Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to mention when pro tem Treet brilliantly put him in charge of the Rules Committee.
• I also want to mention when pro tem Treet brilliantly put him in charge of the Rules Committee.
• I also want to mention when pro tem Treet brilliantly put him in charge of the Rules Committee.
• I also want to mention when pro-Tim Treet brilliantly put him in charge of the Rules Committee.
• Some of us dig into rules, some of us dig into people. Some of us dig into rules.

Bills: HB1168

Keywords: abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, methotrexate, pro-life, pro-choice, reproductive health, unborn child, trafficking, felony, contraception, pharmacist, pharmacy, Title 63, Oklahoma statutes, abortion pill, drug distribution, criminal penalty

Summary: The Senate first came to order after repeated quorum calls, then devoted a long portion of the meeting to farewell remarks for Senator Darcy Jech. Jech reflected on his 12 years in the chamber, his rural district, campaign experiences, major events during his tenure, and the importance of relationships, compromise, and service. Numerous senators followed with personal tributes, praising his steadiness, humility, faith, work on devotions and the Rural Caucus, and his reputation as a thoughtful, respectful colleague and family man. After the farewell segment, the Senate moved to executive nominations. The chamber unanimously confirmed Sharon Shell Millington as Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs, Clayton Bullard as Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health, and Clayton Bullard as administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. The Senate then approved a slate of Tier 2 nominations, including appointments to the Home Inspector Examiners Committee, the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology board, the State Fire Marshal Commission, the State Board of Health, the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, the Forensic Review Board, the Oklahoma State Credit Union, the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, the Alarm, Locksmith, and Fire Sprinkler Industry Committee, and the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. No debate or opposition was recorded on the nominations, and the votes were overwhelmingly or unanimously in favor. After announcements, the Senate agreed to recess and then adjourned until Monday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills to committee
• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 56 to allow the following committees to notice bills
• Safety Committee.
• committees to set bills.
• and Community Development Committee to the Judiciary Committee.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of several Senate bills, notices for committee hearings, and a successful motion to suspend rules so ACA 20 could be taken up later in the week. The chamber also recognized former Assembly Member Christina Garcia and later moved into a Pride Month observance. The main ceremonial item was House Resolution 115 recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Assembly Member Ward opened on the resolution, and multiple members from different caucuses spoke in support, highlighting Pride history, LGBTQ+ rights, and the contributions of LGBTQ Californians. Assembly Member DeMaio offered supportive remarks while noting policy differences, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 53 co-authors were added. The Assembly then held a Pride honoree ceremony recognizing 15 individuals and groups for contributions to the LGBTQ community. On the floor file, members also adopted several resolutions by voice vote after adding co-authors: ACR 187 on Men’s Mental Health Month, ACR 157 marking the 50th anniversary of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, ACR 222 declaring Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Awareness Month, and ACR 224 recognizing Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day. Each drew personal testimony from members about the underlying issues, including suicide prevention, caregiving and dementia, mining reclamation, and harms to youth from social media. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 46 on mental health diversion by a 51-1 vote, and later adopted the consent calendar 66-0. The House adjourned until June 25, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• What are the rules? This lays out what the rules are. So everyone knows what happens.
• Everyone's playing by the same rules.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Good morning, committee.
• Any other questions from the committee?” “You're welcome. Any other questions from the committee?

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair offers a committee substitute.
• The chair offers a committee substitute.
• There is a committee substitute that will be provided to the committee as for the...
• There will be a committee substitute; it's just not before the committee right now.
• Thank you. 33 in a committee substitute.

Bills: HB345 , HB721 , HB2580 , SB815 , HB3057 , HB4603 , HB3233 , SB495 , HB3863 , HB3914 , HB4570 , HB5099 , HB5173 , SB458

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• So, now with the and committee members.
• They're organizations trying to follow the rules in a system where rules kept moving.
• They're organizations trying to follow the rules in a system where rules kept moving.
• </c> where rules kept moving. where rules kept moving.
• That is not rules change again.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 18, the chair declares the House of rule 18, the chair declares the House of the<02:18:50.960><c> Committee
• An amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 119-5 shall
• Pursuant to House Resolution 530 and Rule 18, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole
• There being no further amendment under the rule, the committee rises. Mr.
• of the whole adopted by the committee of the whole under<06:59:43.760><c> the</c><06:59:43.920><c> rule

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chairman and Committee.
• So in the ruling, in the language of the ruling, it also specifies that asking for documentation in the
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• committee hearing.
• Good morning, committee members.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cantella, Secretary, by Rules Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
• By State Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee, Government Operations Subcommittee, Representative Persons-Mulicka
• I never saw it in committee based on the committees that I serve on.
• What committees has this gone through?
• Speaker, I want to adhere to the rules.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum calls, and several recognitions before taking up a series of Senate messages and House motions. Members also recognized House Sergeant at Arms staff, visitors in the gallery, and family members. The chamber approved the journal and then moved into message lists and concurrence motions on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1668, relating to the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), the House concurred in a Senate amendment that clarified that if the NICA plan lacks adequate cash flow, the Office of Insurance Regulation may authorize a cumulative transfer of up to $20 million over the life of the plan and removed a proposed time limit on provider assessments. The bill then passed 96-2. The House also concurred in a Senate amendment to CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the foreign influence bill, after debate over a proposed strike-all amendment that would have removed surrogacy-related language; that amendment failed. Supporters said the bill still retained key foreign-influence restrictions, while opponents objected to the surrogacy provisions and other remaining restrictions. The bill passed 83-17. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1279 on education. The Senate amendment added provisions on tuition residency for certain military and State Department families, a one-year deferral option for Benacquisto Scholarship recipients, virtual school notifications, educational emergency authority for persistently low-performing schools, epinephrine flexibility, VPK and New Worlds Reading changes, math pathways, dance credit, IEP service notifications, charter school safety officer options, and FEFP adjustments for Florida advanced courses, while removing several House provisions including the 95% Florida resident requirement for preeminent universities, the 5% cap on undergraduate international enrollment, and DEI-related provisions. Debate focused heavily on the educational emergency and collective bargaining language for persistently low-performing schools, with supporters saying it would help districts improve student performance and opponents warning it would weaken unions and affect schools that are not truly failing. The bill passed 81-16. Finally, the House considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. An amendment to repeal portions of last year’s SB 180 was ruled not germane. The House then took up a Senate amendment on compost facilities that would bar local governments from conditioning compost-facility approval on the purchase of additional property to expand a privately owned road and would limit local revocation of permits when facilities comply with state or regional environmental regulation; debate began on that motion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's a motion committee meetings.
• This is the public health committee.
• And because the passing scores for examination were outlined in the rules, there were no rules anymore
• And because the passing scores for examination were outlined in the rules, there were no rules anymore
• </c><01:03:16.799><c> would</c> a bill Tuesday that the committee would a bill Tuesday that the committee

Committee: Joint Public Health and Human Services

Keywords: Public Health - Room 216, 27 January, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, welcome to the committee. Testimony for this hearing will be in person.
• Again, welcome to the committee. Testimony for this hearing will be in person.
• Chair and committee members. Thank you for the opportunity to share.
• Chair and committee members. Thank you for the opportunity to share.
• The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard AB 748 by Assemblymember Harabedian, a bill to expand California’s pre-approved housing plan program beyond accessory dwelling units to single-family and small multifamily developments under 10 units. The author said the measure builds on the earlier AB 1332 model, is intended to reduce time and cost in plan review, and gives local governments flexibility to choose designs while preserving permitting fee revenue. He also noted the bill had been worked to remove local government opposition and that similar pre-approved approaches have been used in Altadena and by Los Angeles County after recent fires. Support testimony came from Habitat for Humanity California, which said the bill would streamline the costly and labor-intensive early design and plan review phase and help affordable builders, nonprofits, and small developers move more quickly to permits. A representative from Abundant Housing Los Angeles and SPUR also spoke in support. No opposition witnesses appeared. Committee members expressed support, with Assemblymember Ward offering to coauthor and move the bill. The committee voted 7-0 to pass AB 748 to the Appropriations Committee, and the roll was briefly held open for an absent member before being closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any representative committee?
• </c><00:14:38.519><c> and</c> testify in front of this committee and testify in front of this committee
• It's exciting to be before this committee, getting a bill heard before this committee has been a long
• It's exciting to be before this committee, getting a bill heard before this committee has been a long
• </c> out um who could surround the committee out um who could surround the committee and<00:35:54.960

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee. It's April 29th, and it's...
• I'm not on this committee.
• Thank you, committee. Okay, Bill 1080.
• One, this is prospective only, so this does not affect any court rulings.
• And the ones that wanted it got out of committee.

Bills: HR217 , HB66 , HB204 , HB208 , HB326 , HB472 , HB483 , HB484 , HB793 , HB1051 , HB1080 , HB1087 , HB1111 , HB1215 , SB78 , SB148

Committee: House Municipal

Keywords: rent stabilization, affordable housing, cost burdened, Louisiana housing, housing policy, emergency rental protections, Alexandria, municipal ordinances, administrative adjudication, code enforcement, housing violations, building codes, zoning, nuisance ordinances, vegetation ordinances, sewerage, drainage, licensing, permits, local government

Summary: The committee met on April 29 and considered a series of local and special bills affecting municipal and parish governance, blight enforcement, development districts, and term limits. Early action included a motion to apply a three-minute rule. House Bill 483, concerning the Fulberg/Marini Security and Improvement District in Orleans Parish, was voluntarily deferred after discussion and no support cards. House Bill 484, which revised the New Orleans Regional Business Park board by reducing membership from 12 to 11 and giving the mayor four direct appointments with removal authority, was adopted as a substitute and reported favorably. Senate Bill 78, dealing with the Shreveport Downtown Development District, was amended to correct a legislative district reference and then reported favorably. The committee also heard announcements that several previously deferred bills would not be heard that day. Several Shreveport-related blight bills were advanced. House Bill 1051, authorizing demolition of certain dilapidated properties in Shreveport, was amended to allow the city to rely on findings from code enforcement, fire, police, or other public safety officials, and then reported favorably. House Bill 1080, addressing condemned commercial property in Shreveport, was also reported favorably, though the author said he would continue consulting with the city attorney before floor consideration. House Bill 66 for Alexandria expanded the city’s administrative adjudication authority to cover a broader range of ordinance violations, including building, zoning, vegetation, nuisance, sewer, drainage, licensing, and permit matters; it was supported by the city and reported favorably. House Bill 326, requiring the Tickfaw police chief candidate to reside within the village, also passed favorably. House Bill 793, a contentious bill concerning recorded subdivision plats and prescription, drew extensive testimony from the author, parish officials, a former appellate judge, and the McCormick family. Supporters said the bill closes a loophole exposed by recent court rulings that could let noncompliant plats become enforceable after five years without actual notice to local governments, while opponents argued the current substitute still creates uncertainty and could burden property owners; the author said the bill was prospective only and would also go to the Law Institute. Despite the debate, the committee moved the substitute favorably. Senate Bill 148, allowing municipalities to pay a modest per diem to planning and zoning commission members by local ordinance, was reported favorably with support from Lake Charles. The committee rejected House Bill 208, which would have let St. Helena Parish voters decide whether to impose term limits on parish governing authority members. The bill’s author argued the people should decide, but the St. Helena Police Jury opposed it and committee members emphasized local control; the final vote was 3 yeas to 10 nays. House Bill 1215, concerning the disposition of historical statues and monuments, was amended to bar the Office of State Parks from placing transferred monuments back in the parish from which they were removed, and then was reported favorably. House Bill 472, authorizing local rent stabilization ordinances during a governor-declared emergency, was amended to limit such ordinances to the emergency period, tie increases to the consumer price index, and cap them at 365 days; discussion continued on whether the measure duplicated existing price-gouging laws and whether a broader study would be preferable.

Transcript Highlights:

• move forward with this rule.
• about how to stay in compliance if we move forward with this rule.
• Good morning, Chair and committee members.
• Good morning, Chair and committee members.
• It's a pleasure to be before the committee again.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael Padilla, as I mentioned, and I'm here on Senate Bill 130—sorry, the Senate Rules Committee substitute
• Is there anybody here who wishes to speak against the Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill
• Please put your hand up on Zoom if you wish to speak in opposition to the Senate Rules Committee substitute
• This would be a due pass on the Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 132.
• the rules.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 152, which would create a low-income telecommunications assistance program and continue support for rural broadband operations and maintenance through the State Rural Universal Service Fund. Senator Padilla and Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Director Jeff Lopez said the bill responds to the loss of federal affordability support and would help low-income households pay for broadband, while also preserving funding for rural carriers and maintenance. Supporters included the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the New Mexico Exchange Carrier Group, tribal telecom representatives, and several rural providers, who said affordability is the main barrier to service and that the bill would help families, students, and rural communities. A few witnesses opposed parts of the bill, arguing that the ARS funding should be redirected entirely to broadband affordability and that legacy POTS-line support should sunset. Committee members asked about ETC requirements, satellite and wireless options, rural density, and the sunset provision; the sponsor said the sunset on ARS would be removed and that stakeholder discussions would continue in the interim. The committee voted due pass on the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 152. The committee then took up Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 132, which would add software planning and replacement to the state’s equipment replacement fund. The sponsor and expert said state agencies now rely heavily on software for core services and that planning for software alongside hardware would improve efficiency, security, and long-term sustainability. There was no opposition, and the committee voted due pass on the substitute. The meeting then shifted to a lengthy discussion of Senate changes to House Bill 2, the budget bill. Senate Finance staff described roughly 300 changes, including additional funding for fire response, early childhood, housing, health care, quantum initiatives, public safety, courts, transportation, education, and several social service programs. Members questioned cuts or reallocations affecting state employee pay, public school capital outlay, the state fair redevelopment, CARA, personal care services, the Office of Child Advocate, and other items. The presenters repeatedly defended the Senate’s use of funds as a way to preserve reserves while prioritizing health care, housing, education, and other recurring needs, and said reserves would remain above the target level even with the changes discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee.
• Changing the rules midstream also hurts.
• Chair, members of the committee?
• We didn't enact that through rule.
• We didn't enact that through rule.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:25.440><c> in</c> recommendation from this committee in recommendation from this committee
• </c> &gt;&gt; Further discussion on the committee. &gt;&gt; Further discussion on the committee.
• </c><00:54:41.280><c> to</c> amendment that we have a committee to amendment that we have a committee
• </c> want to be sure that as this committee want to be sure that as this committee goes<01:19:56.000>
• </c> order a uh economic analysis of a rule. order a uh economic analysis of a rule.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As everyone hears me say every time, we have a strict three-minute rule in this committee.
• As everyone hears me say every time, we have a strict three-minute rule in this committee.
• Committee.
• Because it’s the rule of the committee that bills of the same or similar nature, we only hear one bill
• It is a new rule. For 30, 40 years, we followed the rule of Apodaca v.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and considered a series of juvenile justice, criminal procedure, public corruption, domestic violence, sentencing, and victim-notification measures. Early in the meeting, SB 396 was amended and reported favorably to allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference, with OJJ staff also participating virtually. SB 181 was amended and reported favorably to create a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations within a single health system. SB 81, a bill requiring prosecutorial consent before a defendant may waive a jury trial in a non-capital felony case, drew extensive debate; supporters said it would align Louisiana with federal practice and other states, while opponents argued it would give the state more power and reduce defendants’ control over their own trial rights. After testimony from district attorneys, defense lawyers, and advocacy groups, the committee reported SB 81 favorably by a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 207, which extends the prescriptive period for prosecuting certain corruption offenses committed by elected officials and public employees to 10 years after they leave office. Supporters said it would help prevent officials from using their influence to avoid prosecution; opponents raised concerns about optics and scope. The bill was reported favorably by an 8-3 vote. SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system, was also reported favorably without objection. SB 156, which increases the maximum penalty for negligent homicide and includes special treatment for cases involving children under 13, was reported favorably after sponsors said they would make a technical fix before floor debate. SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer and dedicating fine revenue to pursuit training and technology, was reported favorably after supporters cited fatal high-speed pursuits and law enforcement backing. Later, the committee approved SB 97, the constitutional amendment companion to SB 81, after similar testimony for and against the proposal; it was reported favorably by a 7-3 vote. SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board’s functions to the Louisiana Supreme Court, was reported favorably without objection. SB 410, increasing penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses, was also reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 251, which requires notice to victims or their families in resentencing proceedings; after amendments and testimony about post-conviction procedure and possible unintended consequences, it was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HCR 50, a resolution calling for reports on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and guidance on available funding; the sponsor described it as a study effort to improve access to treatment and recovery, and the resolution was moved favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires a review and action of all agency rules for systematic reviews of all existing agency rules
• I want to welcome Chair Fine to the committee.
• Good afternoon, members of the committee.
• Good afternoon, committee.
• Good afternoon, members of the committee. Good afternoon, members of the committee.

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up two bills and one presentation. Senate Bill 108, on administrative procedures, was presented by Senator Burgess on behalf of Senator Grall. The bill would require agencies to systematically review rules over five years old, submit annual regulatory plans and reports, and take action on reviewed rules; it also would speed publication of proposed rules after new rulemaking authority and expand transparency for incorporated materials and rule histories. Americans for Prosperity appeared in support, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard a presentation from State Board of Administration Executive Director Chris Spencer on implementation of statutory investment restrictions affecting state funds. He reviewed the SBA’s structure and fiduciary duties, said the agency must maximize financial return using only pecuniary factors, and described the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions involving Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He noted recent changes, including expanded Iran restrictions after the October 7 attacks, the addition of China-related divestment requirements, and the SBA’s move to eliminate China and Hong Kong from its global equity benchmarks; he said the agency is ahead of schedule on required divestment and in compliance with the law. Senate Bill 100, on display of flags by governmental entities, was then presented by Chair Fine. The bill would prohibit political flags on government buildings and allow active-duty service members and veterans to use reasonable force to stop flag desecration. The committee heard extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing government buildings should not display political messages and opponents raising First Amendment, vagueness, and enforcement concerns, especially regarding LGBTQ-related flags and school settings. Senators also questioned the bill’s definitions and the reasonable-force provision. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 100 favorably, with Senators Arrington and Polsky voting no and Senators Brodeur, McClain, Rodriguez, Fine, and Chair DeSiglie voting yes. At the end of the meeting, Senator Rodriguez was recorded as voting yes on SB 108, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> leadership in putting a committee leadership in putting a committee together<00:14:53.279><c> that
• </c> the rule. the rule.
• </c><00:27:07.760><c> Uh</c> remove the requirement for rules. Uh remove the requirement for rules.
• Committee and they refer specifically to Committee and they refer specifically to adding<00:35:44.960
• </c><00:40:44.240><c> I</c> Lee, and members of the committee. I Lee, and members of the committee.

Bills: SB3082 , SB3110 , SB3251

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: military families, family leave, qualifying military exigency, Hawaii Revised Statutes, financial support, Hawaii National Guard, civil-military program, education, collective bargaining, exemption, SB3251, Hawaii public safety, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, law enforcement hiring, state employment ban, police powers, Department of Law Enforcement, DLNR

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:03:22.560><c> we</c> have in within administrative rules, we have in within administrative rules
• We'll always match the IRS rule behind. We'll always match the IRS rule um<00:08:19.280><c> rates.
• </c> Requires attorney general to adopt rules Requires attorney general to adopt rules and<00:10:58.640
• </c> committee. Again, Kamakana Kamala UPW. committee. Again, Kamakana Kamala UPW.
• </c><00:48:30.240><c> We</c> committee. Moani Ray Benos with HMSA. We committee.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2122, which would tie public service flexible spending account contribution and carryover limits to the annual IRS cafeteria plan caps. DEER supported the bill and said it would help the state keep pace with federal limits, though it suggested deleting the words “inflation/adjusted” and “for that calendar year” as unnecessary. HGA and UPW strongly supported the measure, saying state limits lag the IRS amounts and that higher caps would help employees offset rising health care costs. In response to questions, DEER said the plan has a fund balance of about $1.6 million but noted some risk if employees leave before contributing enough to cover reimbursements. The unions agreed to DEER’s suggested wording change so long as the bill still clearly required future increases to track the IRS limits. The committee then took up SB 2116, which would create a confidential process in the Attorney General’s office for anonymous complaints against public employees, with complaints forwarded to the appropriate agency and annual reporting required. DLIR and the Attorney General opposed the bill. The AG’s office said anonymous complaints cannot truly be guaranteed to remain anonymous, that existing laws already provide confidential complaint processes in specific areas, and that the AG would effectively be only a repository without meaningful authority over how complaints are handled. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying it would begin a conversation about protecting complainants while discouraging frivolous complaints. In questions, senators raised concerns about how anonymous complaints would be investigated and whether the AG could serve as an appeal body; the AG said the proposal would likely require broader changes to existing complaint laws. The committee also heard SB 218, which would amend the amount a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee’s wages to repay indebtedness to the state. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying it would create a more lenient repayment process for employees who were overpaid and should not have to repay large amounts in a single pay period. UPW said the bill would eliminate a provision allowing recovery of debts of $1,000 or less in one pay period, which it described as problematic for members. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii was listed in opposition, and additional comments were submitted by the state controller and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly. Finally, the committee heard SB 2114, which would repeal the prohibition on certain exempt employees grieving suspensions or discharges and allow bargaining-unit members to grieve disciplinary actions. DHRD and the City and County of Honolulu opposed the bill, arguing exempt employees are at-will employees who serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and already have other legal remedies for discrimination or harassment; they also said the issue is a negotiable matter under collective bargaining agreements. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying exempt positions have increased in number and that just-cause protections would improve recruitment and retention. Senators questioned how unions would represent exempt employees and whether the bill would change the at-will nature of those positions; no vote or final action was taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.