Transcript Highlights:

• sixth audit of Hawaii Tourism Authority. sixth audit of Hawaii Tourism Authority.
• That was about the financial audit and, um, the so I'm talking about the performance audit, the audit
• We did we presenting the audit.
• the performance audit the talking about the performance audit the audit<02:11:12.960> that<02
• board about that audit.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• audit after each election.
• And auditable.
• It is tabulated to allow for things like post-election audits.
• Selection auditing and to prevent counting of multiple ballots.
• Which would instigate, I think, a audit of that polling place or that.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• look, for six plus years, because of the quickness of our office, we've been introducing AI bills to audit
• In fiscal year 2024, the IG community collectively totaled over $71 billion in audit and investigative
• You're involved with audits of government, right? Yes, we are. Okay.
• So I'm a former auditor; I spent over a decade auditing publicly traded and private companies.
• We do like continuous auditing; it is a practice that we also enjoy.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, waste reduction, fraud prevention, government efficiency, improper payments, data reliability, oversight

Summary: The meeting was chaired by Chairman Schweikert and involved a comprehensive discussion on how to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for reducing waste, fraud, and improper payments within federal programs. Key witnesses, including Mr. Andrew Canarsa from the Council of the Inspectors General, provided insights on the potential of AI in enhancing government efficiency. The committee emphasized the importance of reliable data and thorough examination of AI application to avoid unintended consequences while addressing the estimated $162 billion in improper payments reported by the federal government. Concerns were raised regarding the recent firing of inspectors general and the impacts that could have on oversight and accountability processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• if if it needs to be um actually audited if if it needs to be um actually audited um<00:39:13.119
• It says no longer actively pursue an audit without the release of a final audit report.
• Second, they do some internal audit functions, and those internal audits are financial in nature.
• functions and those while internal audit functions and those while those<01:34:27.000> audit<
• <01:34:29.920> uh those audit internal audits are are uh those audit internal audits are are

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a little bit, the governing statute that created the captive does require us to get an independent audit
• And then I would also add, as far as I'm good with the RFQ approach, but I would also add that audits
• , professional auditing standards require the auditor to have the qualifications in order to accept the
• So we looked at auditing firms that had experience working with insurance companies and with the FASB
• Their annual audit fee is probably half or less than that annual number.

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council met to consider a request from the Office of Property Risk to use a request for qualifications (RFQ) process to procure auditing services for the state captive insurance program. Grant Wallace, Director of the Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk, explained that the captive insurance statute requires an independent audit and that an RFQ was appropriate because of the program’s specialized nature and the need for auditors familiar with FASB standards and insurance-company audits. Members asked about the requirement to include a projected cost in the request, how the market research was conducted, and whether Arkansas firms could receive preference. Wallace said the cost estimate is required for approval, that the market research was nationwide, and that the solicitation could be written to give some preference or advantage to local firms if desired. Members emphasized that professional auditing standards still require qualified auditors and noted that the process should not ignore cost. Senator Hickey confirmed the contract would cover a four-year term and that the projected amount was for the full term, not annually. Wallace also clarified that the RFQ process was only the first step; any selected firm would still need approval from the State Board of Finance, the subcommittee, and the full Arkansas Legislative Council before the contract could be finalized. The subcommittee then approved the request by motion, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• a little bit, the governing statute that created the captive does require us to get an independent audit
• And then I would also add, as far, and I'm good with the RFQ approach, but I would also add that audits
• , professional auditing standards require the auditor to have the qualifications in order to accept the
• So we looked at auditing firms that had experience working with insurance companies and with the FASB
• Their annual audit fee is probably half or less than that annual number.

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council met to consider one item: a request from the Office of Property Risk to use a request for qualifications (RFQ) process to procure auditing services for the state captive insurance program. Grant Wallace, Director of the Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk, explained that the captive insurance statute requires an independent audit and that an RFQ was appropriate because of the program’s unusual nature and the need for auditors familiar with FASB standards and insurance-company auditing. Members asked about the requirement to include a projected cost, the basis for the market research used to estimate the contract value, and whether Arkansas firms could receive preference. Wallace said an amount must be included in the procurement request, that the market research was nationwide, and that the solicitation could be written to give local firms some advantage if desired. Members also clarified that the proposed contract would cover four years and that the total projected cost was for the full term, not annually. The committee discussed that the RFQ process would still require later approvals from the State Board of Finance, the subcommittee, and the full Arkansas Legislative Council before any contract could be finalized. After discussion, a motion was made and approved by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's my director of audit services.
• Director of Audit Services.
• The last audit they had was 2018.
• My desire is how do we shorten the time frame from the audit, executing on the audit, the planning phase
• It would be built into part of the auditing process.

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is financial audits for charter schools.
• <01:19:23.760> um annually to submit their own audit um annually to submit their own audit
• regards to uh establishing a audit regards to uh establishing a audit office<01:19:41.280> within
• audits.
• :31:15.679> annual<01:31:16.040> audits bo uh for annual audits bo uh for annual audits

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with testimony largely in support. SB 1388 and SB 1393, both concerning the School Facilities Authority and Department of Education representation and land conveyances, received support from DOE and the School Facilities Authority, with no questions or action taken. SB 423, which would add Head Start representation to the Early Learning Board, was supported by the Early Learning Board and the Executive Office on Early Learning, which explained the bill would realign the board with federal Head Start Act requirements after the board was restructured in Act 170; EEL also requested an effective-date amendment. SB 422, allowing DOE to award diplomas to students whose education was disrupted by war, drew support from DOE, the Chamber of Commerce, the Military Council, and the Special Education Advisory Council, but also significant opposition from the Hawaii Patriot Republicans and many individuals; members asked questions about the bill, and DOE explained the measure’s purpose, but no vote was taken. The committee also took testimony on SB 532, which would expand who may administer certain medications in schools. DOE, the Department of Health, and the University of Hawaii supported the bill. Members asked detailed questions about oral, nasal, and topical medications and the process for prescription review and administration; DOE explained that parents request the medication, a school form is completed, a nurse reviews it, and either a trained school health assistant or a contracted nurse administers the medication. DOE said the measure could improve attendance and learning, especially for students with ADHD, asthma, and other chronic conditions. The committee then heard SB 659 on locally sourced food products and school meals, where DOE’s procurement office opposed the higher small-purchase threshold and DOE exemption from procurement rules, while Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others supported the bill as a way to advance farm-to-school goals and the 30% local food target by 2030. Testimony and questioning focused on the proposed threshold increase, transparency, and whether an online bidding system would be preferable. Finally, the committee heard SB 1300 on subsidies for ALICE families’ school meals. DOE supported the bill but requested amendments: defining eligibility at 250% of the federal poverty level, delaying implementation until the 2026-2027 school year, and covering reduced-price lunch students in full for 2025-2026. HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and others supported the measure, emphasizing food insecurity, the burden of meal paperwork, and the educational importance of free meals. Hawaii Appleseed suggested replacing ALICE with a federal poverty level standard and removing a rulemaking requirement that could delay implementation. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh they're a large document audits.
• Uh in the 18 through22 audit, further.
• <00:39:51.680> happened, still pending when this audit happened, still pending when this audit
• Did 22 through 24 audit were similar.
• <01:42:57.360> So so many findings in their audits. So so many findings in their audits.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our audit report revealed: 1.
• No one but Faget financial audits.
• So, the leadership's response to the proposed audit from Auditor Ball was to do their own audit with
• I don't know that the audits<00:59:36.880> from<00:59:37.119> Texas audits from Texas audits
• Again, as I point out, we had audits Again, as I point out, we had audits every<01:08:52.640> year

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 34 members present and approved the prior day’s journal. The chamber also received a House message that House Bill 96 had passed and requested concurrence. During second reading, Senate Bills 17, 34, 39, and 181 were reported and sent to the Rules Committee, and Senate Resolution 56 was introduced honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig for their mission service. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 27, which would allow local governing bodies, after consulting with a coroner and making a 30-day effort to locate next of kin, to choose cremation rather than burial for indigent decedents; it also preserved options for religious organizations to take possession of a body. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed 35-0. Senate Bill 30, dealing with the Motor Vehicle Commission’s restricted fee account and allowing unused funds to carry forward for commission operations, also passed unanimously 35-0. Senate Bill 40, concerning public library district boards of trustees, was amended by committee substitute and passed 34-1 after debate. Supporters said it would return county library board appointments to local officials and speed appointments, while opponents argued it could politicize libraries and weaken their independence; several members explained their votes, including concerns from library advocates and a defense that the bill still allowed local boards to seek advice. Senate Bill 76, which limits school boards from increasing occupational license taxes above the base 0.5% until a county reaches a population of 500,000, was also amended by committee substitute and passed after its sponsor argued it responded to a disputed Fayette County tax increase and would restore transparency and public trust.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tiered certifications and agreed-upon procedure reporting under the state audit act.
• They have to do agreed-upon procedures under the audit act, and we'll assist them with putting those
• First, you must have complied with your audit.
• So basically, we help with audit compliance and assistance.
• We help them with their audit compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• It itself does not require the auditing of any specific AI tool.
• Just as independent audits help stabilize capital markets, we believe that AI audits will similarly build
• They have the ability to provide good quality audits.
• audits in situations that we want to make sure books are proper.
• So I think we should all be investing in more state audits.

