Transcript Highlights:

• We had to reprogram funds to have these services paid for staffing and the contracts, the little contract
• There's a lot that goes on regarding transportation, processing, cold storage.
• ,</c><01:09:07.679><c> cold</c> transportation, processing, cold transportation, processing, cold storage
• Staff systems and processes are in place.
• Jack realizes most nonprofits contract.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• innovative breeding processes, Garrett innovative breeding processes, Garrett will<02:00:09.599><c> participate
• </c> contracting to how institutions contracting to how institutions supervise<03:07:51.200><c> the</
• ,</c> promoting equity in hiring, contracting, promoting equity in hiring, contracting, and<03:08:05.040
• :32.080><c> because</c><03:46:32.319><c> it</c> the regulatory process because it the regulatory process
• That this is only the genesis of this process. The revelations are yet to come.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Universities like mine are in the process of contacting our districts where we place student teachers
• And in July, most university faculty are off contract, and many district staff are too.
• And in July, most university faculty are off contract, and many districts staff are too.
• Right now, if it's a competitive process, we do look at need.
• Right now, if it's a competitive process, we do look at need.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently have a process where the water clerk and the city clerk collect all those payments and make
• We have currently had a process of the water clerk and the city clerk collects all those payments and
• So we would have a plan to, at our next meeting, go ahead and address that, at least start a process
• We did have a city attorney, and, of course, they moved; he moved to Benton, but we're in the process
• So that's something that I was, I mean, I had been in the process of getting done as a policy where that

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is just under $400,000 to give three positions that are going to manage a $6 billion managed care contract
• not seem like a lot right here, the way that we set up the staff that's going to implement this contract
• We are in dire straits to be able to help procurement, to be able to move forward with the contracts
• that we do have, let alone the contracts that we will be having with the MCOs coming forward.
• I know that some of those contracts have actually been canceled; they're not moving forward.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of JFAC budget items, beginning with health education programs. Members approved an FY 2027 increase of $900,000 and 2.5 FTP for psychiatry, family medicine, OB fellowship, child psychiatry, and veterinary education slots. They then adopted language to shift funding for the family medicine OB fellowship to the rural health transformation program if those funds become available before July 1, 2026, with the general fund then redirected to undergraduate medical education seats under H 368. The language drew debate about whether rural health money should be reserved for rural facilities and whether the provision would preempt a future committee’s role, but it ultimately passed. The committee next approved the Office of the State Board of Education budget, including Canvas LMS renewal, transfer of risk managers to institutions, and a federal post-secondary improvement grant, with a net increase of $4,487,900 and a reduction of four FTP. For colleges and universities, a substitute motion to add general fund support for an additional rescission restoration and other items failed, and the original motion passed instead, providing a smaller increase. Community colleges received a one-time general fund increase of $1,123,200 after the committee rejected a substitute that would have only reduced Canvas costs. Career Technical Education was addressed twice: first, the committee approved $957,600 one-time from the Career Ready Students Fund to restore a prior rescission in secondary programs; later, it approved $1,877,300 one-time from the same fund for secondary CTE programs after rejecting a substitute that would have used ongoing general fund support. The Department of Administration budget included utilities, Medicaid procurement staffing, training, document services, IT hardware, and a rescission correction. The committee rejected the main motion after concerns were raised about staffing for a large Medicaid managed care contract, but then approved the Permanent Building Fund budget, including $890,100 for design of a National Guard Readiness Center in Bonneville County and $71.6 million for replacement items and maintenance projects. Standard language and reporting language for that fund were adopted by unanimous consent. Finally, the State Lottery received approval for $25,800 in dedicated funds for replacement computers used in scratch-game design. The committee adjourned after announcing future work group meetings and upcoming budget agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when the process seems slow, remind us that steady labor honors you.
• Senators, this memorial is about restoring faith and fairness in our electoral process.
• Senators, this memorial is about restoring faith and fairness in our electoral process.
• This is about restoring faith and fairness in our electoral process.
• This is about restoring faith and fairness in our electoral process.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and moved through committee reports and messages. Committee actions included referral of a large group of newly printed Senate bills to the appropriate standing committees, a do-pass report on House Bill 55 from Health and Welfare, and referral of Senate Bills 1270 and 1271 for possible amendment. The Senate also received a gubernatorial appointment of Jeff Seelich to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho Board and House bills 576, 577, 632, and 607 for introduction. In the 10th order, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 114 on Education Committee rules and Senate Resolution 115 on temporary and pending rules for several state agencies, both without opposition. It also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 109, which urged Congress to address campaign finance concerns and out-of-state influence in Idaho elections, and House Joint Memorial 9, which asked Congress to reaffirm FLPMA as the governing framework for federal land management and exchanges. House Joint Memorial 11 was also adopted, calling on Congress to fully fund IDEA at the promised 40% level; supporters emphasized the burden on state and local budgets and property taxpayers, while opponents argued the state should resist federal overreach and dependency. The Senate confirmed the committee report recommending Ryan Lanham as State Athletic Commissioner, with supportive testimony highlighting his combat sports background and experience. It also adopted the committee report confirming Juliet Sharon as Director of the Department of Health and Welfare, with senators citing her Medicaid and program integrity experience and the size and complexity of the agency. In first and second reading, the Senate referred House Bills 576 and 577 to Transportation and House Bills 632 and 607 to State Affairs, and advanced House Bill 533, Senate Bill 1258, and House Bill 502 to third reading. The chamber then heard announcements about caucus and lunch events before adjourning until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• looks like and why are we exempting it within this process?
• The 2025 Budget Act provided an alternative to the APA process through an emergency rulemaking process
• And while... ...to the APA process through an emergency rulemaking process.
• of SB 105 in September, many other departments are going through that emergency rulemaking process for
• They're in the process of navigating through this just like anybody else.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Esposito: The inspection process is not affected, so the safety is not a concern because there is still
• It really depends on the city and county and their permitting process. Chair Jacques: Rep.
• It's not an easy process. It is cumbersome as hell is what it is.
• What this bill is, it will limit reimbursement for medical providers that do not have a contract with
• It was in process, it had never actually been done.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> go through different types of processes go through different types of processes when<00:26:45.520
• Um because the state contracts once.
• Seeing none, rules process? So, the 306s refer to the rules process?
• speak to that process and the cost?
• </c><01:51:31.600><c> the</c> child development and the process the child development and the process

