Transcript Highlights:

• Since our last meeting on September 11, I have continued outreach and delivered Speed Task Force orientation
• meeting on September 11, I have last meeting on September 11, I have continued<00:18:00.320><c> outreach
• /c><00:18:00.720><c> and</c><00:18:01.039><c> delivered</c><00:18:01.520><c> speed</c> continued outreach
• and delivered speed continued outreach and delivered speed task<00:18:02.080><c> force</c><00:18:02.400
• This should be complemented by clear plain-language DOH guidance and outreach materials explaining what

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Speed Task Force met on December 15, 2025, with members participating in person and via Zoom. After roll call and introductions, the chair filed the previous meeting minutes without objection. The chair then gave a report on outreach presentations statewide about the task force’s permitting-simplification work, noting appearances before groups such as the Chinese Chamber, Small Business Regulatory Review Board, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chamber, and the Land Use Commission. He also introduced the new task force coordinator, Reginald K. T. King, and outlined a January 6, 2026 process for member-submitted recommendations, including first-come consideration and structured debate. No public testimony or member questions were offered on these items. The task force heard a presentation from the Building Permit PIG. The presenter said the group reviewed 79 SWAT recommendation forms over seven meetings, with participation from 15 disciplines and about 270 hours of work. The group’s findings emphasized workforce shortages, inconsistent plan quality, limited departmental resources, and a lack of centralized tools for applicants to self-resolve issues. Recommendations focused on building a workforce pipeline, expanding training on codes and technology, and developing a universal platform, including AI-assisted review tools. The presenter also raised offsite construction, including factory-built, modular, tiny homes, and ADUs, as an area needing clearer state and county alignment to speed permit review and support housing needs. No public testimony or Q&A followed, and discussion and voting were deferred to the January 6, 2026 meeting. The task force then began the Chapter 6E Historic Preservation PIG presentation. The chair described historic preservation as a broad process covering research, protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and interpretation of significant properties, including burial sites and iwi kūpuna, and said Chapter 6E is intended to guide responsible development rather than stop it. The presentation explained SHPD’s role and the complexity of 6E review, including archaeological surveys, monitoring, and preservation plans. Early findings highlighted uncertainty in sensitivity determinations for iwi kūpuna and subsurface resources, repeated review of the same projects, and staffing and technical capacity shortages among SHPD and consultants. Public testimony was closed and no immediate Q&A was allowed; further discussion and voting on recommendations were scheduled for January 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• a million per year in funding as an increase to the LSS core program, which stands for casework, outreach
• a million per year in funding as an increase to the LSS core program, which stands for casework, outreach
• a million per year in funding as an increase to the LSS core program, which stands for casework, outreach
• a million per year in funding as an increase to the LSS core program, which stands for casework, outreach
• The core program, it's case management and outreach.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . $42 million on the planning process, the outreach, and everything else.
• I want to thank the author and his staff and the sponsors for their early outreach and continued vigorous
• I want to thank the author and his staff and the sponsors for their early outreach and continued vigorous
• We've had rigorous community outreach, so, yeah, we think this is something worth supporting.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several transportation, climate, and vehicle-related bills. SB 1087 by Senator Cabaldon proposed modernizing SB 375 regional planning by moving plans from a four-year to an eight-year cycle, clarifying agency roles, aligning funding programs with regional climate plans, and reducing duplicative process costs. Supporters from MPOs and environmental groups said it would improve efficiency and implementation; opponents warned it could weaken climate accountability, expand vehicle miles traveled concerns, and reduce public participation. SB 1315, also by Senator Cabaldon, would require manufacturers to report software updates for semi-autonomous vehicle features to the Insurance Commissioner to build data for future policy; it drew no opposition. SB 1275 by Senator McNerney would replace the state sales tax on motor vehicles with a higher vehicle license fee to preserve a federal tax deduction and reduce money sent to Washington, with LAO providing technical testimony on the tax structure. The committee also heard SB 1287 by Senator Hurtado, which would create a tax credit to spur private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. Supporters said it would improve freight efficiency, safety, emissions, and rural economic development; there was no opposition. SB 1064 by Senator Daly would reduce the frequency of clean truck checks for very low-mileage heavy-duty and off-road diesel vehicles, with supporters saying it would save time and costs and opponents asking for CARB analysis before taking a position. SB 1375 by Senator Cortese would streamline environmental review for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive prior review, while preserving other environmental laws; it received broad support and no opposition. SB 1392, also by Senator Cortese, would expand the smog exemption for certain collector vehicles used mainly for shows, parades, and historic display; classic car and lowrider supporters backed it, while air quality groups opposed it as likely to increase emissions and weaken smog-check accountability. After testimony, the committee took up motions and later completed roll calls once a quorum was established. SB 1213 was placed on the consent calendar and approved. SB 1087, SB 1315, SB 1275, SB 1287, SB 1423, SB 1064, SB 1375, and SB 1392 were all reported out of committee, generally to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with SB 1392 receiving the closest vote and some opposition from members. The committee also briefly discussed another bill on active transportation funding tied to SB 79 areas, and that measure was approved after amendments and a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $42 million on the planning process, the outreach, and everything else.
• I want to thank the author and his staff and the sponsors for their early outreach and continued vigorous
• I want to thank the author and his staff and the sponsors for their early outreach and continued vigorous
• We've had rigorous community outreach, so, yeah, we think this is something worth supporting.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I really just want to understand how you guys do outreach, where you guys are weak on.
• As you know, this is one of the challenging things with student outreach: to say, you know, you might
• As you know, that this is one of the challenging things with student outreach to say, you know, you might
• list of prevention tools, especially something that the Bureau Chief is very proficient at, is her outreach

