Transcript Highlights:

• And so our concern remains that this bill creates a long list of duties that frankly you need an attorney
• What that means is that there's oversight by somebody, attorney general, legal services, somebody will
• c><00:58:00.360><c> I</c><00:58:00.480><c> think</c><00:58:00.760><c> to</c> frankly you need an attorney
• I think to frankly you need an attorney I think to go<00:58:01.000><c> through</c><00:58:01.200><c>
• </c><00:58:11.920><c> general,</c> oversight by somebody, attorney general, oversight by somebody, attorney

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• directs the OHE to publish clear guidance for colleges and universities in consultation with the attorney
• The attorney general from the state issued guidance on May 1st, 2025, last year, on responding to ICE
• Um the<01:34:48.159><c> attorney</c><01:34:48.560><c> general</c><01:34:48.800><c> from</c><01:34:48.960
• ><c> the</c><01:34:49.360><c> for</c><01:34:49.520><c> the</c> the attorney general from the for the
• the attorney general from the for the state<01:34:50.080><c> uh</c><01:34:50.159><c> issued</c><01:34

Bills: HF3432 , HF3411

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: resident tuition, employment, higher education, Minnesota, tuition rates, state universities, immigration status, immigration, postsecondary education, privacy, data access, federal officers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I also am an attorney for a local swim club.
• I'm not here in the capacity as an attorney, but it gives me a unique insight into our dealings with
• </c><00:08:12.400><c> I'm</c><00:08:12.560><c> not</c> attorney for a local swim club.
• I'm not attorney for a local swim club.
• ,</c><00:08:14.160><c> but</c> here in the capacity as an attorney, but here in the capacity as an attorney

Bills: HB0023 , HB0024 , HB0025

Committee: House Education

Keywords: extracurricular activities, public school participation, enrollment, Wyoming, student access, charter schools, application process, authorizers, public hearing, community support, scholarship, education, eligibility, continuous enrollment, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Attorney General's office with comments. Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.
• Austin Kato, Deputy Attorney General. We submitted written comments on just two things.
• I have a question for the attorney general. >> Um, thanks for your testimony. It's appreciated.
• Um, I guess it's my read as an attorney that this is better put in chapter 46 as the area where we are
• ><c> is</c><01:49:09.600><c> better</c><01:49:09.840><c> put</c><01:49:10.000><c> in</c> attorney that

Bills: HB1721 , HB1714 , HB1718 , HB1732 , HB1740 , HB1777 , HB1842 , HB1919 , HB1701 , HB1923 , HB1741 , HB1734 , HB1739

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Good afternoon, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kedani, members, and Horuchi from the Department of the Attorney
• I'll be available for questions. attorney<01:39:44.480><c> general's</c><01:39:44.960><c> office.
• Um, as we noted in our Attorney General.
• </c><01:53:37.040><c> We</c><01:53:37.440><c> have</c> again,<01:53:41.040><c> Attorney</c><01:53:41.440
• ><c> General</c> again, Attorney General again, Attorney General and<01:53:43.360><c> Horuchi,</c> followed

Bills: HB2185 , HB2621 , HB2179 , HB2534 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB2560 , HB2565 , HB2172 , HB2298 , HB2304

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: sports officials, referees, umpires, athletic directors, school administrators, league administrators, coaches, assault, first-degree assault, substantial bodily injury, temporary restraining order, TRO, private counsel, Department of Education, DOE, sports safety, school sports, amateur athletics, professional sports, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• to be offended by, but basically it gets routed among the, you know, the Historical Society, the Attorney
• to be offended by, but basically it gets routed among the, you know, the Historical Society, the Attorney
• For example, the attorney general's office also signs off on the data retention records.
• This requires peace officers and organizations to share information with county attorneys who review
• who review the with county attorneys who review the information<01:09:52.960><c> and</c><01:09:53.199

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 15, 2025 minutes and then held a broader discussion on current challenges with data retention and government transparency. Judy Randall of the Office of the Legislative Auditor said historical data is essential for post-audits, which often look back three to five years, and that retention decisions must balance audit needs with the burden of separating public and nonpublic data. She described the records-retention panel process as informal and largely based on individual judgment, noting she had objected to a proposed 60-day email retention period and generally uses a three-year guideline, though she said that standard is not grounded in a formal rule. Members discussed whether auditing standards should set retention periods, with Randall saying auditing is a good starting point but other offices, including the attorney general, also have needs, and that some agency discretion is unavoidable because of the gray area between official records and non-records. Representative Elkins raised the related principle of data minimization, arguing that government should not keep data longer than needed and citing a University of Minnesota legacy data warehouse breach as an example of the risks of retaining unnecessary sensitive information. Randall agreed that data no longer needed is a liability and said her office purges workpapers after five years. Representative Scott pressed whether three years is enough for fraud investigations and financial records; Randall responded that a reasonableness standard is needed and that longer retention can produce diminishing returns, though she said she would follow up on whether financial records should be treated differently. Tanya Tacker of the Rum River Special Education Cooperative testified in support of updating Minnesota’s data-retention laws for schools. She said districts want to protect student information and maintain transparency, but the current general retention schedule dates to 1985 and 2000 and does not reflect digital records, modern systems, or the volume of special education data. She urged modernizing the schedule, clarifying what must be kept in paper versus digitized form, aligning state rules with IDEA and other federal requirements, and providing practical guidance and tools. Members praised the specificity of her recommendations. Dr. BB Newman testified that retention failures in St. Anthony Village have made it difficult to obtain routine municipal and police data, with records delayed, missing, or inconsistently produced and no clear explanation of what systems were searched or whether records were destroyed. Newman argued these gaps undermine statutory access rights and force residents into costly litigation, and recommended stronger retention auditing, documentation of destruction, mandatory disclosure of systems searched, and consequences for noncompliance. In response to questions, Senate counsel said there is generally no direct penalty, but affected parties may seek mandamus, Data Practices Act claims, or informal mediation/opinions from the Data Practices Office. The discussion closed with calls for clearer standards and possible legislative updates to improve compliance and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, NAMI perhaps, there may be organizations, but there may be a few attorneys that represent this
• Parents, the attorneys that have been acting on behalf of these folks, which are placed like at Spalding
• <01:47:27.840><c> that</c><01:47:28.480><c> uh</c> attorneys that uh attorneys that uh represent<01:47
• Parents, the the attorneys that Yeah.
• Parents, the the attorneys that have<01:47:38.800><c> acting</c><01:47:39.119><c> on</c><01:47:39.360

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met for its third discussion on special education aid under retained bill 742, with the chair noting that no action would be taken at the meeting. The chair reviewed prior hearings on Medicaid and local special education funding shortfalls, saying the committee was trying to understand why districts are facing proration of special education aid and how to reduce unfunded costs. He raised a series of questions for the Department of Education about the Nessus system, eligibility and ineligibility, invoices and vouchers, audit procedures, reimbursement rates, out-of-state placements, and who enters data at the district level. Rebecca Fdet, director of special education services at the Department of Education, explained that Nessus is the statewide special education information system and that every child in special education must be entered into it. She said most districts use it to develop IEPs and track services, while six districts use it only as a data reporting tool. She described which fields are required, how the system connects IEP development to the financial section, and how districts submit invoices when seeking special education aid, court-ordered placement payments, or episode-of-treatment placements. She said the department reviews invoices against the IEP, pays only for allowable services, and uses a cap that notifies districts when they reach the annual limit. Members asked about who submits the information, how districts decide when to seek aid, and how costs are calculated for individual or group services. Fdet said the district, usually an administrative assistant in the SAU office, submits the documentation electronically, and districts decide when to track students for aid based on their own circumstances. She said reimbursement is based on actual costs tied to the IEP, with group services split among students, and that the department does not generally set rates for local services. The only rate-setting she described was for approved private special education providers, which submit annual cost spreadsheets for tuition rates. She also said out-of-state providers must be approved by their own state, and the department checks licensure and certification through monitoring and investigations if concerns arise. The department also described its monitoring process, called Program Approval and General Supervision Monitoring, or PAGS. Fdet said districts are reviewed on a six-year cycle, with more intensive review for districts needing assistance or intervention and fewer file requests for districts meeting requirements. She said the department can review up to 65 data points on an IEP and that districts must submit special education aid paperwork by July 31, with superintendent verification due by August 15. The meeting ended with continued questions about procurement, audit procedures, and how the department handles out-of-district and out-of-state placements.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's a question for you on have we had any more success in getting scheduled information from the attorney
• getting scheduled uh information from getting scheduled uh information from the<00:04:06.640><c> attorney
• general about the the PAS the attorney general about the the PAS settlements<00:04:09.519><c> and</c
• </c><00:04:35.360><c> Thank</c><00:04:35.520><c> you</c> attorney general. All right.
• Thank you attorney general. All right. Thank you for<00:04:35.840><c> that.

