Video & Transcript : 'covered entity' :
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NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Government Affairs Jun 1st, 2025 at 10:00 am
Government Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It is to cover all of the services that are provided throughout the year.
- But the staff themselves are to cover what was outlined in SB 431.
- But the staff themselves are to cover what was outlined in SB 431. Oops.
- So, for example, in year one, we need $700,000 to cover the cost of operating the office.
- But the total amount that we’re taking will cover just the cost to run the office.
Bills:
SB507
Committee:
Assembly Government Affairs
Keywords:
SB507, Nevada, governmental administration, Office of Nevada Boards Commissions and Councils Standards, Department of Business and Industry, professional licensing boards, occupational licensing, regulatory fees, state account, nonreverting fund, Commission on Postsecondary Education, taxicab, taxi technology fee, Nevada Transportation Authority, Taxicab Authority, transportation network company, TNC, rideshare, Uber, Lyft
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 19th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- the fee that we allow to be charged to students does not offset the full cost, and it doesn't fully cover
- So you can see it covers some of the things that are even in the model that’s in the statute: programmatic
- components before you get into the details, and they said what they want the model to deal with and cover
- because these are their base operational dollars, this is exactly the kind of money they would use to cover
- health care, to cover FRS, to cover faculty salaries, to cover grounds equipment, you know, in keeping
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee for Higher Education met to review Florida’s workforce and Florida College System funding models as part of budget planning. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the state’s growing focus on technical education and workforce pathways, and the committee first heard from Tara Goodman of the Department of Education on district workforce education. Goodman explained the programs funded through district workforce dollars, including career certificates, applied technology diplomas, registered apprenticeship, and adult general education, and described the model’s reliance on lagged enrollment, program cost weights, local tuition offsets, and supplemental factors such as disability services, GED testing, and minimum funding for small rural districts. She also noted federal support through Perkins and WIOA and said the model is used to determine unmet need and guide appropriations. In response to questions, she said health care programs are generally among the higher-cost offerings and may be supplemented by pipeline funds.
The committee then heard from Kathy Hebda, Chancellor of the Florida College System, on the college system’s funding model. Hebda described the main funding sources, including the program fund, student success incentive funds, pipeline funds, tuition and fees, and performance-based incentives, and explained that the current model was developed by the 28 college presidents under legislative direction. She said the model uses a three-year average FTE, weights workforce enrollment more heavily than non-workforce enrollment, gives significant weight to completions, includes a small-college factor and regional cost differentials, and also provides targeted funding to bring colleges up to a floor based on per-FTE funding. Senators asked about colleges below the target, cost differences among programs, faculty salaries, and health insurance costs; Hebda said the model is meant to provide flexible operating dollars that colleges can use for those expenses, but specific salary and benefit decisions are left to the institutions.
Seminole State College President Georgia Lorenz also testified in support of the college funding model, saying it holds institutions accountable for enrollment and completions, can be adjusted to reflect state priorities like workforce, and addresses differences in size and regional costs. No bills were voted on, and the committee adjourned after brief closing remarks thanking Seminole State College and the presenters.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 853 by Representative McMakin, relative to misleading solicitations by nongovernment entities
- the requirements that an individual, if an individual seeks to bring a private action against an entity
- Under current law, these solicitations must disclose that they are not from a government entity and that
- But these are national entities sending these out.
- But it covers all of those components of it.
Committee:
House Commerce
Keywords:
Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board, auctioneer licensing, professional licensing board, board membership, gubernatorial appointments, consumer members, public at large, Public Service Commission district, East Baton Rouge Parish, venue, domicile, licensure requirements, licensed auctioneer, occupational licensing, state board governance, Act 138, home inspectors, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 22 Morning Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Is this bill in alignment with what is happening now and it just covers the bases, or is this a little
- By adding this entity into the approval for professional development, are they the ones that tend to
- Needs are needed for professional development than the other two entities.
