Transcript Highlights:

• Serving<00:02:16.120><c> along</c><00:02:16.480><c> her</c><00:02:16.760><c> husband,</c><00:02:17.640
• And<00:02:32.760><c> if</c><00:02:32.920><c> I</c><00:02:33.040><c> may,</c><00:02:33.320><c> sir,</c
• </c><00:02:39.640><c> the</c><00:02:39.920><c> eight,</c><00:02:40.240><c> their</c><00:02:40.440><c>
• <c> uh</c><00:02:42.440><c> for</c><00:02:42.640><c> any</c><00:02:43.000><c> any</c><00:02:43.400><c
• ><c> at</c><00:02:48.400><c> least</c><00:02:48.640><c> two</c><00:02:48.840><c> of</c><00:02:49.000>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Schultz<00:02:40.720><c> sitting</c><00:02:41.040><c> in</c><00:02:41.200><c> for</c><00:02:41.440
• Um,<00:02:44.480><c> Allison</c><00:02:45.040><c> Murray</c><00:02:45.440><c> is</c><00:02:45.680><c>
• </c> Uh,<00:02:51.280><c> Rita</c><00:02:51.680><c> Madison</c><00:02:52.160><c> sitting</c><00:02:52.480
• /c><01:02:01.680><c> 500</c><01:02:02.160><c> million</c><01:02:02.880><c> which</c><01:02:03.119><c>
• Um,<01:02:10.799><c> so</c><01:02:11.040><c> with</c><01:02:11.200><c> that,</c><01:02:11.440><c> I</

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:22.880><c> see</c><01:02:23.319><c> my</c><01:02:23.559><c> way</c><01:02:23.920><c> clear</c><01
• is<01:02:28.480><c> possible</c><01:02:29.480><c> and</c><01:02:29.760><c> that</c><01:02:30.039><c>
• under<01:02:34.839><c> the</c><01:02:34.960><c> narrow</c><01:02:35.359><c> circumstances</c><01:02:
• :36.839><c> this</c><01:02:37.079><c> bill</c><01:02:37.760><c> so</c><01:02:38.640><c> uh</c><01:02:
• 39.119><c> uh</c><01:02:39.319><c> it</c><01:02:39.599><c> I</c><01:02:39.880><c> I</c><01:02:40.079>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Okay.<00:02:27.760><c> If</c><00:02:27.920><c> not,</c><00:02:28.160><c> members,</c><00:02:28.560
• Hey,<00:02:30.480><c> chair</c><00:02:30.720><c> does</c><00:02:30.959><c> have</c><00:02:31.040><c>
• &gt;&gt; Will<00:02:51.760><c> it</c><00:02:51.920><c> produce</c><00:02:52.160><c> a</c><00:02:52.400
• How many units<00:02:55.680><c> listing</c><00:02:56.080><c> how</c><00:02:56.239><c> many</c><00:02:
• </c><00:02:59.120><c> uh</c><00:02:59.200><c> we</c><00:02:59.519><c> are</c><00:02:59.680><c> working

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered several housing-related measures. On SB 2068, which would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to study how to maximize housing on transit-oriented development and other state and county lands, testimony was mostly supportive from agencies and housing groups, with one opposition witness. In response to questions, OPSD said it was already working on a list of potential parcels but could not yet identify unit counts or a timeline, and estimated about $250,000 would be needed for staffing and contractual support. The committees also heard SB 2227 on rental assistance, which would require HPHA to make monthly rent supplement payments, prioritize certain tenants including kupuna, allow agreements with counties and nonprofits, and create a special fund supported by a transaction fee on recordings. HPHA supported the bill, and the Department of the Attorney General said it recommended amending the measure to describe the fee as a tax. Additional testimony included support from elder and community organizations and one opposition witness. For SB 2061, relating to residential condominiums and the 99-year leasehold program, HCDA and the project developer testified in support of amendments intended to preserve owner-occupant requirements while making the project more marketable and financially feasible. Members focused heavily on parking, affordability, and financing. HCDA and the developer said the parking stalls would be unbundled from the units, that the project would be a 99-year leasehold with 60% of units reserved for buyers at or below 140% AMI and 40% market-rate, and that the state’s $15 million equity contribution would cover only part of the parking garage and commercial component. The hearing then moved on to SB 3327, relating to HCDA and complete communities, but the transcript cuts off before that measure was fully discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• > afternoon<00:02:07.680><c> so</c><00:02:08.160><c> uh</c><00:02:08.319><c> ala</c><00:02:08.759><c>
• chair</c><00:02:09.280><c> uh</c><00:02:09.399><c> my</c><00:02:09.520><c> name</c><00:02:09.679><c>
• ><c> weno</c><00:02:10.640><c> I'm</c><00:02:10.759><c> the</c><00:02:10.920><c> director</c><00:02:11.200
• c> I</c><00:02:13.840><c> I</c><00:02:14.000><c> stand</c><00:02:14.400><c> on</c><00:02:14.680><c> my
• :02:50.799><c> this</c><01:02:50.920><c> is</c><01:02:51.240><c> uh</c><01:02:51.359><c> the</c><01:02

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and arts-related measures. HB 307 on special member plates drew written support from Protect Ohana, and HB 531 on a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center specialty plate received strong support from the Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society, both emphasizing cancer research, patient care, outreach, and public awareness. HB 706 would require skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, and HB 1231 would expand red light photo enforcement; both drew support from transportation and safety advocates, while the Judiciary raised concerns about citation volume, staffing, manual processing, and the need for consultation and a phased rollout. The committee also discussed HB 54, which increases penalties for repeated excessive speeding offenses; the Attorney General’s office supported the enforcement rationale and fingerprinting language, while the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it adds harsh penalties and jail time despite broader efforts to reduce excessive punishment. For the camera-enforcement bills, the Department of Transportation said the red-light and speed-camera programs would be expanded gradually, with existing intersections converted first and additional locations added over time, and noted that the system would require about $2 million and significant automation for the Judiciary. The Judiciary repeatedly asked for more time, public input on camera locations, and effective dates that would allow staffing and system changes. On HB 1166, which funds the automated speed enforcement program, DOT proposed technical amendments to make the citations non-moving violations and to align the statute with the red-light program; the Judiciary again said it had no position on the policy but needed time and consultation to absorb the workload. HB 235, a North Shore red-light imaging bill, drew similar Judiciary concerns and support from a testifier who said enforcement would improve compliance and reduce crashes. The committee also heard HB 1159 on commercial harbor evacuations, with Hawaii Emergency Management Agency supporting the bill as a way to give harbor masters enforceable authority to order vessels out during emergencies. The discussion focused on whether the measure would affect all commercial harbor users, including smaller fishing vessels, and whether it would conflict with Coast Guard authority; the bill’s proponents said it would let the state enforce orders already issued by the captain of the port and protect cargo lanes during crises. Finally, HB 17 on the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority was described by HCDA as a housekeeping and structural bill that would update its purposes, allow it to assist other agencies, and replace multiple county boards with a single program reporting to the 17-member board. DHHL supported the bill because of potential transit and infrastructure benefits for Kapolei and nearby homestead developments, and committee members discussed future financing tools such as improvement districts, TIF, and other mechanisms to fund infrastructure early in the development process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statutes, by the Division<00:36:31.359><c> of</c><00:36:31.440><c> Insurance.
• The eyes have it, and the Senate will The eyes have it, and the Senate will adjourn<01:02:12.840><c>
• until</c><01:02:13.480><c> 9:00</c><01:02:13.840><c> a.m.
• </c><01:02:14.440><c> on</c><01:02:15.160><c> Friday,</c><01:02:15.560><c> March</c> adjourn until 9:
• 00 a.m. on Friday, March adjourn until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27th,<01:02:16.520><c> 2026.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:02:02.719><c> those</c><02:02:02.960><c> opposed</c><02:02:03.280><c> say</c><02:02:03.800><c> nay
• <02:02:40.000><c> to</c><02:02:40.159><c> opt</c><02:02:40.360><c> in</c><02:02:40.560><c> the</c><02
• way</c><02:02:44.920><c> to</c><02:02:45.159><c> have</c><02:02:45.360><c> both</c><02:02:45.599><c>
• Local Buy in<02:02:46.440><c> as</c><02:02:46.560><c> well</c><02:02:46.679><c> as</c><02:02:46.800>
• <c> the</c><02:02:46.960><c> state</c><02:02:47.239><c> buyin</c><02:02:47.960><c> I</c><02:02:48.079

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Statute does allow us to enter into a two-year contract and renew it afterwards, if specified criteria
• Minnesota, their general policy is similar to ours. They allow up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave.
• Within state government, Minnesota leads with the highest wage, followed by the national wage and then
• And this is just... ...followed by Minnesota and then North Dakota.
• completed and appended to the measure under state law, and then we're referencing both of those statutes

Committee: Joint Employee Benefits Programs Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:02:10.479><c> uh,</c><00:02:10.720><c> thank</c><00:02:10.879><c> you</c><00:02:11.039><c> all
• c> today</c><00:02:12.640><c> and</c><00:02:12.879><c> we</c><00:02:13.120><c> we</c><00:02:13.440><c
• ><c> know</c><00:02:20.720><c> you've</c><00:02:20.879><c> had</c><00:02:20.959><c> a</c><00:02:21.120
• c> Thursday's</c><00:02:24.400><c> uh</c><00:02:24.640><c> not</c><00:02:24.879><c> always</c><00:02:
• Appreciate<00:02:30.000><c> Chairman</c><00:02:30.400><c> Flannry</c><00:02:30.879><c> for</c><00:02:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October 21 minutes, and then heard a KO presentation focused on county jail funding pressures. KO leaders and county judges said jail costs have become a statewide crisis, noting that county general fund contributions to jail budgets have risen sharply since 2019. They said the organization’s sole legislative priority this session is to “reshape the shared responsibility” for county jails through three main proposals: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and changing the model for housing state inmates. On regional jails, KO proposed one-time state construction help for new or expanded regional facilities, allowing former county jails to become 96-hour holdover facilities, changing regional jail authority boards so each participating county jailer can serve, increasing the closed-jail supplement, and offering a one-time payment to counties that close a jail and join a regional plan. On pre-trial felony detainees, Judge Mosley argued counties bear the full cost for people held before trial, sometimes for years, and said counties should be reimbursed for time served credit when those inmates are later sentenced. On state inmates, KO said the current per diem of $35.34 is below the average daily county jail cost of $63.44, and proposed a new contract model requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs while counties provide agreed programming such as substance use treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academic programming. Members asked about the fiscal impact of the package, the feasibility of regional jail population thresholds, and whether the proposal could affect counties’ ability to house federal inmates. KO said regionalization should remain a local decision, that a bill draft and fiscal note were being developed, and that only certain jails are eligible to house federal inmates under existing agreements. Representative Maddox also asked about social media comments by Judge Mosley regarding homeschooling; Mosley said the remarks were unrelated to KO and apologized for any offense. Senator Mills asked what counties would do with savings from jail costs, and judges said the money would likely go to local services such as roads, ambulance service, senior programs, parks, economic development, infrastructure, broadband, and water projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<01:02:00.480><c> then</c><01:02:01.119><c> uh</c><01:02:01.839><c> on</c><01:02:02.319><c> line</
• c><01:02:02.720><c> 14</c><01:02:04.160><c> um</c><01:02:04.400><c> well</c><01:02:04.960><c> on</c><
• 255<01:02:06.240><c> on</c><01:02:06.480><c> page</c><01:02:06.799><c> 10</c><01:02:07.599><c> replaces
• It's<01:02:28.000><c> what</c><01:02:28.240><c> we</c><01:02:29.200><c> referenced</c><01:02:29.599><
• </c> &gt;&gt; I'm<01:02:35.760><c> good</c><01:02:35.920><c> with</c><01:02:36.079><c> the</c><01:02:

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :18.680><c> uh</c><00:02:18.840><c> two</c><00:02:19.160><c> two</c><00:02:19.440><c> things</c><00:02
• ><00:02:23.160><c> significant</c><00:02:23.720><c> amount</c><00:02:24.200><c> of</c><00:02:24.440><
• </c><00:02:28.680><c> up</c><00:02:28.959><c> we</c><00:02:29.239><c> have</c><00:02:29.360><c> to</c
• ><c> this</c><00:02:36.120><c> is</c><00:02:36.280><c> an</c><00:02:36.519><c> area</c><00:02:37.040>
• um a a bigger<00:02:50.080><c> percentage</c><00:02:50.640><c> than</c><00:02:50.800><c> in</c><00:02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III held an informational hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services focused on child and family services, children’s behavioral health, DCF, juvenile justice, and adult mental health. Before the presentation, members discussed scheduling a future site visit to Waypoint, including possible dates, mileage reimbursement logistics, and whether to reschedule the department’s developmental disabilities and healthy aging presentation because the associate commissioner was out sick. The department then outlined that it would concentrate on children’s behavioral health, DCF residential care and the Sununu Youth Services Center/YDC new build, and adult mental health, while noting the broader DHHS structure and the value of keeping related services under one leadership. The department emphasized an integrated “system of care” approach and said it was trying to shift resources toward earlier, lower-intensity interventions rather than relying mainly on high-cost residential and acute services. It cited youth risk data showing roughly four in ten New Hampshire high school students feeling sad or hopeless and about one in five considering suicide in the past year, and said these trends worsened during the pandemic, peaking in 2021 and easing somewhat by 2023. Members asked how New Hampshire compared with neighboring states and about pre-COVID trends; the department said it would follow up with more exact data. The presentation also described a long-term policy effort beginning with federal funding in 2012, the state’s 10-year mental health plan, and later legislation aimed at strengthening children’s behavioral health and transforming juvenile justice so that youth with behavioral health needs are not routed into punitive systems first. Members raised questions about out-of-state residential placement oversight and the statutory basis for inspections and follow-up. The department said the General Court had funded more “boots on the ground” oversight, in coordination with the Office of the Child Advocate, and agreed to provide a longer follow-up presentation on that topic after the governor’s budget is released. The department also described evidence-based prevention efforts, including home visiting programs such as Healthy Families America and a DCF-connected home visiting cohort for families already touching the child welfare system, as examples of trying to keep children out of deeper system involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<01:02:53.040><c> You</c><01:02:53.200><c> shall</c><01:02:53.520><c> not</c><01:02:53.680><c> have<
• </c><01:02:58.240><c> You</c><01:02:58.480><c> shall</c><01:02:58.640><c> not</c><01:02:58.799><c> take
• :00:02.800><c> if</c><02:00:02.960><c> you</c><02:00:03.119><c> will</c><02:00:03.760><c> that</c><02
• c><02:00:08.080><c> circumstances</c><02:00:09.520><c> in</c><02:00:09.840><c> the</c><02:00:10.000><
• 02:13:30.480><c> of</c><02:13:30.639><c> the</c><02:13:30.800><c> city</c><02:13:32.159><c> did</c><02

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The meeting included a Senate recognition ceremony honoring the Winona High School boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Alabama High School Athletic Association 5A state championship. A resolution was read commending the team for its 101-40 victory over Silicag, noting the team’s record-setting performance, Brendan Davis’s MVP honor, the contributions of other players, and Coach Cedric Lane’s leadership. Senators and the lieutenant governor praised the players’ sportsmanship, the school community, and the team’s historic season, and copies of the resolution were presented to the team, coaches, and administrators. Several guests and school representatives also spoke briefly, including the coach and principal, who thanked the Senate and noted the team’s success and the principal’s retirement after 35 years. After the recognition, the Senate returned to session and adopted the Committee on Rules report setting the special order calendar. The calendar included Senate Bill 99 on the Ten Commandments, Senate Bill 298 on Class 3 municipalities, House Bill 381 on camp safety, Senate Bill 370 on tax increment districts, Senate Bill 363 on the Department of Economic and Community Affairs, House Bill 466 on firefighters, House Bill 95 on elections, House Bill 259 on stablecoin, and Senate Bill 342 on education. The chamber then took up SB 99, sponsored by Senators Kelly and Sessions. Senator Kelly described the bill as requiring local school boards to display the Ten Commandments, together with founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Alabama Constitution preamble, in certain history classrooms and common areas for grades five through 12, using donated displays and funds when available. He said the bill was intended as a historical and educational measure, not religious instruction, and emphasized the inclusion of a disclaimer stating Alabama is not establishing a religion. After extended debate and a petition to close debate from the Rules Committee, the Senate voted on the bill by long roll and passed SB 99, with the recorded vote announced as 30 yeas and 4 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• :56.200><c> son,</c><00:02:56.480><c> our</c><00:02:56.600><c> Lord</c><00:02:56.840><c> and</c><00:02
• Mr.<01:02:42.800><c> President,</c><01:02:43.240><c> if</c><01:02:43.360><c> there</c><01:02:43.520><
• c> for</c><01:02:45.560><c> passage</c><01:02:46.080><c> of</c><01:02:46.200><c> 5</c><01:02:47.080><
• :47.520><c> 562</c><01:02:48.400><c> as</c><01:02:48.560><c> amended</c><01:02:48.920><c> by</c><01:02
• </c><01:02:53.480><c> 562</c><01:02:54.480><c> as</c><01:02:54.600><c> amended</c><01:02:54.960><c> by

