Transcript Highlights:

• you're a bad actor and you're the one that's got this bill in front of us and you are not treating your staff
• Accountability, and maybe just a little background why this group has been involved: many of their staff
• In fact, we had a meeting yesterday with their staff to continue to work through some of the questions
• I mean, my first initial thought is, can the department handle, obviously, with the staff that they have
• We do that right now just because our Idaho Department of Labor is a little low on staff, so we take

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 19, 2026 minutes and then took up House Bill 863, which dealt with a roughly $22 million reduction tied to a program serving people with disabilities. Supporters said the bill would add transparency and oversight and help remove bad actors, while opponents warned the cut was too large and too abrupt and could destabilize services and harm good providers and clients. The committee voted 6-3 to send HB 863 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 730, a SNAP program integrity bill sponsored by Senator Van Orden. The bill would require more frequent eligibility checks, including quarterly reviews, cross-checks with death, incarceration, labor, tax, lottery, residency, and citizenship data, and lower the asset threshold for certain categorical eligibility. Supporters argued the bill would protect taxpayers, reduce fraud and improper payments, and help Idaho avoid future federal penalties under the One Big Beautiful Bill framework; they also said the state’s current low error rate could be preserved or improved. Opponents, including the Idaho Food Bank and the Hunger Coalition, said the bill would add bureaucracy, create barriers for eligible households, and could raise error rates and state costs, while the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy warned of significant potential penalties if error rates rise. After testimony and debate, members split over the bill’s new fiscal note and the added administrative burden, but supporters said the measures were needed as federal costs shift to the state. The committee voted 7-2 to send HB 730 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and then adjourned because they were late for the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I come to you today on behalf of our students, our staff, our families, and community members to ask
• <00:06:38.160><c> our</c><00:06:38.400><c> students,</c><00:06:39.199><c> our</c><00:06:39.440><c> staff
• ,</c><00:06:39.919><c> our</c><00:06:40.160><c> families</c> of our students, our staff, our families
• of our students, our staff, our families and<00:06:40.720><c> community</c><00:06:41.039><c> members
• </c> become a front line for mutual aid staff become a front line for mutual aid staff are<00:08:55.600

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Legislators and school counselors discussed a bill aimed at strengthening school counseling services in Minnesota. Supporters said the proposal would clarify counselors’ roles in state policy, require at least one school counselor in every school, and ensure counselors spend 80% of their time in direct services to students rather than being assigned to duties like hall monitoring or substitute teaching. The bill was described as building on prior efforts to expand student mental health supports after COVID and responding to Minnesota’s low student-to-counselor ratio, which speakers said ranks 48th nationally. Several counselors testified about the pressures facing students and schools, especially in communities affected by ICE enforcement and broader trauma. A St. Paul counselor described students displaced by enforcement actions, a child whose father was detained, and schools serving as food distribution centers. Another counselor from Minneapolis said students were experiencing chronic stress, fear, and difficulty focusing on school, with staff organizing mutual aid, delivering supplies, and helping students continue learning from home. Speakers said these conditions are statewide and that counselors are providing trauma support, family crisis navigation, and basic needs assistance. In response to questions, a Minnesota School Counselor Association advocate said the bill is intended to give counselors a clearer state framework and support their professional training and responsibilities. No vote or formal committee action was described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
• Regarding crisis residential centers, CRCs, the staffing ratio is revised to one staff to four youth
• during working hours and one staff to six youth during sleeping hours.
• It's currently four staff to eight youth, with no less than three staff to eight youth, and it doesn't
• a change because right now, if there's suspected, I did consult with someone who we both know who staffs

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a brief Monday meeting to hear two bills and a gubernatorial appointment. House Bill 2464, sponsored by Rep. Ortiz-Self, would require private detention facilities to report serious incidents such as abuse allegations, deaths, suicides, injuries requiring hospitalization, and service disruptions to the Department of Health and local law enforcement by the next business day, and would require annual law-enforcement reporting to DOH. Rep. Ortiz-Self said the bill is needed because private facilities have been inconsistent and delayed in sharing information, while state facilities already provide data more readily. Testimony from Columbia Legal Services, the League of Women Voters, La Resistencia, and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project strongly supported the bill, citing barriers to reporting crimes and concerns about abuse in private detention. The committee did not vote on the bill during the hearing, but the chair said it would be considered in executive session. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2253, a DCYF request bill making several licensing-related changes for foster care, crisis residential centers, and child care. The bill would require immediate termination of certain child-specific foster licenses if high-potency synthetic opioids or illicit substances are found, exempt kinship caregivers from blood-borne pathogen training, allow DCYF to close inactive foster homes, remove sex designation from foster licenses, adjust CRC staffing ratios to one staff for four youth during waking hours and one for six during sleeping hours, and strengthen child care subsidy fraud enforcement through electronic attendance verification and possible license revocation. DCYF and Community Youth Services testified in support, describing the changes as technical fixes that align statute with current practice and reduce burden on providers. Committee members raised concerns that some child care provisions may belong in a different committee and noted the need to ensure the bill does not duplicate or conflict with existing licensing and fraud rules. The committee then held a confirmation hearing for Corey McNally, reappointed to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. McNally described the board’s role in release decisions, supervision conditions, violation management, and release plans, and discussed his background in community mental health, the Special Commitment Center, DOC sex offense treatment, and ISRB leadership. Members asked about advances in sex offense assessment and treatment, the distinction between ISRB cases and sexually violent predator civil commitment, board consistency and recidivism work, and victim participation in hearings. McNally said the board uses structured decision-making and actuarial risk assessments, remains neutral on legislation, and provides victim liaisons to offer participation options. The chair closed the hearings, noted the committee would meet the next day on a large packet of bills and one appointment, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hiring qualified staff to fill these positions...
• The staff analysis talks about some constitutional issues with that on page 11.
• The staff analysis talks about some constitutional issues with that on page 11.
• Do you have any concerns about any of this language with that being in the staff analysis?
• And, you know, we'll take that back and review the staff analysis.

Bills: S0042 , S0196 , S0878 , S0902 , S0914 , S1092 , S1168 , S1340 , S1404 , S1414 , S1684 , S1686

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, uterine fibroids, health database, medical research, personal data protection, women's health, clinical laboratory, licensure, healthcare personnel, technologist, technician, medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to hear and vote on a series of health, human services, and education-related bills, along with a presentation of the committee’s proposed HHS budget. The budget was described as increasing by more than $2.1 billion over the current base, with major funding highlighted for Medicaid and KidCare, rural health, provider rate increases, child welfare, mental health and substance use, opioid treatment, Alzheimer’s initiatives, cancer research, ADAP, veterans’ services, and IT modernization. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on AIDS Drug Assistance Program funding and concerns about Department of Health changes affecting access, premium assistance, notice, and continuity of care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Among the bills reported favorably were measures on podiatric medicine and tissue-based products (SB 1092), background screening and clearinghouse procedures (SB 1168), child protective investigations involving specific medical diagnoses and second opinions (SB 42), clinical laboratory personnel licensure standards (SB 878), uterine fibroid data tracking and research (SB 196), medical marijuana treatment center oversight and related health provisions (SB 902), dyslexia and dyscalculia screening and intervention in schools (SB 1340), memory care licensure for assisted living facilities (SB 1404), congenital CMV education materials (SB 1414), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption bills (SB 1684 and SB 1686), and occupational therapy dry needling licensure standards (SB 914). Several bills were amended before passage, including SB 1092, SB 42, SB 902, SB 1684, and SB 1404. Testimony generally came from professional associations, advocacy groups, and affected stakeholders, with support voiced for most measures. The committee adopted amendments on the floor, heard no opposition during debate on the bills described, and then voted to report each measure favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded in the affirmative on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who's facilitating this if it's not a staff member teaching this? Thanks.
• It's not a staff member teaching this.
• Now, staff is being forced to do this, and there's always a possibility of litigation for anything.
• Thank you, and thank you members and staff for staying.
• Staff, open the vote. Hesembeck votes aye. Members wishing to vote or change your vote.

Summary: The A&B Subcommittee on Education heard and advanced several bills, beginning with HB 4491, which would allow virtual charter, charter, and homeschool students to participate in extracurricular activities in their resident school district. The sponsor said the bill was intended to expand student opportunity and was still being worked on, especially on eligibility and proximity requirements. Members raised concerns about accreditation, fairness, and potential disruption, but the bill was reported out 8-2. The committee then approved HB 4146, which moves the state-paid maternity benefit for teachers to begin in a teacher’s first year of employment, and HB 4149, which grants up to 10 years of service credit for certain prior experience, including out-of-state or out-of-country teaching, active-duty military service, law enforcement, and firefighting. HB 4158 raised the income cap for O-TAG grant eligibility to $80,000, and HB 4159 allowed parents to request dyslexia screening after formative assessments at any time during the year, with notice from the State Department; both passed with little opposition. A more contentious debate surrounded HB 3242, which sought to clarify voluntary religious expression in schools and provide Attorney General guidance and legal protections for districts. Supporters argued it protected First Amendment rights and gave schools guardrails, while opponents warned it could expose schools to litigation, create power imbalances, and blur the line between voluntary student expression and school-sponsored religious activity. After debate, the bill passed 6-4. Finally, HB 3718 was heard to address delays in special education evaluations by starting the 45-school-day timeline from the date of request rather than the date of consent, with the sponsor citing families missing scholarship deadlines because evaluations took too long. Members discussed federal timing rules and district practices, and the bill passed 7-3. The chair closed by noting it was the subcommittee’s final House bill meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff: Responsible Firearm Safety Awareness Month for Representative Edmonds, sir.
• Staff: Barney Bishop for Smart Justice Alliance waives in support.
• Staff: Karen Mazzola of Florida Parent Teacher Association waives in support.
• Staff: Representatives Speaker? Yes. Thanx? Yes. Bartleman? Bartleman? Bracket? Bracket? Fabricio?
• Staff: 13 yeas, 0 nays, Mister Chair. I'll show the bill having reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Miner's Hospital staff are recommending this bar authority be for both 26 and to 27.
• The recommendations from staff stay the same for Do It, as well as the para.
• So staff don't recommend that. Thomas, which is what are you referring to? This is line 76, Mr.
• They've done a demonstration for staff late last fall.
• Deferred to committee staff on there. There was a whole queue of items.

Bills: SB241 , SB145

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a list view, there's a map view I have instructed staff that this must be up and operational
• Number 1 is the committee and staff reports. Stacy is the program's coordinator update.
• Appreciate all the work that Lance and the staff do on that. Have no other report. Thanks, Justin.
• And staff continues to work with in the NG911 RP committee, mission critical partners, and procurement
• Very, very good, very informative for staff because we learn a lot about them, and then they learn a

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement for consistent, publicly available guidance that clearly explains how students, faculty, or staff
• always available, but is there any provision to have students aware, not just faculty members and staff
• This does include everyone: students, faculty, staff, and visitors, so it's for everyone on campus.
• When I look at my journey, I was a first-generation student at UNF and the way the faculty and staff.
• At UNF, the way the faculty and staff dealt with me and introduced me to this whole new world, having

Bills: S0176 , S0816

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: campus safety, higher education, university safety, college safety, student safety, threat assessment, violence prevention, credible threat, campus security, law enforcement notification, emergency response, public universities, Florida College System, student conduct, workplace violence, security escorts, incident reporting, title IX-like safety procedures, institutional safety policy, school violence

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear two bills and several confirmation appointments. Senate Bill 176, as amended, required public universities to maintain and publicize clear campus safety policies and reporting procedures for threats to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Senator Polsky said the bill was intended to close a gap in postsecondary safety guidance and mirror K-12 requirements. The committee adopted the amendment without objection, heard supportive comments about campus safety, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard Senate Bill 116, which would codify the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to support research, prevention, education, collaboration, and outreach on diabetes; the bill drew supportive testimony from AARP and others and was also reported favorably. The committee then took up confirmations for multiple university and college boards of trustees. Nominees and appointees testified about their backgrounds and priorities, including FIU trustee Nestor Plana, UNF trustee Clarence Stephen Moore, UCF trustees Mark Philburn and Alan Flores, USF trustees Rick Piccolo and Nancy Watkins Hemingway, and Miami Dade College trustee Ismarie Monreal, among others. Their remarks emphasized student success, research growth, workforce development, financial stewardship, and institutional goals such as engineering, cybersecurity, health care, and preeminence. Several members asked about NCLEX nursing pass rates and university performance metrics, and one public commenter raised concerns about campus climate and student safety at UCF. After hearing the appointees and public comment, the committee voted to confirm the group of nominees in a block and reported the confirmations favorably. The meeting concluded without further business after a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through research with incredible staff and judiciary, healthcare and education, Rep.
• Not just for the students but the faculty and staff. Rep.
• Salzman: eligible faculty and staff only and where they could carry a firearm concealed as a Guardian
• I will carry the weight and of course the staff. We have educational staff so they're back there.
• We have great staff that helped us craft this legislation. I'm open for suggestions.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, Allison Mendiola, committee staff.
• How about we check in at maybe 1:15 and see where we're at if our staff can help us out with that?
• be leaving with all things that they needed to be in place in order for them to be safe, for the staffs
• And the reasoning behind the time limit is because the staff that are going to have to be paid to escort

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met in executive session to review several bills, with one bill on the DCYF Oversight Board (SB 5942) held until the following week so additional stakeholder input could be incorporated. Staff briefed bills on escorted leaves for incarcerated individuals (SB 5873), extraordinary medical placements (SB 5895), financial stability for youth in DCYF care receiving Social Security benefits (SB 5911), an extended foster care housing pilot (SB 5940), changes to the persistent offender definition and resentencing (SB 5945), adding positions to the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee (SB 5957), and medically tailored meals for Apple Health enrollees (SB 5966). Several of these bills had multiple proposed amendments, many offered by Senator Christian, addressing eligibility limits, monitoring, location restrictions, time limits, liability, victim notification, and funding contingencies. In executive action, the committee adopted only the chair’s technical amendment to SB 5873 and rejected the other proposed amendments, then advanced the bill as a proposed substitute to the Rules Committee. SB 5895 also moved forward as a proposed substitute after most amendments were rejected and one was withdrawn; the committee sent it to Ways and Means. SB 5911’s amendment clarifying protected accounts for youth benefits was adopted, and the bill was advanced to Ways and Means. SB 5940 was also advanced to Ways and Means after adoption of the substitute. SB 5945’s proposed substitute was adopted and the bill was sent forward, while SB 5957 and SB 5966 were briefly discussed in briefing but not acted on during the portion of the meeting captured here. The chair noted that any remaining executive bills not completed would be taken up at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other set was Stephanie Kendrick and Brandy Shima Makuro from the community engagement staff with
• from the and Brandy Shima Makuro from the community<00:01:46.079><c> engagement</c><00:01:46.560><c> staff
• </c><00:01:46.799><c> with</c><00:01:46.960><c> Hawaiian</c> community engagement staff with Hawaiian
• community engagement staff with Hawaiian Humane<00:01:47.840><c> Society</c><00:01:48.320><c> if</c>
• The National Conference of State Legislators was created by state legislators and legislative staff in

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm wondering if our nonpartisan staff knows that answer.
• /c><00:07:30.400><c> kind</c><00:07:30.479><c> of</c><00:07:30.599><c> answer</c> our non partisan staff
• kind of answer our non partisan staff kind of answer that<00:07:31.039><c> because</c><00:07:31.319>
• </c><00:07:43.400><c> knows</c><00:07:43.599><c> that</c><00:07:43.800><c> answer</c> nonpartisan staff
• knows that answer nonpartisan staff knows that answer hopefully<00:07:44.280><c> I've</c><00:07:44.440

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I intend to be respectful to all members, staff, witnesses, and visitors, and we would respectfully ask
• model composed of unarmed security officers and supplemental off-duty law enforcement personnel to staff
• The community benefits are as follows a safer healthcare environment for staff and patients, reduced
• And so we've had to rely on off-duty registry staff, and it's, it's been quite a problem with the, with
• Tremendously provide a safe environment for our staff as well as our patients and visitors.

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Transcript Highlights:

• But it’s a staff function that was not being met.
• So there just are more people in staff.
• It was a governor's residence staff.
• </c> governor's um the governor's staff governor's um the governor's staff rather<01:58:08.800><c> than
• the governor's staff rather than the governor's staff reporting<01:58:10.880><c> directly</c><01:58:11.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I thank the committee staff and the member for authoring this bill.
• I want to start by thanking the committee and their staff for assisting us with this bill.
• I want to start by thanking the committee and their staff for assisting us with this bill.
• Thank you so much, Madam Chair and members and staff.
• First, I would like to thank the chair and her staff for the work on this issue.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then heard a series of election- and public-trust-related bills. Early items included AB 2592, which would move lobbyist training from legislative ethics committees to the FPPC starting in 2029 and make it available online on demand; it drew support from the FPPC and an oppose-unless-amended request to make the training public and ensure lobbyists pay fees. AB 2573 would refine California’s confidential voter registration protections for candidates and elected officials, with support from the Secretary of State and county election officials after amendments narrowed some family-member coverage. AB 2753 would bar registered sex offenders from running for or holding local or state office; it prompted extended debate about public trust, second chances, and where to draw the line, but was ultimately advanced on a 5-0 vote with one member not voting. AB 2691 similarly would expand disqualifying felony convictions to include sexual assault and human trafficking, and it also passed 5-0 after testimony from victim advocates and discussion about survivors, restorative justice, and the power dynamics involved in public office. The committee also advanced AB 2413, which would prohibit public funds from being used for large-format ads featuring elected officials, and AB 2281, which would direct the Office of Election Cybersecurity to assess replacement resources after federal cybersecurity support cuts and allow consultation with academic researchers. AB 1664 would require local election officials to notify the Secretary of State and Attorney General within one business day of warrants, subpoenas, or investigations involving election records or voting systems; supporters said it would help the state respond quickly to improper seizure of election materials, and it passed 5-0. AB 2484, concerning San Diego MTS, would let voters authorize a local sales tax initiative for transit funding and exempt it from an existing cap; it drew support from transit leaders and labor, opposition from the Realtors, and a lengthy exchange over Prop. 13, Prop. 218, and whether the measure created a special deal, before passing 6-1. The committee then heard AB 2230, which would create buffer zones around voting centers and child care facilities to keep immigration enforcement away from those locations. The author said the bill was meant to reduce fear and intimidation for voters and families, while the opposition argued it was unenforceable, lacked evidence of a problem, and would interfere with federal officers doing their jobs. Members supporting the bill cited reported ICE profiling and intimidation in California communities, while others raised jurisdictional and practical concerns. The transcript ends during this debate, with no final vote shown for AB 2230.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to ask that staff read the legislation into the record for us, please. Yes, Mr.
• Staff was asked to read the next bill into the record.
• Staff read HB 1179 into the record.
• And I do give staff the authority to make conformity changes if the amendment were to pass.
• So there'd be no new additional staff needed, no administrative costs that are absorbed by this.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 1088, which would authorize state and local sales and use tax rebates for certain items used in aerospace facilities and activities. Chairman Bacala, LED Secretary Susan Bouchois, and governor’s office representative Julie Emerson argued the bill would help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace and defense investment, build on Michoud’s history, and attract high-paying jobs. Members asked about job growth, the scope of aerospace versus defense, and whether downstream activities like jet fuel production could qualify. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved HB 1179, which extends the ad valorem tax exemption for certain manufacturing establishments to aerospace manufacturing establishments, also reporting it favorably without objection. HB 1122, a placeholder bill tied to a future path toward reducing the state income tax rate, was voluntarily deferred by its sponsor after brief explanation. The committee then heard HB 515, which would let political subdivisions sell certain adjudicated properties directly to buyers at appraised value if the property is under $50,000. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was intended to help parishes clear long-vacant blighted properties and return them to commerce and the tax rolls. Members raised concerns about transparency, competition, title issues, and possible conflicts with recent tax-sale reforms. The committee adopted a conceptual amendment requiring the property to have been offered at public auction within the preceding 12 months before an over-the-counter sale could occur, and HB 515 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered HB 440, a constitutional amendment allowing parishes to increase the homestead exemption above the current level. The sponsor said the exemption has not been updated since 1980 and argued that raising it would provide relief from rising property taxes, insurance costs, and cost of living pressures. Amendments were adopted requiring parish approval and a local election before implementation, and delaying effectiveness until 2030. Several members and LABI warned the change could shift tax burdens onto businesses and other taxpayers, create parish-by-parish disparities, and affect bond ratings. The committee voted 5-9 against reporting HB 440, and the sponsor voluntarily deferred the companion bill, HB 543. Finally, the committee took up HB 614, presented with help from eighth-grader Elijah Brown as part of a civics competition. The bill would rebate state sales taxes on lodging and meals for utility company workers performing disaster or emergency-related work. After discussion, the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill to water, gas, and electric utilities regulated by the PSC, limited the rebate period to 10 days after a declared disaster, tied eligible lodging and meal costs to federal per diem rates, and capped annual rebates at $55,000. Members asked about administration, eligible workers, and fiscal impact; the Department of Revenue said it could administer the rebate with existing resources. The discussion was ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to ask that staff read the legislation into the record for us, please. Yes, Mr.
• Okay, before we do that, let's allow staff to read it into the record, Mr. Wiggins. Thank you.
• Okay, before we do that, let's allow staff to read it into the record, Mr. Wiggins. Thank you.
• And I do give staff the authority to make conformity changes if the amendment were to pass.
• So there'd be no new additional staff needed, no administrative costs that are absorbed by this.

Bills: HCR35 , HB440 , HB515 , HB543 , HB614 , HB1010 , HB1039 , HB1088 , HB1122 , HB1179 , HB1200

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: tax delinquency, property sale, rehabilitation, Louisiana State Law Institute, legislation, homestead exemption, property tax, parish governance, Louisiana Constitution, voter approval, adjudicated property, real estate, political subdivisions, property sales, government authority, residential lease, tax credit, property valuation, Louisiana constitution, disaster response

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the staff attorney for the criminal divisions of the First Circuit as well as Judiciary Administration
• I'm the<00:08:02.800><c> staff</c><00:08:03.080><c> attorney</c><00:08:03.440><c> for</c><00:08:03.800
• ><c> the</c><00:08:04.560><c> criminal</c> the staff attorney for the criminal the staff attorney for
• of our number of staff right now I<00:15:23.360><c> have</c><00:15:23.920><c> three</c><00:15:24.640
• I'm Carolyn Wegner Hildebrand, lead support staff for the State Council of Mental Health on behalf of

Bills: SB2479 , SB2557 , SB2861 , SB3204 , SB3324 , SB3325

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: criminal procedure, family violence, dating violence, child abuse, evidence admissibility, reduced sentencing, homelessness, reporting requirements, statewide office, housing solutions, kauhale projects, public oversight, SB2861, Hawaii, Office of Wellness and Resilience, OWR, Department of Human Services, DHS, Kakou Pilot Program, Kakou

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to criminal procedure, homelessness, family resilience, Medicaid-funded services, and school Medicaid reimbursement. On SB 2479 SD2, the Judiciary testified in neutral opposition with concerns that the bill could require imprisonment even for probation-eligible defendants, expand sentence reconsideration in ways that could undermine finality for victims, conflict with existing sentencing statutes, and require additional judicial resources. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill’s intent but asked for language changes so people serving sentences could raise the new evidence in Rule 40 petitions and so probation would remain available in appropriate felony cases. Written testimony also included opposition from several county prosecutors and police, and support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chair later deferred SB 2479 SD2, citing unintended consequences and problems with the bill. For SB 2557 SD1, which would require annual reporting by the State Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the office said it supported the intent but noted it already produces annual and quarterly reports, that some requested data is already available, and that staffing and cost constraints could make the new reporting burdensome. The State Council on Mental Health supported the measure and suggested narrowing the reporting language to data on individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring behavioral health conditions, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with relevant agencies. A committee member asked about the availability of point-in-time count data, and the office explained that some figures may not be available every year and may need to be generated through HMIS. Dr. Jack Lewin testified in support, saying the data would be useful for understanding health care costs. The committee passed SB 2557 SD1 with amendments, including a deferral of the effective date. The committee also heard SB 2861 SD2 and SB 3204 SD1, both family resilience pilot program measures. For SB 2861 SD2, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the office’s role is planning and advisory, that DHS is a key partner, and that federal compliance safeguards are included. The chair raised concerns about overlap with DHS’s existing Ka Ohana program and asked for language to avoid redundancy while allowing the bill to cover other at-risk children; decision-making was deferred to the next hearing. For SB 3204 SD1, which would create a peer-navigator-based family resilience pilot, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the measure, with the office requesting a two-year pilot period, and both agencies and several advocacy groups submitted support. The committee discussed funding, the proposed five peer navigators, and whether the pilot should be limited to one or two geographic areas; no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard and supported SB 3324 SD1 on Medicaid home and community-based services, with the Department of Health emphasizing caregiver shortages and the cost-effectiveness of community care, and SB 3325 SD1 HD1 on public school Medicaid reimbursement, where DOE and the Attorney General requested clarifying amendments to reporting language and position titles.

Transcript Highlights:

• their top barriers were for increasing their enrollment, and two out of the top three barriers were staff
• recruitment and staff retention.
• And I'd be remiss if I didn't just chime in on Question 5 that the staff so lovingly set up for us on
• These are providers who've already signed leases, are in the process of hiring staff, and are in the
• If you have any questions on that, please reach out to committee staff.

Keywords: 988, house, all