Transcript Highlights:

• When I started there was about 10 attorneys across campus.
• </c><01:32:32.639><c> We</c> was about 10 attorneys across campus.
• We was about 10 attorneys across campus.
• That is the same as our immigration attorneys work on fee schedules.
• Uh, the next item on the list is with the attorney general.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the May 12 minutes, then deferred item 285 on the routine personal service contract green list for Western Kentucky University to the July 2026 meeting. It also noted that several deferred university contracts had been withdrawn by the institutions, and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, including personal service contracts, amendments, memoranda of agreement, Kentucky Entertainment incentive agreements, deferred items, and corrections, except for items pulled for further review. The main pulled item was a Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts contract supporting Fayette District Court’s juvenile treatment court through Fayette County Public Schools. Court officials explained that the program, created under Supreme Court rules in 2022, serves court-connected juveniles with mental health and related needs, operates at the courthouse, and uses a school-employed program manager funded through a pass-through arrangement with Fayette County Public Schools and the Urban County Government. They said the program has had over 100 referrals, accepted about half, and had at least 25 successful graduates, with 11 high school graduates among participants. Members asked about who pays for drug screens, family involvement, and what counts as successful completion; the officials said the Urban County Government’s Division of Youth Services pays for drug screens and services, and that parents must participate in classes and support services. The committee then approved the contract review, with some members explaining their votes in support and one member emphasizing the committee’s role in reviewing contracts in the public interest. The committee also reviewed two Auditor of Public Accounts contracts. The auditor’s representative said contract 11, with Vantage Point Solutions, will examine the Kentucky Communications Network Authority/Kentucky Wired network for $700,000, well below the $1.5 million appropriated, and that a report is expected before the 2027 regular session. Contract 12 funds a special examination of investment managers used by Kentucky’s retirement systems, prompted by a Legislative Oversight and Investigations request to assess whether investments tied to ESG factors are consistent with fiduciary duties; the representative said the retirement systems have been cooperative and that findings are expected on a similar timeline, with some flexibility built into the deadline. After questions about the Texas litigation referenced in the explanation, the committee approved both auditor contracts without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• This morning, before I came over here, I had an email from the Attorney General's office saying that,
• A party who enters into one of these agreements must notify the Attorney General and the appropriate
• And the Attorney General or city, town, or county may judicially enforce the prohibition of negative
• And there's other instances Where restrictive covenants have been ignored, and one attorney pointed out
• I'm an attorney who represents consumers with HKM Employment Attorneys, a Washington-based law firm.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do really want to thank Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown for their press conference yesterday
• . ...Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown for their press conference yesterday talking about
• In addition, I think what we've heard from the Attorney General is that there is a good case for us to
• And we have to make sure we're providing our residents and our Attorney General and other lawyers every
• It does not cap any damages, and it does not cap attorney fees.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders used the meeting to preview several bills they expect to move quickly, while framing much of their agenda as a response to federal ICE actions and broader concerns about public safety and accountability. They said the Senate will pass a bill banning law-enforcement masking, with the stated goal of requiring identification and transparency for officers, and that the House will likely take it up after House-of-Origin cutoff. They also said a bill restricting Flock automated license plate readers will move from rules to the floor, and they discussed a separate proposal to bar people hired as ICE agents under Trump’s second term from later serving in Washington law enforcement, though leaders said they had not yet reviewed its details. The leaders repeatedly criticized ICE and said the state must do what it can to protect residents, especially immigrants, while also defending Washington’s law enforcement training and accountability systems. They said the bill on face coverings is aimed at federal agents, though they also argued it is a general standard for all law enforcement and may serve to “enunciate” a norm even if its legal scope is tested in court. They also discussed concerns about fraud and misuse of funds in state programs, saying Washington has checks and balances and that accountability measures are appropriate, while cautioning against baseless claims. On budget and policy matters, they said a Senate bill to restore Washington College Grant and Washington Promise scholarship funding would be considered in the operating budget process, but it was too early to know what reductions could be reversed. They expressed openness to a House bill limiting non-emergency charity care to Washington residents, citing border-community strain and examples from eastern Washington hospitals. They also said they were still evaluating a House bill on camping enforcement tied to shelter availability and a tort-liability measure, noting that any savings would likely come from reduced litigation costs rather than caps on damages. Other topics included a possible income tax proposal, which leaders said could be introduced as soon as Friday or next week with offsets included or outlined; House Bill 1607 on a beverage container recycling/deposit system, which they said could reach executive action soon; and a floor vote expected on the BAC bill the next day. They also said they were not inclined to hear the recently arrived voter initiatives in committee, describing them as likely headed to the ballot instead.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning Vice Chair and members, Tiffany Brokaw Deputy Attorney General here on behalf of Attorney
• I have here with me Deputy Attorney General Michael Cohen who works on elections issues for our office
• For these reasons Attorney General Bonta requests an aye vote on AB 331. Thank you.
• And I want to say at the outset we are already in discussion with the Attorney General's office as well
• And again we are willing and look forward to engaging with both the author's office and the attorney

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe and Lubbock County District Attorney Sunshine Stanek are also here
• I'm the Lubbock County District Attorney. I've been in that office for almost 25 years.
• I've been the elected district attorney for Galveston County for 14 years. here to testify in favor of
• County District Attorney. I was appointed by the governor to...
• or attorneys that were willing to work at the pay we were offering.

Bills: HB467, HB318, HB503, HB198, HB318, HB198

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for a million dollars to pay attorneys for a million dollars to pay attorneys from<00:43:36.960>
• </c> all the red states, all the red attorney all the red states, all the red attorney generals<00:48
• </c><00:50:28.480><c> Dunn</c> the defendants's attorneys, Gibson, Dunn the defendants's attorneys, Gibson
• The governor goes to court, and our attorney general goes to court.
• </c> would have listened to our attorney would have listened to our attorney general<00:51:12.960><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken. State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis. Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of the Attorney General has two concerns.
• </c> Department of the Attorney Department of the Attorney General<01:18:51.320><c> AG</c><01:18:51.719
• Attorney Attorney General<01:26:36.440><c> Deputy</c><01:26:36.800><c> AG</c> General Deputy AG General
• </c> you up next Department of the Attorney you up next Department of the Attorney General<01:47:26.000
• </c> suggested changes from the Attorney suggested changes from the Attorney General's<02:06:30.960><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses. The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then. Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this a full employment for trial attorneys then? I would...
• And I think that would probably, in a lot of trial attorney or a lot of attorneys' cases, reduce their
• Oftentimes this affects people who are the least able to hire an attorney and seek help.
• We couldn't get folks to settle with us because of the attorneys that they hired.
• And I'm not saying all attorneys are bad.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorneys. >> Yes, sir.
• I'm attorney Marissa Shoots, staff attorney for the Public Utilities Commission.
• Um attorney Marissa Shoots, uh staff attorney<00:15:45.040><c> for</c><00:15:45.199><c> the</c><00:15
• :45.360><c> public</c><00:15:45.680><c> utilities</c> attorney for the public utilities attorney for
• . let the attorneys this to next month. let the attorneys work<00:27:49.120><c> together</c><00:27:49.520

