots cast on reservations were signature-challenged in general elections, that cure rates were generally similar inside and outside reservations and ranged around 60% to two-thirds, and that late return was the most common reason for rejection in primaries while signature mismatch was the leading reason in general elections. Senators raised concerns about mail delivery and postmarking, and the researchers said they would continue studying return methods and cure rates. The committee next heard an overview of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs from staff and Executive Director Tim Rennon. They described the office’s history, its role as a liaison between the state and tribes, and its work on consultation, training, convening work groups, and supporting the Centennial Accord and related tribal-state agreements. Rennon said the office now has six positions, is working on statewide tribal relations training, and does not speak for tribes but helps ensure consultation occurs early and often. Members asked about whether tribal voting is discussed in Centennial Accord settings and were told it is more commonly addressed through ATNI and its voting committee. The final major topic was state contracting and supplier diversity. WSDOT’s Earl Key described the impact of Initiative 200 and the recent federal suspension of the DBE program, and said WSDOT has expanded race-neutral tools such as mentorships, small business goals, veterans goals, trucking consortia, small-works set-asides, and emerging/rising small business goals. DES’s Adrian Thompson and OMWBE’s Sharon Harvey Hughes and Laca Fernandez outlined statewide contracting policy, outreach, certification, and spend data, noting efforts to centralize support, expand the EDGE program, and improve procurement systems. OMWBE reported agencies increased spend with certified firms to over 6% in the latest period, with total certified-firm spend at 4.15% or about $371 million, while higher education lagged behind. Members pressed for clearer performance data, asked about certification barriers and the effect of federal changes, and were told the agencies coordinate through a governor’s sub-cabinet, regular meetings, and ongoing outreach. The Office of Equity then began its update, describing its role in agency consultation, dashboards, and accountability monitoring, including a homelessness dashboard and a trooper-cadet application dashboard, before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• director.
• Considered for the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank's next executive director.
• So I'm very happy today and proud to support his nomination to serve as the next executive director of
• director of I-Bank as well.
• So I'm very happy today and proud to support his nomination to serve as the next executive director of

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several routine agenda items and a gubernatorial appointment. The committee first approved appointments not required to appear, including Gina Castro Rodriguez to the Board of State and Community Corrections, Richard Stein to the California Arts Council, and Nicholas Hardiman to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors. Members also approved references to bills and committees, committee and subcommittee appointments, joint committee appointments, and floor acknowledgments. Two rule waiver requests by Senators Perez and Padilla to suspend SR 22.5 for additional bill introductions were discussed and ultimately approved on a divided vote. The committee then heard testimony from Andy Nakahata, nominated to serve as executive director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). Nakahata described his background in finance and infrastructure lending and said he would focus on stewardship, expanding access to IBank programs, and supporting small businesses and infrastructure projects statewide. Senators questioned him about geographic equity in lending, outreach to underserved counties, creditworthiness standards, the Transportation Infrastructure Accelerator, and whether IBank could better reach municipalities and health care providers. Nakahata said IBank tracks lending by county, works through financial development corporations, municipal advisors, and other networks, and can adjust loan sizes or partner with other funding sources when projects are not fully creditworthy. Public witnesses spoke in support of Nakahata, citing his expertise and leadership in public finance. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee then voted unanimously to move Nakahata’s nomination to the full Senate for confirmation. Afterward, the committee re-ran the earlier votes for the record, confirming the appointments and other agenda items, and then adjourned the public portion of the meeting to enter executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've expressed this to both of the last two executive directors.
• I've expressed this to both of the last two executive directors.
• of workforce development office and executive director Mississippi Community College Board and Commissioner
• Is that... director of and executive director of director of and executive director of office<00:07:48.720
• And talk with the executive director about a different direction. So, I've been in the trades.

