Transcript Highlights:

• So I just say I'm skeptical in general of the claims.
• And who would I like to have as the deputies of that education commissioner?
• job of the Attorney General is to be a champion for justice and to speak up and to maybe sponsor some
• Our attorneys and their attorneys have worked very closely together, along Their credit.
• Our attorneys and their attorneys have worked very closely together, along with the Attorney General's

Summary: The joint Senate Education and Budget Committee hearing focused on the Governor’s proposed education governance overhaul, which would shift day-to-day management of the California Department of Education from the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction to a new appointed education commissioner, while giving the Superintendent new voting roles on the State Board of Education and the Community College Board of Governors. Chair Perez opened by stressing that the proposal raises major policy questions beyond the budget process and should be evaluated for its effect on students, local control, and accountability. Brooks Allen of the State Board of Education argued the change would unify policymaking and implementation, reduce fragmented authority, and create clearer accountability, citing decades of reports criticizing California’s “crazy quilt” governance structure and noting the proposal is timed for the 2026 transition. Amber Alexander of the Department of Finance outlined the fiscal and staffing transfers, describing the plan as largely cost-neutral and explaining how positions would shift between the State Board, the Department, and the new Superintendent’s office over 2026-27 and 2027-28. Sarah Cortez of the Legislative Analyst’s Office said the LAO supports shifting management to an appointed commissioner but recommended several refinements: preserving legislative oversight, requiring Senate confirmation of the commissioner, clearly defining the Superintendent’s duties as a public representative/advisor/evaluator, and refining the State Board’s role to focus on major policies requiring public input. She also said the fiscal plan should be cost-neutral and more fully specified. Senators raised concerns about the timing during an election year, the constitutional status of the Superintendent, whether the proposal should instead be a constitutional amendment, and whether governance changes actually improve student outcomes or simply rearrange the org chart. Some members questioned whether the proposal would confuse voters and undermine democratic accountability, while others said the current structure is already confusing and that the reform could improve clarity for districts and local boards. The discussion also covered how curriculum is set, with LAO explaining that the Legislature has broad authority but has delegated much curriculum work to the State Board and the Instructional Quality Commission. Members asked how the new structure would affect local districts, who they would call for guidance, and whether the commissioner would have authority over policy; the presenters said policy authority would remain with the State Board, while the commissioner would handle administration and implementation. No votes were taken during the panel discussion, and the hearing was organized to continue with additional panels and public comment later in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Deputy Director Ramsey coming back.
• Let's begin with the Deputy Director. Thank you. Thank you.
• AB 495 requires the Attorney General to issue model policies by April 2026, limiting how child care facilities
• AB495 requires the Attorney General to issue model policies by April 2026, limiting how child care facilities
• funds, $409,000 General Fund in fiscal year 2026-27.

Transcript Highlights:

• deputy.
• As a deputy district attorney in my county, I am charged with handling the petitions brought by sex offenders
• As a deputy district attorney in my county, I am charged with handling the petitions brought by sex offenders
• I'm an attorney, and I've been an attorney for 40 years. For constitutional sex offense laws.
• I'm an attorney, and I've been an attorney for 40 years.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• To my right here is Deputy Commissioner Mitzi Peterson.
• So I'm going to now turn it over to Deputy Commissioner Peterson and Assistant Deputy Commissioner Abby
• This system, as Deputy Commissioner Peterson said, is evidence-based.
• This system, as Deputy Commissioner Peterson said, is evidence-based.
• We rely on This system, as Deputy Commissioner Peterson said, is evidence-based.

