Video & Transcript Research : 'English composition'
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LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So the composition of this task force is largely oriented around New Orleans.
Summary:
The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts.
Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context.
The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It makes a couple of changes to the board composition.
Summary:
The Senate met under call, established a quorum, and adopted the printed committee reports, except those relating to Senate Concurrent Resolution 6. It then gave second reading to Senate File 4282 and several House files, and later handled motions including re-referring Senate File 4634 from Jobs and Economic Development to Taxes. The chamber also designated special orders for immediate consideration.
On special order, Senate File 4339, relating to the excavation notice system and utility locating, was presented as a safe-digging measure requiring electronic positive responses from utility operators and updated contact information for locators. The bill was read a third time and passed 64-0. The Senate then took up House File 3718, which modernizes the Board of Veterinary Medicine, updates definitions and licensing rules, expands scope of practice and telemedicine provisions, changes board composition, and adds a background check requirement; after questions from Senator Green about the bill’s sponsor, background checks, and board size, it passed 52-13.
The Senate next considered Senate File 4455, concerning the Lake City and Red Wing port authorities. An A2 amendment was adopted to address municipal public utilities commission voter ratification language, and the bill as amended passed 65-0. The session ended with announcements, including a lighthearted note about “Steak on a Stick Eve,” excusing Senators Webber and Miller, and adjournment until Thursday, April 16 at 11:00 a.m.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/25/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 9, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- This course trains deal assistance and dental hygienist to pack and contour of Malcolm and composite
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Higher Education Committee Dec 3rd, 2025
Joint Higher Education Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- would emphasize that each institution differs in the way that they make up their faculty and staff composition
Summary:
The Joint Higher Education Committee met for a work session on higher education accounting practices and financial transparency. OFM Deputy Director Sarah Rupp explained how state accounting rules and higher education reporting differ, including what data is captured in AFRS today and what will move into Workday, with universities generally reporting summary-level fund data, mandatory codes, and most balance sheet and income statement activity, but not transaction-level detail or vendor payment information. Representatives from the University of Washington and Washington State University described the complexity of their own accounting systems, the many entities and business lines they must track for audits and compliance, and the need to reconcile university-level accrual accounting with state reporting requirements. The committee also heard from the Education Research and Data Center on the public four-year finance dashboard created under Senate Bill 5512; ERDC said the dashboard is based on publicly available data, is best used to examine institutions individually rather than compare them directly, and will be updated with additional metrics in 2025 and 2026.
The committee then received a presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Workforce Education Investment Account (WIA). Joel Anderson reviewed WIA’s creation under House Bill 2158, its revenue sources, and its intended uses for higher education, financial aid, and workforce development. He said recent legislation significantly increased WIA revenues and that, in the 2025–27 budget, the account is being used in new ways, including to replace general fund support for University of Washington operations and to fund a larger share of the Washington College Grant and some faculty compensation costs. Anderson said roughly 98% of current WIA appropriations go to higher education, but the share used to supplant other higher education funding has grown, and he estimated about 60% to 70% of current spending still aligns with the account’s original intent. He also described a new effort to track WIA appropriations across biennia in more detail and noted the WIA Oversight Board’s role in recommending uses of the account and monitoring outcomes. No votes were taken; the committee ended by moving into executive session for staffing issues and then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill amends the composition of RESA's board and ensures that board members have experience. to national
Bills:
HB 1105, HB1527, HB1787, HB1972, HB2081, HB3296, HB3976, HB4071, HB4234, HB4438, HB4701, HB5092, HB5150, HB5180, HB5265, HB5333, HJR203
Keywords:
tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, laboratory fees, emergency medical services, peace officers, criminal justice, law enforcement, degree programs, public institutions, HB 1787, HPV, human papillomavirus, college health, university health, student health, public health education, prevention program, screening, early detection
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I was looking through the vacancy task force composition and I think it's important that We have teachers
Bills:
HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627
Keywords:
education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Mar 17th, 2025
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Feb 18th, 2025
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (02/02/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:02:11.359>
language, understanding of the English language, understanding of the English - Um and then a functional understanding of the English language so that they can interact with the LPLC
- I mean, obviously we want to be mindful of people who are trying and working on their English, but you
- of the English language so that<01:41:32.400>
they <01:41:32.639>can <01:41:32.719> - um English language skill at all. um English language skill at all.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:13:33.839>
to licensed to teach English to licensed to teach English to multilingual<00 - I've had the privilege to come alongside an English language development teacher, helping her see the
- language development teacher an English language development teacher helping<00:32:35.000>
her - Reading and writing are not confined to English language arts teachers alone.
- Partner-language and English testing doubles the burden on students and staff.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee. (7-1-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- If you meet college benchmarks and with the ACT it's an English 18, a 19 in math, or 20 in reading, or
- on the SAT a 490 on the English writing reading section or a 510 in mathematics, then you're "college
- If you meet college benchmarks and with the ACT it's an English 18, a 19 in math, or 20 in reading, or
- c> reasoning English, math, science reasoning English, math, science reasoning um<00:13:17.560>
- English class, but how does that impact maybe a social studies class?
