Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> aheadc><01:46:32.800><c> ofc><01:46:32.960><c> schedulec><01:46:33.480><c> herec><01:46:
• c><03:35:33.960><c> ofc><03:35:34.160><c> schedulec> you we're running way ahead of schedule you
• isc><03:42:54.600><c> scheduledc><03:42:55.040><c> forc> 10 our next meeting is scheduled for 10
• ><c> wasc><03:42:56.760><c> Ic><03:42:57.040><c> scheduledc><03:42:57.520><c> itc><03:42:57.680
• :52:11.120><c> orc><05:52:12.080><c> scheduledc><05:52:12.520><c> toc><05:52:12.638><c> bec><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining how agencies assess facility needs, rank projects, and submit requests to the governor’s office. DAS described its Plant and Property division, which maintains 96 state buildings, and Public Works, which develops detailed cost estimates for selected projects. Officials said the governor’s office has traditionally narrowed requests into priority tiers, but this year all projects were estimated, creating more work and less detail. They also emphasized that the capital budget book functions as legislative intent and can be binding on how approved funds are used. On the substance of the request, DAS highlighted several priorities: continued funding for the state ERP system upgrade to the cloud, with about $5 million requested for sustainability and related Treasury functions; emergency fund and annex renovation work; a sprinkler replacement at DMV; and elevator repairs at the main building. Karen Rocky also identified maintenance projects that rose in priority after a facility condition assessment, including HVAC work for Portsmouth Circuit Court and Coos County Courthouse, boilers and controls for Carroll County and Lebanon Circuit Court, brick repointing at the main building and annex, window replacement at Spalding, and Brown building elevator replacement. Officials noted that the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and no projects for the Bureau of Court Facilities. The committee also discussed lapses and reprogramming of prior appropriations. DAS said the first eight projects approved in 2023 remain under construction and should be extended, while many 2021 projects are delayed because of ARPA-related workload and broader construction backlogs. Members reviewed a 2019 project list and agreed to lapse project number 49, the Spalding roof project, with about $81,000 remaining. DAS also said some small 2019 balances, including courthouse generators, a boiler, cooling and controls, roof and exterior repairs, and the State House Annex elevator, could be redirected through Capital Budget Overview toward the Hillsboro County South Cell Block project. The hearing ended with questions about project schedules, ARPA deadlines, and the division of authority between DoIT and DAS for the ERP system.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Hollyc><00:01:10.560><c> Johnsonc><00:01:11.200><c> Ic><00:01:11.280><c> amc><00:01:11.439
• ><c> ofc><00:01:12.360><c> thec><00:01:12.799><c> financec><00:01:13.200><c> andc> secretary
• c><00:19:31.200><c> isc><00:19:31.320><c> thec><00:19:31.440><c> bidc> The schedule that was
• ><c> equipmentc><00:26:37.760><c> youc><00:26:37.880><c> knowc><00:26:38.039><c> schedulesc>
• time on the equipment you know schedules time on the equipment you know schedules you<00:26:39.039><c

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 Capitol Renovations Update 00:00:40 Damage from Recent Disaster Discussion 00:33:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> andc><00:01:55.920><c> thec><00:01:56.079><c> primec><00:01:56.399><c> sponsors.
• :02:26.879><c> agreedc><00:02:27.120><c> toc><00:02:27.280><c> itc><00:02:27.360><c> atc><00:
• c> butc><00:02:28.879><c> uhc><00:02:28.959><c> itc><00:02:29.200><c> hadn'tc><00:02:29.440><
• c><00:04:30.560><c> Ic><00:04:30.800><c> justc><00:04:30.880><c> gavec><00:04:31.040><c> ac
• to allow more adjust his schedule to allow more students<00:38:47.920><c> toc><00:38:48.160><c> do

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh<00:06:19.760><c> Ic><00:06:19.840><c> havec><00:06:20.040><c> sentc><00:06:20.320><c> itc>
• c><00:25:08.040><c> aboutc><00:25:08.960><c> whyc><00:25:09.200><c> it'sc><00:25:09.480><c> scheduled
• c> I'm wondering about why it's scheduled I'm wondering about why it's scheduled two two two instead
• <00:25:12.240><c> ofc><00:25:12.360><c> schedulec><00:25:12.920><c> one,c><00:25:13.560><c> but
• c><00:25:14.160><c> thatc><00:25:14.360><c> wasc><00:25:14.600><c> ac> instead of schedule one

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:16:56.160><c> andc><00:16:56.320><c> thenc><00:16:56.480><c> thec><00:16:56.639><c> slide
• Um,<00:17:09.760><c> asc><00:17:10.000><c> ac><00:17:10.160><c> fillerc><00:17:10.640><c> toc
• ><00:17:10.880><c> thosec><00:17:11.039><c> ofc><00:17:11.120><c> youc><00:17:11.280><c> whoc
• c><00:18:26.160><c> Um,c><00:18:26.480><c> wec><00:18:26.640><c> arec><00:18:27.039><c> wec
• Like you have<00:44:11.920><c> ac><00:44:12.079><c> fullc><00:44:12.319><c> schedule.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :57:28.239><c> schedulec><01:57:29.040><c> orc><01:57:29.239><c> 34c><01:57:29.719><c> leftc>
• ><01:57:58.480><c> inc><01:57:58.639><c> thec><01:57:58.800><c> schedulec><01:57:59.239><c> if<
• in the schedule if it's quick and<01:58:00.239><c> Ic><01:58:00.320><c> don'tc><01:58:00.440><c>
• I'm doing scheduling<01:58:07.360><c> soc><01:58:07.679><c> withc><01:58:07.880><c> thatc><01:
• 58:08.199><c> wec><01:58:08.280><c> willc><01:58:08.440><c> bec><01:58:08.560><c> donec> scheduling

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• change in the agenda uh schedule<00:04:13.280><c> butc><00:04:13.840><c> uhc><00:04:14.080><c> my
• c><00:04:14.560><c> twoc><00:04:14.879><c> co-chairsc><00:04:15.760><c> uhc> schedule but uh
• Coot is working on the<01:18:08.239><c> projectc><01:18:08.719><c> schedulec><01:18:09.040><c> for
• schedule<01:18:15.920><c> byc><01:18:16.320><c> contractingc><01:18:17.280><c> andc><01:18:17.679
• ><c> planningc><01:18:18.400><c> andc> schedule by contracting and planning and schedule by contracting

Keywords: Discussion of SB 126 (2025 RS) 00:05:13 Discussion of HB 16 (2025 RS) 00:15:40 Kentucky Department of Parks – Overview 01:05:06, 958, all

Summary: The committee met jointly for State Government, State and Local Government, and Elections and Constitutional Amendments, approved the minutes from the September 23 meeting, and then took up discussion of Senate Bill 126, a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the governor’s pardon power. Senator Chris McDaniel said the measure was prompted by concerns over pardons issued in 2019 and would bar pardons for 60 days before a gubernatorial election through the swearing-in of a new governor, leaving the power otherwise intact. Members who spoke generally supported the proposal as a way to increase accountability, and McDaniel said he intended to place it on the 2026 ballot. No vote was taken on the bill during the discussion. The committee then moved to House Bill 16 on water fluoridation. Representative Hart and Senator Greg Elkins said the bill would remove Kentucky’s fluoridation mandate and give local water districts the choice to add fluoride or not. They emphasized that the revised draft also adds immunity language to protect districts from civil litigation regardless of their decision. Dr. Jack Call, a Louisville dentist, presented against fluoridation, arguing that the main dental benefit is topical rather than from drinking water and citing studies and reports he said linked fluoride exposure to reduced IQ in children and other health concerns. Cindy Batson, a nurse and parent, also supported the bill and said she had testified on the issue for years. During questions, Senator Rollins raised concerns about fluoride being an industrial byproduct and described fluoridation as forced medication. The discussion remained focused on the bill’s local-control and immunity provisions, with sponsors saying they were not trying to relitigate the broader science but wanted to remove the mandate. The transcript ends while questions and testimony on HB 16 were still underway, and no final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:48:29.359><c> Wec> a divevestature schedule of 2 years.
• c><00:48:30.960><c> schedule.
• :38.960><c> ac><00:48:39.200><c> devestaturec><00:48:39.920><c> schedule.
• ><c> takingc><00:48:50.319><c> ac> schedule. um ideally taking a schedule. um ideally taking a significant
• c><01:15:23.120><c> schedule.

