Video & Transcript : 'Legislative Appropriations Request' :
Page 251 of 500
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- House Concurrent Resolution 7 by the State Affairs Committee, relating to legislative appropriations.
- A request was made to put the House at ease so members could wait for the Appropriations Committee to
- And then they run an appropriation, and it's an overage.
- That money, how we're appropriating that money.
- They have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to lobby legislators and to go after legislators in their
Summary:
The Idaho House convened with a quorum, approved the House Journal, and received committee reports printing House Bills 593-599 and advancing several bills, including HB 544, HB 540, HB 541, HB 569, SB 1222, and SJM 108. The House also introduced and referred new bills HB 600-605, covering public records, collective bargaining and taxpayer funding of unions, foreign laws, Capitol Mall/camping and state property management, sex offender registration, and tax subtractions for tips and overtime. Several other measures were moved to second reading, and the chamber briefly went at ease while waiting on Appropriations.
The main floor debate centered on House Concurrent Resolution 25, a call under Article V for a balanced budget amendment. Supporters argued the federal debt is unsustainable, that Idaho already balances its budget, and that a convention threat is needed to force Congress to act. Opponents warned a constitutional convention could become a runaway process, create opportunities for lobbying and corruption, and even alter the ratification rules; some also argued the real problem is the monetary system and federal spending incentives, not just the absence of a balanced budget amendment. Members cited historical precedent, Article V, and concerns about delegate selection and sideboards throughout the debate.
After extensive debate, the House passed HCR 25 by a vote of 36 ayes to 34 nays, with the title approved and the resolution sent to the Senate. The House then held remaining third-reading bills in place until Monday, heard several personal privilege announcements and committee schedule notices, and adjourned until 11 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2026.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- A record vote has been requested. Strict enforcement has been requested.
- They're requesting it. Mr. Verdell, for what purpose? Could I request an extension?
- The author, a record vote has been requested; a record vote is granted.
- Members and colleagues, as we talk about legislation, let's not allow...
- The Senate added a HHSC requested cleanup amendment to authorize already appropriated funding for the
Bills:
SB4, SB23, SB3, SJR2, SJR85, SB34, SB60, SB75, SB706, SB1814, SB1220, SB523, SB565, SB1253, SB840, SB764, SB2383, SB2155, SB1535, SB1405, SB1423, SB1566, SB1804, SB1728, SB1816, SB1952, SB1948, SB2037, SB2068, SB1455, SB213, SB243, SB627, SB646, SB670, SB896, SB917, SB1184, SB971, SB1255, SB1261, SB1283, SB1358, SB991, SB1733, SB21, SB231, SB739, SB1252, SB1371, SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SB687, SB1332, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, SB1762, SB552, HCR109, SB2185, SB4, SB23, SB3, SJR2, SJR85, SB34, SB60, SB75, SB706, SB1814, SB1220, SB523, SB565, SB1253, SB840, SB764, SB2383, SB2155, SB1535, SB1405, SB1423, SB1566, SB1804, SB1728, SB1816, SB1952, SB1948, SB2037, SB2068, SB1455, SB213, SB243, SB627, SB646, SB670, SB896, SB917, SB1184, SB971, SB1255, SB1261, SB1283, SB1358, SB991, SB1733, SB21, SB231, SB739, SB1252, SB1371, HB2970, HB 109, SB2308
Keywords:
property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, constitutional amendment, elderly, disabled, ad valorem taxation, school district funding, SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation provides for appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending
- provides for This legislation provides for appropriations<03:02:03.040><c> for</c><03:02:03.279><c>
- </c> FY26 budget request. FY26 budget request.
- legislation in history and<03:16:50.399><c> appropriations</c><03:16:51.120><c> to</c><03:16:51.359>
- I request a recorded vote. I request a recorded vote. A recorded vote is requested.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Civil Rights & Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2445 is Attorney General request legislation that makes several revisions to estate administration
- And the bill specifies requirements for requesting that approval.
- I'm the legislative director for the Attorney General's Office.
- Ranking Member, for the opportunity to present you this legislation.
- And this legislation allows our psychiatric pharmacists, who we will hear from... ...and this legislation
Keywords:
psychiatric pharmacists, mental health, pharmacy regulations, healthcare, pharmacological treatments, limited equity cooperatives, common interest ownership, housing, exemption, community ownership, probate, estate administration, inheritance, heir finder, heir locator, beneficiary interest, transfer of inheritance rights, probate for profit, personal representative, executor
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In the Recovery Act section of this legislation.
- That is committee endorsed legislation.
- Speaker and kind lady, uh, the appropriation was moved, the original request was $2 million but it's
- It says although the bill does not require legislative approval of the bond, it does not require legislative
- Speaker, gentlemen, I know that, uh, in House Appropriations we had a, a request, and I don't know if
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- It does not appropriate any money.
- Again, you didn't need legislation. You went through it.
- Again, nothing in this bill appropriates any funds.
- It does say subject to legislative appropriation within the bill. Lifeline. Okay.
- I think all of that is incredibly appropriate.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- seeding in Florida, officially, there were no requests for permits for cloud seeding.
- We haven't seen a request for a cloud seeding permit in over 10 years. Many will complain.
- And I'm not really sure what we're doing with this legislation.
- You know, it's hard to past legislation when there's just too many questions.
- It's just 2 unknown to legislate upon right now for that reason. I'm in now. Vice chair.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Each remote agent must only be assigned requests for which they are trained and certified.
- One of the things we have, some of this relates to legislation that is in...
- One of the things we have, some of this relates to legislation that is in...
- If the hand signals are not relayed to the vehicle appropriately, the vehicle does not respond.
- As we know, we've seen legislation before that tries to incorporate a hybrid.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Families & Children (2-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation is as a result of two cases, one from the Supreme Court of Kentucky and one from the
- These recommendations go through a vigorous review process, as we uphold that legislative change should
- These recommendations go through a vigorous review process, as we uphold that legislative change should
- </c><00:31:08.600><c> from</c> it does not need to be requested from it does not need to be requested
- It's probably not appropriate, and that's a voluntary thing they're doing.
Keywords:
00:11 Call to Order/Roll Call
01:02 Discussion of 25RS SB 26
07:48 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 26
08:43 Discussion of 25RS SB 85
28:04 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 85
29:37 Discussion of 25RS HB 805
40:30 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 805
41:32 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 26, presented by Senator Brandon Storm, Family Court Judge Marcus Vanover, and Crystal Adams on behalf of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The bill would ensure Kentucky complies with the ADA by prohibiting disability alone from being used to terminate adoption petitions, parental rights, or child-placement petitions. Testimony cited Kentucky Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases involving parents with intellectual or developmental disabilities and national data showing high removal rates for parents with psychiatric, intellectual, or physical disabilities. The committee approved the bill 15-0 with favorable expression.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 85 from Senator Steve Meredith and State Auditor Allison Ball, which continues the transition of the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Auditor’s office. Testimony focused on completing the transfer by clarifying access to the ITWIST database, ensuring complaints go directly to the Ombudsman, adding whistleblower protections, and making the office a separate office within the Auditor’s office for efficiency. Members asked about the prior conflict of interest when the Ombudsman was housed within CHFS, the database access dispute and lawsuit, and whether the office still remained independent. The bill passed with favorable expression after some members voted pass.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 805, with Representative Nick Wilson and Representative Sarah Stalker explaining a committee substitute and amendment. The bill would set timelines for the Cabinet to physically locate children reported at immediate safety risk and require annual kinship-care reporting to be automatically provided to the legislature and posted publicly. Wilson said the bill also cleans up language from last year’s House Bill 271, including changing “threats” to “risks” in the safety-plan definition and other terminology fixes. The committee adopted the substitute and amendment and advanced the bill with favorable expression.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/19/26
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- :32.280><c> that</c> Legislation was passed approving that Legislation was passed approving that and<
- </c> appropriate by the Secretary of State. appropriate by the Secretary of State.
- ><c> is</c><01:02:21.560><c> about</c> This legislation before you is about This legislation before you
- </c> changes from legislators. changes from legislators.
- </c><01:05:31.160><c> for</c> Today I come here just for request for Today I come here just for request
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> have requested fin release. have requested fin release.
- </c> included that with our request to fin. included that with our request to fin.
- </c> your co-chair Senator Kim requested your co-chair Senator Kim requested which<00:16:35.120><c> is
- </c> to raise but we also had some requests to raise but we also had some requests from<00:47:21.840>
- Uh we have requested a CD1, which would Uh we have requested a CD1, which would just<00:54:28.080><c>
Bills:
SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343
Keywords:
electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 24th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
- Legislative Caucus and the Native American Legislative Caucus.
- And our caucus is proud to stand in solidarity with the legislative black caucus.
- with the Legislative Black Caucus.
- I respectfully request that you join me today in voting aye on ACR 27. Thank you.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- The original legislation in 2011, The original legislation, in 2011, amended the International Residential
- The motion is due pass to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
- The motion is due pass to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
- The motion is due pass to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
- Committee on Appropriations.
Summary:
The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime premium costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, argued the bill would restore lost hours and take-home pay after California’s agricultural overtime law reduced schedules. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the proposal would subsidize employers with taxpayer dollars and undermine the principle that employers should pay overtime themselves. The bill was held in subcommittee until more members arrived.
The committee then took up SB 1083, a cleanup bill to the prior year’s school employee misconduct database law. The author and supporters said it would add due process protections for classified school employees, require an administrative law judge review before placement in the database, and improve notice and vetting rules for contractors and non-permanent staff. School employer groups and other opponents warned the bill could slow investigations and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved the bill 3-0 and sent it to Senate Appropriations.
Members also considered SB 1089, which would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications and expand access through CalRX for chronic weight management and related health conditions. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and medical groups, said the drugs can prevent diabetes and improve health outcomes but remain unaffordable for many. Pharma representatives expressed concerns about the bill as drafted but said they were open to continued discussions. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar 4-0.
Later, the committee heard SB 954, which would narrow and add guardrails to last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, including environmental review near disadvantaged communities and labor standards such as prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. Labor, environmental, and community groups supported the bill as a cleanup of an overly broad exemption, while business and manufacturing groups opposed it, warning it would discourage investment and worsen California’s competitiveness. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1299, a fire sprinkler fitter certification bill, was heard and passed 3-0 to Appropriations with support from the sprinkler fitters and building trades and no recorded opposition.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to call the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to order.
- We do feel that we have submitted the appropriate reports.
- Basically, they've been used appropriately.
- Any public comment on this audit request, please come forward now.
- Senator Cortese's request asks the appropriate question: is the procurement and oversight process used
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to consider new audit requests. The State Auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, with several expected to be published over the coming months, and noted that litigation is delaying the Huntington Beach air show audit. The committee approved a consent calendar of four audit requests covering UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring.
The committee then heard Assembly Member DeMaio’s request for an audit of SANDAG’s road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to restore public trust and examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly handled. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency manages many funding sources, undergoes frequent audits, and has strengthened internal controls; they said the requested review would be duplicative of existing oversight. After debate, the committee voted the request down.
Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, focusing on whether grantees and BSCC are accurately reporting outcomes and recidivism data and whether oversight is sufficient. BSCC said the program already has multiple oversight layers, including Controller audits, and cited reported improvements in homelessness, employment, and recidivism outcomes. The committee approved the audit. Finally, Senator Cortese’s audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and contract oversight was heard, with supporters citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network problems, and retirees’ out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently ran an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that it uses performance guarantees. The committee approved that audit as well, then completed add-on votes approving the earlier consent calendar items before adjourning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
HF2432, the omnibus judiciary, public safety, and corrections bill is repassed in MN House 5/19/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, I request that members vote yes on the report. Thank you.
- </c><00:13:04.480><c> it</c> our agencies and that they request it our agencies and that they request
- He said he is very grateful to the governor and legislative leaders.
- The judicial funded appropriately.
- And I'm sorry consider their requests.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I had my question has to do with the California legislation.
- Then I can request one.
- We do support thoughtful AI legislation.
- This is governor-request legislation.
- I hope you look at this as strong legislation to stop the harms.
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on three AI-related bills. HB 1170 would require large generative AI providers to offer provenance detection tools and include latent and manifest disclosures in AI-generated or altered content; supporters said it is needed to combat deepfakes and disinformation, while opponents raised First Amendment, technical feasibility, and compliance concerns, and the Attorney General’s Office said the bill needs clearer provider definitions and enforcement language. HB 2157 would regulate high-risk AI systems used in consequential decisions such as employment, housing, health care, and parole by requiring risk management, impact assessments, disclosures, and a private right of action; the sponsor said it is needed to address algorithmic discrimination and consumer protection, while industry and civil liberties groups warned it is overbroad, burdensome, and constitutionally problematic, and the AG’s Office supported the concept but asked for changes to enforcement and the right-to-cure provisions. HB 2225 would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosures, limits on manipulative engagement, and safeguards for minors and self-harm; the sponsor, governor’s office, AG’s Office, researchers, and several families testified in support, citing harms to youth and real-world suicides, while industry groups supported narrower protections but objected to the private right of action and scope. No votes were taken during the hearings.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Civil Judiciary REVISION 2: HB4094 and HB3407 - Added Feb 19th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Civil Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- The issue we are having, this is a constituent request.
- If this legislation were to pass, the...
- And I think that it would be more appropriate to list where we can't.
- Trooper escort is available, particularly for the legislators.
- House Bill 494 is a request bill from the city of Owasso.
Bills:
HB1453, HB2933, HB2941, HB2945, HB2959, HB3087, HB3094, HB3297, HB3298, HB3319, HB3321, HB3386, HB3453, HB3471, HB3505, HB3510, HB3544, HB3549, HB3652, HB3727, HB3791, HB3845, HB3906, HB4119, HB4125, HB4126, HB4198, HB4236, HB4425, HB4343, HB4094, HB3407
Keywords:
foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, abortion
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HHS-WLA-HWN, AEN-HWN, HWN DEFER, HWN Public Hearings 02-12-2026
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Friday, February 13th, in Room 225, and a public notice will be posted on the legislative website.
- Friday, February 13th, in Room 225, and a public notice will be posted on the legislative website.
- egg lands, perhaps the legislation egg lands, perhaps the legislation should<00:18:58.320><c> consider
- </c> convening of the 2028 legislative convening of the 2028 legislative session. session. session.
- The EIS was requested and put forth, and so at this point I am a science-minded person.
Summary:
The Triple C committee heard SB 2799, relating to the Kalopa settlement. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals and homestead organizations urging passage and asking that Hawaiian Homes Commission, HHCA beneficiaries, and community representatives be included in transition planning. The Department of Health opposed the added reporting requirement as unnecessary and argued its role is limited to patient care, while committee members pushed back and emphasized the need for broader community input and landowner participation, especially from DHHL and DLNR. The chair recommended passage of SB 2799 unamended, with a committee report noting that the required May report should include the interagency transition working group timeline, proposed budget, and proposed procedures. The recommendation was adopted unanimously by the committees present.
The joint agenda also took up SB 2887, which would expand the important agricultural land qualified agricultural tax credit to include Hawaiian homelands used for subsistence or agricultural/pastoral purposes and broaden eligible costs to include orchard or fruit-bearing crops and clearing former sugar and pineapple lands. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the concept but requested amendments; the Department of Taxation and Department of Agriculture provided comments and information on administration and existing claims. The Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent but argued the bill should create a new tax credit in Chapter 235 rather than fold DHHL lands into the existing IAL credit. After discussion, the chair recommended passage with the Hawaii Farm Bureau’s amendments and technical changes, and both committees adopted that recommendation.
The Hawaiian Affairs committee then acted on several bills. SB 1406, SB 521, and SB 1654 were deferred indefinitely because the chair said related work was already underway and the committee wanted to avoid duplicative paperwork. SB 3247, relating to Mona Ala/Royal Mausoleum, was amended to convert the proposal into a Royal Mausoleum Working Group with periodic reporting and stakeholder input, and it passed with amendments. SB 112, SB 131, and SB 2443 were advanced with amendments that primarily deferred effective dates to keep the measures moving while discussions continue. The committee also noted that some measures were being deferred or reshaped to align with ongoing administrative or companion-bill processes, and the amended recommendations were adopted by the members present.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDN/HLT Joint Public Hearing - Thu Jan 30, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- Same requests for members, um, so that we can move efficiently through our agenda today.
- The BASC screening tool is part of that screening process, if appropriate.
- </c> seriously and provide the appropriate seriously and provide the appropriate response<00:49:27.200
- It’s not appropriate in this setting. Any other testifiers for HB 1346?
- </c> cost it takes to acquire trro we request cost it takes to acquire trro we request that<01:19:41.400
Summary:
The Committee on Education met on January 30 and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with an announcement asking testifiers and members to keep remarks brief because of weather. The vice chair also explained that HB 440, relating to immigration issues in schools and state hospitals, was removed from the agenda because the proposal would not create meaningful legal protections and immigration policy is governed by federal law. The committee then moved through a series of education-related measures, with testimony largely from the Department of Education, the School Facilities Authority, the Attorney General’s office, unions, advocacy groups, and individual testifiers.
On HB 330, concerning school impact fees, the School Facilities Authority supported the bill as aligning policy with implementation, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the fee accounts have accumulated large balances, including more than $20 million in impact fee funds and nearly $9 million from predecessor fair-share contributions, and urged that collected money be used rather than left idle. DOE said it would follow up on the balance and why it was not being used. On HB 1188, dealing with workforce housing, DOE and the Charter School Commission offered comments or support, the Attorney General suggested clarifying the phrase “within commuting distance” by using a mileage standard and adding repayment language, and HSTA, HGEA, and others supported the bill, with HSTA saying teachers need housing to be able to live and work in Hawaii. On HB 624 and HB 625, both related to school psychologists, DOE said it would participate in a work group on the pathway bill and supported the incentive program bill; school psychologists and related groups supported the measures, while one testifier said DOE should not lead the work group alone because school psychologists may work in many education settings beyond DOE schools.
The committee also heard HB 1314 on youth mental health in schools. DOE described its student support process, universal screening tools, and behavioral health services, saying schools already identify and respond to concerns and that staff are trained to report issues, while the Attorney General warned the bill could expose schools to liability and recommended a broad liability waiver. Testimony was mixed, with several supporters and one opponent. On HB 616, concerning school safety and harassment protections for educational workers, the Attorney General sought clarifying amendments on harassment definitions, temporary restraining order costs, and paid leave, while HSTA, HGEA, and individual teachers strongly supported the bill, describing harassment incidents and arguing for a standardized statewide response. DOE said it already has reporting pathways, visitor codes of conduct, trespass notices, and an ethics hotline, but acknowledged implementation varies by school and that staff can escalate concerns if needed. The committee also began hearing HB 88 on a three-year pilot program for athletic travel, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony is completed or any votes are taken.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:22:38.159><c> that</c> this committee and humbly request that this committee and humbly request
- </c><00:26:07.440><c> agreed</c> we couldn't get the appropriation agreed we couldn't get the appropriation
- So, the chair's appropriation.
- </c><00:54:57.280><c> aid</c> at the capital is as a legislative aid at the capital is as a legislative
- Thank you. and to enact this legislation to protect and to enact this legislation to protect our<00:55
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on HB 1872, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program to help early childhood providers participate in approved apprenticeship programs, require annual reporting, and appropriate funds. Testifiers in support included the University of Hawaiʻi, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the City and County of Honolulu, Commit to Keiki, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaiʻi, and Kīʻoka Family Learning Centers. Supporters said the bill would reduce financial barriers, strengthen recruitment and retention, improve compensation and career pathways, and help address child care shortages and workforce instability. The committee then voted to pass HB 1872 with amendments, including an HD1 and a defective date to allow further discussion.
The committee next took up HB 2489, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language interpretation, with a longer-term plan for a master’s program. Testimony in support came from the Disability Communication Access Board and the University of Hawaiʻi, and members also heard detailed support from DECAP and other advocates describing a statewide shortage of ASL interpreters, long waiting lists for ASL courses, and the need for locally trained interpreters who understand Hawaiʻi’s cultural and community needs. Witnesses said the shortage affects schools, courts, hospitals, emergency services, and other settings, and that the program could be expanded through articulation with other campuses. The committee voted to pass HB 2489 with amendments, again using an HD1 and defective date.
After those two measures, the committee moved to HB 441 on campus safety, which would require students, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and university policies regarding sexual misconduct before initial registration and would change how often training is provided to students and employees. The University of Hawaiʻi stood on its written testimony, while supporters including IMUA Alliance and other testifiers urged passage, citing survivor experiences, national best practices, and the need for prevention before harm occurs. No vote on HB 441 was reached in the portion provided.