Transcript Highlights:

• It's discrimination hiding behind a dictionary entry. And what a dictionary entry it is.
• It's discrimination hiding behind a dictionary entry. And what a dictionary entry it is.
• And what a dictionary entry it is. And what a dictionary entry it is.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes automating eligibility checks, reducing duplicate data entry, simplifying SNAP reporting
• This includes automating eligibility checks, reducing duplicate data entry, simplifying SNAP reporting
• , that's really great and can reduce a lot of that inaccuracy, missed information, as well as data entry
• information, as well inaccuracy, missed information, as well as<00:11:50.800> data<00:11:51.120> entry
• as data entry. as data entry.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Aviation, wildlife corridors, litter beautification, equipment, ports of entry, rest areas, EV charging
• And I wanted to ask you, our port of entries, does commercial traffic get charged a fee when they cross
• our roadways, and that traffic is moving back and forth that traffic is increasing at the Port of Entry
• on Now we have New Mexico 136, which is the only access route into Santa Teresa and to the port of entry
• It connects to New Mexico 9, which New Mexico 9 connects the other two ports of entry, Antelope Well

Transcript Highlights:

• So in closing, Senate File 1536 would eliminate an unnecessary barrier to entry.
• c><00:24:51.799> to eliminate an unnecessary barrier to eliminate an unnecessary barrier to entry
• it'll<00:24:52.919> maintain<00:24:53.320> the<00:24:53.440> rigorous entry
• it'll maintain the rigorous entry it'll maintain the rigorous requirement<00:24:54.240> of<00
• close to $25,000 with tuition, fees, and all the other pieces that go along with that, plus delayed entry

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have gambling peers, re-entry peers, and they really need to be overseen in one place.
• We have gambling peers, re-entry peers, and they really need to be overseen in one place.
• We have gambling peers, re-entry peers, and they really need to be overseen in one place.
• We have gambling peers, re-entry peers, and they really need to be overseen in one place.
• We have gambling peers, re-entry<00:02:54.000> peers,<00:02:54.400> and<00:02:54.640>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 24, 2026, with a quorum present and took up one bill, House Bill 470. The bill sponsor and supporters described it as a cleanup measure to House Bill 505 that would extend the deadline for peer support specialists in the substance use field to become registered, because the earlier regulations were not promulgated in time and employers and workers were left in limbo. Supporters said the bill includes an emergency clause to stabilize the workforce and creates a working group to recommend a more effective oversight structure, possibly a new board, by November 1. They argued the extension would preserve access to services, allow providers to continue billing for peer support, and give the state time to address regulatory backlogs and workforce shortages. Several supporters emphasized that peer support is a critical part of recovery services and that the current system needs better infrastructure, accountability, and uniform standards. They said the bill would help prevent fraud and abuse by tightening guardrails while allowing qualified peers to keep working. One supporter said the bill would close the door on higher-level billing abuses and that other Medicaid-related efforts were also underway to address improper billing practices. Another witness said the bill would allow people who completed certification to continue serving and would help providers retain staff and get reimbursed. Senator McDaniel raised concerns that the bill might simply extend the period during which abuse of the peer recovery model could continue, rather than fixing the underlying problems. In response, the sponsors said House Bill 505 already imposed tighter training requirements and that this bill only extends the registration deadline while other efforts, including managed care organization limits and broader Medicaid reforms, are addressing abuse. Senator Howell asked about barriers to registration, and witnesses said the problem was a mix of supply-demand issues, workload, and some applicants’ reluctance to take the test. Senator Berg supported the bill as necessary to ensure proper billing and accountability, while Senator Meredith said the committee was missing key information from the cabinet and suggested it may be premature to act without hearing from the agency. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill strengthens our comprehensive offender re-entry system by expanding... year to incarcerate
• strengthens our comprehensive This bill strengthens our comprehensive offender<00:23:34.000> re-entry
• /c><00:23:34.559> system<00:23:35.679> by<00:23:36.000> expanding Offender re-entry