Bills: HF3403, HF2687, HF2381

Keywords: HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, HF2687, single-family homes, corporate landlords

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> explainc><00:00:36.079><c> toc><00:00:36.239><c> studentsc><00:00:36.559><c> thec> funding
• c> manyc><00:00:52.879><c> ofc><00:00:53.039><c> whichc><00:00:53.360><c> alreadyc> education
• /c><00:00:54.800><c> Officec><00:00:55.039><c> ofc><00:00:55.199><c> Higherc><00:00:55.440><c>
• kindc><00:25:04.000><c> ofc><00:25:04.240><c> schedules.
• c> um kind of schedules. um kind of schedules.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:01:20.560><c> can'tc><00:01:20.799><c> sayc><00:01:20.960><c> itc><00:01:21.040><c> all.
• c><00:01:26.960><c> Therec><00:01:27.200><c> arec><00:01:27.360><c> noc> general.
• ><c> leavec><00:04:12.319><c> forc><00:04:12.720><c> birth,c><00:04:13.120><c> adoptionc><00:
• schedule.<00:43:21.040><c> Thec><00:43:21.200><c> staffc><00:43:21.520><c> suggestedc><00:43:22.000
• ><c> amendmentc> schedule.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then took up several administrative regulations. The first was an Office of the Attorney General regulation creating an online submission process for an annual certification report to replace prior quarterly notarized certification forms; there were no amendments or questions. The main discussion centered on Personnel Cabinet regulations 101 KAR 2:034, 2:102, 3:015, and 3:045, which include staff-suggested technical amendments and address state employee compensation and leave. The compensation provisions clarify salary and rehiring/demotion rules, increase critical position premiums from one to three, and update weekend premium and ACE award practices. The leave provisions would provide up to six weeks of paid leave per 10-year interval for birth, adoption, foster placement, or a serious health condition, and allow one paid adverse-weather day per year with supervisor approval. Staff explained that annual and sick leave already accrue and roll over, and that the new six-week benefit was intended as an additional enhancement tied to the 10-year and 20-year sick-leave milestones.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> onc><00:02:15.120><c> Thursdayc><00:02:15.879><c> notc><00:02:16.040><c> relevantc><00:02:
• :02:16.840><c> anymorec><00:02:17.440><c> umc><00:02:17.599><c> Ic><00:02:17.720><c> reallyc>
• c><00:03:15.280><c> thec><00:03:15.519><c> Lc><00:03:16.120><c> levelc><00:03:16.360><c> ofc>
• ><c> scheduledc><00:05:16.240><c> forc> okay and then are any scheduled for okay and then are any
• scheduled for tomorrow<00:05:16.840><c> atc><00:05:17.000><c> thisc><00:05:17.160><c> pointc><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: A House Republican spokesperson gave an update on the ongoing Minnesota House standoff, saying Republicans continue to seek formal recognition from the Secretary of State and objecting to what they described as the executive branch blocking duly elected members from being recognized on the House floor. They said the Minnesota Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Thursday in a case filed against the Secretary of State over that issue, and they argued that motions had been placed at the desk for several days and that the Secretary’s court filings mischaracterized the parties’ communications. The spokesperson also said negotiations with Democratic colleagues over starting the session were continuing, describing Democrats as showing increased motivation to reach a deal and attributing that, in part, to public pressure. They said House Republicans have been present and working each day, while criticizing absent Democratic members and noting that more than $200,000 in taxpayer funds has been paid to members who have not shown up. They said another meeting was planned for that evening, with no meeting scheduled yet for the next day. Questions also touched on recall efforts and the status of Representative Brad Tab. The spokesperson said recall petitions are a separate process handled by the state party and, once initiated, cannot be stopped by House leaders. On seating Representative Brad Tab, they said the House retains authority to judge the eligibility of its own membership and that their position had not changed.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> thec><00:37:18.800><c> restc><00:37:18.960><c> ofc><00:37:19.040><c> thec> trials scheduled
• c><00:37:29.200><c> So,c><00:37:29.280><c> it'sc> scheduling and get continued.
• Committee members, schedule<01:40:40.639><c> ofc><01:40:40.800><c> thec><01:40:40.960><c> nextc
• c><01:40:41.760><c> Normallyc> schedule of the next meeting.
• with How about this schedule<01:41:02.639><c> we'rec><01:41:02.880><c> onc><01:41:03.119><c> now

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted the September 5 minutes and then approved the remaining consent calendar items after removing several bills for separate consideration, including 25-252, 25-248, 25-251, and 25-253. The committee then took up 25-252 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, where members asked about the arts tax credit program, staffing, and volunteer coordination. Department representatives said the program had recently been authorized, forms had been finalized, three of six laid-off staff had been rehired through a federal grant, and the agency was now trying to recruit participants. Members also discussed whether tax-credit-raised funds could count as federal match; the department said they could not, because federal rules require state dollars. The item was adopted. The committee next considered 25-248 from the Department of Safety, which was described as a technical correction moving funds from equipment to hardware and software after consultation with the Department of Administrative Services. A member asked about “buy American” waivers, and the department said it would follow up with more information. The item was adopted. The committee then approved 25-251 from the Department of Administrative Services, which included discussion of ongoing problems with Anthem’s retiree health plan mail-order pharmacy. Department staff said many issues were tied to implementation changes and prescription renewal rules, that some complaints were being resolved through the vendor and the retiree health office, and that the contract would be rebid in the coming year, likely causing further changes. On 25-253 from the Department of Health and Human Services, members questioned the department’s September 5 health alert and whether it diverged from CDC guidance. DHHS said the alert was an annual evidence-based guideline for respiratory virus season and immunizations, largely aligned with CDC recommendations, and that some differences reflected timing and population-specific guidance. The item was adopted. The committee then heard 25-237 from the Department of Justice on the annual litigation fund request. Attorney General John Formela said the request was about $4.3 million, roughly 40% below last year and below the five-year average, with major costs tied to YDC civil and criminal litigation and some DHHS class actions. A member criticized the large increase over the budgeted $350,000 and said the budgeting approach should be corrected in the next cycle. Another member asked about YDC settlement reductions; the attorney general said confidentiality limited specifics, but explained that under the new statute the office had accepted well over half of administrator awards, rejected some, and negotiated lower amounts in others while still resolving most cases. The item remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> forc><00:53:39.920><c> utilityc><00:53:40.680><c> assetsc><00:53:41.680><c> itc> schedule
• schedules<00:54:41.079><c> andc><00:54:41.280><c> I'vec><00:54:41.480><c> Rc><00:54:41.680><c>
• thec><01:21:14.520><c> hearingc><01:21:14.840><c> orc><01:21:15.000><c> schedulec><01:21:15.320
• ><c> ac> reschedule the hearing or schedule a reschedule the hearing or schedule a meeting<01:21:15.679
• /c> constant schedule um why why couldn't constant schedule um why why couldn't you<01:37:30.600><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• :27:29.000><c> ifc><01:27:29.400><c> wec> schedule and if if we schedule and if if we could<01:27
• openingc><01:46:47.199><c> upc><01:46:47.480><c> thec> schedule uh I will be opening up the schedule
• 11.760><c> havec><02:07:11.920><c> theyc><02:07:12.040><c> beenc><02:07:12.239><c> scheduledc
• ><c> thec><04:00:27.319><c> dayc><04:00:28.319><c> Ic><04:00:28.399><c> thoughtc> scheduling
• c><04:55:53.240><c> nextc><04:55:53.400><c> weekc> scheduling for Bill hearings next week scheduling

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• andc><00:00:51.280><c> soc><00:00:51.800><c> Ic><00:00:51.879><c> willc><00:00:52.000><c> be
• dayc><00:01:23.119><c> beforec><00:01:23.520><c> thec><00:01:23.640><c> schedulec> the day before
• the schedule the day before the schedule hearing<00:01:26.159><c> andc><00:01:26.880><c> thirdly
• thec><00:01:32.640><c> scheduledc><00:01:33.079><c> meetingc><00:01:33.399><c> soc><00:01:33.720
• ><c> that'sc> before the scheduled meeting so that's before the scheduled meeting so that's not<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the January 21 minutes and then reviewed committee rules, emphasizing deadlines for handouts, testimony notices, and substantive amendments, along with a warning that disruptive signs, noise, or demonstrations could lead to removal from the hearing room. The chair said the rules would be shared with the full House and noted the committee would operate with quorum and not tolerate chaos. The committee then heard a presentation from Tammy Baker Olson, the state program administrator for the Guardian ad Litem Board, on the program’s structure and budget request. She explained that guardians ad litem are independent voices for children’s best interests in child protection and family court cases, not attorneys or direct service providers. She said the program operates statewide, with 243 employees, and in 2024 advocated for more than 12,000 children, attended over 30,000 court proceedings, and filed reports in over 16,000 hearings. She also described specialized Family Court and Indian Child Welfare divisions, efforts to address racial disparities, and training requirements for guardians. Members asked about mileage and travel demands, the distinction between a child’s attorney and a guardian ad litem, caseloads, re-entry outcomes, the move from contractor/volunteer models to employee-based staffing, and the role of volunteers. Olson said most guardians use personal vehicles and mileage reimbursement, average caseloads are about 24, and the program has not seen a statewide increase in cases but does face staffing vacancies and turnover in some areas. She said the board believes the employee model improved advocacy and supervision, while the program is rebuilding a modest volunteer pool. She also said the program supports Indian Family Preservation Act-related work and has a formal process for handling conflicts of interest, which should be raised immediately to a supervisor rather than waiting for a complaint process.

Transcript Highlights:

• :20 when we were scheduled<00:20:25.760><c> toc><00:20:26.480><c> orc><00:20:26.720><c> triedc>
• <00:20:26.880><c> toc><00:20:27.039><c> adjournc><00:20:27.520><c> atc> scheduled to or tried to
• adjourn at scheduled to or tried to adjourn at noon.<00:20:28.240><c> Oh,c><00:20:28.480><c> let's
• :32.879><c> ourc><00:34:33.119><c> originallyc><00:34:33.679><c> scheduledc> um until after our
• originally scheduled um until after our originally scheduled adjournment<00:34:34.560><c> timec><00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• counseling,c><00:21:34.240><c> schedulingc><00:21:35.120><c> andc> providing counseling, scheduling
• :25:28.240><c> onc><00:25:28.400><c> myc><00:25:28.640><c> schedulec><00:25:28.960><c> likec>
• me to like work on my schedule like me to like work on my schedule like easier<00:25:29.520><c> in
• ><c> likec><00:25:40.240><c> schedulingc><00:25:40.799><c> butc><00:25:41.039><c> alsoc><00:25
• :42.080><c> Ic> control and like scheduling but also I control and like scheduling but also I have<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> scheduledc><04:58:22.320><c> tomorrowc><04:58:22.798><c> forc> have interviews scheduled tomorrow
• salaryc><05:19:09.600><c> schedulesc><05:19:10.120><c> thatc> schedules specific salary schedules
• that schedules specific salary schedules that allowed<05:19:10.558><c> usc><05:19:11.080><c> allowed
• ><c> accessibilityc><05:44:53.120><c> maturityc> schedule accessibility maturity schedule accessibility
• that were scheduled<05:50:14.520><c> forc> scheduled for scheduled for elimination<05:50:16.320><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><01:10:37.760><c> scheduledc><01:10:38.200><c> toc><01:10:38.320><c> bec> child is authorized
• So, we scheduled<01:42:10.880><c> thosec><01:42:11.240><c> forc><01:42:11.440><c> thisc><01:42:
• 11.680><c> eveningc><01:42:12.040><c> andc><01:42:12.240><c> so,c> scheduled those for this evening
• ><c> schedule.
• c> for his schedule. for his schedule.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:25:30.120><c> thec> schedule all the bills particularly the schedule all the bills particularly
• week<00:25:40.279><c> I'vec><00:25:40.520><c> scheduledc><00:25:41.120><c> twoc><00:25:41.399>
• <c> daysc><00:25:41.840><c> ofc><00:25:42.120><c> sixc> week I've scheduled two days of six week
• c><00:26:00.480><c> they'rec><00:26:00.720><c> allc> And as a warning, on February 12th I’m scheduling
• ><c> theyc><00:30:28.240><c> wantc> schedule as many meetings as they want schedule as many meetings

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.