Video & Transcript : 'port visit' :
Page 212 of 500
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Transportation Work Program at $15 billion, library, cultural, and historical initiatives at $58.4 million, Visit
- Because when people come to visit from other driving, that's it, that's it now.
- Because when people come to visit from other states and they say, you don't have hands-free driving in
- that driving under the influence has had on the lives of the people of this state and those who have visited
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to review its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget proposal and several bills. The chair outlined a roughly $18 billion budget area, including major funding for the Department of Transportation work program, Visit Florida, library/cultural/historical initiatives, affordable housing, National Guard tuition assistance, and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical adjustments and then approved the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee next heard and approved CS/SB 666, creating a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate, with proceeds supporting scholarships, academic, athletic, and arts programs at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. Members praised the school’s academic and athletic achievements, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. The committee also heard extensive testimony on CS/SB 1318, which would rename Florida’s texting-while-driving law as the hands-free driving law and expand the prohibition to handheld use of wireless devices, including in work zones. Supporters, including law enforcement, health care, bicycling, and crash victims’ advocates, argued it would save lives and make enforcement clearer; some senators supported the goal but raised concerns about enforcement, privacy, and impacts on drivers with older vehicles. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee then approved SB 1408, designating memorial highways in Hillsborough and Charlotte counties for Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen and Sergeant Elio Diaz, and SB 1516, creating the International Aerospace Innovation Fund to be administered by Space Florida to support partnerships between Florida and international aerospace companies. Both bills were reported favorably with little debate. Senators also requested to be recorded in the affirmative on selected bills, and the meeting adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Feb 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- WE WENT OUT AND VISITED WITH THE PROVIDERS THAT ARE PROVIDING THE CARE FOR ADULTS AND MAKING WE WENT
- OUT AND VISITED WITH THE PROVIDERS THAT ARE PROVIDING THE CARE FOR ADULTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN
- SOME OF THE STRATEGIES THAT WE PUT IN PLACE IS THAT WE HAVE DONE SOME VISITS OUT THERE AND MORE TA AND
- WE HAVE REALLY BEEN TRYING TO DO A LOT MORE OF ON-SITE JOINT VISITS BEING THERE.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services REVISED Feb 23rd, 2026
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- If that's an issue you'd like to discuss further, I'm certainly happy to visit with you further about
- Can you tell me if the Department of Health, have you visited with them to see if this is something that
- Several of the states have adopted the same boards, and as I've gone through this process and visited
Bills:
SB1806 , SB1430 , SB206 , SB1547 , SB1849 , SB1428 , SB1653 , SB1984 , SB1644 , SB1561 , SB1813 , SB1570 , SB1796
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard and advanced a series of health, licensing, and child welfare measures. Senate Bill 1806 would allow eligible individuals receiving Oklahoma Department of Human Services services to voluntarily remain in those services until age 21; the author said the title was struck while fiscal estimates were being revised, and the bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1430 would shift authority over hiring, supervising, and removing the commissioner of mental health from the governor to the governing board; it passed 8-2 after questions about removal provisions. Senate Bill 206, as amended, added tribal entities to EMS-related essential services to help draw down federal funding, and passed 10-0, while Senate Bill 1849 made a cleanup change allowing the State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners to approve medical marijuana education for continuing education credit and passed 11-0.
The committee also approved Senate Bill 1428, creating an Office of Alzheimer’s and dementia-related services within the Department of Health; the author said outside funding would cover the first two years and the bill would have no state budget impact, and it passed 9-2. Senate Bill 1653 created the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact and passed 9-2 after discussion of closed meetings and compact operations. Senate Bill 1984 updated and clarified the Osteopathic Medicine Act and passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1644 required alpha-gal syndrome to be added to the reportable diseases list and passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1561, requested by regional EMS, added disciplinary steps for ambulance and EMT personnel to avoid automatic disqualification and passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1813 enacted the athletic trainer compact and passed 10-2.
The committee then took up major child welfare restructuring. Senate Bill 1570 would create a Department of Child Safety and Well-Being by consolidating DHS Child Welfare Services and the Office of Juvenile Affairs, with a phased implementation timeline and a future board and interim commissioner; members discussed protecting ongoing cases and adding lived-experience representation on the board. The bill passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1796 shortened the period for informal foster care arrangements from seven days to 72 hours and added guardrails for temporary foster care placements; the author said it was intended to prevent harm when children are left with unvetted caregivers, and it also passed 12-0. The committee adjourned after distributing a handout related to the foster care/respite care changes.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Have any thoughts about what those changes are going to do, and the amount of emergency room visits are
- If I have a $2,000 deductible and I go and have an emergency visit for something minor... ...I'm likely
- So, I mean, there's been many things brought up that, you know, I think earlier we visited and, you know
Committee:
House Insurance
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 3794 and HB 3796, both Oklahoma Insurance Department request bills. Members adopted PCS drafts for each without objection, heard brief explanations that the measures cleaned up and clarified insurance licensing and other statutory provisions, and then advanced both bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
The committee then considered HB 3928, as amended, which would require optometrists to be reimbursed at Medicare/Medicaid levels and address payment parity for certain vision plans. Representative Tedford raised concerns about premium increases and interference with private contracts, while the author argued the bill would create a fairer level playing field and would not significantly raise consumer costs. The bill passed on a recorded vote and was recommended to the next committee. HB 2955, updating the Oklahoma Captive Insurance Company Act to make Oklahoma more competitive, also passed after OID confirmed a questioned travel reimbursement provision was current law and unchanged.
HB 4453 proposed creating an all-payers claims database board to analyze health care spending, use the health information exchange, and make recommendations to OID. The author described changes to board appointments and reporting language, and members asked about consumer representation, fiscal impact, and the board’s advisory role. The bill passed and was recommended onward. HB 4460, which would shift collection of copays, deductibles, and other cost-sharing from providers to insurers, drew extensive testimony from an emergency physician supporting the measure as a way to reduce medical debt and simplify billing, but members raised concerns about ERISA preemption, premium impacts, implementation, and broader market effects. After discussion, the author laid HB 4460 over for later consideration, and the meeting adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 4, 2026 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Last spring, on one of our monthly visits, she had a meltdown and we were forced to remove her from the
- The next morning, we picked her up and had a nice but strained visit.
- 264 THE NEXT MORNING WE PICKED HER UP AND HAD A NICE BUT STRAINED VISIT.
Summary:
The Pre-K-12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 157, School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program, would create a Department of Education program allowing school districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers in D- or F-rated schools as mentors, with a proposed $3,000 stipend per mentor per mentee. Members questioned the funding source and contract-time implications; the sponsor said the program would use previously decategorized education funds and that mentoring could be done within existing planning, before-school, after-school, or weekend time. An amendment clarifying that the bill would use a contract template rather than a DOE contract was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee then heard CS/HB 859, Exceptional Students and Video Cameras in Public Schools, which would require school boards to adopt policies for video cameras in self-contained ESE classrooms upon a parent request, with redaction of other students from footage. Public testimony strongly supported the bill, including emotional accounts from a parent of a nonverbal adult with autism who described past abuse in a classroom and from the Autism Society of Florida, which argued cameras are a necessary safety measure for vulnerable students and noted other states already allow or require them. Members emphasized student safety and the need to fund the policy, and the bill was reported favorably.
Finally, the committee considered HB 561, Educator Certification, which aims to reduce barriers for experienced educators returning to the classroom by expanding temporary certificate eligibility to those with expired Florida certificates, allowing prior subject-area exam results to count for reinstatement, and updating references related to educator professional learning support. The sponsor said the bill preserves standards while making reinstatement more efficient and less costly. There was broad support from members, who noted the value of retaining experienced teachers, and HB 561 was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Local Government. (2-3-26)
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I know they're here today to visit with some folks and would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate
- Thank you all. today to visit with some folks and would today to visit with some folks and would also
Committee:
House Local Government
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- We have the superintendents in the gallery who are visiting as part of the Greater Phoenix Educational
- SB 1286, veterinarian visits. Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency.
- Every year the National Grocers Association would visit Washington, D.C.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 7th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And last year, I had the opportunity to visit South Korea and was amazed by many things, especially the
- Visiting us from the beautiful 28th Assembly District are members of Scouting Troop 529 of Los Gatos.
- Glover, we thank you for visiting us and being in the legislature today.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Mar 25th, 2025
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2018, I had the occasion to get in my car that summer and drive the state of Florida, visiting all
- I've joined you in it, and when you came to Palm Beach County visiting all your managing entities, I
- I want to thank you for coming to visit with me, giving me a chance to talk with you and to understand
Committee:
Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met to consider several bills and the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. SB 1310, relating to reporting of student mental health outcomes, was temporarily postponed. The committee then took up SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entities, adopted a delete-all amendment, and heard support for the bill’s focus on transparency, accountability, audits, referral patterns, and a DCF report due by December 1. Members discussed the capacity of the current reporting system and the need for coordination with school districts. The committee voted the bill favorably.
The committee next considered SB 1620 on mental health and substance abuse disorders, which implements selected recommendations from the 2025 Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. The bill, as amended, includes reforms on dignity and patient-centered care, crisis response, individualized treatment plans, use of the DLA-20 assessment tool, data analysis by the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, and creation of a research center. Amendments removed a direct medication-provision requirement in favor of a review and report on discharge procedures, medication adherence, and long-acting injectables, and clarified licensure priorities for short-term residential treatment programs. Testimony and debate emphasized the need for action, better data, and efficient use of public funds. The committee reported the bill favorably.
Finally, the committee heard from Taylor Hatch, the Governor’s appointee to lead DCF. Hatch described her background in state government and her priorities for DCF, including coordination, transparency, prevention, permanency, and responsiveness to vulnerable Floridians. Several members spoke in support, citing her experience at APD and familiarity with the agency’s work. The committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation, and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-12 (3:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have students visiting the Capitol today from Lakeland Christian School in Lakeland that may be them
- And when I get a chance to visit those children in the schools, they look at me with such bright eyes
- I have a couple of students visiting from the College of the Florida Keys in the West Gallery.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and several introductions recognizing visitors and groups in the gallery, including Moffitt Cancer Center for “Moffitt Day,” students from Lakeland Christian School, representatives from the space industry for Space Day, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity members, licensed investigators, and local delegations from Groveland, Polk County, Auburndale, and the College of the Florida Keys. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar with Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 112, relating to children with developmental disabilities.
Senator Harrell presented the bill as a major autism-focused measure aimed at earlier diagnosis and expanded services. The bill would expand autism screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services to age four with a federal waiver, designate the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a coordinating research hub, create grants for autism-focused charter schools and summer programs, and establish a microcredential for teachers, health workers, and daycare workers serving children with autism. Senators Davis, Jones, Osgood, Duma, and Wright spoke in support while raising concerns about provider recruitment, Medicaid managed care coverage, the need for technology and research, and the importance of early intervention and adult services. Harrell closed by saying the bill was only “step one,” addressed provider and funding questions, and emphasized research and statewide coordination.
The Senate passed CS/CS/SB 112 by a vote of 38-0 and then adopted a motion to waive the rules and immediately certify the bill to the House. Senators also co-introduced Senate Resolution 1856 honoring the life and legacy of Senator Geraldine Thompson, with 38 co-introducers recorded. In addition, Senate Bill 1324 by Senator Simon was withdrawn from further consideration, and the Senate adjourned until the following Wednesday.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We have students visiting the Capitol today from Lakeland Christian School in Lakeland that may be them
- And when I get a chance to visit those children in the schools, they look at me with such bright eyes
- I have a couple of students visiting from the College of the Florida Keys in the West Gallery.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, doctor-of-the-day recognition, and a series of introductions honoring visitors and groups in the galleries, including Moffitt Cancer Center, students from Lakeland Christian School, space industry guests, Kappa Alpha Psi, the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators, and others. Senators also made announcements about local delegations visiting the Capitol and a session wellness competition.
The chamber then took up CS/CS/SB 112, relating to children with developmental disabilities. Senator Harrell presented the bill as a major autism-focused measure that would expand screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services through age four with a federal waiver, designate the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a statewide hub for research and coordination, create grants for autism-focused summer programs and charter school models, and establish a microcredential for workers who serve children with autism. Senators Davis, Jones, Osgood, Duma, Wright, and others supported the bill while raising concerns about provider shortages, Medicaid managed care coverage, the need for better recruitment incentives, and the importance of research into causes and treatments. Harrell responded that services would be covered under new contracts, Medicaid would provide coverage, the University of Florida would develop the online credential with a stipend incentive, and the bill was a first step in a broader effort that should also address adults on the spectrum.
The Senate passed CS/CS/SB 112 unanimously, 38-0, and then adopted a motion to immediately certify the bill to the House. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 1856 by publication, honoring the life and legacy of Senator Geraldine Thompson, with 38 co-introducers recorded. In addition, SB 1324 by Senator Simon was withdrawn from further consideration, and the Senate adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Committees' Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Senate Committees' Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And so, just for the record on that, Senator Shendo visited with Senator Scher and I about that, and
- We visited with Senator Scher and I about that, and we made the decision to send it straight to Finance
Committee:
Senate Senate Committees' Committee
Summary:
The committee met to review staff recommendations on several bills introduced the previous day, with staff noting that the measures were generally straightforward because they either carried a message or included an appropriation. The chair first took up Senate Bills 73, 78, and 214, and the committee agreed without objection to report them out as germane.
The committee then discussed Senate Bill 240, the capital outlay bill, which had been sent directly to Finance rather than through the committee. Members expressed concern about preserving proper procedure and avoiding a precedent of bypassing committee rules. The chair concluded that no formal action was needed in the committee and that the matter would be handled by having the committee chair seek unanimous consent on the floor to send the bill back through the proper process; the same approach would be checked for the straw budget bill filed by Senator Muñoz.
Finally, the committee considered a second group of appropriations bills and approved staff recommendations on the listed measures, including bills 249, 248, 243, 238, 235, 222, and 221, with no objection. Those bills were ruled germane, while other bills not included in the motion remained on the list. The committee then adjourned.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- We encourage the public to provide written testimony before the hearing by visiting the committee website
- I think you know having the recent fires in our backyard and visiting the sites and seeing all the other
Committee:
House Appropriations
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And in the testimony of the person who wants to visit, this is the caring daughter; the other daughter
- I think section 15, if I'm guessing, has to do with a place not wanting someone to come visit because
- um if I get a single complaint visits um if I get a single complaint from<01:02:51.839><c> multiple<
- them and in the testimony of the visit them and in the testimony of the person<01:03:03.240><c> who<
- </c><01:03:04.079><c> is</c><01:03:04.200><c> the</c> person who wants to visit this is the person who
Committee:
Senate Human Services
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> wua um and I think I remember visiting wua um and I think I remember visiting and<00:25:58.559><
- This is the project that we went to visit, right? I think so, yeah. This is one of them.
- </c><00:29:37.279><c> was</c> question back at the site visit was question back at the site visit was
- </c> part of the discussion at the site visit part of the discussion at the site visit was<00:32:40.039
- The consultant one that you was talking about was the one that we in visit?
Summary:
The joint Ways and Means and Hawaiian Affairs committee heard a budget presentation from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on its biennium requests for critical projects, repairs and maintenance, and operations. DHHL described its role in administering the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, noted the large beneficiary wait list, and said prior funding, including Act 279, has helped the department accelerate land development and reduce vacancies. Officials said they have about 47,219 applications involving 29,548 Native Hawaiians, roughly 28 projects underway, and that about $471 million of a $600 million appropriation has been encumbered, with the remaining lapse-fix funds expected to be resolved before the June 30, 2026 deadline.
DHHL emphasized that its current request would support additional lot development and could help produce roughly 6,000 units from the existing project pipeline, with another phase of requests potentially adding about 2,000 more units. The department said it is prioritizing shovel-ready projects, accelerating lease awards and orientations, and using a mix of approaches including paper leases, rental-with-option-to-purchase, owner-builder, and loan programs. Officials also discussed a shift toward denser urban development, citing projects in West Oahu and Honolulu, and said the department is working to reduce its vacancy rate and move beneficiaries onto the land more quickly.
Members questioned why Oahu, despite having the largest wait list, was receiving comparatively lower amounts, and DHHL responded that land availability and cost drive those decisions, with Oahu having limited developable land and very high acquisition costs. The department pointed to land acquisition on Kauai and other islands, and to urban high-rise projects that can yield far more units on small parcels. Members also raised long-term maintenance and wildfire risk, asking whether current acquisition and development choices account for future infrastructure costs; DHHL said maintenance is a growing concern, especially on large unused or isolated lands, and that it is pursuing Firewise planning, federal funds, and partnerships to reduce risk. The discussion also touched on mixed-use and community-led development, with DHHL explaining that it leases land to nonprofit homestead associations under general leases with milestones, business-plan requirements, and land-use restrictions to support local services and community goals.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, December 1, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It also can save costs versus expensive in-person hospital visits.
- It's no in-person hospital visits.
- He was able to sleep in his own bed and visit with friends and family.
- </c> and alone with no one able to visit him. and alone with no one able to visit him.
- He also visit with friends and family.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- For nine years, I've been a hospice volunteer, routinely making visits to hospice patients, and also
- "I'll get a prescription down to the pharmacy and contact the visiting nurses.
- , she always would cry out our names when we were about to leave after we were visiting her.
- And every time I went to visit her over the next four months, my mother was chemically restrained in
- And so I visited her, and she had a little morphine drip next to her.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Health
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on bills in three areas: emergency medical services/AED access, athletic training and student safety, and end-of-life options. Committee chairs outlined testimony rules and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Some bills had no live witnesses, while others drew extensive testimony from advocates, professionals, and legislators.
On AED-related bills, the American Heart Association supported requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events and athletic fields, citing sudden cardiac arrest survival rates and urging cardiac emergency response plans as an added safeguard. A parks and recreation professional supported AED access but raised concerns about the cost, staffing, maintenance, and feasibility for municipalities with limited resources. Athletic trainers supported expanding their scope of practice and removing workplace restrictions, arguing it would improve injury prevention, reduce costs, and help retain professionals in Massachusetts.
The committee also took extensive testimony on end-of-life options legislation. Supporters included legislators, physicians, hospice volunteers, clergy, patients’ family members, and advocacy groups, who described the bills as allowing terminally ill, mentally capable adults to choose a peaceful death with strict safeguards and self-administration requirements. They emphasized personal stories of suffering, public support, and the claim that other states have not seen abuse. Opponents, including faith-based, disability-rights, and family policy representatives, argued the bills amount to physician-assisted suicide, could pressure vulnerable people, and may be influenced by prognosis errors, coercion, or financial incentives. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Health Committee and Assembly Health Committee Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Skipping medications, skipping primary care visits.
- There are free primary care visits within a year, even in the bronze plan.
- There are free primary care visits within a year, even in the bronze plan.
- They live sicker, they die younger, and they're often one hospital visit away from bankruptcy.
- You know, as primary care, we can do the work, but we don't do it well when it's based on a per-visit
Summary:
The joint informational hearing of the Senate and Assembly Health Committees focused on the cost of federal instability for California health coverage, access, and affordability. Opening remarks from members of both houses emphasized that California’s coverage gains under the Affordable Care Act are now threatened by federal policy changes, including the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, H.R. 1, and new federal regulatory actions. Members repeatedly cited rising premiums, skipped care, medical debt, and the risk that low-income, immigrant, and working Californians could lose coverage or be pushed into less comprehensive plans.
The first panel reviewed the federal landscape and state response. Don Joyce described the ACA’s coverage expansions and warned that H.R. 1, regulatory changes, and broader federal retrenchment could reduce coverage and weaken meaningful benefits. Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman said the loss of enhanced premium tax credits is driving major affordability problems, with average monthly premiums projected to rise sharply and enrollment already down, especially among middle-income consumers. HCAI’s Elizabeth Lansberg explained the Office of Health Care Affordability’s role in slowing spending growth, monitoring consolidation, and setting spending targets, including lower targets for high-cost hospitals and new primary care investment goals. Members asked about bronze plans, high-cost hospitals, administrative burdens, provider taxes, and whether federal advisory changes could affect required benefits such as immunizations.
The second panel examined population impacts and cost drivers. UC Berkeley Labor Center’s Miranda Dietz said most Californians get coverage through employers, Medi-Cal, or Covered California, and that affordability problems are widespread across all groups. She projected that California could have up to 2 million more uninsured residents by 2030, largely from Medi-Cal losses, and said higher premiums reduce wages and increase medical debt. Christoph Stremakis of the California Health Care Foundation highlighted survey data showing widespread concern about medical bills, skipped care, and medical debt, and argued that a large share of spending is wasted through administrative complexity, inflated prices, and underinvestment in prevention. Committee members pressed the panel on whether California can sustain coverage without new revenue, how cost-growth targets affect workers and families, how medical debt relief programs like Los Angeles County’s could be expanded, and how OCA can address uncompensated care, consolidation, and prior authorization burdens.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary (6-4-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Site visits and assessments are complete with Wellpath and Juvenile Justice in order to better target
- ><c> are</c><00:43:01.440><c> complete</c> Site visits and assessments are complete Site visits and assessments
- We have already done site visits. We've already talked through the basic staffing plan.
- We have already done site visits. We've already talked through the basic staffing plan.
- </c> they have already done site visits. they have already done site visits.
Summary:
The committee heard from the Department of Corrections first about Wellpath’s medical services contract and the contractor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. DOC officials said Wellpath’s reorganization plan was confirmed in May 2025, the contract was automatically assumed, and services have continued without lapses. They said DOC has not seen any reduction in care, staffing problems, or known impact on Kentucky operations, and that DOC and health services staff meet with Wellpath almost weekly. Members asked whether “emergence” meant discharge from bankruptcy; staff clarified that Wellpath has not yet been discharged and is still in the process of paying debts.
The discussion then shifted to the Department of Juvenile Justice’s proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. DJJ said the facility is still in the conceptual and preliminary programming stage, with no full design funding yet and no entry into the formal A/B process with DECA. The proposed facility would have 24 beds total, split into 16 clinical beds and 8 assessment/stabilization beds, and would need to separate males and females as well as high- and low-risk youth under Senate Bill 162. Officials said the concept was developed with DJJ and CHFS mental health staff and outside design experts, and that the project was submitted in the capital plan for consideration.
Members questioned the need for the facility, the estimated construction and staffing costs, and whether the state has enough youth to justify it. DJJ said the number of youth needing this level of care changes frequently, that they currently have one youth in Pennsylvania and typically send one to five youth out of state each year, and that out-of-state placement is increasingly difficult. Officials argued that a dedicated facility would reduce delays, keep youth closer to home, and avoid the need to retrofit multiple detention centers. Some members expressed concern that the projected operating costs seemed high compared with the small number of current out-of-state placements, and asked for more information on annual out-of-state spending and the number of youth who would qualify for the facility.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CAA Info Briefing - Thu May 8, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, it's really important um that we have your support and that you folks come and visit us as well.
- /c><00:24:43.279><c> folks</c><00:24:43.600><c> come</c><00:24:43.840><c> and</c><00:24:44.080><c> visit
- </c><00:24:44.320><c> us</c><00:24:44.559><c> as</c> that you folks come and visit us as that you folks
- come and visit us as well.<00:24:45.120><c> Um</c><00:24:45.440><c> because</c><00:24:45.679><c> we<
- the museum and get the that they visit the museum and get the full full full experience.<01:02:27.920
Summary:
The Committee on Culture and the Arts held an informational briefing with representatives from ʻIolani Palace and Bishop Museum to discuss how the Legislature can better support state-funded cultural institutions during the interim and into the next session. Chair Capella said the goal was to understand current needs, preserve Hawaiian culture and history, and expand educational access. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.
ʻIolani Palace’s representative described the Friends of ʻIolani Palace’s role as the nonprofit supporting repair, restoration, maintenance, and public education for the state monument. She said state operational funding and ARPA funds were critical to keeping the palace open, maintaining HVAC and other systems, and funding repairs that would otherwise fall to DLNR. She highlighted ongoing and planned projects including a fire suppression system, HVAC improvements, basement exhibit work, plumbing repairs, elevator replacement, etched glass restoration, and school-tour access. She also noted that a prior $150,000 CIP for windows and doors had not yet been released, and said the organization is exploring ways to bring more neighbor island students to the palace through transportation support, airline partnerships, and digital outreach.
Bishop Museum’s representatives outlined the museum’s history, its role as the state museum of natural and cultural history, and its extensive collections in archives, archaeology, botany, entomology, zoology, and cryopreservation. They emphasized the museum’s work in preservation, research, environmental stewardship, and public education, including free access through Museums for All, daily programming, and cultural festivals and community events. They said state funding has been essential for staffing, IT security, fire suppression, and infrastructure needs, and that digitization of the museum’s 25 million objects is a major ongoing initiative to preserve and share Hawaiʻi’s history and knowledge.