Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> construction,</c> Since initial planning and construction, Since initial planning and construction
• </c><00:04:02.000><c> to</c> $1.125 million to finish that plan to $1.125 million to finish that plan
• This plan has been a dream for years and is listed in three master plans for the city of Fargo: the parks
• , trails, and open space master plan, the downtown master plan, and the city comprehensive plan.
• Um, this plan is this portion project.

Bills: HF474 , HF218 , HF210 , HF441 , HF691 , HF720 , HF1068 , HF1314 , HF1465 , HF1860 , HF2046 , HF1389 , HF2404 , HF2854 , HF2985 , HF3128 , HF3103 , HF778 , HF3125

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:51:15.319><c> on</c> that motans are planning on that motans are planning on accessing<00:51:
• As we heard today, do they ask people if they plan to have a baby before they hire them?
• </c><01:02:44.359><c> to</c> heard today ask people if they plan to heard today ask people if they plan
• </c><01:16:06.280><c> for</c> Workforce do not have plans for Workforce do not have plans for survivors
• This bill derails those plans. I know how important the first year of motherhood can be.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• in advance of what how we can plan in advance of what how we can increase<00:17:46.320><c> the</c><00
• have the ability to plan at that level?
• </c><00:42:08.920><c> cafeteria</c> about like menu planning cafeteria about like menu planning cafeteria
• Can they have the ability to locally purchase, design their own meal planning?
• </c><00:54:35.680><c> and</c> crucial need for strategic planning and crucial need for strategic planning

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would allow each community to have a plan that they can update over time. It's dynamic.
• </c><00:49:48.559><c> So</c> plan and the subscription over time.
• So plan and the subscription over time.
• </c> have developed asset management plans have developed asset management plans for<00:50:32.240><c>
• What is your plan there? Because it may or may not tend, tend, tend.

Bills: SF0101

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Sounds like a plan. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Sounds like a plan. Thank you very much. &gt;&gt; Sounds like a plan.
• over, you know, um improvement uh plan over, you know, 30<01:03:07.440><c> years.
• </c> capital improvement plan. capital improvement plan.
• And so debt as well as our capital plan.

Keywords: Reuploaded tor restore the roll call and minutes approval 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:20 Approval of Minutes 0:00:50 Information Items 0:01:39 Project Rpt from Eastern KY University 0:06:54 Lease Rpt from University of KY 0:11:33 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:18:50 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:29:33 OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 0:38:27 OFM – Debt Issues 0:46:27 Louisville Arena Authority 1:24:30 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes and received information items on University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts reporting upcoming bond issues with no additional tax levies needed, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues for fiscal year 2026. It then considered an appropriation increase for a University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. University officials said the project is 100% federally funded and will construct a terminal building tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school. Members asked about the relationship to aviation expansion and whether the flight school would be publicly operated; the witnesses said EKU would operate it, public appropriations had already been applied, and student revenue would help offset costs. The committee approved the item by roll call vote. Next, the committee approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for property at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead, Rowan County, for $6.4 million. UK said the property, which includes an 85,000-square-foot facility on 9.6 acres, is directly across from UK St. Clair and was offered by the Rowan County Board of Education after it moved to a new location. Members questioned why the payment schedule was structured as quarterly installments and why the price was below two appraisals; UK said the board requested the arrangement and did not want the full amount upfront, and there was no interest on the purchase price. The committee also approved this item. The deputy state budget director then reported three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Ballard Wildlife Management Area pump station project, Lake Barkley State Resort Park emergency repairs, and Lake Barkley lodge wing exterior repairs. After questions, staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies because bids came in close to available funding. The committee approved the action items, then heard four no-action pool projects: HVAC upgrades at the FFA leadership training center in Hardinsburg, Kentucky School for the Blind’s McDaniel Scoggin building, KSD’s Brett Brady Hall, and a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation for the School of Engineering Technology. Finally, the committee heard two real property items: a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the high per-square-foot cost and whether another county location could be used; CHFS said it maintains offices in every county seat, this lease would replace an existing 1977 office, and the new construction was negotiated down from a higher initial bid. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing space, with renovation costs partly absorbed by the lessor and the remainder amortized over the lease term.

Transcript Highlights:

• on coming back this or are you planning on coming back this fiscal year<00:22:06.760><c> um</c><00:22
• </c><00:28:54.080><c> and</c><00:28:54.200><c> so</c> has taken longer than planned and so has taken
• um which is not the benefit plan um which is not the liability<00:46:21.520><c> is</c><00:46:21.640>
• As I recall, I think we were $47 million over plan last year, which is better than good.
• </c> I think we were 47 million over plan I think we were 47 million over plan last<00:53:57.319><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 30, 2025, and first organized itself by electing Senator Jim Gray as vice chair, electing Representative F as clerk, appointing Michael Caine as legislative budget assistant, and adopting the committee’s rules and procedures. The committee also adopted an amendment to the rules allowing audits to be automatically released to the public once placed on the Fiscal Committee agenda, with members discussing that the change would improve transparency and reduce paper handling. The minutes from the November 15, 2024 meeting were approved, with members who were absent abstaining. The committee then worked through a consent calendar and several individual items. It removed or noted withdrawals on a few items, including item 25004 for further discussion, item 25016 withdrawn by the Department of Education, item 257 removed by Representative F, and item 25001 removed under Tab 4. Item 25004, concerning the newborn screening program, prompted testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services explaining that the program is mandatory with an opt-out provision; officials said 99.2% of newborns were screened in 2023, meaning the opt-out rate was under 1%. The committee also approved item 25007, related to DHHS community health workers and telework policy, after hearing that the workers are not placed in schools and that DHHS follows statewide telework policy. On the regular calendar, the committee approved a Department of Administrative Services request to extend the release date for fiscal year 2024 numbers to March 31, and approved a Department of Fish and Game item. It also approved winter maintenance funding for the Department of Transportation after hearing that the $5.7 million request might not last through the winter if additional storms occur; DOT said even a small storm can cost more than $1 million and that crews are dispatched based on road conditions and supervisory judgment. The committee then approved items for the Judicial Council and the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant. The final discussion focused on the Health and Human Services dashboard and the Youth Development Center claims. DHHS acknowledged a data error in the APS client line and said Community Mental Health Center caseload data is still not fully accurate because two centers are undergoing EHR conversions. Members also asked about the low census at the Sununu Youth Development Center and about the process for managing future claims related to the YDC settlement fund. Witnesses from the Attorney General’s office said the fund is handled through a unique arrangement involving DOJ appropriations and judicial branch staff, that current judicial budget cuts are not yet affecting the litigation pace, and that the average resolution so far has been about $500,000, though future claims may vary. No votes were taken on the discussion items beyond the approvals noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, uh, and their advantage plans.
• </c> plan for them. plan for them.
• </c><00:55:21.359><c> that</c> companies for the insurance plans that companies for the insurance plans
• Uh, is that the plan?
• I mean, is that what you plan to do every couple of years, changing the laws and stuff?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several insurance-related bills. Senate Bill 47, concerning health insurance policies related to the birth of the mother, was moved ought to pass with no amendments and was approved on a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 121, dealing with Medicare Advantage plan notice requirements, was amended to reduce the required notice from 120 days to 90 days and to remove a federal citation; the department said the change was to avoid conflict with federal notice rules. After discussion about the stress caused when carriers leave the Medicare Advantage market, the committee voted ought to pass as amended, 7-0. The committee then heard a detailed explanation of the continuing care retirement communities bill, described by the Insurance Department as a rewrite of a 1989 law to modernize oversight, require quarterly financial reporting as an early warning system, create a bill of rights for residents, and clarify issues such as entrance fees and removal of dangerous residents. A member recalled the bill’s original purpose as protecting solvency because residents pay substantial upfront fees. The bill was moved ought to pass and approved unanimously, 7-0. The final major discussion concerned a pooled risk organizations bill. Members debated whether oversight should remain with the Secretary of State or be moved to the Insurance Department. Supporters of moving it argued the issue is solvency, citing concerns about reserve levels, prior insolvencies, and the Insurance Department’s expertise. Opponents said the Secretary of State’s office had historically overseen the entities and that the bill would fundamentally change how they operate. A straw vote favored an amendment, but the committee ultimately voted to retain the bill for further work, with plans to revisit it later in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just so we have a plan, because some of these are legitimate, right?
• I want to shorten that planning phase.
• And some of this is we don't have a statewide IT plan.
• And some of this is we don't have a statewide IT plan.
• and then they combine that into one state plan.

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our plans change about three times a day.
• Our plans change about three times a day.
• </c><00:24:59.760><c> for</c> Individuals need to make plans for Individuals need to make plans for themselves
• We urge the committee to plan all along.
• This five-year plan instead of a four.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be the plan for House Bills 2 and 14. So with that level set, Mr.
• We have no plans to use this at this time.
• But again, no transfers planned.
• , medical or health plan to the school.
• The plan going forward.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The college has planned in their master plan for all of those projects to move forward in phases.
• </c> little bit about the the funding plan? little bit about the the funding plan?
• I think we have the right incentives in this plan.
• And I think this uh this idea plan.
• Uh but I want to be clear that plan.

Bills: HB0111 , HB0112 , HB0122

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, up next we have the state health planning and development agency testifying in support.
• Yeah, they are in our plan. >> Okay.
• I'm glad to know they're in the plan. >> Thank you. >> Yes.
• Yeah, they are in our plan. >> Okay. I'm glad to know they're in the plan. >> Thank you. >> Yes.
• . ...limited to strategic planning retreats of the university.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 4 and began with announcements about committee protocol, including posting hearing notices and testimony earlier than required and using written HD1 drafts for more complex amendments. The chair also noted the new AV system and asked speakers to be clear because the microphones are sensitive. The committee then took up several University of Hawaiʻi-related measures, with most testimony coming from UH officials, state agencies, and advocacy groups, and no votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1596, relating to student basic needs support at the University of Hawaiʻi, drew support from UH, the Oʻahu Youth Action Board, and an individual. UH said it stood on its written testimony and could answer questions. HB 1597, relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research, received support from UH/JABSOM, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others; the Attorney General’s Office offered a procedural reminder about statewide concern. HB 1970, funding the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the Hawaii Tumor Registry, was supported by UH, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others, with testimony emphasizing the registry’s role in cancer surveillance, prevention, and federal funding. The committee also heard HB 1598, creating a Hawaii Climate Institute. UH testified in support, citing worsening drought, heat, sea level rise, and extreme weather, and said the institute would hire climate modelers and faculty across several schools. Members questioned funding, and UH said it would seek state startup money, possible green-fee support, and federal grants, noting recent federal cuts and the need for permanent positions. HB 1989, on water retention, was supported by UH as a study to slow runoff and improve aquifer recharge. HB 1951, on biosecurity, drew support from UH, DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, students, and other organizations; testimony stressed invasive species threats, the need for biocontrol research and containment capacity, and possible sites for a statewide facility. HB 1952, funding agricultural research station improvements on Kauaʻi, was supported by UH, the Farm Bureau, and others, with testimony noting aging facilities and the need to modernize stations across the islands. Finally, HB 2005, relating to language access, received UH support, with a UH representative noting that credit programs may fit best in a credit-bearing academic program and that Outreach College could be an option for noncredit programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am pleased to present AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act.
• This was also supported by Planned Parenthood in its original form, and I'd like to move the bill.
• This was also supported by Planned Parenthood in its original form, and I'd like to move the bill.
• And because we're not land use or planning authorities, we don't have planning periods, so it's unclear
• And because we're not land use or planning authorities, we don't have planning periods, so it's unclear

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes. Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call. The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:32.480><c> and</c> facilitate pre-release case planning and facilitate pre-release case planning
• </c><00:48:49.359><c> many</c> uh as it is now many plans many uh as it is now many plans many contracts
• and then sells and then negotiates that plan for this bundle of insurance companies.
• and then sells and then negotiates plans and then sells and then negotiates that<01:00:14.359><c> plan
• or with a PBM, uh, drug plan or through a PSAO, is the contracts from PBM are very vague.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for that child specific to action plan for that child specific to his<00:44:31.880><c> Med</c><00:44
• And so we have an action plan for the child, and that plan describes what medication to give and when
• um for the child and that an action plan um for the child and that plan<00:48:43.280><c> describes</
• describes what medication to give plan describes what medication to give and<00:48:46.559><c> when</
• </c> Electric utilities um company uh planned Electric utilities um company uh planned a<01:00:54.079

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The high-subsidy routes should be and will be terminated, but the more efficient routes could be planned
• components and plan development as well as implementation practices.
• </c> requirements and planning requirements and planning components<00:08:48.080><c> to</c><00:08:49.000
• ,</c> implementation plan, implementation plan, as<00:09:02.040><c> well</c><00:09:02.200><c> as</c><
• </c> both the the plan both the the plan components<00:09:14.080><c> and</c><00:09:14.200><c> plan</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:32.000><c> I</c><00:32:32.159><c> think</c><00:32:32.320><c> there</c> plan.
• I think there plan. Uh even schedule F.
• We will add to the plan requirement for the plan from the producers to state how it will meet or exceed
• </c><02:09:41.920><c> from</c><02:09:42.079><c> the</c> plan requirement for the plan from the plan requirement
• plan in place before the existing law is repealed.

Bills: HB1602 , HB2246 , HB1707 , HB2216 , HB2594 , HB2595 , HB2155 , HB2113 , HB2207 , HB1832 , HB2015 , HB2152 , HB2548

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: agriculture, grant specialist, financial support, farmers, Hawaii, federal grants, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, transportation, reimbursement, food security, local production, sustainability, agricultural loans, financing, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii agriculture, loan portfolio

Transcript Highlights:

• of East Conway’s difficulties in complying with the plan, but they did so.
• of East Conway’s difficulties in complying with the plan, but they did so.
• of East Conway’s difficulties in complying with the plan, but they did so.
• </c> difficulties is complying with the plan difficulties is complying with the plan but<00:29:44.640
• So why don't we plan then to, um, I have a meeting at 2:30 at the State House.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 396, which would exempt meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in-state for in-state sale from certain inspections. Representative Comtois explained her amendment, saying she tried to address prior concerns by limiting the number processed monthly, adding a registration and disclaimer requirement, and folding beef, swine, sheep, and goats into the bill’s framework. Members discussed whether some sections from earlier language on bison, elk, and red deer had been inadvertently struck, and Comtois said she did not intend to remove those protections and would restore them if needed. Several members raised drafting and policy concerns. Representative Miner suggested the waiver language should be a signed, notarized statement kept on file rather than filed with the Department of Agriculture, and Comtois agreed. Representative Gruber and Representative Scully discussed labeling and wording, including clarifying that the meat would not be “exempt” from federal inspection in the same way as non-amenable species, and adding language that any prosecution would be federal rather than state. There was also discussion about whether ground meat should be included for the amenable species, with Miner and Comtois indicating that excluding ground meat would reduce risk. Commissioner Sean Jasper of the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food testified strongly against the bill, saying it was a step in the wrong direction, lacked consumer protections, and could jeopardize food safety and the state’s meat processing system. He argued that the federal exemption for non-amenable species could not simply be extended to new species by state law, warned that USDA could respond by withdrawing federal inspections, and said the bill would not solve the real bottlenecks in slaughter capacity. He also said he did not believe there was a general shortage of inspectors, and that the practical issue was producers not scheduling animals year-round, which forces facilities to scale to the slow season. No vote was taken during the work session, and members continued discussing possible amendments and wording changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the thrift savings plan uh over time. the thrift savings plan uh over time.
• I know the PDM rate is substantial in the planning for these.
• I know the PDM rate is substantial in the planning for these.
• I know the PDM rate is substantial in the planning for these.
• So just so you're have plans as well. So just so you're aware<00:32:35.039><c> Mr.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• critical infrastructure stakeholders to work collaboratively and inform our Hawaii Homeland Defense plan
• He noted that Trump had just announced plans to cut 880,000 employees from the VA and asked how that
• and many don't so how do you see a plan and many don't so how do you see your<00:21:10.000><c> role<
• I'll have to take the hit for that, but their main role is to look at the business plans provided by
• </c> Senate have them be prepared with plans Senate have them be prepared with plans in<00:39:32.359>

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard advice-and-consent testimony on several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 644 for Steven Logan to serve as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense through December 7, 2026. Testimony from multiple state officials and others was strongly supportive, citing Logan’s military leadership, service during the COVID-19 period, and coordination during the fireworks-related patient transfer. Logan described his 44 years of military service, 22 years with the Honolulu Police Department, and his approach of “unity of effort,” including how he would help operationalize the Office of the State Fire Marshal by coordinating with county fire chiefs, the State Fire Council, and emergency management to pursue funding and implement recommendations. The committee then took up GM 621 and GM 623 for the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee. Shante Asuda of Hawaii Correctional Industries supported both nominees and said the board is important for evaluating private-sector joint ventures that can provide work skills for incarcerated people. Carla Kashiwa said she wanted to help improve outcomes through public-private partnerships and vocational rehabilitation opportunities for people reentering society. Lee Shinato, however, gave a less prepared presentation, offering broad ideas such as crafts, lunch wagons, and ukulele-making, and acknowledged he was not fully clear on the board’s scope or goals. Committee members expressed concern about the lack of preparation and clarity around the board’s mission, and the administrator later explained that the board’s role is to review business plans for viability, return on investment, sustainability, and whether they provide marketable skills for inmates. The final item discussed was GM 568 for Aris Banag to serve on the Advisory Board of Veteran Services. Supporters described him as community-minded and deeply committed to veterans. Banag said he has over 30 years of service, has worked as a mental health therapist and veterans resource coordinator at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, and helped create the first veteran service center there. In response to questions about federal VA cutbacks and veterans nearing retirement, he said the board must be a strong independent voice for veterans, advocate against reductions in benefits, and help service members plan for post-military life, including disability benefits, retirement, and financial planning. No votes or final committee actions were stated in the portion provided.