Transcript Highlights:

• And overall, the program value. Next slide, please.
• The intervention portion of this is when there is an intervention and maybe not an arrest, because sometimes
• And do you still have any gaps in that program?
• We have department policy and a pretty rigorous training program for our deputies' use of that program
• And I was looking at my vehicles that have been programmed to the Albuquerque frequency, and they're

Transcript Highlights:

• He was manipulative and strategic. That is not a reason for early release.
• He was manipulative and strategic. That is not a reason for early release.
• He was manipulative and strategic. That is not a reason for early release.
• When my abuser was released early, the punishment did not end. It transferred to me and my child.
• would actually help solve and prevent these types of offenses on the front end.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them is the targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager, and the other
• c><00:11:50.639><c> going</c><00:11:50.720><c> to</c> programs and first up we're going to programs and
• </c> program of Partners and development program of Partners and development foundation<00:15:11.680>
• :16:07.319><c> a</c><00:16:07.440><c> very</c> program um and it was a very program um and it was a very
• to support pre- teer interventions to support pre- teer programs<01:36:22.320><c> and</c><01:36:22.480

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prevention Program.
• The BSCC currently administers the California Violence Intervention Prevention Program, the Prop. 47
• grant program, the Prop. 64 grant program, and also the organized retail theft grant programs.
• impact the programs and services?”
• violence prevention, social safety net services, and other critical community safety programs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to university and higher education programs that meet their educational needs and their well-being needs
• . ...to university and higher education programs that meet their educational needs and their well-being
• AGC supports workforce development apprenticeship programs and the use of skilled and trained workers
• And we sued them last year, and they immediately rescinded the program, even though it was— Forty-two
• been, you know, did all the work to help launch the program and got all the partners and donated all

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of these programs have been established since the early 2000s and are now an integral part of the
• ><c> are</c> since the early 2000s and now are since the early 2000s and now are integral<00:07:59.840
• </c><01:27:07.520><c> emerging</c> prevent and respond to these emerging prevent and respond to these
• These data have been compiled that if we focus more on prevention, early detection, and then secondly
• So that program really helps in providing the tools very, very early, and thereafter we also work on

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE GOAL OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO IDENTIFY DEFENDANTS WHO HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS AND ENSURE THEY RECEIVE
• THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE REINVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAM
• THIS PILOT PROGRAM HELPS RESTORE COMPETENCY AND PROVIDE MORE COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT.
• THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IS EARLY INTERVENTION. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM CLEAR.
• OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE PERSONNEL AND THE PROGRAM IS VOLUNTARY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are identified early when intervention is most effective and when parents can clearly understand how
• So we have to intervene early. And the earlier we intervene... And all the other subjects.
• So we have to intervene early. And the earlier we intervene, the better.
• And then the next section says, well, then the student can still have intervention.
• We will intervene early and make sure that we help them.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after several member introductions and announcements, including recognition of guests from foster care, a Bayless High School Scholar Bowl team, public utility representatives, and family members. The chamber then moved into House Bills for Perfection, beginning with HB 1812, a voter-roll maintenance measure that requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to send deceased-voter lists to the Secretary of State every 30 days for distribution to election authorities. An amendment added a 10-day processing deadline, and the bill was supported as an election-integrity measure before being ordered perfected and printed. Members also advanced HCS for HB 3308, a sales-tax exemption for materials used to construct facilities or improvements for public use that will be deeded to a political subdivision, such as parks. Supporters said it would help public-good projects while limiting the exemption to public-use construction; questions focused on fiscal impact and ensuring there is a formal agreement to transfer the property. The substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then took up HCS for HB 3010, a prior-authorization reform bill for health care providers. Supporters said it would reduce administrative burden, add an API-based tracking component, and create a gold-carding process for providers with high approval rates; members from both parties emphasized the strain prior authorization places on physicians and patients. The committee substitute and bill were adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber next considered HCS for HB 2872, a major literacy bill centered on the science of reading. The bill requires phonics-based instruction, early screening in grades 1-3, teacher training, and retention for students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade, subject to exemptions for students with disabilities, English learners, IEPs, 504 plans, prior retention, and other good-cause cases. Amendments clarified that three-cueing cannot be the primary instructional strategy and added parent involvement and earlier intervention language; the most contentious debate focused on retention and parental rights, but the amendment passed 103-27-1 and the bill was then adopted and ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House advanced HCS for HB 1826 and related bills to expand authorized epinephrine products beyond EpiPens to include nasal spray and other approved forms for use in schools, child care centers, nursing homes, and by first responders; supporters cited allergy emergencies and needle fear, and the substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber also began debate on HCS for HB 2069/2208, a bill to authorize autonomous vehicles in Missouri, with the sponsor describing safety and economic benefits and the first amendment adding liability, jurisdiction, and U.S.-based operator requirements; a second amendment removed commercial vehicles and made technical changes. Debate on the underlying autonomous-vehicle bill continued, with supporters emphasizing modernization and opponents raising concerns about local control, surveillance, and the lack of independent safety data.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, ECEAP, is a no-cost preschool and family support
• ; has participated in early ECEAP or the Early Childhood Intervention and Prevention Services program
• The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, E-CAP, is a no-cost preschool and family support
• , the early support for infants and toddlers program or receive Class C development. an early head start
• participated in early e-cap or the early childhood intervention and prevention services program, also

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and briefing on several bills, with House Bill 2441, House Bill 2159, House Bill 2521, House Bill 2531, House Bill 2543, and House Bill 1607 discussed in that order after agenda changes. HB 2441 would expand reimbursement from the LEO retirement fund for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, covering Medicare Parts A and B premiums and retroactive health insurance premiums during the period before a death is officially determined to be work-related. Staff described a relatively small number of affected survivors and modest actuarial impacts, and the prime sponsor spoke emotionally in support. A representative from the L&I Board also testified that the board had studied the issue and endorsed the bill. HB 2159 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic funds for ECEAP expansion. Staff explained ECEAP eligibility and the proposed non-appropriated account structure, noting Governor Ferguson’s budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated authority for about 2,000 new school-day slots. Testimony was strongly supportive from Ballmer Group, DCYF, Head Start/ECEAP advocates, a Yakima provider, and the governor’s office, all emphasizing the public-private partnership, expanded access, and support for children furthest from opportunity. HB 2521 would remove the $18 cap on the State Patrol’s firearm background check fee and allow the fee to be set to cover total program costs. Staff said the fee could rise to about $33 per check based on current costs, and the State Patrol testified that the cap no longer matches actual expenses and threatens staffing and service levels. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing the state system should be scrapped or capped and that consumers would face higher costs. HB 2531 would freeze the ambulance quality assurance fee at its July 4, 2025 level to comply with federal law and adjust Medicaid add-on payments accordingly; the Washington Ambulance Association strongly supported it as essential to preserving federal matching funds and improving wages and benefits. HB 2543 would update county clerk fees and modernize outdated references, with county officials supporting the changes as necessary to reflect current electronic-record practices. HB 1607, the Recycling Refund Act, drew the most extensive testimony. Staff described a 10-cent refund system for covered beverage containers, a producer responsibility organization, Ecology oversight, and fiscal impacts tied to program administration and lost tax revenue. Supporters, including environmental groups, youth advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and some industry voices, argued the bill would reduce litter, increase recycling rates, support reuse systems, and complement the existing recycling reform law. Opponents from recycling haulers, grocers, beverage interests, counties, and solid waste providers argued it would function like a tax, raise consumer and retailer costs, duplicate or undermine curbside recycling and EPR, and create siting and implementation problems. No votes were taken on the bills in this transcript; the hearing concluded with public testimony and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• space programs and future generations of scientists.
• SPACE PROGRAM AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SCIENTISTS.
• curb waste, fraud, and abuse in the program, so I Urge my colleagues to support S. 98 and reserve the
• Without the appropriate interventions and health care, and obviously, Mr.
• DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE DOULA RESOURCES AND PATIENT'S.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But early intervention by our problems.
• Um interventions and support systems.
• So I think early prevention, early intervention systems can be established when you have the right ecosystem
• </c> departments and educational programs departments and educational programs that<00:35:18.560><c>
• I'm part of that ecosystem and programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and early intervention.
• And so we have built the foundation for this program.
• nickel and dimed that program to death. ...that program to death.
• Relapse and pain can mean overdose and death. This situation was entirely preventable.
• And then, are you guys aware of the bridge program because emergency rooms do have this, and it is covered

