Transcript Highlights:

• Before we had time to announce that, we had issued an order in our charitable gaming arm that asked for
• <00:20:44.240> And<00:20:44.320> so betting, and charitable gaming.
• And so betting, and charitable gaming.
• <00:20:56.400> gaming<00:20:56.720> arm order in, uh, our charitable gaming arm order
• in, uh, our charitable gaming arm that<00:20:57.280> asked<00:20:57.520> for<00:20:57.679

Keywords: This meeting will take place Upon Adjournment of both Chambers. An exact time is not given or known at this time., 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met for its first 2026 meeting, approved the December 9 minutes, and reviewed 337 contracts totaling about $71.8 million. After a motion to consider the routine contract lists without objection passed, the committee pulled several items for discussion, including contracts from the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Department of Highways, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, and Kentucky State University. Most items were ultimately approved by roll call votes. For the Council on Postsecondary Education item, members discussed why the contract was not handled through the usual Finance Cabinet bidding process. Staff explained it stemmed from House Bill 200 and the healthcare workforce incentive fund, which uses a separate competitive award process and steering committee under different statutory standards. The committee accepted that explanation and approved the contract. Department of Highways staff then explained the difference between scour assessments, which evaluate erosion and foundation risk around bridge piers, and load ratings, which assess the bridge structure itself. Members also questioned a larger engineering contract increase; staff said it reflected progression from preliminary engineering to final design on a phased project and estimated the funding split at roughly 80% federal and 20% state. Those highway contracts were approved. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission presented a legal services contract. Officials said the new corporation had identified legal needs, issued an RFP, and awarded four firms to create a pool of counsel to avoid conflicts as the agency now licenses racing, sports betting, and charitable gaming. They also said an emergency contract was needed after a temporary restraining order was issued in litigation involving charitable gaming machines and alleged losses to charities. The committee asked about the litigation and the affected organizations, and the contract was approved. Kentucky State University then defended a marketing/enrollment contract despite financial concerns, saying the work was intended to raise awareness of the university, improve enrollment, and support financial stability. University officials also said they were tightening student payment enforcement and collection practices, including payment plans and holding students accountable for balances. That contract was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 2221 by Assembly Member Irwin, an act relating to charitable fundraising.
• Assembly Bill 2221 by Assembly Member Irwin, an act relating to charitable fundraising.
• I rise to present AB 2221, which is an update to California's online charitable giving law and follows

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved quickly through a long Third Reading File. Early measures included AB 2417 on community college faculty retirement information, AB 1579 expanding the Children’s Crisis Pilot Program, AB 2041 on EMS compliance reporting, AB 1547 directing a feasibility study for a UC medical school in Kern County, and AB 1552 on civic education and democracy engagement in public higher education. All of these passed, with AB 1547 and SB 73 treated as urgency measures requiring 54 votes. A major floor debate centered on SB 73, an elections security bill presented by Assembly Member Pellerin. Supporters said it would protect ballots, voting systems, and voter data from unlawful seizure or political interference, while opponents argued it could hinder investigations, create constitutional problems, and reduce local law enforcement flexibility. After extended debate, the bill passed 54-16 on both the urgency and the measure, with immediate transmittal to the Senate. Other notable bills passed included AB 1554 on California Earthquake Authority transparency, AB 1584 on civil rights duties at the Air Resources Board, AB 1592 on the California Indian Cultural Center, AB 1629 on direct payment to dentists, AB 1645 on prison visitation contact rules, AB 1688 on foster care notice requirements, AB 1699 on prescribed and cultural burns, AB 1738 on virtual home inspections, AB 1741 on sexual battery during residential break-ins, AB 1802 on mitigation lands, AB 1813 on community renewable energy, AB 1899 creating a youth homelessness office, AB 1904 on teacher apprenticeship credentialing, AB 1941 on organized metal theft, AB 2043 on drone threats to mass gatherings and infrastructure, AB 2054 on paid family leave for military relatives, AB 2122 on bench warrants for infractions, AB 2176 on student housing planning, AB 2187 on tribal contracting exemptions, AB 2221 on charitable fundraising processing deadlines, AB 2232 on parole hearing reporting, AB 2235 on judicial home address confidentiality, AB 2250 on hemp enforcement cleanup, and AB 2266 on electricity. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, many unanimously. A few drew limited opposition, including AB 1552, AB 1584, AB 1813, and AB 2122, but all still passed. The Assembly then retained or passed through the remaining file items, announced upcoming deadlines for floor amendments, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, if you look at the Constitution, if it's an NGO, it has to be a charitable organization.
• I don't know that that meets the definition of a charitable entity.

Bills: SB406

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, if you look at the Constitution, if it's an NGO, it has to be a charitable organization.
• pools for senior citizen facilities that are NGOs—I don't know that that meets the definition of a charitable

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 26 and first took up Senate Bill 406, which authorizes the city of Slidell to seek voter approval for a local hotel and motel occupancy tax. The bill was described as a local measure giving the city council authority to place the tax on the ballot, with members noting that similar taxing authority exists in many other municipalities. Representative Wiley moved favorable passage, there was no objection, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received an update from the Division of Administration’s Office of Facility Planning and Control on capital outlay savings identified through cash-flow review and project “scrubbing.” Officials said they found about $50 million in savings from updated cash flows, over-appropriations, projects bid under budget, and reduced appropriations in bundled projects. They explained that bundling projects, including some LED-related projects, allows agencies to shift savings within a bundle and manage overruns or underruns more flexibly. Members praised the savings work but asked whether the process could be moved earlier so the House could benefit sooner, and whether similar reviews could be expanded to other administering agencies and non-state projects. One member raised concerns about whether some projects, including schools and certain NGO-related items, should qualify for capital outlay funding at all, and urged a review of the statutory definition and project approval criteria. Staff said they would look at the definition, review recommendations from prior discussions, and consider ways to tighten the process. The committee then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:24.160> 2026, So right now in 2026, Japan and South Korea, most specifically, are soliciting
• And so because these service contracts are only soliciting these contracts through November 2026.
• <00:15:38.880> these are only they're only soliciting these are only they're only soliciting
• Right now, they're soliciting contracts and doing all this. So everything is live.
• Right now, these they're soliciting Right now, these they're soliciting contracts<00:35:21.760><

Bills: HB0120

Keywords: energy production, natural gas, industrial sovereignty, manufacturing, tax exemptions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, these are companies that are involved charitably in our community.
• these are companies that<05:41:04.878> are<05:41:05.040> involved<05:41:06.080> charitably
• <05:41:06.558> in<05:41:06.798> our that are involved charitably in our that are involved
• charitably in our community.<05:41:07.200> So,<05:41:07.280> I<05:41:07.440> don't<

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The trust is governed by a board of directors and trustees, ensuring the achievement of charitable goals
• <00:21:54.640> and<00:21:54.960> the<00:21:55.360> charitable this solution.
• and the charitable this solution. and the charitable establishment<00:21:56.480> of<00:21:56.640
• > the<00:21:56.799> charitable<00:21:57.120> housing establishment of the charitable
• housing establishment of the charitable housing trusts<00:21:59.000> potentially<00:22:00.000

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So throughout our work, this commission is charged with soliciting input from the public, businesses
• potentially in testifying, do you envision that as part of the commission's work that we may look to solicit
• other states and on the federal landscape, and do you envision that we may look to come up with soliciting
• I think we'll all know as a commission as we get going, and I think soliciting the testimony, to Senator

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House and Senate chairs opened the first organizational meeting of the special initiative commission created by Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024 to study the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card and the impacts on small businesses. They explained that no testimony would be taken at this meeting; instead, the commission would begin its work, introduce members, and prepare for future hearings and a final report with recommendations on credit cards and other payment methods. The chairs outlined the commission’s charge: to examine payment trends, cashless transactions, credit card fees, mobile payments, buy now, pay later financing, and the effects of section 28A of chapter 140D on small businesses. They said the commission would likely organize hearings around business and consumer impacts, the legal and regulatory landscape, and policy options such as transparency measures, reporting requirements, and possible limits. Members discussed the importance of hearing from retailers, restaurants, banks, small businesses, and possibly experts, and suggested considering cryptocurrency and whether hearings should be held outside the State House or include regional access. Several commissioners and stakeholders introduced themselves, including representatives from the Attorney General’s office, the House, the Executive Office of Economic Development, the Commissioner of Banks, retail and restaurant associations, a banking representative, and two small business owners. The chairs said interested parties could sign up to testify or receive notices, written testimony would be accepted, and the first hearing was tentatively set for April 8 in Gardner Auditorium. The meeting ended with a motion to close, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• . solicitation. solicitation.
• website is considered soliciting? website is considered soliciting?
• Yes, we should not be soliciting in session.
• Um, yes, we should not be soliciting<01:55:47.679> in<01:55:47.920> session.
• Uh I don't feel soliciting in session.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things I'm wondering is: we have trade secret laws, we have non-solicitation laws, we have
• agreements and I think non- solicitation agreements and I think there's<00:37:35.040> probably
• Leader NCA responded that the primary problem is being able to enforce a non-solicitation agreement or
• agreement or a either a non-solicitation agreement or a non<00:47:32.079> uh<00:47:32.200>
• you tell someone you can't uh uh solicit you tell someone you can't uh uh solicit customers<00:47

Bills: HF1355, HF1469, HF1768

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF1469, Minnesota, workforce development, job training, job skills training, reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, ex-offenders, inmates, recently released inmates, felony conviction, felony-level offense, corrections, prison release

Transcript Highlights:

• This also is a new contract. 129 solicitations.
• This also is a new contract. 129<00:01:51.840> solicitations.
• The 119 solicitations, one was selected. Um, any questions?
• <00:04:03.519> Um, 119 solicitations, one was selected.
• Um, 119 solicitations, one was selected. Um, any<00:04:04.799> questions? any questions?

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Consumer Advocate can presently solicit the input and help from anyone who wants to, so he currently
• could solicit the advice of the Consumer Advocate as part of his investigative team for any project.
• :56.000> presently the consumer Advocate can presently the consumer Advocate can presently solicit
• the input and help from anyone solicit the input and help from anyone wants<00:26:58.559> to<
• wants to so he currently could solicit wants to so he currently could solicit the<00:27:02.840><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the event that the rush of these emergency rules, even though they are modeled on a previous charitable
• 16.640> previous though they are modeled on a previous though they are modeled on a previous charitable
• <00:23:17.360> gaming charitable gaming charitable gaming infrastructure infrastructure infrastructure

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened its September meeting, seated alternates to establish a quorum, approved the prior minutes and consent agenda, and then moved to the regular calendar. The main substantive item was the kinship care home licensing standards rule (2025-130), which had a conditional approval request with three comments. Committee discussion focused on whether the rule and statute aligned on temporary permits, renewal, and whether a statutory amendment might be needed. Department of Health and Human Services and DCF staff explained that kinship care licenses are issued for two years and may be renewed, while the temporary six-month permit is meant to bridge applicants until licensure. They also said the rule was amended to reflect statutory language, and members suggested adding clearer language to avoid confusion. The committee then approved the conditional request, including oral amendments for clarity, and noted that any needed statutory cleanup would be added to a running list of possible changes for future filing. The committee next took up an emergency rule from the Lottery Commission concerning games of chance and video lottery terminals. Staff said the emergency rule was needed to avoid substantial fiscal harm to the state and loss of expected revenue, and that it largely builds on existing charitable gaming infrastructure. Members questioned the emergency basis and asked about precedent for using fiscal harm as justification, but staff said they did not have precedent information immediately available. The commission representative said regular rulemaking was already underway and would be brought to the commission at its October meeting. The committee did not take adverse action on the emergency rule during the discussion. Finally, the committee reviewed Department of Safety Commissioner Emergency Rule 14357 on school bus transportation qualifications. The rule creates an exception for applicants whose driver’s license validity had a gap of no more than 30 days due to suspension or non-renewal, which staff said would help address a school bus driver shortage and reduce transportation problems for students. Members raised the possibility of a legislative fix to distinguish administrative lapses from safety-related suspensions, and staff said that could be considered. The committee noted the emergency rule is only effective for 180 days and will return through regular rulemaking for fuller review. The meeting ended with scheduling for the next regular meeting on October 17 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• organization that has been around a long time and gives millions of dollars a year to all sorts of charitable
• /c><00:08:42.279> of of dollars a year to all sorts of of dollars a year to all sorts of charitable
• <00:08:43.159> research<00:08:43.560> and<00:08:43.760> health charitable research
• and health charitable research and health organizations<00:08:45.600> um<00:08:45.800> this

Keywords: Consideration of HJR 15 02:26 Consideration of HB 30 16:18 Consideration of HB 71 20:05 Consideration of HB 182 23:51, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first took up HJR 15, as amended by a committee substitute, which would return the granite Ten Commandments monument to permanent display on the new State Capitol grounds. Representative Baker described the monument’s history, its removal during construction in the 1980s, the 2000 effort to restore it, and recent Supreme Court changes that he said make the historical-tradition analysis more relevant than the former Lemon test. Members asked about the monument’s location, possible amendments to allow other faiths to place similar monuments, and church-state concerns. Several members explained their votes by saying they supported the historical display but wanted further discussion about religious representation. The resolution passed the committee 16-1 with two pass votes and was reported favorably to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 30, sponsored by Representative Blanton, which addresses pension spiking in the Kentucky Public Pension Authority. Blanton said the bill codifies a court ruling clarifying that across-the-board pay raises are not pension spiking and noted support from fire, police, and state employees. Representative Tipton reminded members that pension bills should be reviewed by the Public Pension Oversight Board first and said this bill had been reviewed there without issue. The committee approved HB 30 unanimously, 20-0, with favorable expression. House Bill 71, sponsored by Representative Duval, was next. KPPA Executive Director Ryan Barrow said the bill was requested by KPPA, vetted by the Public Pension Oversight Board, and would restructure KPPA by creating an Office of Financial Management and moving the current CFO into an executive director-level role overseeing that office, without affecting system funding requirements. Representative Johnson supported the measure as an administrative codification of current practice. The committee passed HB 71 unanimously, 20-0, with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 182 from Representative Frasier Gordon, which would prohibit state government from using the word “free” to describe taxpayer-funded services. Gordon said the bill is intended to increase transparency and ensure taxpayers are credited for funding public services, while not changing any programs or benefits. Members questioned how the bill would be enforced, what alternative wording should be used, and whether the restriction could affect communication with low-income or low-literacy residents; Gordon said terms like “provided at no cost” or “paid for by taxpayers” would be acceptable and that the bill contains no penalty. The committee passed HB 182 17-3 with favorable expression and sent it to the House floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when we consolidated that, there was a charitable asset transfer from People Serving People Charities
• And so when we consolidated that, there was a charitable asset transfer from People Serving People Charities
• And so when we consolidated that, there was a charitable asset transfer from People Serving People Charities
• <00:59:40.240> asset<00:59:40.640> transfer there was a charitable asset transfer there
• was a charitable asset transfer from<00:59:41.760> People<00:59:42.000> Serving<00:59:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• catches up essentially with a number of other states, which essentially will look at the impact of soliciting
• I want to be really clear that this is the solicitation.
• The interactions that the agency normally would have, it's limited specifically to solicitation.
• will look at the impact of uh soliciting will look at the impact of uh soliciting contracts<00:01
• um once it gets to the solicitation um once it gets to the Contracting<00:02:06.479> part<00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 412 HD1, which would expand the definition of lobbying to include certain communications with high-level officials about procurement decisions and create presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients. The State Ethics Commission and State Procurement Office supported the measure, saying it would improve transparency and align Hawaii with other states, while the Hawaii Primary Care Association opposed it over concerns that employers and others could be swept in too broadly. No public testimony or questions led to any action on the bill during the hearing. The committee then took up House Bill 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain research purposes and clarify the Office of Information Practices’ rulemaking authority. OIP and the Public First Law Center supported the bill, arguing it would create uniform standards and that concerns could be handled through rules. The University of Hawaiʻi system, DBEDT, DHS, DLNR, and others raised concerns about the breadth of the terms “research” and “researcher,” privacy, confidential information, and possible misuse; Hawaiian Electric also warned about access to sensitive infrastructure information. Members questioned whether the bill was premature and whether definitions should be narrowed in statute, and OIP said it would consider working with agencies and the University on clearer definitions. House Bill 792 HD1, relating to the Office of the Legislative Analyst, drew no testimony beyond a late written support from the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the committee moved on without discussion. The committee then heard House Bill 1424, which would restrict transfers between appropriated funds for positions and operating expenses. Budget and Finance explained that current practice allows transfers from payroll to other current expenses when there are savings, but legislative appropriations for specific purposes must still be spent for that purpose. Several agencies expressed opposition or concerns, saying the bill could reduce flexibility, especially in response to federal funding changes or vacant positions, though members emphasized transparency and accountability. Budget and Finance suggested a reporting approach instead, and the committee discussed quarterly reporting as a possible alternative. Finally, the committee began House Bill 1153 HD1, which concerns funding adjustments for state programs and capital improvement projects and establishes a protocol fund. Budget and Finance, DAGS, and the State Procurement Office supported the measure, while the General Contractors Association and several construction-related groups opposed section two, arguing it would undo recent procurement protest-bond safeguards adopted in Act 162. The hearing then moved on toward House Bill 1297, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was fully discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh, the last measure on this agenda is SB 1048 SD2 HD2, relating to solicitation of funds from the
• SD2HD2 measure on this agenda is SB 1048 SD2HD2 relating<00:04:28.880> to<00:04:29.040> solicitation
• <00:04:29.600> of<00:04:29.759> funds<00:04:30.000> from relating to solicitation
• of funds from relating to solicitation of funds from the<00:04:30.320> public<00:04:31.040>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill increases those penalties for those who solicit beyond those for the first time since 2015
• The bill specifically increases penalties for those who solicit, own an establishment for prostitution
• The bill specifically increases penalties for those who solicit, own an establishment for prostitution

Summary: The Justice Budget Committee met with a quorum present and took up four bills. The first, PCS for CS for HB 309 on controlled substances, addressed xylazine (“tranq”), exempting veterinary use and creating criminal offenses related to trafficking and misuse. The sponsor explained changes from the prior version, including removal of a federal-order-related concern and raising the threshold for base possession/trafficking concerns from 4 grams to 28 grams. Public testimony was in support from law enforcement and advocacy groups, and the bill passed 14-0. The committee then heard HB 1467 on penalties for prostitution-related acts. The sponsor said the bill increases penalties for those who solicit, operate prostitution establishments, transport, coerce, or traffic others for prostitution, while not increasing penalties for the people being prostituted. Supporters included Florida Family Voice and the Florida Smart Justice Alliance. The bill passed unanimously, 14-0. Next, CS for HB 1159 on sexual offenses was presented as a broad update to criminal law involving sexual offenses, especially crimes involving minors, child pornography, and sentencing/classification changes. A member asked about a possible Romeo and Juliet issue, and the sponsor said staff was working on clarifying language but did not believe the bill created that problem in its current form. The bill received support from the Florida Sheriffs Association and Florida Smart Justice Alliance and passed 14-0. Finally, CS for HB 485 on petitions for injunction added a checkbox for marriage-fraud allegations in domestic violence injunction petitions, defined marriage fraud for that purpose, and required clerks to notify the State Board of Immigration Enforcement within 24 hours when such an injunction is issued. The sponsor and co-sponsor described it as an accountability measure, it drew support from Florida Smart Justice Alliance, and it also passed unanimously, 14-0. The meeting ended after the chair noted budget recommendations had been submitted and no further business remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• And those crimes in there, uh, solicitation of a child and electronic solicitation of a child, applies
• And those crimes in there, uh, solicitation of a child and electronic solicitation of a child, applies
• And those crimes in there, uh, solicitation of a child and electronic solicitation of a child, applies
• of children to which is the solicitation of children to engage<01:22:18.440> in<01:22:18.520>
• of a child and uh solicitation of a child and electronic<01:22:25.080> solicitation<01:22:25.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The office has seen examples of solicitations that looked nearly identical and could be mistaken for
• <01:27:13.600> that<01:27:13.760> looked<01:27:14.080> nearly solicitations that
• So this section in Article 2 has some requirements for this type of solicitation.
• <01:31:45.679> and responding to that solicitation and responding to that solicitation and
• Uh folks can certainly solicitation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all