Transcript Highlights:

• care.
• care.
• Direction uh the second meeting dealing Direction uh the second meeting dealing with<00:43:17.160><c>
• So, do you guys just go to the principal with no letter directed to the principal, with no letter directed
• So, do you guys just go to the principal with no letter directed to the principal, with no letter directed

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> direct where these funds are to be used. direct where these funds are to be used.
• </c> They take care of it on their own. They take care of it on their own.
• </c> They<04:11:59.279><c> care.
• </c> They care. They want to accumulate it. They care. They want to accumulate it.
• Child care &gt;&gt; Is that what Okay. So, next. Child care licensing<04:35:01.199><c> fund.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review inactive and dedicated accounts, note prior legislation that had passed, and begin its annual review of agency funds. Members discussed several inactive funds, including some HHS-related accounts, a law enforcement memorial fund, and possible cleanup of accounting references where funds had been reorganized or merged. Staff noted that some newer funds may simply not have started receiving revenue yet, and the committee agreed to follow up on specific accounts later rather than address everything immediately. The committee then heard from Fish and Game on its dedicated funds. Topics included the statewide public boat access account, which is used for boat ramp and access-site maintenance and is supported by boat registration fees and federal funds; the ORV education, training, and enforcement account, which has declined over time and may need attention because revenue depends heavily on weather and snowmobile use; and the search and rescue account, which is funded by Hike Safe cards, a $1 fee from boat and OHRV registrations, and court-ordered fees. Fish and Game also explained that the conservation license plate fund had been merged into the non-game species management account, which is supported by donations, federal funds, and a statutory general fund transfer, and that pheasants are treated as game species under a separate program. The committee spent considerable time on the lifetime license account, an off-book Treasury-held account that collects lifetime license sales and returns funds to Fish and Game based on annual sales plus 9% of the fund balance. Members questioned why the account’s presentation did not clearly show the transfer as a revenue reduction and suggested the reporting format needed cleanup so the flow of money would be easier to understand. Fish and Game said the account is operating properly and that the transfer to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund exceeded $400,000 in the most recent year. The committee also reviewed the publications and fundraising revolving fund, which keeps a $100,000 balance for inventory purchases and transfers excess year-end funds to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund; members again raised concerns that the reporting format did not clearly show the transfer, and staff said they could add a note or other clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's how people cared about him because he was a reflection of care. brothers and sisters from this
• ><00:09:53.600><c> care.
• The cost of everything from health care to child care, energy, food, technology—everything's going up
• </c><05:01:22.320><c> federal</c> direct and direct state and federal direct and direct state and federal
• They didn't care what he thought.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of you may have your paychecks direct deposited.
• The act to study the delivery of care.
• people he cared for superbly.
• Medical care.
• Timely medical care is a basic human right.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a wide range of criminal justice, victim services, and records-sealing bills. Early testimony focused on H.1811, the Clean Slate automated record-sealing bill, with supporters arguing that automatic sealing after existing waiting periods would remove barriers to jobs, housing, and education without changing eligibility rules. Advocates from legal aid, business, and housing organizations said the current petition-based system is underused, burdensome, and costly, while opponents of expanding surveillance-related laws urged the committee to preserve privacy protections. The committee also heard testimony on H.1693, which would immediately seal records in cases ending without conviction and clarify the presumption of innocence, with speakers describing how dismissed cases still create lasting collateral consequences and prevent people from moving forward. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills centered on victim safety and domestic violence. Senator Michael Moore testified for S.1201, which would keep child-protective orders in effect even if the parent or guardian who filed them dies, and for S.1204, which would update the wiretap statute. Multiple survivors and advocates supported S.1215 and S.1222, arguing for a narrow wiretap defense for recordings made to document threats or abuse and for making GPS tampering a separate felony offense. Testifiers described situations in which GPS devices were cut off or disabled and said current law leaves victims at risk and gives abusers too much leeway. The committee also heard emotional testimony on H.1685/S.1238, a bill prompted by the suicide of Stavri Yanka in custody, with the sponsor, his mother, and the sheriff describing the need for better information-sharing so suicide-risk information follows a person into custody. Law enforcement and prosecutors supported several due-process and dangerousness-related bills. MassCOP, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the State Police Association backed H.1828/S.1039/S.1235, which would require de novo Superior Court review for POST Commission suspensions over two weeks or decertifications, arguing officers need a meaningful appeal beyond administrative review. The committee also heard support for H.1691, expanding the dangerousness statute to additional offenses; Bristol County District Attorney Quinn said the changes would let prosecutors seek detention in serious cases such as child rape and manslaughter when facts warrant it. In contrast, the Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed expanding dangerousness detention, warning that pretrial detention causes serious harms and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic defendants. The hearing also included testimony on H.1654/S.1063 to enhance victims’ rights and H.1525, which would rename and expand community corrections into community justice programs, with supporters emphasizing reentry, reduced stigma, and broader service access.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, to address the direct housing assistance through housing vouchers, to make sure that Minnesotans
• housing assistance through uh the direct housing assistance through uh<00:04:49.560><c> housing</c><
• ,</c> restaurants, retail, home health care, restaurants, retail, home health care, and<00:08:45.480>
• I also bring a lived experience with me of homelessness after being in foster care.
• </c> cuz I serve on taxes as well and care cuz I serve on taxes as well and care about<00:20:06.040><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I don’t care where it comes from.
• They know law enforcement don't care. They know social services don't care.
• So we'll take, that'll be taken care of.
• You stay here in this house, and we’ll take care of you.”
• And we care. You are so brave, and we care. Thank you.

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes a culture of caring for everyone's health.
• It reflected people caring and saying, “Let’s not let that happen again.”
• </c> enhancing access to Medical Care enhancing access to Medical Care supporting<00:46:42.480><c> overall
• </c><00:52:35.079><c> a</c><00:52:35.200><c> reasonably</c><00:52:35.680><c> careful</c> reasoning care
• a reasonably careful reasoning care a reasonably careful pedestrian<00:52:36.520><c> would</c><00:52

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 18, 2025, to hear several measures and later take up amendments and votes. Early items included a budget measure to increase the mass transit special fund expenditure ceiling, a bill extending lapse dates for drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory funds, and a measure creating buffer zones for parking near crosswalks and intersections. Testimony on the crosswalk-parking bill was broadly supportive from transportation, law enforcement, planning, bicycling, public health, and advocacy groups, with the Department of Health emphasizing visibility and roadway safety. The committee also heard a bill establishing the Mokai air carrier subsidy program for Molokaʻi, which drew support from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and comments from the Department of Transportation. The committee then heard SB 106 on pedestrian rules, which generated mixed testimony: the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Workers Center, and the Department of Health supported it, while the Honolulu Police Department and Kīpuka Injury Prevention Coalition opposed it. Supporters argued the bill would reduce inequitable jaywalking enforcement and reflect a broader safety culture; opponents warned it could create confusion and risk. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect other traffic-code provisions and asked about crash data in other jurisdictions; the Department of Health said crashes had not increased in other places and cited California data showing decreased crashes and fatalities. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 934 SD2 with amendments, with Representative Miyake reserving and Representative Cochran excused. It then passed SB 1526 SD2 with amendments. SB 1195 SD1 was also passed with amendments after the chair proposed adding language tying fines for illegal parking near crosswalks and intersections to the Safe Routes to School special fund and establishing a fine range of $100 to $500 per violation, with collected fines dedicated to pedestrian safety improvements. Members voiced support for the dedicated revenue source and community safety rationale. The committee next passed SB 1638 SD2 with amendments to strengthen the constitutional/public-purpose findings for subsidizing air carriers serving Molokaʻi and to add annual audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. The amended findings emphasized that affordable air service is essential for health care, employment, education, and overall well-being in remote island communities, and that the subsidy program is intended to improve access and competition while lowering costs for residents. The chair then recessed the meeting after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That event brings about $6 million of direct economic impact to one of my cities.
• So I just want to be careful in answering so that it's not put out erroneously.
• Jude, which is providing care for children that cannot, under bills like this, provide appropriate care
• It’s his call,” and I don’t have any direction.
• Again, it's related to health care.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, again, this would direct the President Pro Tem and the Speaker of the House to reduce the amount
• 30, which the legislature would provide oversight to the contract and the change from the managed care
• , Medicaid managed care, and really provide that oversight.
• So the reason that I'm not specifically recognizing a dollar amount in this one would be to direct the
• This would direct them to the fire suppression deficiency account rather than Strategic Initiatives like

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The joint House Appropriations and Senate Finance committee met with a quorum and began by recognizing two pages, who each described their plans after serving and what they learned about the legislative process. The committee then turned to year-end cash transfer proposals presented by Keith Bybee, who explained that the packet contained 14 motions tied to balancing the current and upcoming budgets and managing fund balances. The proposals included transferring remaining legislative remodel funds back into the legislative account and reducing legislative transfers in fiscal years 2026 and 2027; moving unobligated money from the Idaho Broadband Fund and inactive school district building accounts to the general fund; and creating flexibility to use the 27th payroll fund only in an emergency. Other items would redirect interest earnings from several funds, including the budget stabilization fund, public education stabilization fund, water pollution control fund, permanent building fund, ARPA-related funds, and Strategic Initiatives funds, with some proceeds going to the general fund, fire suppression deficiency account, or transportation-related purposes. Members asked about balances, obligations, and the meaning of terms like “unobligated” versus “unawarded,” and Bybee said he would verify some figures before the noon meeting. Several members discussed the broader budget strategy, including the rationale for aiming for a $150 million ending balance and whether the committee should rely on reserve transfers versus other budget adjustments. Some members emphasized preserving legislative control over future supplemental spending and providing a roadmap for new committee members, while others noted that the state’s fiscal situation was partly the result of revenue decisions made by the legislature itself. The committee did not vote on the motions during this session and adjourned until noon, when it planned to take action after members had time to review the updated green sheet and follow up on questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a time when homes are filled with warmth, tables are prepared with care, elders are honored, children
• His heart and care also extended to the people who made this work happen in this building — the staff
• And nowhere was that clearer than in his care for foster youth.
• That is who John was, a man of grit and heart, a man who cared more about justice than approval, a man
• My dad ran foster care for the state of California at one point, and he was my business partner.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The VA was created on the decree from Abraham Lincoln to care for those who've borne the battle.
• Secondly, with taking care of the spouses, there's one thing we haven't mentioned: taking care of the
• So there's many, many, many people—Gold Star families, if we can take care of them.
• take care of the community, too. ...the money in the community.
• take care of the community, too.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted committee substitutes and voted do pass on House Bills 383, 2940, and 1869 by unanimous roll-call votes. The chair then moved to public hearings and announced shortened testimony times because of the late hour. A large portion of the hearing focused on several nearly identical proposals to provide property tax relief to disabled veterans and, in some versions, surviving spouses. Representatives Jobe, Crosley, Bolerking, Schmidt, and Jones described different approaches: tiered exemptions based on VA disability ratings, homestead-based exemptions, county opt-in or opt-out provisions, sunsets, and in some bills relief tied to assessed value or personal property/vehicle taxes. Committee members raised questions about acreage limits, transfer of benefits to new residences, remarriage of surviving spouses, annual recertification, and whether counties should have discretion. Several witnesses in favor, including veterans and veterans’ advocates, urged broader eligibility, especially for 100% permanent and total veterans and those with individual unemployability, and argued the benefit would help veterans remain in Missouri. A public advocate opposed the bills on fiscal grounds, citing large projected costs to local governments, school districts, and state funds. The committee also heard testimony from veterans and advocates on the importance of recognizing spouses and families, and on the need to avoid burdensome county administration. Representative Schmidt presented two related bills, one offering a percentage-based property tax discount and another creating a homestead tax credit with county participation and a market-value cap; members discussed combining the measures and revising sunset and spouse language. Representative Jones presented bills extending relief to 100% disabled veterans and to personal property/vehicles, emphasizing that counties could opt in and that the credit should not shift costs to other taxpayers. The hearing ended before the final witness finished, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill mainly makes changes to the Uniform Probate Code, that's Title 15, Chapter 5, and the care
• Idaho Continuum of Care Association, that's ICCA.
• Well, how can we, we don't, the person doesn't need hospital level of care and doesn't need to spend
• When there's something this large contemplated, taking the time to be careful and try to get it right
• Okay, Senator Ruttee, I'll let you kind of direct the conclusion.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that we should care equally about communist entities and fascist governments buying land in Arizona
• I think that we should care equally about communist entities and fascist governments buying land in Arizona
• I don't care who you are. You could be responsible for that.
• voted we didn't want an AMA in that in that water district but the governor came in said we don't care
• We know that the county supervisors down there, and their job is to be able to take care of the county

Committee: House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Summary: The Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee heard several measures focused largely on foreign land ownership, historic preservation administration, and limits on the Attorney General’s nuisance-enforcement authority. HCM 2005, which urges Congress to study restrictions on foreign governments from communist or authoritarian countries owning property, drew debate over a proposed amendment to add fascist governments; that amendment failed, and the memorial then received a do pass recommendation. HB 2171, a related bill prohibiting sales or leases of Arizona real property to persons acting for China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea and assigning enforcement duties to state and county agencies, also passed after members debated whether it duplicated existing law and raised constitutional concerns. HB 2790, which would change reporting and administrative structure for the State Historic Preservation Office and appropriate $1 million, received testimony from Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Arizona Preservation Foundation; supporters said it would improve autonomy and efficiency, while others warned about internal inconsistencies and federal funding implications. It was approved on a 5-3 vote. The committee then considered three bills aimed at curbing the Attorney General’s public nuisance actions. HB 2168 would require county board of supervisors consent before the AG could bring a nuisance case in Superior Court; supporters said it would add local control and protect rural industries, while opponents argued it would hinder statewide enforcement and protect large foreign corporations. HB 2169 would make the AG liable for defamation per se if a nuisance action lacks a reasonable basis and is publicized; HB 2167 went further, creating damages, attorney-fee, lost-profit, and treble-damages liability payable from the AG’s operating fund. In testimony, supporters said the bills were needed to check what they described as aggressive or unfair nuisance litigation against rural businesses and water users, while opponents said the measures would chill legitimate enforcement and accountability. All three bills passed on 5-3 votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they cannot afford child care now, being able to deduct their child care costs will not help them.
• If you can afford child care, those who can afford the most expensive child care might get $900 back
• I don't see any direct lines at all, because the child care, child care normally does help with jobs.
• Now people who are paying for child care are apparently wealthy, just by virtue of paying for child care
• Again, child care deduction was attacked.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those challenges mean for our residents here in Massachusetts, and most critically where we must direct
• And the bond bill was such a step in the right direction because beforehand we were receiving about 10
• You know, we're really careful about how we spend it, but the conversations here today have been very
• You know, we've got CDBG, we've got HOME, we've got lead, we've got $50 million of Continuum of Care
• , and health care.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts. Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations. CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• to take care of a place.
• </c> that does not always reflect direct that does not always reflect direct community<00:58:24.400><
• Uh adaptive management is direction.
• </c> recommendations allowing for direct recommendations allowing for direct negoti<02:23:04.240><c>
• direct negotiation based on negoti direct negotiation based on 171-43.1 171-43.1 171-43.1 and<02:23:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 3019, which would cap ticket resale prices at face value for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to enforce violations. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill and said it preferred a ticket transparency approach focused on upfront disclosure of fees, while supporters argued the measure would curb scalping, bots, and extreme markups. Testimony from the National Independent Venue Association and a concert promoter emphasized that resale does not add inventory and said the bill would protect consumers; committee members questioned DCCA about enforcement and cited examples of very high resale prices for local concerts. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair said the measure would be moved along for further consideration. The committee then heard Senate Bill 3311, which would create the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program within DLNR to fund fire-mitigation grants for residential property owners. DLNR supported the bill, saying the need is immediate and that the program is modeled on successful mainland efforts, though the department said it ultimately belongs under the State Fire Marshal once that office has capacity. DCCA’s Insurance Division submitted written comments only. The measure was received without further action in the excerpt. Senate Bill 2979, authorizing DLNR and community-based organizations to enter community co-management agreements for state lands, drew broad support from OHA, community groups, and several individuals, who said the bill would formalize partnerships, strengthen shared responsibility, and help community stewardship efforts. Testifiers clarified that the bill does not require 65-year agreements and said the term should be left to DLNR’s discretion. The committee then moved on without questions or a vote shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2351 on the state park special fund, which would allow DLNR to use fund monies for environmental protection programs. DLNR’s state parks administrator opposed the bill, saying the special fund is already fully committed to urgent maintenance and infrastructure needs across an aging park system, and warned that diverting money would weaken the fund’s ability to support parks. The Tax Foundation also submitted written testimony, and a community witness opposed the measure for similar reasons. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Senate Bill 2918, which would require HCDA to establish a community action center in Chinatown; HCDA’s executive director expressed concern about jurisdiction and said the city and county should continue leading that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then all the other aspects of construction, it needs to kind of take care of itself.
• of itself but that's where the care of itself but that's where the state<00:23:03.159><c> stateum</c
• I mean, that is if you all want this to be done well, then we have to go in that direction.
• </c> then we have to go in that direction then we have to go in that direction yeah<00:57:36.400><c>
• "That's where we got to focus more as well, is getting that wait list taken care of quickly."

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and Higher Education heard HB 1494, relating to sports facilities. Testimony was largely in opposition to the bill as drafted from the Stadium Authority, the Department of Accounting and General Services, and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, with several other written comments also opposing; each asked that if the measure advances, Senate language from related stadium bills be incorporated instead. The University of Hawaiʻi testified in support of the Nāʻid project and said it wants the project delivered at Halawa so the university can have a football facility, though members pressed the university on whether it was effectively supporting both the project and the bill’s current approach. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on the stadium project’s financing, schedule, and oversight. DAGS and Public Works discussed a consultant contract that had grown to about $28 million and an audit that recovered $441,000 after improper travel and expense reimbursements, including first-class airfare and other personal expenses; officials said the audit exposed weak internal controls and led to revised reimbursement policies. Members questioned whether the problems would have been found without media reporting and whether stronger oversight should have been in place earlier. The committee also discussed the current Ching Field setup for UH football, with witnesses describing it as less than ideal and temporary until the new stadium is built. Stadium Authority representatives said the current preferred offeror is Aloha Halawa Development Partners, negotiations have recently accelerated, and the goal remains a contract this summer and a fall 2028 opening. They said the state is committed to $350 million in general obligation bonds, with the overall project expected to cost more, and that the developer is exploring other financing sources such as TIF or CFD while the state and city work to expedite permits and demolition. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've already... retirey health care and started valuing retirey health care and started valuing it
• Um, and retirey health care from it.
• direction direction &gt;&gt; if<00:31:14.000><c> they're</c><00:31:14.159><c> not</c><00:31:14.320><
• If you look at health care, health care is running nursing apprenticeships.
• care, healthc care is you look at health care, healthc care is running<01:01:20.960><c> nursing</c><

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I care very much about the workers and making sure that we take care of this program.
• In addition to the direct outreach, education, and direct support, there's a capacity-building component
• That Senate bill, beginning July 1, 2028, SB 590 will expand the eligible relationships for PFL care
• So SB 590 paid family leave eligibility care for designated persons.
• Care is about 15%.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• approval of the governor, qualified by experience to administer and implement the policies and directives
• superintendent had to come in at midnight and work a shift because they didn't have enough people for direct
• care.
• Well, let me tell you something right now: all direct care positions and institutions are totally exempt
• we should probably have some sort of reporting data now to kind of see if it's going in the right direction

Committee: All ALC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee first took up several personnel and compensation requests. It approved a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism reclassification that would trade three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager. It also approved one-time bonus and recruitment plans for the Department of Commerce and Department of Veterans Affairs, including up to $5,000 bonuses tied to the unemployment insurance modernization project and $2,000 bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the state veterans homes. A Department of Health request to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board was also approved; members were told the position was already authorized and would not increase total positions. The committee then reviewed a Department of Commerce reduction in force affecting the Division of Workforce Services for the Blind and Employment and Training divisions. Secretary Hugh McDonald and Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits explained that the cuts were driven by over-obligated federal funds, a prior realignment, and what they described as long-standing fiscal mismanagement in the Division of Services for the Blind. They said 56 employees remained furloughed, five employees in a separate grant group were still working, and 17 positions were on the permanent RIF list. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the independent board, and whether the layoffs were being handled fairly, including a request for racial composition data on the workforce and the RIF group. Members also discussed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Staff explained that the reports cover average staffing levels over each quarter, and members focused on overtime spending, especially in DHS, the Department of Correction, and the Department of Transportation. OPM said overtime is being reviewed, direct care positions remain exempt from the hiring freeze, and agencies have been hiring more staff since the new pay plan took effect. The committee asked for additional reporting on overtime trends, and the meeting adjourned without further action.