Transcript Highlights:

• programs statewide.
• It also prevents for granted.
• Um, in a recent study by the program.
• Thank you. of the Quest program. And when it was of the Quest program.
• Hopefully that won't MedQuest program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 20, 2025, to hear a series of Human Services and Health resolutions. HCR 146, which asks the Department of Human Services to apply for and implement the Elderly Simplified Application Project, drew strong support from disability, public health, and hunger advocates. Testifiers emphasized that the measure could create a more uniform benefits application, reduce repeated paperwork, extend certification periods from one year to three years, and ease burdens on both applicants and DHS staff. DHS said it stood on its written testimony and was available for questions. The committee also heard that a universal application could help people with disabilities avoid delays and denials caused by complex or duplicative forms. The committee then heard HR 170/HCR 174, which requests review of Aloha-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system. Supporters from Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaii and DebtFree Justice Hawaii said the resolution would help advance restorative justice, community service, and culturally grounded rehabilitation, especially if youth fees and fines are reduced or eliminated. Testimony also supported HR 133/HCR 139, which asks the Office of Wellness and Resilience to report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnesses from the developmental disabilities council, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Hawaii Community Foundation, and others said the pandemic’s trauma and behavioral impacts justify a multidisciplinary, evidence-based report, and the office requested more time to complete its findings, suggesting a deadline at the end of 2026. The committee also heard HR 88/HCR 92, proposing a two-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program in Honolulu. One testifier described sleeping in a car and said the pilot could provide a safer option, while the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions said it supported the intent but stressed that a sanctuary is still an unsheltered situation and should lead people toward permanent housing. HCR 180, calling for collaboration among homelessness and law enforcement agencies, received comments that many of the issues are already being addressed locally. HR 103/HCR 107, which would convene a working group to strengthen Title 9 protections, received support from education, women’s, and LGBTQ advocates, who asked for student and queer representation on the working group and said federal Title 9 changes make state action important. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved from one resolution to the next after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And allowing fund managers to grants.
• , and it was grants.
• <00:09:13.520> was in 2022, the cesspool pilot program was in 2022, the cesspool pilot program
• ><00:09:28.200> was<00:09:28.320> grants.
• So, they blew through and it was grants.

Bills: HB1618

Keywords: cesspool conversion, cesspool replacement, wastewater, sewer connection, sewerage systems, septic system, pollution control, water pollution control revolving fund, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HGIA, low-interest loans, forgivable loans, homeowner financing, environmental infrastructure, public health, wastewater treatment, low- and moderate-income households, revolving loan fund, Department of Health, memorandum of agreement

Summary: The committees held a joint hearing on HB 1618 HD1, which would create and fund a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to help homeowners upgrade, convert, or connect cesspools. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state agencies and advocacy groups, with witnesses emphasizing that cost is the main barrier to cesspool conversion and that recent Kona flooding underscored the public health and pollution risks of cesspools. One testifier suggested the fund should actively pursue outside funding sources, and another urged an effective date that would allow counties to contribute sooner. A member raised concerns about whether loans would be affordable and whether other financing tools, such as tax credits, should also be considered; another member opposed the bill as not adequately addressing district-level sewer and septic issues. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, and the motion was adopted. The joint Judiciary and Ways and Means committees then considered HB 2592 on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. The chair outlined amendments to clarify that the authority would assume property and liability associated with transferred assets, preserve existing liability rules, transfer conditional use permits if not already transferred, allow lease extensions before transfer, and set reversion triggers if the authority fails to adopt a management plan by June 30, 2028, or administrative rules by December 31, 2029. Members asked about preserving the public trust and whether the amendments would keep the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ role intact; the chair confirmed the fee and board role would remain unchanged. The committees voted to pass the bill with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also took up HB 2033, making further amendments to clarify the definition of state, delay certain effective dates, allow rental and U-Drive lessors to avoid liability by identifying renters, delete one section, and add administrative hearing language and bus-camera clarifications. HB 1888 was amended to expand protections for educational workers to include sports officials, define sports official, make intentional bodily harm a felony with enhanced penalties for repeat offenses, and authorize the attorney general to assist with restraining orders. Both measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted. Later, several bills were moved with little or no discussion: HB 1515, HB 1713, HB 1718, HB 2022, and HB 2385 were recommended for passage unamended; HB 2375 was deferred; and HB 1741 was amended to reflect Honolulu’s concerns, narrow study requirements, add exemptions and a delayed implementation date, and was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees adopted the recommendations on these measures, with some members noting reservations or prior opposition on certain bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you in program management?
• state and 14 SANE programs.
• The expansion of programs has been building programs in communities where people live.
• program number up to 21.
• If you could share why she started the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner's Program in Grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• The budget includes $23.6 million to support the Community School Grant Program administered by the University
• In the Derelict Vessel Grant Program, which I believe is $4.9 million, you added in a new category of
• In the Derelict Vessel Grant Program, which I believe is $4.9 million, you added in a new category of
• versus the IDD program.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really the thing that would need to be more concerned about is the grant.
• , both the grant deployment and then the administration of that.
• of the grant is relatively small.
• The amount of the grant is relatively small, and it will not fund a mine.
• The fact that these tax credits are transferable makes it a much more effective program.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first called the roll, established a quorum, and then heard Senate Bill 1553 from Senator Curtis Gregory. The bill is aimed at national defense and reshoring critical supply chains to the United States, including pharmaceuticals and critical minerals/materials used in defense and manufacturing. Gregory said the Senate had added clarifying language tying eligible materials to federal critical-material and FDA lists. Supporters testified that the bill could help Missouri compete in sectors now dominated by foreign producers, especially China and India, and could strengthen national security by encouraging domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and critical minerals. Witnesses from Jost Chemical, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the API Innovation Center, Doe Run, and Associated Industries of Missouri emphasized the difficulty of competing with subsidized foreign supply chains, the importance of transferable tax credits, and Missouri’s existing industrial base. Several witnesses noted that grants would be harder to administer and that federal support or price stability may still be needed for large-scale projects like mines. No one testified in opposition or for informational purposes. The committee then moved into executive session and voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 1553, with nine ayes and zero nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cover the cost of these programs.
• additional revenue will provide grants additional revenue will provide grants to<00:17:38.480>
• I can program which provides popular I can program which provides hands-on<00:23:22.799> introductory
• . program. program.
• The first is for relief grants. Um, there is significant demand for relief grants across Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This resolution asks the Navy to expedite the program. Happy to answer any questions. All right.
• It did have a blue card from Grant. Thank you very much. Thank you for being in committee.
• We did have a blue card from Grant Scheringen. Did Grant want to speak? No, okay.
• We did have a blue card from Grant Scheringen. Did Grant want to speak? No, okay.
• Many programs rely on competitive grant funding.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As programming in the Denver metro area.
• through research-based programming through research-based programming grounded<00:28:04.360>
• <00:51:08.320> Majority Grant leave for JBC, Mr. Majority Grant leave for JBC, Mr.
• <01:01:20.520> where craft a loan program where craft a loan program where uh,<01:01:21.760
• <01:10:14.680> So, other early childhood programs. So, other early childhood programs.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't count toward their working their program.
• So one of the things, If it is considered dead time, if they're not working toward their program.
• Is there a program that we can implement to help the kids start working the program while they're in
• We're actually in the process of, and we just applied for grant funding to look at that.
• We're actually in the process of, and we just applied for grant funding to look at that.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote. Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:28.240> pro<00:55:28.640> program funding from the MDA grant pro program funding
• from the MDA grant pro program is<00:55:29.280> making<00:55:29.440> a<00:55:29.680>
• I'm here to show my support for creating a grant program that would allow more farmers to get into the
• I'm here to show my support for creating a grant program that would allow more farmers to get into the
• Um, I'm here to show my support for creating a grant program that would allow more farmers to get into

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One piece that I wanted to make sure to highlight relates to a competitive grant program.
• Want to make sure to support that, but also have an interest in making a shift to competitive grant programs
• Placement Services Program, which is a very helpful program for people that get jobs when they might
• This program we needed to...
• Which is the IPS program.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all being run as actual grant programs and allocations that we understand they submitted or
• So it is not through the SEG; they are stand-alone grant programs for each of the initiatives.
• Program design.
• program.
• The McKinney-Vento program, the homeless student program, had a robust pilot program done.

Transcript Highlights:

• This grant specifically was to increase that. And there are other programs that are in the slide.
• Grant specifically was to increase that. And there are other programs that are in the slide.
• , education programs, supportive programs, treatment programs.
• , education programs, supportive programs, treatment programs.
• , education programs, supportive programs, and treatment programs.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations. The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute. A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions. The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• side who've been receiving grants and think something isn't right.
• side who've been receiving grants and think something isn't right.
• side who've been receiving grants and think something isn't right.
• side who've been receiving grants and think something isn't right.
• Their agencies or people on the grant side who've been receiving grants and think something isn't right

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The meeting focused on a package of anti-fraud bills and oversight reforms. House File 3 would direct the Office of Legislative Auditor to compile existing audit and recommendation data into a matrix or numeric score showing how well agencies have implemented past recommendations over a five-year look-back period, with the goal of giving legislators a clearer, more usable accountability tool. Supporters said it would not create new data, only aggregate what already exists, and estimated the bill’s cost at about $240,000. They argued it would help lawmakers identify agencies that repeatedly fail to address waste, fraud, and abuse. House File 2 would require state employees and agencies to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and to legislative committee leaders, require unannounced in-person site visits for grant recipients, and add criminal penalties for failing to carry out those duties. House File 1 would create an independent state Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud in state government, with subpoena power, authority to stop payments, and the ability to share information with other agencies. Speakers said the new office should be independent and nonpartisan, separate from existing agency inspector general functions, and more focused on investigations than the Legislative Auditor. Members also discussed the new fraud and oversight committee, which will meet on Mondays and plans to invite DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead to testify. The committee said it will work alongside standing committees, create a whistleblower reporting website, and investigate issues as they arise. In response to questions, Robbins said HF 3 already had a fiscal note and HF 2’s fiscal note was still pending. She also said the committee is considering AI tools to flag irregularities in state programs, and that such tools might have detected problems like those seen in Feeding Our Future.

Transcript Highlights:

• in this program.
• Again, a unique program.
• of equity adjustments that were granted across multiple agencies as part of the standard salary program
• salary program.
• We've addressed, the programs have pointed toward those areas, the targeted market equity that we granted

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Permission is granted. Is there an amendment at the desk? Mr.
• I request a moment of personal privilege. >> Granted. Thank you, Mr. President.
• >> Granted.<00:36:56.080> Thank<00:36:56.320> you,<00:36:56.440> Mr.
• <00:36:57.720> Uh >> Granted. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh >> Granted.
• I ask for a moment of personal privilege. >> Granted. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our veteran transportation program and our highly rural transportation program, which is grant-funded
• Chair, you're talking about some of the programs that you have.
• The TFAP program, FDIPR, and many different programs help to piece together the puzzle of support for
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TFAP, which is the commodity food program, experienced a shift
• Benefits through bridge programming when there's shutdowns.

Transcript Highlights:

• contains money for that same program? contains money for that same program?
• Um, the first, you know, we got a grant, uh, was awarded a grant yesterday.
• Um, the first, you know, we got a grant, uh, was awarded a grant yesterday.
• Um, the first, you know, we got a grant, uh, was awarded a grant yesterday.
• Um, the first, you know, we got a grant, uh, was awarded a grant yesterday.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I direct a program at Boston Children's Hospital called Roberts Program.
• These programs work.
• As you know, this act will establish the Flexible Assistance for Survivors Grant Program, which will
• They are not forced to comply with state-defined programs.
• They do not stop this program. They do not stop towns from choosing to opt into these grants.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care. Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll provide Office of Justice Programs.
• programs, but we do all types of fraud. programs, but we do all types of fraud.
• that don't really align with a grant and say a competitive grant process.
• that don't really align with a grant and say a competitive grant process.
• that don't really align with a grant and say a competitive grant process.

Bills: HF4075, HF3826, HF3825, HF3827, HF3459, HF3711, HF4200, HF3908, HF3712

Keywords: firearm restrictions, domestic violence, public safety, court orders, criminal convictions, identity theft, subpoena authority, fraud, statute of limitations, financial crime, victim notification, expungement, criminal justice, plea agreements, minor victims, identification protection, stalking, crime data, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, law enforcement grants