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:01.599><c> Chair,</c><01:02:01.920><c> and</c><01:02:02.160><c> thank</c><01:02:02.240><c>
• Uh, for the record,<01:02:04.880><c> my</c><01:02:05.040><c> name</c><01:02:05.200><c> is</c><01:02:05.520
• This<01:02:44.079><c> bill</c><01:02:44.480><c> removes</c><01:02:45.040><c> that</c><01:02:45.280><c
• HB 1024 protects<01:02:52.160><c> the</c><01:02:52.400><c> integrity</c><01:02:52.880><c> of</c><01:02
• </c><01:02:57.440><c> It</c><01:02:57.680><c> ensures</c><01:02:58.079><c> that</c><01:02:58.480><c>

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we need to modernize our statutes to be more accurate when describing someone's immigration status
• We should be more accurate and say that they're non-citizen when describing them in our statutes.
• The specificity in our statutes comes from the adjectives, not the noun.
• There are over 500 exemptions to disclosure throughout the Public Records Act and other statutes.
• Obviously, the events that are going on in Minnesota are kind of the height of that.

Bills: HB2447 , HB1364 , HB2632 , HB2637 , HB2520 , HB2235 , HB2401 , HB2574

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: shark conservation, marine life, state symbol, ecological importance, biodiversity, bingo, raffles, charity, nonprofit, amusement games, revenue threshold, licensing, fundraising, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, public records, public disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2632 replaces most references to the term alien with the term non-citizen in state statutes
• We should be more accurate and say that they’re non-citizen when describing them in our statutes.
• The specificity in our statutes comes from the adjectives, not the noun.
• There are over 500 exemptions to disclosure throughout the Public Records Act and other statutes.
• Obviously, the events that are going on in Minnesota is kind of the highest state of that.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 1364 would raise from $5,000 to $15,000 the gross revenue thresholds for charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo, raffles, and amusement games without a gambling license, and would also raise related local tax thresholds; supporters said it is an inflation adjustment that helps volunteer nonprofits, while no opposition was heard before the hearing closed. HB 2632 would replace most uses of “alien” in state law with “non-citizen,” with exceptions for federal-law requirements and non-human uses; the sponsor described it as a dignity and accuracy measure rooted in refugee experience, while supporters and opponents debated whether it is respectful and clearer or instead unnecessary and potentially confusing. HB 2447 would designate the blunt-nosed six-gill shark as Washington’s official state shark; testimony from the sponsor, children, marine advocates, and scientists emphasized education, conservation, Puget Sound ecology, and local pride, and the hearing closed without opposition testimony. HB 2637 would exempt certain personal information from Public Records Act disclosure, including age, address, birthplace, precise location data, government identifiers, and consumer utility data; supporters framed it as privacy and safety protection, while opponents argued it would reduce transparency and could interfere with federal immigration enforcement. In executive session, the committee took action on three bills. HB 2235, concerning Public Records Act exemptions for concealed pistol licenses and permit-to-purchase firearm applications, was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. HB 2401, establishing the Boys and Men’s Commission, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote, with some members supporting the concept but expressing concern about funding. HB 2574, which addresses removal of deceased candidates for nonpartisan office from ballots and related vote-count procedures, was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote after members discussed the need to clarify election procedures in rare cases. The committee deferred action on HB 2520.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:02:10.080><c> to</c><02:02:10.400><c> a</c><02:02:10.639><c> great</c><02:02:10.960><c> degree
• </c><02:02:25.440><c> And</c><02:02:25.679><c> the</c><02:02:26.000><c> previous</c><02:02:26.320><c>
• Oh, these have been<02:02:34.080><c> in</c><02:02:34.320><c> place</c><02:02:34.560><c> for</c><02:02
• </c><02:02:40.639><c> Um</c><02:02:41.040><c> well,</c><02:02:41.360><c> when</c><02:02:41.520><c> I<
• /c><02:02:52.080><c> I</c><02:02:52.239><c> was</c><02:02:52.400><c> a</c><02:02:52.639><c> kid,</c><

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:08.360><c> Um</c><00:02:08.920><c> to</c><00:02:09.160><c> my</c><00:02:09.320><c> vice</c><00
• Chairman, yeah,<00:02:13.120><c> I</c><00:02:13.520><c> I</c><00:02:13.600><c> voted</c><00:02:13.960
• I'm</c><00:02:18.520><c> fine</c><00:02:18.920><c> with</c><00:02:19.040><c> the</c><00:02:19.120><c
• :02:27.520><c> new</c><00:02:27.680><c> schools,</c><00:02:28.200><c> we</c><00:02:28.560><c> build</
• on</c><00:02:29.640><c> them</c><00:02:29.760><c> and</c><00:02:29.880><c> then</c><00:02:30.000><c>

Bills: HB0034 , HB0035 , HB0036 , HB0106

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: HB0034, Wyoming retirement system, Wyoming Retirement Act, firefighter retirement, public employee retirement, retirement benefits, state pension, wildland firefighting, wildland firefighter, crash and rescue, Wyoming National Guard, Office of State Lands and Investments, Wyoming Retirement Board, correctional forestry crew, correctional crew supervisor, correctional forestry crew manager, general fund appropriation, state agency employees, service credit, benefit eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• :57.159><c> Ian</c><00:02:57.480><c> watt</c><00:02:57.800><c> he</c><00:02:57.920><c> had</c><00:02:
• a family emergency<00:02:59.159><c> so</c><00:02:59.400><c> I</c><00:02:59.519><c> am</c><00:02:59.840
• :49:54.120><c> that</c><02:49:54.600><c> I</c><02:49:54.760><c> think</c><02:49:55.800><c> uh</c><02:
• ><c> question</c><02:49:59.319><c> on</c><02:49:59.520><c> the</c><02:49:59.680><c> program</c><02:50
• /c><02:59:24.680><c> um</c><02:59:24.960><c> 40</c><02:59:25.960><c> um</c><02:59:26.479><c> we</c><02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division III work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services budget. Department staff said Public Health has a relatively small budget compared with other DHHS divisions, is supported mostly by federal and other non-General funds, and contains nearly 100 accounting units and more than 50 federal grants. They emphasized that the governor’s budget did not include significant cuts, but that federal funding uncertainty and the winding down of pandemic-era resources were major factors affecting the division. The division also explained that some apparent budget growth reflects reorganizations, including moving the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and some programs from other DHHS divisions into Public Health. The presentation described Public Health’s mission as serving the entire state through food and water safety, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, WIC, community health center support, and public health data collection. Members asked about bird flu, and staff explained that human-health response would involve Public Health’s lab, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness units, while animal-health issues are handled with the Department of Agriculture; they also noted ongoing milk testing requested by FDA and USDA. The division said its organizational structure includes bureaus for Family Health and Nutrition, Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Protection, Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Wellness, Statistics and Informatics, and Public Health Laboratories, with about a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members questioned whether the division’s budget and staffing had really grown since pre-COVID, and staff responded that full-time authorized staffing is about the same as in 2018, with the increase largely due to federal pandemic funding that has since receded and to program transfers between divisions. They said Public Health’s General Fund share is about $24 million out of roughly $1.1 billion in DHHS General Fund spending, or about 2.2% of the department total. Members also asked about the 3,000-position cap and unfunded positions; staff explained that the cap remains in chapter law through June 30, 2025, that 394 positions were unfunded in the governor’s budget, and that the division expects flexibility to move money from personnel lines and fill unfunded positions to manage changing needs. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:02:44.159><c> um</c><02:02:44.880><c> that</c><02:02:45.280><c> basically</c><02:02:45.679><c
• ><c> the</c><02:02:46.320><c> protect</c><02:02:47.199><c> um</c><02:02:47.520><c> qualified</c><02:02
• :02:50.000><c> So</c><02:02:50.320><c> our</c><02:02:51.119><c> the</c><02:02:51.440><c> bill</c><02:
• cannot</c><02:02:55.040><c> be</c><02:02:55.199><c> owned</c><02:02:55.920><c> um</c><02:02:56.719><
• ><c> 20%</c><02:02:58.239><c> of</c><02:02:58.639><c> one</c><02:02:58.880><c> of</c><02:02:59.040><c

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all