Bills: HF2080 , HF356 , HF1968 , HF228 , HF569 , HF603 , HF692 , HF1455 , HF2224 , HF1361

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: contamination, water supply, municipal bonds, environmental mitigation, city funding, Sauk Rapids, PFAS contamination, drinking water, pollution control, bond issuance, Cokato, capital investment, school infrastructure, state bonds, HF228, Lakes Area Police Commission, Lindstrom, Chisago City, regional training facility, public safety facility

Transcript Highlights:

• 21.000><c> others</c><00:26:21.240><c> in</c><00:26:21.399><c> the</c><00:26:21.559><c> state</c> attorney
• general and others in the state attorney general and others in the state um<00:26:22.320><c> we</c><
• for Success training, and that training is a service that's done by DHS in collaboration with the Attorney
• done by DHS in collaboration<00:55:09.440><c> with</c><00:55:09.559><c> the</c><00:55:09.640><c> Attorney
• </c> collaboration with the Attorney collaboration with the Attorney General's<00:55:10.480><c> office

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And Alabama's attorney general that have great concern that that entire school choice program is at risk
• I'm one of the constitutional litigators at IJ, and I am the managing attorney of the Texas office just
• So as attorneys, y'all have no issues concerning these particular programs, ultimately leading back to
• If you're talking about serving low-income families, they're not going to be able to afford an attorney
• , and prohibiting attorney fees would probably prevent an attorney from taking the case.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• After the obvious outcry at this ludicrous use of taxpayer dollars, Acting Attorney General Blanch said
• ludicrous use of taxpayer dollars, this ludicrous use of taxpayer dollars, acting<04:56:43.680><c> attorney
• </c><04:56:44.080><c> general</c><04:56:44.480><c> Blanch</c><04:56:45.120><c> said</c> acting attorney
• general Blanch said acting attorney general Blanch said yesterday<04:56:46.080><c> they</c><04:56:46.320

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 4, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And a lot depends on what happens afterward, but I will say my experience as an attorney is I've had
• And a lot depends on what happens afterward, but I will say my experience as an attorney is I've had
• Um, and again, not being an attorney, the way I read this is that this is a retroactive action.
• They partner closely, as you heard earlier from Attorney Williams, with DHS.
• </c> you heard earlier, from Attorney you heard earlier, from Attorney Williams,<05:00:58.638><c> with

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services. Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice. DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, attorney says it. I agree. Thank you so much. Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you so much.

Bills: SB309 , SB309

Committee: House Corrections

Summary: The House Corrections Committee met and considered Senate Bill 309 with Senate Amendment 1, which would end the Department of Corrections’ practice of deducting room-and-board charges from wages earned by incarcerated people. Supporters said the bill would help people in work release and other correctional programs keep more of their earnings for reentry needs, while still allowing deductions for child support, restitution, court costs, fines, and other court-ordered obligations. The sponsor also argued the current collection process costs the state more to administer than it brings in, citing roughly $40,000 in annual revenue versus about $137,000 in administrative costs. A Department of Correction witness clarified that the bill applies to level four work release only, affecting about 300 people, and would not change level five populations or Delaware Correctional Industries programming. He also said the funds are held in a non-interest-bearing account and then sent to the general fund. Public commenters, including a private citizen, the ACLU of Delaware, and the Tide Shift Justice Project, strongly supported the bill and argued that incarceration costs should be borne by the state rather than deducted from already low wages. After discussion, a motion was made to release the bill from committee and a roll-call vote was taken. The vote appeared to have enough support among members present, but because fewer than five members were present, the committee could not fully release the bill and instead would circulate it for additional signatures. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kirk Schroeder, I'm an entertainment attorney here in Richmond. Thank you. Good morning.

Keywords: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've never done it for probably the same reason a lot of other attorneys, but if we want quality judges

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She concluded her distinguished career as an investigator with the Missouri Attorney General's Office

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is enforced by citizen complaints, as well as the Texas Attorney General.

Bills: SB15 , SB9 , SB4 , SB8 , SB60 , SB4 , SB8 , SB60 , SB4 , SB8 , SB60 , SB15 , SB9

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Transcript Highlights:

• A lawsuit from the district attorney is still pending an outcome.
• this as a bribe, and I have escalated extensive documentation of my claims to both the district attorney
• Hi, Cal Soto with the National Day Labor Organizing Network, attorney, and also in support of the bill
• My name is Matthew Henderson, and I am an attorney representing RCS Harmony Partners and Harmony Grove
• I wish I could say that this is unusual in my practice as an attorney, but unfortunately it's not.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of local government and housing-related bills, with testimony often centered on regional coordination, permitting reform, and local control. SB 802 by Senator Ashby would require Sacramento-area jurisdictions to form a joint powers authority to coordinate homelessness and housing response; supporters argued the region has long lacked accountability and coordination, while Sacramento County, Folsom, and others opposed the mandate as an unprecedented state-imposed JPA. The bill drew extensive support from local officials, business groups, service providers, and advocates, and opposition from county, city, and nonprofit representatives who said a local process was already underway. Committee members expressed support for the concept, but the bill was held pending a quorum and later discussed again with strong encouragement for regional collaboration. The committee also heard SB 222, SB 677, SB 908, SB 226, SB 828, and SB 1193. SB 222 would streamline permitting for residential heat pump and water heater installations; supporters said it would lower costs and speed clean-energy adoption, while local government groups argued the main barrier is upfront cost, not permits. SB 677 would curb what the author described as abusive appeals and delays in affordable housing approvals, with developers testifying about frivolous subdivision map appeals and TEFRA hearing delays; the California Native Plant Society sought an amendment to preserve appeals on habitat lands. SB 908 would simplify permits for energy-code-compliant window replacements, and SB 226 would clarify financing authority for a West Sacramento baseball stadium proposal; both passed unanimously. SB 828, prompted by the Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion, would tighten fireworks storage and licensing rules, expand inspection and seizure authority, and increase fines; it also passed unanimously after testimony from fire officials and a pyrotechnic operator who opposed it unless amended. SB 1193, a county-specific Alameda County transparency bill, generated the sharpest debate. The author argued it would prevent waste, favoritism, and conflicts of interest in discretionary spending by requiring board approval, a public spending log, and clearer whistleblower procedures. Alameda County and county associations opposed it as overly broad and burdensome, saying existing processes already provide transparency and that the bill would reduce flexibility during fiscal stress. After committee questions about the bill’s purpose and the county’s current practices, the measure passed 7-0, with the author indicating willingness to accept an amendment restoring a four-fifths vote threshold. The committee then moved out of order to SB 1090, which would impose a temporary moratorium on state housing density laws in Altadena through 2030 in response to post-fire displacement concerns. The author said the bill is intended to protect long-term residents from investor-driven redevelopment after the Eaton Fire, while acknowledging amendments to align the moratorium with affordable housing development timelines. The transcript cuts off during the presentation of this bill, so no final action is shown for SB 1090 in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lawsuit from the district attorney is still pending an outcome.
• this as a bribe, and I have escalated extensive documentation of my claims to both the district attorney
• Hi, Cal Soto with the National Day Labor Organizing Network, attorney, and also in support of the bill
• My name is Matthew Henderson, and I am an attorney representing RCS Harmony Partners and Harmony Grove
• I wish I could say that this is unusual in my practice as an attorney, but unfortunately it's not.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Center, a faith-based pregnancy center that was attacked, intimidated, and harassed by a New Jersey attorney
• Talking about action by the attorney general is not related to this bill in any way, shape, or form.
• By the Attorney General is not related to this bill in any way, shape, or form. It is not.
• What the Attorney General did relative to some organization, which is not on the bill,...
• What the Attorney General did relative to an organization, which is not on the bill, is not related to

Keywords: 1146, all