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 to continue its review of DOC classification practices, with Senator Brownsberger and Representative Hunt co-chairing. After brief discussion of the prior hearing, members said there would likely be another opportunity for additional testimony, including possible video testimony from people inside facilities. The main presentation for the day was DOC’s classification system and a UMass Chan study of whether the system predicts institutional misconduct and whether overrides affect its accuracy or create racial/ethnic bias. DOC officials described the objective point-based classification system, its history, and the role of discretionary and non-discretionary overrides. They said the system is designed to balance public safety and reintegration, with initial classification emphasizing offense history and reclassification emphasizing institutional adjustment. DOC reported that, in the current population, about 16% are classified to maximum security, 74% to medium, and 10% to lower security. They also reviewed the non-discretionary restrictions that keep people out of minimum or medium security, and said discretionary overrides are used less often than the National Institute of Corrections’ suggested ceiling and are reviewed within six months. UMass Chan researchers said their analysis used historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on about 7,600 male reclassification cases, and found that the scored custody level accurately predicted institutional misconduct. They said the tool performed well on standard statistical measures, but predictive accuracy declined after overrides were applied, with overlap appearing between minimum and medium groups. In a supplementary analysis, they said the loss of accuracy was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They also said the study did not find evidence of racial or ethnic bias in the tool itself, and that DOC’s current system is comparatively more lenient than many other states. Members and guests raised concerns about overclassification to medium security, the low share of people in minimum, the role of civil commitment restrictions, and whether the data captured historical bias or individual cases where overrides felt subjective. DOC and UMass Chan responded that the study was group-based, not case-specific, and that minimum-security rates are hard to compare across states because Massachusetts’ prison and county systems differ structurally. The commission did not take a vote or formal action, but asked members to send follow-up data questions by the end of the week for referral to DOC and the researchers.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third position is for a deputy attorney general for the Consumer Protection Unit, who is going to
• The Deputy Attorney General for the Consumer Protection Unit is going to be doing enforcement in large
• The Deputy Attorney General for the Consumer Protection Unit is going to be managing the enforcement
• The Deputy Attorney General is for the Consumer Protection Unit to do enforcement. Yes, of course.
• The Deputy Attorney General is for the Consumer Protection Unit to do enforcement.

Summary: The Senate reconvened, received House communications and committee reports, and then took up several bills and a resolution. Committee reports covered measures on composting, volunteer background checks, campaign finance, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, publication of Public Integrity Commission reports, Cheswold’s territorial limits, child support, alcohol and marijuana, salary supplements, certified registered nurse anesthetists, land use, school taxes, and a constitutional elections amendment. House Bill 344 and House Bill 444 were referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Christy N. Vitola as Commissioner of the Family Court by a 21-0 vote. The chamber then recognized several fellows and Girls’ State delegates, with tributes to the Legislative Fellows Program and the Communications Fellowship, followed by House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the 2026 Delaware Girls’ State participants. The resolution passed unanimously. Senators and guests spoke about the civic value of the program and introduced the Girls’ State leadership team and delegates. On legislation, the Senate passed House Bill 89, creating a dispute-resolution process for home improvement fraud and strengthening consumer protection enforcement; House Bill 381, requiring notice to the Attorney General of computer security breaches; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407, making technical and penalty updates to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150, limiting civil arrests at courthouses and Industrial Accident Board offices; and House Substitute 2 for House Bill 94, restricting state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, and health care facilities, with emergency exceptions and reporting requirements. The Senate also began consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, which would limit use of state and local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and judicial warrants, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Larry Freeman, Chief Deputy Attorney General. First of all, thank you for hearing this bill.
• Larry Freeman, Chief Deputy Attorney General.
• As you may know, Attorney General Liz Merle has made a commitment to the families of the victims Attorney
• Attorney General Merle promised these families that she will ...that they could never unsee.
• Principal Deputy Solicitor General Zach Faircloth here.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General is representing us on that, but what I'm asking for is if we lose that suit in defense
• attorney.
• That's actually being handled by the Attorney General. They represent us.
• Well, the Attorney General of the state of Texas told you that it was child abuse.
• I think the Attorney General telling you that certain medical procedures constitute child abuse.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• First to testify on this measure, we have Jenny Nakamoto, Deputy Attorney General for the Department
• </c> measure we have an Lopez attorney measure we have an Lopez attorney general<00:13:02.120><c> for
• the Department attorney general for the Department attorney general<00:13:03.399><c> in</c> support<
• <c> the</c> Nakamoto Deputy attorney general uh the Nakamoto Deputy attorney general uh the Attorney<
• </c> Attorney General did submit testimony Attorney General did submit testimony and<00:13:15.639><c>

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• General Fenton has spent his career on the front lines of freedom.
• This is General Brian Fenton and Command Sergeant Major Shane Shorter.
• Deputy O'Harrison. driver who failed to observe struck Deputy O'Lehara with her vehicle.
• It is an attorney who provides legal services.
• General the authority to appeal a sentence, similar to the authority that the Attorney General's office

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including remarks from Senator Berman outlining Democratic priorities such as education, health care, environmental protection, and opposition to rollbacks on child labor, book access, and gun safety. The chamber also recognized military guests and an intern before moving to the special order calendar. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, Medicaid oversight at one point in the flow, and mammogram coverage, though the Medicaid oversight bill was later taken up and passed. The Senate passed a series of bills, often after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. Among the major measures approved were the dangerous dogs bill (the Pam Rock Act), which tightened penalties and procedures after fatal attacks; a local government land regulation bill that streamlined comp plan review and defined impact-fee circumstances, though members raised concerns about quasi-judicial hearing limits and local costs; a vessel-related bill combining boating safety and voter-freedom provisions; a blood clot screening and treatment bill creating the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act; fleeing and eluding penalties; concealed carry and firearm possession rules for certain officers and service members; timeshare management reforms; and public education on background screening requirements. The chamber also approved bills on disability history and awareness instruction, manufacturing and a related fee bill, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, health facilities authorities, and veteran and spouse nursing home beds. The disability instruction bill drew extended debate about the use of the term “disability,” inclusion, and whether the measure was consistent with broader DEI debates; it passed unanimously after emotional testimony from the sponsor and families. The manufacturing and utility bills focused on statewide economic policy and preemption of local restrictions, while the military children bill was presented as a student-driven proposal. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to 33-3 on the firearm bill and 26-8 on the land regulation bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:45.200><c> would</c> attorney general Ellison if he would attorney general Ellison if he would
• </c> over Medicaid fraud third the Attorney over Medicaid fraud third the Attorney General<00:24:53.039
• > requested the county the Attorney requested the county the Attorney General<00:26:38.279><c> may</c
• Attorney General, for being here this morning.
• </c><00:42:40.280><c> general</c><00:42:40.599><c> for</c> uh thank you uh Mr attorney general for uh

Bills: HF627 , HF474 , HF361 , HF1837

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as the Attorney General.
• Justin Brasher, Senior Assistant Attorney General, and Tammy Harrelson, Deputy Attorney General, Medicaid
• My name is Justin Brasher, Senior Assistant Attorney General with the AG's office.
• My name is Justin Brasher, Senior Assistant Attorney General with the AG's office.
• doing that as well as the Attorney General.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• When our deputy general counsel briefed the commission on this agenda item.
• Our deputy general counsel, Ms.
• Now, before we get to your testimony, I'll ask the deputy general counsel to introduce your item.
• , actually deputy general counsel to introduce the next item.
• Uh, I'll ask now, the deputy general counsel to introduce your motion to waive or your issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Deputy Attorney General Chrystopher Han, with comments on the bill.
• Good morning, Deputy Attorney General Chrystopher Han, with comments on the bill.
• </c> Damages first up we have attorney Damages first up we have attorney general<00:27:45.480><c> oh<
• :27:51.159><c> Deputy</c><00:27:51.480><c> attorney</c> general Good morning Deputy attorney general
• Good morning Deputy attorney general<00:27:51.960><c> chrystopher</c><00:27:52.440><c> Han</c><00:27:

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism, Housing, and Economic Development and Technology began with House Bill 604, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by 1 percentage point starting January 1, 2026 and direct the revenue to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a source of consistent funding, while the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed it, warning that Hawaii already has very high tourism taxes and that further increases could hurt visitors, workers, and the broader economy. The committees later voted to pass HB 604 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date; the vote was adopted, with one member noted as having reservations in the housing committee vote and one no vote in that committee. The committees then heard House Bill 973, which would require transient accommodations brokers and others to display all resort fees, taxes, and government-imposed charges upfront in advertised prices and would establish penalties. The Office of Consumer Protection expressed concerns about the bill’s intent requirement and noted a forthcoming federal FTC rule on junk fees; the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the measure as promoting transparency and uniformity, and a public witness also supported price transparency while questioning the size of the penalties. After questions about federal rescission of the FTC rule and enforcement authority, the committees voted to pass HB 973 with amendments as an HD1, including removal of the intent requirement and technical changes, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. House Bill 594, relating to hotel service disruptions, would require hotel keepers to give notice of disruptions to guests and third-party vendors and allow damages. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to add a purpose section and savings clause to address First Amendment and contract clause issues, and Unite Here Local 5 supported the bill, saying guests are not always notified of disruptions and that the measure would improve transparency; the union agreed with the legal amendments. The committees voted to pass HB 594 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date, adopting the recommendation. The final measures were House Bill 448 and House Bill 449, both related to technology enablement and economic development for small businesses, including tourism-related businesses. HTDC strongly supported both bills but emphasized that technology should be targeted to the actual problem and coordinated with sister agencies rather than applied broadly; the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce also supported HB 448, and HB 449 received support from HTDC and HFIA. The committees adopted amendments to HB 448, including moving a $250,000 appropriation to the committee report, and to HB 449, including deleting duplicative language tied to HB 448 and moving a $500,000 appropriation to the committee report; both bills were passed as HD1s with deferred dates, and the hearing adjourned after the votes were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, first up we have the Department of the Attorney General. Good afternoon.
• Deputy Attorney General Rand Shiama for the Department of the Attorney General.
• </c> General<00:41:20.680><c> good</c><00:41:20.880><c> afternoon</c><00:41:21.480><c> Deputy</c><00:
• 41:21.839><c> attorney</c> General good afternoon Deputy attorney General good afternoon Deputy attorney
• of the Attorney General we've submitted our<00:41:26.640><c> written</c><00:41:26.960><c> comment</c

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm excited to be leading I was appointed to be the Chief Deputy Director at the Department of General
• And within OD Legal, they currently have about 50 attorneys, but those 50 attorneys are handling not
• We mentioned the attorney workload. There's currently 50 attorneys in 2425.
• From the general budget.
• for attorney general litigation costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• general would intervene.
• I mean, deputies don't come in here at all.
• We're not asking the federal government to say, "Hey, Governor of the Attorney General, the federal government's
• I hate to interrupt, yes sir, but were all of the stats reported to the Attorney General or the FBI?
• Something that if a mayor in any city wanted to say, "Hey, I need help, Attorney General," or "Hey, I

Bills: SB82 , SB78 , SB4 , SB6 , SB62 , SB66 , SB77 , SB63 , SB79 , SB53 , SB55 , HB14

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Larry Freeman, Chief Deputy Attorney General. First of all, thank you for hearing this bill.
• Larry Freeman, Chief Deputy Attorney General.
• As you may know, Attorney General Liz Merle has made a commitment to the families of the victims...
• Principal Deputy Solicitor General Zach Faircloth here.
• So, members, the first two, just as we said, as Deputy Solicitor General said, makes it at 75.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 137, which would strengthen penalties for knowingly making threats against schools, school activities, students, or school employees. The author said the bill responds to repeated false threats that disrupt schools, frighten families, and divert law enforcement, and it adds education and parental acknowledgment requirements. Members discussed possible juvenile consequences such as public service or physical work at schools, and the bill drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, and Catholic bishops. It was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 321 followed, addressing Louisiana’s Safe Harbor law by expressly exempting minors from prostitution offenses and treating them as trafficking victims rather than offenders. The author, clergy, trafficking advocates, and a survivor testified that children involved in commercial sex are typically coerced, groomed, or controlled by traffickers, often family members or caregivers, and should receive protection and services instead of arrest. Witnesses described statewide advocacy and crisis-response services created in 2022, and committee members asked about prosecution of perpetrators and the prevalence of trafficking in rural areas. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved House Bill 1246, a response to a fatal drunk-driving crash involving Jada Bright, which would allow law enforcement to keep intoxicated offenders in jail if they are not safe to release. An amendment was adopted to clean up the language, and the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 1104, creating a misdemeanor for possession of motor vehicle key-programming or emulating devices used to steal cars, also passed favorably with support from prosecutors and police. House Bill 552, a cleanup measure replacing references to intoxication with impairment in prior drug-related statutes, was reported favorably as well. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 310, which would require random reassignment when a defendant waives a jury trial in districts with more than two judges, unless the prosecutor agrees otherwise. Supporters said it would prevent judge shopping and address concerns about unusually high acquittal rates before particular judges, while opponents argued it raises due process concerns and effectively lets prosecutors choose the judge. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The last major item was House Bill 1107, dealing with post-conviction death penalty cases involving claims of intellectual disability; the bill would set a 75 IQ threshold and create procedures for Atkins claims. Supporters said it would bring finality to long-pending capital cases and follow U.S. Supreme Court guidance, while opponents argued it would be unconstitutional under Atkins, Moore, and Hall because intellectual disability cannot be reduced to a single number. After extensive testimony and debate over amendments, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the deputy director again. We have the same L.A.O. person.
• Let's begin with the deputy director. Thank you. Thank you.
• AB 495 requires the Attorney General to issue model policies by April 2026, limiting how child care facilities
• AB495 requires the Attorney General to issue model policies by April 2026, limiting how child care facilities
• funds, including $409,000 General Fund, in fiscal year 2026-27.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard an overview from the California Department of Aging on the state’s Master Plan for Aging, including progress at the five-year midpoint, local aging and disability action plans, HCBS gap analysis, workforce work, and stakeholder engagement. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted the department’s budget was relatively flat but flagged federal H.R. 1 pressure on nutrition-related programs. Members discussed how H.R. 1 and broader federal and state budget pressures could affect older adults through other programs, even where the Department of Aging itself had no direct cut. The committee also heard a stakeholder request from the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging for $62.3 million to support Older Californians Act services, with Finance cautioning that any added ongoing spending would worsen out-year deficits. The committee then reviewed several Department of Aging proposals, including HICAP modernization to add paid counselors and reduce reliance on volunteers, and senior meal program oversight for virtual congregate/to-go meals under AB 1476. Members also discussed the status of area agencies on aging in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, including a new RFP process in the Central Coast and the need to protect service continuity during transitions. Finance clarified that remaining modernizing Older Californians Act nutrition funds can still be used through June 2029. The Department of Social Services presented a series of items. These included new federal Medicaid Access Rule implementation for IHSS grievance and critical incident systems; housing and homelessness programs for CalWORKs Housing Support, HDAP, Home Safe, and Bringing Families Home, with testimony that one-time funds are expiring and service levels will likely decline; permanent position authority for housing and homelessness administration; a facility management system to replace aging licensing systems; home care services branch solvency and regulations; child care centers in multifamily housing; the Seizure Emergency Response Act; licensing during emergencies and disasters; and the Family Preparedness Plan Act. The committee also heard a detailed exchange about the Autumn Oaks facility in Tulare County, where Senator Grove raised concerns about 53 complaints and the handling of unsafe conditions; CDSS said it is reviewing the matter and has authority to take administrative action even after a license surrender. No votes were taken, and items were held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kelsey Nagata, Deputy Attorney General, providing comments on HB 1831.
• Kelsey Nagata, Deputy Attorney General, providing comments on HB 1831.
• Kelsey Nagata, Deputy Attorney General, providing comments on HB 1572.
• Kelsey Nagata, Deputy Attorney General, providing comments on HB 1572.
• Kelsey Nagata, Deputy Attorney General, providing comments on HB 1572.

Bills: HB1621 , HB1880 , HB1831

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Summary: The joint committees on Agriculture and Food Systems and Energy and Environmental Protection heard three bills. HB 1621 would create a conservation, agriculture, and soil health incentive program under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, with annual reporting and funding. Testimony was broadly supportive from the Climate Commission, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Farmers Union, White Alliance for Progressive Action, and the Farm Bureau, and the bill was described as a way to advance soil health and support producers. HB 1880 would prohibit, beginning in 2027, the use of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene (such as Telone). The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered written comments, Hawaii Farmers Union supported the ban citing drift and health concerns, and the Farm Bureau opposed it, arguing growers need such tools; the bill also drew discussion about crop rotation and other pest-management practices. HB 1831 would authorize funding to address survey deficiencies and wastewater compliance issues on certain non-agricultural parklands; the Attorney General’s Office warned the bill as written may violate the U.S. Constitution’s contract clause and suggested revisions, while the department and Farm Bureau supported the measure’s intent. The committees later took up decision-making and voted to pass all three measures with amendments, with the effective dates changed to July 1, 3000 and HB 1831 amended to reflect the Attorney General’s suggested changes. The Agriculture and Food Systems committee then heard HB 1572, which would establish a four-year restorative aquaculture development program to streamline permitting, expand infrastructure and workforce capacity, create pilot sites, and convene an advisory council. The Attorney General noted a technical issue about whether council members would be compensated, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union all expressed support for streamlining aquaculture and promoting restorative aquaculture. Members asked about the bill’s focus on restorative aquaculture, and the department said the program would give the area dedicated resources and a framework. The committee also heard HB 219, which would temporarily reestablish the coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy program and manager position; the department, Waimea Coffee Association, Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union supported it. HB 2139 would fund University of Hawaiʻi research on treatment methods for the Queensland longhorn beetle. Testimony from DLNR, the invasive species council, university researchers, farmers, and the Farm Bureau emphasized the beetle’s spread and damage to trees and crops, and described nematode biocontrol as promising but labor-intensive and in need of more research and scaling. Members asked whether the funding was for research rather than a position, whether the current nematode approach is sufficient for large orchards, and whether other controls are being explored; the response was that the bill funds testing and that more work is needed, including local production of nematodes if the method proves effective.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a Deputy Attorney General. she you know, in her capacity as a she you know, in her capacity as a
• 00:38:18.480><c> Attorney</c><00:38:18.880><c> General.
• </c><00:38:19.800><c> Uh</c> Gay Tanak, I'm a Deputy Attorney General. But I'm here.
• I've been a Deputy Attorney General for 25 years, and this April I wanted then, so I worked with Simi
• I am currently a deputy prosecuting attorney for the County of Hawaii.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the confirmation of Kursha Kauahi Kani Mililani Durrant to the District Court of the First Circuit, but announced it would not vote until April 2. The chair also noted a backup plan if Zoom failed. Testimony was limited to two minutes per speaker. The hearing focused on Durrant’s qualifications, judicial temperament, and readiness for the bench, with no opposition presented. Support came from the Office of the Public Defender, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, and numerous individuals. Witnesses described Durrant as highly experienced in both criminal and civil practice, including district, family, circuit, appellate, ICA, and Supreme Court work. Several speakers emphasized her legal reasoning, mentorship, civility, cultural grounding, and ability to listen and treat litigants with dignity. Personal supporters also highlighted her public service, hula background, and character. Committee members questioned Durrant about how she would approach district court cases involving repeat offenders, mental illness, substance abuse, houselessness, and diversion. Durrant said she would follow the law, consider the full range of sentencing factors, and use available probation, diversion, and treatment options where appropriate. She said she would be committed to using legislative tools such as Act 26 and other diversion powers, and to looking beyond advocacy toward practical justice and reducing recidivism. She also said her clerkship with Judge Marsha Waldorf, including exposure to drug court and mental health court, shaped her approach to problem-solving on the bench.