Video & Transcript : 'State Building Code Council' :
Page 353 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now, California, we are trying to build a record number of housing units across the state of California
- Right now, California, we are trying to build record number of housing units across the state of California
- ...the only project in the state like that? Is it the most advanced project in the state?
- the state as well.
- When the state builds a great facility like this and then leases some of it out, the state ought to be
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs and Joint Legislative Audit Aug 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But I'm not sure if I'm going to say it's so far as a state-to-state issue, but I will go ahead and say
- And it can't just be the state auditor's report.
- In the state of California and the country.
- and the President of the United States.
- Thank you to the state auditor.
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on the University of California’s compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and CalNAGPRA, based on the California State Auditor’s April 2025 report and updates from UC and tribal representatives. Committee members and tribal witnesses emphasized the moral urgency of returning ancestral remains and cultural items, criticized the lack of clear timelines and accountability, and noted that other institutions have repatriated collections more quickly. The State Auditor said UC still has major gaps in identifying collections, completing campus searches, setting measurable deadlines, securing items, and fully using repatriation funding; the auditor projected that some campuses could take until 2037, 2041, 2053, or even 2089 to finish at current rates, and said 12 of 19 audit recommendations remained open. The Native American Heritage Commission said progress has been too slow and that new CalNAGPRA enforcement regulations are being finalized.
UC Office of the President and campus leaders responded that the university has made substantial changes since 2019, including a revised NAGPRA policy, expanded staffing, new committees with tribal representation, more consultation, and more financial support for tribes. UC said it has repatriated more than 9,000 ancestors, 280,000 associated funerary objects, and 59,000 other cultural items systemwide, and that it is continuing to implement audit recommendations and improve transparency through a repatriation dashboard and funding information. Berkeley, San Diego, Riverside, and Santa Barbara each described campus-specific progress, including more staff, more consultations, more site reviews, and updated timelines; Berkeley said it is on track to publish remaining ancestors by the federal deadline, San Diego said it has repatriated 73% of remains and about 53% of cultural items, Riverside said nearly all known ancestors and associated funerary objects have been noticed or repatriated, and Santa Barbara said it has restructured its program and added staffing and tracking systems.
Members pressed UC on why timelines remain so long, why some campuses still lack clear completion dates, and whether the Legislature should use budget tools to increase accountability. The auditor suggested the Legislature could consider stronger funding conditions and clearer expectations, while some members noted constitutional limits on earmarking UC’s base budget. UC said repatriation must be tribally led, that consultation and reburial can take time, and that some delays stem from incomplete records, overlapping tribal claims, and the need to reunite items with ancestors. No formal vote or action was taken at the hearing.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We affect probably every citizen in this state.
- The state user fees are primarily state fuel taxes and registration fees.
- The state user fees are primarily state fuel taxes and registration fees.
- The board approved a step, a program that was steady state.
- And those code citations are on the right for you.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/13/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> to the states and from our state to the states and from our state government<01:45:57.840><c> to
- You had stated that state and county owned lands by and large are purchased with state and county funds
- <c> our</c> state.
- We're a state um that enjoys our state.
- </c> state agency would ever enroll any state state agency would ever enroll any state land,<03:27:13.359
Committee:
House Municipal and County Government
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Disability Commission Jun 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm State Senator Barbara Favola. I represent Arlington County in the State Senate.
- What this bill does is it amends a previous enactment clause that had required the State Council for
- Higher Education of Virginia, or SCHEV, That had required the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia
- Other items that were suggested was a presentation from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
- And we will also get the State Council of Higher Education and VDOE to talk about what policies we should
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You don't build a budget this big under the constitutional spending limit, of course, but in a state
- You don't build a budget this big under the constitutional spending limit, of course, but in a state
- So when you laid this out in State Affairs and on the floor, you stated that the intention was for the
- the member state.
- Of the state share, 25 percent is to be used specifically for state-funded veteran services.
Summary:
The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote.
A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11.
The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0.
Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- When municipalities pass building code requirements that are higher than the state code, it is because
- both state review by the state building code review board and local boards.
- ><c> code</c><01:38:35.760><c> review</c> review by the state building code review review by the state
- municipal building codes that exceed state<01:42:44.040><c> standards.
- If I know that passing this will make sure that the state building code is a state building code, and
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- It is funded from the State Lands Maintenance Fund, which is revenue from renewable uses of the state
- , commissioner of public lands, attorney general, state auditor, and state treasurer, is there an ongoing
- In fact, a good deal of that money is sent directly to the State Investment Council to make long-term
- This extension brings the timeline for infrastructure builds in line with other state and federal programs
- Additionally, HAAFC added $2.5 million for capacity building to councils of governments, with language
Committee:
Senate House Appropriations & Finance
Summary:
The committee heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the State Land Office, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State said its requested general fund budget of $15.88 million was intended to maintain baseline operations, replace lost federal cyber and election support, and address a 12% vacancy rate. Officials warned that the House recommendation still left major gaps for election security, tabulator replacement, campaign finance system upgrades, overseas and military ballot services, ballot tracking, and a new tax lien filing system. Senators pressed about the election fund, county burdens, and the risk of underfunding election administration; the office said the House had provided $15 million for the election fund for the primary and another $15 million for the general election, but not enough for operations or all capital needs.
The State Land Office said it was satisfied with the House budget action and had no additional request. Staff described the office’s record revenues, low vacancy rate, clean audits, and proposed new positions tied to forestry, economic development, petroleum, geothermal, and royalty compliance work. Senators asked about long-term revenue trends, forest thinning and biomass opportunities, and bookkeeping around the land maintenance fund; the office said the new positions were intended to generate revenue and support land management, including fire mitigation.
The Attorney General’s office presented a budget built around a 0% general fund increase, greater use of the Consumer Settlement Fund, and $4.5 million in special/extraordinary litigation funding. The AG emphasized active litigation and investigations involving consumer fraud, Medicaid fraud, federal funding cuts, Meta and other technology platforms, AI and child safety, gaming compacts, tobacco, and possible litigation over abandoned uranium mine cleanup. Senators asked about scam enforcement, the structure of settlement funds, and whether the office could take on uranium-related litigation; the AG said the office could prepare a litigation budget but warned such efforts would require sustained funding. The State Auditor said the House budget added only modest increases while the office faced about a 40% vacancy rate, difficulty recruiting auditors, and a shrinking pool of public accounting firms, creating risks for constitutional audit responsibilities.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety May 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This is actually our third round of grants for local and state cybersecurity. for $605,000 in state operations
- entities or the state auditor for example.
- of funding is still remains available to state agencies sure do you know you know state agencies are
- It's called State of New York versus Trump.
- Please state your name and be brief.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- at New Mexico State University, $40 million for renovations of an academic building at New Mexico State
- Another large project is $9 million for renovation of the Thomas... academic building at New Mexico State
- states, which makes the state as a place for tech development significantly more attractive.
- With the commitment from the State Investment Council, you see investors here in the state that are ready
- The bill makes sweeping changes to the Children's Code, the kind of code-wide revisions that have not
Committee:
Senate House Appropriations & Finance
Keywords:
general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion
Summary:
The committee heard a series of capital, bond, environmental, economic development, juvenile justice, and health care bills. Senate Bill 240, the capital outlay package, was presented as a $1.3 billion statewide appropriation, including discretionary capital projects and agency projects; after questions about CYFD projects and House/Senate capital allocations, the committee voted do pass on the committee substitute. House Bill 248, the general obligation bond package totaling about $392.5 million for senior centers, libraries, higher education, and tribal projects, also received a do pass after questions about project vetting, bond timing, and school bus funding. House Bill 80, which increases the share of oil and gas conservation tax revenue going to the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund to speed orphan well plugging and site cleanup, drew strong support from business, environmental, and industry groups; members discussed funding balances, procurement bottlenecks, and the distinction between abandoned and orphan wells before voting do pass. House Bill 184, making technical fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and related distribution rules, passed with little debate.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 172, which expands the TRIGGER program allowing companies to access national laboratory expertise; supporters from the labs, the governor’s office, universities, and business groups cited job creation, follow-on investment, and commercialization gains, while one senator raised concerns about the long extension of the program. The bill passed do pass. House Bill 95, creating a judge for the First and Second Judicial Districts, was described as matching a previously heard Senate bill and passed do pass. Senate Bill 165, a major juvenile justice bill, generated the most extensive debate: the sponsor said it updates the juvenile code, raises the age for certain serious offenses, extends services for youth sentenced as adults, and expands community corrections; law enforcement supported it, while the Public Defender, youth advocates, the ACLU, and a Bernalillo County commissioner opposed it, arguing it expands adult sentencing and relies too heavily on incarceration. Despite those objections, the committee voted do pass.
Finally, House Bill 4, which increases the Health Care Affordability Fund distribution to support premium assistance and related coverage programs, was amended so that a portion of the premium surtax would go to the Behavioral Health Program Fund and any unexpended balance would revert to the affordability fund. Supporters from BeWell, health advocacy groups, the insurance office, and homeless services said the bill would protect coverage gains and help offset federal changes; members asked about the amendment’s effect on the behavioral health fund and the bill’s flexibility if revenues decline. The amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- This is supported by the State Central Services Fund.
- We have state funds. How often are they audited?
- Some buildings had the wrong square footage.
- Some buildings had the wrong square footage.
- state?
Committee:
All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
Summary:
The committee heard a series of appropriation requests and contract reviews across multiple sections. In Section B, members approved temporary appropriations for the Court of Appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics, and Insurance-related payments and refunds. Section C ARPA requests from DHS were approved to return unused federal funds. Section D infrastructure-related appropriations, including wildfire preparedness, broadband BEAD funding, forestry support, recycling, and oil and gas sample preservation, were approved after questions about broadband audit controls and performance safeguards. Section E DHS reallocations were approved, including large transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical to private and public nursing home lines, along with smaller transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services; members asked about the source and purpose of the medical services transfer. Sections F and G were reviewed, covering cash fund requests, federal grants, and miscellaneous grants, including community college storm repairs, corrections commissary and maintenance, 911 enhancements, maternal health, disability determinations, state police equipment, digital newspaper archiving, and CDL data improvements.
In Section H, the committee reviewed pay plan appropriations and performance fund transfers tied to the new Class and Comp pay plan. Section I reviewed three methods of finance for UA Little Rock, UAMS, and the University of Arkansas system. In Section J, the committee reviewed discretionary grants, including a $1.4 million HIV services grant and nine tobacco prevention subgrants through UAPB. Members questioned the effectiveness, metrics, and addresses of some tobacco-cessation arts-based grantees, especially Arts Absolutely Inc.; after discussion, Representative Kavanaugh moved to expunge the vote on J2 and refer it back for review at a later ALC meeting, and that motion passed. J3, a Department of Energy and Environment grant for propane safety training and e-waste recycling services, was then reviewed.
The committee also reviewed contracts in Section K. K-1 ratified emergency management nuclear planning work performed during a transition between agencies. K-2 construction contracts included architectural and engineering services for corrections, National Park College signage, a Razorback Road parking facility, and UAMS cyclotron installation. K-3 intergovernmental contracts covered health, education, autism waiver, stroke, newborn screening, Medicaid evidence review, and radiation testing services. K-4 out-of-state contracts included staffing, IT, tobacco prevention, audit, marketing, planetarium, recruitment, and janitorial services; Senator Irvin noted one contract appeared to belong in the out-of-state list rather than intergovernmental. K-5 in-state contracts covered staffing, cleaning, re-entry and treatment services, foster care and disability services, hearing officers, asbestos abatement, campus IT support, and janitorial work. The meeting ended after a brief personal update from Senator Irvin about tornado damage in Stone County and thanks to members for their concern, followed by adjournment.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- Remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, which is led
- States of America, which is made by the delegate from Alexandria, Delegate Herring.
- would accomplish what it was sent to do, which is to bring the word to pass in their lives, in our state
- In our state, we're praise and thanksgiving. Amen. And we all say the universal praise: Hallelujah.
- She's a proud daughter of Monroe, Louisiana, a gambling state woman, a loving wife, a mother of four,
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Apr 8, 2025, 9:00 AM HST - Day 47
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> amends</c><00:28:44.880><c> the</c> the description states amends the the description states amends
- Um, in support. rates and let the state employees rates and let the state employees receive<00:42:16.480
- </c> and even liability for our state and even liability for our state government.<00:54:34.319><c> So
- Eliminating fines and fees altogether would eliminate the need to evaluate statutes state by state to
- /c><01:00:12.799><c> which</c> statutes state by state to see which statutes state by state to see which
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- in certain positions relating to building inspections for up to one year from the declaration of a state
- Current building code standards impose a hard cap of three patients for office surgery suites based solely
- And the reason I'm asking is because if we're changing the building code, I want to make sure that if
- And the reason I'm asking is because if we're changing the building code, I want to make sure that if
- Because the building code regulates ambulatory surgical centers and office surgery suites separately,
Committee:
Senate Rules
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 1st, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- member and mayor, in the State Assembly, in the State Senate representing the 17th Senate District,
- and later on the California State Board of Equalization.
- You cannot build the system. The governor cannot have it both ways. You cannot build the system.
- That's what I stated in reading.
- State your parliamentary question at this time.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several privileges-of-the-floor recognitions, including birthday wishes for Senator Archuleta and tributes to former Senator George Runner and visiting guests from Portugal in connection with Portuguese Heritage Month. The body then proceeded to governor appointments, beginning with multiple confirmations to the Board of Parole Hearings. Debate on the parole board nominees focused heavily on public safety, transparency, and recent high-profile parole decisions involving violent sexual offenders, with opponents arguing the board had been too lenient and lacked public accountability, while supporters said commissioners were applying the law as written and using structured risk assessments.
William Muniz and Michael Ruff were both confirmed after roll-call votes, despite opposition centered on parole outcomes and board transparency. Rosalind Sargent Burns and Mary Thornton were also confirmed after similar debate. The final parole board confirmation, Jack Weiss, drew the most extended discussion, including a failed request to read material into the record and repeated disputes over whether comments were on topic; Weiss was ultimately confirmed as well. Throughout these confirmations, senators on both sides referenced elder parole, the unreasonable-risk standard, victim input, and the need for either reform or deference to existing law.
After the appointments, the Senate took up SCR 179 by Senator Niello, designating May as Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Niello described celiac disease as a serious autoimmune disorder, emphasized the challenges of gluten exposure and cross-contamination, and called for greater awareness, labeling, and education. The resolution passed unanimously, 31-0. The session concluded with committee announcements and adjournment-in-memory tributes for Marty Arnold, Jim McAulian, and Pat Gagoscos, followed by remarks from the pro tem noting bipartisan legislation on parole transparency and announcing the next session for June 4, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- For many years, the state did not have guidelines for our various companies, For many years, the state
- Madam Chair, Member Scott Westchon, on behalf of the California State Pipe Trades Council and the State
- Association of Electrical Workers and the Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers, in support.
- States Council of Sheet Metal Workers, and the California State Pipe Trades Council in support.
- The state should honor it.
Summary:
The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open.
The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0.
Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (3-10-26) - Reupload
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> in each of the codes. in each of the codes.
- <00:25:28.240><c> average</c><00:25:29.240><c> um</c> state average um state average um Medicaid<00:25
- </c> our state. our state.
- </c> neighboring states if possible. neighboring states if possible.
- . state. state.
Committee:
House Appropriations & Revenue
Keywords:
An issue was found with the live stream of this meeting. This version was uploaded as a complete version and should contain the entirety of the meeting.
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:15
HB 647 Discussion 00:02:00
HB 647 Vote 00:05:47
HB 501 Discussion 00:07:40
HB 501 Vote 00:09:53
HB 502 Discussion 00:11:20
HB 502 Vote 00:14:48
HJR 75 Discussion 00:16:53
HJR 75 Vote 00:17:35
HJR 76 Discussion 00:19:00
HJR 76 Vote 00:19:43
HB 869 Discussion 00:21:22
HB 869 Vote 00:30:00
HB 619 Discussion 00:31:39
HB 619 Vote 00:34:33
HB 356 Discussion 00:36:22
HB 356 Vote 00:40:19
HB 900 Discussion 00:43:17
HB 900 Vote 00:46:21
HB 816 Discussion 00:48:02
HB 816 Vote 00:53:47
HB 9 Discussion 00:55:05
HB 9 Vote 01:18:25
HB 757 Discussion 01:21:04
HB 757 Vote 01:35:55, 958, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The other Creek State Prison. That was in 2024.
- Like I stated earlier, I'm my toughest critic, you know, and it... ...like I stated earlier, I'm my toughest
- I stated the department's values earlier.
- That is for any eligible members of the state.
- codes to reopen?
Committee:
Senate Rules
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 31, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It amends the definition of authorized emergency vehicle under the state traffic code to replace ambulances
- state traffic code to vehicle under the state traffic code to replace<00:25:33.360><c> ambulances</c
- </c> state and federal laws. state and federal laws.
- state employment.
- </c> restrictions for state employees. restrictions for state employees.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion.
The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments.
The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- We really need to build out that new system.
- It is funded from the State Lands Maintenance Fund, which is revenue from renewable uses of the state
- leveraging funds on state trust land.
- , Commissioner of Public Lands, Attorney General, State Auditor and State Treasurer, is there an ongoing
- In fact, a good deal of that money is sent directly to the State Investment Council to make long-term
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance