Transcript Highlights:

• When I first ran for state representative, I pledged to work on ensuring that our state elections are
• </c> Jennifer I'm Jennifer Decker state Jennifer I'm Jennifer Decker state representative<00:01:12.680
• </c> bill was contributed by state bill was contributed by state representative<00:02:50.120><c> masseron
• </c> did that come from I will defer to state did that come from I will defer to state representative
• and it does not state state are withheld and it does not uh<00:14:33.800><c> we</c><00:14:33.920><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:01 Attendance Roll Call: 00:04 HB 684 (Rep. Decker): 00:49 HB 71 (Rep. Duvall): 06:55 HB 290 (Rep. Wilson): 09:20 HB 555 (Rep. Freeland): 15:21 HB 160 (Rep. Witten): 16:30 HB 455 (Rep. Flannery): 22:04 Adjournment: 27:21, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered several bills. House Bill 684, an elections “continuous improvement” measure, drew the most discussion. Rep. Jennifer Decker said it was based on issues identified during the 2024 election cycle and included changes to absentee voting for primary caregivers and other election administration updates. Senators focused on a committee substitute removing credit and debit cards as a second form of ID for provisional ballots; Decker said local election workers had reported people trying to use cards with no photo ID, and she did not want financial institutions determining voter eligibility. The bill also clarified that certain ballots could be issued by hand or by mail. It passed 9-1, with some members voting no or passing because they wanted more time to consider the ID change. House Bill 71, requested by the Kentucky Public Pension Authority, would reorganize KPPA by creating an Office of Financial Management and moving the CFO into an executive director-level role. Testimony said the change was structural only, with no impact on system funding and minimal short-term costs. It passed unanimously, 11-0. House Bill 290, by Rep. Nick Wilson, would allow county law libraries to use funds for online legal research resources, computers, and internet-related equipment. Supporters said libraries had money but were limited to buying books; the bill passed unanimously, with the chair noting it would let libraries use existing funds more effectively. House Bill 555, as amended by committee substitute, addressed audit and reporting requirements for small cities. Supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Auditor’s Office said many small cities struggle to find certified CPAs, and the bill would raise the threshold for less frequent audits, expand the exemption threshold, allow the Auditor’s Office to contract to perform audits, and clarify that state-fund withholding for noncompliance would not apply to contractual or utility payments. It passed 10-1, and the title amendment was adopted. House Bill 160, with a committee substitute, would regulate manufactured housing and local zoning by establishing standards that supporters said were needed to prevent discrimination against modern manufactured homes. Several senators expressed concern about state interference in local zoning, while others supported the bill as a housing access measure; it passed 10-1. Finally, House Bill 455 would create a Unit of Election Investigations and Security in the Attorney General’s Office to handle election-crime allegation review, the voter fraud hotline, prosecutorial referrals, and legislative oversight. Supporters said it codified existing practices and would not require new funding, but opponents objected to placing the hotline in a partisan office. The bill passed 9-1 with one pass, and the committee adjourned after reporting favorable action on the bills.

Bills: HR207, SB2595, SB3199, SB3132, SB2591, SB2089, SB2108, SB2970, SB2530, SB2442, SB3076, SB2532, SB2721, SB2055, SB2312, SB2152, SB2438, SB2982, SB2528, SB2919, SB2446, SB2315, SB2544, SB2060, SB2069, SB3011, SB2342, SB2075, SB2578, SB2580, SB2835, SB3084, SB3322, SB3053, SB888, SB709

Keywords: Dr. David Lassner, higher education, community engagement, university leadership, innovation, Hawaii education system, agribusiness, leasing, agriculture, Hawaii, food innovation, Department of Education, mental health, emerging therapies, psychedelic treatment, task force, clinical trials, trauma recovery, MDMA, psilocybin

Transcript Highlights:

• And then a number of former elected officials to the State House and State Senate and County offices,
• State House and State officials to the State House and State Senate<00:17:52.880><c> and</c><00:17:52.960
• Thank you very much, and welcome to the State House.
• </c> stand and welcome to the State House. stand and welcome to the State House.
• </c> truly lasting impact on in our state. truly lasting impact on in our state.

Bills: HR207, SB2595, SB3199, SB3132, SB2591, SB2089, SB2108, SB2970, SB2530, SB2442, SB3076, SB2532, SB2721, SB2055, SB2312, SB2152, SB2438, SB2982, SB2528, SB2919, SB2446, SB2315, SB2544, SB2060, SB2069, SB3011, SB2342, SB2075, SB2578, SB2580, SB2835, SB3084, SB3322, SB3053, SB888, SB709

Keywords: Dr. David Lassner, higher education, community engagement, university leadership, innovation, Hawaii education system, agribusiness, leasing, agriculture, Hawaii, food innovation, Department of Education, mental health, emerging therapies, psychedelic treatment, task force, clinical trials, trauma recovery, MDMA, psilocybin

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are at the heart of our state success. are at the heart of our state success.
• Gentleman from Texas Texas, Mr. Latrell. Gentleman from Texas is<02:24:35.040><c> recognized.
• </c> to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Gonzalez.
• </c> across the United States. across the United States.
• </c><11:11:38.800><c> Army</c> stated he served in United States Army stated he served in United States

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• libraries may its campuses and state libraries may utilize<00:55:04.079><c> liquor</c><00:55:04.480>
• within state libraries within 500 feet of the school?
• </c><00:58:54.480><c> within</c><00:58:55.119><c> state</c> &gt;&gt; So do you have libraries within
• state &gt;&gt; So do you have libraries within state libraries<00:58:55.920><c> within</c><00:58:56.240
• here and some &gt;&gt; Like our state library here and some other<00:59:12.079><c> libraries</c><00:

Bills: SB2003

Keywords: Mauna Kea, land management, University of Hawaii, astronomical observatories, leasable lands, natural resource management, stewardship authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Education heard testimony and discussed SB 20003, which would require the auditor’s report under Act 255 to include a recommendation on whether the Monarch Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue managing Monaca lands. Testimony focused on the bill’s reversion language, the role of the auditor, and whether the measure gave the auditor too much discretion without clear criteria. The Office of the Auditor’s position, read into the record, was that it had strong reservations because the bill did not provide standards for assessing fitness and asked that the requirement be held or amended. Other testimony suggested a work group with relevant agencies and Hawaiian practitioners to manage the transition and reduce conflict. Committee members debated whether the bill should simply restore the original reversion language or also require an audit-based fitness determination. Several members questioned the need for a 2031 audit when Act 255 already provides for a performance and financial audit in 2031 and noted that the bill could shift authority away from the legislature. In response, the committee chair explained that the measure was intended to restore language removed during conference and to address the transition back to the University of Hawaii if the authority was not meeting the act’s purpose. The committees ultimately recommended SB 20003 be passed with amendments. The amendments would strike the auditor/audit section, add language addressing timelines by providing a 10-year lease extension and sublease extension, and make technical changes including a defective date. The committees voted to adopt the amended measure and send it forward as an SD1. The transcript also included a separate Education Committee hearing on SB 3286, which would require the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan and report to the legislature. University of Hawaii testimony said the system supports the intent but that the bill’s requirements are a heavy lift across 10 campuses and should follow development of a broader academic strategy. Members raised concerns about deferred maintenance, shifting priorities, and the lack of a systemwide plan, while the university said it already has a six-year capital improvement plan but acknowledged it does not fully incorporate the broader academic and housing strategy the bill contemplates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the states that we surveyed, Of the states that we surveyed, including the state of Wyoming, all of
• of Idaho, we have a table that I think covers the state of Idaho quite nicely. covers the state of Idaho
• Again, this is the state of Idaho.
• So, virtually every state recognizes that Virtually every state recognizes that with smaller entities
• Chairman, Senator Larson, so in general, yes, the libraries are In general, yes, the libraries are a

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to task the LRB's public access room with working collaboratively with the Hawaii State Public
• Library System to create an outreach program.
• The outreach program would utilize the existing infrastructure of the State library system, and then
• libraries as locations where the public can participate remotely in the legislative process.
• Um, finally, SR 135, SR 114, urging all state departments to partner with the Office of Wellness and

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: At the final hearing of the Government Operations Committee on March 27, 2025, members considered SCR 53/SR 35 and agreed to move it forward as a Senate Draft 1. The measure was amended to replace references to the Department of Accounting and General Services with the Legislative Reference Bureau, and to direct the LRB’s Public Access Room to work with the Hawaii State Public Library System on an outreach program using state libraries so the public can participate remotely in the legislative process. The LRB would also be required to report to the legislature on implementation plans. The chair voted yes, and the measure passed with amendments. The committee also took up SR 135/SR 114, which urges state departments to partner with the Office of Wellness and Resilience on data-sharing agreements. After concerns raised by members, the proposal was revised into Senate Draft 1 to incorporate language tied to Act 29-291 and the Office’s work on a social determinants of health electronic dashboard. The amendments emphasized secure data-sharing, privacy and confidentiality protections, and the use of deidentified, aggregated, and anonymized data to support community needs assessments and aid strategies. Additional changes corrected titles in the measure, including identifying the chairperson of the Department of Health rather than the director. The chair noted the Office of Wellness and Resiliency would follow strict data governance protocols and work with state departments. The committee then voted yes on SR 135/SR 114, Senate Draft 1, with all members present voting in favor except Senator Gab, who was excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> agreement, we provided the state agreement, we provided the state agencies<00:04:23.280><c> with
• </c> holdless provision an electronic library holdless provision an electronic library grant<00:05:06.560
• We do have a provision that of State.
• And when they finish, they will State.
• As we face a mandate mandated libraries.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pleased to see our Hilo visitors as well to the state Capitol today.
• as chair of your committee on state as chair of your committee on education<00:04:57.080><c> I</c><00
• teacher of the year as well 2025 State teacher of the year as well as<00:05:25.720><c> two</c><00:05
• High School's Brian Silver as the 2025 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year. Mahalo.
• And the Friends of the Library volunteers, are any of our volunteers here?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Bills: HB145, SB29, SB37, SB64, HB279, HB292, SB35, SB40, SB43, SB48, SB96, SB143, HB132, SB20, SB21, SB101, SJR1, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM59, HM30, HM52, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB2, SB264, SB241

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening

Transcript Highlights:

• We were bill funds state government.
• Uh our state some of these accounts.
• </c> agreement, we provided the state agreement, we provided the state agencies<00:47:16.800><c> with
• Across the state.
• We do have a Secretary of State.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the state's general fund and $33,021 from other specified funds for the payment of claims against state
• Madam Whip and members, Senate Bill 1435 makes public schools in Arizona, public libraries, employees
• Madam what member sent a bill 1435 makes public schools in Arizona public libraries employees or their
• Currently, they staff some of this out to the state board. That's right.
• or agency arrests a person who is unlawfully present in the United States.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Republican caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills and one House concurrent memorial, most of them described as third-read consent items. Topics included claims against the state, CPA licensing, creditor assignments, insurance adjuster licensing, school equivalency instruction, extending a credit enhancement board, firearm safety instruction in schools, student eligibility restrictions for school activities, Celebrate Freedom Week, release-time courses, voter registration roll access, campaign and disclosure mailing addresses, federal land designation tracking, public records review standards, workers’ compensation burial and death benefits, condominium flag displays, restrictions on sexually explicit material in schools and libraries, agency guidance posting, standardized state hiring, mental health court-ordered treatment procedures, autopsy supervision, tribal MOUs, controlled substance scheduling, emergency medical technician data privacy, dense breast tissue notice repeal, assisted living referral agency requirements, attorney disciplinary claims, fentanyl penalties, campus firearms rules, suppressors, defamation standards, mandatory reporting, attorney licensing, emergency service fee limits, forcible detainer changes, utility worker assault penalties, water basin reporting, small modular nuclear reactors, water recovery assumptions, ICE notification after arrests, military police certification pathways, and scholarship organization tax credits. Most bills were presented without debate and were noted as available for questions, with no votes taken in the caucus itself. A few items drew discussion. On SB 1040, members asked what information would be redacted from voter registration rolls; staff said existing statutory redactions such as voter registration numbers, ID numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal identifying information would remain. SB 1193 prompted comments that EMT data being open source was surprising and that the issue might be expanded to paramedics. SB 1243 was described as strengthening guardian notification rights in court-ordered treatment, and SB 1318 was characterized as a cleanup measure to remove redundant state notice requirements for dense breast tissue. The most extended exchange came on SB 1148, which would require the Arizona Supreme Court to directly license attorneys rather than delegate that function to another organization; members asked whether the bill was shifting responsibility away from the State Bar, and staff explained that the court already has the duty but currently staffs part of the process out. SB 1418, which limits county regulation of certain small modular nuclear reactor projects, drew criticism from one member who argued it would reduce local control. The caucus also heard a sponsor presentation on H.C.M. 2009 urging Congress and the President to amend the Antiquities Act, compensate states for subsurface minerals, and streamline mining permits, with the sponsor emphasizing Arizona’s mining history and the need to access mineral resources more easily.

Transcript Highlights:

• other states have passed similar legislation that prohibits outside forces from entering their states
• of the Governor of that state.
• They choose to build in the state.
• within the state.
• the state, to secure a firearm safety certificate to own and use a firearm in the state.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's what we know from other states. 14 states have already allowed optometrists to perform these..
• happened in other states.
• coming into our state.
• And like I stated earlier, 60% of the Medicaid recipients in the state are children.
• States must do it twice here.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2300 by a unanimous roll call vote of 18-0. The substitute combined a number of previously approved professional registration items, including emergency suspension authority, chiropractic and massage therapy provisions, accountant regulations, the athletic trainer compact, social worker regulations, a speech-language pathologist fix, telehealth, nonprofit pharmacies, and the physician assistant compact. Members noted that work was still ongoing on bell bondsman language before the committee moved into public hearing. The main public hearing was on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ authority to perform certain laser and in-office procedures. Representative Farnan and optometry supporters argued the bill is about patient access, especially in rural areas, and said it would allow three laser procedures—YAG capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, and laser iridotomy—plus clarify other already-performed office procedures, while still excluding major surgeries such as cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal transplants. Supporters said optometrists already receive relevant training, that a 32-hour certification course would serve as a safeguard, and that patients often face long waits or long travel times for care. Opponents, including ophthalmologists, argued the bill would blur the line between optometry and surgery, create safety risks, and rely on insufficient training and ambiguous language. They cited complications from laser procedures, questioned emergency care claims, and said optometrists should not be regulated as surgeons unless placed under the State Board of Healing Arts. No vote was taken on HB 2897, and the chair recessed the hearing for later continuation. The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education then took up House Bill 3239 and adopted Amendment 0.01H, which capped the program at $4 million to keep it from becoming an open-ended cost. The committee then adopted the House Committee Substitute and voted the bill do pass by 11-7. The committee also combined House Bills 2913 and 3228 into one substitute and voted that combined measure do pass by 19-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create the Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program and encourage school districts to incorporate driver-safety content into existing courses without adding a fiscal note or mandating a standalone driver’s ed class. Sponsor Representative Reedy and supporters from AAA Missouri and the Missouri Driver Education Coalition said the bill would address teen crash rates, improve access to driver education, and help schools use existing curriculum time more flexibly. The hearing remained in discussion with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill comes in response to feedback we received from the state superintendent for public instruction
• This bill comes in response to feedback we receive from the state superintendent for public instruction
• , and included our membership is the community colleges, K-12, and libraries who are eligible entities
• Christina DeCaro, representing the California Library Association, and very strong support of the bill
• Kimberly Rosenberger, on behalf of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, is

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the need for state funding is not clear.
• Given the state has not implemented this type of program before, there are many state entities involved
• Given the state has not implemented this type of program before, there are many state entities involved
• On behalf of the California Library Association, we are requesting funding for the California Library
• On behalf of the California Library Association, we are requesting funding for the California Library

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals for higher education, beginning with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Finance proposed a one-time $10 million General Fund backfill to repay a special fund loan used to cover litigation costs, plus provisional language to allow budget flexibility for a remaining legal expense and to repay the loan without interest. The LAO opposed shifting the litigation costs to the General Fund and raised legal concerns about waiving interest on the loan, noting that special fund loans have historically been repaid with interest. Members asked about the litigation amount and the estimated interest savings, which Finance said would be about $245,000. The committee then discussed University of California funding, including the Governor’s proposed compact funding and a $1.5 million one-time increase for the First Star foster youth program at UC campuses. UC said the program has strong outcomes at UCLA, including a 100% college-going rate and high college completion rates, and that the new funding would expand the program to additional campuses and eventually be self-supporting through fundraising. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing that UC already has overlapping outreach programs, including the Early Academic Outreach Program, and that the new initiative would duplicate existing services. Several senators questioned whether the state should expand a new program instead of strengthening existing ones, while UC and Finance emphasized the program’s focus on foster youth and its high success rates. For the California Community Colleges, Finance outlined the May Revision’s increase to the Student-Centered Funding Formula COLA from 2.41% to 4.31%, along with enrollment growth funding, categorical COLAs, deferred maintenance, and other ongoing and one-time investments. The Chancellor’s Office supported the flexible “super COLA” approach and asked for more enrollment growth funding, arguing that many districts are already above current targets and that unfunded growth restricts access. The LAO recommended funding at least the statutory COLA, redirecting some ongoing funds to enrollment growth or one-time priorities, and rejecting the $9.7 million Adult Learner Demonstration Project because districts already have incentives to do similar work. Senators pressed Finance and the Chancellor’s Office on the use of COLA funds to cover the new paid pregnancy disability leave requirement, the impact on hold-harmless and basic-aid districts, and whether the state should fund actual enrollment growth rather than a flat COLA. The committee also reviewed California Student Aid Commission proposals, including adjustments to Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship funding, continued Golden State Teacher Grant funding, and implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance said the Middle Class Scholarship changes reflected updated caseload estimates and that the higher 35% unmet-need level had been one-time funding, while CSAC urged continued support and noted the importance of financial aid for student success. The LAO recommended rejecting additional Golden State Teacher Grant funding as not well-targeted and urged caution on Workforce Pell trailer bill language, citing uncertainty about federal rules, ongoing administrative workload, and the need for clearer implementation planning. Members also raised concerns about declining CADAA applications and the need to better promote state aid for undocumented and mixed-status students. No votes were taken during the transcripted portion, and the committee moved through the agenda items with questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would also like to introduce my state rep. You want—oh, you want... ...my state representatives.
• this is a state issue.
• State House.
• across state lines.
• We used to live in Texas.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• That will be in the Old State Library at 1 p.m. Friday, January 30th. >> Thank you, Rep.
• The Health and Human Services Committee will meet at the Old State Library for our last SMART Act hearing
• </c><00:30:56.240><c> library</c><00:30:56.559><c> for</c><00:30:56.799><c> our</c> meet at the old state
• library for our meet at the old state library for our last<00:30:57.279><c> smart</c><00:30:57.600><
• </c><00:32:37.760><c> and</c> of higher education in this state and of higher education in this state

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But 10:30 or as soon thereafter as possible, please be in Old State Library.
• </c> possible, please be in Old State possible, please be in Old State Library.<00:25:56.400><c> Today's
• Today's agenda includes uh Library.
• ><c> for</c><00:30:51.440><c> Community</c> of the State Board for Community of the State Board for Community
• January 21, 2026. executive officer of a state bank executive officer of a state bank reappointed.<00

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 37, an act designating the state dog breed. Senator Webb.
• </c> library district boards of trustees. library district boards of trustees.
• Joint resolution declaring Kentucky a food is medicine state and directing state agencies to advance
• is medicine state and directing state<00:11:43.600><c> agencies</c><00:11:44.160><c> to</c><00:11:44.480
• state agencies to advance food as medicine<00:11:46.480><c> initiatives.

Keywords: 958, all