Committee: Joint Economic and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Roland Luna.
• I'll defer to Deputy Director Luna. Roland Luna, Deputy Executive Director, Texas DMV.
• I'm the executive director. I've been here. I was surprised.
• That was the previous executive director, ma'am.
• The chair calls Ryan Mindell, Executive Director.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Matt Satello, Executive Director of Hawaii Technology Academy.
• 14:23.760><c> director</c> vice chair Edna executive director vice chair Edna executive director charter
• Uh Matt Satello, executive director &gt;&gt; Hi.
• Ed no, executive director of committee.
• departments, with executive directors.

Summary: The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools. SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations. SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Casey Young is the Executive Director of Stanislaus Regional 911, where she has led transformational
• Olga Talamante is a Chicana political activist and executive director emerita of the California-based
• , a Executive Director of the Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability, a San Joaquin Valley
• Primita Hernandez is the executive director.
• Maggie McKay is the executive director of Vidiots and a respected leader in the film industry.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through routine procedural business. A motion to suspend the rules for AJR 28, urging Congress to pass the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, failed on a 43-16 vote. The body then proceeded to the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. The main floor action centered on House Resolution 81 recognizing Women’s History Month. Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from several caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the contributions of women in California history and current public life, as well as ongoing issues such as violence, discrimination, wage gaps, and representation. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 74 coauthors, and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also held a lengthy Women of the Year ceremony, recognizing honorees from across the state for community service, advocacy, education, health care, public safety, housing, labor, and civic leadership. Later, the Assembly took up ACR 153 designating March as Irish Heritage Month. Members spoke about Irish American history, immigration, labor, public service, and California’s ties to Ireland. The resolution received 70 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then approved consent calendar items, including AB 1597 and AB 1549, both by 69-0 votes. The Assembly announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can absolutely let Executive Director Carruthers answer. Thank you, Senator.
• I just want to say thank you so much to Executive Director Carruthers and Ms. Romo.
• Mills, Executive Director of the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
• I'm the Executive Director of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services of San Luis Obispo County.
• I'm the Director of Programs and Services, and, as my executive director stated, we cover Alameda County

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on disability services, food security, veterans, aging services, and child care. SB 969 by Senator Reyes would make permanent the option for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive certain regional center services remotely; supporters said remote services improve access, continuity, safety, and choice, and there was no opposition. The committee initially lacked a quorum, so action on the bill was delayed until later in the hearing, when it was moved on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate state food programs, improve CalFresh enrollment, reduce duplication, and support a 24-hour hunger hotline; supporters framed it as a coordination and strategic-planning measure, while some members questioned whether existing programs should be evaluated first and whether the bill needed stronger reporting and accountability. It passed 3-0 to Governmental Organization. The committee also heard SB 1052 by Senator Gonzalez, which would allow the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to appoint contingent authorized representatives so people with developmental disabilities are not left without support if a parent or other primary helper becomes unavailable. Supporters, including families and disability advocates, described emergencies, immigration enforcement fears, and service interruptions as reasons for the bill; members asked about the current approval and renewal process and whether the annual renewal requirement could be streamlined. The bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1077, also by Senator Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to prepare for future federal shutdowns by creating a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions and a state-backed emergency benefits mechanism; supporters cited the 43-day federal shutdown and delays in benefits, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Other measures discussed included SB 1201 by Senator McNerney, the No Hungry Heroes Act, which would seek waivers and direct referrals to protect veterans from federal SNAP changes and job-search-related income calculations; it passed 3-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would let aging and disability resource connections continue operating during partner transitions so people do not lose access to “no wrong door” services; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1110 by Senator Becker would update child care subsidy funding and reimbursement structures to better reflect direct family services and stabilize providers; the author said a provision tied to the budget would be removed, and the bill passed 4-0 to Education. Finally, SB 991 by Senator Menjivar was presented to improve how abuse and neglect findings in residential care facilities for the elderly are categorized in the licensing database, so serious abuse is not lumped together with lesser violations; testimony described examples of sexual assault and restraint being recorded as generic residents’ rights violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we’re going to get started with David Leonard, the Executive Director of the Boston Public Library
• You will hear in a second from Maury Namyat, who is the executive director of the Mass Board of Library
• Next we have Brian Boyles, Executive Director of Mass Humanities. Thank you for your patience.
• I'm Executive Director of Mass Creative and Mass Creative Action Network.
• Next, Harold Stewart, Executive Director of the New England Foundation for the Arts.

