Transcript Highlights:

• Employees who are trusted with purchases have to know? Can you repeat that?
• standard operating procedures, that you really need to be familiar with, particularly when you're trusted

Summary: The committee first approved prior meeting minutes by motion and voice vote. It then took up audit reports, with several reports without findings filed without objection. The main discussion centered on the FY24 Department of Human Services audit, which contained three findings: alleged fraud involving disaster SNAP and Medicaid benefits, a delayed notification of a nearly $610,000 altered state warrant, and asset-control issues including missing or misidentified equipment and improper sales tax paid on vehicle purchases. DHS representatives said some fraud cases had been resolved with restitution, others were pending or dismissed, and they described corrective steps such as updating internal notification procedures and asset controls. Committee members questioned the missing assets, the notification delay, and the sales tax issue, and the report was deferred to the next meeting so DHS could return with written policy changes. The committee also reviewed the FY24 Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism audit, which had two findings: loss of nearly $3,500 in museum receipts and cash-control exceptions involving $100 missing from a park camping drawer and an $80 overage at War Memorial Stadium. Agency officials said the museum loss was believed to be theft, that controls had since been strengthened with a point-of-sale and reservation system, and that the stadium issue reflected the unique mix of cash and bank balances used for events. Members asked about the investigation, reimbursement through the bond board, and whether the employee’s final paycheck could be withheld. The chair later relayed that the prosecutor’s office said the Parks and Tourism investigation remained open and that additional information had been requested from the agency, so the report was also deferred to the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• requesting the establishment of a working group to study the feasibility of creating a Hawaiʻi Cultural Trust
• requesting the establishment of a working group to study the feasibility of creating a Hawaiʻi Cultural Trust

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on culture, heritage, and community partnerships. HR 90/HCR 94 would request a proclamation designating Hawaiʻi as a Purple Heart state on August 7, 2025. HR 123/HCR 127 urged the state to acquire the Hawaiʻi Theater to preserve its historic and cultural significance and keep it publicly accessible; testimony from Hawaiʻi Theater Center leadership emphasized rising insurance costs and the theater’s long-term viability. HR 135/HCR 141 sought a working group to study a Hawaiʻi Cultural Trust, with support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, and the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission; the LGBTQ+ Commission asked for a seat at the table to ensure queer history is included. HR 156/HCR 161 urged counties to establish sister-city relationships with Pacific Island municipalities, and HR 158/HCR 163 urged SFCA to create an annual Pacific Island culture and arts festival, which SFCA said it was already exploring. During decision-making, the committee adopted all measures. HR 90/HCR 94 and HR 123/HCR 127 were passed as is. HR 135/HCR 141 was adopted with amendments adding the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and a member of the LGBTQIA+ commission to the working group. HR 156/HCR 161 was adopted as is. HR 158/HCR 163 was adopted with a technical amendment clarifying that copies did not need to be provided to the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House. No opposition or reservations were recorded on the votes, and the meeting adjourned after the final adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just that they have to, you know, it's just like in our chamber it says, "In God we trust."
• to respect their relationships to others in their lives, whether it be family members, friends, or trusted

Bills: HB141, HB161, HB231, HB67

Keywords: HB141, Alabama, state employees, salary deductions, payroll deduction, State Comptroller, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments, employee associations, state payroll, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 36-1-4.3, public employees, union dues, benefits administration, payroll withholding, financial products, deferred compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• regulatory oversight with criminal enforcement will enhance compliance, public safety, and industry trust
• So as I support this bill, in a sense, I also caution you all to remember that a lot of us do not trust

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we see the importance of this as a building block to restoring public trust in government.
• And I will public trust in government.
• And when participation grows, public trust grows with it. So we respectfully urge your support.
• And when participation grows, public trust grows with it. So we respectfully urge your support.
• <01:48:56.560> grows participation grows, public trust grows participation grows, public trust

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• my memory is 2005 but I don't trust my memory is 2005 but I don't trust fully<00:02:53.360> trust
• Um the year fully trust my memory.
• You're putting an awful lot of trust in the House of Representatives."
• "We do trust them." "Yeah. Okay. Good point. Anything else, committee?
• "We do trust them." "Yeah. Okay. Good point. Anything else, committee?