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 213, which would allow optometrists to perform three specific laser procedures. The sponsor presented a committee substitute adding 32 hours of approved advanced training, supervised live-patient practice, adverse-event reporting, and other accountability measures. Supporters argued the bill would improve access to care, while the New Mexico Medical Board opposed it, citing patient-safety concerns and the much greater training required of ophthalmologists. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 6-3. The committee then considered House Bill 65, renamed the Foster Care Plus pilot program. The substitute changed the bill to require clinical assessment instead of CAN assessment, added reporting to the Legislature and LFC, and clarified contracting with clinical experts. CYFD officials said the $2.5 million request, combined with existing growth funding, would support more children, staff, foster-parent stipends, and related services, and that the program is already being implemented with help from Oklahoma-based experts. Some members remained concerned about cost, staffing, and whether the program could be sustained, but the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 8-1. House Bill 127, on expedited medical licensure, was amended to create a provisional pathway for internationally trained physicians, require a job offer and benchmarks before full licensure, and establish a telemedicine registry. The Medical Board supported the amended bill, while public commenters emphasized physician shortages and access to care. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill. House Bill 128, which updates firefighter occupational disease and disablement presumptions to add cancers and other changes, drew strong support from firefighters, labor, and workers’ compensation officials; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill. House Bill 156, which removes the sunset on the state’s authority to set vaccine guidelines and continue its vaccine program, also passed after supporters argued it preserves access and opponents raised broader vaccine-policy concerns. The committee then began hearing House Bill 137, a buprenorphine access bill, with the sponsor and advocates describing pharmacy supply barriers and a committee substitute aimed at setting minimum stock standards, requiring distributor reporting, and avoiding fines on pharmacies.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:26:45.760><c> prevention</c> protection and prevention protection and prevention um<01:26:47.840
• And this program is not this program.
• And I know that uh program.
• and important program, and I have supported that and carried legislation and gave committee hearings
• </c><02:35:07.920><c> and</c> was for the Safe at Home program. and was for the Safe at Home program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we're able to work together and look at some of that data program by program, and you mentioned—and
• investment in the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program youth set-aside.
• Prevention Program.
• Thank you. ...the youth set-aside in the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program.
• and Prevention Program, and continued investment that is predictable is really essential to maintaining

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's what we really want to prevent.
• It's their great programs. I employ special needs folks, and I enjoy them immensely.
• In Buchanan County, we're providing early intervention supports to keep early intervention in Buchanan
• County so that families don't have to travel over an hour away to get needed therapies and early intervention
• And, you know, talked to my programs in Buchanan County. And so let's go on a road trip.

Summary: The Local Government Committee first met in executive session and voted do pass on two House committee substitutes: House Bills 3283 and 3306 passed 11-1, and House Bills 1728, 2161, and 1830 passed 12-1. The committee then moved into public hearings. Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 914, dealing with septic system regulation, was presented as a measure to replace percolation testing with soil morphology testing as the baseline standard and to address a permit fee issue. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would improve accuracy, consumer protection, and local public health administration; one witness noted the continuing-education language already exists in regulation and pointed out a minor wording change in the substitute. No opposition testified. House Bill 3467, sponsored by Representative Houseman, would allow county developmental disability boards to seek voter approval for a sales tax of up to one-half of 1% if property tax revenue is reduced or eliminated. The sponsor and multiple witnesses from county disability boards, sheltered workshops, and related associations said the bill was intended as a safeguard to preserve services, transportation, employment supports, and community-based care for people with developmental disabilities. Some members raised concerns about shifting from property tax to sales tax and the burden on low-income taxpayers, while others supported the measure as a revenue-diversification tool. No vote was taken. House Bill 312, relating to county treasurer duties and bank signature authority, drew testimony from the sponsor, county treasurers, auditors, and association representatives. Supporters said the bill clarifies that the county treasurer should have sole authority over county funds and reflects current practice, while also noting a forthcoming amendment to address what happens when a treasurer is absent. Some witnesses asked for stronger safeguards, including a bonded backup designee and clearer succession procedures, and one witness urged updating surety-bond requirements. The hearing closed with no opposition testimony and no committee action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal of these programs is to identify defendants who have mental illness and ensure they receive
• The bill also expands the types of programs the criminal justice, mental health, and substance abuse
• This pilot program helps to restore competency and provide more comprehensive treatment.
• It may save the state money, too, by preventing future arrests and hospitalizations.
• The problem that we have is early intervention. So I want to make sure that I'm clear.

Summary: The committee met and took up several criminal justice, public safety, and boating measures. It first heard SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which would create mental health diversion options for eligible misdemeanor and felony defendants, expand mental health and substance abuse grant uses, require evaluations and treatment recommendations in certain cases, add Hillsborough County to a forensic diversion pilot list, and create a behavioral health data repository. After adopting a technical amendment, the bill received strong support from NAMI Florida, family advocates, sheriffs, and the Murphy family, and was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee also approved SB 86, expanding peer support programs for certain law enforcement support personnel, and SB 472, allowing inmates who complete approved education in correctional facilities to receive credit toward professional licensure requirements. Both bills were amended and then reported favorably without opposition. SB 276, which increases penalties for unlawfully sheltering or aiding an unmarried minor and creates a defense for actions taken to protect a minor from danger, drew questions about runaway youth, LGBTQ youth, and the scope of the defense; the sponsor said he was open to further amendment, and the bill passed favorably. Members then approved SB 402, updating the unlawful use of uniforms, medals, or insignia statute to reference the armed forces by definition rather than by branch. SB 490, as amended, would let law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers carry concealed off duty and exempt law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and active military service members from the three-day waiting period for rifle and shotgun purchases; it passed 8-1 after debate over the waiting period and equal treatment concerns. Finally, the committee passed SB 628, Lucy’s Law, to strengthen boating safety and penalties, after adopting an amendment that removed proposed changes to warrantless blood draws and boating education requirements; the bill was supported by the family of Lucy Fernandez and passed unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• These conditions require regular monitoring, like labs and imaging, and interventions like surgery to
• We've studied every program in the country at the state and federal level and assisted with strengthening
• He had a urinary catheter and diapers, and he had to be turned frequently so he could prevent bed sores
• can in some small way honor his life and prevent this from happening to someone else again.
• they don't want an incapacitated and they don't want an intervention intervention intervention um<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on best practices for medical or compassionate release programs used by correctional systems nationwide and how Hawaii’s current approach compares. Kristen Johnson of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission introduced Molly Crane of Families for Justice Reform, noting that the commission, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Hawaii Paroling Authority have all been involved in developing proposed legislation, though the bill itself was written by community advocate Bob Merse. Crane described FAM’s work on justice reform and said the group has studied compassionate release programs across the country, including federal reforms, to help Hawaii align with best practices. Crane argued that compassionate release is intended for people who are too ill or cognitively impaired to pose a public-safety risk and who are often the most expensive and resource-intensive people to incarcerate. She said Hawaii is the only state without a compassionate release statute and currently relies on an agency policy, which she described as complex and slow. She cited examples of severe medical cases in custody, including people with advanced dementia, multiple sclerosis, kidney failure, and hospice needs, and said the burden on correctional medical staff, overtime, off-site transport, and specialized care can consume a disproportionate share of staff time and state resources. She also said the recidivism rate for this population is under 1 percent, citing Vera Institute research. Members asked about the source of the recidivism figure, how a statute would streamline the process, and why the issue had not advanced in the past. Crane said the proposed bill would reduce layers in the process by moving cases from the medical director to the director and then to the Hawaii Paroling Authority, with a target timeline of about 30 business days from petition to hearing. Johnson said prior efforts failed in part because the agencies most affected were not included early in drafting and revision, and she said one attempt was vetoed, another was removed in conference committee, and another passed one chamber but did not advance. Johnson also explained that incarcerated people’s medical care is paid entirely by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with no private insurance or Medicaid/Medicare coverage while incarcerated, making severe cases a direct burden on state funds. No votes or formal actions were taken because the briefing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• This information and more guides our policy and program direction and provides transparency to the public
• about our child welfare system. ...policy and program direction and provides transparency to the public
• systems and leaders and states and legislators and everyone sort of involved in this work, their desire
• to safely keep these kids at home in the first place and prevent that actual removal?
• that could be done to safely keep these kids at home in the first place and prevent that actual removal

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state-only program and doesn't participate in Medi-Cal at all.
• Since our program was closed, our patients and families have had to...
• Since our program was closed, our patients and families have had to seek other programs for their medical
• Programs are scarce, and those that accept Medi-Cal even more so.
• And puberty blockers prevent the changes for which there is no surgery.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on access to gender-affirming care in California, with members of the Senate and Assembly budget subcommittees hearing first from the Department of Justice, Department of Managed Health Care, and Department of Health Care Services. State officials described California’s legal protections against discrimination, privacy protections, shield laws, and Medi-Cal and commercial plan coverage requirements for medically necessary gender-affirming care. They also outlined ongoing litigation and advocacy against federal actions and proposed rules that could restrict care, including challenges to executive orders, HHS declarations, and federal reimbursement rules, as well as a temporary restraining order protecting care at Rady Children’s Hospital. Committee members pressed the agencies on why some hospitals that had stopped providing care had not been sued, how the state measures network adequacy and equitable access, whether the $15 million previously allocated for gender-affirming care had been used, and what additional statutory changes might be needed. DMHC and DHCS said they regulate health plans rather than providers directly, rely on complaints and independent medical review to address denials or delays, and do not track utilization or have a specific provider category for gender-affirming care. DOJ said it is focused on the federal government as the source of pressure on hospitals and providers, while members discussed possible shield-law expansions and, if federal rules are finalized, the possibility of state-only funding to preserve access. The second panel featured a physician, clinic leaders, parents, and a transgender teen describing how families navigate care and the effects of hospital closures and insurance barriers. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy gave a history of transgender health care, described puberty blockers and hormones as established treatments, and said minors need parental consent for medical interventions. J.M. Jaffe of Lyon Martin Community Health Services said community clinics are absorbing patients after hospital programs closed and asked for $26 million in state funding to expand capacity. Parents and youth testified about delays, out-of-network referrals, lost coverage, and the emotional strain of uncertainty, while also urging the Legislature to stabilize access and protect continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you, Chair Robbins and Chair Wolgamott and Vice Chair Schwarz and Coulter and the members of
• </c><00:48:28.240><c> And</c> instructor just to prevent benefits.
• And instructor just to prevent benefits.
• And one of them, the only one who knew, who had the credentials to keep the program running, was about
• c> existing labor and b labor uh and existing labor and b labor uh and budgeting<01:00:46.319><c> and

Bills: HF4479, HF4368, HF4889

Keywords: higher education, public university, college campus, postsecondary institution, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, University of Minnesota, town hall, town hall meeting, elected official, legislator, public forum, constituent meeting, campus access, free meeting space, parking fees, civic engagement, public outreach, chapter 135A, HF4368, Minnesota State