Transcript Highlights:

• We saw a huge need, gaps in service that will be shared.
• I’ve served on a couple of your steering committees in the past.
• I've served on a couple of your steering committees in the past.
• I'll share that the connection between human trafficking and MMIP...
• Some of those provisions will be heard in your committee, the Public Safety Committee, soon in Assembly

Summary: The hearing focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) grant program under the Board of State and Community Corrections and related Department of Justice efforts. BSCC reported that it now administers 36 MMIP grants across three cohorts, with awards ranging from $436,000 to $1 million, plus five collaborative grants at $2 million each, totaling $35.4 million awarded to federally recognized tribes. Testimony from tribal leaders and grantees described how the funding supports prevention, family advocacy, domestic violence services, law enforcement coordination, youth programming, culturally grounded healing, and new tribal public safety positions such as investigators, social workers, and drone operators. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the crisis is longstanding, tied to generational trauma, and that the grant has helped build trust and infrastructure in tribal communities. Several witnesses and committee members urged continued and preferably ongoing funding, noting that demand now exceeds available one-time money. BSCC and tribal representatives described outreach efforts that increased participation from four applicants in cohort one to 20 in cohort two and more applicants than funding in cohort three. Tribes also raised implementation concerns, especially the burden of quarterly narrative reporting, limited staff capacity, and the need for flexible administration. BSCC said it uses steering committees, separate small- and large-project categories, orientations, monitoring visits, and technical assistance to support grantees. Tribal leaders and advocates stressed that the program should remain accessible without requiring a waiver of tribal sovereignty. The second major topic was DOJ’s update on AB 3099, the Tribal Assistance Program, and the tribal police pilot under AB 134. DOJ officials said the Office of Native American Affairs and the Division of Law Enforcement have been conducting outreach, trainings, listening sessions, and coordination with tribal, local, state, and federal partners to address Public Law 280 jurisdictional issues, improve reporting and data, and support Feather Alert and MMIP-related resources. DOJ said the AB 3099 report is in internal review and that the tribal police pilot is moving forward with the Yurok Tribe as a participant, with a July 1, 2026 start date. DOJ and tribal witnesses said the pilot’s main barriers are cost and, for some tribes, the waiver of sovereign immunity. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with broad support for expanding and sustaining MMIP-related funding and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we'll hear House Bill 166, establishing a committee to interview and review internet service providers
• </c> interview to review internet service interview to review internet service service<00:03:00.120><
• <c> so</c> and service and provide service so and service and provide service so that's<02:48:56.040>
• House Bill 166 establishes a committee to review internet service provider infrastructure transition
• ><c> would</c> committee not commission committee would committee not commission committee would uh<03

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to recognize their service in preparing for the games here today.
• Reports of committee will be deemed read and amendments adopted.
• Moving into committee announcements, now it's time to announce committee meetings after session.
• So it's time to announce committee meetings after session.
• Senator Becker: The Senate Human Services Committee will meet 10 minutes after adjournment of session

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized guests on the floor, including students honored for a young authors program and representatives connected to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The body then took up SCR 138 by Senator Ashby, designating Architecture Week and highlighting California architects’ work in climate resilience, energy efficiency, wildfire safety, and housing innovation. The resolution also noted the low percentage of women in the profession and recognized Ida Claire, California’s first female state architect, along with other architects in attendance. SCR 138 passed unanimously, 32-0. The Senate also considered two gubernatorial appointments. Francisco Kim’s reappointment to the California Acupuncture Board was confirmed without opposition. Davina Hurt’s appointment to the California Water Commission was then considered, with supportive remarks from Senator Becker citing her service and qualifications; the appointment was confirmed on a 26-7 vote. The chamber also approved the Senate journals for March 23-26, 2026, and pulled SCR 124 from the consent agenda. Later, members made announcements about committee hearings scheduled after adjournment, including the Senate Human Services Committee, the new Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection, and a joint budget subcommittee hearing. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of several individuals, including Andrea Schroeder, Country Joe McDonald, and Brenda Joe Martin, with members offering tributes to their civic, artistic, and community contributions. The Senate announced it would recess and reconvene on April 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted.
• He was approved by the Rules Committee on March 11.
• Moving into committee announcements, now is the time to announce committees after session.
• So it's time to announce committee meetings after session.
• Senator Becker, the Senate Human Services Committee will meet 10 minutes after adjournment of session

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized guests including young authors selected for publication and leaders involved with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The chamber adopted SCR 138, recognizing Architecture Week, with the author highlighting California architects’ work on climate resilience, energy efficiency, wildfire safety, and housing innovation, and noting the underrepresentation of women in the profession. The resolution passed unanimously, 32-0. The Senate also confirmed two gubernatorial appointments. Francisco Kim was confirmed to the California Acupuncture Board by a unanimous 28-0 vote. Davina Hurt was confirmed to the California Water Commission by a 26-7 vote after supportive remarks from Senator Becker, who cited her experience on the Belmont City Council and the Air Resources Board. The body also approved the Senate journals, pulled SCR 124 from the consent agenda, and announced upcoming committee hearings after adjournment. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Senator Wiener honored Andrea Schroeder, describing her long career in LGBTQ advocacy, women’s leadership, civic service, and political organizing in San Francisco and beyond. Senator Arreguín remembered Country Joe McDonald for his music, anti-war activism, and Berkeley ties, and Senator Hurtado honored Brenda Joe Martin for her community leadership in Lamor and work with local business and civic organizations. The Senate then recessed with plans to reconvene on April 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• both DHS and DCYF that directs the agencies' Office of Inspector General to provide the ranking committee
• of our legislative offices, to the committee administrators who ensure our committees are efficiently
• us all together, our staff and human resources,<00:08:01.160><c> supply,</c><00:08:01.920><c> House<
• </c><00:08:25.000><c> to</c><00:08:25.080><c> this</c> provided exceptional service to this provided
• ,</c> provide the highest level of service, provide the highest level of service, namely<00:08:53.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael Williams, one of our school committee members, is here.
• Thank you, thank you for your service and the court and represent.
• It's also just, I just think there's something very human about having another human being look you in
• Any loss of this type stifles quality of services and innovation.
• My expertise is in health equity, DEI, and human resources.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting was a special commission hearing on antisemitism held off-site at Kerem Shalom Synagogue in Concord, with commissioners approving prior minutes and noting a quorum, a rescheduled October 27 meeting, and the addition of a new commissioner. The co-chairs and host speakers emphasized the personal and communal significance of holding the hearing in a synagogue and the importance of confronting antisemitism while protecting free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse. The commission heard from former SJC Justice and current UMass General Counsel David Lowy, who discussed the IHRA definition of antisemitism, said its use as nonbinding guidance does not raise First Amendment concerns, and described UMass’s response to a discriminatory academic conference policy. Commissioners also asked about campus speaker vetting, protest rights, and university practices for addressing antisemitism and protecting students’ access to education. District Attorney Marian Ryan testified about restorative justice as a tool for addressing hate incidents, saying it can help victims be heard, reduce reoffending, and be used in criminal, school, and community settings. She described local programs, online reporting forms, and the need for better statutory tools, including changes to restitution and education requirements in hate-crime cases. Commissioners asked whether restorative justice affects charging decisions, and Ryan said it should not alter whether a hate crime is investigated or charged. She also identified model programs and said the commission’s work aligns with the national strategy it is charged with implementing. Three rabbis then described the rise in antisemitic incidents in schools and communities, the emotional toll on Jewish families, and the need for stronger school responses, clearer language in incident communications, and better training for educators. Rabbi Brad David recounted repeated incidents in Acton-Boxborough and praised the district’s improved partnership and response, while Rabbi Tom Shah described parental anxiety, concerns about classroom materials lacking context, and the need for balanced instruction. The rabbis also discussed synagogue security costs and measures, including volunteer security teams, police support, grants, and physical protections. Commissioners said the testimony would inform forthcoming recommendations, and DESE staff noted they are developing instructional-materials guidance and a rubric for educators. The final witness, Professor Christina Miller, outlined hate-crime prosecution issues in Massachusetts, including mixed-motive cases, the need for clearer statutes and jury instructions, better training for police and clerk magistrates, guidance on sentencing and diversity-awareness programs, and the use of community impact statements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and committee members.
• Services Committee of the Senate.
• Uh, Nathan White, chief financial officer with the Department of Health and Human Services, would you
• <c> prefer</c> and Human Services, would you prefer and Human Services, would you prefer that<00:14:36.000
• Nathan White, chief financial officer with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would just like to have the words of our Human Services chair inserted into the journal as if they
• In support, I would just like to have the words of our Human Services chair inserted into the journal
• </c><00:46:59.400><c> Services</c> adopt the words of our Human Services adopt the words of our Human
• <c> into</c><00:48:02.400><c> the</c> Human Services chair inserted into the Human Services chair inserted
• In support, and I'd like to adopt the words of the Human Services chair as my own.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He believed that if we truly recognize the value within another human being, we can overcome differences
• The value within another human being can help us overcome differences, elevate one another, and accomplish
• And whereas, through his dedication to public service and pursuit of excellence, Jamie Ding has earned
• The existing... ...and Appropriations Committee regarding this legislation.
• reports concerning human rights during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1212 was drawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services and additionally referred
• Senate Bill 1554 is withdrawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services and additionally referred
• Senate Bill 1776 is drawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services and additionally referred to
• the Committee on Education.
• Senate Bill 1776 is drawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Kai Sun. Members also welcomed newly sworn Representative Cody Rhyme and congratulated Sergeant-at-Arms Chuck Fitzgerald on his recent wedding. Several members introduced guests and visiting groups, including pharmacists at Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, the Arizona Education Association, the Well-Being Collaborative of Arizona, and local officials and constituents from around the state. The chamber then took up House Resolution 2001, which designated March 18, 2026 as Health Workforce Well-Being Day in Arizona. The resolution cited burnout and workforce shortages among physicians, nurses, medical students, residents, pharmacists, and other health professionals, and urged state officials and health organizations to prioritize workforce well-being. It was adopted without objection to waive first and second reading, and Representative Bliss introduced guests connected to the Well-Being Collaborative. The House also considered several bills on third reading. House Bill 2375, relating to housing and historic neighborhoods, drew extensive debate over local control, historic preservation, housing shortages, and concerns about exclusion and segregation; it passed 31-24, but without the required two-thirds vote for its emergency clause. House Bill 2931, concerning the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board, passed 36-19, and House Bill 2992, creating a child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention pilot program, passed 35-20 after debate over whether funds should instead support broader sex education. Senate Bill 1010, substituted for House Bill 4027 and relating to historic names, passed 33-22. The House also handled committee assignments, referrals, and first readings of additional Senate bills before adjourning until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• service officers.
• Testimony and support from the Department of Human Services, and support from W Health, Hawaii Disability
• This would require the department, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, to develop
• Human Services to develop Department of Human Services to develop and<02:38:06.600><c> establish</c>
• Comments from the Department of Human Services.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure. House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt. The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted.
• I'm so honored to be on the select committee.
• The idea that it is okay to hold the remains of other human beings.
• This has gained bipartisan support in every committee.
• Brings us to file item 84, AB 1509, by the Committee on Military.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think some of our human services more.
• I think, you know, there are all of these other health and human service bills, transportation bills,
• Um, and then I think health and human service bills are an area where, you know, there could be some
• Health and Human Services, as previously mentioned several times, is precisely the area where static
• </c><01:08:45.759><c> services</c> beginning in health and human services beginning in health and human

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee announcements, or sorry, committee announcements.
• We read the committee analysis and we understand some of the questions from the committee.
• We have Jenny Berg, the state director for Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society
• For Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society, as well as Beth Wyatt, who's the
• This is its fourth committee hearing.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a fundamental human right.
• Thank you, committee.
• It covers real human beings.
• And this committee, every single one on this committee but one person voted yes.
• And we appreciate their service.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor said the bill restores the rights of law-abiding 18-year-olds. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters from Gun Owners of America and Florida Carry arguing that adults 18 and older should have equal Second Amendment rights and that current law is inconsistent with other adult responsibilities, while opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates, students, parents, and Parkland-related speakers, said the bill would reverse a post-Parkland safety measure and increase risks of suicide, accidental shootings, and school violence. Several members debated the bill, with opponents emphasizing Parkland, the Florida State shooting, and public polling showing broad opposition; supporters stressed parental responsibility, mental health, and constitutional rights. HB 133 was then reported favorably on a roll call vote of 13 yeas, with several members voting no. The committee then took up CS/HB 289, which would revise Florida’s wrongful death law to allow parents to recover damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to let grieving parents seek civil remedies, and members questioned how it would apply in situations involving surrogacy, rape, ectopic pregnancy, medical care, and damages calculations. The sponsor said the bill would not allow suits against the mother, would not apply to lawful non-negligent medical care, and would be handled through ordinary wrongful death damage proof before a jury. Public testimony was again split: supporters from pro-life and faith groups said the bill recognizes unborn children and aligns Florida with many other states, while opponents from civil liberties, reproductive rights, and advocacy groups warned it could be used to target abortion providers, helpers, and even families or businesses in miscarriage-related cases, and could be weaponized by abusive partners. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 289, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the human the human level<00:57:32.720><c> and</c><00:57:32.920><c> that</c><00:57:33.119><c> was
• <01:16:47.960><c> in</c><01:16:48.239><c> all</c><01:16:48.480><c> of</c> human in all of human in all
• And when I joined the ag committee, she said that's a great committee.
• And when I joined the ag committee, she said that's a great committee.
• And when I joined the ag committee, she said that's a great committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Human trafficking is an affront to human dignity and as we think about this horrific crime impacting
• This is a national human trafficking awareness month.
• Human trafficking is a heinous crime and a direct assault on human dignity, affecting millions of lives
• She was pulled into human trafficking. Her mother a paraplegic.
• Who can be for human trafficking?

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Department of Human Services, the Secretary's Office appropriation. Any questions?
• This is the Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities.
• Is it true that they haven't had an increase in human services development in 10 years?
• Senate Bill 63, which is the Department of Human Services.
• Any other committee announcements? Any other committee announcements?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So first up, SB 2211, making an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services.
• So first up, SB 2211, making an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services.
• </c> appropriation to department of human appropriation to department of human services.<00:01:37.119
• </c><00:38:52.560><c> In</c><00:38:52.800><c> the</c> department of human services.
• In the department of human services.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The HHS committee met in Room 224 and announced the hearing was being streamed live, with a one-minute limit on testimony. The chair explained that written testimony had already been reviewed and that speakers should either add new comments or stand on their written testimony. The committee first heard SB 2211, an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including DHS, Aloha United Way, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Catholic Charities, and many individuals. Supporters emphasized the importance of maintaining SNAP-related food assistance and emergency food delivery, while Catholic Charities raised a question about whether the bill’s language would also reach food banks serving food-insecure households that are not on SNAP. No opposition was heard and the bill was moved on without questions from members. The committee then heard SB 2025, which would exempt actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses from jury duty. Testimony was broadly supportive from nursing and health organizations, including the Hawaii American Nurses Association, the Hawaii affiliate of the College of Nurse Midwives, the Hawaii State Board of Nursing, and others. One witness from Kaiser Permanente requested an amendment to include physician assistants, and a committee member asked the Board of Nursing to review that request. The bill otherwise drew no opposition and no further member questions. SB 2038, relating to medication labeling, drew the most extended discussion. The measure would change labeling requirements for certain abortion medications, and testimony was split between supporters who framed it as a privacy and access issue and opponents who raised patient safety, ethics, and transparency concerns. The Department of Health supported the intent but requested an amendment to allow quicker access to private information during investigations without a subpoena. The Board of Pharmacy said it supported the written comments but noted operational challenges and possible cost impacts, while Kaiser said compliance would likely require manual workarounds and could slow pharmacy processes. The chair and members questioned whether patients could simply remove labels themselves, but witnesses said there could still be safety and access issues if the patient is not the one receiving the prescription. The committee then moved on to SB 2050, relating to chiropractic, which received support from the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, with no substantive opposition noted. The hearing later turned to SB 201, relating to insurance, which appeared to be a new mandated-benefit measure tied to infertility/IVF coverage. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission provided comments, while Hawaii Family Forum opposed the bill, arguing it went beyond medical infertility and raised ethical and public policy concerns. Kaiser and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans both asked for a study or audit, saying the measure could create new insurance mandates and increase costs for residents and employers. Private Work Hawaii strongly supported the bill as an equity issue. The committee noted there was no quorum for decision-making and deferred action on the measure to a later hearing, then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I’m going to open the hearing, and we do have the Department of Health and Human Services
• Health and Human Services here. So I Health and Human Services here.
• I can really only comment on Health and Human Services. Well then, if I may.
• </c> only comment on Health and Human only comment on Health and Human Services.<00:06:28.880><c> Well
• Chair and the members of the committee for hearing my testimony today.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all