Bills: HB0076, HB0102, HB0115

Keywords: annexation, landowner rights, municipal law, city planning, property, local government, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, cardiac emergency, defibrillator, school safety, training, public health, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• discovered via a lawsuit was that there's the last line in RSA 659, which is 104, I believe, just trust
• discovered via a lawsuit was that there's the last line in RSA 659, which is 104, I believe, just trust
• HB 514 threatens that trust without providing meaningful benefits in return.
• Our local police have worked really hard and with considerable success to build relationships of trust
• them given that people are or trust them given that people are going<02:02:19.679> for<02:02:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• serve is dependent on support from this body, and we wish to express our gratitude for your ongoing trust
• serve is dependent on support from this body, and we wish to express our gratitude for your ongoing trust
• That's what started with was the trust fund idea when he did this. So anyway, we should move on.
• That's what started with was the trust fund idea when he did this. Anyway, we should move on.
• The trust funds are about... You can't use the money.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hear me when I say, peanut farmers, we trust this process.
• We trust your oversight and the accountability.
• Trust in government is low, very low. Trust in the media is low. Trust in Hollywood is low.
• But we're also here because trust in public health and the medical establishment is low. Why?
• If we are wrong, prove us wrong, earn our trust.

Bills: S0036, S0620, S0796, S0934, S1080, S1096, S1366, S1536, S1548, S1580, S1588, S1620, S1756, S7034, S7044

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, payment bond exemption, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Forever Act, land acquisition

Summary: The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions. Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections. Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, my continued goal here is to earn the trust of this committee that I anticipate being
• I'm looking to demonstrate that trust over time with that from the BCA that I know may take more than
• <00:56:45.119> I'm<00:56:45.520> looking not asking you to trust me.
• I'm looking not asking you to trust me.
• I'm looking to<00:56:46.240> demonstrate<00:56:47.119> that<00:56:47.359> trust<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As introduced, this bill would require the governor to draw a warrant for the education trust fund to
• > governor to draw a warrant for the governor to draw a warrant for the education<00:22:56.159> trust
• fund to satisfy the education trust fund to satisfy the shortfall<00:22:58.159> amount.
• If the balance in the education<00:23:00.720> trust<00:23:01.039> fund<00:23:01.360>
• education trust fund after the issuance of<00:23:02.400> the<00:23:02.480> warrant<00:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the November 21, 2025 minutes, making several clerical corrections before adopting them as amended. The edits included adding the date, correcting a misspelled name, clarifying references to a scholarship fund representative’s title, removing an incorrect “DOE” reference, and fixing a few wording errors. The minutes were approved with one abstention from members who were absent. The bulk of the meeting focused on organizing the commission’s work under SB 57 and identifying which special education cost issues should be prioritized for research and reporting. Members discussed a long list of topics, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, increases in referrals since school closures, interventions before referral, costs of non-medically necessary services in IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal and state requirements, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, dispute resolution, Medicaid and insurance use, graduation rates, and adult learning participation. Several members emphasized the need to combine or narrow topics and to gather better data before the report due July 1, 2026. Representative Ames highlighted HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid payments when state appropriations fall short, and explained that the Education Funding Committee recommended interim study. He argued that local districts are bearing too much of the cost and that the state and federal governments should provide more support. Other members raised concerns about rising special education identification rates, possible overidentification, school climate and mental health factors, bullying, staffing, speech therapy access, and residential placements. One member cautioned that DOE website numbers may be inflated or at least difficult to interpret because of how students are counted. Department of Education staff then explained how special education data and costs are monitored. They said student counts are tied to IEPs and SASIDs in the state system, districts are checked through both desk audits and on-site monitoring, and billed services are compared against IEP requirements. They also described IDEA funding, noting that most DOE special education staffing is federally funded, with a large share of federal money flowing through to local education agencies and the remainder supporting administration, monitoring, and training initiatives. Members discussed whether more staff and more robust oversight would improve accuracy and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• But providers can't bill for that trust and often can't afford to just pay their staff to do that stuff
• But providers can't bill for that trust and often can't afford to just pay their staff to do that stuff
• But providers can't bill for that trust and often can't afford to just pay their staff to do that stuff
• But providers can't bill for that trust and often can't afford to just pay their staff to do that stuff
• But providers can't bill for that trust and often can't afford to just pay their staff to do that stuff

