Video & Transcript Research : 'execution'
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NH
Transcript Highlights:
- We are not executing any bills today, but we will have a big executive session next Tuesday.
- want to hold you up we are not executing want to hold you up we are not executing any<00:06:12.759
- session next Tuesday okay so executive session next Tuesday okay so we're<00:06:19.520>
going - I'm the executive director of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association.
- Can we come out of executive session? No motion to come out of executive session. Second.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HED/EDN Joint Info Briefing - Wed Jan 29, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They took examples of executive courses at various universities.
- They took examples of executive courses at various universities.
- They took examples of executive courses at various universities.
- They took examples of executive courses at various universities.
- They took examples of executive courses at various universities.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I will confess I'm only at page two of the executive summary, but what it sets out, Senator Miller, is
- Both of them are theft from the people who earn them. two uh of the executive summary but what two uh
- of the executive summary but what it<00:17:28.480>
sets <00:17:29.160>out <00:17:29.679 - My name is Greg Crockstead, and I am the Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Tree Care.
- mobility of today's Workforce Executives mobility of today's Workforce Executives and<01:34:18.639
Summary:
The committee met to hear a presentation from the Commissioner of Revenue on Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s tax proposal, with members told no public testimony would be taken because bill language was not yet available. The commissioner said the proposal would lower the statewide sales tax rate by 0.75 percentage points while expanding sales tax to selected professional services such as legal, brokerage, banking, and accounting, with several carve-outs. He emphasized that the plan would not add business-to-business sales taxes, arguing that taxing business inputs leads to tax pyramiding and higher hidden consumer costs.
The commissioner said the rate cut would be the first sales tax rate cut in state history and estimated it at about $95 million annually, while the service expansions would raise about $203 million to $205 million annually, for a net increase of roughly $110 million per year. He said the proposal is part of the governor’s broader budget, which he described as addressing long-term structural deficits and funding other priorities such as an R&D credit, an expanded sustainable aviation fuel credit, fraud prevention, and service-member retention bonuses. He also said the carve-outs and exemptions would be reflected in the revenue estimate.
Members questioned whether the proposal was truly a tax cut or instead a tax increase, and several asked for a revenue-neutral rate if all or more services were taxed. One member raised concerns about how pro bono legal work with a fee would be treated, and another asked about possible streamlining issues and whether fees are treated as taxes in statute. The commissioner said a fee would be taxable depending on the arrangement and that the department would review the language carefully once drafted. He also said the department would provide more detailed estimates later, including what the rate would be if the tax were made revenue neutral. No votes or formal actions were taken.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:52:14.240>
pay what their uh CEO their executive pay what their uh CEO their executive - And in different agencies that we have, we appoint an executive or we appoint members of boards, executive
- judicial judicial branch, executive judicial judicial branch, executive branch,<01:55:40.000>
- The executive no monies, no armies.
- The members will vote. executed a contract for retail electric executed a contract for retail electric
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- approved by the governor and executive approved by the governor and executive Council<01:10:44.280
- I'm the executive director of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project.
- She issued an executive order to do hiring free, so that's one way that the executive, the governor's
- <04:33:49.799>
to of the executive branch and trying to of the executive branch and trying - And then on the 19th, we'll be executing the resolution. And then there's about eight bills.
Summary:
The committee opened a public hearing on HB 402, a bill dealing with whether Education Freedom Account (EFA) payments should be described in state law as not constituting taxable income. The bill sponsor argued that the current statute is misleading because New Hampshire should not imply a federal tax result, and said the bill would remove that language and could also be amended to clarify that families should consult tax advisors. He emphasized that the measure was not intended to impose a state tax on EFAs, but to avoid giving inaccurate advice about possible federal tax liability.
Testimony was divided. A retired representative and a tax preparer both opposed the bill, saying EFA payments are already treated consistently with IRS rules and that the bill would create confusion, administrative burden, and possible tax consequences for low- and moderate-income families. They argued the bill is a solution in search of a problem and warned that requiring 1099s could add costs for the scholarship organization and recipients. A tax attorney supported the bill’s repeal of the state language, saying New Hampshire should not put tax advice into statute and that the current wording is inaccurate because federal law, not state law, controls taxability. He cited IRS Section 117 and Publication 970, explaining that only some scholarship-like payments are tax-free and that many EFA-eligible expenses may not qualify for federal exemption.
Members asked questions about what would be misleading, whether the bill was trying to tax EFAs, and the cost of issuing 1099s. The sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the bill was not a state tax on voucher payments, but a clarification about federal tax treatment. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 11, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- My response is: when the executive branch fails to protect its employees, laws are not just necessary
- My response is: when the executive branch fails to protect its employees, laws are not just necessary
- <01:20:21.480>
branch my response is when the executive branch my response is when the executive - We're going to be looking for comments from the executive agencies to be able to tell us what is in our
- from the executive agencies to uh<03:26:44.600>
be <03:26:44.760>able <03:26:44.960>
Summary:
The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million.
HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries.
HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- commy since we have 15 into executive commy since we have 15 minutes<00:19:10.760>
for <00:19: - And I will close the executive session for HB 650, majority report by Representative Elmy. said<00:23
- I'm the executive director of Building Community in New Hampshire.
- Starting at two o'clock, we're executing four bills next Tuesday. Well, I had to put in a time.
- starting at two o'clock we're executing starting at two o'clock we're executing four<05:20:00.680
Summary:
The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on HB 650, a housekeeping-style bill from the Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds. Testimony explained that the bill would remove references to two already-repealed dedicated funds, split the state parks dedicated fund so Cannon Mountain winter activities would be tracked separately from the rest of the parks system, and place a $1 million cap on the robotics education fund so excess money would revert to the general fund. Supporters said the changes were mainly administrative but would improve accounting and avoid timing issues; committee members asked about a typographical error in the bill text and whether the measure was more than housekeeping. The committee later voted 16-0 to recommend HB 650 ought to pass, and then placed it on the consent calendar.
The committee also opened a public hearing on HB 585, which would revise the property tax exemption for religious organizations. Representative John Janigian, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to help small churches and other religious groups that own parsonages or worship buildings but no longer have a resident pastor, allowing them to rent space or use property for church purposes without losing the exemption so long as the money is used for church operations, maintenance, or outreach. He described his Salem church’s parsonage being taxed after it was no longer occupied by a pastor, and said the bill would prevent similar burdens on small congregations. Former Representative Betty Gay testified in support, describing prior assessor actions in Salem that taxed church land and buildings very aggressively, while a Municipal Association representative testified in opposition. Committee members raised questions about how terms such as “regularly recognized and constituted denomination” would be defined, whether the bill could be applied consistently to larger denominations with multiple parishes, and whether legislative research should review past treatment of similar cases.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, June 8, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise to recognize a dedicated public servant, Cheryl John's, who is retiring as the executive director
- I rise to recognize a dedicated public servant, Cheryl John's, who is retiring as the executive director
- I rise to recognize a dedicated public servant, Cheryl John's, who is retiring as the executive director
- legislative power to the executive legislative power to the executive branch.<03:45:08.080>
And - experienced changes in executive experienced changes in executive leadership.<04:05:15.600>
That
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (04/08/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- She was going to have it for us during executive session to amend the bill during executive session.
- session um to amend the bill executive session um to amend the bill during<01:31:14.719>
executive - executive session. Fair enough. Okay. executive session. Fair enough. Okay.
- Executive session. I know.
- executive session this afternoon. executive session this afternoon.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology.(6-28-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Chris Cathers, executive director of the Kentucky Arts Council.
- And I'm Scott Alvey, executive director of the Kentucky Historical Society. All right.
- I'm Chris Cathers, executive Thank you.
- <00:03:29.440>
director And I'm Scott Alvey, executive director And I'm Scott Alvey, executive - I'm executive director of the Kentucky Arts Council.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:12
America 250KY: Impact and Legacy: 00:03:15
America 250 Events in Lexington: 01:02:13, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for an interim update from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with presentations from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. Secretary Lindy Casebier reported that Kentucky tourism has posted record growth for four straight years, with $14.6 billion in economic impact, 97,000 tourism-related jobs, and 81 million travelers spending more than $10.4 billion in 2025. He said the Historical Society and Arts Council help create visitor experiences that support those tourism gains.
The Kentucky Historical Society focused on America 250, the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staff described a community-driven approach built around themes such as “Revolutionary Experiment,” “We the People,” “Power of Place,” “Crossroads in Kentucky,” and “Doing History,” organized under heritage tourism, education, signature events, and legacy projects. They said the effort has included Liberty Tree plantings in nearly every county, partnerships with local organizations and KET, grants to cabinet agencies and historic sites, and preservation projects in 19 counties. They highlighted Harrodsburg 250 as an early kickoff, along with grant-supported events, exhibits, and educational programs across the state.
The Historical Society also described public engagement events tied to the commemoration, including Two Lights for Tomorrow, a food drive in Franklin County, a July 8 historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State Capitol, and planned participation at the Kentucky State Fair. They said the General Assembly’s support enabled a grant program that has funded 250 events and programs in 43 counties, totaling more than $720,000, and that the work is intended to build a lasting legacy beyond 2026.