Keywords:
0:00:03 - Call to Order and Roll Call
0:00:43 - Approval of October 14, 2025 and November 4, 2025 Minutes
0:01:15 - Acceptance of Office of Education Accountability Report: Analysis Of Student Discipline Data in Kentucky Schools
0:02:10 - Implementation Update on 26 RS HB 257
0:49:38 - Career and Technical Education in the Assessment and Accountability System
1:13:50 - Office of Education Accountability Annual Report
1:47:27 – Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability.
On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use.
The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Roughly half are English language learners, and many come from immigrant families.
- and 20% are English language learners. and 20% are English language learners.
- higher concentrations of English higher concentrations of English learners<00:42:13.200>
and< - Not only content knowledge loss, but the loss of English language instruction as well.
- <00:48:41.839>
at students who are learning English at students who are learning English at
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
- Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
- Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
- Roll call continued: Davis; Dees; Dismang; Dotson; English; Flippo; Flowers; Gilmore; Hammer; Hester;
Summary:
The Senate convened, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a brief announcement about volunteers for the Hunger Caucus’s “Serving Up Solutions” fundraiser benefiting the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. The chamber then moved to its business agenda, with the main item being Senate Bill 1, which would reduce income tax rates for individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations. Senator Dismang explained the bill as a continuation of tax cuts begun in 2013, lowering the top individual rate from 3.9% to 3.7% effective January 1, 2026, and reducing the corporate rate to 4.1% starting next year.
The bill drew debate over state priorities and fiscal capacity. Senator Flowers questioned whether the state could afford further tax cuts given concerns about local sales taxes, health care, public education, and the growing cost of educational freedom accounts. Senators Tucker and Leding spoke against the bill, arguing that the state should prioritize investments in early childhood education, hospitals, maternal health, and public schools rather than return revenue to taxpayers. Senator McKee spoke in favor, saying the money should remain with the people who produced it. In closing, Senator Dismang said the cuts were part of a long-term, prudent budgeting strategy and noted that a typical $65,000-income family had already seen a significant reduction in its effective tax rate since 2013.
Senate Bill 1 passed on a roll call vote of 29-6 and was transmitted to the House. Afterward, senators announced upcoming Revenue and Tax meetings and adjournment logistics, including a Republican caucus meeting and the plan to adjourn subject to clearing the desk and reading a House bill across.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Jan 23, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 3
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And she plans to major in the English language.
- And she plans to ma major<00:16:37.920>
in <00:16:38.079>the <00:16:38.240>English - <00:16:39.120>
if <00:16:39.360>we <00:16:39.440>can major in the English language - . if we can major in the English language. if we can please<00:16:39.839>
welcome <00:16:40.079
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- My daughter Alyssa was only 14 years old when she was shot and killed in her English classroom at Marjory
- Chelsea has a high number of students who are English as a second language students, special education
- I was an English lit major. I love Shakespeare—fantastic.
- Over recent years, Leominster has seen an increase in our population of English language learners, and
- Our English learner population has doubled in the last five years.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators.
A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs.
Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually.
School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- LEP referring to limited English proficiency. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay.
- LEP referring to limited English proficiency. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay.
- Thank you. by leap referring to limited<00:49:22.000>
English <00:49:22.319>proficiency. - limited English proficiency. limited English proficiency.
- <00:50:13.520>
how <00:50:13.760>many, ...have, uh, percentages of how many limited English
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.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- they are, individuals can come to us or we can meet them, whether or not they even know how to speak English
- So we provide English language acquisition, adult high school equivalencies.
- So the way that we pay, for example, for the basic education for adults, so this would be the English
- So the way that we pay, for example, for the basic education for adults, so this would be that English
- together with the WEA to represent the faculty in the four regional universities and represent the English
Summary:
The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system with State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, 34 colleges serving more than 307,000 students, relatively low tuition, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, and strong outcomes such as more than 46,000 credentials awarded last year. They also highlighted system initiatives including guided pathways, I-BEST, dual enrollment, tribal partnerships, a new program search tool, and six colleges named Aspen Prize finalists. At the same time, they emphasized major challenges: high rates of student food, housing, and homelessness insecurity; sharply rising emergency aid requests; and federal funding disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, adult basic education, Carl Perkins, NOAA-related tribal work, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP impacts, declining high school graduates, and how BFET and TANF interact with other aid programs. The presenters also discussed system priorities such as AI, Workforce Pell, capital planning, nursing accreditation alignment, and the Washington College Grant.
The committee then heard testimony from AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education on faculty and staff conditions in the community and technical college system. Jackie Kane and Suzanne Sutherland argued that classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty are essential to student success but face low pay, instability, and weak retention, and they urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. They said working conditions for faculty and staff are student learning conditions, and that underfunding leads to reduced services, shortened advising, and program instability.
Marina Parr of the Workforce Board presented on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell provisions and the updated Career Bridge website. She explained that Workforce Pell would allow federal aid for short-term training programs of 8 to 15 weeks, with high completion, employment, and earnings thresholds and a requirement that credentials be stackable and portable. She said Washington is well positioned to implement the program because of its existing eligible training provider evaluation system and Career Bridge, which now has a redesigned public portal, digital portfolios, multilingual access, and performance data on programs. Members asked about rulemaking, possible gaps in state services, and how the wage and completion standards would be applied.
The Washington Student Achievement Council then briefed the committee on the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. Staff described an advisory board with statewide representation, a pilot that used microgrants and other supports at 25 priority schools, and a new goal of 46,000 FAFSA or WASFA completions this year. They reported that completion rates were tracking slightly ahead of last year, with 24% of high school seniors having completed a FAFSA by the end of November, and they showcased a public dashboard with subgroup data and a WIAA-based leaderboard. Members asked about outreach to rural and homeschool students, legislative communications, Pierce County representation, and barriers to FAFSA completion, and staff said they would provide toolkits and continue expanding outreach. The committee then began hearing from student presenters about affordability, access, equity, and student experience.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- He mastered English through our speech and debate programs.
- We're talking about stronger English language acquisition for ESOL students, enhanced civics literacy
- We're talking about stronger English language acquisition for ESOL students, enhance civics literacy,
- And here you are, bringing us the best and brightest, especially when it comes to our English language
- No, ma'am, they would have limited English, and my heart would go out.
Summary:
The committee first took up PCS for CS for HB 1279, a higher education bill focused on Florida’s preeminent universities. The sponsor said the measure would increase access for Florida students, strengthen accountability and transparency, update accreditation references, adjust performance metrics, and address issues such as GPA weighting, engineering credit-hour differences, and certain fee-waiver and dental-program provisions. Members raised questions about the 95% Florida-resident enrollment target, possible funding impacts, Pell Grant metrics, and whether the bill would affect community college pathways; the sponsor said the bill was aimed at first-time-in-college students and that the 95% standard would be measured on a three-year rolling average. After an amendment removing an adjustment to the four-year graduation metric was adopted, the bill was reported favorably by a 17-2 vote.
The committee then heard PCS for CS for HB 1059, which would strengthen speech and debate education by designating the Florida Debate Initiative as the statewide organization, supporting coach and judge training, statewide data collection, tournaments, and a Florida Speech and Debate Week. The sponsor and several students and advocates testified that speech and debate builds confidence, civics knowledge, leadership, and opportunities for English learners and other students, with multiple speakers describing how the program changed their lives. Members from both parties spoke strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition.
Finally, the committee considered PCS for HB 725 on political activity at public institutions of higher education. The sponsor said the bill would standardize campus policies, require notice to students and employees about free-expression and political-campaign rules, and align state practice with federal guidelines while preserving free speech and nonpartisan voter engagement. An opponent argued the bill could create barriers to civic engagement and student organizing, while supporters said it would clarify existing rules and prevent institutions from favoring one viewpoint over another. The sponsor closed by emphasizing that the bill was about information and neutrality rather than restricting speech.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- officer cites a person and they're incoherent, suffering from a mental illness, or they don't speak English
- officer cites a person and they're incoherent, suffering from a mental illness, or they don't speak English
- c> from a mental illness or they don't from a mental illness or they don't speak<00:21:36.799>
English enough <00:21:37.400>to <00:21:37.559>convey <00:21:37.880>the speak English- well enough to convey the speak English well enough to convey the information<00:21:38.960>
what<
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee continued hearing several bills. HB 399 would create an additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit; it drew support from the Judiciary, Public Defender, State Bar, Financial Services Association, and others, and there was no opposition. HB 560 would appropriate funds for Judiciary contracts with community-based organizations; many service providers and coalition representatives testified in support, emphasizing the growing gap between contract payments and the actual cost of services, especially for domestic violence, youth, legal aid, and other vulnerable populations. HB 648 would establish a two-year pilot program in the First Circuit probate and family court for guardianship and conservatorship-related resources; the Office of the Public Guardian and disability advocates supported it, while suggesting amendments to clarify that the bill refers to professional evaluations, including psychological, neurocognitive, or functional evaluations, rather than just physicians’ letters.
The committee also heard HB 990, which appropriates funds for claims against the state, with the Attorney General noting 21 claims totaling about $6.5 million plus two additional resolved claims and requesting corrections to identify two matters as judgments rather than settlements. HB 991 would clarify that the Attorney General may conduct FBI fingerprint-based background checks on contractors and employees; it was supported by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and others, with an amendment to include subcontractors. HB 998 would provide that omissions or errors in citations do not require dismissal or reversal if they do not prejudice the defendant; the Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and members discussed whether the language adequately protects due process and how it would apply when identifying information is unavailable.
Finally, HB 1174 would address payment-under-protest lawsuits by allowing interest earned on certain funds to be paid in non-taxation cases if the claimant prevails and by setting procedures for premature filings. After testimony, the committee moved into decision-making and recommended passage of HB 399, HB 560, HB 648, HB 990, HB 991, HB 998, and HB 1174, generally with amendments where noted, including effective-date changes and the requested clarifications. The measures were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.