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I really just want to understand how you guys do outreach, where you guys are weak on.
• As you know, that this is one of the challenging things with student outreach: to say, you know, you
• As you know, that this is one of the challenging things with student outreach to say, you know, you might
• list of prevention tools, especially something that the Bureau Chief is very proficient at, is her outreach

Summary: The joint Sunset Review Oversight Hearing focused on the Bureau for Private Post-Secondary Education (BPPE) and its reauthorization, with committee chairs and members emphasizing the Bureau’s role in protecting students, overseeing private postsecondary schools, and responding to a changing federal higher education landscape. BPPE and the Department of Consumer Affairs reported that the Bureau has modernized data systems, improved enforcement, increased citations and inspections, reduced pending complaints, and is now meeting its statutory inspection mandate. They also said the Bureau faces a structural budget deficit and has reduced costs through staffing cuts, streamlined inspections, and shifting some student-relief functions to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF).

Transcript Highlights:

• So that also the time will allow for education and outreach.
• workers, they have been able to use this as a way to really build good rapport and education and outreach
• So that also the time will allow for education and outreach.
• workers, they have been able to use this as a way to really build good rapport and education and outreach

Bills: SB5223, SB6071, SB5966, SB6061, SB6016, SB5973, SB5053, SB5249, SB6190, SB5574, SB6263, SB6282, SB5950, SB6074, SB6096, SB5609, SB5943, SJM8016, SB5907, SB6155, SB6158, SB6227, SB6085, SB6234, SB6274, SB5909, SB6045, SB6089, SB6170, SB5954, SB5762, SB6032, SB6082, SB6164, SB6176, SB6319, SB6308, SB6177, SB6052, SB6182, SB6335, SB6017, SB5470, SB5990, SB5046, SB5387, SB5637, SB5647, SB5839, SB5888, SB5962, SB6018, SB6037, SB6047, SB6078, SB6130, SB6147, SB6256, HB2155, HB2304, HB2367, HB2606, SB5998, SB6005

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• We can provide greater outreach to health departments and the HANS program, and we have several hospitals
• We can provide<00:10:26.480><c> greater</c><00:10:26.880><c> outreach</c><00:10:27.360><c> to</c><00:
• 10:27.600><c> health</c> provide greater outreach to health provide greater outreach to health departments

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last night we did outreach.
• specific providers that we can proactively reach out to and offer some very time-limited, focused outreach
• and engagement and technical assistance. ...and offer some very time-limited, focused outreach and engagement
• Right now we have two providers that we have started the process with, one that we've extended an outreach

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to share some things we're doing at the agency regarding outreach and training programs.
• &nbsp; 781 I WANT TO SHARE SOME THINGS WE'RE DOING AT THE&nbsp; AGENCY REGARDING OUTREACH AND TRAINING
• We're happy to work with Representative Bartleman on the individual members and outreach directly to
• We're happy to work with Representative Bartleman on the individual members and outreach directly to

Summary: The Health Facilities Subcommittee met to receive implementation updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration on three bills passed in prior sessions. First, Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer reported on the transfer of the Children’s Medical Services managed care plan from the Department of Health to AHCA under HB 1085. He said the move was administrative only, with no change to enrollment, providers, services, or clinical eligibility functions, and that it was intended to create efficiencies by aligning procurement and shifting staff resources between agencies. Members then questioned AHCA about reports of reductions in private duty nursing and therapy services for medically fragile children, including concerns about appeals, provider credentialing, and whether families were losing services or being transitioned appropriately. AHCA said it was reviewing denials, monitoring the plan, and using contractual remedies while focusing on maintaining access for members. The committee also reviewed implementation of a bill creating permanent Medicaid eligibility for individuals with permanent disabilities. AHCA staff explained that the agency had submitted a federal 1115 waiver request after public comment and stakeholder meetings, but CMS had indicated it did not anticipate approving the requested authority. Members pressed AHCA on why the waiver was submitted later than the bill’s directive date and on whether the delay was avoidable. AHCA said the waiver was complex and required review, drafting, and public input, and noted that DCF already has a specialized unit to help with redeterminations while the agencies work on operational changes. The committee discussed the practical impact on families who struggle with annual eligibility renewals and the need for clearer communication and faster follow-up from the agency. Finally, AHCA presented on the home health aide program for medically fragile children and related Medicaid eligibility changes. The agency described the 2023 law that created a family caregiver provider type and the 2025 changes that increased the hourly rate, expanded hours, reduced training requirements, and removed caregiver earnings from Medicaid eligibility calculations, subject to federal approval. AHCA said it had completed state public comment, submitted the waiver amendment to CMS, and was awaiting federal action. Members raised concerns that some families may have enrolled or begun work before the eligibility fix was in place and may have lost benefits, especially in Broward County. AHCA said it would work with affected families and plans, review outreach through DCF and the health plans, and continue rulemaking, system updates, and provider training. The meeting ended with the chair noting that the committee had received the updates and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• members, a presentation by Major General Hartzell with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Outreach
• One other thing I do want to talk about is veteran outreach. Again, that's my role.
• That's my responsibility for our 1.4 million veterans is outreach to them to make sure they're aware
• Other parts of outreach — again, this is kind of the big picture — disability pensions is the biggest

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7. The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system. Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• state, I mean, um, Kind of the environment that we typically find our veterans in as it deals with outreach
• Is that, is that a pretty, yeah, I think you summarized the issue quite well, you know, the The outreach
• We try to do our best in outreach. We do a lot of outreach events.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you comment on how your department might do any outreach or work with the rural? Mr.
• She worked diligently to improve efficiencies within several bureaus while ramping up outreach efforts
• One of my biggest efforts is to bolster outreach and include the bureaus within our agency that have
• not been typically involved in outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Davids that talked about specific outreach to historically excluded communities.
• 53.960><c> specific</c> Davids that talked about like specific Davids that talked about like specific Outreach
• <00:18:54.799><c> to</c><00:18:55.440><c> historically</c><00:18:56.000><c> excluded</c> Outreach to
• historically excluded Outreach to historically excluded communities<00:18:57.080><c> I'm</c><00:18:57.440

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So the educational outreach and your presence has just been very beneficial, and we thank you for that
• advantage of what's available so the advantage of what's available so the educational<00:20:37.240><c> Outreach
• /c><00:20:37.880><c> and</c><00:20:38.039><c> your</c><00:20:38.360><c> presence</c> educational Outreach
• and your presence educational Outreach and your presence has<00:20:39.080><c> just</c><00:20:39.240>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard extended testimony from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and several senators about using agriculture economic development funds to make Kentucky farms more profitable and attract related businesses. Discussion focused on expanding markets for corn, soybeans, beef, dairy, and other products through biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, feedlots, processing plants, transportation, and other infrastructure that would keep more value in-state. Members also discussed the profitability pressures on farmers, high land prices, and the need for small-farm support and aggregation programs such as Kentucky Proud, BCAL, KOAP, CAP, food-is-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. Senators raised specific ideas and concerns, including raw milk and food-freedom innovation, support for 5-acre and other small farms, and the possibility of a beef processing plant in Kentucky. Shell said raw milk testing is not currently a department function but could be explored with legislative direction, and he emphasized that Kentucky must first prove it can feed cattle at scale before a processor is likely to locate here. He also argued that changing conditions in the West and Midwest, including water limits, workforce shortages, and regulatory pressure, could make Kentucky increasingly competitive for beef processing and feedlot operations. Several senators shared personal farming experiences to underscore the difficulty of making a living in agriculture and the need for off-farm income or value-added businesses. They cited examples such as grain storage, dairy products, chicken and hog operations, and restaurant or rental income supporting farm operations. Commissioner Shell said the fund is intended to fill gaps and attract businesses that need Kentucky agricultural products, creating premium markets and more local jobs. After questions concluded, the committee took up the bill, with a motion by Senator Richardson and a second by Senator Nunn. The roll call was taken, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• conducted two successive rounds of QAP revisions in 2023 and 2024 with manifestly inadequate public outreach
• 2024 with manifestly<00:24:33.559><c> inadequate</c><00:24:34.399><c> public</c><00:24:34.679><c> Outreach
• </c> manifestly inadequate public Outreach manifestly inadequate public Outreach processes<00:24:36.600

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing heard testimony on several housing-related measures. Senate Bill 65 would appropriate funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority for rehabilitation and repair of public housing units. Testifiers from the Department of Human Services, HPHA, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and Roar Cares supported the bill, emphasizing that repairing vacant units is a fast, cost-effective way to increase available housing for homeless and elderly residents. HPHA later told the committee it had 139 vacant units, with an estimated average repair cost of about $73,000 per unit. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 65 with amendments, including an appropriation of $10,147,000, and the motion passed. The committee also considered Senate Bill 40, which would allow HHFDC to secure a line of credit or other indebtedness for the bond volume cap recycling program. HHFDC supported the measure and explained that Act 35 had provided a $150 million line of credit for fiscal year 2025 only, so this bill would extend that authority; HHFDC said the bonds involved would be revenue bonds. Roar Cares supported the bill, while the chair asked whether the Legislature would need to pass such a bill annually. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage with amendments to specify revenue bonds and noted the administration should study other ways to secure the line of credit without annual legislation. For Senate Bill 35, which would create a Housing Efficiency and Innovation subaccount within the rental housing revolving fund and allow fund transfers without legislative approval, HHFDC and several others supported the measure, arguing that more flexible fund movement would improve efficiency. The committee adopted a recommendation to pass SB 35 with amendments, including language prioritizing projects on state or county land or projects by entities required to reinvest surplus into housing, and noting nonprofit developers could qualify for prioritization. Senate Bill 42, which would repeal certain 30% AMI set-aside and preference requirements for rental housing revolving fund projects, drew opposition from Catholic Charities Hawaii, which argued the bill would reduce the supply of the most vulnerable housing units, while HHFDC warned it could reduce production of 30% AMI units. The committee deferred SB 42. The final bill discussed was Senate Bill 75, which would establish a working group to revise the state’s qualified allocation plan and related rental housing revolving fund loan terms and report back to the Legislature. HHFDC and others offered comments, while Catholic Charities asked that the bill be deferred, saying HHFDC already had the capacity to work with the community without a new law. Roar Cares supported the concept but urged broader stakeholder inclusion. In decision-making, the chair said the committee report would note concerns about prior QAP revisions and the need for more transparent, ongoing stakeholder participation, and the committee recommended passage of SB 75 without amendments. All recommendations were adopted, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, yeah, there is work ahead of us, I think, to continue to do promotion and outreach.
• Do we need to do targeted outreach? Do we need to change our scoring criteria?
• We obviously really are trying to put a lot of effort into outreach and education and prevention and
• The formula investment will fund trauma-informed outreach and education done by community health workers
• This investment supports promotoras to do outreach and referrals for immigrant legal services and health

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many different families reach out to me because of the outreach that I’ve done.
• Many different families reach out to me because of the outreach that I’ve done.

Bills: H3895, H5157

Keywords: career education, technical training, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, pilot program, youth education, school safety, education, mental health, children, security measures, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Representative De Los Santos, our office has not yet done that outreach, but we are going to
• Chairman, Representative de Los Santos, our office has not yet done that outreach, but it is we are going

Summary: The Rules Committee considered several Senate bills for constitutional and proper-form review. Senate Bill 1099, on defamation claims and internet publication limitations, drew concern from the Rules Office about possible anti-abrogation and First Amendment issues, but it was still recommended by a 4-2 vote. Senate Bill 1148, governing attorney licensure and bar membership, was flagged for separation-of-powers concerns because it would direct how the Arizona Supreme Court licenses attorneys and conflict with Supreme Court Rule 32, yet it was also recommended by a 4-2 vote. The committee then reviewed Senate Bill 1435 and Senate Bill 1567, both dealing with sexually explicit materials and minors in schools, libraries, and government settings. The Rules Office said both bills raised vagueness and First Amendment concerns, especially around the term “facilitate” and broad definitions of sexually explicit material, but noted those issues could likely be addressed by amendment. Members asked about the state’s interest in protecting minors and whether narrowing language could cure the constitutional problems. SB 1435 was recommended by a 4-2 vote, and SB 1567 was recommended by a 5-2 vote. After correcting the recorded vote on SB 1099, the committee took up a mass motion covering many additional Senate bills. The Rules Office said each measure in the motion was constitutional and in proper form, and the committee approved the mass motion by a 7-0 vote with one absent. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also notice it says you don't really do any kind of training program or outreach.
• Arkansas Center for Nursing, which is our workforce center, we do give them a grant to do some of that outreach

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, noting it regulates about 72,000 nurses and oversees RNs, LPNs, advanced practice nurses, medication assistants, and a new dialysis patient care technician registry. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint types, and the board’s finances; the board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but has vacancy issues in some areas, complaints commonly involve criminal backgrounds, fraud, misrepresentation, drug abuse, and misappropriation, and the average case length is 191 days though some cases remain open much longer while awaiting criminal adjudication. Officials also said they are working on efficiency improvements and have added help positions with Department of Health support. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then reviewed the soil classifier program, now housed under the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. Agriculture Department officials explained that soil classifiers are a small, specialized profession requiring a four-year degree with coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences, and that the state currently has 29 registered soil classifiers. Members asked whether that number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the program’s finances are used. Officials said the profession is mainly used for septic system design, wetland determinations, nutrient management, and other soil-related work, and that current staffing appears adequate. They also noted the program has about $20,000 in reserves, above the statutory three-year balance, and discussed possible uses such as training, curriculum upgrades, and expanded administrative funding. The report was also accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.