The Kentucky Arts Council said it received America 250 grant funds to support artists, arts organizations, communities, and nonprofits for public art, artwork creation, and related programs. The council reported 55 funded projects and $466,000 awarded statewide, with examples including a Burkesville summer arts and history camp and a Fayette County community singing project. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve as the Executive Director of Student Finance at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
- Next up we have Pranav Shriram, who is executive director for People for PSEO.
- My name's Khaliq Rogers, executive director of Catalyst for System Change.
- My name's Khaliq Rogers, executive<00:43:15.400>
director <00:43:15.800>of <00:43:15.920 - >
Catalyst <00:43:16.480>for executive director of Catalyst for executive director of Catalyst
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Testimony and support from Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Lou Erdishek, Executive Director.
- Testimony and support from Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Lou Erdishek, Executive Director.
- Testimony and support from Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Lou Erdishek, Executive Director.
- Testimony and support from Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Lou Erdishek, Executive Director.
- general's office could execute on. general's office could execute on.
Keywords:
students with disabilities, individualized education programs, emergency plans, evacuation procedures, support services, Hawaii education law, HB2343, Maui State Veterans Home, veterans home, veterans, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, Alzheimer's care, respite care, assimilate, transfer deadline, Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript.
The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded.
House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And this is governed by the executive branch budget bill, the general fund surplus bill, the general
- And this is governed<00:12:35.839>
by <00:12:36.560>the <00:12:36.800>executive < - 00:12:37.279>
branch <00:12:37.600>budget governed by the executive branch budget governed - by the executive branch budget bill,<00:12:38.480>
the <00:12:38.720>general <00:12:39.040 - Now the CBO obviously to execute that.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
FY 2025 Budget Close Out 00:02:55
Impressions of H.R. – 119th Congress 00:28:15
SNAP Payment Error Rates 00:37:05, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline.
Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue.
The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the executive director of the mediation center of the Pacific. I stand in my testimony.
- I'm the executive director of the mediation center of the Pacific. I stand in my testimony.
- I'm the executive director of the Wilin.
- I'm Rocky Mold, the executive director of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association.
- Uh, next we have Hawaii Executive Collaborative Climate Hawaii in support.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House agriculture committee hears testimony on sustainable aviation fuel 2/10/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the executive director at the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, a membership organization with
- Chair Anderson, members of the committee, my name is Brian Werner, and I serve as the executive director
- director of the Minnesota executive director of the Minnesota biofuels<00:42:55.440>
Association< - I'm the Executive Vice President of Minnesota Forest Industries.
- name is Rick Horton I'm the Executive name is Rick Horton I'm the Executive Vice<00:54:00.440>
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Minnesota’s efforts to build a SAF industry. Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because it could benefit agriculture, forestry, clean energy, and rural economies. She highlighted the 2023 state SAF tax credit and sales tax exemption for facility construction, describing the credit as a nation-leading incentive designed to stack with federal IRA credits and attract producers and blenders to Minnesota.
Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines said aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s best available tool to reach net-zero goals by 2050. He explained that SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and he cited growing global demand and limited supply. He said Minnesota has many potential feedstocks, including used cooking oil, corn, soybeans, and camelina, and praised the state’s SAF tax credit and the Minnesota SAF Hub as important steps toward making Minnesota a leader in the sector.
Peter Fros of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building an industrial-scale SAF value chain in Minnesota. He said the state has key advantages, including airport demand, corporate partners, research institutions, and agricultural inputs, and estimated that three SAF biorefineries could create tens of thousands of jobs and significant emissions reductions. He also said the Hub is working on blending infrastructure, private demand commitments, a winter camelina expansion study, and efforts to secure additional refineries before 2030. Members raised questions about how sustainability is measured, and Fros said the Hub relies on the federal GREET model but wants a clearer, transparent, and standardized national method that also accounts for issues like water quality and biodiversity.
Amanda Bellik of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said corn-based ethanol is a strong fit for SAF production through the alcohol-to-jet pathway because it is abundant, affordable, and supported by existing infrastructure. She said SAF development could create a new value-added market for corn without requiring new acres, but emphasized the need for significant capital investment, stable tax policy, and efficient permitting. She also said the group has worked with a consultant on third-party sustainability assessments of corn production practices to help fill data gaps and support the carbon-intensity requirements tied to SAF incentives.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 1/22/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And the legislature relies on the executive branch to execute and implement the laws, and you expect
- <00:46:56.920>
Branch <00:46:57.319>to <00:46:58.280>to <00:46:58.559>execute - <00:46:59.040>
and <00:46:59.240>imple executive Branch to to execute and imple executive - Branch to to execute and imple implement<00:47:00.280>
the <00:47:00.400>laws <00:47:01.000 - to grants and grants management, where we'll go out and look to see if a grant program has been executed
Summary:
The committee approved the January 16, 2024 minutes without objection. Members then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its December 2024 performance audit of the Department of Human Services’ outstanding provider debt in Minnesota’s Medicaid fee-for-service program. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall said the audit was launched after the office noticed a large accounts receivable balance during the state financial statement audit and became concerned that DHS did not understand the extent of the overpayments, had poor data, and planned to forgo recovery of some recoverable balances.
Deputy Legislative Auditor Lori Lyson explained that DHS had reported $51.7 million in provider debt across about 2,500 providers in fiscal year 2023, with testing focused on long-term care facilities and the largest balances. The audit concluded DHS did not comply with legal requirements and lacked adequate internal controls. Findings included that DHS had not attempted to recover more than $40 million since collection notices were last sent in 2015 and 2019; that the department planned to write off some balances under $1,000 and some older than six years despite the auditors’ view that at least some of that debt may still be recoverable; that DHS overstated accounts receivable in its financial reporting because it had not updated its allowance calculation since 2019; and that MMIS data were insufficient to verify balances, with 20 of 59 sampled providers not reconciling and many dates inaccurate.
In response to member questions, the auditors said the overpayments appeared to be routine program adjustments rather than fraud, but the department could not explain many of them because detailed data are only retained for about three years. They also said they did not know which specific DHS leader approved not collecting the debt, and that responsibility for recovery appeared split between program and finance staff, with each pointing to the other. The auditors recommended DHS recover the debt where possible, improve internal controls, retain better documentation, ensure accurate financial reporting, and work with the legislature if needed to clarify recovery authority.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (01/14/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Margaret Burns, the executive director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association.
- :30:54.799>
the the committee I'm Margaret burns the the committee I'm Margaret burns the executive - Uh, today I'm just providing a brief testimony on behalf of our executive director, Olivia Zink, who
- testimony on behalf of our executive testimony on behalf of our executive director<00:32:05.679>
- Um, and is there any need to go into an executive session?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:06:34.640>
uh treatment or care plan is is executed uh treatment or care plan is is executed - I do want to say though that I think we've had increasingly kind of this push-pull between the executive
- <00:56:10.880>
and <00:56:10.960>the between the executive and the between the executive - <01:29:28.480>
There's inserts the DCT Executive Board. - There's inserts the DCT Executive Board.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, February 25, 2026
Labor, Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I am executive director for YO United.
- My name is Britt Borl.<00:58:28.559>
I <00:58:28.799>am <00:58:28.960>executive < - I am executive director for YO Borl.
- I am executive director for YO United.<00:58:31.359>
We <00:58:31.599>are <00:58:31.839> - I'm executive director for YO United. I'm executive director for YO United.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Yasmine Cheney, Executive Director for the Commission on the Status of Women.
- Yasmine Cheney, executive the committee.
- I'm the executive Lynn Costales Matsoka.
- <01:48:42.560>
We as for our executive um club members. - We as for our executive um club members.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1552, which would make the attorney general the interim chief election officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying it could create a conflict of interest if the attorney general were both the state’s lawyer and the chief elections officer in any related litigation. The League of Women Voters supported having some interim backup for the office, but said it was not necessarily advocating that the attorney general fill the role. Several other testifiers, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, opposed the bill, arguing the current law already provides for a prompt commission appointment and warning about partisan bias and concentration of power. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said an interim mechanism is needed to ensure election certification in a crisis. The chair also asked whether any statutory acting capacity already exists, and the attorney general said none was known.
The committee then took up House Bill 2125, which would bar corporations operating under state law from engaging in election activity. The attorney general opposed the bill, citing Citizens United and arguing that corporations have First Amendment-protected political speech rights and that the bill would likely be unconstitutional. Indivisible Hawaii supported the measure, saying it would keep elections focused on the will of the people rather than corporate influence. Libertarian Party testimony was mixed: one witness supported the goal of reducing corruption but warned the bill could suppress organized dissent and sweep too broadly by treating many associations as corporations. The bill’s introducer asked whether the legislature could still enact it as a policy matter, but the attorney general maintained federal constitutional law would control. No vote was taken on either bill during the portion of the hearing provided.
The committee also heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment, which would set procedures and compensation for people whose convictions are reversed or vacated on grounds consistent with innocence and whose charges are dismissed. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the bill’s intent but objected to language assigning it responsibility for helping released individuals secure housing, identification, health coverage, and other reentry needs, saying it no longer has jurisdiction after release and suggesting the courts or a community-based contractor handle that role. The Office of the Public Defender strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the harm of wrongful conviction and the need for compensation, case management, and medical coverage after release. No action or vote was reported on this measure in the excerpt.