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and adopted the consent calendar without objection. It then took up Department of Safety Rule 25161 on administrative license suspension forms. After discussion of a staff concern that the rule text should expressly require a defendant’s signature or refusal to sign, and the officer’s witness signature, the agency agreed to revised language. The committee voted to grant conditional approval with those edits. The committee next considered Department of Agriculture rule 192, concerning importation of bovines and domestic animals. Staff identified several issues, including an overly broad federal citation, an unclear definition of infection, a possible conflict between provisions on telephone-issued permits and documents that must be carried, and missing struck-through repeal language. Because the department had not proposed written fixes, members moved to postpone the item until next month, and the motion passed. A second Agriculture item, 25207, was discussed as a long-expired set of rules that the agency said were still needed to run its programs; the committee granted conditional approval. The Public Utilities Commission’s competitive natural gas supplier and aggregator rules prompted the most extensive debate. Staff argued the cited statutes did not clearly authorize the commission to impose fines on natural gas suppliers, while the agency responded that authority could be read from related Department of Energy transition language and general rulemaking provisions. Members discussed whether the issue reflected a statutory gap created when responsibilities were split between the Department of Energy and the commission. The committee ultimately voted to waive and postpone the item to next month so the attorneys could work out the authority question. The committee also postponed Department of Energy items 219 and 220 at the agency’s request, and it noted that the Liquor Commission’s emergency rule had been revised to reduce reporting from monthly to quarterly before being reissued, with the item also postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Representative, I'm not an attorney.
• You made some relationship between physicians and attorneys, but there's other things barring attorneys
• I've been an attorney licensed in Missouri since the year 2003.
• Many physicians are represented by attorneys.
• There is an ethical rule pertaining to attorneys that attorneys are not to agree to non-competes.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House committee substitute combining House Bills 1850 and 1975, which was then voted do pass by a 16-0 roll call. The substitute was described as incorporating federal PBM-related transparency and audit provisions, including requirements intended to ensure fair audits, greater transparency for employers and patients, and protections for pharmacies so they are not reimbursed below drug cost and receive a fair fee. Members said the package was a compromise and a needed step because pharmacies are closing. The committee then heard House Bills 2318 and 2368, related to artificial intelligence and mental health. The sponsors said the bills are aimed at truth in advertising, barring AI platforms from marketing themselves as mental health professionals or therapy providers, while not banning AI use in health care generally. Testimony from supporters emphasized concerns about minors and adults relying on chatbots for mental health guidance and the need to protect consumers from misleading claims. The committee adopted an amendment adding social workers to the bill string, rolled it into a substitute, and voted the combined House committee substitute do pass 14-0. Next, House Bill 3313, described as an AOT bill from the prior week, was voted do pass 14-0 without discussion. House Bill 2745 was then amended and passed 14-0; the sponsor explained the changes would require a prompt physical exam for children entering foster care, allow a physician or nurse practitioner to perform it, try to continue existing developmental, behavioral, or emotional care when possible, and require biological parental consent before updating vaccines at the initial visit. House Bill 2463 also received a substitute to close a loophole involving referral payments when a prospective resident or legal representative cancels a contract, and the committee voted the substitute do pass 14-0. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 28, which would designate the last full week of April as Infertility Awareness Week in Missouri. The sponsor linked the resolution to broader efforts to expand fertility access, and supporters, including a patient sharing her infertility experience, spoke about the emotional and physical toll of infertility and the value of awareness. Finally, House Bill 2979, the Rural Missouri Rural Doctors Act, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued it would limit physician non-compete agreements to one year and five miles for nonprofit employers to improve rural access and physician mobility, while opponents from hospitals and health systems said the bill would weaken recruitment, hurt financially stressed rural hospitals, and create uneven treatment between nonprofit and for-profit employers. No vote was taken on HB 2979 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows the attorney general to enforce the proxy voting requirements and prohibitions and to
• The sole enforcement action under this bill is the attorney general.
• Chairman, Senator, no, I'm an attorney. I wish I was an economist. I was an economist...
• Chairman, Senator, no, I'm an attorney.
• Sometimes a release has to be drafted that's specialized, which requires an attorney.

Bills: SB1090, SB1293, SB1414, SB1429, SB1503, SB1536, SB1633, SB1724, SB1764

Keywords: savings and loan, technical correction, Arizona Revised Statutes, financial institutions, prohibitions, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, insurance, settlement demands, time limits, third-party claims, regulatory compliance, initiative, referendum, ballot measures, petition circulators

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for private uh Attorney for private uh Attorney Services<00:59:13.599><c> um</c><00:59:14.200><c
• </c> all the things that a a defense attorney all the things that a a defense attorney has<01:04:07.119
• First, look at the number of private attorneys available in Minnesota.
• to there being one legal aid attorney for every 5,773 low-income individuals.
• We’re looking at starting salaries of staff attorneys at civil legal aid programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• up to DPI and talked to them, and they've been following this and they're ready to work with the Attorney
• And before that, I had connected with Claire Ness of the Attorney General's office on page two, the lines
• And I had a good visit with the assistant attorney general, and she looked at it and said, we're fine
• So we're okay with 5 through 24, so we got some good feedback from DPI and the Attorney General yesterday
• too, that the appropriation has struck on this as well, because it is, the appropriation is in the Attorney

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate Bill 2330 met to consider a new conference committee amendment, 25.0551.0603. Members reviewed changes that narrowed the grade levels covered from 4-12 to 6th, 10th, and 12th grades, replaced “evidence-based” with “best practices,” and retained language striking the appropriation because funding is already included in the Attorney General’s budget. Representatives also noted that the bill applies to public and tribal schools, with non-public schools removed from the proposal. Testimony from Representative Jonas reported follow-up with the Department of Public Instruction and the Attorney General’s office. DPI said it was prepared to work with the Attorney General’s office and the eventual grant recipient if the bill passes, and the Attorney General’s office indicated it was comfortable with the statutory guidance in the bill. Committee members discussed the importance of maintaining quality standards and the role of stakeholders in implementation. The committee first voted on the amendment and it passed by voice vote, then voted to adopt the conference committee amendment in place of the House amendment 0601. That motion also passed unanimously by voice vote. Senator Bain was designated to carry the bill on the Senate side and Representative Jonas on the House side, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As an attorney, Daniel Sturdivant composed the abstract for that, and this is how I got that bill by
• These are non-attorneys who are given a limited license to do certain attorney-like things to help lower
• As a family law attorney, especially in family law, we have a lot...
• As a family law attorney, especially in family law, we have a lack of attorneys available to support
• know, you know, it is a challenge to find attorneys.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2735, the “Troxel 2” bill relating to establishing a constitutional floor in family law cases. Staff explained that the bill would add legislative findings and intent to Chapter 26.09 RCW, emphasizing parental fitness, equal standing for similarly situated parents, and a duty to cooperate. The prime sponsor and public testifiers largely supported the bill, arguing that family courts too often restrict fit parents’ access to children without sufficient due process and that the bill would restore constitutional protections and reduce conflict. Some testimony also framed the proposal as a way to improve child safety, stability, and outcomes. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then moved into executive session on multiple bills. It advanced bills on garnishment forms (ESSB 5865), child hearsay/testimony rules (SSB 5169, amended), immigration-enforcement policies for health care and related facilities (ESSB 5906, amended), compensation claims for wrongly convicted persons (SSB 5520), reinstating the Indigent Defense Task Force (ESSB 5912), preserving streamlined administrative and land-use review procedures (SSB 6009), authorizing court security threat assessments (ESSB 6086), adding superior court judges in Skagit and Yakima counties (SB 5868), requesting reinstatement of the limited license legal technician program (SJM 8006), expanding personality rights to digital likenesses (SSB 5886), and liability protections for certain children’s item donations, including car seats (ESSB 6087). Several bills were amended before passage out of committee. Votes were recorded on each measure, with most passing on strong bipartisan margins. Notable split votes occurred on SSB 5169 and ESSB 5906, reflecting concerns about balancing child protection, due process, and immigration-related enforcement issues. The committee concluded by thanking staff and adjourned after reporting all listed executive-session bills out of committee with do pass recommendations, some as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, this element of the amendment is important because, as the current state attorney general has
• And if that happens, our state attorney general needs to have clear instructions from us that he must
• It is indeed true that the State Attorney General does not represent an individual in a case.
• So absolutely, the Attorney General can and would intercede. And I think they should.
• The Attorney General does represent classes, and this would be a class of individuals.

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer from a Scouting America leader. After caucuses and routine introduction and committee-report actions, the chamber took up House Bill 1604, dealing with standards for strip searches in local jails and related correctional procedures. Supporters said the bill would align local jails with existing federal law and provide clearer standards for staff and administrators; opponents argued it would create liability, staffing, and operational problems, and force female officers into unwanted searches of male inmates. A series of amendments were debated and mostly rejected. Failed amendments sought to add liability protections, require same-sex searches, create religious accommodations for staff, broaden exigent circumstances, limit how often an inmate could change gender identity, and allow staff to decline searches or delay them when no appropriate staff were available. One amendment changing the implementation date from 2025 to 2026 was adopted. The final striking amendment was also defeated. The bill was then advanced to third reading and final passage as Engrossed House Bill 1604. In closing debate, supporters emphasized public safety, dignity, and compliance with federal standards, while opponents repeated concerns about consent, staffing, and jail administration. The House passed the bill 56-39, with three excused, and the floor session ended afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• first, proved that they are dangerous to themselves or others in a court of law, when they have an attorney
• first, proved that they are dangerous to themselves or others in a court of law, when they have an attorney
• first, proved that they are dangerous to themselves or others in a court of law, when they have an attorney
• </c><00:12:09.360><c> and</c><00:12:09.600><c> only</c> when they have an attorney and only when they
• have an attorney and only after<00:12:10.279><c> then</c><00:12:10.600><c> can</c><00:12:10.760><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Before I begin, I'll just say that Attorney General Ellison sends his regrets.
• </c><00:02:54.640><c> general</c><00:02:54.959><c> Ellison</c> just say that attorney general Ellison
• just say that attorney general Ellison sends<00:02:55.800><c> his</c><00:02:55.959><c> regrets</c><00
• Although attorneys general have been successful in lawsuits to put these freezes on hold, as of this
• </c><00:10:32.040><c> representation</c> protection and attorney representation protection and attorney

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Serious violations, if we believe it's in violation of state law, we refer to the attorney general, and
• My understanding is the Attorney General's office is over the compliance for those subgrants. >> Okay
• My understanding is the Attorney General's office is over the compliance for those subgrants. >> Okay
• So, I think we need, and I'll speak to the Attorney General's office, too.
• </c><00:41:16.960><c> general's</c> and I'll speak to the attorney general's and I'll speak to the attorney

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposal would also require at least one attorney and would consider appointing additional attorneys
• </c> you're an attorney. Is that correct? you're an attorney. Is that correct? &gt;&gt; Yes.
• </c> kind of legal skills that an attorney kind of legal skills that an attorney who's<02:19:04.719><
• When you give to the attorney general.
• :10.240><c> have</c><02:26:10.319><c> enough</c> the attorney general doesn't have enough the attorney

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 525, which would have transferred administration of the program for the deaf and hard of hearing and the related board to OPLC. The chair said the sponsor was no longer interested in moving forward, and Representative Schmidt moved ITL. The motion passed 14-0 with two members absent, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee then considered Senate Bill 182 on the maternal mortality review committee. The chair described a narrower amendment that would keep the name change, clarify operations so recommendations are returned to the appropriate entities, and expand contact with family members and close contacts, while dropping a proposed addition of a Department of Corrections member. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then moved ITL and placed on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 185, dealing with OPLC investigations and backlog reduction, received an update from OPLC General Counsel Nicholas Fry. He described efforts to improve public communication, clear the complaint backlog, standardize intake and expert review, add automated responses and website updates, use weekly legal-viability reviews, create preliminary investigation protocols, and establish a process for law-enforcement referrals. Members asked about board involvement and criminal-conviction cases; Fry said boards are kept informed and that such matters can proceed either through complaints or application/background-check processes. Representative Groa requested a follow-up update in January, and the committee agreed to an oral report then if needed. The bill was then voted ITL unanimously and placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 349 on optometrists performing ophthalmologic laser procedures. Dr. Angelique Sawyer testified in support, saying the amendment adds more specific proctoring and qualification requirements, based on language requested after earlier hearings, and that similar systems exist in other states. Representative Sers confirmed that the new sections were the key additions, while Representative Schmidt said he remained open to the concept but wanted a thorough review and asked about a subcommittee. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no vote recorded on HB 349.

Transcript Highlights:

• Deputy Attorney General Alan, on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General, we just provided comments
• So department of the attorney general.
• , the Department of Attorney General.
• Question for the Office of the Attorney General.
• </c> Question for the office of attorney Question for the office of attorney general.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2185, which would add protections for sports officials. The Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, HSTA, HGA, school administrators, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, the Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association, and several individuals testified in support. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and recommended amendments, especially on the bill’s civil-action provisions and criminal language, saying the measure should be made more consistent and narrowed to clarify who is covered. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the increased criminal penalties but said its concerns were limited to that portion of the bill. The chair repeatedly noted the committee’s education-policy focus and limited discussion of legal issues. The committee then took up HB 2621 on student misconduct. The Department of Education testified and answered questions about its student discipline data, explaining that much of the information is kept in the department’s internal Infinite Campus system and is not public, but that some additional information could be added to the annual report while still protecting student privacy. Members discussed whether the department tracks incidents consistently across schools and whether more public reporting would help identify where violence or discipline issues are occurring. The department said it was not seeing an increase in suspensions in the data it had, though it acknowledged internal data showed more detail than the annual report. HB 2179, concerning DOE and e-pipes, drew comments from the Department of Education, support from the Department of Health, the Hawaii Bicycling League, and other individuals. The committee then heard HB 2534, which would recognize robotics in schools as an interscholastic sport. The Department of Education offered comments, the State Public Charter School Commission supported the bill, and multiple students and robotics participants testified in strong support, arguing that robotics provides STEM opportunities, competition, and career pathways, and that formal recognition and funding would help sustain teams and compensate mentors. No votes or final actions were taken on the bills in the portion of the meeting provided.