Transcript Highlights:

• </c> informed consent is it's an ethical informed consent is it's an ethical cornerstone<01:29:19.040
• </c> um, every board is going to have ethical um, every board is going to have ethical an<01:36:58.960
• 00.000><c> usually</c><01:37:00.320><c> adopt</c> an ethical code that they usually adopt an ethical
• </c> of care question versus like an ethical of care question versus like an ethical code<01:37:11.679
• professional judgment, ethical professional judgment, ethical responsibility,<04:47:42.878><c> and</c

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a procurement chapter, including, you know, competition, transparency, ethical standards, and
• That's a procurement chapter, including, you know, competition, transparency, ethical standards, and
• That's a procurement chapter, including, you know, competition, transparency, ethical standards, and
• That's a procurement chapter, including, you know, competition, transparency, ethical standards, and
• That's a procurement chapter, including, you know, competition, transparency, ethical standards, and

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 18, 2026, and heard four bills. HB 2519 would shift University of Hawaii funding toward block appropriations, a stabilization fund, limited procurement and fiscal exemptions, performance-based metrics, and annual reporting. UH supported the bill, saying line-item budgeting hampers systemwide efficiency across its 10 campuses; the State Procurement Office commented on the procurement exemption. The chair proposed amendments to address concerns from Budget and Finance and procurement, including capping UH’s retained funds at 10%, requiring lapse after three fiscal years, removing CIP-to-operating transfers, narrowing procurement exemptions while keeping Chapter 103B principles, shifting performance metric-setting to the Board of Regents, and requiring annual reporting. The committee then voted to pass HB 2519 with amendments. HB 2409 would establish the Hawaii Geological Survey in Hilo and designate its director as the state geologist. UH Hilo supported the concept but said it would need sufficient general-fund support, estimating roughly $200,000 to start. DLNR and the Attorney General offered comments, with the AG calling it a matter of statewide concern. The chair said the DNR testimony raised public safety concerns and that UH Hilo had not identified a firm funding amount, so the committee voted to defer the bill. HB 2141 HD1 concerned state enterprise zones and would expand eligible business activities and allow DBED to designate up to two areas as enterprise zones with gubernatorial approval. DBED, the Tax Foundation, and other organizations submitted support or comments. After discussion, the chair said the current version no longer fit the higher education committee’s focus and recommended reverting to the original bill, which would limit the zone to Kakaʻako Makai for a biomedical health innovation hub near JABSOM and the Queen’s Cancer Center, with a defective date. The committee voted to pass HB 2141 HD1 with amendments. HB 2233 HD1 would appropriate funds to continue the SNAP-Ed program through UH and the Department of Health. DOH supported the bill and said it had been working on nutrition education and environmental changes; it estimated about $600,000 each for DOH and SEAR, or $1.2 million total. Testimony in support also came from several organizations and individuals, including a senior advocate who described the program’s practical benefits. The chair said the committee would reflect the $600,000-per-entity estimate in its report, and the committee voted to pass HB 2233 HD1 as is before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know there's ethics that they could have complaints filed against them on there, which might could
• When you are referring to PLSB, it's purely an ethical consideration.
• So there are seven ethical standards that all licensed educators are held to. So they will look.
• We're only looking at ethical standards. I've never heard of this. And so this is a...
• She said that if the licensure board comes back and says there are no ethics violations, then that is

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Summary: The committee met to review a large slate of education audit reports, with most of the discussion focused on the Blytheville School District. Legislative Audit summarized serious repeat findings in the FY24 and FY25 audits, including missing supporting documentation for payroll, receipts, disbursements, journal entries, and Title I spending; unreconciled bank balances; capital asset recordkeeping problems; missing performance bonds; and payroll errors. Audit staff said the lack of documentation led to qualified opinions on the financial statements, and the reports were referred to the prosecuting attorney and attorney general. Members questioned how the district had reached that point, what safeguards existed under state takeover, whether prior administrators had moved on to other districts, and how much money might need to be repaid. District and Department of Education representatives said Blytheville was under Level 5 intensive support, had a new superintendent, new finance staff, and a management contract with AMS, and that corrective action plans were underway. A motion to refer the matter to the Professional Licensure Standards Board was discussed, then withdrawn so the former superintendent, Dr. Veronica Perkins, could testify; she said the district had longstanding staffing and process problems, denied intentional wrongdoing, and described the changes now being made. The committee ultimately held the Blytheville report over until the September meeting and then filed it later in the meeting after further discussion. The committee then reviewed several other repeat-finding reports. KIPP Delta Public Charter School had multiple repeat issues involving missing documentation, improper use of Title I and federal funds, weak bank reconciliations, collateralization problems, capital asset recordkeeping, related-party transactions, and journal entry approval; that report had already been referred to the First Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General. KIPP representatives said they had replaced personnel, improved oversight, and were working with outside support to correct long-standing finance problems, including a prior $3.6 million variance that they said had been reduced to zero. Hope Academy of Northwest Arkansas, which had voluntarily closed effective June 30, 2025, had repeat findings tied to financial statement errors, bank reconciliations, leave records, non-payroll expenditures, and journal entries; its former superintendent said the school closed without owing money to the state and that the organization had shifted its work into a new project serving students with behavioral needs. The committee also heard brief presentations on Brinkley, Lee County, and Marvel school districts. Brinkley’s repeat findings involved misclassified and unrecorded revenues and investments tied to bond and settlement accounts, plus bank reconciliation issues; the district said it had a new finance team, was working with outside support, and had reduced its variance to zero. Lee County’s repeat finding involved capital assets, including a bus that had been disposed of but remained on the asset list and several purchased items that were not added promptly; the superintendent said the district had improved overall and corrected the issue. Marvel’s repeat finding involved payroll errors, with one certified employee overpaid and another underpaid due to clerical mistakes. In each case, district representatives described corrective steps, and the committee voted without objection to file the reports that were ready for disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will be enforced by the Texas Ethics Commission.
• Are there questions for the Ethics Commission as a resource?
• I've got one for the Ethics Commission. Next commission. The record shows you're J.R.
• Johnson, representing the Texas Ethics Commission. You're neutral on the bill, is that correct?
• We've had several bills concerning enforcement from the Ethics Commission.

Bills: HB1951 , HB2715 , HB3092 , HB3237 , HB3278 , HB3511 , HB3592 , HB3675 , HB3778 , HB3782 , HB3826 , HB3970 , HB4016 , HB4049 , HB4341 , HB4344 , HB4406 , HB4427

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• We are required to recertify annually, which includes continuing education, professional ethics, training
• practitioners such as those certified by the Modern Mystery School, who already follow stringent ethical
• This bill, while perhaps well-intended, would unintentionally harm an entire ecosystem of ethical small
• These disciplines follow different training paths, ethics, and outcomes.
• ignores the rigor of our training, of our curriculum, of our standards, and practice and codes of ethics

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The committee opened a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and reviewed a broad agenda including credit card fees, event ticketing, music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, CPA pathways, school mental health licensure, and a bill regulating alternative healing therapies. The chairs explained hearing logistics, including three-minute testimony limits and submission of written testimony, and noted that more than 70 people had signed up to testify. Legislators and advocates were heard out of order throughout the day. A major portion of the hearing focused on credit card surcharge and interchange legislation. Restaurant owners, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, NFIB, and other small-business witnesses supported bills allowing merchants to add convenience fees and, in one proposal, preventing card companies from charging fees on tax and tip portions of transactions. They argued that swipe fees are a major and growing cost, especially for restaurants, and that Massachusetts is one of only two states that bars surcharges. Opponents from the Cooperative Credit Union Association, the Electronic Payment Coalition, and the Electronic Transactions Association warned that the proposals would create compliance burdens, fragment the payment system, raise legal preemption issues, and disrupt a system they described as efficient and secure. The committee also heard competing testimony on ticket transferability and ticket resale. Supporters, including the National Consumers League and Sports Fans Coalition, said bills on ticket transferability would protect consumers who cannot attend events and would increase competition and savings in the secondary market. Opponents, including United Musicians and Allied Workers and theater owners, argued that mandatory transferability would weaken artists’ and venues’ ability to prevent scalping and predatory resale, and that some ticket sellers should be exempt from the broader ticketing regulations. Separate testimony supported music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, and new CPA education pathways, with witnesses saying these measures would expand access to care and strengthen the workforce while maintaining professional standards. The hearing also drew extensive opposition to S.261 on alternative healing therapies, with practitioners and clients arguing it would overregulate spiritual and holistic practices and was not an effective response to human trafficking concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up tab. 46 appointment to the commission on ethics senators.
• We have a reappointment 14, a desk of it as a member of the Commission on Ethics.
• I don't ever question. >> President, when President Gaetz was a pointed to the ethics Commission, did
• . >> I mean, I'm the ethics and elections committee.
• The headline reads, Governor DeSantis, reappoint Moms for Liberty, co-founder to Commission on Ethics

Transcript Highlights:

• Ethics Commission.
• I am testifying on behalf of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. We are in support of this bill.
• 00:01:10.560><c> decisions</c><00:01:11.479><c> first</c><00:01:11.920><c> up</c><00:01:12.240><c> ethics
• We realized that a healthy procurement code needs to have checks and balances and ethical safeguards
• We realized that a healthy procurement code needs to have checks and balances and ethical safeguards

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 412 HD1, which would expand the definition of lobbying to include certain communications with high-level officials about procurement decisions and create presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients. The State Ethics Commission and State Procurement Office supported the measure, saying it would improve transparency and align Hawaii with other states, while the Hawaii Primary Care Association opposed it over concerns that employers and others could be swept in too broadly. No public testimony or questions led to any action on the bill during the hearing. The committee then took up House Bill 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain research purposes and clarify the Office of Information Practices’ rulemaking authority. OIP and the Public First Law Center supported the bill, arguing it would create uniform standards and that concerns could be handled through rules. The University of Hawaiʻi system, DBEDT, DHS, DLNR, and others raised concerns about the breadth of the terms “research” and “researcher,” privacy, confidential information, and possible misuse; Hawaiian Electric also warned about access to sensitive infrastructure information. Members questioned whether the bill was premature and whether definitions should be narrowed in statute, and OIP said it would consider working with agencies and the University on clearer definitions. House Bill 792 HD1, relating to the Office of the Legislative Analyst, drew no testimony beyond a late written support from the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the committee moved on without discussion. The committee then heard House Bill 1424, which would restrict transfers between appropriated funds for positions and operating expenses. Budget and Finance explained that current practice allows transfers from payroll to other current expenses when there are savings, but legislative appropriations for specific purposes must still be spent for that purpose. Several agencies expressed opposition or concerns, saying the bill could reduce flexibility, especially in response to federal funding changes or vacant positions, though members emphasized transparency and accountability. Budget and Finance suggested a reporting approach instead, and the committee discussed quarterly reporting as a possible alternative. Finally, the committee began House Bill 1153 HD1, which concerns funding adjustments for state programs and capital improvement projects and establishes a protocol fund. Budget and Finance, DAGS, and the State Procurement Office supported the measure, while the General Contractors Association and several construction-related groups opposed section two, arguing it would undo recent procurement protest-bond safeguards adopted in Act 162. The hearing then moved on toward House Bill 1297, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was fully discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you explain kind of what those ethics exceptions are and the reasoning behind it?
• Could you explain kind of what those ethics exceptions are and the reasoning behind it?
• Could you explain kind of what those ethics exceptions are and the reasoning behind it?
• rules under KRS 11 members from ethics rules under KRS 11 11a<00:15:34.519><c> um</c><00:15:35.000><
• </c><00:15:40.839><c> what</c> explain kind of what those ethics what explain kind of what those ethics

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 566, which would implement the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation created last year. Chairman Cook described major provisions affecting charitable gaming, horse racing, sports wagering, and quarter horse racing, including locking charitable gaming fees in statute at a slightly lower rate, expanding charitable gaming board representation, preserving existing gaming technology, allowing school districts to hold charitable gaming licenses, and setting up self-funding for the new corporation through administrative set-asides from gaming-related funds. The bill also addresses uncashed vouchers, cross-training of investigators, ethics and employment provisions, and a three-year quarter horse breeding incentive intended to grow the industry. A committee substitute made two technical changes: clarifying voucher money stays with the track facility and making the school district itself the license holder. The substitute and then the bill both passed favorably, with several members noting concerns from last year but supporting the revised structure. The committee then heard House Bill 70, an interstate compact for dietitians. Sponsor Representative Vanessa Grossl and witnesses said the measure would allow reciprocity with other compact states, improve workforce mobility, help military families, expand patient access and telehealth, and reduce administrative burden on the licensing board. The committee substitute created a third license category for educational interpreters, but that language actually belonged to the next bill; for HB 70, the committee voted the bill favorably without reported amendments. The bill passed unanimously or near-unanimously and was sent to the House floor. Next, House Bill 72 was presented by Representative DJ Johnson to amend the law governing limited x-ray machine operators. The sponsor explained that current law effectively prevents limited x-ray operators from working in the same facility as other imaging equipment, which he said creates compliance problems, disrupts training, and can force practices to move equipment or lose employees. The bill would allow limited x-ray technicians to operate in the same facility as other imaging equipment. During discussion, some members noted opposition from students and others in the field, and the sponsor invited industry witnesses to explain their concerns. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 72 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• anything in this report were to be leaked, there would be severe consequences and that we would want our ethics
• that we would severe consequences and that we would want<00:06:41.759><c> our</c><00:06:42.080><c> ethics
• 42.880><c> to</c><00:06:43.360><c> go</c><00:06:43.600><c> to</c><00:06:43.840><c> the</c> want our ethics
• committee to go to the want our ethics committee to go to the furthest<00:06:44.400><c> extreme</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• standard clinical reassessment that death has been appropriately determined and that it is safe and ethical
• 00:03:10.720><c> and</c> determined and that it is a safe and determined and that it is a safe and ethical
• </c> ethical to proceed with organ recovery. ethical to proceed with organ recovery.

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Hours of ethics. >> Yeah, you get 2 hours on— >> Can you send us an email out as a reminder?
• &gt;&gt; hours<00:10:23.720><c> of</c><00:10:23.880><c> ethics.</c> &gt;&gt; hours of ethics.
• &gt;&gt; hours of ethics.

Summary: The commission met in open session to take action on several motions related to an adjudicatory hearing. It denied a motion to dismiss, granted a motion to quash, and granted in part a renewed motion to compel and for sanctions only to the extent it continued the hearing that had been scheduled for that day. Two motions in limine, one by Mr. Jenkins and one by Representative Grossberg’s attorney, were denied, with the chair noting that relevance issues would be decided during the hearing and that the focus should remain on the conduct and allegations at issue. The commission then set hearing dates for January 26 and February 2, with hearings to begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude before the General Assembly reconvened. It also approved the financial report/budget for October. During discussion, members noted the need to keep the commission’s work moving despite legislative schedules and the importance of not pulling members away from General Assembly responsibilities. In other business, staff announced a current issues training/CLE event for January 7, the hiring of new general counsel Larissa Pletcher effective December 16, and the start of re-registration. The chair reported ongoing efforts to fill remaining commission vacancies through the Speaker’s and President’s offices, and members discussed a possible tentative special meeting on January 12 at noon if needed. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know from our joint work, I guess, on the Ethics Committee that the House has an ability to censure
• And yes, it's true that with regard to Ethics Committee procedures and things that have to do with the
• This is different from that and from the work that we do typically on the Ethics Committee kind of work

Summary: The Rules Committee considered House Resolution 2004, which was described as a resolution of censure or statement of disapproval directed at Attorney General Chris Mays. Tim Fleming from the Rules Office testified that the resolution was constitutional and in proper form. Committee members asked about the legal effect of the measure and whether “censure” had a specific meaning; Fleming said it was essentially a statement of disapproval and would not impose any penalty. Members also noted that the resolution had been assigned only to the Rules Committee, unlike most bills that go through substantive committees. During roll call, Representative Dayla Sanchez explained her no vote by defending Attorney General Mays’s record on fentanyl seizures, drug trafficking prosecutions, and law enforcement recognition, and criticized the resolution as political theater. Representative Contreras and Representative Francis also voted no. The committee voted 4 ayes, 3 nays, and 1 absent to recommend House Resolution 2004 as constitutional and in proper form, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know from our joint work, I guess, on the Ethics Committee, that the House has an ability to censure
• And yes, it's true that with regard to Ethics Committee procedures and things that have to do with the
• This is different from that and from the work that we do typically on the Ethics Committee kind of work

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• :12:20.240><c> Authority,</c> entities. the Port Authority, entities. the Port Authority, the The Ethics
• I don't—I think that removes that's why I wanted discussed because I see the Ethics Commission had signed
• cuz</c><00:13:34.720><c> I</c><00:13:34.959><c> see</c><00:13:35.120><c> the</c><00:13:35.279><c> ethics
• </c><00:13:35.600><c> commission</c><00:13:36.000><c> had</c> bas cuz I see the ethics commission had
• bas cuz I see the ethics commission had signed<00:13:36.959><c> up</c><00:13:37.360><c> but</c><00:13

Bills: HB139 , HB220 , SB274 , SB282 , SB277

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, tab 5, Senate Bill 572 on ethics for public employees.
• What this bill does is simply modernize Florida ethics statutes to update the definition of relative
• What this bill does is simply modernize Florida ethics statutes to update the definition of relative
• And the bill ensures that ethical safeguards apply consistently to foster family relationships, which
• have one appearance form from Kerry Stillman, the Executive Director of the Florida Commission on Ethics

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first postponed SB 1650. The committee then heard and favorably reported SB 308, which implements the Florida Museum of Black History task force recommendations by designating St. Johns County as the museum site and creating a board to work with a supporting nonprofit. It also favorably reported SB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services aquaculture and shellfish production records. Members then considered SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability. The bill creates a presumption against liability for private businesses that follow updated cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements, and a similar protection for local governments that comply with state standards. An amendment was adopted to prevent local governments from imposing separate cybersecurity standards on vendors and to clarify vendor definitions and effective dates. The Florida Justice Association opposed the bill, raising concerns about local government immunity, the practical effect of the presumption for private entities, and retroactivity, while business and industry groups supported it. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also favorably reported SB 572, which updates ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; SB 1442, which revises the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; SB 1106, which replaces references to the West Bank with Judea and Samaria in state agency and educational materials; SB 474, which revises military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, with three amendments adopted; and SB 350, which revises public records protections for crime victims and law enforcement officers who are victims, including a 72-hour confidentiality period for officers in certain cases. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibility from DMS to state agencies while preserving reporting to DMS. The meeting ended after members recorded additional votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Ethics and Elections will now come to order.
• Good to be back in Ethics and Elections. This bill seeks to...
• Good to be back in Ethics and Elections.
• We have now the first of many appointments that will come before the Ethics and Elections Committee.
• We have now the first of many appointments that will come before the Ethics and Elections Committee.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1416, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new schedule takes effect. Senators discussed whether the bill would affect runoff elections, with the sponsor explaining that runoff timing would shift to the August primary/general election framework. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed, while members cited potential taxpayer savings and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 766, as amended by strike-all, which would require agents of certain “countries of concern” to register with the Division of Elections when engaging in political activity. The amendment narrowed the bill’s focus and aligned terminology with existing state law. After no opposition or debate on the amendment, the committee adopted it and then reported the bill favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. Questioning focused heavily on PSC transparency, the sufficiency of commission orders, Supreme Court criticism of PSC decisions, storm protection plans, utility rate cases, and how the commission evaluates evidence and consumer impacts. LaRosa said the commission had changed its procedures to produce more detailed orders and more robust discussion, and he described ongoing work on rate cases, public engagement, and emerging energy issues such as small modular reactors. Despite concerns raised, the nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of additional appointments in tabs 4 through 27, also reporting them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have Hawaii State Ethics Commission, Mr.
• </c> Hawaii State Ethics Commission, Mr. Hawaii State Ethics Commission, Mr. Harris.
• First up, we have the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. >> Thank you, Chair.
• Again, Robert Harris on behalf of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.
• recommended by the Ethics Commission in their<01:38:02.480><c> testimony.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• tracking, and staff support during the session and has demonstrated professionalism, a strong work ethic
• findings of such inquiry and the evidence adduced at the public hearings, the Senate Committee on Ethics
• The Committee on Ethics and Elections submits its report with recommendations.
• Your Committee on Ethics and Elections had a thorough and full hearing with respect to Mr.
• During her ethics and elections confirmation hearing, Ms.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy girls basketball team and a Florida State University student intern. The chamber then turned to executive appointment confirmations reported by the Committee on Ethics and Elections and other reference committees under Rule 12.7, with Chair Don Gates explaining that the committee had reviewed the qualifications and suitability of the nominees and held public hearings where required. Members debated several confirmations at length. The report containing 186 appointments was adopted 31-0 after Senator Polsky explained her no votes on three nominees, citing concerns about past comments and ideological views. The Senate then confirmed Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employee Relations Commission by a 26-10 vote after sharp debate over his role as counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and allegations tied to the diversion of Medicaid settlement funds; supporters argued he was a competent lawyer and no formal action had been taken against him. Chavon Harris was confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration by a 32-5 vote, with supporters praising her work on Medicaid funding and opponents criticizing her prior leadership at DCF and the Hope Florida-related issues. Taylor Hatch was confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families by a 33-4 vote, despite concerns raised about SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, audits, and DCF’s handling of Hope Florida; supporters emphasized her commitment to reform and the difficulty of the agency’s mission. After a brief recess, the Senate held a lengthy recognition of outgoing President Kathleen Passidomo. Senators from both parties offered personal tributes focused on her leadership, toughness, humor, mentorship, and support for colleagues, especially women in the chamber. Several speakers also referenced her handling of difficult bills, her post-presidency service as Rules Chair, and her resilience after personal loss. No further legislative action was taken during the recognition segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• tracking, and staff support during the session and has demonstrated professionalism, a strong work ethic
• The Committee on Ethics and Elections submits its report with recommendations.
• Your Committee on Ethics and Elections had a thorough and full hearing with respect to Mr.
• Your Committee on Ethics and Elections had a thorough and full hearing with respect to Mr.
• During her Ethics and Elections confirmation hearing, Ms.

Transcript Highlights:

• tracking, and staff support during the session and has demonstrated professionalism, a strong work ethic
• The Committee on Ethics and Elections submits its report with recommendations.
• Your Committee on Ethics and Elections had a thorough and full hearing with respect to Mr.
• Your committee on ethics and elections had a thorough and full hearing with respect to Mr.
• During her Ethics and Elections confirmation hearing, Ms.