Video & Transcript : 'forest practices' :

Page 292 of 500
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 27th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:
  • Inherited responsibilities include ensuring best practices standards and offering technical assistance
  • The agency suggests that these practices were inconsistent and provide indeterminable findings for the
  • agency, ultimately hindering their ability to provide best practices and recommendations.
  • We practice all over the state, uh, from, uh, Harris to, uh, El Paso, from, uh, Bowie the Bear, and,
  • Practice your auctioneer. Yes, I mean, because we could talk.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 4/7/26

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We think they should do this extra thing based on NIST standards or other best practices.
  • Um so, that's all part of the practices.
  • Because ultimately what we want is those standards, those best practices, the law to be implemented.
  • I think it's important that we look at all recommendations or law or best practices as things that we
  • </c> generally in our our committee practice generally in our our committee practice has<01:01:49.680
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Conference Committee on HF2432 5/8/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • provision. um uh that created practices provision. um uh that created a<00:46:28.560><c> public</c><
  • act and that they want to um practices act and that they want to um have<00:47:51.839><c> this</c><00
  • say the Minneapolis Police Department, is doing an investigation, what do they do under current practice
  • </c><00:56:35.920><c> Are</c><00:56:36.160><c> they</c> practice for the investigation?
  • Are they practice for the investigation?
Keywords: 1183, house
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Health and Human Services (03/26/2025)

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have a statewide practice. My practice usually actually...
  • </c><00:28:10.880><c> my</c><00:28:11.120><c> practice</c><00:28:11.559><c> usually</c> a Statewide practice
  • my practice usually a Statewide practice my practice usually actually<00:28:12.919><c> I</c><00:28:13.039
  • for a monthly the same medical practice for a monthly supply<01:02:45.559><c> of</c><01:02:45.720><c
  • um you you look as I've been practicing um you you look at<01:10:19.840><c> where</c><01:10:20.040><
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy Committee 3/3/26

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • through high lensure education practices through high lensure standards.<00:03:08.400><c> That</c><00
  • They combine some of the best practices we know of: paid experience, long clinical experience.
  • </c><00:25:17.440><c> plus</c> the standards of effective practice plus the standards of effective practice
  • </c><01:16:54.960><c> in</c> enroll out of state and practice in enroll out of state and practice in
  • purposes,</c><01:28:39.280><c> because</c> So, for all practical purposes, because So, for all practical
Bills: HF3635, HF3638
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 2/10/25

Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Before that, I was a practicing attorney. I did both civil and criminal practice.
  • attorney I did both civil and practicing attorney I did both civil and criminal<00:06:43.039><c> practice
  • </c><00:06:44.039><c> thank</c> criminal practice thank criminal practice thank you you you Aaron<00:
  • 24 recommended practices.
  • We found that OGM's policies partially reflected 17 of those 24 practices.
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 01/30/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> and timely manner the current practice and timely manner the current practice is<00:04:25.320><c
  • Our second savings is in restorative practices.
  • the Office of Restorative Practices.
  • The agency didn't need to be told how to put good business practices in.
  • </c><01:04:59.799><c> be</c> implementation policies and practices be implementation policies and practices
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/23/2026 - House Health & Human Services

House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • I will tell you, practicing hospital medicine and the advancements of medical technology is rapid and
  • So they say it is codifying existing practice. It's not for reasons I'm happy to get into.
  • And this bill diverges from that practice in a number of ways.
  • I think it's clinical practice to always start with the least expensive medication first.
  • I've talked to the dental practice. I've talked to the ABA space.
Summary: The committee heard several bills related to radiation protection in cardiac catheterization labs and later a stem cell/regenerative therapy bill. On SB 1121, which would allow hospitals with radiation protection systems to let clinicians forgo lead aprons if they work in the designated safety area and use real-time dosimetry, testimony was largely supportive or neutral after a late amendment gave radiation safety officers discretion to require protective gear if exposures approach thresholds. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1121 on a 9-1 vote. SB 1120, a more prescriptive bill requiring at least 50% of cath lab rooms in hospitals to be equipped with the radiation protection system, drew divided testimony: sponsors and several physicians argued it would reduce orthopedic injury and radiation exposure and improve recruitment and retention, while hospital and radiology groups objected to the mandate, cost, limited vendor pool, and lack of clarity in the bill’s definitions. After adopting an amendment excluding children’s hospitals, the committee deadlocked 6-6 and SB 1120 failed to pass. The committee then considered SB 1118, which would appropriate $3 million to help rural hospitals install radiation protection systems in cath lab rooms. The sponsor said the funding would help rural facilities meet the same safety goals, and the committee passed the bill 6-5. The committee also heard SB 1214, a “guardrails” bill regulating non-FDA-approved stem cell and regenerative therapies, requiring informed consent, sourcing and reporting standards, advertising limits, and civil penalties for violations. Supporters said it would protect patients while allowing access to promising therapies; some members raised concerns about evidence and commercialization, but after adopting a technical amendment, the bill passed 9-3. The transcript ended as the committee moved on to SB 1630, which would seek federal approval for a home- and community-based service benefit for adults with serious mental illness; the sponsor described it as a capped, Medicaid-based community care option, and Access testified neutral while estimating a fiscal impact, but no final action on SB 1630 appears in the excerpt.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (01/20/2026)

Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, I'm a practicing attorney.
  • Um, speaking from my own practice experience as a family law practitioner, very early in my practice,
  • Um, speaking from my own practice experience as a family law practitioner, very early in my practice,
  • </c><01:45:42.480><c> we</c> and um that's one of the practices we and um that's one of the practices
  • practice practice uh<01:49:34.480><c> are</c><01:49:34.800><c> you</c><01:49:35.040><c> aware</c><01
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (04/08/2025)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Law would include regulation, practice. This is statute.
  • Law would include regulation<01:59:02.159><c> practice.
  • </c> regulation practice. This is statute. regulation practice. This is statute.
  • </c><01:59:17.840><c> by</c> there would be no change in practice by there would be no change in practice
  • > concerned,</c><02:17:08.880><c> um</c> management practices are concerned, um management practices
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • But actually, in practice right now, there already is a cap on the special fund.
  • But actually, in practice right now, there already is a cap on the special fund.
  • But actually, in practice right now, there already is a cap on the special fund.
  • Basically, it seems like things fall into three buckets: the general accounting practices related to
  • </c> services it's just not best practice services it's just not best practice obviously<01:11:02.400
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 02/13/25

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • of targeting vulnerable gamblers with incentives to coax them back into destructive practices.
  • This bill would address that practice.
  • </c> Senator Marty's hearing was the practice Senator Marty's hearing was the practice of<00:04:10.840
  • </c><00:04:55.680><c> other</c> bill would address that practice other bill would address that practice
  • And that this is about the tech industry in particular and their predatory practices.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability Jul 20th, 2026

Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability

Transcript Highlights:
  • administrative overhead costs and performance management practices, along with public reporting tools
  • Each phase includes reviewing relevant budget practices in other states.
  • So part of the mandate for the committee and our work is bringing in practices from other states.
  • Here's this thing in law that sounds like a good idea, but how does it really work in practice?
  • And at least one state example of each of a state that's sort of doing those three practices.
Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory charge under the 2026 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the committee is tasked with studying budget transparency and fiscal sustainability in two phases: first, revenue growth, spending assumptions, statutory cost drivers, and carryforward/maintenance levels; and later, staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting tools. The committee also discussed its goals, with members emphasizing a shared factual understanding of Washington’s fiscal situation, the causes of projected structural deficits, and possible paths to a more sustainable operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed operating budget basics presentation. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, explaining that most spending is concentrated in grants and client services, salaries and benefits, and goods and services, with K-12 education, DSHS, the Health Care Authority, DCYF, corrections, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They also walked through the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending; the role of caseload and per-capita forecasts; how maintenance level and policy level budgets are built; and how the four-year outlook works, including revenue forecasts, reversions, budget stabilization account reserves, and the official outlook adoption process. Members asked several questions about what is or is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care inflation, court-ordered liabilities, and whether the budget could better separate mandatory from discretionary spending over time. Staff said some of those questions would require follow-up and noted the existence of an outlook accuracy report. The committee then heard from Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts, who introduced Pew’s state fiscal work and its role as the nonprofit partner supporting the committee. He said Pew would help analyze long-term fiscal sustainability, reserve policies, recession preparedness, and practices from other states, and would draw on its 50-state data and subject-matter experts. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported at this meeting.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It provided an actionable blueprint for addressing these challenges with practical, targeted solutions
  • It provided an actionable blueprint for addressing these challenges with practical targeted solutions
  • And this is not only a moral issue, it's a practical and economic one.
  • However, they left the doors with a combined 143 years of legal expertise in appellate practice.
  • However, they left the doors with a combined 143 years of legal expertise in appellate practice.
Summary: The committee heard budget and workload presentations from the Office of the State Public Defender, legal aid organizations, and the Judicial Branch. OSPD requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the work has become ongoing and now includes additional Supreme Court briefing, habeas proceedings, investigations, expert analysis, and data requests. The State Public Defender also presented the AB 625 public defense workload report, which found statewide staffing shortages, caseloads above recommended standards, and major gaps in investigators and support staff. Senators asked about racial bias claims, the volume of data requests, and the impact of Prop. 36, and OSPD said it would provide additional written information. The legal aid panel asked for a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, while also supporting Access to Justice Commission requests for loan repayment assistance, immigrant family preparedness services, and innovation grants. Witnesses described legal aid as homelessness prevention and cited examples involving eviction defense, domestic violence survivors, and immigration detention cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia discussed eviction data, low tenant representation, and court pilots in Compton and at Stanley Mosk that combine mediation, rental assistance, and legal help. Senators asked for service maps, outreach materials, and more detail on funding needs and federal funding losses. For the Judicial Branch overview, the Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including $70 million for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel, case processing, and courthouse construction. They said rising costs, staffing retention, and interpreter shortages continue to strain the courts, and described efforts to reallocate interpreter funds and recruit hard-to-find languages such as Mixteco. Senators pressed the branch and the Department of Finance on courthouse facilities, noting that the long-term need is far larger than the current budget proposal; Finance said the branch’s facility needs were estimated at about $22.5 billion over 10 years to start 68 projects and $29.4 billion to complete the remaining projects. The committee requested follow-up information on facilities, judgeships, and interpreter needs.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Those are providers we're trying to get excited about practicing health care in California.
  • Those are providers we're trying to get excited about practicing health care in California.
  • That practice has continued until 2025.
  • It is there to support them in the practice of medicine.
  • It is there to support them in the practice of medicine.
Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with testimony largely focused on worker protections, AI, workplace safety, and employment access. AB 1697 would delay implementation of AB 692 on employer debt traps by one year to allow more time to address collective bargaining concerns; it drew support from the NFL and no opposition. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on immigration-related threats used by employers to intimidate workers, with strong support from immigrant-rights, labor, and legal aid groups describing coercion and fear among undocumented and new-arrival workers; it advanced on a divided roll with some members voting no or not voting. AB 2511 would require DIR to study pay disparities between behavioral health and medical-surgical providers, with supporters arguing low reimbursement drives provider shortages and opponents warning of duplicative reporting, proprietary-data concerns, and added administrative burden; it was moved forward to the Health Committee. AB 2157 would make permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund Pilot Program, with displaced refinery workers and labor/environmental groups supporting the bill as a needed transition tool; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2530 would require 60-day notice for public-employer layoffs, relocations, and closures, narrowed by amendment to public agencies; supporters said public workers deserve the same notice protections as private-sector workers, while some opposition sought clarification, and the bill passed to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 2488, which would direct DIR and UC to study Cal/OSHA inspector vacancies and recruitment pathways. Supporters, including a laid-off refinery worker and WorkSafe, said chronic understaffing has weakened enforcement and that experienced workers could fill the gap; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2545 would create an EDD study of AI-related workforce displacement and safety-net impacts, with labor and tech-policy supporters warning of large-scale job loss and the need for data to plan for unemployment and other public programs; business groups opposed the reporting and task-force structure but acknowledged the issue, and the bill passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 2027 would restrict employers and vendors from using worker data to train or deploy AI systems that replace workers, while limiting collection to what is necessary for employment administration; supporters framed it as a privacy and anti-displacement measure, and opponents argued the definitions were too broad and could hinder useful workplace technologies. The bill advanced to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 2095, the Fair Chance Act bill, was presented to clarify and strengthen rules limiting conviction-history screening in hiring, including written explanations and protections for applicants seeking promotions or new roles with current employers. Supporters described ongoing discrimination against people with records and the need for a real second chance, while opponents said the bill was too broad, added burdens, and could conflict with existing statewide rules. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on AB 2095, but the discussion centered on balancing reentry opportunities with employer concerns about individualized assessments and safety-based hiring decisions.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Audit Committee Mar 24th, 2026

Joint Legislative Audit

Transcript Highlights:
  • In practice, access was constrained by timing and conditions.
  • . ...operational review of Orange County Board of Education's oversight and spending practices, determine
  • Litigation costs, in particular, as someone who may return to the full-time practice of law next year
  • Objective four has us evaluate the board's procurement and contracting practices to determine, for example
  • , whether the board's policies mirror best practices and were consistently followed, such as engaging
Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee because it initially lacked a quorum, heard a status update from State Auditor Grant Parks, and reviewed several new audit requests. Parks reported that 10 previously requested audits were underway, with most expected to be released in spring/summer and one pesticide audit still pending; he also noted ongoing litigation with Huntington Beach over a 2024 audit. He said the office had grown to just over 200 employees and could start about five new JALAC audits between April and July. The committee also noted that one Prop. 28 request was being held and one PUC-related request was moved off consent to the regular calendar. Senator Cervantes presented an audit request on California fusion centers, arguing they operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and store sensitive information without adequate transparency or safeguards. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and ACLU California Action, said fusion centers function as secretive intelligence-sharing hubs that can produce inaccurate or biased reports and may undermine privacy and civil liberties. Parks said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, unauthorized disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while warning of likely access and public-disclosure limitations. The request drew sharp opposition from Assembly Member DeMaio, who called it a politicized “witch hunt,” but public comment included support from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Senator Allen then presented an audit of the Public Utilities Commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. He and witnesses said utilities have repeatedly missed deadlines, causing long delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, and other customers; CPUC staff responded that the commission adopted timelines and compliance benchmarks in 2020, publishes quarterly data, and is already pursuing the issue through workshops and an open proceeding. Parks said the audit would assess CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and reasons for utility noncompliance. Public comment was mixed, with solar advocates supporting the request and PG&E objecting on process grounds and arguing the commission’s ongoing proceeding should address the issue. Senator Perez, with Senator Fong, requested an audit of Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 corridor property sales and affordable housing program. They described tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing and eligibility information, and possible failures to inform residents of purchase rights; Caltrans said it is working to complete sales and has already closed 59 properties since fiscal year 2024-25. Parks said the audit would examine compliance with the Roberti Act, pricing, appraisals, communications, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior recommendations. Finally, Senator Umberg requested an audit of the Orange County Board of Education, citing transparency, litigation spending, charter authorization, procurement, and whistleblower concerns; after quorum was established, Parks said the audit would review Brown Act and Public Records Act compliance, public resource use, contracting, litigation costs, charter oversight, and retaliation complaints.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Feb 5th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm not as practiced in this kind of speaking, so please have patience with me, but it's coming from
  • So the reauthorization is to really continue with that practice.
  • Just a... proposed is based on the best practices of Florida and Texas.
  • That has been a best practice. Mr. Chair, you are recognized. How much stuff do we own?
  • You're a practical doer, and I appreciate you more than, well, I think you know how much I appreciate
Keywords: 999, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/13/2026 - House Education

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • And on average, about 80% of Arizona's PSEP graduates ultimately return to Arizona to practice.
  • And in exchange for this financial support, PSEP recipients commit to returning to Arizona to practice
  • We look at best practices.
  • Sestorf's recommendations because I also think we need to bring in the best practices from other states
  • You know, we definitely want our school safety center looking at national best practices.
Keywords: 1182, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Committee's request for universal training and tools, we launched the CSU AI Commons to share best practices
  • The faculty involved will also share their learnings and best practices across our university campus.
  • already ongoing, for working with our local high schools in the region to help them develop best practices
  • Providing best practices because those high school students who may be dual-enrolled in a college class
  • I have a former practicing attorney.
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Higher Education and the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an oversight hearing on the California State University’s AI-empowered initiative, including the systemwide rollout of ChatGPT EDU and broader AI integration across CSU campuses. Opening remarks emphasized both the promise of AI for student success, workforce preparation, and access, and the need to address risks such as bias, privacy, misinformation, environmental impacts, and mental health harms. CSU representatives said the initiative grew out of Academic Senate recommendations and a systemwide generative AI committee, and that the goal was to provide equitable access, training, governance, and workforce alignment across the 23-campus system. CSU officials described systemwide contracts for AI tools, the AI Commons training hub, and faculty grant programs supporting AI-related curriculum innovation. They said more than 93,000 ChatGPT EDU accounts had been activated, over 4,300 faculty had taken voluntary training, and $3 million had been awarded to 63 faculty-led projects from more than 400 submissions. San Jose State University highlighted its own AI-focused programs, courses, orientation training, faculty fellows, student ambassadors, and interdisciplinary efforts to build AI literacy and responsible use into instruction and co-curricular programs. CSU also said it was tracking metrics on adoption, academic outcomes, workforce outcomes, and environmental impacts. Faculty, staff, and student representatives welcomed the educational potential of AI but raised concerns about the rollout, saying it had moved quickly and without enough consultation or consistent systemwide policy. They urged stronger protections for academic freedom, intellectual property, privacy, equity, and worker input, and warned about bias, surveillance, job displacement, and the environmental cost of AI. Legislators pressed CSU and OpenAI representatives on training requirements, data privacy, bias reporting, discipline for misuse, liability, sycophancy, and safeguards against harmful uses such as non-consensual imagery or self-harm-related interactions. CSU said interactions in the licensed tool are private, data are not used to train models, and campuses retain their own conduct processes; members also asked CSU to follow up on systemwide training, policy consistency, and additional safeguards.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 04-17-2025 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Koi Jackson has committed her legal practice to public service.
  • Koi Jackson has committed her legal practice to public service.
  • She has been licensed to practice in California and Hawaii since 2006.
  • to practice in California and<00:25:06.400><c> Havaii</c><00:25:06.880><c> since</c><00:25:07.279><c
  • She has been licensed to practice in Hawaii since 2007 and is also licensed to practice in Indiana and
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened with all 25 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and heard several introductions, including visiting staff, guests, and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who was recognized for her work with the food bank and noted as acting governor that week. The chamber also received House communications returning several Senate concurrent resolutions adopted unamended, and one House-amended resolution, SCR 192, was taken up. Senator Wakai moved to disagree with the House amendments to SCR 192, the motion was seconded and carried, with conferees to be named later. Standing committee reports were then taken up, including reports 1931 to 1939 for one-day notice and report 1940 for adoption, which was adopted without objection. The Senate then considered a series of advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with education-related appointments. Senators spoke in support of nominees to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, the State Board of Education, and the School Facilities Authority Board, while Senator Awa and others raised objections to several nominees, arguing that campaign donations by some appointees created the appearance of “pay to play.” Despite those objections, the nominations were ultimately confirmed. The chamber also confirmed Dwight Takamini as chair of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board after strong support from multiple senators who cited his labor, legislative, and public service background. The Senate next confirmed Christine Sakuda as chief information officer for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, with supporters emphasizing her IT leadership and public service and noting she is the first female and Native Hawaiian to hold the post. The chamber also confirmed Kahuanoi AD Jackson as judge of the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit and Sonia H. Toma as judge of the District Family Court of the Second Circuit, with senators highlighting their prosecutorial and public service experience and the favorable testimony received in committee. After these confirmations, senators introduced the new appointees and their families in the gallery. Later, the Senate adopted additional standing committee reports on House concurrent resolutions and passed SB 849 HD2 on final reading, relating to wildlife conservation, by unanimous consent. The body also reconsidered and reversed earlier disagreement on House amendments to SB 116 and SB 946, agreeing that the amendments were technical and giving one-day notice for final reading. The meeting concluded with a late introduction of the Honokaʻa Jazz Band, which was praised for its national recognition and community service, and senators invited members to a later concert in the rotunda.