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , because that's really hard for immigrant refugee communities to be able to trust organizations when
• ><00:43:08.440> that<00:43:08.599> they<00:43:08.800> really<00:43:09.079> trust
• language and that they really trust language and that they really trust because<00:43:10.240>
• Refugee communities to be able to trust Refugee communities to be able to trust organizations<00
• My Big helped me build confidence and trust in myself.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SF 818, a request for funding for the Block Builders Foundation, which provides financial literacy and job-readiness training for youth. Senator Fate and testifiers described a 12-week program covering budgeting, savings, banking, credit, debt, career exploration, job preparation, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. They said the program served youth ages 13 to 19, had expanded to multiple cohorts, and had produced graduation ceremonies and job placements. Testifiers also said the organization had transportation challenges and limited space, and that additional funding would help with staffing, participant support, and transportation partnerships. Committee members asked extensive questions about the program’s outcomes, funding sources, and finances. Block Builders said it had 40 graduates in the most recent cohort, with 30 placed in jobs, and that participants who complete the program receive a $500 stipend. The organization said it had been operating since 2023 in North and South Minneapolis, had received $50,000 from the state previously, and raised additional community support. Members also asked about IRS filing status, audits, and how outcomes were measured; the organization said outcomes were tracked through graduation and certificates, and that it had not yet filed a 990 because it had not reached the threshold. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, with committee members noting the current language makes the appropriation available only through June 30, 2026 unless amended. The committee then began hearing SF 927. An A1 technical amendment was adopted without objection. Senator Pappas introduced the bill, which would appropriate $1.5 million to the Mung American Partnership for workforce development and business lending. The transcript cuts off before further testimony or committee action on SF 927.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have a relationship, and you trust that person, because if you don't trust that person, you're not
• If I have somebody producing food for me and I don't trust it, I'm not going to buy it.
• that person because ship and you trust that person because if<00:56:59.760> you<00:56:59.839>
• don't<00:57:00.079> trust<00:57:00.359> that<00:57:00.559> person<00:57:
• 00.920> you're if you don't trust that person you're if you don't trust that person you're not

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will have you note we do not use generative AI because we don't trust, uh, generative AI giving tax
• I will have you note we do not use generative AI because we don't trust, uh, generative AI giving tax
• uh generative AI giving tax advice trust uh generative AI giving tax advice information<01:05:03.400
• There is great public trust in the work of our court.
• There is great public trust in the work of our court.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So members, I do want to thank the Lieutenant Governor for trusting these topics to our committee.
• These are important issues for all Texans, and I'm grateful for his leadership and, again, the trust
• But trust me, they are, which means y'all are. We're going to fix this whole thing.
• So-and-so's face I recognize in order to say, I trust them.
• I trust them, I'm going to continue on with the care and I'm going to follow up.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But for the A3 amendment and sticking to that topic, I would rather trust our local electeds than the
• /c><00:36:38.600> I<00:36:38.680> would<00:36:38.840> rather<00:36:39.080> trust
• <00:36:39.440> our that topic, I would rather trust our that topic, I would rather trust our
• <01:41:57.800> federal<01:41:58.160> agents because they don't trust federal agents
• because they don't trust federal agents with<01:41:58.760> them<01:41:59.360> and<01:41

Bills: HF3373, HF4449, HF3486, HF4180, HF4227, HF2505

Keywords: transportation, interchange, funding, bonds, St. Paul Park, transit, Metropolitan Council, Twin Cities, metro area, high-frequency transit, bus rapid transit, busway, guideway, transportation policy plan, transit performance measures, regional transit benchmarks, transit-oriented development, TOD, zoning, land use

Summary: The committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 3373, which was laid over. The bill sought trunk highway bond funding for preliminary and final design work at the 70th Street interchange in St. Paul Park. Representative Hansen, Mayor Keith Frankie, and Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham described the interchange as undersized and increasingly unsafe because of refinery truck traffic, aggregate hauling, nearby growth, and changing traffic patterns. Members asked about prior study, cost, and greenhouse gas requirements, and the bill author said the request was about $500,000. Chair Cosgrove noted the bill would be laid over and suggested the issue could involve future statutory exemptions. The committee then took up House File 4449, also laid over, after adopting the A4 author’s amendment. Representative Jones presented the bill as a transit planning and accountability measure for the Twin Cities metro. It would set numeric transit goals, require better coordination between road projects and future transit projects, and give the Met Council more tools to support transit-oriented development, including property acquisition and development around transit corridors. Jones argued the bill would help avoid rebuilding roads twice and improve transit ridership, frequency, speed, and reliability. Representative Olson offered an amendment to exempt highway projects primarily addressing documented safety issues, arguing that safety projects should not be burdened by added transit requirements or costs. Jones said she supported the safety concern but opposed the amendment as written because the bill was aimed at major construction projects. After a roll call, the amendment failed on an 8-8 tie. The bill itself remained laid over for further work, with the chair noting there was still time to refine the proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Implemented prematurely, it risks instability, higher costs, and erosion of public trust.
• A longer strategic of public trust.
• And now we are being asked to trust the same system to undergo...”
• I trust you.” Chair Hoffman then called the next witnesses: Katrine Bachmeier, Cindy, and Jenna.
• I trust you. >> I trust you. And... >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I [snorts] don't know.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're also under stress from school trust land selling lake shore, so we want to minimize the amount
• And we're also under stress from school trust land selling lake shore, so we want to minimize the amount
• And we're also under stress from school trust land selling lake shore, so we want to minimize the amount
• And we're also under stress from school trust land selling lake shore, so we want to minimize the amount
• it, and I trust that the feedback<01:08:47.799> they<01:08:47.920> gave<01:08:48.200><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And trust me, it's not because, like, Ians are fake baking more or anything.
• And trust me, it's not because, like, Iowans are fake baking more or anything.
• And trust me, it's not because, like, Iowans are fake baking more or anything.
• Let's go back to trust busting. You had Matt Gaetz praising her in the Wall Street Journal.
• You had Matt go back to trust busting.

Bills: HF3718

Keywords: veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, animal care, licensing, client consent, continuing education, emergency services, teletriage, 1183, house

Summary: The Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met with quorum present, approved the March 2 minutes, and then heard a presentation on economic consolidation in agriculture from Austin Ferk, who said he was not taking additional public testimony. Ferk argued that consolidation in meat, dairy, and grain markets has squeezed farmers on both input and output prices, raised consumer prices, and reduced product quality. He used charts and examples to claim that concentrated markets lead to price gouging, that farmers now receive a historically low share of each food dollar, and that industrial production has contributed to environmental problems, especially in Iowa. Ferk focused on several large agribusiness firms, especially JBS and Cargill. He described JBS as a dominant meatpacker with a history of bribery allegations and market power across beef, pork, poultry, and leather, and said its ownership of brands can obscure who is actually selling the product. He also criticized Cargill as an opaque, privately held company with enormous influence over grain and food markets, and said the farm bill and crop insurance system have been shaped to favor overproduction of corn and soy rather than diversified farming. He argued that these policies, along with ethanol demand and export-oriented livestock production, have harmed rural communities, increased manure and nitrate pollution, and contributed to health problems. In the latter part of the presentation, Ferk discussed antitrust and policy responses, including concentration studies, a proposed packer ban that would prevent meatpackers from owning the animals they slaughter, and restrictions on slotting fees and other pay-to-play practices in grocery retail. He also referenced the failed Kroger-Albertsons merger as an example of consolidation harming local communities. No committee vote or formal action was taken on the presentation beyond approving the minutes.