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we should do an audit of a hand-count town as well, and I don't...
• I think we should do an audit of a hand-count town as well, and I don't...
• I think we should do an audit of a hand-count town as well, and I don't...
• that we do the more than the audits that we do the randomized<00:36:49.319> audits<00:36:50.319
• machines I think we should do an audit machines I think we should do an audit of<00:36:57.760>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• different sections, the financial audit different sections, the financial audit uh<00:02:43.360>
• And the financial audit reports reports.
• uh we have [snorts] our financial audit uh we have [snorts] our financial audit division<00:10:18.520
• How are the audits funded?
• And the How are the audits funded?

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're not auditing who's getting access, which, with all other forms of state aid, sans the voucher
• We would only look at it if there was an audit, and that only, a random audit, and that happens very
• by anybody um and um we know an audit by anybody um and um we know that<00:29:55.120> the<00:
• and that only you a random an audit and that only you a random audit<00:30:48.480> and<00:30:
• and that happens very rarely audit and that happens very rarely because<00:30:50.360> basically

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• completely random audit, if you will. completely random audit, if you will.
• This is not an audit.
• This is not an audit. It applies here. This is not an audit.
• And the second point on audits: if it's less than 3%, we get an audit, right?
• audited? audited?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh to explain my green vote for all the other reasons that have been mentioned, but as the Joint Audits
• Uh to explain my green vote for all the other reasons that have been mentioned, but as the Joint Audits
• Uh to explain my green vote for all the other reasons that have been mentioned, but as the Joint Audits
• Uh to explain my green vote for all the other reasons that have been mentioned, but as the Joint Audits
• <00:37:31.920> and<00:37:32.040> oversight lay out verbatim the audit and oversight

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, quorum call, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then received Senate Bill 890 and several House committee reports. The first major measure taken up was House Bill 627, which establishes a Commission on Histories, Culture, and Civics in Education. Committee amendments clarified the commission’s purpose, membership, and charge to review curriculum materials and school calendars and make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Additional amendments added a disability community expert and preamble language. The bill prompted extended debate about whether the commission would promote diversity in curriculum, how it would address religious and ethnic representation, and whether it would include Christian or Catholic perspectives; supporters said it was meant to reflect communities that had requested inclusion and to improve the completeness of Maryland history, while critics questioned the need for a new commission and raised concerns about identity politics and curriculum control. The bill was ordered printed for third reading after second-reader consideration. The House also considered House Bill 1582, the Education Program Accountability, Comprehensive Outcomes and Measures of Progress for Supporting Schools (COMPASS) Act. An amendment removed references to advanced professional certificates and national board certification from school quality indicators and required annual reporting on the relationship between composite scores and concentrations of low-income students. During discussion, members asked whether the bill was changing the scoring system and how much weight academics would carry; the response was that academic indicators would remain a majority of the score, but no single indicator could exceed 20% of the composite. The amendment and favorable report were adopted, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The House then took up House Bill 1514 concerning Calvert County county officials and Board of Education salaries and benefits. Committee amendments were technical and removed a benefit provision related to a former commissioner; both the amendment and favorable report were adopted without opposition, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. Finally, the chamber moved to special order calendar item Senate Bill 283, the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. The House Appropriations Committee presented 198 amendments to the capital budget, describing them as balanced across regions and within debt affordability limits, and began moving the amendments in groups, starting with a technical amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we coming out of the audits.
• create and implement an undefined audit create and implement an undefined audit and<00:32:08.880
• That's all right.<01:12:37.199> Uh,<01:12:37.760> audits. right. Uh, audits. right.
• Uh, audits.
• Uh, audits may be conducted only after the building official has created a formal audit evaluation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have five reports without findings, and these are listed on page one of the audit summary.
• of almost $59,000, could not be physically located for observation and/or properly identified for audit
• State Park, the $100 in camping drawer funds could not be located by park staff at the time of our audit
• , and at War Memorial Stadium, it was discovered at the time of our audit that the change fund had an
• It was discovered at the time of our audit that the change fund had an $80 overage.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I asked about the audits, two audits, of whether you guys... No, no, you didn't just ask about two.
• I asked about the audits, two audits, of whether you guys... No, no, you didn't just ask about two.
• in front of them. when there are audits in front of them. when there are audits and<01:20:48.400
• 01:29:23.040> our audits that are justifying our audits that are justifying our frustration<01
• And the audits show us, if you read the audit, it shows us that there are a lot of incompetence going

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum