Transcript Highlights:

• The first three up are file items 74, 75, and 76. The first three up are file items 74, 75, and 76.
• Senator Cortese, you're up with file item 75. Secretary, please read.
• Heat pumps are so energy efficient that they reduce electricity use for heating by up to 75% and allow
• You need 75 square feet of outdoor space per child, 35 square feet of indoor space per child.

Transcript Highlights:

• new 1 million gallon per day wastewater treatment plant will be constructed to replace the existing 75
• This provided over $75 million to support the KHC home buyer program.
• Uh this provided<00:23:29.520><c> over</c><00:23:29.919><c> 75</c><00:23:30.480><c> million</c><00:23
• :31.280><c> to</c><00:23:31.520><c> support</c><00:23:31.840><c> the</c> provided over 75 million to
• support the provided over 75 million to support the KHC<00:23:33.200><c> home</c><00:23:33.440><c> buyer

Summary: The committee met without a quorum for much of the meeting, so several agenda items were initially heard only for information. Early updates included six informational reports, such as an Auditor of Public Accounts compliance examination with no findings, university equipment and allocation reports, school district bond issuances, Western Kentucky University’s planned public-private partnership housing redevelopment, and quarterly Kentucky Communications Network Authority reports. Members then questioned WKU officials about the P3 housing project, including the number of RFQ responses, property tax responsibility, ownership of the student life foundation, and the status of repairs to residence halls. WKU said the foundation has owned the property since 2000, one hall would be razed or demolished at the end of the academic year, and repairs to the other two were expected to be completed by fall 2027. The committee also heard a Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources acquisition project for Mount River Farms in Wayne County and a Department of Corrections roof replacement project at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, but no votes were taken until a quorum was later established. The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority then presented six loans and four grant reallocations, including loan increases for Adair County Water District and the City of Harlan, new loans for Litchfield, Louisa, Southeastern Water Association, and Flatwoods, and grant reallocations under the Cleaner Water Program. Members asked about Harlan’s 30-year term and special condition requiring a revenue increase; KIA explained the longer term is reserved for disadvantaged communities and that the condition was meant to reinforce standard debt coverage requirements, while depreciation is reviewed but not included in cash-flow calculations. After a recess, Senator Thomas arrived and a quorum was reached. The committee approved the prior minutes and then took a consolidated vote on the action items, which passed. The final items included a Kentucky Economic Development Authority revenue bond refunding for CommonSpirit Health, several Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit and single-family bond issuances, a Western Kentucky University bond issuance, and SFCC debt issues. Members discussed the housing transactions, noting they are developer-financed and not subject to a traditional bidding process, and expressed concern about whether the process could produce more units for the same amount of money. The meeting adjourned after all information items were approved and the next meeting date was announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to pass and retain on file items 75 and 76.
• Trump has already released funding for us, $75 million in the North State for fire mitigation projects
• Trump has already released funding for us, $75 million in the North State for fire mitigation projects
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 75. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 12.
• Some of the concurrent resolution number 75. Ayes 67, no 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 12.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved routine procedural motions, and recognized several guest groups, including First Five California, a fourth-grade class from Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, visitors from Modoc and Lassen counties, and representatives from the Port of Long Beach. The chamber then moved through second reading and concurrence items, with most bills and resolutions being read, deemed adopted, or passed on file without debate. The main floor action centered on ACR 39, designating May 2025 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. Assembly Member Ramos and many caucus members spoke in strong support, describing the crisis as a state of emergency and emphasizing violence against Native women, girls, and two-spirit people, the need for better data collection, agency coordination, tribal sovereignty, and continued action beyond symbolic recognition. The resolution passed concurrence with 67 ayes and 0 noes. The Assembly also passed a series of bills on topics including classified school employee pay stubs (AB 374), allowing voucher preferences in housing (AB 282), authorizing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates (AB 583), student health insurance protections (AB 594), local housing pre-approval programs (AB 1206), veterans education program administration (AB 1509), expanding the Family Urgent Response System (AB 898), Star Wars Day (H.R. 33), local news sale notice requirements (AB 611), mask-wearing protections in public spaces (AB 1326), a Chula Vista university land-use measure (AB 76), undercover officer record protections (AB 1178), and preservation of Clover Valley in Rocklin (AB 1152). Most passed with broad support, though AB 282 and AB 611 drew some opposition. A major debate occurred on AJR 10, which urged the President to reverse cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. Members from both parties discussed wildfire prevention, forest health, staffing, and federal-state responsibility, with some criticizing the administration and others emphasizing forest management and the need for bipartisan cooperation. The resolution was adopted after a co-author roll and final roll vote of 67 ayes and 0 noes. The chamber then adopted the second-day consent calendar, heard an adjournment in memory for Giovanni “Johnny” of East Side Italian Deli, and adjourned until Monday, May 12, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• provided us in the past, and we are grateful to have been able to increase our program reach from 45 to 75
• I was really curious about the 75 schools. That's a pretty big jump.
• committee I was really curious<00:18:15.960><c> about</c><00:18:16.159><c> the</c><00:18:16.280><c> 75
• /c><00:18:16.799><c> schools</c><00:18:17.280><c> I</c><00:18:17.360><c> mean</c> curious about the 75
• schools I mean curious about the 75 schools I mean that's<00:18:17.720><c> a</c><00:18:17.880><c> pretty

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, Hurricane Helene passed 75 miles off the coast of Pinellas County and did eight feet of storm
• By law, the federal share for disaster assistance is no less than 75% of the total eligible costs and
• Once we get to that number, then it will go to a 90-10 storm instead of a 75-25 storm.
• That gives us quick access to I-75, quick access to the Florida Turnpike, I-4, and over to I-95 if we
• That gives us quick access to I-75, quick access to the Florida Turnpike, I-4, and over in the 95 if

Summary: The Economic Development Budget Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster costs, recovery operations, sheltering, and major capital projects. He reviewed the 2024 hurricane season impacts from Debby, Helene, and Milton, explaining how FEMA public assistance and state reimbursement work, how cost shares can shift from 75/25 to 90/10 after a federal threshold is reached, and how Florida uses prior storm data and inflation to estimate recovery costs. He also described the state’s faster reimbursement timelines, crediting legislative investments in technology and digital field documentation, and said the division is working to reduce disaster closeout timelines from decades to about seven years. Members asked about debris removal, FEMA de-obligations, local preparedness, and whether regional shelters or co-located emergency operations centers could be used more efficiently. Guthrie said debris assistance is complicated and should generally remain tied to local contracts and planning, though the state will help fiscally constrained communities when needed. He explained de-obligations as FEMA clawing back previously approved funds after later review, and said Florida’s FROC program is helping local governments reduce those risks through standardized documentation, procurement review, and training. He also urged more mandatory emergency-management training for local and state officials and cautioned against weakening the FEMA 50% rule for rebuilding damaged structures. Guthrie provided updates on the new central Florida warehouse in Auburndale and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. He said the warehouse will improve logistics, include cold and ultra-cold storage, and be run by a private vendor with virtual inventory tracking, while the new EOC is designed for Category 5 conditions and expanded partner capacity. He acknowledged budget pressures that reduced the size of the EOC project and said an additional IT request was needed because those costs were not originally included. The meeting ended with praise for FDEM’s work and no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• to first start off by just thanking our 44 co-sponsors in the Assembly, the 19 Senate sponsors, the 75
• Next is A42-75.
• This would now impose an additional $75 cost... ...heard.
• This would now impose an additional $75 cost for doing that.
• We talked about the federal government, 75 cents in the dollar, toward these costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This project uses a 75% state and 25% local cost-share split.
• So the state is putting in 75% of the cost of this project.
• When we looked at that, it's looking like $75 to $85 on our base rate.
• When we looked at that, it's looking like $75 to $85 on our base rate.
• It's looking like $75 to $85 on our base rate and $10 per thousand gallons used.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and heard updates from Department of Water Resources Director Reese Haas and Lieutenant Governor/State Water Commission Chair Michelle Strinden on statewide water funding, major projects, and two legislative studies requested in House Bill 1020. Haas reviewed the status of the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, noting NAWS construction is expected to move water by fall and Southwest’s Hebron-Rugby expansion phase one is in final design with bids expected next month. He also summarized the department’s budget outlook, including Resources Trust Fund and Water Project Stabilization Fund balances, the effect of oil price volatility and stripper well exemptions on revenues, and the status of project buckets, carryover, lines of credit, regionalization, bid trends, and administrative/process updates. Committee members asked about project prioritization, municipal funding demand, maintenance expectations, replacement versus deferred maintenance, and whether the 2025 session may have underfunded municipal water supply needs. Haas said the commission uses the same high/medium/low prioritization process across all buckets, reviews maintenance plans as part of policy, and is seeing strong demand in the municipal bucket. He also explained that the department’s 14-year projection is based on the next seven legislative sessions and that the state faces a projected $1.3 billion shortfall over that period if all planned projects are funded under current assumptions. Deloitte then presented draft findings from the cost-share policy study and the governance/finance study. For cost share, Deloitte said the model shows a roughly $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years and about $1.8 billion through 2031 under current policy, and offered seven options including tighter eligibility for replacement projects, state funding caps for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, a priority-based cost-share scale, timing shifts, use of existing lines of credit, and delayed reimbursement timing. For governance, Deloitte outlined draft options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River ranging from maintaining current structures with stronger planning to transferring ownership or adding formal oversight, and recommended broader use of performance metrics, long-term financial planning, and clearer decision trees. No votes or formal actions were taken; the commission discussed the scenarios and the studies will return in revised form later in the spring.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would alter that to... ...what we would call a 25-75 split.
• Under the current iteration, it would be covered at a 25-75 split. 60-40 split.
• Under the current iteration, it would be covered at a 25-75 split.
• It wouldn't cut it by 75%, as you might expect, because we've already modeled it based on a 60-40 split
• People won't get drugs at a 25-75 split where they may have gotten them at a 60-40.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• history, and that is when our charter was formed, about 50 years ago, at that point in time, about 75%
• Interestingly, 75% of the elected officials reside in Kansas City.
• still reflect, in terms of proportion, who set the charter up in the first place 50 years ago, when 75%
• Who set the charter up in the first place 50 years ago, when 75% of the population was Kansas City.
• And the idea that we're still electing people from Kansas City to 75% of our county roles is, I think

Committees: House Local Government , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• They're there roughly from 75 to 90 days. And then, just going on down, transportation, 720.
• So they indicate that Brent prices would average $75 per barrel during the course of 2026, and that's
• So they indicate that Brent prices would average $75 per barrel during the course of 2026, and that's
• The base case forecast has prices averaging $75 in the first quarter, $78 in the second quarter, and
• It was $85 for March, and we dropped it to $80, $75 to $60, or $75 to $70 to $65 down to $60 by July.

Summary: The Leadership Division of the Budget Section approved the prior meeting minutes and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s interim work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has reviewed state cash, investments, and liquidity across agencies and concluded the state’s overall mix of long-term and short-term assets is appropriate, with about $35 billion in total liquid assets and investments and roughly 89% in longer-term investments. He highlighted process improvements already underway, including replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work, and said the board sees opportunities to improve forecasting, automation, and statewide coordination. Members asked about whether the CD change would increase returns, how the Legacy Fund transfer for the homestead tax relief bill affected earnings, and whether more state cash could be consolidated or better managed through BND; Sickler and BND staff said those issues are being studied and may lead to legislation for the 2027 session. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the committee on the Task Force on Government Efficiency. He said the group has focused less on cutting dollars and more on defining metrics and asking how the legislature knows whether programs are working. The task force is pushing a standard set of questions for new or expanding programs—who is affected, expected outcomes, alternatives, how success will be measured, and full funding—and OMB has agreed to require those answers in future budget requests. Members discussed possible use of dashboards, program evaluators, AI tools, and possible rule or statutory changes to require performance measurement. Toman said the task force will continue meeting with agencies such as the courts, university system, auditor, HHS, Commerce, and ITD to identify workflow bottlenecks and potential efficiencies. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota gave a workforce update, reporting that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5% and labor force participation is about 68.7%, both well above national performance. He described Job Service’s 15 workforce programs, including H-2A housing inspections for foreign agricultural workers, the job placement partnership program with DOCR, WOTC, and other federal and state workforce efforts. Davis said the agency served more than 11,000 individuals in 2025, operates nine workforce centers, and tracks outcomes through quarterly and annual reporting. In response to questions, he said job openings data reflect only positions in the system and may understate actual hiring needs, that child care and other assistance programs could be better tied to employment outcomes, and that the DOCR partnership has shown strong results with lower recidivism and higher earnings. He also said the H-2A inspection workload is growing quickly and additional staffing or less frequent federal inspection requirements could help. Allen Knutson then presented S&P Global’s updated revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the prior month’s outlook, improving the state’s near-term revenue picture, though the economy remains volatile and agriculture is facing weaker commodity prices. Based on the updated forecast, total major tax revenues for the current biennium are projected to be about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and the next biennium could be about $500 million higher, though that estimate is preliminary and may change. He also walked through an alternate oil-price scenario showing significantly higher oil and gas collections and a larger Strategic Investment Fund balance if prices remain elevated. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about tribal allocation changes in the alternative scenario; Knutson said additional updates are possible through OMB and future forecast cycles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair lays out as a matter of pending business Senate Bill 75.
• Senator Nichols moves adoption of the committee substitute for Senate Bill 75. Is there objection?
• Senator Nichols moves that Senate Bill 75 do not pass, but the substitute adopted do pass and be printed
• There being 10 ayes and 0 nays, the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 75 is able to report it to the
• I am Brian Chester, an HVAC employment contractor operating for over 75 years in Dallas, Texas, and I'm

Bills: SB1468 , SB1612 , SB1789 , SB2530 , SB2571 , SB2717 , SB2967

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• But current law says 85% of them should be able to complete the test within 75 minutes.
• the final test is shorter because under state statute you're increasing the length of the test from 75
• The best data that I have is 75%. Do you have any reason to dispute that?
• I think that's right, with the machine accounting for roughly 75%.
• the bill, it is allowed to be 305 minutes, when statute currently says it should be completed within 75

Bills: HB8 , HB12 , SB 3 , HJR1 , SB 11 , SB 16 , SB 14 , HB8 , HB 12 , SB3 , HJR1 , SB11 , SB16 , SB14

Transcript Highlights:

• serve more than 100 public high school students across 14 schools, achieving a 98% completion rate and 75%
• serve more than 100 public high school students across 14 schools, achieving a 98% completion rate and 75%
• serve more than 100 public high school students across 14 schools, achieving a 98% completion rate and 75%
• 01:00:39.119><c> completion</c><01:00:39.520><c> rate</c><01:00:39.760><c> and</c><01:00:40.000><c> 75%
• </c> achieving a 98% completion rate and 75% achieving a 98% completion rate and 75% employment<01:00

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Higher Education hearing took up HB 441 HD2, a measure to increase cigarette taxes and dedicate the revenue to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The Department of Taxation said it had no substantive objection but requested an effective date of January 1, 2026 if tax rates change so it can order new stamps. The Department of Health, the Deputy Attorney General/tobacco enforcement, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, and several other health organizations and youth advocates supported the bill, arguing that higher cigarette prices reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and help fund cancer research and care. Several supporters asked for a larger increase, including at least $1 per pack, while opponents from retail, wholesale, and tobacco-related groups argued the tax would be regressive, burden low-income smokers, and drive sales to the illicit market. The Tax Foundation and other opponents also criticized reliance on sin taxes and said smoking rates are already at historic lows. After testimony and questions, members discussed how the revenue should be used and whether higher taxes change smoker behavior or push people toward vaping or other alternatives. The chairs announced they would pass HB 441 HD2 with amendments, replacing the contents with SB 528 SD1 except for changes reflecting the Department of Taxation’s request and a provision directing all proceeds from the tax increase to the Hawaii Cancer Center’s debt reduction, with an effective date of December 31, 2025. The House Health, Human Services, and Higher Education committees then voted to adopt the recommendation; the Health, Human Services committee vote was adopted with Chair and several members voting aye and one member voting no in the Higher Education committee vote. The hearing also briefly covered HB 1334 on meat donation, which drew support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, food industry, and community groups, though no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1098 on crimes against protective services workers. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying assaults on protective services workers can have chilling effects and deserve stronger deterrence; a committee question raised whether the bill should instead be part of a broader, more proactive approach to assault statutes. The Department of Human Services also described safety steps such as panic buttons and phone apps for social workers. The excerpt ends before any final vote on HB 1098.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 75. Representative Anderson, if you'd make your way up to the table, please.
• Representative Anderson moves that House File 75 be referred to the General Register.
• representative Anderson moves at house representative Anderson moves at house file<00:01:12.759><c> 75
• <c> referred</c><00:01:13.840><c> to</c><00:01:14.000><c> the</c><00:01:14.119><c> general</c> file 75
• <00:10:41.399><c> all</c><00:10:41.600><c> right</c> 75 all right 75 all right um<00:10:43.839><c> rep

Bills: HF75

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• during the Treasurer's testimony on the 20th, he specifically talked about the governor proposing $75
• This is now saying, with the goal... ...less than $75 million in savings.
• approve it or not, it doesn't matter as long as they vote on something, and whether it results in $75
• So the ultimate goal is for there to be a savings, irrespective of whether that's the $75 million or.
• The ultimate goal is for there to be a savings, irrespective of whether that's the $75 million or not

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met on June 28, 2026 and considered a long list of budget and policy bills, reporting many of them out of committee, often with amendments. Early measures included AB 2550 on continued dependent health coverage for certain adults with disabilities, AB 4794 allowing tax data sharing with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and Secure Choice Savings Board, and AB 3381/SB 1493 updating occupational therapy licensure requirements. The committee also advanced AB 4014, creating a social media research center at a public four-year institution, though one member opposed it as unnecessary spending given existing research on social media harms. Another bill, AB 5048/SB 1281, would ban certain apparel and diaper products with intentionally added PFAS; some members opposed it over safety and cost concerns, especially for firefighter gear, but it was reported. The committee also moved AB 383, which promotes volunteerism to help FamilyCare and SNAP recipients meet eligibility requirements, and AB 4357, extending telehealth pay parity, though one member objected to parity between telehealth and in-person care. The committee then took up several energy, environmental, and housing-related bills. AB 5188, the Advanced Grid Technologies Act, was released despite opposition from some members and labor interests. AB 2524 would let dual-use solar projects participate in community solar, and AB 5236 would strengthen pediatric psychiatry and behavioral health services; both were reported. AB 5348, allowing temporary use of open-space and related funds for certain municipalities, drew sharp criticism as a diversion of preservation money to fill budget holes, but passed. AB 5280 returned unexpended county appropriations to Hudson County and authorized supplemental operating aid; it also passed despite objections about prior bidding violations. AB 5347 provided certain motor vehicle-related funding to municipalities and was reported, as was AB 5334/SB 4423, appropriating Green Acres and CBT revenues for local open space and park projects. A major portion of the meeting focused on tax and business-related bills. AB 5329 increased the child tax credit for 2026-2028, with testimony urging that the expansion be made permanent; it was reported. AB 3899, the General Contractor Licensing Act, also passed. AB 5310/SB 4406 clarified sentencing under certain circumstances and was reported. AB 5330, allowing temporary transfers in the pension system, drew testimony from NJEA warning that the State Health Benefits Program was in crisis and asking for a longer repayment period to avoid rate spikes; the bill was still reported. AB 1326 created a higher education governance and funding task force and was amended to add a Talmudic institution or theological seminary representative. Later, AB 5333/SB 4424 appropriated additional Green Acres and CBT funds for recreation and conservation projects and was reported. The committee also advanced several business and alcohol-related measures, including AB 5235 establishing the School-Based Partnership for Access and Resilience for Kids program, AB 5325 reducing business formation fees, AB 4836/SB 2368 on portable solar devices, AB 4881 establishing an advanced nuclear energy procurement program, AB 3974/SB 3183 revising renewable energy incentive and solar interconnection rules, AB 4013 creating a social media research center focused on addictive behavior, AB 5225 making temporary alcohol beverage provisions permanent, and AB 5295 revising alcoholic beverage licensing laws. The most contentious debate came on AB 4085, the Fair Price Protection Act, which would restrict “surveillance pricing” and regulate grocery pricing practices. Consumer advocates supported the bill as a protection against individualized pricing, while retailers and chambers of commerce argued the language was too broad and could undermine loyalty programs, discounts, and electronic shelf labels. Despite those objections, the committee voted to report the bill after amendments. Finally, AB 4530/SB 3739 on EV supply equipment standards was reported, and AB 5322 imposing a temporary cap on net operating loss deductions under the corporate business tax sparked strong opposition from business groups and a policy debate over whether legitimate losses and investment-related deductions should be limited; the bill was still moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of those programs, we had 75 total providers represented.
• or a grant, we can fund employers through the Office of Skills Development, and they can pay up to 75%
• Employers through the Office of Skills Development, and they can pay up to 75% of that customized training
• or a grant, we can fund employers through the Office of Skills Development, and they can pay up to 75%
• of the student. employers through the Office of Skills Development, and they can pay up to 75% of that

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s workforce development reorganization and a set of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate and streamline the state’s WIOA system. Commerce officials said the department has already centralized shared services, split the old workforce agency into reemployment and Arkansas Workforce Connections, and submitted a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan. They described nine waiver requests, including replacing local workforce boards with a single statewide board, creating one planning and accountability structure, allowing more flexible movement of funds across regions, easing the “last-dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, reducing required youth program elements, and allowing affiliate sites instead of mandatory comprehensive centers. Officials said the goal is to reduce administrative costs and redirect more money to training, supportive services, and employer-driven programs. Legislators raised concerns about rural representation, local employer relationships, and whether local offices would close. Commerce officials said local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired, and regional business councils would preserve local employer input. They said the current system is fragmented and expensive, with roughly $14 million in federal workforce funds flowing through local boards but only about $1.9 million spent on training and supportive services last year; they argued the reorganization could raise training spending to about $6 million to $7 million annually. Questions also addressed board composition, performance accountability, and how funds could be shifted between regions when needs change. The State Board of Workforce Development had approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor. Members also discussed workforce access for people with disabilities, child care and transportation supports, and the role of Arkansas Launch, apprenticeships, and career and technical education. Officials said vocational rehabilitation now has better access to the state job board and that referrals and data-sharing with DHS and other partners still need improvement. Several legislators emphasized the need for training to align more closely with employer demand, especially in manufacturing, technology, health care, and rural areas. The committee also heard a brief overview of Workforce Pell, with staff explaining that the new federal short-term Pell option has narrow eligibility rules and may not fit many existing programs, including some CDL and CNA programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've charged $75 since the '90s for that service. We're asking for an increase to $125.
• Again, that's been set since about the '90s that we charge $75.
• We've<00:38:08.600><c> charged</c><00:38:08.960><c> $75</c><00:38:09.920><c> since</c><00:38:10.160><
• charged $75 since the '90s for that<00:38:11.160><c> service.
• </c> that we charge $75. that we charge $75.

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Transcript Highlights:

• commissioner to disapprove the proposed plan rate if the dental loss ratio for the plan is less than 75%
• dental insurers to spend at least 83% of premiums on patient care, and this bill differs in that it's 75%
• dental loss ratio for the plan is less dental loss ratio for the plan is less than<00:35:37.599><c> 75%
• </c> than 75%. than 75%.
• </c> bill is differs in that it's 75% bill is differs in that it's 75% while<00:37:45.040><c> HDS</c>

Bills: SB2004 , SB2039 , SB2042 , SB2043 , SB2044 , SB2132

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee opened its first hearing of the year with remarks from Chair Jared Kohole outlining hearing procedures, a two-minute testimony limit, rules for remote testimony and decorum, and a revised testimony-publication pilot that keeps 96-hour notice but returns to a standard 24-hour testimony deadline. He then moved through the agenda, beginning with SB 2004 on outdoor advertising, which would increase penalties for violations of billboard and outdoor advertising laws. Testimony on that measure was limited; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land was first up, and written support was noted from Hawaiian Electric and the Outdoor Circle. The committee then heard SB 2039 on election campaign finance, which would prohibit certain business entities from engaging in campaign finance activities. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and did not take a formal position at the hearing. Several proponents testified in support, including Josh Frost, Tom Moore of the Center for American Progress, Hapa/Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and Common Cause Hawaiʻi, all arguing the bill would curb corporate and dark-money influence and return elections to the people. Moore distinguished between regulating corporate “rights” and limiting corporate “powers,” and said the state can redefine the powers it grants corporations. In questions, Senator McKelvey asked whether the bill could be expanded to include unions; the Attorney General said he would need to get back with legal analysis, while Moore said his preferred approach would include all entities and that leaving out nonprofits or unions would create problems. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect PACs, and Moore explained that the proposal would prohibit corporate and dark-money flows into PACs while leaving individual political giving and existing political committees in place. The committee then moved on to the next measure. SB 2042, relating to insurance, was heard next. The bill would reduce the unimpaired minimum capital and surplus required of class 4 sponsored captive insurance companies under certain circumstances. The DCCA Insurance Division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii Captive Insurance Council testified in support, describing the change as a narrow, risk-based adjustment that would not affect the commissioner’s authority where actual risk resides and would help keep Hawaii competitive. The committee noted additional written support and proceeded without a vote or final action in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:16:38.480><c> ft</c><00:16:39.120><c> uh</c><00:16:39.279><c> frontage</c> that you took out the 75
• ft uh frontage that you took out the 75 ft uh frontage requirement<00:16:40.639><c> because</c><00:16
• </c><00:16:49.600><c> So</c><00:16:49.839><c> throwing</c><00:16:50.320><c> 75</c><00:16:50.880><c> ft
• So throwing 75 ft in on sewer and water.
• So throwing 75 ft in conflicts<00:16:51.920><c> with</c><00:16:52.079><c> what</c><00:16:52.240><c> we

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's a 75% success rate over 20 years of eliminating violence.
• And there's a 75 percent success rate over 20 years of eliminating violence.
• So I'm assuming his IQ is above 75, and that's the gatekeeper for our state's Board of Living Centers
• [Unidentified Speaker] I'm assuming his IQ is above 75, and that's the gatekeeper for our state's board
• I'm assuming his IQ is above 75, and that's the gatekeeper for our State's Board of Living Centers.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance