Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:40.240><c> increases</c> appropriations from contract increases appropriations from contract
• </c><00:48:21.040><c> programs</c> funds in our state contracted programs funds in our state contracted
• Would you be willing to come back next year and go through the GIA process?
• Would you be willing to come back next year and go through the GIA process?
• </c><03:06:57.200><c> that</c> if there's any operational process that if there's any operational process

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It exempted small suppliers and also excluded process water.
• Process water is water necessary for a commercial or industrial process or product.
• So it will be an iterative and adaptively managed process.
• I will say that this is a five-year process.
• , which is we do require as part of that WSA process and what we have is a will-serve letter process

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It exempted small suppliers and also excluded process water.
• process or product.
• So it will be an iterative and adaptively managed process.
• I will say that this is a five-year process.
• ... ...which is we do require as part of that WSA process, and what we have is a will-serve letter process

Summary: The informational hearing focused on California’s future water supply and, in particular, how the state tracks and manages commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) water use, including data centers. The chair and members framed the issue as a “trifecta” of climate-driven supply uncertainty, limited monitoring of CII uses, and rapidly changing industries with significant water demands. Committee members emphasized the need for better data before imposing broad regulations, while also expressing concern about protecting ratepayers and ensuring new large users pay their fair share. Representatives from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board reviewed the state’s existing framework: urban water management plans, water supply assessments for large projects, SBX7-7’s 20% by 2020 conservation goals, and the 2018 Making Conservation a California Way of Life law. They explained that process water, including data center cooling water, is statutorily excluded from some conservation targets, and that current CII reporting is aggregated rather than facility-specific. They also noted that local water suppliers and land use agencies retain major responsibility for approving development, while state rules and groundwater sustainability requirements provide additional checks. Committee members pressed the agencies on whether data centers should be treated differently, how recycled water is categorized, whether process water should remain exempt, and whether the state has enough information to understand the water impacts of new facilities. The agencies said they could not recommend specific water sources for individual facilities, but could support community-by-community planning and best management practices. They also said the Legislature could direct additional data collection if needed. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only. The second panel, from CalWEP and California Water Service, described how suppliers are implementing CII programs in practice. They said CII use varies widely by sector and location, making one-size-fits-all benchmarks difficult. They highlighted tools such as AI-assisted customer classification, mapping of disclosure buildings, outreach guides, and customized rebate programs for high-use customers. Examples included water-saving projects at a hydrogen plant, a commercial laundry, and fire department training systems. Speakers stressed that CII conservation work is resource-intensive, often takes years, and works best when paired with local planning, customer outreach, and targeted incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• The recall process has actually worked.
• There is a process and let the people decide. Any further discussion?
• The recall process has actually worked.
• There is a process and let the people decide. Any further discussion?
• , and it is based on the tribes and the project wanting to go through this process.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on February 9, 2026, first hearing a staff briefing on Senate Bill 6346, which would impose a tax on individuals earning over $1 million. Staff described the bill’s revenue and spending impacts and reviewed a proposed substitute and 11 amendments addressing items such as public defense funding, charitable deductions, out-of-state tax credits, small business credits, diapers, constitutional issues, and a contingent constitutional amendment. The committee later took up the bill and rejected all of the offered amendments, then advanced the substitute bill with a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. Members supporting the bill argued it would help address tax fairness and fund public services, while opponents raised concerns about constitutionality, economic harm, and the effect on businesses and charitable giving. The committee also acted on a series of policy bills. It advanced a substitute bill on grocery store closures in food deserts after adopting a narrower substitute, despite concerns from some members about burdening grocers. It approved a substitute bill expanding voting access for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, adopting a second substitute that removed a cybersecurity review requirement. The committee also advanced bills on tort claim arbitration against governments, victim and witness protections in sexual assault and domestic violence cases, JLARC review of student aid fraud, agricultural collective bargaining, labor relations if federal preemption ends, a cost-of-living adjustment for Plan 1 retirees, workers’ compensation and medical care access, line-of-duty death reimbursements, law enforcement background checks and eligibility, veterans’ discharge definitions, and extraordinary medical placement. Several of these bills had amendments adopted, including changes to tort claim oversight, victim-requested standby counsel, agricultural labor definitions, workers’ compensation penalties, law enforcement volunteer support, and extraordinary medical placement criteria. In the second group of bills, staff briefed measures affecting property taxes, housing, cannabis, disaster-related tax relief, technical tax code changes, aircraft fuel tax revenues, the estate tax, and a pesticide tax exemption. The committee heard that a substitute for the fire protection district bill would alter how city or town levy capacity is reduced and include consultation requirements and board-creation provisions. It also heard that the property tax relief expansion for seniors and disabled retirees needed a substitute to make the consolidated school levy revenue-neutral. Other bills would expand tax exemptions for low-income housing and nonprofit homeownership, authorize local cannabis excise taxes, extend disaster repair tax relief, expand housing-related local sales tax uses, make technical tax code changes, redirect aircraft fuel tax revenues to aeronautics, reduce the estate tax rate, and extend a pesticide tax exemption. The transcript ends during the committee’s consideration of Senate Bill 6346, with the committee debating and rejecting amendments before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• be done in the Senate and making process be done in the Senate and that<00:07:29.520><c> we</c><00:07
• There might be, um, uh, they have to do some kind of contract with the tech industry as I understand
• </c><00:19:28.240><c> with</c><00:19:28.480><c> the</c><00:19:28.720><c> tech</c> some kind of contract
• with the tech some kind of contract with the tech industry<00:19:29.520><c> as</c><00:19:29.760><c>
• some kind of contract with the platform<00:21:09.360><c> that's</c><00:21:09.679><c> going</c><00:21

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the process of liquidation begins.
• I presume that there's a contract in place so that that's a monthly payment, it is made.
• They've reviewed the contract.
• every citizen has to due process.
• every citizen has to due process.

Committee: Senate Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse

Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse opened by explaining it was gathering testimony on elder abuse, especially alleged misconduct involving court-appointed systems such as guardians ad litem and fiduciaries, to identify gaps in law and oversight and develop legislative fixes. The chair limited each witness’s time, asked for names and contact information for follow-up, and repeatedly noted that some allegations might warrant referral to law enforcement, the attorney general, or county attorneys if basic criminal elements were present. Several witnesses described alleged abuse in guardianship, conservatorship, and fiduciary cases. Dr. Holly Lauder said her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was subjected to allegedly deficient psychological capacity evaluations that ignored treating doctors and family input, leading to a fiduciary arrangement that later resulted in neglect. Kevin Axson described his mother’s probate case, saying a guardian ad litem and conservator were appointed after a family financial dispute, that the guardian ad litem and fiduciary had little contact with his mother, and that the estate was burdened with substantial fees and a $200,000 bond requirement. Frieda Alvarado testified about a 94-year-old client, Samuel Armento, saying he was isolated, medicated without his request, and treated without dignity after a fiduciary and care team took control. Bill Chalmers, Johnny Hamilton, and Kathy Hamilton also testified about Sam Armento’s case, alleging isolation, excessive fees, conflicts of interest, and poor oversight by fiduciaries and caregivers. Other witnesses raised broader concerns about Arizona probate practices. David Redkey said he has been under a long-running conservatorship despite earning degrees and maintaining capacity, and alleged that court-appointed professionals and fiduciaries overcharged his estate and blocked efforts to terminate the arrangement. Susan Wolfe described the Peyton case, alleging that a wife’s conservatorship and related court actions led to the loss of assets, exclusion of witnesses, and large fees for a relatively small monthly care bill. Dr. Lewis Heller, an OB-GYN and disciplinary committee member, said the medical evaluations he reviewed showed the people involved were competent and that the conduct he observed was unethical and possibly criminal. Renee Self testified that she lost her role as trustee and spent large sums defending her father’s estate, alleging that the probate process stripped her father of assets and limited her access to him despite APS findings that her actions were in his best interests. No formal committee votes or legislative actions were taken in the excerpt, but members repeatedly expressed concern, asked for documents and transcripts, and indicated they would follow up with witnesses and consider stakeholder meetings to craft legislation addressing oversight, transparency, and accountability in guardianship and fiduciary systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• , even though our system has seen significant growth, there are certain districts that are in the process
• An additional accountability measure is the CSU's new fiscal health monitoring process.
• And I'm just curious what that process has been like. You know, when did it start?
• And I'm just curious what that process has been like. You know, when did it start?
• Our contract called for full funding.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This non-binding process helps improve retention, recruitment, and conflict resolution while supporting
• Statutes in other municipalities have used this meet and confer process.
• Just a few days ago, they signed a new contract where the base salary for...
• Right now, they can amend a budget without any of that process.
• This arrangement clarifies authority, enhances accountability, and accelerates procurement processes,

Bills: HB1597 , HB2364 , HB2437 , HB3205 , HB3253 , HB3310 , HB3648 , HB3906 , HB4259 , HB5645

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: county jailer, jail training, veterans, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, TCOLE, criminal justice system, county jail, law enforcement training, mental health training, jail standards, correctional officers, veteran services, veteran interaction, occupations code, jailer licensing, parking, county courthouse, infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, individuals who enter into contracts with sellers and sign those contracts without profit
• All we're asking for is a reasonable process in regulating, a balanced process that allows those who
• All we're asking for is a reasonable process in regulating, a balanced process that allows those who
• This process begins with the customer placing an order with the pharmacist.
• This process begins with the customer placing in order with the pharmacist.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of bills, with several cannabis-related measures drawing the most testimony. AB 1598 would extend and standardize licensing timelines for behavioral health professionals, AB 1850 would clarify that real estate wholesalers are subject to licensure and disclosure rules, AB 1794 would allow enteral formula to be shipped directly to patients’ homes, and AB 2402 would update an old cap on fees for multi-service health club studios. The committee also heard AB 1990 on compounded GLP-1 drugs, AB 2249 on cannabis packaging attractive to children, AB 2532 on cannabis beverage serving sizes, AB 2537 on prioritizing cannabis enforcement, and AB 1826 on due process protections for cannabis businesses facing embargoes or recalls. Testimony was generally split between public health or consumer-protection advocates and industry representatives. Supporters of the cannabis bills argued for clearer rules, better consumer safety, and more predictable enforcement, while opponents warned that some proposals could overreach, burden compliant businesses, or restrict legitimate branding and access. On AB 1990, supporters said compounded GLP-1 products need stronger testing and truthful advertising, while pharmacists and compounding advocates said existing law already covers much of the conduct and that the bill could create access problems. On AB 2249 and AB 2532, public health witnesses emphasized risks to children and accidental overconsumption, while industry groups sought narrower language and more implementation time. The committee took several roll-call votes after quorum was established. AB 2249, AB 1826, AB 2402, AB 1794, and AB 2532 were all approved and sent to Appropriations, and AB 1826 was sent to Judiciary. The chair and members repeatedly noted accepted committee amendments and, in several cases, said they were prepared to support the bills with those amendments. Some measures were left open or held pending further action as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• that process.
• consumer, this bill would prohibit almost all data processing unless it seemed necessary.
• You know the process, right? We can do that. But we can have a discussion, could we not?
• Saying RLD is willing to disrupt the Regular process.
• And they would go through the process no matter what if it's.

Bills: SB20 , SB53 , SB86 , SB96 , SB129

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> preserve the democratic meeting process preserve the democratic meeting process for<00:07:48.400
• . their contracts their biggest concern. their contracts their largest<00:25:18.960><c> concern</c><00
• </c><00:33:45.440><c> What</c> contracts, and other obligations.
• What contracts, and other obligations.
• </c> budgets and and the whole SB2 process budgets and and the whole SB2 process back<00:40:29.200><c

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the last one deals with contracts with the state.
• It is not within the province... ...interested in certain contracts, whether they resigned or not.
• One is that Senator Pugh did not engage in the political process to vote.
• One is that Senator Pugh did not engage in the political process to vote. Rep.
• The Legislature is not involved in this process.

Summary: The Oklahoma State Election Board held a special meeting to address several candidate contests and related procedural matters. After roll call and opening remarks, counsel explained the hearing procedures, burden of proof, and possible outcomes. Several cases were noted as resolved or withdrawn, including Timmons v. Jones, Banning v. Sutterfield, and Roberts v. Gaw. In Ranson v. Riley, the board accepted constructive service after the respondent did not appear, heard that Riley was not a registered voter in the required district for the required period, and voted 3-0 to sustain the petition and strike him from the ballot, with costs assessed to the petitioner. The board then heard Hasenbach v. Pugh, a contest challenging Senator Adam Pugh’s candidacy for Superintendent of Public Instruction under the Oklahoma Constitution’s emoluments ineligibility clause. The petitioner argued that Pugh was a sitting legislator whose office’s salary and benefits had increased during his term, relying on stipulated facts, a compensation commission order, and prior case law. The respondent argued the salary increase came from an independent commission that expressly excluded current legislators and that benefit changes were automatic under a preexisting statute, so no qualifying increase applied to Pugh. The board resolved several procedural issues first, including striking a reply brief as beyond the original petition and admitting joint stipulations into the record. After a recess and executive session, the board returned to open session and voted 3-0 to deny the petition in Hasenbach v. Pugh, retaining Pugh as a candidate on the ballot and assessing costs to the petitioner. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the secretary and a unanimous vote to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the revenues and expenditures processed the revenues and expenditures processed at<00:54:55.559>
• </c> certain Financial Accounting processes certain Financial Accounting processes were<00:57:16.680>
• </c><01:01:43.799><c> telecommunications</c> ability to process telecommunications ability to process
• </c> resolved while nine are in the process resolved while nine are in the process of<01:13:35.719><c
• </c> was up here he has specific contracts was up here he has specific contracts for<01:23:33.560><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 30, 2025, and first organized itself by electing Senator Jim Gray as vice chair, electing Representative F as clerk, appointing Michael Caine as legislative budget assistant, and adopting the committee’s rules and procedures. The committee also adopted an amendment to the rules allowing audits to be automatically released to the public once placed on the Fiscal Committee agenda, with members discussing that the change would improve transparency and reduce paper handling. The minutes from the November 15, 2024 meeting were approved, with members who were absent abstaining. The committee then worked through a consent calendar and several individual items. It removed or noted withdrawals on a few items, including item 25004 for further discussion, item 25016 withdrawn by the Department of Education, item 257 removed by Representative F, and item 25001 removed under Tab 4. Item 25004, concerning the newborn screening program, prompted testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services explaining that the program is mandatory with an opt-out provision; officials said 99.2% of newborns were screened in 2023, meaning the opt-out rate was under 1%. The committee also approved item 25007, related to DHHS community health workers and telework policy, after hearing that the workers are not placed in schools and that DHHS follows statewide telework policy. On the regular calendar, the committee approved a Department of Administrative Services request to extend the release date for fiscal year 2024 numbers to March 31, and approved a Department of Fish and Game item. It also approved winter maintenance funding for the Department of Transportation after hearing that the $5.7 million request might not last through the winter if additional storms occur; DOT said even a small storm can cost more than $1 million and that crews are dispatched based on road conditions and supervisory judgment. The committee then approved items for the Judicial Council and the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant. The final discussion focused on the Health and Human Services dashboard and the Youth Development Center claims. DHHS acknowledged a data error in the APS client line and said Community Mental Health Center caseload data is still not fully accurate because two centers are undergoing EHR conversions. Members also asked about the low census at the Sununu Youth Development Center and about the process for managing future claims related to the YDC settlement fund. Witnesses from the Attorney General’s office said the fund is handled through a unique arrangement involving DOJ appropriations and judicial branch staff, that current judicial budget cuts are not yet affecting the litigation pace, and that the average resolution so far has been about $500,000, though future claims may vary. No votes were taken on the discussion items beyond the approvals noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's how our legal process works. A restrained trade has only been defined... The process works.
• The bill also establishes a single, consistent process statewide.
• This is a due process issue.
• This bill is about due process.
• I'm here today to present AB 1801, which will strengthen the public engagement process for contracts

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on transparency, public health, labor enforcement, health privacy, high-speed rail oversight, and antitrust policy. AB 1544, by Assemblymember Crowell, would strengthen transparency and access to courthouses; the author said it was aimed at protecting press and public access, and the bill was pulled pending quorum. AB 1604, by Assemblymember Stephanie, would ban BPA and other bisphenols in thermal receipt paper by 2027-2028; supporters from Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Californians Against Waste, and a broad coalition argued receipts are a major source of toxic exposure and recycling contamination, while the author said she would continue working with opposition. AB 1859, by Assemblymember Jackson, would let Joint Labor Management Committees visit public works sites to help identify wage and safety violations; labor groups supported it as a low-cost enforcement tool amid a large wage-theft backlog, while contractors and local government groups opposed it as creating private enforcement, liability, and safety concerns. The committee later took up AB 1930, by Assemblymember Burr and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and Equality California, which would require notice to the Attorney General before certain entities respond to subpoenas or inquiries involving legally protected reproductive or gender-affirming care; supporters framed it as a patient privacy and anti-intimidation measure, while opponents said it would shield providers from scrutiny and interfere with lawful investigations. The bill was approved on a 6-2 vote and placed on call. The consent calendar, including several unrelated bills, was also approved. The committee also heard AB 1584, by Assemblymember Jackson, which would create an Office of Civil Rights within the California Air Resources Board to provide training, language access, and compliance oversight. Supporters said CARB needs a stronger legal framework and dedicated office to enforce civil rights commitments, while an opponent argued CARB already has a civil rights office and should expand existing structures instead of creating a new one. The bill was moved to Appropriations after a roll call vote. AB 1608, by Assemblymember Wilson, would expand the powers and staffing tools of the High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General, including public reporting requirements and authority over classifications and purchasing; supporters said stronger independent oversight is needed for the costly project, while opponents criticized the project itself and raised concerns about confidentiality and who should receive reports. The bill was also passed to Appropriations after extended discussion. Finally, AB 1776, by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, would revise California antitrust law to address single-firm conduct under the Cartwright Act. Supporters, including small business and labor advocates, argued dominant firms can harm competition and that the bill would protect small businesses and workers; opponents from business, biotech, retail, housing, and other sectors warned it would create legal uncertainty, expand litigation, and chill investment. The transcript ended during that bill’s testimony and debate, before a final vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you will be watching that regulatory process? The regulatory process to make...
• How will you ensure that we are protecting federal dollars in the contracting process to make sure that
• Senator, we haven't begun the budget process.
• that deliberative process.
• And potentially escape the process that Congress has intended?

Committee: Senate Senate Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:45.360><c> and</c> law, it is handled with contracts and law, it is handled with contracts
• </c> process around that. process around that. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:42:51.520><c> you.
• . process. process.
• </c> program integrity processes. program integrity processes.
• </c><01:37:20.159><c> So</c> state in processing this change. So state in processing this change.

Bills: HF4609 , HF4401

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: infertility, fertility treatment, fertility preservation, IVF, assisted reproductive technology, ART, oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, egg freezing, sperm freezing, reproductive health, maternity coverage, health insurance mandate, health plan benefits, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, family planning, oncology fertility preservation, chemotherapy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hearing that there'll still be a process hearing that there'll still be a process after<00:43:16.440
• </c><00:53:33.040><c> whether</c> the entity that's under contract whether the entity that's under contract
• </c> through mde might be a necessary process through mde might be a necessary process to<01:21:40.000
• I don't know that we can entirely get in the middle of that process.
• I don't know that we can entirely get in the middle of that process.

Bills: HF1 , HF779 , HF1034

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> department to make sure that the process department to make sure that the process that<00:40:25.359
• A good example of that is a breach of contract.
• We have a 20-year contract with DHL, and we are in our 11th year of that contract.
• We have a 20-year contract with DHL, and we are in our 11th year of that contract.
• Warehouse we have a 20-year a contracted Warehouse we have a 20-year contract<05:01:32.680><c> with<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:28.800><c> with</c> and Rehabilitation has contracted with and Rehabilitation has contracted
• We understand the implementation process.
• but it is an informal or it's an expedited, truncated process.
• but it is an informal or it's an expedited, truncated process.
• informal or it's an expedited, truncated process.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do see growth and contraction. We do see the opportunities to attract new businesses.
• And so what we did as a body allowed federal contract, I think it was federal contract.
• We are in the process of implementing the paid family medical leave program on behalf of Virginia's.
• , which I think... ...sessions that they can be informed and a part of the process, which I think is
• really important as you all are going through the regulatory process and beyond.

Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.