Bills: HB1952, HB1951, HB1929, HB2497, HB2208, HB2572, HB1953, HB2551, HB2549, HB1737, HB1628, HB1769, HB2493, HB2264, HB1997, HB2168, HB2427, HB1805, HB2180, HB2184, HB2219, HB2469, HB2233, HB2519, HB2141, HB1904, HB2201, HB2410, HB2007, HB2385, HB2444, HB2349, HB2235, HB1872, HB2416, HB2291, HB2292, HB2263, HB2359, HB2455, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB1648, HB2164, HB2323, HB1825, HB2172, HB1888, HB2005, HB2387, HB2358, HB2119, HB2276, HB2472, HB1714, HB2325, HB1541, HB1960, HB2140, HB2315, HB2367, HB2388, HB1696, HB2333, HB2138, HB2332, HB2283, HB2059, HB2057, HB2589, HB2417, HB2337, HB1588, HB2217, HB2020, HB1915, HB1742, HB2026, HB1965, HB1546, HB2360, HB1563, HB1749, HB2614, HB1511, HB1753, HB1849, HB1641, HB2161, HB2194, HB1721, HB2284, HB2188, HB1897, HB1880, HB1573, HB1876, HB20, HB2137

Keywords: HB1952, Hawaii agriculture, University of Hawaii, CTAHR, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Kauai, agricultural research station, extension station, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, appropriation, ADA compliance, Americans with Disabilities Act, certified kitchen, greenhouse, laboratory, field research, cesspool decommissioning, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• LITERALLY THE CHIP THAT YOU PUT IN THE VEHICLE AND INSTEAD OF SOMEBODY ACTUALLY DOING THE PHYSICAL DATA ENTRY
• IT ELIMINATES ANY ENTRY ERRORS AND IT MAKES THE WHOLE FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM A LOT MORE EFFICIENT.
• STATE TRACKS AND ACCOUNTS FOR DOESN'T RELATE SPECIFICALLY TO FLEET DATA EXCEPT AS THERE IS A DATA ENTRY

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously, it was victims under 13, as well as forcible sexual assaults, non-consensual sexual assaults
• ensure that individuals are not subject to criminal liability absent clear, reasonable notice that entry
• liability absent clear, reasonable<04:07:18.640> notice<04:07:19.520> that<04:07:19.840> entry
• <04:07:20.239> onto reasonable notice that entry onto reasonable notice that entry onto private
• guidance Providing clear statutory guidance so officers can distinguish lawful access from unlawful entry

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For initial entry into the Army National Guard, they still have initial entry bonuses, but right now
• So, for<00:30:28.240> initial<00:30:28.720> entry<00:30:29.039> into<00:30:29.360
• > the<00:30:29.520> Army<00:30:29.760> National for initial entry into the Army
• <00:30:31.520> have<00:30:32.559> initial<00:30:32.960> entry Guard, they still
• have initial entry Guard, they still have initial entry bonuses,<00:30:33.919> but<00:30:34.159

Bills: HB0122, SF0004, SF0012, SF0013, SF0067, SF0070, SF0124

Keywords: healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, Medicaid, emergency medical services, ground ambulance, healthcare funding, reimbursement rates, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Zaffirani to speak specifically. to your question on land ports of entry.
• We have two committees that would address land ports of entry.
• We do even have some of those ports of entry represented on those two committees.
• being the largest port of entry, both sea and land.
• Related to those land ports of entry.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking at now to add to the quiver of the 10 that generate parking and entry: Kua Bay is one,
• <01:28:17.199> fees the 54 generate parking and entry fees the 54 generate parking and entry
• and the the four that parking and entry and the the four that have<01:28:31.159> advanced<01:
• residents from any parking and entry residents from any parking and entry fees<01:29:08.000>
• parking and entry uh kuab bay<01:30:14.639> is<01:30:14.800> one<01:30:15.199> at

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These include special entry rates and locality premiums, which increase salaries for nurses at veteran
• These<00:19:33.960> include<00:19:34.360> special<00:19:34.800> entry<00:19:35.120
• > rates<00:19:35.760> and These include special entry rates and These include special entry
• rates and locality pay, and decide entry rates and locality pay, and decide if<00:20:26.280> they
• KDVH agreed with our recommendations regarding staffing and will be reviewing special entry rates

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, making a warrantless entry is no small thing, and we have to justify it. >> Thank you.
• Um, making a warrantless entry is no small thing, and we have to justify it. >> Thank you.
• Um, making a warrantless entry is no small thing, and we have to justify it. >> We certainly have to
• Um, making a warrantless entry is no small thing, and we have to justify it. >> We certainly have to
• , warrantless entry, warrantless entry, >> then<01:26:13.120> yes,<01:26:13.360>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now you’re talking about the use of those funds, but the use of the funds is for the present court entry
• The present court entry fee that they’re paying, but the $20 under 266, correct?
• D-2F to impose a tax of $20 per passenger per port entry.
• <01:02:00.359> fee<01:02:01.079> when the $20 per passenger per entry fee when the
• $20 per passenger per entry fee when you<01:02:01.440> think<01:02:01.760> there's<01:02

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on Water and Land heard testimony on HB 504, a measure relating to environmental stewardship and funding for natural resource protection and restoration. Supporters included multiple state agencies and advocacy groups, such as DLNR, HTA, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resources Legacy Fund, the Hawaiʻi Climate Action Coalition, and others, who said the bill would create dedicated funding for environmental, climate, and cultural resource needs and help address wildfire, flood, coastal storm, and tourism-related impacts. Several witnesses emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s environmental funding gap is large and that visitor contributions should be directed to stewardship and restoration. Some supporters also urged that the measure be applied equitably across all visitor accommodations and related uses, including cruise ship cabins and state rooms, while a few suggested amendments to broaden coverage or create a working group for implementation. Opposition and concerns focused largely on the bill’s tax structure and legal/administrative issues. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation questioned the reimbursable general obligation bond special fund in part two, suggesting it be converted to a regular special fund or deleted. The Attorney General’s office said part two may violate the single-subject rule in the state constitution and recommended deleting it. The Department of Taxation said the proposed points-and-miles language would be difficult to audit and enforce, and Expedia and others said the proposed tax treatment of loyalty points and certain payment forms would be operationally difficult. Industry witnesses also warned the bill could raise costs in a high-tax destination and asked for more marketing support if the tax is increased. The committee also heard concerns that a new tax on cruise ship cabins could raise federal preemption issues. The chair noted the testimony count as 23 in support, 179 in opposition, and one with comments. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the hearing ended with questions from senators and agency responses about possible amendments, enforcement, and constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we believe in re-entry, if we believe in fixing societal problems, we should be looking at, especially
• the goal of the commission is to figure out ways that collaboration can happen and what barriers to entry
• door, and should that person then be stepped down to a day reporting setting, which is a great re-entry
• It's getting them Setting, which is a great re-entry tool, and getting them back into the community still

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met to continue its review of the county sheriffs’ role in corrections, reentry, and public safety. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the sheriffs completed a lengthy presentation describing how their offices provide regional jail services, women’s programming, mental health and substance use treatment, reentry support, community partnerships, and auxiliary public safety functions such as BCI work, TRIAD, Meals on Wheels, and event support. They emphasized that services are tailored to local needs, that women’s facilities are designed to keep mothers close to family and support reunification, and that programming, housing, and job placement are central to reducing recidivism. They also discussed challenges including K2/synthetic drugs in facilities, gang classification and separation, and the difficulty justice-involved people face obtaining IDs and birth certificates, especially for people from Puerto Rico. Commission members generally praised the sheriffs’ work and asked for more detail on how regional women’s facilities operate, how community-provider cuts might affect reentry services, how no-cost phone/tablet communication is balanced against programming time, and what the most essential programs are if funding is reduced. The sheriffs said programming must come first, identified mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence programming, and housing/job placement as critical, and explained that community organizations and the Registry of Motor Vehicles are key partners in reentry. They also described their approach to gang management through classification, separation, and information sharing, and noted that the Registry has become more flexible but Real ID requirements have made documentation barriers more significant. The commission chair stressed that the purpose of the study is collaboration and improving system performance, not an adversarial effort against the sheriffs or a decarceration debate. Members noted that future meetings would hear from probation in June and the Department of Correction in July, and that the commission would continue gathering information before deciding on next steps. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• process and helping people understand that their participation actually matters and the barrier to entry
• /c><00:10:44.640> the<00:10:44.720> barrier<00:10:45.080> to<00:10:45.200> entry
• <00:10:45.520> is matters and the barrier to entry is matters and the barrier to entry is

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 572, the nomination of Kirsten Walker to the Commission on the Status of Women, and received testimony in strong support from representatives of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others. Walker described nearly a decade of community advocacy focused on women, gender-diverse people, homelessness, domestic violence, substance use, reproductive and gender-diverse health care, and support for criminalized communities. Members asked about the commission’s past work and future priorities, and Walker said it should continue supporting community initiatives, studies on violence, and women-led efforts. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent, with the measure adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee then considered Governor’s Message 685, the nomination of Arielle Castillo to the Board of Registration of the Island of Oahu. Testimony from supporters emphasized her civic engagement, volunteer work, and willingness to serve in uncompensated state work. Castillo said she had worked in local politics and voter engagement, including with Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and explained her background in voter registration, election rules, and good-government efforts. Members questioned her on how she would handle close voting issues and whether her activism could affect her service; she said she would apply the law fairly, protect voting rights, and that her organization is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The committee again recommended advise and consent, and the nomination was adopted. Finally, the committee heard Governor’s Message 686, the nomination of Jonathan Simons to the Board of Registration of the Island of Hawaii. Supporters described him as thoughtful and analytical, and Simons said he is a Hilo civil engineer with a strong interest in civics and good governance. He said his role on the board would be to protect the franchise by preventing improper disenfranchisement and ensuring votes are counted appropriately, citing his mother’s work enforcing the Voting Rights Act. Members asked whether he would apply election laws fairly and without partisan bias; he said he would. The committee voted advise and consent on GM 686 as well, and all three nominations were adopted before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it an entry point to getting some teachers? Yeah. That's again, that's another place.
• One of the things that apprenticeship does, and this pathway does, is it allows multiple entry points
• It creates a seamless, supported pathway from multiple entry points to full teacher certification.
• It really highlighted the need for those multiple entry points that people had.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our frontline staff are navigating outdated technology that requires manual data entry, multiple systems
• think the biggest was the SNAP and medical assistance, the penalties that we're getting for erroneous entries
• <00:26:19.279> erroneous that we're getting for erroneous that we're getting for erroneous entries
• 21.440> and<00:26:21.679> it's<00:26:21.919> because<00:26:22.320> of entries
• And it's and it's because of entries.

Bills: HF4736, HF4737, HF3806, HF3352, HF4840, HF3748

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• had a material audit adjustment for those campuses, and we proposed these material audit adjusting entries
• But it's just that we had to propose that adjusting entry to make them correct.
• Within the methodology area, we perform revenue analytics to ensure refunds, deposits, correcting entries
• when that transfer is made so that the university system and its institutions know to make those entries
• , and we ensure that there's documentation attached to all of our journal entries.

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• already in place for parents to file religious and medical exemptions for vaccinations required for entry
• to school allows required for entry to school allows schools, pediatricians, and other health care providers

Bills: HB491, SB85

Keywords: HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, Green Dye No. 3, school fundraising, vending, snacks