Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to do some upgrades to the physical facilities.
• I would like to do some upgrades to the physical facilities.
• I would like to do some upgrades to the physical facilities.
• I would like to do some upgrades to the physical facilities.
• I would like to do some upgrades to the physical facilities.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• put ourselves forward to pursue countless state and federal grants aimed at mitigation, efficiency upgrades
• Arlington cannot achieve equitable decarbonization of its 12,000 buildings via individual building upgrades
• it would enable us to figure out which neighborhoods can be electrified without substantial grid upgrades
• grids and might be ripe for network geothermal, and which neighborhoods will require electric system upgrades
• As we're planning the transmission upgrades needed, we're also investing in modernizing local distribution

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The hearing focused on several climate and utility-related bills, especially H. 3449/S. 2292 to expand the municipal fossil fuel-free building demonstration program from 10 to 20 communities and related home rule petitions for Somerville and other municipalities. Witnesses from Somerville, Salem, Worcester, Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, Wellesley, Watertown, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association argued that local governments should be allowed to opt into fossil fuel-free or net-zero building standards, citing climate goals, environmental justice concerns, housing production, and data showing all-electric construction can cost about the same as or less than mixed-fuel construction. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses for cost data and asked for written follow-up, while also discussing whether strong environmental standards affect housing supply; witnesses responded that the main housing constraints are financing and that they would provide more data from local projects and state studies. A second major topic was H. 3564, which would require gas companies to provide municipalities with detailed multi-year pipe replacement plans, allow local review and objections, and limit reimbursement for projects not previously disclosed except in emergencies. Municipal leaders and advocates said the bill would improve coordination of street work, reduce disruption and costs, and help cities plan for electrification, network geothermal, and non-pipeline alternatives. Testimony from Wellesley, Cambridge, Arlington, Newton, and others emphasized repeated problems with last-minute gas main work, the need for advance notice, and the value of municipal participation in planning gas system retirement and alternatives. The committee also heard testimony on the “tactical transition” bills, S. 2249/H. 3539, aimed at managing the gas-to-clean-energy transition. Supporters from Gas Transition Allies, Rewiring America, and 350 Mass said the bills would require joint gas-electric planning, create an advisory council, eliminate subsidies for new gas hookups, shift investment toward repairs and clean alternatives, protect workers through retraining, and make utility plans more transparent. They argued these changes would reduce ratepayer costs, avoid stranded gas assets, and support orderly decarbonization. In addition, HEET testified on H. 3541, which would update greenhouse gas accounting to better reflect methane’s short-term climate impact, and H. 3543, which would establish a framework for managing shared thermal resources and thermal energy networks; committee members asked several questions about the meaning, ownership, and consumer-cost implications of the proposed “thermal commons.” No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• modernization plan, We continue to invest significant resources in new technology, new infrastructure, and upgrades
• not as a safety and reliability mechanism, but as a tool to invest in system-wide infrastructure upgrades
• not as a safety and reliability mechanism, but as a tool to invest in system-wide infrastructure upgrades
• Installing thermal networks in areas where the electric system is constrained can radically reduce the upgrades
• decarbonization of its approximately 12,000 buildings by 2050 via individual building electrification upgrades

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations. Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals. Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, their system has never been upgraded, and they are paying more than $100 per month for sewer treatment
• And our project not only eliminates 72 package plants, but we're upgrading the plants that will not go
• Once the company found out, well, then obviously now they started doing a few upgrades.
• your company decides to go buy one in Ascension and it's going to cost you $400 million to get it upgraded
• , ...one in Ascension and it's going to cost you $400 million to get it upgraded.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee met on March 25 and first took up HB 199, which would extend Louisiana’s nursing home moratorium. Chairman Miller amended the bill to shorten the extension from five years to four, moving the termination date to July 1, 2031. Rep. Barault argued the state faces a growing bed-capacity problem and proposed an amendment to exempt St. Tammany Parish; Rep. Cruz offered a substitute to reduce the extension to three years. The Nursing Home Association said it had negotiated in good faith and supported the four-year compromise, while the Pelican Institute opposed the moratorium as anti-competitive. A St. Tammany resident testified that her mother faced a long wait for placement and that more local beds are needed. The three-year substitute and the St. Tammany exemption both failed, and HB 199 was reported favorably with the four-year amendment. The committee then favorably reported HB 223 to recreate the Department of Children and Family Services for four more years, with Secretary Rebecca Harris saying the department’s recent reorganization has allowed it to focus more directly on child safety and child welfare. Members discussed planned reforms such as differentiated response, stronger community-based care, and the transfer of TANF to Louisiana Works in 2027. HB 907, which grants civil and criminal immunity for the use or distribution of expired naloxone or other opioid antagonists, also passed with technical amendments; public health officials and members emphasized that expired naloxone remains effective enough to save lives and should still be used in emergencies. HB 535, which streamlines hospital-based acknowledgements of paternity by allowing notarization without two witnesses, was reported favorably after Woman’s Hospital testified that the change would speed up paternity establishment, child support enforcement, and the addition of fathers to birth certificates. HB 554, which would increase penalties for violations at health care facilities and require LDH reporting, drew testimony from a family member describing serious care failures and from LDH, which said it already has caps on fines and that the bill would not change those caps. Rep. Jackson amended the bill to require LDH to publish fines assessed and collected and to list facilities with repeated immediate jeopardy or actual harm deficiencies, but the bill was then voluntarily deferred for a week to allow further discussion with the department. The committee also reported HB 224, a largely technical update to the Children’s Code recommended by the Louisiana State Law Institute, HB 246, which updates membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and related bodies, and HB 405, which updates the name of the national acupuncture certifying organization. HB 222, requiring Medicaid coverage for certain dental procedures when needed to clear patients for other medically necessary treatment, was reported favorably despite a fiscal note. Finally, HB 235 on sewer systems generated extensive discussion: Rep. Fontenot described rising sewer rates, poor maintenance, and sewage overflows in his district, and argued for allowing property owners to install private sewer treatment systems in certain circumstances. Members raised concerns about local control, PSC rate-setting, and whether local governments should have more authority over sewer service decisions; the bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• enhancement project where we converted all the cameras and all the security access and all the computer upgrades
• At the University of Idaho, I did the Brinkfini building upgrades for all the windows.
• enhancement project where we converted all the cameras and all the security access and all the computer upgrades
• At the University of Idaho, I did the Brinkfini building upgrades for all the windows.
• of four-letter words after us, but we've done over a hundred city blocks in the city of Boise and upgraded

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• There's going to need to be new and secure storage and disposal rules, major IT upgrades.
• None of this... ...rules, major IT upgrades. None of this is funded in the bill.
• It also limits municipalities' abilities to apply new land use and zoning requirements to upgrades of
• It applies to upgrades of existing wastewater utility infrastructure located within a municipality owned
• licensure examination passage rates, as well as authorizing funds for expanding, retrofitting, and upgrading

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored retiring Senate staffer Susan Miller and recognized a veteran injured in combat. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to returning messages from the House and began taking up bills and amendments. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed SB 118 on RV park assessments and SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, both by 38-0 votes. It then took up the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity by tightening citizenship verification and ID rules; opponents argued it would burden eligible voters, especially students, seniors, disabled voters, and others without the newly required documents. The bill passed 27-12. The chamber also passed the education package SB 182 after adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, and approved SB 474 on military affairs, SB 425 on historic cemeteries, HB 929 on local regulation of chickees, and HB 35/SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation, all with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate then considered SB 902/ HB 733, the Department of Health package. Members adopted an amendment and amendment-to-amendment that preserved most Senate provisions while modifying or removing several House additions, including some early steps and medical marijuana-related changes, and the bill passed 37-0. The chamber also began work on HB 905, the foreign influence bill, with a strike-all amendment offered to expand restrictions on foreign influence, sister-city agreements, linkage institutes, and related activities, but the debate on that measure was still underway when the transcript ended. Several other returning messages and bills were temporarily postponed, and the Senate recessed briefly before resuming business.

Transcript Highlights:

• addition to the new facilities, one of the things that we'll have to do for all the scenarios is upgrade
• addition to the new facilities, one of the things that we'll have to do for all the scenarios is upgrade
• or improve the WACCO line that goes from Lewiston. scenarios is upgrade or improve the Watco line that
• And it will be focusing not only on the preservation of those roads, but also investments in ADA upgrades
• , sidewalks, shoulder improvements... ...but also investments in ADA upgrades, sidewalks, shoulder improvements

Committees: Joint Transportation , Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and its consultant described the study as focused on transportation mitigation, not on whether dam removal should occur. They outlined geologic risk work on drawdown and erosion, identified vulnerable embankments and nearby roads, rail, and utilities, and explained a total logistics cost model used to compare base conditions and several future scenarios. Those scenarios included no-dam conditions with new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, a combined “many solutions” scenario, and a future scenario still to be defined. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could test reduced grain volumes; staff said the model can estimate transportation changes and costs, but not broader farm-economics impacts. WSU’s independent review said the model had improved but still had limitations in spatial detail, routing accuracy, and testing, and that stakeholder engagement remained important though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received an update on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Consultants said the study is in its early information-gathering phase, with a statewide survey of cities and counties, interviews, national research, and legal review of possible funding mechanisms. They described current sidewalk funding as fragmented, with grants, transportation benefit districts, levies, and some utility-tax allocations used in Washington, but no dedicated statewide source. They said the study is especially examining a possible sidewalk utility fee, while parcel taxes appear unlikely under Washington’s property-tax rules. Members asked whether any new mechanism would duplicate existing taxes, how a sidewalk fee would be collected, and whether development requirements for sidewalks count as dedicated funding; the consultants said the study is aimed at expanding local options rather than mandating adoption. Deliverables include a preliminary draft by mid-December, a “Sidewalks 101” document by year-end, and a final report by mid-June next year. The committee also heard a brief update on the ocean-going vessels at berth emissions study. Staff explained that the report is nearing completion and will be presented at the next JTC meeting. They highlighted federal Clean Air Act constraints, noting that Washington’s options are shaped by California’s waiver-based standards and that deviations from California’s vessel-at-berth rules could invite litigation. Staff said stakeholder outreach is underway and asked for any missing participants to be identified before the final report is issued. Finally, the committee began hearing from county representatives on local transportation challenges. The county engineers’ association emphasized ongoing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs, but the presentation was cut off as the meeting moved on to the next item.

Transcript Highlights:

• $25 million of this appropriation to build a new interdiction station in North Florida and make upgrades
• non-citizens who attempt to vote, and we're also, if you help somebody vote or register, it's also an upgraded
• Upgraded offense. We're going from misdemeanor to a felony. That's it. Senator Davis.
• But I think in Dax originally, the $25 million, the bulk of that money is going to pay for upgraded stations
• But I think in, in Dax originally, the $25 million, the bulk of that money is going to pay for upgraded

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a moment of silence honoring former Senator and Judge Thomas Gallen. The chamber then moved to special order items focused on immigration and related enforcement measures. Senate Memorial 6C, urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements, passed by voice vote. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 4C, an immigration measure that would impose a mandatory death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of capital felonies and create state crimes for illegal entry and re-entry. Senators Pizzo, Polsky, and Sharief raised concerns about constitutional issues, plea bargaining, trial and penalty-phase procedures, prosecutorial discretion, and the effect on victims’ families. Supporters, including Senators Fine and Gruters, argued the bill was a strong deterrent and a response to serious crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. The bill passed 25-11. The chamber next debated Senate Bill 2C, a broader immigration enforcement package. The bill would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expand local-federal cooperation, fund detention and enforcement efforts, strengthen pretrial detention rules for unauthorized aliens, and end in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Senators Davis and Pizzo questioned enforcement mechanics, jurisdiction, bond procedures, and whether local agencies were actually mandated to participate; supporters said the bill was designed to maximize cooperation with federal authorities and the Trump administration. A late-filed amendment by Senator Pizzo to preserve tuition waivers for current students failed 14-22, and a second amendment was withdrawn after discussion. Debate then continued on the bill, with opponents arguing it was costly, federal in nature, and harmful to Dreamers and other students, while supporters said it was necessary to crack down on illegal immigration and align state policy with federal enforcement priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next request is funding approximately $1.2 million to upgrade our Judiciary email accounts from a very
• Thank you for the security to upgrade the security station.
• you for the funding from you thank you for the security<00:32:48.639><c> to</c><00:32:48.880><c> upgrade
• ><00:32:49.279><c> the</c><00:32:49.440><c> security</c><00:32:50.000><c> station</c> security to upgrade
• the security station security to upgrade the security station um<00:32:51.679><c> that</c><00:32:52.159

