Transcript Highlights:

• typesc><00:18:17.560><c> ofc><00:18:17.640><c> agreementsc> enters into these types of agreements
• c> thatc><00:25:36.920><c> typec><00:25:37.240><c> ofc> wage law as well that have that type of
• that type read this language to create that type of<00:25:59.160><c> mechanismc><00:25:59.840><c>
• c> types of services. types of services. Thank<00:30:03.400><c> you.c> Representative McKenzie.
• c><01:20:03.520><c> toc><01:20:03.800><c> otherc><01:20:04.080><c> typesc><01:20:04.480><c> of<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:19:17.840><c> anotherc><00:19:18.240><c> typec><00:19:18.400><c> ofc> we would normally see
• in another type of we would normally see in another type of building<00:19:19.039><c> soc><00:19:19.280
• 56:55.160><c> orc><00:56:55.400><c> whatc><00:56:55.640><c> typec><00:56:55.839><c> ofc><00:56
• :59:17.440><c> mayc><01:59:17.679><c> havec><01:59:17.880><c> somec><01:59:18.119><c> typec><
• anyc><02:02:52.840><c> otherc><02:02:53.040><c> typec><02:02:53.199><c> ofc> doesn't do that

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Municipal and County Government subcommittee met on February 19, 2025 to gather additional information on House Bill 432, which concerns recovery houses. The first witness, State Fire Marshal Sean Tumi, said his office had worked with stakeholders for more than a year on the bill’s definition changes and supported the revised definition. He explained that the bill removes vague language such as “safe, healthy, family” and instead relies on fire-code requirements and certification standards, including a primarily non-transient dwelling unit and living as a single household. He distinguished recovery houses from boarding or rooming houses and from other congregate settings such as group homes or transitional housing, saying those other uses do not currently have the same exemptions. Members questioned Tumi about fire safety, inspections, smoke alarms, egress, and whether sprinklers should be required. He said recovery houses are inspected by the fire marshal’s office and local fire departments, with annual inspections under state fire code provisions, and that operators must work with a certifying body. He described the inspection process as checking alarms, extinguishers, heating systems, cooking equipment, street numbers, and no-smoking rules, and said new houses are generally given time to obtain certification. He also said he would prefer sprinklers everywhere but believed mandating them for these existing structures would likely shut down many recovery houses and significantly harm the recovery community. Bill McKenny of the New Hampshire Building Officials Association then testified in support of HB 432. He said recovery housing is an important step after treatment and that the 2024 code changes and the bill help align state law with federal disability law. He emphasized that certification through a recognized organization gives code officials confidence that standards are being monitored, and warned that if a recovery home loses certification it would lose the waiver from sprinkler requirements and could be treated more like a boarding or rooming house. No vote or final action was taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is not open<00:17:52.280><c> forc><00:17:52.440><c> thatc><00:17:52.640><c> typec><00
• two<00:24:17.880><c> typesc><00:24:18.160><c> arec><00:24:18.280><c> clearlyc><00:24:18.640><c>
• c><00:31:26.160><c> Andc><00:31:26.720><c> typec><00:31:26.960><c> ofc><00:31:27.040><c> thing
• And type of thing I<00:31:27.800><c> mean,c><00:31:28.040><c> rafflec><00:31:28.440><c> typesc>
• :22:58.400><c> typec><01:22:58.600><c> ofc><01:22:58.720><c> Medicaidc> those cover any type of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :34.760><c> isc><00:17:34.919><c> morec><00:17:35.240><c> Personnelc><00:17:36.000><c> typec>
• ><c> therec><00:49:02.040><c> isc> for these types of programs and there is for these types of programs
• <c> typesc><00:52:35.599><c> ofc> because we don't have the same types of because we don't have the
• 27:58.560><c> otherc><01:27:58.840><c> typesc><01:27:59.080><c> ofc><01:27:59.320><c> rolesc>
• c><01:48:01.440><c> otherc><01:48:01.679><c> typesc> decisions months in advance other types decisions

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:04:58.280><c> doc><00:04:58.440><c> thisc><00:04:58.680><c> one,c><00:04:58.880><c> doc
• c> Ic><00:05:05.680><c> wantc><00:05:05.880><c> itc><00:05:05.960><c> toc><00:05:06.080><c> be
• And it just depends<00:27:40.160><c> onc><00:27:40.680><c> whatc><00:27:40.920><c> typec><00:27
• :41.240><c> ofc><00:27:41.600><c> localc><00:27:42.120><c> conditionsc> depends on what type of
• local conditions depends on what type of local conditions are<00:27:43.400><c> applicablec><00:27:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> differentc><00:11:30.720><c> typec> solar arrays are really a different type solar arrays are
• c><00:38:16.720><c> thec><00:38:16.960><c> samec><00:38:17.119><c> typesc><00:38:17.520><c> of<
• 10:49.679><c> thinkc><02:10:49.840><c> 10c> types and over the course of I think 10 types and over
• :23.480><c> supplyc><04:40:24.480><c> forc> right type of generation supply for right type of generation
• ><c> youc><04:46:25.360><c> knowc> these types of events that you know these types of events that

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:02:03.200><c> andc><00:02:03.439><c> ofc><00:02:03.680><c> coursec><00:02:03.840><c> we
• > thosec><00:25:54.640><c> differentc><00:25:55.200><c> typesc><00:25:55.520><c> ofc> throughout
• those different types of throughout those different types of entities<00:25:56.159><c> thatc><00:25
• 46:10.480><c> toc><00:46:10.720><c> getc><00:46:10.800><c> thisc><00:46:11.040><c> typec><00:
• c> expensive to get this type of work done. expensive to get this type of work done.

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:30.880><c> Wec><00:01:31.119><c> standc><00:01:31.280><c> onc><00:01:31.439><c> our<
• Yeah, those<00:16:05.519><c> arec><00:16:05.600><c> thec><00:16:05.839><c> typesc><00:16:06.079
• the types of people who want those are the types of people who want to<00:16:06.720><c> recruit.
• /c><00:49:01.040><c> typesc><00:49:01.359><c> ofc> that.
• And when I looked at the types of different<00:49:02.680><c> umc><00:49:03.680><c> structuresc><00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Economic Development and Tourism heard three measures. HB 450, which would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, drew support from DBEDT, the State Foundation, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, DAGs, and individuals. Members asked about the bill’s purpose and the relationship between arts administration and international/cultural considerations. The committees voted to pass HB 450 with amendments, including a housekeeping change allowing specific legislative direction in narrow cases; the measure was adopted with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. HB 437, relating to out-of-state offices, received testimony in support from DBEDT and representatives of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and another individual. The discussion focused on whether an overseas office in the Philippines was the best use of funds, given existing offices and trade relationships in places like Beijing and Taiwan. Members questioned the return on investment, fiscal priorities, and whether DBEDT had a broader strategic plan for selecting markets. The committees ultimately passed HB 437 with a Senate Draft 1 and technical amendments, with some members voting with reservations. HB 1391, relating to trade and creating a Hawaii-Ireland trade commission, also advanced after a lengthy discussion. DBEDT said it offered comments rather than a firm recommendation and explained that the bill appeared intended to build economic ties with Europe through Ireland, but members questioned why a commission was needed, how it would be structured, and whether similar efforts should focus on other countries. DBEDT said it would provide reports on sister-state relationships and office performance, and noted that trade initiatives would likely require private-sector participation. The committees passed HB 1391 with amendments and reservations from some members.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> dependingc><00:43:13.760><c> onc><00:43:13.920><c> thec><00:43:14.160><c> typec><00:43:14.319
• c><00:43:31.040><c> savingsc><00:43:31.520><c> accountc><00:43:32.240><c> typec> if you had a
• anc><00:43:40.560><c> IRAc><00:43:41.440><c> typec><00:43:41.839><c> benefit,c> if you had like
• an IRA type benefit, if you had like an IRA type benefit, that<00:43:42.960><c> retirementc><00:43
• type account<00:45:44.800><c> Ic><00:45:45.040><c> believec><00:45:45.200><c> itc><00:45:45.359

Bills: HB0086

Keywords: county officials, election code, misconduct, removal, government accountability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So those types<00:21:20.240><c> ofc><00:21:20.720><c> vehicularc><00:21:21.280><c> sourcec><00:
• 21:21.600><c> toc><00:21:22.000><c> orc><00:21:22.559><c> umc><00:21:23.120><c> youc> types of
• <c> financec><02:03:37.840><c> thisc><02:03:38.159><c> typec><02:03:38.320><c> ofc><02:03:38.480
• typec><02:14:25.040><c> situationc><02:14:25.760><c> orc> or it turns into mulch type situation
• 33:16.800><c> newc><02:33:17.040><c> typec><02:33:17.200><c> ofc><02:33:17.359><c> measure,c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1588, which would establish a Department of Transportation noise detection program using cameras to enforce noise control laws. DOT supported the measure and said it is already piloting the technology at eight locations, with about 10 sites costing roughly $2 million to $2.5 million to install and operate. The Department of Health said it was willing to work with DOT but noted its current regulations are not designed for vehicular noise sources and that the bill may need clearer standards to be enforceable. Members raised concerns about the lack of a specific decibel threshold and whether the system could accurately identify the source of noise; DOT said the pilot can pinpoint vehicles and that the program would align with existing health standards, but no final number was identified during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1696, which lowers the minimum age for a commercial driver’s license from 19 to 18 and removes a restriction tied to vehicle category, while requiring DOT rule changes. DOT, the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Transportation Association, Teamsters Local 996, and other stakeholders testified in support. The Hawaii Transportation Association suggested adding a training requirement for drivers ages 18 to 20, proposing at least 320 hours of employer training and recordkeeping. Members sought clarification that the bill would apply to intrastate, not interstate, licensing. For HB 233, the committee considered a measure authorizing DOT to designate airport special district zones statewide to prevent unauthorized access and improve security. DOT and the City and County of Honolulu supported the bill, explaining that defined boundaries would help law enforcement address trespassing, disruptions, fires, theft, harassment, and other incidents around airports and terminals; DOT said commercial airports are ready to implement the proposal, while some general aviation sites would need further work. Members asked about the scope of the boundaries, existing enforcement, and whether the measure would cover state-owned or non-state parcels near airports. The committee also heard HB 2332, which renames the Harbors Division as the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes “harbor” from “port” in statute. DOT, the Maritime Group, and harbor users supported the bill, saying the change would reduce confusion between commercial cargo/cruise facilities and recreational small boat harbors, and could help with clarity and possibly federal grant competitiveness. Members asked about impacts on small boat harbors and cruise activity, and DOT explained that the bill is aimed at purpose-built commercial ports, not recreational facilities. The committee also took testimony on HB 2283, which clarifies DOT’s consultative role with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in setting port pilotage standards and requirements. DOT, DCCA, Matson, the Hawaii Pilots Association, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve coordination and ensure pilot licensing standards reflect operational realities in the harbors. Finally, after a recess, the committee heard HB 2217, which would allow driver’s permits, licenses, and ID cards to include a notation for a non-apparent disability. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities opposed the bill as drafted, saying voluntary alternatives such as Smart 911 may be better and that the category is too broad. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended limiting the notation to medically recognized, specifically defined conditions so agencies can train personnel and avoid confusion or escalation.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:14:18.959><c> thec><00:14:19.160><c> typesc><00:14:19.399><c> ofc><00:14:19.519><c> fruit
• law and all of those<02:06:44.239><c> typesc><02:06:44.440><c> ofc><02:06:44.599><c> thingsc><
• Retailc><02:09:39.520><c> typec><02:09:39.880><c> establishmentsc><02:09:40.599><c> thatc> and
• <c> whatc><04:00:56.720><c> typec><04:00:56.880><c> ofc><04:00:57.000><c> Rehabilitationc> entirely
• ><c> thisc><05:06:29.958><c> typec><05:06:30.160><c> ofc> and if you see any need for this type

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a work session on HB 505, which would allow the sale of freeze-dried foods produced in homestead food operations. Members raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, especially the provision stating freeze-dried food would not be considered potentially hazardous. Several suggested narrowing the bill to specific products such as processed foods, berries, fruit, dairy products, ice cream, or vegetables, and requiring use of commercial freeze-drying equipment rather than dehydrators. There was also discussion of oxygen absorbers, moisture control, sanitation, and whether the issue should be handled in statute or rules. By the end of the discussion, members generally agreed the topic should be treated in a separate section of law rather than folded into the existing homestead food license, and the chair said the matter would be sent to the food safety subcommittee, with the possibility of a study committee if more time was needed. The committee then moved to HB 277, a technical correction to the animal cruelty statutes. Representative Bixby explained that current law refers to a “colt,” which applies only to male baby horses, leaving fillies unaddressed; the bill would replace “colt” with “foal” and make related wording changes so the restriction applies to any horse under 90 days old not being nursed by its dam. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the change was requested to clarify and modernize the statute and that the issue had been identified during work on related animal cruelty legislation. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The chair recessed the work session until 11:00 a.m. and announced that Representative Ktoa would take over the hearing on HB 277.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:17:43.200><c> typec><00:17:43.440><c> ofc><00:17:44.080><c> recognitionc><00:17:45.440><c>
• uhc> for is some type of recognition uh for is some type of recognition uh because<00:17:46.000><c
• <00:49:22.000><c> rejectedc><00:49:22.880><c> thisc><00:49:23.200><c> typec><00:49:23.359><c> of
• ><c> ofc><01:07:22.000><c> laborc><01:07:22.319><c> thatc> definition of types of labor that definition
• of types of labor that qualify<01:07:22.960><c> forc><01:07:23.119><c> thisc><01:07:23.359><c> tax

Bills: SB2141, SB2593, SB2824, SB2135, SB2115

Keywords: retirement, law enforcement, pension, public safety, employee contributions, Law Enforcement Standards Board, LESB, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, law enforcement certification, police standards, law enforcement training, officer certification, training and curriculum coordinator, lead investigative agent, administrative manager, administrator, Hawaii HRS 76-16, Hawaii HRS 139-3, personnel exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> typesc><00:53:34.480><c> ofc> Market there are three basic types of Market there are three basic
• 01:05:17.799><c> typec><01:05:18.039><c> ofc><01:05:18.240><c> inestc><01:05:18.880><c> typec
• :08.480><c> thec><01:23:08.639><c> typesc><01:23:08.840><c> ofc><01:23:09.000><c> debtc><01:23
• :09.320><c> thatc><01:23:09.440><c> arec> summer the types of debt that are summer the types of debt
• ><c> typec><01:23:35.040><c> ofc><01:23:35.159><c> debtc><01:23:35.400><c> thatc><01:23:35.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:08:03.680><c> Again,c><00:08:04.000><c> thisc><00:08:04.160><c> isc> types of locations
• differentiationc><00:21:28.720><c> forc><00:21:28.960><c> smallc> types without differentiation
• such as the type<01:27:05.760><c> ofc><01:27:06.000><c> servicec><01:27:06.480><c> provided,c>
• <01:27:07.520><c> thec><01:27:07.840><c> date,c> type of service provided, the date, type of service
• <c> andc><01:40:41.920><c> we'vec><01:40:42.080><c> we'vec> types um I'm glad to see and we've

Bills: HF3423, HF2354, HF3634

Keywords: healthcare, provider enrollment, medical assistance, legislation, state funds, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, service verification, Medicaid, human services, electronic documentation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:09:02.640><c> ofc><00:09:02.959><c> thesec><00:09:03.279><c> typesc><00:09:03.519><c> of
• c><00:09:03.760><c> newc> in very much need of these types of new in very much need of these types
• the that's our vision regardless of of the type<00:10:13.839><c> ofc><00:10:14.000><c> fundingc>
• c> type of funding that that could be type of funding that that could be provided.<00:10:16.320><c> So
• affiliated and sisterly type programs.<00:18:27.520><c> Butc><00:18:27.679><c> withinc><00:18:28.080

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to hear from Morehead State University President Jay Morgan, who outlined the university’s budget and capital priorities. He described Morehead as a Kentucky-serving, largely low-income student institution with an aging campus, and said the university’s long-term plan is to renovate existing facilities, decommission older buildings, and replace outdated space with more efficient construction. He thanked the General Assembly for prior support, especially asset preservation funding, fire and tornado insurance premium support, and a prior university inflationary adjustment. On the operating side, Morgan asked that insurance premium support continue, that the earlier inflationary adjustment roll forward, and that the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s request for a minimum distribution in the performance funding formula be supported. He noted Morehead has received little or no performance funding in recent years and said that if no additional formula funds are added, the university would prefer a line-item appropriation. On the capital side, he requested continued asset preservation funding and outlined several construction priorities: a new applied science building, a new agriculture science building, a new space science technology building, and a cost-share replacement for the aging Maze Hall residence hall, with the state covering $10 million of a $20 million project and Morehead matching the rest. Morgan also discussed the Craft Academy, saying the current appropriation supports 200 students and that the university would like to increase the line item to expand enrollment by about 20 students. In response to questions from Chairman Tipton, he said Morehead had previously explored but ultimately rejected a public-private partnership model for housing, preferring to own and control its residence halls to keep housing costs manageable for students. He also explained that the land surveying courses in the applied science proposal are a popular part of related programs and that Morehead’s space science program is a major research-and-contracts-driven operation with about 250 students, federal and private research ties, and graduates working both in Kentucky and elsewhere. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes and discussed that upcoming postsecondary budget meetings would continue over the next several weeks to gather input on the new budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:03:50.799><c> Comonc><00:03:51.480><c> lawc><00:03:51.840><c> upwc><00:03:52.840><c> uh
• :54.360><c> supportc><00:03:55.120><c> youc><00:03:55.239><c> knowc><00:03:55.400><c> Ic><00:
• <c> umc><00:04:51.960><c> soc><00:04:52.639><c> I'mc><00:04:52.880><c> surec><00:04:53.479><c
• ><00:28:12.960><c> typesc><00:28:13.159><c> ofc> Department to ensure that these types of Department
• to ensure that these types of things<00:28:13.600><c> don'tc><00:28:14.399><c> occurc><00:28:15.399

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several labor-related measures. SB 183 would allow arbitration to resolve disputes over state and county contributions to the EUTF benefits trust fund; labor groups supported it, and the committee advanced it with amendments. SB 185, concerning indebtedness to the state, drew support from unions and discussion with DAGS about tiered repayment options for lower-paid employees; DAGS said the system could be programmed to accommodate the bill, and the measure was also advanced with amendments. SB 458 would expand the definition of employer for wage-payment laws to include the state and counties when no comparable public-employee provision exists; HSTA testified in support, citing repeated delayed pay for teachers, while DAGS and county representatives raised operational concerns. The committee deferred SB 458 for further administrative work. SB 425, on qualified community rehabilitation programs and the aggregate contract cap, was advanced with technical amendments after UPW said employers were splitting contracts to exceed the statutory threshold. The committee also considered SB 1287, which would apply unfair and deceptive practices law to tipped food and beverage establishments and require tip-pool signage with wage-division contact information. The Attorney General’s office recommended a savings clause to avoid retroactive application issues, and the committee passed the bill with amendments. SB 1660 would require hospitality employers to adopt anti-harassment measures, training, panic buttons, and anti-retaliation protections; the Commission on the Status of Women and worker advocates supported it, while DLIR noted existing complaint systems and the need for rulemaking. The committee adopted amendments incorporating sexual assault hotline information, panic-button guidance, and employer flexibility on translation languages, then passed the bill with amendments. SB 631, relating to the Department of Human Resources Development, was deferred, with the chair noting a prior law already allows departments to screen and select applicants from initial pools.

Transcript Highlights:

• the needs to provide for those<00:20:59.000><c> typec><00:20:59.159><c> ofc><00:20:59.320><c> repairs
• :06.000><c> trcyc><00:30:06.480><c> typec><00:30:06.760><c> initiativec><00:30:07.640><c> last<
• /c><00:30:07.799><c> yearc> Court our trcy type initiative last year Court our trcy type initiative
• <c> answerc><00:30:46.799><c> itc><00:30:47.120><c> anyc><00:30:47.279><c> wayc> type of work
• ><c> isc><00:30:57.360><c> toc><00:30:58.120><c> whyc><00:30:58.240><c> don'tc> type of work

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary heard the Judiciary’s budget presentation from Brandon Kimura and other court administrators. The Judiciary outlined its mission and access-to-justice programs, including specialty courts, self-help centers, online small claims dispute resolution, and e-reminders. It requested an operating budget of $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, along with 17 permanent and one temporary position, and described a series of staffing and program requests tied to specialty courts, district court operations, technology, and public guardianship. Major program requests included making women’s court permanent by converting seven temporary positions to permanent and adding a substance use counselor; expanding truancy court and the Early Education Intervention Program on Oahu; and making the driving while impaired court permanent. The Judiciary also sought staffing and funding for the new Wahiawa District Court, including security, janitorial, IT, clerical, bailiff, and social worker support, plus an additional district court judge and staff in Kona. Technology requests included cybersecurity tools and a cybersecurity unit, enhanced email protection, and replacement of aging network switches. Other operating requests included continued funding for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, restoration of 12 positions cut during the pandemic, and added support for the Office of the Public Guardian. For capital improvement projects, the Judiciary’s top priorities were $4 million to design a new South Kohala District Court, $900,000 to replace an aging AC chiller on Kauai, and $5 million for lump-sum facility preservation work. Members asked questions about purchase-of-service contract rates, implementation of court-appointed fee increases, federal grant dependence, specialty court effectiveness, truancy court outcomes, and the condition of the Ewa District Court site. Judiciary witnesses said they were working to raise provider rates through contracts and a separate bill, cited low recidivism and reduced petitions as evidence that specialty courts and truancy efforts are working, and said the Ewa site has significant foundation issues that may require further assessment or a different location.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> muchc><00:05:39.480><c> anyc><00:05:39.640><c> typec><00:05:39.960><c> ofc><00:05:40.080
• ><c> ac><00:05:40.160><c> datac> pretty much any type of a data pretty much any type of a data interoperability
• c> onec><00:08:45.760><c> typec><00:08:46.120><c> ofc><00:08:46.240><c> data.
• ><c> usingc><00:16:39.320><c> differentc><00:16:39.600><c> typesc><00:16:39.800><c> ofc> we may
• 00:32:41.240><c> itc><00:32:41.440><c> andc><00:32:41.760><c> whatc><00:32:41.960><c> typec><

Keywords: Technology - Room 409, 5 March, 2026; 8:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: ATS and Gartner presented preliminary findings from the feasibility study required by Senate Bill 2267, which directed ATS to establish a CIO Council, study statewide data exchange feasibility, develop a phased implementation plan, and report progress to the legislature. ATS said the CIO Council has already met several times and has heard from other states, including Tennessee and Ohio, with Georgia expected to follow. Gartner explained that it interviewed about 17 agencies and was also gathering input from other states and market research to identify Mississippi’s current data-sharing landscape and possible paths forward. Gartner’s main findings were that Mississippi agencies strongly prioritize data security and compliance, but that this focus has also contributed to silos, point-to-point integrations, and inconsistent data definitions across agencies. The presenters said the state lacks a central legal framework and common standards, so agencies rely on individual memoranda of understanding. They emphasized that other states have generally not built “everything at once,” but instead started with specific outcomes such as citizen services, fraud detection, or reporting, then created statewide legal frameworks, common standards, and governance structures, often led by a chief data officer or similar office. The discussion also highlighted examples from other states, including Utah’s single portal for services and Maryland’s 360-degree citizen view for caseworkers. Gartner said Mississippi should first decide what outcome it wants from a data exchange and suggested that the effort should be framed as information sharing rather than moving all data into one central repository. Members and presenters discussed the need for foundational standards, a chief data office, and change management, including agency “change champions,” to build trust and participation over time. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, and the presenters said the remaining CIO Council work would help prioritize use cases for the final feasibility report.

Transcript Highlights:

• under the criteria for for this<00:21:56.400><c> typec><00:21:56.559><c> ofc><00:21:56.720><c> facility
• c> this type of facility?
• c> ofc><00:36:09.839><c> thisc><00:36:10.000><c> typec> Certainly, a a facility of this type Certainly
• c><00:57:40.640><c> typec><00:57:40.799><c> ofc><00:57:40.960><c> interruptionc><00:57:41.599><
• c> ofc> there was any type of interruption of there was any type of interruption of services.<00:57

Keywords: The original version of this live stream dropped before the meeting was technically finished. This is the complete copy pulled from back up sources., 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear updates from the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections on two related issues: a proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility and medical services contracts, including the impact of Wellpath’s bankruptcy proceedings. At the start, the chair agreed to hear the Department of Corrections first so members could get context on the medical contract before turning to DJJ’s proposal. DOC officials said Wellpath, the department’s comprehensive medical and mental health provider since 2013, was awarded its current contract through a 2021 procurement process. They reported that Wellpath’s Chapter 11 reorganization plan had been confirmed and that the company had transitioned ownership to lenders, but had not yet fully completed the bankruptcy process. DOC said there had been no service lapses, no reduction in care, and no known impact on Kentucky vendors or hospitals, and that DOC staff meet with Wellpath almost weekly. Members asked whether the committee had been kept informed and whether the bankruptcy could affect future services or subcontractors. DJJ then presented its concept for a high-acuity facility, explaining that the project is still in the preliminary programming and conceptual stage and has not yet entered the formal design phase with DECA. Officials said the proposal in the capital plan would create a 24-bed facility, with 16 clinical beds and 8 assessment/stabilization beds, to serve justice-involved youth with serious mental health needs. They said the facility would need to separate males and females and high- and low-risk youth, and that current placements often require sending youth out of state to places such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas. Staff said the goal is to centralize treatment, improve safety, and reduce the need for fragmented or out-of-state placements. Committee members questioned the cost estimates, staffing needs, and whether the facility was justified given the small number of youth currently placed out of state. DJJ said the operational estimate includes an unknown medical-contract component and that the number of youth needing the facility can fluctuate because of surges in the juvenile population. Officials also said they had consulted with South Carolina, which is developing a similar facility, and noted that renovating existing facilities was considered but could be more expensive or impractical than building a separate site. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:18:56.040><c> somec><00:18:56.280><c> typec><00:18:56.520><c> ofc><00:18:56.640><c> phase
• c><00:31:21.280><c> Madridc><00:31:21.720><c> typec> especially after a New Madrid type especially
• ><c> typec><00:35:03.520><c> ofc><00:35:03.600><c> questionsc> glad to answer any type of questions
• ><c> specificc><01:06:22.120><c> typesc><01:06:22.320><c> ofc><01:06:22.400><c> trainingc><01
• :06:22.800><c> andc><01:06:22.920><c> I'mc> the specific types of training and I'm the specific types

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met on October 14, confirmed a quorum, and adopted the September 16, 2025 minutes. Members then received a Kentucky Air National Guard 101 briefing from Brigadier General Bruce Bancroft, commander of the Kentucky Air National Guard, who described the Guard’s structure, missions, and statewide role. He emphasized that Kentucky is a single-wing state centered at Louisville’s 123rd Airlift Wing and highlighted several unique capabilities, including the Contingency Response Group, critical care air transport teams, medical detachment for chemical environments, explosive ordnance disposal, fatality search and recovery, and special tactics personnel. General Bancroft also discussed staffing and readiness, saying the Guard has 1,273 authorized positions, with a mix of AGR, Title 32, and Title 5 personnel. He noted that AGR positions are funded at about 96 percent, while technician positions are funded at about 53 percent, leaving the organization to operate at roughly 75 percent of authorized manpower overall. He said the wing converted from the C-130H to the C-130J in 2021 and completed the transition in about 2.5 years, ahead of the original three-year timeline. The briefing further covered the Guard’s operational tempo and community role. Bancroft said the unit has earned 21 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, has deployed about 500,000 days since 9/11 across 45 countries, and routinely supports federal and domestic missions. He described the C-130J’s tactical airlift, airdrop, and blacked-out operations as directly useful for disaster response in Kentucky, and he pointed to strong ties with UPS and other aviation employers. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes.