Transcript Highlights:

• </c> develop our resources doesn't end there. develop our resources doesn't end there.
• We have great natural resources.
• We have great natural resources.
• We have great natural resources.
• We have great natural resources.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We recommend that, for efficiency purposes, section 291L-5D be amended to replace the applicable county
• </c> we recommend that for efficiency we recommend that for efficiency purposes<00:14:34.440><c> section
• The criminal system does not have the infrastructure or resources to even begin to predict these matters
• The criminal system does not have the infrastructure or resources to even begin to predict these matters
• The criminal system does not have the infrastructure or resources to even begin to predict these matters

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• What kind of resources they're bringing to the game?
• It feels like a Settlers of Catan kind of situation for me, where resources are one thing.
• </c> resources they're bringing to the game. resources they're bringing to the game.
• </c><02:18:45.519><c> are</c> of situation for me where resources are of situation for me where resources
• </c> game a whole lot longer with resources game a whole lot longer with resources as<02:18:50.639><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• process of modernizing that, which helps not only with our organization, but also allows us to efficiently
• process of modernizing that, which helps not only with our organization, but also allows us to efficiently
• But also allows us to efficiently communicate with our victims and our law enforcement.
• c><00:25:59.919><c> a</c><00:26:00.080><c> little</c><00:26:00.240><c> more</c><00:26:00.400><c> efficient
• </c> that would be a little more efficient that would be a little more efficient and<00:26:01.360><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Commonwealth’s Attorneys, County Attorneys, Prosecutor’s Advisory Council 00:00:18 Approval of Minutes 00:20:09 State Treasurer 00:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from representatives of the Prosecutor’s Advisory Council, including county and commonwealth attorneys, on their proposed budget. They described the scope of their work in district and circuit court, juvenile and dependency cases, specialty courts, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, and the Rocket Docket program. The witnesses emphasized that their budgets are overwhelmingly personnel costs and warned that proposed cuts could lead to layoffs, reduced retention, and loss of recently added positions. They also said the General Assembly’s recent salary classification plan had improved recruitment and retention, and that underfunding could reverse those gains. A major topic was the Rocket Docket program, which they said speeds lower-level cases through the system, reduces jail costs, and saves money for both counties and the state. They reported that in one circuit, average jail time for certain cases dropped from about 50 days to about 6 days. They also raised concerns that the Rocket Docket line item may not be clearly included in the committee substitute and asked for clarification on how the budget would treat it. In response, the chair said the intent was to move some of those items into the base budget, though the exact structure was still uncertain. The presenters also discussed a 2022 subsidy for county attorney employees tied to retirement contributions, saying it totals about $1.3 million and should not be reduced because the obligation remains. They said the budget would need to support the salary classification plan extensions, House Bill 8 subsidies, and a new case management system that they described as essential to modernizing operations and improving communication with victims and law enforcement. The chair thanked them for the testimony and indicated the committee would continue reviewing the budget. The committee then heard from Deputy State Treasurer Russell Weber, who reported that the treasury has now returned more than $90 million in unclaimed property to Kentuckians. He said the office faces ongoing fraud issues and requested funding for a dedicated legal counsel and a fraud investigator, along with outreach money to educate the public about unclaimed property. He also outlined several capital requests, including the final year of a printer-system lease and replacement of HVAC equipment in the treasury building. Members briefly joked with him about a mineral-rights bill and coal, but no votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• agenda, I will remind everyone that the Assembly has rules to ensure we maintain order and run an efficient
• This bill increases efficiency and allows ...
• Without any further delays, this bill increases efficiency and allows prospective security officers to
• The changes in this bill aim to improve the overall functions of the board to ensure a healthy and efficient
• statutory updates to a few boards and a bureau at the Department of Consumer Affairs to improve efficiency

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and duties of the committee and again emphasize coordination, increase transparency, potential efficiencies
• </c><00:17:35.919><c> and</c> transparency, potential efficiencies and transparency, potential efficiencies
• </c><00:20:08.720><c> on</c><00:20:08.880><c> the</c> effectively and efficiently on the effectively
• and efficiently on the regional<00:20:09.440><c> level.
• Your very efficient Institutions Committee will be meeting at 1:30. >> Senator from Windsor. >> I have

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• UCC Article 8 are, like many of the articles in the Uniform Commercial Code, designed to promote efficient
• Article 8 looks at in trying to facilitate things, and it has been very successful in improving the efficiency
• Article 8 are, like many of the articles in the Uniform Commercial Code, are designed to promote efficient
• Again, to keep that system that we have of prompt, quick, efficient trading transactions done.
• And without that, then that, again, that's sand in the gears of the system for it to function efficiently

Summary: Senate Commerce met with a quorum, approved the March 10, 2026 minutes, and recognized page Hayden Carter with remarks from committee members and a presentation of a Capitol flag and certificate. The committee then took up several bills, generally under tight time constraints, with brief sponsor presentations and testimony from supporters and opponents. House Bill 773, a code cleanup bill related to credit unions and corporate credit unions, was presented by Rep. Ayler, received no public testimony, and was sent to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 702, which would alter Uniform Commercial Code provisions on securities ownership and creditor priority, drew extensive debate: sponsors argued it would better protect stock owners in insolvency situations and cited examples such as Lehman Brothers and MF Global, while a Uniform Law Commissioner testified that the bill would make Idaho an outlier and could disrupt the securities system and access to margin accounts and clearing liquidity. After discussion, the committee adopted a substitute motion to hold HB 702 in committee. House Bill 648, an oral anti-cancer medication parity bill, received strong support from sponsors, cancer survivors, and advocacy groups, who said it would prevent patients from facing much higher out-of-pocket costs for oral chemotherapy than for IV treatment. Members noted personal experiences with cancer treatment, and the bill was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 787, which consolidates the Medical Board of Podiatry under the Board of Medicine, also passed with a do pass recommendation after brief discussion of expected efficiencies. House Bill 790, a voluntary certification bill for interior designers that would allow sign-and-seal authority for limited nonstructural work, drew the most divided testimony: supporters said it would remove barriers and reduce costs, while architects warned it could expand into the practice of architecture and raise public-safety concerns. Despite reservations from some members, the committee voted to send HB 790 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• One way that we will be able to help provide those resources to states is by passing the SAVE Act.
• One way that we will be able to help provide those resources to states is by passing the SAVE Act.
• One way that we will be able to help provide those resources to states is by passing the SAVE Act.
• And I led the charge to track and ensure efficient delivery of weapons that Taiwan has purchased from
• ><c> delivery</c><02:52:40.640><c> of</c><02:52:40.880><c> weapons</c> and ensure efficient delivery

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• contract with the Boston Consulting Group to look at CDCR's operations to see what can be done more efficiently
• contract with the Boston Consulting Group to look at CDCR's operations to see what can be done more efficiently
• management and streamlining, the department's use of overtime and excuse me, headquarters kind of efficiencies
• budget issues, and I've been working consistently throughout this year to bring those kinds of efficiencies
• the greatest power of the legislature is that of oversight in ensuring that every dollar is spent efficiently

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety heard updates on CDCR’s population projections and the preliminary fiscal impacts of Proposition 36. CDCR said its fall 2025 projections show continued declines in the institution and parole populations through June 2030, while noting Prop. 36 admissions are increasing but remain uncertain. The LAO said the administration’s Prop. 36 estimates may be somewhat low because they were based on only six months of implementation data, and the Department of Finance agreed the methodology is still developing. Committee members asked about the offenses driving admissions and the sentence-length impacts, and CDCR identified the main qualifying offenses and enhancements it is tracking. No votes were taken. The committee then discussed CDCR’s request for $91 million ongoing for lump-sum leave cashouts for correctional officers and nurses. CDCR said vacancy reductions and prison closures have reduced the salary savings historically used to cover these costs. The LAO supported the funding only on a limited-term basis and urged more oversight and reporting on CDCR’s structural shortfall, while the Department of Finance argued ongoing funding is needed because leave liabilities are mandatory and salary savings are less stable. Members raised concerns about transparency, asked about leave buyback practices and accrued leave balances, and requested more information before the May Revision. Members also heard CDCR’s proposals for $10 million for the final two statewide video surveillance projects and $15.2 million for Fire Watch coverage and related fire alarm work. The LAO supported the Fire Watch request as a one-time health and safety cost, while CDCR explained the aging prison infrastructure and the need for interim safety measures while longer-term replacement planning is developed. The committee then reviewed CDCR’s proposal to close the California Rehabilitation Center, which would produce a net General Fund reduction of $99.6 million in 2026-27 and ongoing savings of more than $150 million starting in 2027-28. CDCR said the closure is driven by sustained population declines and will include retention and realignment funding; the LAO recommended approval. Public comment focused on county funding for Prop. 36 implementation, opposition to using Prop. 36 as a reason to keep prisons open, and support for community-based rehabilitation programs. The hearing adjourned without any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, going to slide 14, let's take a look at those staffing resources over time.
• Resources than just going out and buying stocks or bonds.
• Private markets, but it takes significant staffing resources to be able to do it.
• They provide a lot of great resources to New Mexico businesses.
• fund severance taxes as we sold off our resources. money for the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, to the extent that we provide the resources and opportunities for them to take advantage...
• And so, to the extent that we provide the resources and opportunities for them to take advantage of education
• And we understand low-turnout elections are costly and they're resource-intensive.
• Senate Bill 2981 by Hancock, relating to funding for recycling projects, to Natural Resources.
• Senate Bill 2994 by Johnson, relating to energy efficiency goals and programs, to Business and Commerce

Bills: SJR12 , SJR81 , SCR39 , SB22 , SB32 , SB241 , SB393 , SB414 , SB458 , SB464 , SB568 , SB583 , SB609 , SB660 , SB693 , SB731 , SB732 , SB746 , SB783 , SB785 , SB897 , SB993 , SB996 , SB1008 , SB1029 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1120 , SB1122 , SB1147 , SB1163 , SB1188 , SB1197 , SB1209 , SB1227 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1386 , SB1394 , SB1396 , SB1470 , SB1494 , SB1537 , SB1596 , SB1598 , SB1610 , SB1664 , SB1814 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1948 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2406 , SB2407

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, tax exemption, ad valorem, tangible personal property, income production, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, approval of routine motions, and the reading of gubernatorial nominations and several honorary resolutions. The chamber adopted resolutions recognizing Jack and Jill of America Day and DJ Daniel Day at the Capitol, with multiple senators offering remarks praising youth leadership, perseverance, and public service. The Senate also introduced the Doctor of the Day and then proceeded to a long series of floor actions on bills. A major focus was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 568, which overhauls special education funding and services in public schools by moving from a placement-based model to an intensity-based system tied to student needs and IEPs. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Menendez emphasized transparency, parent input, evaluation funding, dyslexia services, and better alignment of funding with actual services; Senator Hinojosa shared a personal story about dyslexia and the importance of early intervention. The bill was advanced on second and third reading and finally passed 30-0. The Senate also passed SB 1396 to prohibit national sex education standards in public schools, SB 2065 on the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, SB 1664 requiring clearer public disclosure of transmission and distribution utility rate changes, SB 1029 on advertising certain used motor vehicles, SB 1120 expanding rights for family violence victims, SB 1036 regulating residential solar retail transactions, SB 464 creating school-proximity restrictions and penalties for tobacco and vaping sales, SB 1035 giving farmers and ranchers equitable relief from certain local agricultural regulations, SB 1610 addressing civil commitment facility safety and prosecution issues, SB 1197 extending drone restrictions to spaceports, and SB 1386 changing legislative witness immunity from transactional to testimonial immunity. Another major bill was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1188, which updates electronic health record requirements. Senator Kolkhorst said the bill builds on Texas medical privacy law by requiring U.S.-based storage of EMR data, prohibiting recording of voter registration status and credit score information, requiring provider verification and disclosure for AI-assisted diagnosis or treatment recommendations, preserving parental access to minors’ records until age 18, and ensuring EMRs can capture metabolic health and biological sex information. A floor amendment clarified the bill’s scope and enforcement, and the bill passed 23-7. Several measures drew debate, especially SB 414 on bond ballot transparency, where Senators Eckhardt and Menendez questioned whether requiring estimated interest and total debt cost on ballots could be misleading or difficult to implement because interest rates and financing terms can change before issuance or over time. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final action shown on SB 414.

Transcript Highlights:

• But of course, the DOJ Antitrust Division does not just focus its resources on technology markets.
• Recently, at the Environment and Natural Resources Division, multiple section chiefs were reassigned
• I just want to make sure that you will continue to advocate for more resources for the department, for
• the division. it will be my job to be the lead advocate for adequate resources for the DOJ Antitrust
• And what if the president's exact... order means a one-quarter cut in the resources available to your

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then they divided it by the number of students they expect those resources to educate, and so they came
• Then they divided it by the number of students they expect those resources to educate, and so they came
• </c><00:11:24.839><c> to</c><00:11:25.040><c> educate</c> they' expect those resources to educate they
• ' expect those resources to educate and<00:11:25.920><c> so</c><00:11:26.120><c> they</c><00:11:26.279
• in the government so you know efficiency in the government so you know those<00:31:50.679><c> I've</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Education’s Bureau of School Finance provided an adequacy-funding training for Division II, led by Mark Mello. He walked the committee through the adequacy formula using Albany, Allenstown, and Alton as examples, explaining average daily membership, base adequacy aid, and differential aid for free/reduced-price meals, special education, and English language learners. He also noted a recent change requiring home-education differential aid and emphasized that these aid streams are generally unrestricted district funding rather than money tied to specific students or programs. A major focus was the ongoing litigation over the adequacy base amount and the statewide education property tax, or SWEPT. Mello explained the historical basis of the current base amount, the 2008 legislative report that set the original methodology, and the later court ruling that the adequacy amount should be $7,356, which is now before the Supreme Court. He also described how SWEPT currently raises a fixed statewide amount of $363 million and how that revenue is used to offset the state’s adequacy obligation. For the example towns, Albany and Allenstown receive state adequacy grants because their SWEPT revenue is below their calculated adequacy cost, while Alton is an excess SWEPT community because its local SWEPT revenue exceeds the cost of adequate education. The discussion then turned to the pending “excess SWEPT” issue in the Supreme Court and what would happen if excess collections had to be remitted to the state. Mello said the Department is preparing a hypothetical walkthrough and explained that, if the court upholds the Superior Court ruling, DRA would likely be directed to collect excess SWEPT. Members raised concerns about whether SWEPT must be used for educational purposes and about the cash-flow burden on towns if money had to move from municipalities to the state and then back to districts. Mello and members discussed possible administrative workarounds, such as credits against other state aid distributions, and noted that the committee would continue reviewing the mechanics if the court decision comes down during budget work.

Transcript Highlights:

• job going back to when we first dropped this bill 15 years ago of using state-owned space more efficiently
• My next question is this is taking we're wanting to be more efficient and cost savings to the state,
• </c><00:02:30.000><c> But</c><00:02:30.160><c> there</c><00:02:30.319><c> are</c> space more efficiently
• But there are space more efficiently.
• </c> we're wanting to be more efficient we're wanting to be more efficient and<00:04:58.000><c> cost<

Committee: Joint Public Property

Keywords: Public Property - Room 409, 29 January, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It might be the case that the department genuinely needs additional resources to work.
• We need those resources to be able to move through the backlog in a timely fashion.
• And so we need those resources to be able to move through the backlog in a timely fashion.
• You know, there's obviously lots of benefits for how do we increase efficiency?
• Coming home, I had nowhere to go, and they gave me all the resources and tools.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard presentations on the Department of Industrial Relations’ labor-related budget items, with the main focus on proposed trailer bill language to reform the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) and a related budget change proposal for staffing. DIR said SIBTF has grown far beyond its original purpose, citing the 2020 Todd decision, expanded eligibility based on chronic or asymptomatic conditions, and a backlog that has grown to more than 30,000 pending cases. The administration argued the reforms would restore guardrails, reduce liabilities and employer assessments, and speed processing for severely injured workers; the LAO said the proposal was largely consistent with its prior recommendations. Members raised concerns about using trailer bill language for major policy changes, the retroactive application to open cases, and the impact on workers already in the queue, while supporters from employer groups and public agencies backed the proposal as necessary to control costs and restore sustainability. Public comment was split, with injured-worker advocates opposing the retroactive changes and business/public employer representatives supporting the reforms. The committee then heard the SIBTF workload request, which would phase in 177 positions over five years at a cost of $36.5 million, including staff for the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Office of the Director Legal Unit, and administrative support. DIR said the additional staffing is intended to address very high caseloads and reduce processing times, but emphasized that the request assumes the reform package is adopted; LAO agreed the staffing increase made sense if paired with reforms. Members asked about vacancy rates, current staffing, and whether the workload request would become the new normal, and DIR said it would monitor caseload trends and adjust future requests as needed. Finally, the committee received an update on the California Workplace Outreach Program (CWOP), which DIR described as a partnership with community-based organizations to educate workers and help employers comply with labor laws. DIR reported that CWOP has reached 1.75 million workers and employers and made 8 million touchpoints since 2020, with the current round awarding $50.7 million to 87 partners for a two-year period through June 2027. Members and public commenters highlighted the program’s role in reaching immigrant, farmworker, janitorial, nail salon, and other vulnerable communities, and several speakers urged continued funding at $30 million per year for five years. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, on request of the Agency of Natural Resources, the Senate added section 13C to amend 3 V.S.A.
• Lastly, on request of the Agency of Lastly, on request of the Agency of Natural<00:20:18.480><c> Resources
• ,</c><00:20:19.600><c> the</c><00:20:19.840><c> Senate</c><00:20:20.240><c> added</c> Natural Resources
• , the Senate added Natural Resources, the Senate added section<00:20:21.200><c> 13C</c><00:20:22.160>
• ,</c><01:16:08.320><c> strengthened</c> improved efficiency, strengthened improved efficiency, strengthened

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is the regional resource specialist team.
• </c><00:08:30.360><c> specialists</c><00:08:31.000><c> or</c><00:08:31.440><c> our</c> regional resource
• specialists or our regional resource specialists or our complex<00:08:32.200><c> transitions</c><00:
• It's critical to ensuring the efficient and effective uses of state and our federal Medicaid dollars,
• </c><01:24:15.800><c> effective</c> ensuring the efficient and effective ensuring the efficient and effective

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are one of the safest, most effective, and most cost-efficient tools we have in modern medicine.
• safest, most effective,<00:03:47.200><c> and</c><00:03:47.320><c> most</c><00:03:47.560><c> cost-efficient
• </c><00:03:48.280><c> tools</c> effective, and most cost-efficient tools effective, and most cost-efficient
• within their states to medical resources within their states to give<00:18:51.560><c> their</c><00:18
• I provide academic support in general education classrooms, and I run a resource room where students

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're happy to be a resource to the committee and, you know, obviously answer any questions.
• </c> in entrepreneurship using the resources in entrepreneurship using the resources that<00:42:36.400
• DHS doesn't have a lot of resources to enforce this.
• And just a point for commercial equipment: it's way more efficient. It's easier to clean.
• And just a point for commercial equipment: it's way more efficient. It's easier to clean.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• come here and, you know, you can't do your other work because you're here, so we'll try to move efficiently
• ><c> move</c> because you're here so we'll try to move because you're here so we'll try to move efficiently
• > through</c><00:10:24.720><c> all</c><00:10:24.959><c> these</c><00:10:25.120><c> measures</c> efficiently
• through all these measures efficiently through all these measures that<00:10:25.560><c> we</c><00:10
• </c><00:45:12.280><c> we</c> and understood look at the resources we and understood look at the resources

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.