Transcript Highlights:

• LEAD is a pre-booking diversion program.
• </c> and the pre-booking diversion programs and the pre-booking diversion programs and<01:16:50.159><
• . programs. programs.
• , we need to see results of those program, we need to see results of those pilot<01:17:37.520><c> programs
• </c><01:21:45.280><c> to</c> to go into it's a voluntary program to to go into it's a voluntary program

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The briefing focused on the Hawaii State Hospital’s overcrowding, construction defects in the new addition, and how Act 26 and related court-ordered processes are affecting admissions and discharges. The chair said the hospital has become increasingly forensic-focused, has lost beds after the closure of Kahimohala, and may face further costs and possible litigation over the defective addition. Hospital and Department of Health officials said they are working with the attorney general and contractors on repairs, and that the hospital is currently using all 292 licensed beds, including 13 waiver beds, while average daily census last fiscal year was 376. Officials explained that the high census is driven by both increased admissions and discharge barriers. They said the loss of Kahimohala returned patients to the state hospital, and that Act 26-related petty misdemeanor cases are contributing to admissions. They also said limited lower-level placement options delay discharges. Hospital staff reported that many patients are repeat admissions, about 22% were unhoused before admission, and a significant share are in categories such as fitness-to-proceed evaluations and conditional-release violations. They said these groups could potentially be reduced if evaluations were done elsewhere and if more community or supportive housing were available. The chair and senators questioned whether some fitness-to-proceed detainees need to be held at the state hospital at all, and whether the Clark consent order requires transfer to the hospital. The attorney general’s office said the Clark injunction does not govern unfitness-to-proceed cases; instead, the requirement comes from state statute, and the statute could be changed. Director Johnson said DCR cannot keep such detainees because the court orders them into the custody of the Department of Health, and the department cannot provide the needed therapeutic level of care in a correctional setting. The discussion also emphasized co-occurring substance use and mental illness, especially among petty misdemeanor defendants, and the need for supportive housing and a decompression plan to reduce readmissions and free beds for civil commitments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sexual assault nurse examiner program. sexual assault nurse examiner program.
• </c> We refer to it as the SANE program. We refer to it as the SANE program.
• </c> Assault Nurse Examiner Program. Assault Nurse Examiner Program.
• They get federal grant money, and they control federal grant money.
• </c> it's a grant money. It's a slush fund. it's a grant money. It's a slush fund.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or seeking grants acceptance of Grants or seeking grants for<04:37:49.639><c> medical</c><04:37:50.119
• </c> essence prohibit those types of Grants essence prohibit those types of Grants from<04:39:50.440>
• So these are medical grants; these are not educational grants.
• So I think it's important to make sure that those grant dollars are still available for programs that
• dollars are still available for Grant dollars are still available for programs<05:12:49.520><c> that

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote. House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:47.840><c> and</c> innovation research zones program and innovation research zones program
• </c><00:08:55.920><c> or</c> educator tuition assistance program or educator tuition assistance program
• program.
• Section 15 is from Senator Kunesh's Senate File 5000, the school safety aid and grant program.
• programming in Senate File 5000.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• O Lord of heaven and earth, grant unto us once again the assurance of your mighty presence as we bow
• Louis because they have really been expanding to a number of different programs.
• Louis and offering a number of programs to support that, as well as financial systems.
• Louis and offering a number of programs to support that, as well as financial systems.
• The Women Legislature Scholarship Program is coming up on March 23rd.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 35th day by a 115-1 roll call vote. Members spent much of the opening portion introducing a large number of special guests and visiting groups, including university alumni and students, ambulance and first responder personnel, hospice and behavioral health advocates, public administrators, educators, transportation stakeholders, and other community leaders recognized for service or advocacy work. The chamber then received committee reports recommending passage of several measures, including House Bills 1625, 2383, 3035, 3205, and Senate Bill 888, along with committee substitutes for some of those bills. The House proceeded to third reading and passage on a long series of bills. Among the major measures were HB 2774, a fuel-source bill limiting state and local governments from dictating bids or purchases based solely on fuel source, which passed 138-5; HB 2383, addressing copper theft and related telecommunications equipment crimes, which passed 130-5; and HB 3205, regulating litigation funding and requiring disclosures, which passed 144-1. Several bills drew extended debate. A combined bill on statutes of limitation and child sexual abuse claims, House Committee Substitute for HBs 1664, 1610, 1645, and 2182, passed 98-12 with 39 present after members debated both the abuse-related provisions and a separate reduction in the personal injury statute of limitations. HB 3146, dealing with ballot summary statements and the initiative petition process, passed 90-55 after sharp disagreement over whether it protected voters or undermined judicial review. Other measures passed with broad support, including HB 2146 on hospital investment options (143-1), HB 1756 establishing June’s Week to recognize rare pediatric diseases and families affected by them, HB 1783 on public health contracting (138-6), HB 2099 on expedited removal of squatters (136-1), HB 2896 loosening residency restrictions for university board appointments (111-17), HB 2505/2044 giving grandparents priority in certain custody cases (144-0), HB 1625 increasing penalties for drug trafficking (137-2), HB 2302 removing barriers to employment for people leaving incarceration (142-0), HB 3035 setting depreciation rules for vehicle tax valuation (100-43), HB 1870 updating debt collection and garnishment laws (137-9), HB 2335 giving school districts more flexibility over teacher training schedules (146-2), and HB 1827 allowing occupational therapists to certify disabled parking credentials (145-0).

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Secure Choice program is a state-facilitated retirement program, which is a very efficient
• But yes, these are competitive grants through the Office of Justice Programs, and that language is consistent
• These are competitive grants through the Office of Justice Programs, and that language is consistent
• Programs.
• centers, battered women shelters, non-shelter programs, and sexual assault programs.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we did a lot of that not program.
• funds, federal grant funds, and that sort of thing.
• </c> integration into the overall program. integration into the overall program.
• ,</c> guys are looking at evaluating programs, guys are looking at evaluating programs, policies,<01:
• </c> about uh the homeland security grants about uh the homeland security grants that<01:56:13.679><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on its hazard mitigation plan and recent emergency events on Oahu. Chair Dela Botti opened the meeting by explaining that the briefing was intended to review the mitigation planning process, the city’s hazard mitigation plan, and lessons learned from recent tsunami and wildfire threats, building on earlier briefings with state emergency management and transportation officials. Director Collins and hazard mitigation staff officer Ian Kio presented the plan, describing it as a five-year FEMA-required document focused on reducing long-term risk to people and property, not an operations plan for active disasters. Kio outlined how the plan was developed over roughly 18 months with a core team, steering committee, consultant support, and public input, and said it was formally adopted by the mayor’s office and approved by FEMA in July 2025. He said the updated plan was aligned more closely with the state hazard mitigation plan, expanded to cover 15 hazards including climate change and sea level rise, and organized around hazard risk rankings and mitigation strategies. He identified the highest-risk hazards as climate change and sea level rise, floods, health risks, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, and said the plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions such as education, Firewise community planning, flood mapping, and major infrastructure projects like tsunami walls and street elevation work. He also emphasized that the plan will be maintained with yearly updates and ongoing public feedback. Collins then discussed after-action findings from the July 6 Meli fire and the recent tsunami response, noting that reviews are still ongoing. He said the fire response showed strong initiative and teamwork, including police officers helping with fire suppression support and door-to-door evacuation efforts before firefighters arrived, and a staff duty officer who initiated a wireless emergency alert without waiting for higher-level direction. He said these actions reflected a culture of rapid decision-making when lives are at stake. Collins also urged residents to prepare by making family plans, gathering supplies, checking flood and tsunami risk maps, retrofitting homes, and obtaining insurance before disasters occur. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:52:45.760><c> Uh</c> will grant you access to parking. Uh will grant you access to parking.
• feet of protected waters, and the wetlands program, and between those four programs, you're looking
• </c><04:37:33.600><c> And</c> program. And I'm satisfied with it. And program.
• from the housing champion designation and grant program and/or preferred financing rates from the Municipal
• grant processes.

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would establish two new additional sites for the children's initiative programs, one in Representative
• area, Bay County, the 3241 Children's Initiative in Bay County, and one in my district, Pompano Rise program
• Both locations have completed the necessary steps through the Ounce of Prevention grant to be formally
• Both locations have completed the necessary steps through the Ounce of Prevention grant to be formally

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to hear three member bills before turning to budget discussion. First, the committee considered HB 1295 on memory care, which would set baseline operating standards for memory care providers and facilities, clarify resident contract requirements, and restrict facilities from advertising themselves as memory care providers unless they meet the bill’s criteria. AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Florida Senior Living Association supported the measure, and it was reported favorably with no debate. The committee then heard HB 1235, which would authorize Florida to join the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. Representative Conerly and a representative of the Florida Society for Respiratory Care said the compact would improve workforce flexibility and patient access while preserving state oversight and using licensure fees rather than taxpayer dollars. The bill received favorable testimony and was reported favorably. Next, HB 933 was presented by Representative Rosenwald to add two new children’s initiative sites, one in Bay County and one in Broward County, expanding a program that coordinates education, health care, employment, and housing supports for children in disadvantaged communities. The bill had support from Florida Children’s Initiative and was also reported favorably. After the bill presentations, members were told the agenda would move to budget discussion, and the chair noted that budget recommendations had been submitted to Chair McClure. With no further business, Representative Redondo moved to recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• approval of grants.
• refugee program, not the<03:14:39.720><c> resettlement</c><03:14:40.360><c> program.
• ORR has a preference for states to administer the program and has made it so that the largest grant for
• ORR has a preference for states to administer the program and has made it so that the largest grant for
• </c> are it's 100% federally funded program. are it's 100% federally funded program.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Goodwill might have a program where they take disabled individuals, visually impaired individuals, or
• And the review board—it's one thing for me to grant money. I'm not Santa Claus.
• I can't grant money. Money, I'm not Santa Claus. I can't grant money.
• a jury of our own peers, can now sit and decide, hey, listen, for this particular situation, we'll grant
• It doesn't grant them the money.

Bills: HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB222 , HB430 , HB445 , HB490 , HB603 , HB619 , HB670 , HB672 , HB763 , HB773 , HB781 , HB810 , HB874 , HB981

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: DWI, driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, penalties, criminal justice, inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, firefighters, law enforcement, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, domestic violence, domestic abuse, battery of a dating partner, domestic abuse battery, strangulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The most meaningful work of my career has been working alongside first-generation Pell Grant-eligible
• So I learned when I return to the college here that it's a great program.
• So I learned when I return to the college here that it's a great program.
• I'm particularly motivated to support programs that align education College continues to thrive.
• We have a $25.5 million increase in operating funds for school district workforce education programs.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislature has taken a huge leadership role in innovating and funding those programs.
• Part of that is just promoting the programs that we have. And state.
• The state offers a number of loan program to even have even have a public private venture capital program
• those programs.
• And that program has been around since about 1988.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to be granted concurrent jurisdiction from county prosecutors pursuant to RCW 43.10.232.
• I'm Daniel Heimbaugh, the Government Affairs Program Manager for Energy Northwest, appearing today to
• We also generate credits under the Clean Fuels Program.
• It allows the agency's program to set safe lead standards. This bill is a win-win.
• It allows the agency's program to set safe lead standards using a funding process that already exists

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because there are special programs that a veteran may need.
• Not the gate, but the program. They're out of prison. So I'm proud of this program.
• So thank you all for your support in getting this program to what it is today.
• Not the gate, but the program. They're out of prison.
• Not the gate, but the program. They're out of prison. So I'm proud of this program.

Summary: The committee first approved prior minutes and announced several bills were being held at sponsors’ request, including HB 4117 and several House concurrent resolutions. It then heard HB 2811, which would expand obstructing governmental operations to include knowingly hindering a lawful arrest by a third party and make it a felony. Supporters, including a county attorney’s office representative, argued it would close a loophole and protect officers during arrests; opponents from criminal defense and civil liberties groups said it duplicated existing resisting arrest and hindering prosecution laws and could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police. After debate over prosecutorial discretion and constitutional concerns, the committee recommended HB 2811 do pass by a 3-2 vote with one member not voting. The committee next considered HB 2665, a “Cade’s Law” proposal to treat intentionally providing advice or encouragement through directed online communication to a minor to die by suicide as manslaughter. The sponsor and family members of suicide victims described the bill as a response to social media-driven encouragement of self-harm and urged stronger accountability. The bill drew no opposition testimony in the excerpt and passed with a 6-0 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then heard HB 2857, allowing ADCRR to store inmate medical records electronically and dispose of paper copies, which passed 5-1 after testimony from the department’s medical provider about space and efficiency. HB 2226 followed, requiring courts to ask about veteran status at initial appearance, notify prosecutors, and connect veterans with Arizona Department of Veterans Services and treatment or diversion options; an amendment shifted the notice duty from prosecutors to courts. The sponsor and veterans’ advocates said the bill would help identify veterans with PTSD or other needs and reduce recidivism, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill unanimously, 6-0. The committee then took up HB 2168, which would require county board approval before the Attorney General could bring a public nuisance abatement action in superior court. The sponsor argued the AG had overreached in cases involving a dairy, an aluminum plant, and a rail line, while opponents said the bill would weaken statewide enforcement and protect corporate polluters; the bill passed 3-2 with two not voting. Finally, the committee heard HB 2966, which would bar early termination of lifetime probation for dangerous crimes against children and apply that restriction retroactively. Supporters framed it as protecting children and ensuring offenders serve full probation terms, while survivors, defense attorneys, and the Sex Offender Management Board’s concerns were cited in opposition, with critics warning about loss of judicial discretion, constitutional issues, and reduced incentives for compliance. The bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. The last item in the excerpt was HCR 2001, a voter referral measure to end early voting on the Friday before Election Day, require government-issued ID for voting, and prohibit foreign contributions; an amendment removed the early-voting cutoff and some ID-related provisions while adding on-site tabulation language and other changes. The sponsor argued it would improve election security and speed results, while counties and other opponents raised cost, implementation, and access concerns, especially around on-site tabulation and mail voting. The testimony portion of HCR 2001 was underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had proprietary and unpublished academic research and grant applications.
• We had proprietary and unpublished academic research and grant applications.
• , and we would like the opportunity to develop an in-state program.
• And so all this does is just give us that option to develop an in-state program.
• , and we would like the opportunity to develop an in-state program.

Bills: HB248 , HB249 , HB997 , HB1052 , HB1193 , SB1 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB289 , SB435

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: Compensation Commission, elected officials, salary evaluation, government accountability, Louisiana legislature, compensation, independent commission, salary adjustment, consumer price index, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's get... comprehensive substance use... no, let's go family support and consumer support programs
• to use their existing waivers and grants to use their existing funds<00:14:22.160><c> for</c><00:14:
• family the flexibility to grants family the flexibility to allocate<00:14:30.880><c> their</c><00:14
• You know, it may be that there's a part of it's free, like the consumer support grants.
• /c> mile of any existing residential program mile of any existing residential program program<00:45:57.839