- In assets, it says they cannot take an adverse action against entities when they're engaged in lawful
- And people that have businesses here have been debunked by those entities.
Bills:
HB4104 , HB3722 , HB3787 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3310 , HB3404 , HB2964 , HB2398 , HB3024 , HB3499 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3645 , HB3649 , HB2293 , HB3260 , HB3176 , HB3177 , HB3114 , HB3172 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB4248 , HB3720 , HB2210 , HB1322 , HB1937 , HB3301 , HB4107
Keywords:
Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman and members of the committee, the $62 million you see in this appropriation covers priority
- allows for public input, integration of local priorities, partnerships with multiple diverse local entities
- public input, transparency, and we have the ability to work across jurisdictional lines with any entity
- So whether it's a state park, whether it's another cooperative jurisdiction with a state entity.
- to customers to take advantage of, and again, in their business, at their home, or the government entities
Summary:
The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 5 and heard three measures. House Bill 246 would provide state matching funds for local governments already approved for federal flood mitigation assistance to buy out and rehabilitate floodplain properties, especially in Lincoln County, to reduce repetitive flood damage and restore land to a more natural floodplain. Supporters included county officials, emergency management, and a racetrack lobbyist, all emphasizing public safety, reduced disaster costs, and community recovery. Some members raised concerns about pre-flood property valuation and anti-donation issues, but the bill passed on a do-pass motion.
House Bill 271 would appropriate funds through the Office of Natural Resources Trustee for natural resource recovery and public land access, including disaster recovery projects and expansion of recreational opportunities. Supporters argued it would help restore watersheds, improve access to public lands, and support hunting, fishing, and local outdoor economies. Several members questioned whether the bill was too open-ended, whether it could affect grazing or other existing rights, and why the trustee’s office was the right vehicle; the sponsor and trustee said the office has a transparent public process and that the bill would not create new eminent domain authority or adverse changes to existing rights. The committee approved the bill 9-1, with one member explaining support but noting lingering concerns.
House Bill 254 would allow investor-owned electric utilities to count avoided greenhouse gas emissions when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency programs under the utility cost test. The sponsor and utility witnesses said this would help expand programs such as heat pumps, HVAC upgrades, and all-electric development, while opponents worried it could function as a rate increase or “double dipping” because customers already pay fees supporting efficiency programs. The committee passed the bill 7-3. Finally, House Joint Memorial 3 would ask the Environment Department to study PFAS exemptions and report back during the interim as rulemaking on the PFAS Protection Act proceeds. The memorial drew both support and opposition, with critics saying it conflicted with existing statute and was unnecessary, while supporters said it would ensure a thorough review of federal changes and consumer-product exemptions. The memorial passed 8-2, and the committee then adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Nov 12th, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- FIOC in there, I'm sure you've heard that—that's Foreign Entities of Concern.
- FIOC, meaning you cannot be eligible for the federal tax credit if you are controlled by a foreign entity
- Elective pay is a way for entities who don't normally pay taxes to be eligible for these federal taxes
- One is that the local entity must render a decision within a certain amount of time, like six months
- I see you didn't capture anything here because that's an entity, if you will, that needs to be regulated
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So, is this bill prepared to have the state cover some of the costs of this?
- And so another question is, would you be open to considering the identity of the entity bill of exempting
- They do have oversight because they're business entities, so they are overseen by the business area of
- For-profit entity that spends allocated funds on bonuses and profit sharing, and that is regularly given
- We're the only private entity contracted with the TDCJ to operate these facilities.
Committee:
House Corrections
Keywords:
education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, private prisons, inmate confinement, criminal justice reform, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, government contracts, inmate housing
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Committee, First Extraordinary Session Jan 22nd, 2025
Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- So ABX 1.4 includes $1.5 billion of general fund for use by state departments and entities.