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it would set up that process.
• </c><01:03:34.400><c> So</c> process all over again next year. So process all over again next year.
• </c> think that the full um due process think that the full um due process notice<01:13:02.560><c> and
• . process on how the you know every detail process on how the you know every detail even<01:34:39.520
• Um even if we process uh to do that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. the contract lawyer and industry representative that we've talked to who report to TACA.
• That should either be a negotiated rulemaking process, which is something that's in statute, or the actual

Bills: SB2037 , SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1759 , HB29

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have a chance to enhance this should we need to during our normal budgetary process.
• Can you give me an example of a business entity contracted with or otherwise acting... Rep.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tribal contract schools are left out of safe school aid.
• </c> safe school aid. safe school aid. tribal<00:01:41.840><c> contract</c><00:01:42.320><c> schools<
• schools left out of safe tribal contract schools left out of safe school<00:01:45.680><c> aid.
• bill would make safe school revenue available to charter schools, non-public schools, and tribal contract
• </c> tribal contract schools. tribal contract schools.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our job is to develop this process.
• When there's an arrest that's made, there's a process to follow. I'm just reading this.
• ,</c> that due process, that due process, &gt;&gt; right?
• So that bill for the due process.
• &gt;&gt; contract. &gt;&gt; contract.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> procedure, the way normal due process procedure, the way normal due process works<00:21:50.240><
• </c> is to be punitive to um in the process is to be punitive to um in the process unless<00:52:37.520
• </c><01:28:28.080><c> of</c> to educate and train the process of to educate and train the process of
• go through this process?
• We went through the process. It was not an easy process, but we got through it.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Not with the DOT process. No. >> Okay.
• I just don't know, you know, the DOT processes and what they collect and different contracts they have
• </c> &gt;&gt; Not with the DOT process. No. &gt;&gt; Not with the DOT process. No.
• and what they collect and processes and what they collect and different<01:21:09.760><c> contracts</
• </c><01:21:10.719><c> So,</c> different contracts they have. So, different contracts they have.

Bills: HB2410 , HB2235 , HB1904 , HB2201 , HB2349 , HB1972 , HB2007 , HB2385 , HB2444 , HB2391 , HB2575

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, economic diversification, small business, innovation, manufacturing assistance, grants, technology programs, advanced manufacturing, military, community relations, economic development, defense-related programs, workforce development, local business readiness, in-state manufacturing, federal investment, space operations, orbital sustainability, aerospace, space traffic management

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 2410 relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testifiers from HTDC and the Hawaii Food Industry Association stood on written testimony, and members discussed the funding request, which was described as $1 million each for three programs, for a total of $3 million. The measure appeared to have broad support, with no opposition noted. The committee then took up HB 2235 HD1 on the military and community relations office, where Lori Moore of MACC asked for additional funding to support local businesses and education-to-career initiatives statewide. Members asked about the amount, and the request was identified as $1.3 million total. HB 904 on space operations followed, with three supporters and one opponent, though no substantive testimony was captured beyond the vote counts. HB 2201 on state enterprise zones drew testimony from Georgia Skinner of DBEDT’s Creative Industries division, who said the measure would build on a well-run enterprise zone program and help make Hawaii’s film industry more competitive. Tom Yamashita of the Tax Foundation also provided comments. The committee then considered HB 2349 relating to DCCA and DBEDT coordination; DCCA explained it already provides links and information to DBEDT programs, while DBEDT argued that direct data sharing would allow more proactive outreach. Members raised privacy and cost concerns, and DBEDT said it would consider opt-in collection and acknowledged system changes and possible funding needs. The committee also heard two tax credit bills. HB 1972 HD1, on a caregiver tax credit, received strong support from AARP, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, who described caregivers as an “invisible workforce” and argued the credit would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce financial strain. The Tax Foundation suggested a grant or subsidy program might be more efficient than a tax credit and raised concerns about debarment provisions. HB 20007 HD1, on the household and dependent care services tax credit, also drew strong support from public health and family advocacy groups, who said Hawaii families face some of the nation’s highest child care costs and that the bill would better reflect current expenses; the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and debarment. Members asked about fiscal impacts, and testimony indicated the current credit costs about $6 million, with the bill expected to increase that amount. The committee then moved on to HB 2385 HD1 on housing, where the Deputy Attorney General began presenting written comments on whether the bill limits county authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I just want to get in the due process. I don't think it's the due process.
• Chair, I just want to get in the due process. I don't think it's the due process.
• Chair, I just want to get in the due process. I don't think it's the due process.
• It is a collaborative process.
• It's good to be back. process. So it's not just us but it's a process.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Group homes with contracts to serve Oja a youth occasionally have residents over the age of 18.
• Lawsuits would be against these various boards, commissions, or those third parties that they would contract
• you be surprised that I've seen people having to turn things back, cause there's an embarrassing process
• does not stop school districts from handling board payments the way they currently do in terms of processes
• that if they did want to continue with that project, that could be brought back to the legislative process

Bills: SB1521 , SB372 , SB1232 , SB1307 , SB1338 , SB1390 , SB1451 , SB1463 , SB1558 , SB1567 , SB1595 , SB1621 , SB1734 , SB1749 , SB1827 , SB1833 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB63 , SB2063 , SB2180 , SB1198 , SB80

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI, companion AI, AI companion, virtual companion, chatbot regulation, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, content moderation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, mental health claims, romantic AI, emotional dependence, app store

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, those are outlined in the bill report, but include clarifying income subject to payment card processing
• The payment card processing B&O tax classification may also be subject to the financial institutions
• changes as they relate to the retail services came about from the department's guidance and rulemaking process
• And finally, for background, the governor is authorized to enter into contracts with federally recognized
• In general, cigarettes and vapor products sold on tribal land during a contract term are subject to a

Bills: SB6073 , SB6113 , SB6116 , SB6129 , SB6162 , SB6114 , SB5857

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: SB 6073, LEOFF, Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System, retirement system, pension, public safety retirement, wildland firefighter, aviation firefighter, wildland fire, forest firefighter, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, firefighter benefits, retirement benefits, service credit, disability retirement, survivor benefits, employer contributions, Washington RCW, public employees

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, those are outlined in the bill report, but include clarifying income subject to payment card processing
• The payment card processing B&O tax classification may also be subject to the financial institutions
• changes as they relate to the retail services came about from the department's guidance and rulemaking process
• And finally, for background, the governor is authorized to enter into contracts with federally recognized
• In general, cigarettes and vapor products sold on tribal land during a contract term are subject to a

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several tax and retirement bills, beginning with Senate Bill 6073, which would move eligible Department of Natural Resources wildland and aviation firefighters from PERS into LEOFF 2 prospectively. Committee staff described the higher retirement age and benefit differences between the systems and noted a small implementation cost and a modest actuarial rate increase. DNR, the Washington Public Employees Association, and a committee member all raised support or questions, with DNR acknowledging additional review with the LEOFF board was still needed. The hearing then turned to Senate Bill 6113, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, including clarifications tied to last session’s ESSB 5814 service-tax changes, a six-month transition period for reclassified businesses, and a section affecting advertising-related exclusions. DOR said the bill was revenue neutral and intended to codify guidance and improve certainty, while school districts, arts groups, broadcasters, newspapers, and business groups testified both in support of the technical fixes and in opposition to provisions they said would continue or worsen unintended consequences from last year’s tax law. Senators also questioned how some definitions would apply, especially to school and higher-education-related services. Senate Bill 6116 would restore the vapor-products tax structure by moving nicotine-containing vapor products back under the per-milliliter vapor tax instead of the 95% other tobacco products tax, and would restore distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account and Foundational Public Health Services account. Public health agencies, cancer research representatives, and some retailers supported the bill as a fix to funding disruptions, while tobacco-control groups opposed lowering the tax and argued it would weaken public health policy. The committee also heard that the current law creates a double-tax issue on pre-existing inventory because products held when the definition changed became subject to a new tax classification. Finally, Senate Bill 6129 proposed a broader nicotine-tax overhaul, including a 90% tax on nicotine products, a 10% tax on flavored nicotine products, higher cigarette taxes, and new revenue distributions and tribal compact provisions. Supporters, including public health organizations, pediatricians, and civil rights advocates, said higher taxes would reduce youth use and restore funding for cancer research and public health; opponents, including retailers, tobacco and vapor businesses, broadcasters, and some harm-reduction advocates, argued the bill was regressive, would fuel illicit markets, and would harm small businesses and adult consumers using lower-risk products. The committee then began a briefing on Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform bill that would expand senior and disability property tax relief, adjust state property tax rates, and change property tax billing statements, but the hearing on that bill was not completed in the portion provided.