Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of our, if you think about our work from home telework policy, it's to cover weekends and holidays
• We do have a telework policy that meets the requirements of state law.
• I think the government code contemplates teleworking being the exception. and not the rule.
• And most importantly, telework is a privilege and not a right.
• So we ascribe to that interpretation and all telework is approved by senior leadership on an as-needed

Transcript Highlights:

• They went to a completely 100% teleworking and it was working successfully.
• Um, certainly many office workers were able to telework, but I just want to remind you and members of
• the committee that there were a lot of workers that never could telework.
• Over 50% of our employees could never telework. So they were always in the office.
• > was<01:04:15.039> working teleworking and it was working teleworking and it was working

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Included in the proposed draft are new sections allowing for telework for legislative staff and a robust
• proposed draft are new sections allowing proposed draft are new sections allowing for<00:43:38.160> telework
• > legislative<00:43:39.599> staff<00:43:40.359> and<00:43:40.520> a for telework
• for legislative staff and a for telework for legislative staff and a robust<00:43:41.359> social<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call with 48 members present and three excused, deferred reading of the journal, and received Senate communications noting adoption of House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2. The chamber also recognized several visiting groups and guests, including Congresswoman Jill Tuda, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii participants and students, Okinawan visitors, Farrington High School students, James Campbell High School students, and Waiau High School students, many of whom were introduced in connection with Chamber Week activities and educational presentations. The main business was unfinished business on House Resolutions 6 and 7, which adopted the House rules for the 33rd Legislature, including rules for the Committee on Standards of Conduct. Members generally supported the rules package as a transparency and modernization update, citing earlier public access to testimony, a public list of Speaker appointees, changes to conference committee eligibility, telework for staff, social media guidance, and a public list of bills introduced by request. Several members raised reservations or opposition, focusing on concerns about staff involvement in approving written remarks, budget information timing, the Vice Speaker’s role, social media/free speech issues, and whether some changes reduced public access or conflicted with constitutional open-meeting requirements. No vote on the rules package is recorded in the excerpt. The debate ended with multiple members yielding time and the discussion continuing on the merits of the proposed rule changes, especially the balance between transparency, internal House procedure, and public participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• next bill is Senate Bill 936A, also by myself: Senate Bill 936A, an act directing the State Agency telework

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Internet Technology Committee met on February 25 at 12:10 with Senator Gonzalez chairing and Senator Stec as ranking member. The committee considered a series of bills focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biometric surveillance, and related technology issues, including measures to create a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, require notices for generative AI systems, direct a state agency telework report, require multi-factor authentication for governmental entities, establish a Secure Our Data Act, study facial recognition technology, restrict biometric surveillance by law enforcement, and increase transparency for synthetic content and AI training data. Most bills were moved and reported out of committee, with several sent to the floor and others referred onward to the Finance Committee, Codes Committee, or reported without recommendation or with opposition noted. SB 933, SB 934A, SB 936A, SB 3699, SB 6954A, SB 6955A, SB 7263, and SB 9051 were reported to the floor; SB 1139, SB 1961A, and SB 9051 were sent to Finance; and SB 5609 was sent to Codes. Votes varied by bill, with some receiving no opposition and others drawing one or more nays or without-recommendation votes. Senator Gonzalez also briefly highlighted SB 9051, which would prohibit AI chatbots from using features considered unsafe for minors, describing it as a response to concerns about harm from companion bots and chatbot interactions with children. The chair noted work with the Attorney General’s office and Common Sense Media and said the bill was intended to promote regulation and accountability for companies deploying such systems. The meeting concluded with thanks to the ranking member and staff, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of our, if you think about our. from home telework policy it's to cover weekends and holidays
• We do have a telework policy that meets the requirements of state law.
• And most importantly, telework is a privilege and not a right. subscribe to that wholeheartedly.
• So we ascribe to that interpretation and all telework is a. approved by senior leadership on an as-needed

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, gentlemen, if they choose to come in, yes, but they may choose to engage in telework, as you
• Choose to engage in telework, as you indicated.
• are who apply for the social work compact, so we'll know if they're here, if they're coming in by telework

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM18, HM21, HB10, HB11, HB12, HB13, HB14, HB31, HB50

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Civil Service Law in relation to enacting the New York State Teleworking Extension

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Civil Service and Pensions Committee met on January 28, 2026, with a quorum present and 13 bills on the agenda. Chair Robert Jackson opened the first committee meeting of the 2026 session and noted members present in person and by voting sheet. The committee then took up a series of civil service, retirement, and public employee labor bills, with brief motions and votes on each measure. Several bills concerned retirement and benefits, including changes to membership eligibility in the New York State and Local Retirement System (S-1011), transfer of sick time (S-3354), identical skilled nursing care health benefits for public retirees (S-4724), teleworking extension (S-5211), beneficiary changes for retirees (S-625A and S-6750), and an exit service requirement for designated employees (S-6999A). Other bills addressed public employee hearing procedures, collective negotiation disputes, preventing outsourcing during a hiring freeze, and related civil service law changes, including measures sponsored by Chair Jackson and other senators. Most bills were approved unanimously or with one abstention and were reported either to the Finance Committee or to the floor, depending on the bill. The committee also reported S-1011, S-3354, S-4724, S-4773, S-4894, S-4901, S-5211, S-6750, and S-6999A to Finance, while S-1540, S-2264, S-625A, and some others were reported to the floor. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were acted on, with no further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calendar 430, Senate Print 936A, Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the directing the state teleworking
• ;> CALENDAR 430, SENATE PRINT 936A SENATOR GONZALEZ, AN ACT TO AMEND THE DIRECTING THE STATE TELEWORKING

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Major Brittany Wooten, then took up Senate Resolution No. 1749 designating March 19, 2026, as West Point Day in New York State. Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Skoufis, Minority Leader Ortt, and several other senators spoke in support of West Point, its cadets, and the academy’s history and role in national service. Colonel Daniel R. Stuewe, commander of U.S. Army Garrison West Point, also addressed the chamber, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between West Point and New York and the academy’s mission to develop leaders of character. The resolution was adopted, and the West Point Day observance included recognition of cadets and academy staff. The Senate then moved through a calendar of bills, passing measures including amendments to the Public Health Law, Election Law, Executive Law, Penal Law, Elder Law, Real Property Tax Law, General Municipal Law, and Public Authorities Law. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote or debate. Senator Mayer spoke in support of a bill establishing Fred Korematsu Day, framing it as a reminder of the injustice of Japanese American internment and the need to defend civil rights. Senator Ryan supported a bill streamlining the senior citizen property tax exemption process, calling it a way to reduce burdens on older residents. Senator Helming opposed a local government planning mandate as an unfunded mandate, while Senators Walczyk and Martins criticized a housing-related reporting bill as burdensome and ineffective. The most debated item was Calendar 457, a housing-data and reporting bill sponsored by Senator May. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help the state understand zoning and housing capacity, while opponents said it imposed new reporting burdens on municipalities and could penalize poorer communities by threatening CDBG funding. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and ultimately passed by a vote of 37-23. The Senate then adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• and I noticed that HHFDC has a HR specialist that teleworks. >> So, how is that?
• HHFDC has a HR specialist >> I noticed that HHFDC has a HR specialist that<00:42:53.200> teleworks
• that teleworks. that teleworks.
• managers that we spent a lot of time in meetings when we were going through the whole process of telework
• that there had to be a standard and forms that were filled out every single week if somebody's on telework

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and we do not anticipate our agency does not have significant numbers of people who are working telework
• and we do not anticipate our agency does not have significant numbers of people who are working telework
• and we do not anticipate our agency does not have significant numbers of people who are working telework

Bills: HF3006, HF2130, HF1290

Keywords: Department of Corrections, DOC, corrections budget, supplemental appropriation, deficiency funding, public safety finance, incarceration, prerelease services, community supervision, postrelease services, supervised release, probation, reentry, reentry services, prison reform, body-worn cameras, corrections officer cameras, ARMER radio system, PREA, Prison Rape Elimination Act

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last couple years, there has been no claims from teleworking.
• So I think if you looked at our report, we've got about a dozen people who telework, and we only allow
• are you know predominantly teleworking are you know predominantly teleworking they<00:43:14.880>
• um and we a dozen people who telework um and we only<00:43:22.480> allow<00:43:22.720> it<
• So how do you reconcile teleworking with new furniture and hoteling?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, the Senate substitute now requires that the state telework policies be publicly posted on the
• practically implemented have been removed, as well as the 2022 requirement tied to restoring the telework
• And finally, the regional telework provisions were removed to avoid the creation of inconsistent policy

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I do have a point I wanted to bring up related to the telework requests that you had and the
• While the Department of Revenue doesn't necessarily allow teleworking except for one HR-approved case
• ><02:44:03.120> the to bring up related to kind of the to bring up related to kind of the telework
• requests that you had and the telework requests that you had and the ask ask ask um<02:44:07.680>
• allow teleworking except for one<02:44:54.160> HR<02:44:54.640> approved<02:44:54.960>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Her husband was going to do telework, his hospital. That she was trying to bring in.
• Her husband was going to do telework.
• His hospital in Texas wouldn't allow them in to do the telework because of the legal environment here

Bills: SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, procurement, contracting, small business, local government, disaster recovery, emergency procurement, certification, public spending, juvenile justice, delinquency, rehabilitation, community corrections, risk assessment, public safety, health regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so the main purpose of all of our policies, whether it's the remote work policy, the telework policy
• remote work policies whether it's the remote work policy<00:48:46.440> the<00:48:46.559> telework
• c> policy<00:48:48.400> um<00:48:48.640> is<00:48:48.800> to policy the telework
• policy um is to policy the telework policy um is to ensure<00:48:49.480> that<00:48:49.599>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met under a new Senate power-sharing arrangement with co-chairs, began with member and staff introductions, and then received a jurisdiction overview from Senate counsel. The overview explained that the Labor Committee’s jurisdiction has not changed from the previous biennium and covers fair labor standards, minimum wage, workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, and related agencies and boards such as the Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Mediation Services, PERB, and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It also noted that some topics, including paid leave, fall under other committees, while earned sick and safe time remains within Labor and Industry jurisdiction. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach and Josiah Moore then gave a detailed Department of Labor and Industry presentation. They reviewed the department’s funding sources, emphasizing that workers’ compensation funds and construction codes/licensing revenues make up most of the budget, while the general fund is a small share. They described the department’s major divisions, including workers’ compensation, construction codes and licensing, labor standards, nursing home workforce standards, and OSHA consultation and compliance, and highlighted practical examples of their work. Examples included return-to-work assistance for an injured worker, compliance training that reduced penalties for self-insurers and claim administrators, and use of the Special Compensation Fund when an employer lacked workers’ compensation insurance. The labor standards section highlighted enforcement actions involving unpaid overtime, pregnancy and parental leave retaliation, wage deductions, and child labor violations, along with totals for 2024 collections and inquiries. The presentation also noted the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s adopted rules, the expansion of construction licensing exams statewide, and OSHA consultation programs such as Min-SHARP and MINSTAR, including a Minnesota employer that recently achieved MINSTAR status. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the governor who would like the Like the DOJ or maybe the State Land Office that does allow for telework
• And I agree with Representative Anaya about telework.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I first came to the department, as I kind of looked at the number that were working a telework remote
• ><00:55:46.440> thing<00:55:46.680> with Approximately 95% of our employees have a telework
• without<00:57:53.000> kind<00:57:53.119> of<00:57:53.280> the<00:57:53.400> telework
• <00:57:53.960> that<00:57:54.079> we without kind of the telework that we without kind
• of the telework that we have<00:57:54.520> this<00:57:54.640> wouldn't<00:57:54.920>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Not everybody can telework, but there are definitely departments that can, and there are definitely departments
• Not everybody can telework, but there are definitely departments that can, and there are definitely departments
• not what other departments can do right not everybody<06:01:12.400> can<06:01:12.520> telework
• <06:01:13.400> but<06:01:13.520> there<06:01:13.638> are everybody can telework
• but there are everybody can telework but there are definitely<06:01:14.240> departments<06:01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 117 in our office. 23 are telework folks. I can assure you they are not in their jammies.
• We have 117 in our office. 23 are telework folks. I can assure you they are not in their jammies.
• We have 117 in our office. 23 are telework folks. I can assure you they are not in their jammies.
• We have 117 in our office. 23 are telework folks. I can assure you they are not in their jammies.
• were showing up at offices in their pajamas, but maybe Secretary Simon can confirm that." "23 are telework

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interviews, pending Civil Service interviews, or the conditional offer being given to the individuals for telework
• One employee is authorized for telework for reasonable accommodation purposes.
• ><01:17:01.520> for being given to the individuals for being given to the individuals for telework
• the<01:17:02.560> 362<01:17:03.560> current<01:17:03.920> employees telework
• of the 362 current employees telework of the 362 current employees one<01:17:05.199> employee

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism. The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed. Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.