- ABX 1.5 includes an additional $1.5 billion to go towards state departments and entities for the same
- ongoing right now, departments sort of floated in the beginning, and so it will immediately start covering
- But HCD is, of course, going to be working with the state and local entities to allocate this to the
- One would be facilitating the ability of these two entities to travel and conduct in-person site visits
Committee:
Assembly Budget
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So this bill does exempt peace officers and custodial officers and public entities, and there is no state
- I'm not going to cover every point, but I would simply point out that this is actually mirrored off of
- AB 1682 will require California health plans and insurers to cover scalp cooling devices for patients
- I want to thank the California Chamber of Commerce and the various business entities who have worked
- The Cartwright Act does not cover it. That does not make sense.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- that they are the government uh entity that they are working<00:30:10.480><c> with</c><00:30:11.080>
- or is it the tenants who find entity or is it the tenants who find somebody<00:41:06.800><c> then</c
- not just lakes and rivers but covering not just lakes and rivers but also<01:03:40.160><c> fence</c>
- That just means that there's not enough to cover housing, and 90% of those evictions are coming from
- housing and 90% of those evictions cover housing and 90% of those evictions coming<01:42:27.080><c>
Committee:
House Housing Finance and Policy
Keywords:
landlord-tenant, victim confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, tenant privacy, housing law, eviction, unpaid rent, damages, release of information, shared database, protective order, victim of violence, Minnesota Statutes 504B.206, housing finance, civil law, autism, rental properties, reasonable accommodation
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- If there's a fund or some way to be able to cover that cost for someone who otherwise might qualify,
- Of course, that time is paid for by the local entities who are hosting the election, but we're hoping
- I do think it would be extra hours, certainly, that that staff would have to cover.
- So we know that would mean potentially one extra day they're covering.
- Would this cover football coaches? Yes, as an employee.
Bills:
SB1450 , SB1458 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1325 , SB1209 , SB1362 , SB2072 , SB1451 , SB1540 , SB1581 , SB1535 , SB1266 , SB1927 , SB1460 , SB2084 , SB2182
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
criminal court costs, court fees, fines, assessments, waiver, ability to pay, indigent defendants, post-release relief, probation compliance, parole, deferred sentence, suspended sentence, restitution, child support, municipal court, district court, criminal justice reform, court debt, legal financial obligations, fee waiver
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and considered a long series of bills, mostly on criminal justice, elections, civil procedure, and higher education liability. Early measures included SB 1450, allowing judges to waive certain fines and fees for people who have completed probation or incarceration, with an amendment requiring a request and a judicial order; SB 1458, repealing a statute that allowed disclosure of grand jury witnesses; SB 1232, increasing penalties for tower vandalism and copper theft; SB 1238, making domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor a felony on the first offense; and SB 1325, requiring GPS monitoring and victim-alert protections for certain domestic abuse defendants before release. All of those bills advanced, most on strong or unanimous votes, though SB 1458 and SB 1232 each had one nay.
The committee also advanced SB 1209, which adjusted eviction-related civil procedure timelines by replacing “weekends” with Sundays and holidays in the filing-to-summons period, and SB 1362, which standardized early voting hours across the state’s consolidated election schedule, with Thursdays through Saturdays set at 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays retained for general elections. Members asked about the effect on landlords, voters, rural counties, and staffing, and the authors said the changes were intended to improve consistency and give more time for payment or mediation. SB 2072, dealing with deed fraud and title theft, was amended to clarify that fee waivers apply to orders restoring title after a fraudulent conveyance, and then advanced unanimously.
