Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, you know, right now, CBP and ICE, uh, they are an integral part of our operation, our intelligence
• So Chairman Hefner is now an ex-officio member of the TMPC.
• And then very briefly, part of the sunset, uh, legislation that, that, um, was passed for TC Cole, uh
• Um, 22,787 law enforcement agencies, 9,544 telecommunications, and then there's thousands of part-time
• Well, and part of it is the, the mental game of that, and I'm a mother of a police officer, so I've,

Transcript Highlights:

• of the bill to require any state department to enact any part of it.
• part fixed with<00:15:37.440><c> OS.
• part of it. it. it.
• This was a collective decision on the part of the chiropractors in Massachusetts.
• ><c> that</c><00:42:28.240><c> the</c> on the part of the people that the on the part of the people that

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 396, which would exempt meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in-state for in-state sale from certain inspections. Representative Comtois explained her amendment, saying she tried to address prior concerns by limiting the number processed monthly, adding a registration and disclaimer requirement, and folding beef, swine, sheep, and goats into the bill’s framework. Members discussed whether some sections from earlier language on bison, elk, and red deer had been inadvertently struck, and Comtois said she did not intend to remove those protections and would restore them if needed. Several members raised drafting and policy concerns. Representative Miner suggested the waiver language should be a signed, notarized statement kept on file rather than filed with the Department of Agriculture, and Comtois agreed. Representative Gruber and Representative Scully discussed labeling and wording, including clarifying that the meat would not be “exempt” from federal inspection in the same way as non-amenable species, and adding language that any prosecution would be federal rather than state. There was also discussion about whether ground meat should be included for the amenable species, with Miner and Comtois indicating that excluding ground meat would reduce risk. Commissioner Sean Jasper of the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food testified strongly against the bill, saying it was a step in the wrong direction, lacked consumer protections, and could jeopardize food safety and the state’s meat processing system. He argued that the federal exemption for non-amenable species could not simply be extended to new species by state law, warned that USDA could respond by withdrawing federal inspections, and said the bill would not solve the real bottlenecks in slaughter capacity. He also said he did not believe there was a general shortage of inspectors, and that the practical issue was producers not scheduling animals year-round, which forces facilities to scale to the slow season. No vote was taken during the work session, and members continued discussing possible amendments and wording changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were individuals who asked about whether or not voiding this previous action violates the ex post
• As for the ex post facto provision, that is a United States constitutional law that indicates that we
• So I'm hopeful that that will be part of what is offered in federal election reform.
• I guess that's part SBE and part executive branch to get that regulation finalized and signed and put
• My first question is two-part: Has this been an issue in Kentucky, and can you provide examples?

Keywords: Consideration of HB 27 00:04:20 Presentation by Secretary of State 00:10:44 Presentation by Karen Sellers and Jason Denny 00:35:56 Consideration of HB 45 00:55:36, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 27, which would remove the prohibition on political yard signs in planned communities statewide while still allowing communities to regulate size, placement, and duration. The sponsor said the 2023 Planned Communities Act created an unintended consequence by treating similar homeowners differently based on grandfathering dates, and a legal explanation was offered that the bill would clarify the law and avoid constitutional problems. After discussion, the committee voted 15-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The next item was an update from the Secretary of State on the 2024 election and implementation of House Bill 53, which created prompt post-election audits. He said the audits were carried out smoothly, most found no discrepancies, and no election winners changed, though he recommended adding a specific timeline to the law. He also discussed voter-roll maintenance, saying Kentucky has removed more than 440,000 ineligible voters since 2020, and argued that federal law and limited access to federal databases remain the main obstacles to faster cleanup. Members asked about the possibility of improper removals, double voting across states, and how provisional voting works. The Secretary said anyone improperly removed can reregister, that any double-voting abuse is likely marginal but still unacceptable, and that provisional ballots are available when eligibility is in doubt and can be reviewed by the county board of elections. He also urged Congress to modernize the 1993 federal voter-registration law, improve access to death and citizenship data, and create a central interstate information-sharing system for election officials.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> It's the right to, uh, Part One, Article 8, I think, isn't it? Part One, Article 8.
• </c> article eight I think isn't it part one article eight I think isn't it part one article<00:13:12.320
• bottom part of page two, or excuse me, bottom page two there.
• </c> handed out that we have also part-time handed out that we have also part-time teachers<02:10:48.000
• </c><02:12:16.960><c> of</c> course, outcomes in the first part of course, outcomes in the first part

Keywords: 10:00am HB 1260 11:00am HB 1574 12:00pm HB 1816 2:30pm HB 1499 2:45pm HB 1709, 928, house, all

Summary: The conference committee first met on HB 1260, a bill requested by municipal clerks to allow certain divorce-related records to be kept confidential. House members argued the Senate amendment would reverse the presumption of openness established in the Keene Sentinel case and raise constitutional issues under the state constitution’s privacy and open-government provisions. Senate members responded that the 2018 privacy amendment, the limited scope of the proposal, and modern internet risks justified the change, but the House maintained the issue needed a full hearing in a separate bill. The committee ultimately voted unanimously for the Senate to recede and adopt the House version, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment, and both sides said they would revisit the topic in a future session. The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration, which DHHS said was needed because federal law would shift more administrative costs to the state and could increase the state’s SNAP error rate, potentially triggering much larger future penalties. DHHS officials reported the current error rate was 7.57% for federal fiscal year 2024, below the national average, and estimated that if the rate rose above 8%, the state could owe about 10% of SNAP benefits, or roughly $12 million for a partial year and nearly $16 million for a full year. Some House members supported the added funding as a preventive measure, while others objected that the underlying bill was modest and the amendment resembled a previously rejected proposal. The discussion ended with the committee moving toward the House position and the bill’s future depending on the chamber’s vote on the Senate amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and the second part of it revises the purpose of a prior appropriation from new well development
• Side of High Ridge Road, High Range Road in Londonderry, some parts of Bedford, Merrimack.
• </c><00:30:57.919><c> per</c> underneath that thousand parts per underneath that thousand parts per million
• </c> into that 30,000, 40,000, 50,000 parts into that 30,000, 40,000, 50,000 parts per<00:31:22.480><
• Uh, the impacts of kratom have been devastating to my part of the state.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Augustine not ex but rather Augustine for<00:10:29.519><c> the</c><00:10:29.760><c> position</c><00:
• </c><00:14:25.920><c> of</c><00:14:26.000><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; receive the profits or any part of the
• </c><00:14:27.920><c> of</c><00:14:28.079><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; receive the profits or any part of the
• </c> &gt;&gt; receive the profits profits or any part &gt;&gt; receive the profits profits or any part
• We've appointed on the part of the Senate, Senators King and Hershey.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My ex-wife and I are in the divorce process.
• It seemed odd and unnecessary, but he insisted were part of my job as part of his job as my PCP.
• With this, the ex-part— Into an abusive relationship. It's called abuse by proxy.
• In 2019, my ex-husband was arrested for domestic violence.
• And part of the reason I couldn’t tell was the stigma.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a common-sense bill, and I really am grateful to everyone that has had a part in this and the
• I don't say heaven because I'm just hoping a repentant Aggie ex-tax collector senator can get there someday
• It has always been an important part of this area, and it's a growing need.
• However, there are parts of the code that still require...

Bills: SB530, SB757, SB769, SB1085, SB1241, SB1242, SB1409, SB1878, SB2138, SB2314, SB2231, SB2361, SB2431, SJR59

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• The other part of the bill, which remains from the original bill, has to do with school building aid.
• The other part of the bill, which remains from the original bill, has to do with school building aid.
• </c><00:36:24.520><c> of</c><00:36:24.680><c> my</c> you know obviates the first part of my you know
• obviates the first part of my testimony<00:36:26.240><c> um</c><00:36:26.440><c> the</c><00:36:26.520
• </c><00:40:58.000><c> kids</c><00:40:58.200><c> were</c> while my ex-boyfriend's kids were while my ex-boyfriend's

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh for the most part here in our state. uh for the most part here in our state.
• So, this is something that is happening in other parts of the country.
• Families can opt to be part of it or opt not to.
• We've tried to address a part of this.
• So that's part of that.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and first heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials on career and technical education funding. KDE explained that House Bill 499 created a CTE funding formula using 60% weighted full-time equivalent enrollment and 40% incentives, but House Bill 6’s budget language excluded area technology centers (ATCs) from that supplemental funding. KDE requested approval of an additional budget request of $14,789,352 in each fiscal year 2027 and 2028 to include ATCs in the formula and hold local districts harmless. Officials said ATCs serve students from 117 of Kentucky’s 171 districts and argued the change would reduce funding disparities and better reflect the return on investment from CTE programs, citing growth in dual credit and work-based learning participation. Members asked whether the issue would need to be revisited each budget cycle. KDE responded that the problem could be fixed by removing the notwithstanding language from the budget bill, which they said would allow ATCs to be included under the existing statute. Representative Klein supported the request, saying the current clause could lead to stagnation and that the committee should help the program continue to grow. No vote was taken on the CTE item during the portion of the meeting provided. The committee then heard a presentation from PreK for All on expanding preschool access in Kentucky. Advocates said the state’s preschool program has been funded since 1990 and currently serves about 14,200 children at roughly $84 million per year, but that many working families still fall into a coverage gap. They proposed expanding eligibility to 250% of the federal poverty line, which they said would add about 9,600 children at a cost of $40 million in year two, after a planning year. The proposal also included regulatory flexibility for classrooms and partnerships with private child care providers and nonprofits, with speakers emphasizing child care deserts in some counties and citing research that early learning improves kindergarten readiness and later outcomes. No action or vote was taken on the preschool proposal in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A modest, but a key part of this is getting incarcerated people into the workforce.
• But there is one part of the bill that I'm a little concerned about.
• So probably the most important part of this bill is that it also requires schools, the students, and
• for those of you who don't know, those orders, temporary restraining orders, are filed what we call ex
• parte request in determining what the court should do with that request.

Bills: HB53, HB57, HB64, HB100, HB102, HB106, HB111, HB137, HB152, HB155, HB337, HB957

Keywords: racketeering, gambling crimes, law enforcement, public safety, criminal justice, temporary restraining orders, abuse prevention, evidence, court procedures, legal protections, felony speeding, traffic laws, penalties, elderly, infirmities, abuse, neglect, crime of violence, criminal liability, caregiver

Transcript Highlights:

• So we want to make sure that those things are covered, the training part is covered.
• So we want to make sure that those things are covered, the training parts covered.
• Protective orders already include a judicial due process, either full hearing or ex parte order followed
• Protective orders already include a judicial due process, either full hearing or ex parte order followed
• HB 94 does Either full hearing or ex parte order followed by a prompt hearing, HB 94 does not touch those

Summary: The committee first deferred HB 374 without objection. It then heard SB 46, which creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home aimed at protecting vulnerable adults living in unsafe, unlicensed residences where operators control residents’ assets. The Attorney General’s office described severe neglect and exploitation in some homes, while the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center opposed the bill over concerns it could create confusion, criminalize legitimate recovery or disability housing, and chill protected housing arrangements. After discussion, including assurances that the bill was narrowly targeted at bad actors, the committee reported SB 46 favorably. The committee next took up HB 276, which sets a statewide minimum bail amount for certain sexual offenses against minors. Testimony from a victim’s mother and an anti-trafficking expert supported the bill as a way to keep dangerous offenders detained and protect children, while members debated whether the original $50,000 minimum was too low and could be treated as a benchmark. The committee amended the bill in committee to raise the minimum to $1 million and to add human trafficking involving a victim under 18 to the covered offenses, then reported HB 276 favorably as amended. Members then heard SB 42 and SB 110, both addressing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. SB 42 expands the definition of child sexual abuse material to include digital and AI-generated depictions, while SB 110 prohibits using a child’s image to train AI to produce such material. The Attorney General’s office and survivor advocates supported the measures as necessary updates to keep pace with technology and protect children; the committee reported both bills favorably. HB 998, dealing with forensic medical exams and reimbursement for domestic violence victims, especially strangulation cases, was also heard and amended to remove human trafficking references and set implementation steps; advocates said the bill would improve evidence collection and reimbursement, and it was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 51 on fraudulent representation of military service or awards, which was supported as a tool to address stolen valor and was reported favorably, and HB 323 on notification and reporting of inmate deaths, which was presented as a transparency measure after a family testified about learning of a relative’s death from the news rather than the facility.

Transcript Highlights:

• Children that are purchasing illegal guns off the street, and that is a more prevalent thing in parts
• I think part of the rehabilitation process and the re-entry process is to take responsibility.
• </c> 2022 I was awakened by my now ex-husband 2022 I was awakened by my now ex-husband beating<00:37:
• The statutes may have been insufficient in part of this, but the system really failed her.
• of this but the system really part of this but the system really failed<00:48:45.520><c> her</c><00:

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:06 SB 75: 00:01:05 Discussion in Opposition to SB 75: 00:11:00 SCR 89: 00:26:30 HB 38: 00:34:51 HB 201: 00:50:16, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 75, sponsored by Senator Reed, which would lower Kentucky’s concealed carry age from 21 to 18. The bill’s supporters, including Taylor McKe of the NRA, argued that 18- to 20-year-olds are legal adults who should have equal Second Amendment rights, noting they can vote, serve in the military, and otherwise be treated as adults. Supporters also cited court decisions and historical arguments, while opponents, including Kathy Hobart and Chuck Eddie, warned that the bill would increase gun violence and put more guns in the hands of young people without adequate training. Senator Carol said he opposed the bill because the brain is not fully mature until about age 25 and called the measure irresponsible; Senator Denine said he would pass the bill but wanted training requirements added; Senator Thomas also opposed it on public safety grounds; and Senator Wheeler supported it as a parity and self-defense measure for law-abiding young adults. After debate, the committee voted on SB 75 and reported it favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass. The roll call reflected a mix of support and opposition, with several members explaining their votes. Supporters emphasized self-defense, constitutional rights, and consistency with adult responsibilities, while opponents focused on youth violence, public safety, and the lack of a training requirement. The committee then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 89, sponsored by Senator Jimmy Higdon, which would direct the establishment of a Kentucky Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force. Higdon described it as a typical interim work group and said it would include five House and five Senate members. Discussion broadened to expungement and restoration issues, including marijuana-related convictions and other records that members said should be reviewed in light of changing laws. Chair Storm noted he had filed a separate expungement task force resolution and suggested the measures could be coordinated. The resolution was moved, seconded, and the roll was called, with Senator Thomas later explaining support for treating older marijuana convictions more equitably in light of current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• And those staff and consultants are, you know, ex-business owners, CEOs of large companies, what I call
• But as to the first part of your question, this is a chronic problem. This is a chronic problem.
• How do they factor in as being part of the solution to the labor shortage? Senator Smith, is that?
• Senator Smith, is that part of this bill?
• May I ask, Senator Gates, is that part of this bill or not? No, it isn't, Mr. Chairman.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism convened with several members present and Senators DiCeglie and McClain excused. The committee first heard a presentation from Greg Britton, State Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, who described the network’s statewide small-business assistance, including startup support, export and contracting help, disaster recovery, and rural outreach. He highlighted reported 2023 impacts such as $3.9 billion in sales generated, $575.9 million in government contracts, $346.2 million in capital, and support for 2,009 new businesses, including 130 manufacturing firms over the past two years. Members asked about comparisons with SCORE and about measuring rural success, with the chair suggesting jobs and wages in rural areas would be useful metrics; Britton said he could provide job data but was unsure about wage information. The committee then took up SB 320 by Senator Gates, which creates a five-year demonstration project for an alternative licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers. The bill would allow a “first-step” probationary license based on industry certification, apprenticeship, recommendation from a licensed Florida surveyor, and passage of the Department of Agriculture exam within the five-year period, without requiring a four-year degree. Senators asked about the labor shortage, education requirements, foreign workers, and moral character standards. Gates said the shortage is chronic and worsening, the bill has no degree requirement, and anyone meeting the qualifications could proceed regardless of visa status. The committee voted to report SB 320 favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 316 by Senator Berman, which authorizes series limited liability companies in Florida and sets rules for how Florida and foreign series LLCs may operate and transact business in the state. Berman explained that the bill is intended to let businesses isolate liabilities across separate series while providing clearer rules for Florida citizens and businesses dealing with such entities. There were no substantive questions, one appearance form in support, and the committee voted to report SB 316 favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> adopted on the part of the Senate. adopted on the part of the Senate.
• It was offered by Senator Baruth and was read and adopted on the part of the Senate.
• </c><00:40:01.599><c> in</c> uh you know someone's private parts in uh you know someone's private parts
• Ex post facto is talking about when something was done when it was not illegal.
• </c> actions that are raised in other parts. actions that are raised in other parts.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:31.600><c> I'm</c><00:09:31.920><c> ex</c> counties getting revenue.
• I'm ex counties getting revenue.
• I'm ex magistrate<00:09:32.959><c> myself,</c><00:09:33.360><c> but</c><00:09:34.800><c> I</c><00:09:

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:15 Member Comments 01:43 SB 29 Discussion 05:18 SB 29 Roll Call Vote 09:44 SB 49 Discussion 11:29 SB 49 Roll Call Vote 22:29, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• work</c><00:19:46.120><c> to</c><00:19:46.240><c> do</c><00:19:46.520><c> around</c><00:19:47.400><c> ex
• 00:19:47.840><c> really</c><00:19:48.200><c> kind</c><00:19:48.320><c> of</c> some work to do around ex
• really kind of some work to do around ex really kind of assessing<00:19:49.520><c> is</c><00:19:49.919

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, part of why I didn't explain I move L006 to the amendment. appropriations committee report.
• Part of why I didn't explain the finance committee report and the appropriations committee report is
• I mean, maybe one guy wins, but everybody else loses for the most part.
• </c><01:27:56.000><c> of</c><01:27:56.239><c> existing</c><01:27:56.639><c> prison</c> efficiency ex
• of existing prison efficiency ex of existing prison population<01:27:57.280><c> management</c><01:27:

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several committee reports and House messages. Committee reports advanced a number of bills and appointments, including Senate Bill 163, House Bill 1320, Senate Bill 160, House Bill 1210, and several board and commission appointments recommended for the consent calendar. The chamber also received House action on multiple bills, including concurrence in Senate amendments to House Bills 1239, 1262, and 1110, a request for a conference committee on House Bill 1084, and transmission of several other measures to the Revisor of Statutes. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 22, designating July 12-18, 2026, as Plastic Pollution Awareness Week. Senator Cutter spoke in support, arguing that plastic pollution harms environmental and human health, disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, and cannot be solved by recycling alone. The resolution was adopted on a 25-9 vote, with several senators recorded in opposition, and co-sponsors were noted. The chamber also recognized guests from the Colorado Society of Enrolled Agents and the National Association of Tax Professionals, as well as visitors from the Colorado School of Mines and former Senator John Evans. Later, the Senate considered special orders on the consent calendar, including House Bills 103, 1026, and 1051, and adopted the committee reports and the bills. House Bill 1026 was amended and House Bill 1051 was advanced to third reading and final passage. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 117, concerning permissible methods for the sale of lottery tickets. Senator Bridges explained that the bill was intended to respond to lottery rules allowing online sales and credit card purchases, but said the measure had been narrowed in committee and then raised constitutional concerns under Colorado’s prohibition on slot machines outside limited gaming areas. The transcript ends during that debate, before final action on Senate Bill 117 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I told him at that time, I said, 'You need to start your pilot now, even though you have that part
• And I told him at that time, I said, 'You need to start your pilot now, even though you have that part
• And I told him at that time, I said, 'You need to start your pilot now, even though you have that part
• The first part is all the um substitute.
• Thank you. billion and the other part is close to billion and the other part is close to the<00:44:55.440

Bills: HB517, HB98, HB235, HB236, HB237, HB238, HB239, HB240, HB241, HB242, HB565, HB517, HB98, HB235, HB236, HB237, HB238, HB239, HB240, HB241, HB242, HB565, SB380

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:14.159><c> of</c> various stakeholders that were a part of various stakeholders that were
• a part of this<00:26:14.640><c> group.
• I want to emphasize the resilience part because this bill, we support the intent of this bill, but we
• I like, as part of my testimony, future.
• Making these decisions is part of learning to be a journalist.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Education and Higher Education first heard HCR 75 and HR 67, which ask the Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to assess criteria for building an educational pipeline and curriculum for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The Department of Education said it would stand on its written testimony, and UH supported the measure, noting existing community college and four-year programs related to the topic. Members asked how DOE promotes cybersecurity opportunities and whether it provides funding; DOE said schools usually connect with partners and its office works with them, but it does not have separate funding for such efforts. UH also explained that some advanced manufacturing concepts may overlap with 3D printing, material sciences, and entrepreneurship, and described P20 as a forum for aligning K-12 and higher education pathways. The committees then recessed the joint hearing and moved to the Education Committee agenda. The committee next heard HCR 46 and HR 39, which would make DOE recreational facilities available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. DOE said it already uses facilities agreements with insurance, liability waivers, indemnification, and certificates of insurance to protect schools. The Attorney General opposed the resolutions, warning that unrestricted public use without safeguards could create substantial liability and cost risks for the state. The measure’s introducer said the goal was to help underserved communities that lack access to public recreation spaces, and DOE said it would be open to joint-use arrangements with larger organizations but remained concerned about vandalism and liability. The committee also heard HCR 86 and HR 80 on creating an Aloha Civics working group, with DOE offering comments and Common Cause Hawaiʻi strongly supporting the idea. DOE described a civic learning and engagement task force that met with stakeholders, including UH and the PACE Commission, and produced recommendations such as building partnership inventories, integrating civic learning across grade levels, and aligning the work with DOE’s HA framework and learner outcomes. Common Cause said civic education can be implemented effectively and affordably, citing existing school projects such as ranked-choice voting and classroom constitutions. Later, the committee took up HCR 87 and HR 81, urging an annual Climate Week in public schools. DOE again stood on written comments, while the Climate Change and Health Working Group, Climate Future Forum, a student from Kaimuki High School, and other supporters argued that a dedicated week would ensure consistent climate education, build resilience, and connect climate issues to health, food security, and disaster preparedness. Supporters said existing climate-related opportunities are uneven across schools and that a formal Climate Week would create a more equitable approach. The committee then heard HCR 95 and HR 91 on informing students about changes to gun safety and storage laws; DOE asked for clarification on the measure’s intended outcome, and one individual testified in support. Finally, the committee heard HCR 104 and HR 100 on strengthening farm-to-school initiatives. DOE said it is already working to improve menus, emphasize local products, and meet with distributors to increase local procurement, while the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience offered food science, nutrition, and extension support. Climate Future Forum, the Hawaii Youth Food Council, and other supporters said farm-to-school efforts are important for student health, local farmers, and food sovereignty, noting that local food procurement in schools remains far below the state’s 30% by 2030 goal. DOE explained it is trying to provide distributors and farmers with more predictable demand and is meeting with distributors to set up next year’s supply chain.