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary heard the Judiciary’s budget presentation from Brandon Kimura and other court administrators. The Judiciary outlined its mission and access-to-justice programs, including specialty courts, self-help centers, online small claims dispute resolution, and e-reminders. It requested an operating budget of $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, along with 17 permanent and one temporary position, and described a series of staffing and program requests tied to specialty courts, district court operations, technology, and public guardianship. Major program requests included making women’s court permanent by converting seven temporary positions to permanent and adding a substance use counselor; expanding truancy court and the Early Education Intervention Program on Oahu; and making the driving while impaired court permanent. The Judiciary also sought staffing and funding for the new Wahiawa District Court, including security, janitorial, IT, clerical, bailiff, and social worker support, plus an additional district court judge and staff in Kona. Technology requests included cybersecurity tools and a cybersecurity unit, enhanced email protection, and replacement of aging network switches. Other operating requests included continued funding for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, restoration of 12 positions cut during the pandemic, and added support for the Office of the Public Guardian. For capital improvement projects, the Judiciary’s top priorities were $4 million to design a new South Kohala District Court, $900,000 to replace an aging AC chiller on Kauai, and $5 million for lump-sum facility preservation work. Members asked questions about purchase-of-service contract rates, implementation of court-appointed fee increases, federal grant dependence, specialty court effectiveness, truancy court outcomes, and the condition of the Ewa District Court site. Judiciary witnesses said they were working to raise provider rates through contracts and a separate bill, cited low recidivism and reduced petitions as evidence that specialty courts and truancy efforts are working, and said the Ewa site has significant foundation issues that may require further assessment or a different location.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have the same go every upgrade that entire area, create a pier atmosphere for recreational use of that
• the</c><00:00:50.960><c> same</c><00:00:52.320><c> go</c> have the same go have the same go every upgrade
• :00.480><c> area</c><00:01:01.520><c> create</c><00:01:01.760><c> a</c><00:01:02.000><c> pier</c> upgrade
• that entire area create a pier upgrade that entire area create a pier atmosphere<00:01:04.159><c> for
• or access is upgraded, you are not charged to move those lines.

Bills: SB222 , HB560 , HB475 , HB484 , HB583 , HB542 , HB566 , SB222 , HB560 , HB475 , HB484 , HB583 , HB542 , HB566

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: medical clinic board, clinic board, hospital bankruptcy, Chapter 11, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, municipal indebtedness, municipal bankruptcy, health care provider, acute care hospital, lease property, board immunity, director liability, civil liability, healthcare finance, insolvency, debt readjustment, federal bankruptcy law, Alabama Code 11-58-5.2, library materials

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, our case management system upgrade was supported by grant funding um and because we
• So, for example, our case management system upgrade was supported by grant funding, um, and because we
• So, for example, our case management system upgrade was supported by grant funding, and because we would
• example, our case management<00:33:30.880><c> system</c><00:33:31.760><c> um</c><00:33:32.000><c> upgrade
• </c><00:33:32.399><c> was</c> management system um upgrade was management system um upgrade was supported

Summary: The subcommittee received an overview of Kentucky’s specialty courts from Audrey Collins of the Department of Specialty Courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts, along with testimony from Christian County District Judge Foster Cutoff. Collins described the mission and structure of drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, emphasizing therapeutic jurisprudence, individualized treatment, judicial oversight, and multidisciplinary teams. She said Kentucky currently has about 2,991 active participants across the three court types, with drug courts in all 120 counties, mental health courts in 17 counties, and veterans treatment courts in eight counties. She also highlighted reported outcomes such as 7,658 entrants and 4,384 successful completions from 2020 to 2024, a five-year average completion rate of 57%, and lower recidivism among graduates than the statewide average. Collins also reviewed funding and costs, saying the department’s fiscal year 2025 budget was $18.6 million, with most of it from general funds, plus restricted and federal funds. She noted spending on personnel, treatment services, and drug testing, and said specialty courts allow participants to remain employed and meet obligations such as child support and restitution. She said participants paid more than $5.4 million in child support, restitution, and other court-related obligations over five years, and that a statewide evaluation by Morehead State University is underway. In response to questions, she said a dip in 2024 collections may have been affected by a case management system overhaul, and that court costs can be waived in some indigent cases while restitution is still required. Judge Cutoff described veterans treatment court and mental health court in Christian County, saying the programs are especially important because of the nearby Fort Campbell military community and because they help veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use, and related issues. He said the courts rely heavily on staff, treatment providers, and the VA, which helps connect participants to benefits and therapy. He also said mental health court participants receive housing, benefits, and medication support, and that the programs can keep people out of jail and help them stabilize. Committee members asked about the legal basis and history of the courts, and Collins explained that Kentucky’s specialty courts began as pilot programs in the mid-1990s, shifted from federal support to state funding around 2008-2009, and are now largely state funded. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we're talking about a panel upgrade or electrical upgrade, a lot of that is required to be done
• And when we're talking about a panel upgrade or electrical upgrade, a lot of that is required to be done
• And so when we're talking about a panel upgrade or electrical upgrade, a lot of that is required to be

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up several Senate bills by Senator Umberg. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two years’ notice before changing the multiple-choice question vendor for the bar exam and restoring a more traditional exam delivery method after the February exam problems. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would give the California Attorney General earlier access to federal merger filings to improve antitrust review; supporters said it would reduce delays and duplication, while members discussed how it would work alongside federal review. SB 36 would strengthen California’s price-gouging laws after the January 2025 firestorms by requiring reporting from listing platforms, expanding consumer enforcement, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; it drew support from consumer advocates and opposition from business groups. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent calendar and moved SB 25, SB 36, and SB 253 out of committee, with SB 36 receiving some no votes and being placed on call before final action. The committee then heard SB 413 by Senator Allen, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by the subject of the file against child welfare or probation agencies. Supporters, including Los Angeles County and county associations, said the bill would reduce costly and repetitive petitions and speed litigation while preserving redactions and confidentiality protections. The Youth Law Center opposed unless amended, warning that bypassing juvenile court review could expose sensitive information and weaken long-standing privacy protections for youth. After discussion about who could access the records and what safeguards remained, the committee passed SB 413 as amended to Appropriations. Next, Senator Becker presented SB 770, which would remove the requirement that a homeowner installing an EV charger in a common-interest development name the HOA as an additional insured. Supporters argued the insurance requirement is confusing, difficult to obtain, and an unnecessary barrier to EV adoption; opponents from HOA and property groups warned it could shift liability and costs to associations. Members focused heavily on insurance and indemnity questions, and the bill was moved out of committee to Insurance. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the residential pay-or-quit notice from three days to 14 days. Supporters said the longer notice would help tenants cure late rent, avoid eviction, and prevent homelessness, while opponents argued it would burden landlords, could be misused repeatedly, and might inadvertently affect commercial leases. The committee engaged in extensive debate over landlord hardship, tenant protections, and possible guardrails; the bill was ultimately held on call for further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're looking at is stepping into what's called Next Generation 911, which is, in short, essentially upgrading
• Can that monies be used to upgrade radio systems or any other ways in which you can improve the communication
• a kind of<00:36:03.200><c> a</c><00:36:03.400><c> a</c><00:36:03.520><c> big</c><00:36:03.720><c> upgrade
• c> right</c><00:36:04.560><c> now</c><00:36:05.560><c> uh</c><00:36:05.920><c> and</c> of a a big upgrade
• right now uh and of a a big upgrade right now uh and that's<00:36:06.359><c> one</c><00:36:06.480><c

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee heard and discussed three nominations to the 911 Board: Matthew Kurara (Governor’s Message 505), Re Mahuna (Governor’s Message 614), and Rebecca Liberman/Weberman (Governor’s Message 661). Kurara, a Honolulu Police Department communications captain, said he would bring PSAP and dispatch experience to the board, with a focus on Next Generation 911, better coordination among PSAPs, and recruiting and retaining telecommunicators. Mahuna, a longtime Hawaiʻi Police Department officer and current board member, emphasized his emergency-response experience during disasters on the Big Island and his support for improving communication through Next Generation 911, including the new joint call center on Hawaiʻi Island. Liberman, the board’s VoIP representative and a Charter/Spectrum government affairs director, said she was continuing her second term and would keep working on legislative and government issues, including the statutory change removing “enhanced” from the board’s name to better support Next Gen efforts. Members asked each nominee about rural coverage, redundancy, training, broadband, radio-system limitations, and how Next Generation 911 would affect service in places like Puna and other rural areas. The nominees generally said the system is designed with redundancy so service would revert to backup systems if new technology fails, and that the main challenges in rural areas are often broader communications or radio issues rather than 911 itself. Kurara and Mahuna both said each PSAP currently handles much of its own training, though there is interest in more standardization and national best practices. Liberman explained that VoIP calls generally work over the internet and may benefit from Next Gen, but that location/address issues for some internet-based calling services may still need further review. The committee also discussed public education about text-to-911, the use of technologies such as FirstNet, and whether the E911 special fund ceiling needed to be raised again. Mahuna said he did not see a current need to raise the ceiling further. Written testimony was received in support of all three nominees, including support from public officials, law enforcement, county agencies, and private individuals. No opposition testimony was noted, and the chair said decisions would be made later with the other nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amount of dollars and capital investment for upgrading and replacing water mains.
• Infrastructure fees, upgrades, infrastructure fees, what would those, what would that bill look like?
• that 30-year window I've got about a 7.7 billion dollar need on the water side to replace lines and upgrade
• our biggest needs, the biggest and most important need for this river authority is going to be to upgrade
• Without sufficient... they fall behind on infrastructure upgrades and growth-related projects, which

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, you have also provided the funding for upgrade to our communications system.
• Exceptional item number two continues the needed upgrades at Camp Bowie Training Center.
• Exceptional request number seven is for some technology upgrades.
• Those buses need to be upgraded.
• So we'd really like to see some upgraded buses for our folks. Lastly, facility closures.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• service, interim expenses, preparations for next session, legislative IT, district offices and staff, upgrades
• There is a request within this budget, not specifically for webcasting, but in terms of upgrades that

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• new compatible equipment, but it's unclear whether the agency should have had to pay for such an upgrade
• With our center, the county is looking at upgrading our computer systems.
• Those have been some external factors, but like I said, we are doing what we can to upgrade and work
• Those have been some external factors, but like I said, we are doing what we can to upgrade and work
• And number two, it seems like there need to be funds in order to upgrade the computer system.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We're estimating that it will cost a minimum of around $25,000 to upgrade our license system.
• an increase in the amount requested, but we're still gathering proposals for that license system upgrade
• minimum of around likely will cost a minimum of around $25,000<00:09:30.160><c> to</c><00:09:30.480><c> upgrade
• </c> $25,000 to upgrade our license system. $25,000 to upgrade our license system.
• </c> that license system upgrade. that license system upgrade.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you look on line 14, you'll see a $6 million appropriation to AOC for facility upgrades at courts
• So we have a plan to upgrade whatever is going to expire in the next 12 to 24 months first, and then
• have that cadence of upgrading all that equipment.
• We need to put The procurement in place for that circuit to be upgraded, then appropriate equipment needs
• Line 113, to upgrade the energy code compliance manual, I believe we need to have some money for that

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:23.440><c> those</c><00:34:24.079><c> but</c> Corrections can upgrade those but Corrections
• can upgrade those but they're<00:34:24.440><c> the</c><00:34:24.560><c> lowest</c><00:34:25.040><c>
• why there's a pending case for 10 years in front of the military boards of corrections to try to upgrade
• carry Boards of Corrections to<00:34:59.240><c> try</c><00:34:59.400><c> to</c><00:34:59.599><c> upgrade
• the the nature of to try to upgrade the the nature of discharge<00:35:02.520><c> there</c><00:35:02.640

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division