Later, the committee considered SB 1451, which adds a checkbox for prior voter registration, codifies cancellation of prior registrations, and requires an annual statistical report on registration notices; it advanced on a 6-2 vote after questions about whether the bill could burden voters. SB 1540 created a new felony offense for “grooming” a minor, prompting debate over whether existing indecent-proposal statutes already cover similar conduct; it advanced 7-1. SB 1581 extended the time for county grand jury initiative petitions from 45 to 90 days and added a protest period, and SB 1535 would adjust charity-enforcement procedures for the Attorney General; both advanced. The committee also advanced SB 1266, increasing penalties for violations of the anti-notario law, SB 1927, elevating unauthorized boarding or refusal to leave a school bus to a felony, SB 1460, strengthening penalties for repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording offenses, and SB 2182, creating civil remedies for nonconsensual sharing of intimate images. SB 1618 was laid over, and the meeting adjourned with notice of another meeting the following week.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Nearly one quarter of the 68,000 Californians living with MS are covered by Medi-Cal, not including those
- who are The 68,000 Californians living with MS are covered by Medi-Cal, not including those who are
- He couldn't be here today; he had to cover a shift last minute, so I'd like to share his testimony.
- We would never pass a bill that stipulates a government entity to partner with one specific vendor that
- That stipulates a government entity to partner with one specific vendor.
Summary:
The committee heard AB 1887, which would speed prior authorization for FDA-approved rare disease treatments prescribed by specialists and, if a plan does not act within 30 days, deem the request approved. The author and supporters, including patients and clinicians, said delays can cause irreversible harm, hospitalizations, and death, especially for children and people with progressive rare diseases. Health plans and insurers opposed the bill’s automatic-approval provision and said the measure lacked safeguards for incomplete requests and shared responsibility for timely information. The chair encouraged continued work with opponents, and the author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier version that would have waived prior authorization entirely.
The committee also heard AB 1979 on artificial intelligence in health care, AB 2161 on Medi-Cal work requirements, AB 539 on extending approved prior authorizations, AB 2311 on physician employment at public hospital districts, AB 1148 on banning phthalates and bisphenols in food packaging, AB 1825 on mental health offender reentry coordination, and AB 2282 on a temporary emergency stabilization unit in Patterson. AB 1979 would preserve licensed clinicians’ professional judgment, bar AI from directing unlicensed clinical functions, and protect medical records used by consumer chatbots; after amendments, several hospital, medical, and industry groups moved from opposition to neutral. AB 2161 would limit the harm of federal Medi-Cal work-reporting rules by using existing data, improving notices, and protecting due process; it drew broad support from patient, provider, and advocacy groups. AB 539 would keep prior authorization approvals valid for up to one year or the course of treatment, with supporters citing continuity of care and opponents warning about utilization, fraud, and cost concerns.
AB 2311, as amended, would let certain high-payer-mix or distressed public health care districts directly employ physicians; CMA withdrew opposition after the bill was narrowed, while some hospital interests still objected to the carve-out. AB 1148 would prohibit two chemicals commonly used in food packaging, with supporters citing cancer and endocrine-disruption risks and opponents arguing DTSC should handle the issue through its existing regulatory process. AB 1825 would improve transition planning and Medi-Cal enrollment for offenders with mental health disorders leaving state hospitals, and AB 2282 would authorize a temporary rural emergency stabilization care unit in Patterson until a permanent hospital is built. Several bills were held for later action because the committee lacked a quorum, and the chair repeatedly noted that motions would be taken once enough members returned.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 50 (3-19-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- hired to carry out a project using plans and specifications developed and approved by a government entity
- follows those plans as required, responsibility for those design decisions should remain with the entity
- even as a lawyer that represents injured people, and that's what I do, I do have to prove that the entity
- even as a lawyer that represents injured people, and that's what I do, I do have to prove that the entity
- </c><00:55:14.680><c> services</c> reasonable compensation covers services reasonable compensation covers
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- For homeowners and associations, we've created sort of a quasi-government entity with few checks and
- 00:50:28.720><c> policy</c><00:50:29.200><c> bill,</c><00:50:29.520><c> which</c><00:50:29.760><c> covers
- bill, which covers a number of<00:50:30.960><c> issues</c><00:50:31.359><c> that</c><00:50:31.599><c
- This was a bill we heard last week, uh, that came to us from our public housing entities and NARO and
- and NARO and public housing uh entities and NARO and to<00:52:59.920><c> make</c><00:53:00.000><c> sure
Committee:
House Housing Finance and Policy
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WLA-HWN, WLA-HOU, WLA Public Hearings 04-17-2026
Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Transcript Highlights:
- requesting the establishment of an arts data mapping task force to conduct a statewide survey of entities
- education and develop a comprehensive statewide database and geographic information system map of arts entities
- 14:50.399><c> statewide</c><00:14:50.800><c> survey</c><00:14:51.120><c> of</c><00:14:51.279><c> entities
- </c> conduct a statewide survey of entities conduct a statewide survey of entities engaged<00:14:52.079
- All right, let's move on to HCR 14, authorizing the issuance of a perpetual non-exclusive easement covering
Bills:
HCR31
Committee:
Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Keywords:
rangelands, pastoralists, Hawaii, livestock, environment, sustainability, ecosystem services, Paniolo traditions, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Housing first heard HCR 85, which urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer parcels in the East Oahu area. DLNR, OPSD, HHFDC, and HCDA testified, and the chairs noted an intent to keep revenues from the lands with DLNR while agencies collaborate until parcels are ready for substantive transfer. Both committees then voted to pass the measure as is, with the recommendation adopted.
The committees also heard HCR 101 and HCR 166. HCR 101 was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted by both the Hawaiian Affairs and Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committees. HCR 166, which asks DLNR to identify state lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, received no opposition in testimony and was also recommended and adopted unamended by both committees.
Later, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee took up several resolutions. HCR 36, establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, Japan, drew support from DBED, which highlighted educational, agricultural, and airport-related opportunities, and the committee moved it forward. HCR 19, designating March as March for Water Month, was supported by the Board of Water Supply. HCR 162, creating an arts data mapping task force, received support from DBED and arts advocates, including the Hawaii Youth Symphony. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, and nursery capacity, drew broad support from DLNR and multiple community testifiers emphasizing climate resilience, native forests, and storm recovery.
The committee also heard HCR 106 on designating Waikīkī as a world surfing reserve, with support from the University of Hawaii, and HCR 14 on a perpetual non-exclusive easement for existing drainage improvements at Waikīkī, which DLNR said had already been approved by the board and only needed legislative passage to execute. HCR 178, concerning a county set-aside for East Maui public trust water resources, drew testimony from the East Maui Water Authority and others supporting local control and public stewardship, while HCR 179, directing the Aamoku Advisory Committee to follow its rules and comply with Sunshine Law, drew testimony both in support and urging amendments to preserve Aamoku’s independent, semi-autonomous role. Because quorum was not available, decision-making on the later measures was deferred to the end of the 3 p.m. agenda.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- because of the nature of what these involve—finances, open meetings—they are investigated by other entities
- That's why there is a process of reporting it... ...to those entities or to the Secretary of Education
- specific behavior, not the entire school code, because there would be no bill, you know, that could cover
- process applies when a procedure process affects rights, duties, or privileges of a person or an entity
- we don't even define what supporting the illegal occupation of the country is because many, many entities
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 254, which would allow investor-owned electric utilities to include avoided greenhouse gas emissions in evaluating the cost effectiveness of energy efficiency resources. The sponsor explained an amendment making the emissions calculation optional for utilities, while requiring the Public Regulation Commission to consider it if a utility elects to use it. Utilities, energy efficiency advocates, and environmental groups supported the bill, saying it would help expand energy efficiency programs, lower bills, and better reflect emissions benefits. After brief questions about prior concerns, the committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill on a unanimous due pass vote.
The committee then heard House Bill 185, which would change the process for suspending school board members so the Secretary of Education could suspend individual members rather than only an entire board. The sponsors and supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, protect good board members from being punished for others’ misconduct, and create a clearer process with notice, remedial action, and appeal rights. School superintendents and some current and former school board members supported the bill, but the New Mexico School Boards Association and several board members opposed it, saying it was vague, threatened local control, and gave too much power to an appointed official. After extensive debate, the committee voted 4-5 against the do pass motion, and the bill failed in committee.
The committee next considered House Memorial 29, condemning the U.S. invasion of Venezuela. The memorial sponsor said it was intended to oppose the administration’s actions and affirm democratic norms. A supporter from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry backed the memorial on moral and legal grounds. Representative Block raised multiple factual objections, arguing the memorial mischaracterized Nicolás Maduro’s status and the events in Venezuela. The committee amended the memorial to add the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and the New Mexico congressional delegation as recipients, then passed it on a 6-3 vote after debate and vote explanations.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 93, which would raise the state income tax standard deduction to 205% of the federal standard deduction. The sponsor said the bill was intended to reduce tax burdens for New Mexicans and noted that staff and the tax department had determined nonresidents would only receive a prorated benefit under existing rules, so no amendment was needed. With no public testimony and no opposition, the committee moved the bill forward on a do pass vote.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/25/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> And finally, this recommendation covers And finally, this recommendation covers lost<00:05:33.200
- Um time, I know you're covering a lot.
- ><c> trainer</c> Article 2 covers athletic trainer Article 2 covers athletic trainer practice.<01:20:
- Article<01:21:30.240><c> 6</c><01:21:30.600><c> covers</c> Article 6 covers Article 6 covers physician
- ><c> social</c> Finally, Article 7 covers social Finally, Article 7 covers social workers.<01:21:47.360
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services May 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Second I will keep my comments brief as I know we have many items to cover.
- Again, we are covering all items in the May Revise except child care.
- As we move forward, we're just going to cover each subject area.
- I'll let the Deputy Director cover item 24.
- So the first item I'll cover is the climate bond or Proposition 4.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In terms of covering all the costs that they needed to cover, but we didn't increase their right.
- So we're talking about $5 billion. that's being stolen, and we're covering about 400 million.
- So when we got the 1.6, plus the other 5% percent, we were able to cover the expenses.
- Article 9 also states that the supplemental bill will cover our vehicles request.
- I mean, this is the summary of Senate Bill 1, and the LBB covered this as well.
Committee:
Senate Finance
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC-TRS Public Hearings 02-03-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , shields, anything of the any coverings, shields, anything of the like.<00:13:07.839><c> So,</c><00:
- Cover your face because I may not need you today on an undercover assignment, but I may need you in a
- Um, like to clarify the scope of covered defendants and immunity.
- </c> like to clarify the scope of covered like to clarify the scope of covered defendants<01:32:18.120
- </c> private legal entity. private legal entity.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard several Senate bills. SB 2149 would exempt paternity proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse from mediation and clarify the domestic abuse mediation exemption in divorce cases. The Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the measure but recommended technical and conforming changes, including updating references from HRS Chapter 584 to 584A and aligning the language more closely with the Uniform Mediation Act. Members discussed whether the bill’s wording could limit who may bring a support person to mediation, and the chair suggested the intent was to preserve survivor choice while avoiding ambiguity. No vote was taken in the portion heard.
SB 2203 would create an offense for law enforcement officers using masks or personal disguises. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaii, Legal Clinic, and many other supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, while still allowing safety exceptions. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, raised concerns about operational needs, undercover and auxiliary units, body cameras, and possible supremacy clause issues if the bill is aimed at federal officers. The chair noted the bill appeared likely to move forward and asked agencies and advocates to work on possible amendments; testimony count was reported as 114 in support, 3 opposed, and 2 comments.
SB 2251 would appropriate funds for the victim witness assistance program in the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying it would replace shortfalls from declining federal funding and help maintain victim services and rights information. A former program director also testified in support. When asked, the office said it would not object to a simple reporting requirement. The committee then moved on to SB 2311, which would address claims against the state and add reporting and timing requirements; the Department of the Attorney General testified with concerns and recommendations, and members began questioning current practices for handling claims and settlements.