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They've been doing some amazing work in the after-school programs, free after-school programs for all
• school programs free after school<00:19:08.440><c> programs</c><00:19:08.840><c> for</c><00:19:09.080
• </c><00:19:21.120><c> and</c> wherever they have their programs and wherever they have their programs
• Hopefully, we'll keep those grants going forward.
• Grant forward uh we have NSF large Grant around<00:54:27.960><c> $20</c><00:54:28.319><c> million</c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs have been operating for a few years, and what this bill does is codify these programs
• These programs have proven to be successful. These programs have proven to be successful.
• these programs on an ongoing, forward basis.
• MSI grants like HSI and AANAPISI go even further.
• those programs were named for.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on student access, equity, and campus support services. AB 2660 would codify the CalBridge and ENLACE STEM pipeline programs to help underrepresented students move from high school through Ph.D. and faculty or industry careers; AB 2121 would let community colleges temporarily exclude certain local backfill dollars from the 50% instructional spending law so they can replace lost federal funding for MSI and TRIO programs; and AB 1920 would clarify that students do not lose California College Promise eligibility if they earn a certificate as part of a stackable pathway to an associate degree. AB 1636 would authorize Cerritos College to use voluntary data-sharing agreements with K-12 districts to create ready-to-enroll student records, AB 1845 would add human trafficking training and reporting requirements to campus Title IX-related processes, AB 1784 would extend pregnancy and parenting protections to undergraduate students, AB 2229 would create a CSU reentry support program for stopped-out students, AB 1852 would create a conditional pathway for a Kern County medical school if UC does not act, AB 1928 would allow both an advisor and a support person in campus sexual misconduct proceedings, and AB 2392 would require training before AI tools are deployed to students, faculty, or staff. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, with authors and witnesses emphasizing student success, equity, and removing administrative barriers. Supporters included community college and university officials, student leaders, advocacy groups, and survivors. AB 2121 drew the most mixed testimony: community college leaders and students supported it as a temporary response to federal cuts, while faculty groups opposed it or raised concerns about weakening the 50% law and the need for the proposal. AB 1852 also drew opposition from the CSU Chancellor’s Office, which argued the proposal could have broader operational and governance implications, though supporters said Kern County’s doctor shortage justified a local solution. AB 1784, AB 1845, and AB 1928 were framed as protections for vulnerable students in pregnancy, trafficking, and sexual misconduct proceedings, respectively, while AB 2392 was presented as a modest training and transparency requirement to accompany AI adoption. The committee took action on the bills after testimony. Most measures were approved on bipartisan roll calls and re-referred to the appropriate committees, including AB 1636, AB 1784, AB 1845, AB 1920, AB 1928, AB 2229, AB 2392, and AB 2660. AB 2121 and AB 1852 also advanced, though AB 1852 had several members not voting and AB 2121 drew one no vote. The committee also approved a consent calendar that included AB 1591, AB 2203, and AB 2572, and members were invited to add on to bills after the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Support services, including financial, facilities, purchasing, and the loan program, have been reporting
• Overlapping processes: there's a few of them mentioned here, but there's just a lot of programs that
• Overlapping processes, there's a few of them mentioned here, but there's just a lot of programs that
• Commissioner oversight includes responsibility and guidance over all programs under the Soil and Water
• our fiscal group, similar to how we are structured with programs at the department currently.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee approved the minutes from its February 17 and February 19, 2026 meetings and then heard a presentation from the Department of Water Resources and the Langdon Group on a proposed merger of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Department of Water Resources. The presenters described an eight-to-ten month evaluation process that included stakeholder interviews, a broad survey, and a workshop, and said the goal was to preserve the commission’s non-regulatory identity while gaining administrative efficiencies and technical support. They recommended placing the merged commission within IDWR, retaining commission oversight of programs and funding, preserving branding and legislative reporting, and formalizing a conservation partnership framework to protect the voluntary nature of the commission’s work. Committee members asked about the cost of the study, which was reported at about $90,000 total, split between the two agencies, and about expected savings. Director Weaver said the current legislation and fiscal note anticipate about $110,000 in immediate personnel savings from eliminating the administrator position, with additional modest savings possible over time in operations, equipment, IT, and office space. He also explained that the bureau chief would be hired with commission participation in the selection process, similar to the existing relationship with the Idaho Water Resource Board. Weaver said the merger has received broad support from stakeholders, including the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts, while the Idaho Farm Bureau had initially opposed it but later became neutral. He said the next steps are to complete the pending legislation, work through the executive agency legislative services process, and return with additional statutory changes and a combined budget in 2027. The meeting ended with a brief water supply update noting statewide snowpack at about 74% of normal and concerns about a warm forecast and possible drought conditions later in the year.