Committee: House House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of recent federal policy and budget actions on Massachusetts libraries, humanities organizations, arts institutions, and tourism. Testimony from library leaders described the loss or jeopardy of Institute of Museum and Library Services funding, including statewide databases, local grants, staff positions, E-rate/hotspot support, and digital equity programs. Witnesses said the cuts have already forced reductions in services, canceled grants and workshops, and in some cases left schools, students, job seekers, and low-income patrons without access to key resources. Members of the committee asked for lists of affected communities and databases, and several witnesses said they would provide additional written detail. Arts and humanities witnesses said federal terminations from the NEA, NEH, and IMLS have hit organizations across the Commonwealth, including Mass Cultural Council, Mass Humanities, Mass MoCA, and local museums and historical societies. They described canceled or rescinded grants, layoffs, reduced programming, and a chilling effect on future applications and on artistic and scholarly work, especially where federal awards had already been matched with local or private funds. Several speakers also raised concerns about executive-branch DEI conditions attached to funding and about book challenges and book banning, saying these trends threaten intellectual freedom and public access to culture and history. Committee members emphasized the economic importance of the sector and the need to publicize the impacts. Tourism officials from Meet Boston and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism testified that federal cuts and broader geopolitical and tariff issues are hurting international visitation, especially from Canada and Western Europe, and could affect major upcoming events such as the 2026 World Cup and Sail Boston. They said reduced funding for Brand USA and Discover New England will weaken long-term marketing efforts and international partnerships, with downstream effects on hotel tax revenue, jobs, and workforce recruitment. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members mainly asking questions and requesting follow-up written testimony and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will hear from the newly appointed executive director of the Housing Development Finance Committee
• Development; Tony Surteach, Executive Director of the California Housing Financing Agency; and Marina
• I'm Tony Surteach, the Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency.
• As the inaugural executive director...
• As the inaugural executive director of HDFC, I take that mission statement very seriously.

Summary: The committee held an outcome review hearing on AB 519, focused on streamlining California’s affordable housing finance system. State housing officials described the work group process and the resulting report, which calls for a consolidated application and coordinated review process across HCD, CalHFA, TCAC, and CDLAC, while preserving a separate direct path for projects that do not need state subsidy. They said the goal is to reduce duplication, align timelines, and get projects to construction faster, with implementation now being carried forward through the new Housing Development Finance Committee (HDFC) and related reorganization changes. Officials from HCD, CalHFA, and HDFC said the new committee launched July 1 and is developing regulations, a unified application workbook, and review procedures, with public comment and hearings planned before final adoption. They emphasized a two-track system: one for projects needing state subsidy and one for tax credits/bonds only. Members also discussed the transition period in 2027, the need to clear existing pipeline projects first, and the possibility of construction financing tools. Committee members raised concerns about transparency, stakeholder feedback, and whether additional statutory changes would be needed; staff said current authority appears sufficient. Affordable housing developers and advocates generally supported the reforms but said the work must go beyond a single application. They urged fully funding projects, simplifying post-award functions, modernizing asset management, preserving a direct path for locally funded and rehab projects, and improving geographic equity, especially for rural and farmworker housing. Several witnesses stressed that the system also needs stable funding, including general fund support and the proposed housing bond, and that the state should continue engaging stakeholders as the new process rolls out. Public comment echoed those themes and included a veteran describing the difficulty of navigating housing and VA-related systems, reinforcing the hearing’s focus on simplifying access to housing resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• First we have Director Brana Hashimoto, Director of De Herd.
• Thank you very much, Director.
• First we have Director Brana Hashimoto, Director of De Herd.
• Thank you, director.
• Thank you, director.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several labor and personnel measures. Senate Bill 1567 would require the Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of the executive branch classification and compensation system and allow it to contract with a third party outside normal procurement rules. Director Brana Hashimoto testified in support, saying the state has more than 1,400 classes of work and limited staff to keep the system current; she said outside vendor help and market data are needed to update class specifications, minimum qualifications, and pay structures. She noted the project scope and timeline would depend on funding, and said the governor had approved about $1 million for the effort. Members asked about vendor scope, comparisons to the private sector and other public employers, consolidation of obsolete classes, and whether the exemption from procurement rules would speed the work. The committee also heard Senate Bill 326 on defense of state employees, with testimony in support from HGEA, the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Senate Bill 337 would expand the pool of interest arbitrators used in collective bargaining disputes by allowing the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to request a list from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and to use arbitrators from both FMCS and the American Arbitration Association; HGEA supported the bill, saying the broader pool would improve selection and address communication issues. Senate Bill 1233 would create a State Internship and Workforce Development Program within DeHerd. The University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce supported it. DeHerd said the program could help place interns into vacancies and convert them to civil service jobs, but said it would need about five FTE and roughly $330,000 in salaries to administer a program serving about 50 to 75 interns at a time; members questioned whether the positions could be filled and whether the program could proceed without added resources. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1359, which would increase the employer-based composite monthly contribution to the Hawaii EUTF Benefits Trust Fund beginning in January 2026 and then tie future increases to Medicare Part B premium changes with a lag. The EUTF administrator testified, and a member noted the measure resembled a bill that had died in conference the prior year. Senate Bill 1454 would give the Labor and Industrial Relations director authority to issue wage payment violation orders, establish penalties and appeals, and broaden the definition of wage; the department supported it, explaining it would align procedures under chapter 387 with existing chapter 388 enforcement and make investigations easier. Finally, the committee moved through a series of collective bargaining cost-item bills for various bargaining units and related entities, with testimony generally in support from Budget and Finance, HGEA, UH, HHSC, UPW, and other unions and associations. One amendment request was to include bargaining units 1 and 10 in the temporary hazard pay funding bill, and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association noted its airport firefighters unit was still in arbitration and would provide final numbers later.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the executive has a fund infusion in that amount.
• I do have my Deputy Director, Ms.
• Greg Trujillo, Executive Director for PARA, a couple of staff members here with me today.
• But it's something we do strive for the executive director of the American Heart Association and the
• She's our ASD director. I have James Chavez.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can absolutely let Executive Director Carruthers answer. Thank you, Senator.
• I just want to say thank you so much to Executive Director Carruthers and Ms. Romo.
• of Access Central Coast, and Christina Mills, Executive Director of the California...
• I'm the Executive Director of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services of San Luis Obispo County.
• I'm the Director of Programs and Services, and as my executive director stated, we cover Alameda County

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of Three Rivers Community Action.
• I'm the executive director of Three Rivers Community Action.
• director from Three an amazing executive director from Three Rivers<00:02:03.920><c> Community</c><00
• ><c> of</c><00:02:29.680><c> Three</c> I'm the executive director of Three I'm the executive director
• director</c><00:09:15.920><c> of</c><00:09:16.240><c> Acer,</c> She is the executive director of Acer

Summary: Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley held a press event ahead of the House floor debate on the housing budget bill, focusing on funding for the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP). She described FHPAP as emergency rental, mortgage, and utility assistance that helps families avoid homelessness, and said the bill reflects a community effort to keep families stably housed across Minnesota, including in rural areas. Jenny Larson, executive director of Three Rivers Community Action, testified that her organization administers FHPAP in a 20-county region and uses it to help renters and homeowners remain housed, maintain employment, and stay in school and community. She said the program is fiscally responsible, estimating it costs about $3,500 to resolve a household crisis versus as much as $45,000 to help a family recover after homelessness. Community members Mierra Allen, Ebony McMillan, and a written statement from Tamita Gaines described how FHPAP helped them avoid or recover from homelessness and maintain stability for their children. The speakers also said the House housing bill includes broader housing investments, including funding for new housing units, housing infrastructure bonds, a challenge fund, and affordable/workforce homeownership initiatives, with attention to greater Minnesota. In response to questions, they said homelessness is not partisan, that current FHPAP funds are depleted, and that local providers use quarterly allocations and advisory committees to prioritize urgent cases. Momanyi-Hiltsley urged support for House File 2298 and said the program was a top priority because of limited funding and the need to prevent families from falling into homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we uh uh be the executive director.
• c><00:30:42.559><c> office</c> executive director and um an office executive director and um an office
• </c> executive director and in 2022 executive director and in 2022 um<00:38:56.240><c> the</c><00:38:
• </c> increase for your executive director? increase for your executive director?
• </c><00:56:56.319><c> director</c> increase. not for the executive director increase. not for the executive

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:26.000><c> of</c> executive director for University of executive director for University of
• Craig Nakamoto, executive director, you. Craig Nakamoto, executive director, HCDA. HCDA. HCDA.
• through his executive director to appoint<01:10:11.280><c> specific</c><01:10:11.920><c> executive</
• </c> executive director and the chief executive director and the chief compliance<01:10:50.800><c> officer
• > to</c><01:11:15.199><c> um</c> the executive director and also to um the executive director and also

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• > ERS</c> Williams executive director from the ERS Williams executive director from the ERS in support
• </c><00:13:45.720><c> director</c><00:13:46.079><c> of</c> I'm the U Deputy executive director of I'm
• </c><00:26:49.240><c> director</c> we have Randy Pera executive director we have Randy Pera executive
• I'm Gail Stroll, Deputy Executive Director of the ERS.
• </c><00:29:23.360><c> in</c> executive director for hga also in executive director for hga also in support

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and the brains and our executive and the brains and our executive director<00:10:58.560><c> and<
• </c><00:11:51.920><c> director</c> key Wallace I'm the executive director key Wallace I'm the executive
• I'm Sam Evans-Brown, executive director of Clean Energy New Hampshire.
• I'm Sam Evans-Brown, executive director of Clean Energy New Hampshire.
• I'm Sam Evans-Brown, executive director of Clean Energy New Hampshire.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a retired sheriff, executive director of the Sheriff's Association.
• I'm the executive director for the Kentucky Police Chiefs Association.
• JD Cheney, executive director of the Kentucky League of Cities.
• </c> executive director of the sheriff's executive director of the sheriff's Association<00:10:36.160
• </c><00:10:41.880><c> director</c> Sean Butler I'm the executive director Sean Butler I'm the executive

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum present and began with roll call and a brief introduction of a page, William Huffman, a fifth grader from Lexington. The chair announced that House Bill 7 and House Bill 490 would not be considered that day, with HB 7 described by its sponsor as a housing-related proof-of-concept measure that needed more interim study before returning next session. The committee then heard House Bill 744, sponsored by Representative Richard White, with testimony from Brown County officials. The bill would allow counties to pay routine vendors electronically under a standing order, while still requiring appropriate signatures, to address delayed mail delivery, lost checks, and check-washing concerns. The committee substitute and title amendment were both adopted, and the bill received favorable expression to pass the House floor by roll call vote. Senate Bill 10 was presented by Senator Robbie Mills with support from representatives of the sheriff, firefighters, police chiefs, and cities organizations. The bill would enhance retiree health benefits for CERS career retirees by better aligning the subsidy with under-65 health costs. Members voiced support, including one member explaining a yes vote based on the bill’s benefit to retirees, and the committee voted favorably with a title amendment adopted. Senate Bill 25 was then heard from Senator Mills as part of broader housing legislation; it would expand the use of industrial revenue bonds for large multifamily housing projects of at least 48 units to help address Kentucky’s housing shortage. The committee approved the bill with favorable expression, and at the end members who had arrived late recorded attendance and votes before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Director Sully here, as well as our subcommittee staff, too, if they're on of Director Sully
• Thank you, Director Briding.
• And we've got Director... Yes, Mr.
• Chair, Director—Mr.
• I'm told by the director... I'm told by the director. Great question. It's on our online agenda.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance