Transcript Highlights:

• Union folks who came to me<00:02:35.519><c> and</c><00:02:35.680><c> said</c><00:02:36.440><c> Generations
• </c><00:02:37.160><c> ago</c><00:02:37.519><c> in</c><00:02:37.680><c> their</c> me and said Generations
• ago in their me and said Generations ago in their family<00:02:38.720><c> there</c><00:02:38.959><c>
• </c><00:03:18.440><c> of</c><00:03:19.040><c> motans</c><00:03:20.040><c> understand</c> future generations
• of motans understand future generations of motans understand the<00:03:20.400><c> relevance</c><00:03

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the dedication and passion of educators like Jade are the true catalysts for change, inspiring generations
• 52.320><c> as</c> nakoa Middle School where she served as nakoa Middle School where she served as general
• <00:08:52.839><c> education</c><00:08:53.320><c> teacher</c><00:08:54.279><c> student</c> general education
• teacher student general education teacher student services<00:08:55.279><c> coordinator</c><00:08:56.279
• to dream learn and Achieve generations to dream learn and Achieve greatness<00:09:36.920><c> it</c><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is your grace of their forebearers, mothers and fathers, grandparents and Generations before whose
• Her impact will be felt for generations to come. May she rest in power. and her legacy lives on.
• Angelo State University. by general Ronnie D Hawkins jr. serves over 11,500 and has the state's first
• I would also like to recognize in the gallery, Lone Star. our College Assistant General Counsel, Sonia
• 1638 by Morales of Maverick relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date in which our general

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the headlines, most don't understand that any of those financial rewards actually go to the state general
• Say the Attorney General finds somebody and they should take the appropriate action, and they go into
• the general fund.
• Again, no general fund dollars. Let's get them to the people.
• </c><00:04:56.880><c> fund</c> I like the idea again no general fund I like the idea again no general

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the following: Section 13D of chapter 265 of the General
• following section, Section 1A: notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10 of Chapter 22C of the General
• Section 13D of Chapter 265 of the general laws as appearing in the 2024 official edition is hereby amended
• following section, Section 1A, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10 of Chapter 22C of the general
• The clerk will dispense reading the amendment. general laws. The chair hears no objection.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and scheduling matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of an order extending the Committee on Public Health’s reporting deadline to December 19, 2025, and also recommended suspending Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee, including one on a confirmatory deed in Marlborough and another on regulation of Oregon transparent vehicles. The House suspended the necessary rules and adopted those procedural actions. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported six House bills for consideration: bills concerning the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, official marine flora, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Oker-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome Awareness Day, the appointment of the police chief in Fall River, and the Monson Select Board. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second readings, and ordered them to third reading. The House then acted on several bills from third reading. It concurred with a Senate amendment to House Bill 4645, the bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, after adopting a further House amendment. The House also adopted an amendment and passed to be engrossed House Bill 4178, allowing Adam T. Jankowski to take the civil service exam for police officer in Haverhill notwithstanding the age requirement. House Bill 4503, amending the charter of the town of Hudson, was amended by substitution and passed to be engrossed. Finally, House Bill 4645 was passed to be enacted, and the House adopted an order to adjourn and meet again Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:01.039><c> wellness</c> potentially sweeping in general wellness potentially sweeping in general
• Um, we have, uh, I can't say exactly what these programs are doing to generate that revenue.
• quite a bit of opportunity to generate quite a bit of 340B<00:51:49.920><c> revenue.
• They included general operating costs um and not ones particular to 340B.
• 00:59:01.920><c> um</c><00:59:02.160><c> and</c> included general operating costs um and included general

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes. The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings. Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> on general file. on general file.
• Next is general, five million federal.
• fund,</c><00:49:08.559><c> $16</c> uh appropriation general fund, $16 uh appropriation general fund,
• </c><01:11:25.440><c> public,</c> converse to the general public, converse to the general public, understand
• The $195,000 is appropriate to the general fund as I read down here.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that we then the board or the General that we then the board or the General Assembly<00:41:49.280
• </c> is to ensure that members of the General is to ensure that members of the General Assembly<00:41
• Generally<01:07:08.920><c> family</c><01:07:09.320><c> caregivers,</c> Generally family caregivers, Generally
• ,</c> Uh fee for service generally, Uh fee for service generally, uh<01:15:40.920><c> as</c><01:15:41.160
• </c> instead of general funds. instead of general funds.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027. The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year. A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, why is the contract so lopsided with general fund dollars?"
• </c> the contract so lopsided with general the contract so lopsided with general fund<00:07:14.960><c
• I am the general counsel for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
• U you know u we get very general &gt;&gt; Right.
• "It's road funds, which is generally good.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met with a quorum and approved the July 8 minutes. It then deferred several items from the July agenda, including a Kentucky Education Television contract because the vendor was not yet registered with the Secretary of State, and a University of Louisville contract at the university’s request. The committee also deferred a behavioral health memorandum of agreement and later a Department of Community Based Services contract after questions were raised about the scope of services and the need for additional information. The most extensive discussion involved the Seven Counties Services contract with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities. Committee members questioned why the state continues to contract with Seven Counties despite its bankruptcy and pension-related liabilities, how the funding split was determined, whether the services are statutorily required, and whether the state or another provider could deliver the services more efficiently. Agency representatives said Seven Counties is the sole provider of core community mental health services in its region, serves about 24,500 people, and that service needs and acuity remain high even as the number served has declined. A cabinet attorney said the bankruptcy dispute is ongoing and involves roughly $20 million in contested retirement contributions, though members suggested the amount may be higher. Members also raised broader concerns about whether local governments, especially Metro Louisville, should contribute more toward services tied to social determinants of health, and whether the contract includes services beyond what statute requires. The committee requested additional information on the contract scope and possible offsets or recovery of unfunded liabilities, and then voted to defer the Seven Counties contract to the next meeting. The committee also heard a separate DCBS presentation on the Youth Villages Intercept program, where staff explained it was selected because it is an approved evidence-based Family First prevention service, provides intensive in-home and foster care stabilization services, and is headquartered in Tennessee but operates across Kentucky; members asked for clarification on Medicaid billing and additional funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> department of accounting of general department of accounting of general services<00:27:43.360><c
• Then we have our state general funds.
• </c><00:48:52.160><c> It's</c> don't have any general funding. It's don't have any general funding.
• </c> salary for her salary from the general salary for her salary from the general fund.<01:09:34.480
• </c><01:10:05.520><c> a</c> is a challenge. um in general with a is a challenge. um in general with a

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts held an informational briefing on May 22 with the Hawaii Arts Alliance, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. Chair Capella said the purpose was to better understand the organizations’ work and strengthen relationships ahead of the interim and next session. The Hawaii Arts Alliance, led by Executive Director Gay Humphrey, described its mission to enrich Hawaii’s cultural fabric through arts education, advocacy, and community engagement, and highlighted its history tied to Alfred Price, including the creation of Hawaii’s 1% for art law and the alliance’s 45 years of service. The alliance outlined its current work, including administering SFCA-funded statewide programs such as Artist in the Schools and the new folk and traditional arts program, with 34 teaching partners serving more than 100 public and charter schools and Kumu Hawaii as the single grantee for traditional weaving instruction. It also discussed Arts First Partners, the incubation of Arts at Mark’s Garage, expanded advocacy efforts supported by Creative West grants, and new multi-year philanthropic support from the Hawaii Community Foundation and Atherton Family Foundation. The alliance said it is launching statewide listening sessions and an arts advocacy training program, and noted that most SFCA funds pass through the alliance to program partners, with the organization retaining 10 to 14 percent for administration. SFCA Executive Director Karen Ewald then described the agency’s role as the state arts agency, its strategic planning process, and its main programs, including Art in Public Places, the Capital Modern museum, Artist in the Schools, apprentice mentoring grants, community arts grants, the Hawaii State Poet Laureate program, a statewide cultural extension program, and the Hawaii Open Arts Program. She said SFCA has 21 staff with one vacancy, is awaiting a federal NEA partnership agreement, and is considering new revenue streams such as a cultural trust. She also noted that the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission was recently attached to SFCA, which has improved coordination and allows SFCA to provide funding for conservation and upkeep of the King Kamehameha statues statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, with questions deferred until after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:15.920><c> uh</c> make sure that the next Generations uh make sure that the next Generations
• </c> Arts ensuring that younger Generations Arts ensuring that younger Generations remain<00:35:14.960
• </c> diverse tradition for future generation diverse tradition for future generation we<00:49:09.640>
• but for future generations.
• but for future generations.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:16.639><c> for</c> acting assistant attorney general for acting assistant attorney general
• c><00:23:51.280><c> is</c> generally speaking, their impression is generally speaking, their impression
• </c><00:24:13.039><c> Generally</c> manufacture and install. Generally manufacture and install.
• benefit ranges, and general benefit information, and this falls squarely into general benefit information
• 01:24:35.679><c> to</c><01:24:35.920><c> receive</c> generally we would expect to receive generally we

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up is the Attorney General with comments.
• Good afternoon, Deputy Attorney General Randall Nishi.
• Yes, I mean, generally speaking, yes.
• </c> polls substations are generally polls substations are generally depreciated<00:53:52.240><c> over
• Christy Chang, Deputy Attorney General.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh she is in my opinion generally uh she is in my opinion generally unrivaled<00:26:51.120><c> in
• Generally speaking, we're talking about dollars generated by those participating in this activity, so
• </c> hopefully that's helpful generally hopefully that's helpful generally speaking<00:34:25.200><c>
• </c> that the uh the comment was generally that the uh the comment was generally just<01:16:42.840><c
• Uh, you said that these machines, recreational machines, are $15,000 to $30,000 generally.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The board is willing to revisit 10, but they felt like this 10 generated a review of the lowest 5%, and
• This is the higher-ed dollars that are generated for each campus by those subsidized dual credits.
• But this is for the two... ...would generate. But this is for the two universities.
• Oh, I thought you wanted an email—just a general explanation of what you're trying to do.
• And we changed some of the matching amount, but I don't think we were quite as generous.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Review Committee met to receive updates on several higher education issues, beginning with a presentation from the University System on low-completion programs. Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson explained the State Board of Higher Education’s proposed policy for reviewing associate through doctoral programs with fewer than 10 undergraduate or fewer than 5 graduate completers over a rolling five-year window. She said roughly 75 to 90 programs could be reviewed, with campuses able to justify continuation, modify, inactivate, or terminate programs, while teaching out current students as needed. Members asked about faculty layoffs, online programs, the basis for the threshold, and whether the process was producing savings; Johnson said faculty were more often reassigned than laid off, and that the effort was aimed at stewardship, workforce alignment, and avoiding future costs as much as immediate cuts. The committee also heard an update from the Department of Commerce on a $750,000 workforce development grant to Turtle Mountain Community College under Senate Bill 2018. Kerry Kraft reported that Turtle Mountain was the only applicant, that the grant is focused on dual credit and workforce pathways in areas such as cybersecurity, medical assisting, welding, public safety, and drone technician training, and that the project was still in early development with about $11,000 spent to date. Members questioned why other tribal colleges did not apply, how many students were participating, and whether the program belonged in the Commerce or higher education budget; Kraft said the college had a goal of 210 students and that prior biennia had met completion targets of 75% or higher. Senator Sickler then presented the Institutions Committee’s work on dual credit, describing it in terms of quality, access, and cost. He said nearly all high school faculty teaching dual credit now meet credentialing requirements, that online delivery has expanded access in rural areas, and that the committee is examining whether current funding creates triple payment through tuition, K-12 funding, and higher education funding. The committee reviewed cost data showing variation among campuses and discussed a possible single subsidized dual credit rate, using $79.57 as a working example, while noting that dual credit hours are currently included in the general funding formula and would need to be treated separately if a distinct rate is adopted. The committee then turned to the draft higher education funding formula bill and related capital fund provisions. Staff walked through technical corrections, a proposed shift to a four-year average for research funding, changes to doctorate incentives, and a discussion of whether UND and NDSU should be aligned with the other institutions’ undergraduate rates. Members also debated the overall fiscal effect of the proposal, with staff estimating that the new formula would increase funding by roughly $45 million compared with current appropriations, or about $24 million above what the current formula would otherwise produce in the next biennium, before any appropriation decisions. The committee did not take final action and recessed to continue its discussion later, including possible revisions related to dual credit and certificate completions.

Transcript Highlights:

• General Law Section 31 civil service. The PFFM represents 237 local unions.
• This lease extension would guarantee that this land continues to generate real revenue without a cost
• You don't have to give me a definitive answer, but just maybe in a general way, that's great.
• So I'll answer generally: there are two separate leases, and they're on two separate tracks.
• They have shifted, but the other businesses don't generate that much trash.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened its hearing with procedural remarks, including a strict three-minute testimony limit, livestream instructions, and a July 1 deadline for written testimony. Chairs Lewis and Rauch then heard testimony on a wide range of municipal home rule petitions and related bills, with many local officials and advocates being taken out of order because of the large turnout. A major topic was firefighter residency. Representatives of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and Sen. Keenan supported H. 2260/S. 1449, which would replace the current 15-mile residency rule for non-civil-service fire departments with a negotiable standard, generally allowing residency within 15 miles and permitting expansion through collective bargaining. Supporters said the change would improve recruitment and retention amid the housing crisis and create parity with civil-service departments. Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnhum and Sen. Senna also backed H. 4168 for Acton, making similar arguments about recruitment, paramedics, and the need for local flexibility. The committee also heard strong support for charter overhaul petitions for Somerville and Lynn. Somerville officials, including Rep. Barber, Mayor Ballantyne, Councilor Jake Wilson, and charter committee member Beverly Schwartz, described a years-long public process to replace an 1890s-era charter with a modern document emphasizing transparency, public participation, clearer governance, and a possible change to the mayor’s term length. Lynn Mayor Nicholson similarly supported a charter update to modernize city operations and financial procedures. Cambridge-related charter and procurement reforms were also briefly endorsed by Rep. Cabral. Other bills discussed included a proposal by Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Scarsdale to create a state grant program for municipal sustainability directors, and regional school finance bills supported by Rep. Lanatra and Jason Frazier to expand special education reserve funds and create a regional school assessment reserve fund. Acton witnesses also supported library governance changes and a checkout bag charge proposal. The committee heard sharply divided testimony on Quincy’s H. 3897, a 50-year lease extension for Quarry Hills/Granite Links: Quincy officials and business supporters praised the public-private partnership and future investment potential, while residents argued the lease was too long, should be competitively bid, and deserved more oversight and auditing. The hearing also included testimony on Boston trash truck noise restrictions and a PEG access/cable funds bill supported by Mass Access, as well as a Southwick petition to elect part of the Conservation Commission, which one select board member opposed as contrary to current law and good governance.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a deputy attorney general in the early 2000s and helped manage the Bronco Wine v.
• It's a home, it's a livelihood, and generations of hard work tied to a single piece of land.
• I'm here to represent Manor Ranch and myself as a first-generation farmer. Thank you.
• I have been sued by the Attorney General.
• Melanie Perrin on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of San Diego in support.

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The FPPC is generally charged with educating and advising those regulated under the Political Reform
• The candidacy generated significant media attention. ...The candidacy generated significant media attention
• General Rob Bonta, who is a proud co-sponsor of AB 1664.
• AB 1664 addresses this threat by requiring notice to the Secretary of State and the Attorney General
• I want to thank the Attorney General for the quick response to this issue.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then heard a series of election- and public-trust-related bills. Early items included AB 2592, which would move lobbyist training from legislative ethics committees to the FPPC starting in 2029 and make it available online on demand; it drew support from the FPPC and an oppose-unless-amended request to make the training public and ensure lobbyists pay fees. AB 2573 would refine California’s confidential voter registration protections for candidates and elected officials, with support from the Secretary of State and county election officials after amendments narrowed some family-member coverage. AB 2753 would bar registered sex offenders from running for or holding local or state office; it prompted extended debate about public trust, second chances, and where to draw the line, but was ultimately advanced on a 5-0 vote with one member not voting. AB 2691 similarly would expand disqualifying felony convictions to include sexual assault and human trafficking, and it also passed 5-0 after testimony from victim advocates and discussion about survivors, restorative justice, and the power dynamics involved in public office. The committee also advanced AB 2413, which would prohibit public funds from being used for large-format ads featuring elected officials, and AB 2281, which would direct the Office of Election Cybersecurity to assess replacement resources after federal cybersecurity support cuts and allow consultation with academic researchers. AB 1664 would require local election officials to notify the Secretary of State and Attorney General within one business day of warrants, subpoenas, or investigations involving election records or voting systems; supporters said it would help the state respond quickly to improper seizure of election materials, and it passed 5-0. AB 2484, concerning San Diego MTS, would let voters authorize a local sales tax initiative for transit funding and exempt it from an existing cap; it drew support from transit leaders and labor, opposition from the Realtors, and a lengthy exchange over Prop. 13, Prop. 218, and whether the measure created a special deal, before passing 6-1. The committee then heard AB 2230, which would create buffer zones around voting centers and child care facilities to keep immigration enforcement away from those locations. The author said the bill was meant to reduce fear and intimidation for voters and families, while the opposition argued it was unenforceable, lacked evidence of a problem, and would interfere with federal officers doing their jobs. Members supporting the bill cited reported ICE profiling and intimidation in California communities, while others raised jurisdictional and practical concerns. The transcript ends during this debate, with no final vote shown for AB 2230.

Transcript Highlights:

• - my me, but my and not just for my gener- my me, but my generation.<00:07:27.960><c> Thank</c><00:07
• </c> generation. Thank you. generation. Thank you.
• We are generally the first on scene.
• I believe what they're trying to do generally is there's a smothering technique.
• I believe what they're trying to do generally is there's a smothering technique.

Bills: SCR56 , SCR25 , SCR79 , SCR179 , SCR181 , SCR182 , SR54 , SR22 , SR81 , SR174 , SR176 , SR177

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, community wellbeing, Pohakuloa, condemnation, federal government, land sovereignty, Hawaii, native Hawaiians, public trust land, invasive species, octocoral, Pearl Harbor, environment, Navy responsibility, marine ecosystem, ecosystem preservation

Summary: The committee first heard SCR 56 and SR 54, which recognize open water lifeguards as first responders and acknowledge their role in emergency response and public safety. Testifiers from the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Hawaii Water Safety Coalition, Honolulu and Kauai Ocean Safety, and a junior guard all strongly supported the resolutions, describing lifeguards as often first on scene for drownings, cardiac arrest, spinal injuries, flooding rescues, and other emergencies. Several speakers said formal recognition would better reflect the work lifeguards already do and could improve training, support services, pay equity, and access to benefits such as retirement and trauma resources. Members asked about what legal or administrative changes would follow, and the discussion suggested the resolutions were a first step toward broader recognition and related policy changes. The committee then took up SCR 25 and SR 22, opposing federal condemnation or threats of condemnation to take control of Pohakuloa and other state land. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the resolutions, saying Pohakuloa has deep historical, cultural, genealogical, and ecological significance and that any future decisions should go through existing state legal processes with meaningful consultation with Native Hawaiians. Members discussed the role of the governor’s advisory process, the need to follow DLNR/BLNR procedures, and concerns about environmental and health violations at the site. The committee also noted 14 written testimonies in support. Next, the committee heard SCR 79 and SR 81, urging the U.S. Navy to take responsibility for eradicating octocoral and other invasive species in Pearl Harbor waters, including West, Middle, and East Loch. DLNR supported the resolutions, and testimony focused on the spread of invasive coral, the difficulty of eradication, and the limited access state agencies have inside Pearl Harbor. Members raised concerns about contamination, responsibility for the problem, and whether the Navy should fund or carry out the cleanup; DLNR said it could not speak to broader contamination issues but supported the resolution as a way to encourage action. The committee then began discussion of SCR 179 and SR 174, which urge Maui County to enforce fire code provisions on brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access, with written support noted from Aloha Independent Living Hawaii.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to be able to inspire the next generation and be a leader to my peers and the people around the
• I don't want to see our generation, the future generations, on their phones.
• I don't want to see our generation, the future generations on their phone.
• Developed under the direction of Executive Vice President and General Manager Harry Usher. Why?
• Generally speaking, there will be a legacy...

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games held its first hearing at the LA84 Foundation to examine the legacy of the 1984 Los Angeles Games and lessons for 2028. Chair Tina McKinnor and Senator Ben Allen opened by emphasizing the region’s opportunity to build on the 1984 Games’ success, while LA84 Foundation leaders described the foundation’s role in preserving that legacy through youth sports, play equity, and community investment. A youth panelist from Heart of Los Angeles testified that LA84-supported programs helped him stay engaged in sports, build confidence and communication skills, and hope for more community participation and opportunity from the 2028 Games. Former LA Olympic organizing committee officials Richard Perlman and Bob Graziano gave a detailed history of how the 1984 Games were privately financed, used existing venues, relied heavily on volunteers, and generated a large surplus. They said the organizing committee maximized revenue through television rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales, while keeping costs low through disciplined budgeting and community-based procurement. Members asked about equitable economic benefits, volunteer recruitment, ticket access, security, traffic, and funding. Witnesses said the 1984 model involved extensive community outreach, low-cost tickets, and local purchasing, and they urged a structured, deliberate approach to small-business participation and transparency in 2028 planning. Later witnesses focused on the long-term legacy of the 1984 Games. Zev Yaroslavsky argued that the Games succeeded because voters rejected taxpayer underwriting, forcing a private model that protected the city from financial risk, and he said the Games left major cultural and civic legacies, including the LA Opera and broader arts growth. LA84 and Play Equity Fund leaders said the surplus was intentionally used to create lasting impact, including support for millions of youth, research, and policy work. Renato Paiva described how LA84 support helped expand Access Youth Academy and elevate squash as an Olympic sport, and Derek Fisher spoke about the importance of free youth sports and the need to preserve access and opportunity as Los Angeles prepares for 2028.