Transcript Highlights:

• Our graduation rate currently is 100%. This year we have expanded our dual enrollment.
• Again, we have 100% graduation rate currently, and we look forward to better numbers as we continue to
• currently and we look forward to um rate currently and we look forward to um better<00:27:12.320><c>
• and uh high high unemployment rate and uh high high homelessness.<00:54:18.640><c> There's</c><00:54
• And obviously, you know, we are 100% graduation rate, and a few that are in grad school.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September meeting minutes, and heard presentations from Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington and related school programs in Fayette County Public Schools. School leaders described the academy as an all-male public school option focused on culture, belonging, and opportunity, with a mission to educate, empower, and equip young men academically, socially, and morally. They emphasized culturally responsive instruction, restorative practices, mentorship, brotherhood circles, and access to advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career pathways. Student speakers highlighted school culture, leadership opportunities, and clubs such as SGA, Beta Club, FFA, and the Bow Tie Club, along with service and community engagement. Presenters said the academy began in 2012, is housed with Frederick Douglass High School, uses an application and lottery process, and can serve up to about 350 students but is intentionally kept near 300 because of space. They reported 302 enrolled students, about 38 seniors, a 100% graduation rate, 95% average attendance, 100% postsecondary success, and $1.8 million in scholarship offers last year. They also shared demographic and achievement data, noting growth in MAP scores, strengths in reading and writing, and math as an ongoing focus area. The school said 90% of high school scholars are taking at least one dual credit class this year, and some students have earned opportunities at selective programs such as Gatton Academy and Craft Academy. Committee members praised the school’s results and asked about enrollment, funding, and whether the model could be replicated statewide. School leaders said the program is fully funded through Fayette County Public Schools, could be replicated with committed staff and training, and that teachers receive preparation through the Gearing Institute to better understand how boys learn. They also noted that Fayette County has other specialized programs, including girls’ academies and other options for underrepresented students. Members expressed interest in long-term tracking of graduates, and the school said it is preparing to study outcomes as the first graduating class approaches its 10-year anniversary.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> significantly reduce the recidivism rate significantly reduce the recidivism rate of<00:41:14.000
• It's just the um trying to reduce that rate of recidivism. Very good. Thank you.
• </c> trying to reduce that rate of recerism. trying to reduce that rate of recerism.
• And an effective victim impact panel can take the rate of recidivism from 30% to 4%.
• And an effective victim impact panel can take the rate of recidivism from 30% to 4%.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• a lot of different options working with the growers to get the best type of fertilizer, the right rate
• a lot of different options working with the growers to get the best type of fertilizer, the right rate
• a lot of different options working with the growers to get the best type of fertilizer, the right rate
• a lot of different options working with the growers to get the best type of fertilizer, the right rate
• Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, variable-rate nutrient applications, in-season nutrient management,

Bills: HF363 , HF2155 , HF1524 , HF821 , HF1677 , HF1292

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• You can be enrolled full-time or part-time, but your award will be pro-rated if you're only enrolled
• if you're only award will be pro-rated if you're only enrolled<00:48:34.200><c> if</c><00:48:34.280>
• <00:58:57.760><c> Cities</c><00:58:58.359><c> uh</c><00:58:58.520><c> tuition</c><00:58:58.920><c> rate
• </c> Minnesota Twin Cities uh tuition rate Minnesota Twin Cities uh tuition rate for<00:58:59.599><c>
• for less than full-time also pro rated for less than full-time enrollment<00:59:05.839><c> the</c><00

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• first-time hunters to hunt with a hunter without taking hunter safety, and then we've seen a pretty good rate
• first-time hunters to hunt with a hunter without taking hunter safety, and then we've seen a pretty good rate
• first-time hunters to hunt with a hunter without taking hunter safety, and then we've seen a pretty good rate
• will get the treatment that they need, report the claim, and be able to get coverage for their work-rated
• will get the treatment that they need, report the claim, and be able to get coverage for their work-rated

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:34.079><c> Um,</c><00:13:34.560><c> it's</c> compensated at market rates.
• Um, it's compensated at market rates.
• </c><00:51:57.599><c> incre</c> 10% in the state's top tax rate incre 10% in the state's top tax rate
• In Hawaii, we did put higher tax rates on people at the top in 2009 and 2017.
• </c> in Hawaii, we did put higher tax rates in Hawaii, we did put higher tax rates on<00:54:55.119><c

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> FQHC rate FQHC rate methodology.<00:05:37.840><c> Turning</c><00:05:38.160><c> to</c><00:05:38.320
• Uh, this increases the MA rates for ambulance services by 13.68%.
• Section 13 is a governor initiative to clarify MA and MinnesotaCare payment rates to FQCs. rates for
• </c><00:29:31.039><c> to</c> Minnesota Care payment rates to Minnesota Care payment rates to FQC's.<00
• </c><00:54:28.640><c> LA,</c> relatively low reimbursement rates.

Bills: HF2435

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 1652 allows formulary changes when replacing a brand-name drug with a biologic drug rated
• House File 1652 allows formulary changes when replacing a brand-name drug with a biologic drug rated
• filings with the their final rate filings with the commerce<00:36:23.079><c> department.
• The rate filings that the uh plans made.
• made their final rate filings with commerce<00:37:45.119><c> in</c><00:37:45.359><c> August.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• the year as we wait for sufficient Minnesota-produced product to be available at a cost-effective rate
• the year as we wait for sufficient Minnesota-produced product to be available at a cost-effective rate
• </c> and that's just because of the rate and that's just because of the rate being<00:09:11.360><c> so
• haven't kept up with reimbursement rates haven't kept up with costs costs costs um<00:10:00.200><c>
• </c> to be available at a cost-effective rate to be available at a cost-effective rate um<00:10:10.680

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have any data that talks about how this may have lowered some recidivism rates?
• um I got to assume some recidivism rates um I got to assume there's<00:21:50.000><c> there's</c><00:
• MPR News is the second-rated radio station in the Twin Cities, not second-rated public media, second-rated
• </c> uh MPR news is the second rated uh MPR news is the second rated uh<01:05:57.119><c> radio</c><01
• </c> second rated public media second rated second rated public media second rated station<01:06:02.440

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we have So, we have ratings. We have ratings for TV shows. ratings.
• We have ratings for TV shows. ratings. We have ratings for TV shows.
• We have ratings for movies that help us We have ratings for movies that help us We have ratings for movies
• The age rating of the app or data. D. The age rating of the app or data. D.
• Alters the app's age rating or content rating or content rating or content descriptions. 15.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a book rating, and there's a thing in here that describes what that book rating is.
• Um, there's a thing in here that describes what that book rating is.
• I like to say that our R-rated movies also get a bunch of awards.
• would probably be rated R and adult<01:52:52.719><c> content.
• At that rate, to another uh district.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• As human infection rates rise, on January 6th the first American died from this infection.
• And if interest rates were to move against us, it's functionally almost Armageddon.
• That's without even a calculation raising interest rates going up.
• We're going to tell ourselves we're going to start growing at these great rates.
• </c><03:51:14.000><c> are</c> start growing at these great rates are start growing at these great rates

Bills: HR26

Keywords: domestic terrorism, Antifa, law enforcement, criminal activity, violent protests, political ideology, federal response, socio-political conflict

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, fall, we had a 76% conception rate.
• And so they open rate or a breedup.
• But at any rate, to me that was an injustice to the industry.
• I myself know what our preg rates are in the year.
• , I know what our pre rates are in the<02:29:45.439><c> year.

Committee: Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• But at any rate, we do support this measure, and we want to express our gratitude to the Office of the
• uh do does support this but at any rate uh do does support this measure<01:05:04.880><c> and</c><01:
• At any rate, Larry Dill with the Department of Transportation...
• So if they’re not intended to be subject to that G rate, then please remove them.
• So if they’re not intended to be subject to that G rate, then please remove them.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our regular education rate is $16,38... Thank you. You're welcome.
• </c><05:52:21.558><c> that</c> would be just the Standalone rate that would be just the Standalone rate
• Um, there are different rates, um, but we do work closely with our sending towns.
• With regard to your rate setting and special education rates, how are you differentiating the rates specifically
• </c><05:57:44.798><c> times</c> we know we had our tuition rate times we know we had our tuition rate

Summary: The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected. The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees. Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are going to have higher interest rates are going to have higher interest rates on<00:20:43.440>
• So, a typical $35 overdraft fee, which is what we had before the rule, amounts to an interest rate of
• Mortgage rates skyrocketed. Credit card delinquencies rose by over 50%.
• Mortgage rates 3%.
• tax rate for teachers and police officers and firefighters.

Bills: HR981 , HR1228 , HB1526 , HCR14 , SJR18 , SJR28 , HR313

Keywords: federal budget, deficit reduction, economic growth, national debt, bipartisan support, House resolution, congressional subpoena, subpoena enforcement, Oversight Committee, House Oversight and Government Reform, judicial proceedings, declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, House counsel, private counsel, contempt of Congress, Pamela J. Bondi, Department of Justice, DOJ records, Jeffrey Epstein

Transcript Highlights:

• over the last few years, making it a serious challenge for the state to meet the 75% reimbursement rate
• years making it serious, making it a serious challenge for the state to meet the 75% reimbursement rate
• quality supports for early education and child care providers, including $20 million in increased rates

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two ceremonial resolutions: one commemorating the dedication of the Woburn Battle Road Memorial as part of the Massachusetts 250th celebration, and another recognizing May 1-7 as Elks National Youth Week. The chamber then took up House Bill 4005, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill using FY24 Fair Share surtax surplus funds, and ordered it to a third reading before later considering it for passage to be engrossed. During debate on the bill, the House heard a lengthy presentation in support of the proposal, which would direct about $828 million to transportation and $353 million to education. The transportation spending was described as primarily supporting the MBTA, including workforce and safety funding, reserve replenishment, station and infrastructure improvements, reduced fares, and reimbursement for tunnel closure costs, along with smaller amounts for regional transit authorities and unpaved roads. The education side included additional special education circuit breaker funding, vocational school capital, early education workforce supports, early literacy, universal school meals, higher education endowment matches, Green School Works, and ESOL waitlist reduction, with the Inspector General directed to review circuit breaker cost controls. Members then debated several amendments. One amendment related to a school athletics policy was modified by a further amendment calling for DESE analysis before implementation; both the further amendment and the underlying amendment as amended were adopted. A transportation amendment to shift $50 million from MBTA funding to Chapter 90 municipal roads was supported by members emphasizing rural road needs but was rejected on a roll call, 25-120. Another transportation amendment adding at least $300,000 for Route 93 mitigation costs in Medford was adopted, 133-20. The bill itself then passed to be engrossed on a roll call, 140-14. The House also observed moments of silence for former First Lady Kitty Dukakis and for victims of the Santo Domingo nightclub collapse, and later adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning in memory of former Representative Philip W. Johnston.

Transcript Highlights:

• The $1,500 tax credit phases out at a rate of 6% of income above $75,000 for single filers or $150,000
• moderate-income ownership homes in South Lake Tahoe, where housing costs are high and increasing at a rapid rate
• The rating item is AB 2641, which is now on the consent calendar. Consent calendar is moved.

Summary: The Committee on Revenue and Taxation met with a quorum and heard five bills, most of them tax exemptions or credits aimed at housing, veterans, and seniors. SB 1096, as amended, would provide a $1,500 tax credit for certain grandparents and other caregivers for tax years 2026 through 2030, with income-based phaseouts, a seven-year carryforward, and exclusions for dependents receiving foster care payments. Members praised the author’s amendments and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 672, extending a property tax welfare exemption for community land trust projects that create or rehabilitate low-income housing, and AB 1668, extending for five years the welfare property tax exemption for nonprofit land trusts that protect open space and recreational lands. Supporters for both bills emphasized permanent affordability, stewardship of natural lands, and relatively small public costs compared with the housing and conservation benefits. AB 672 and AB 1668 each passed unanimously to Appropriations, though AB 1668 drew one respectful opposition from the California Teachers Association. AB 2022 would expand the property tax exemption for disabled veteran homeowners, increasing the exemption for low-income veterans to 100% and to 50% of assessed value for others, while preserving current benefits through a loophole-closing amendment. The author and veteran advocates argued the bill would help keep disabled veterans and their families in their homes and make California more competitive with other states. The bill passed 5-0 to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 2641 was placed on the consent calendar and adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• in effect, obviously, before they could go and tell the utilities that they can put the cost in the rates
• directing the Public Service Commission to develop, publish, and update a guidebook on gas and electric rate-making
• directing the Public Service Commission to develop, publish, and update a guidebook on gas and electric rate-making

Committee: Senate Energy And Telecommunications

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee met under Chair Kevin Parker and considered a series of energy, utility, and clean transportation bills. The committee first advanced a bill by Senator Connery on make-ready electric infrastructure for public-serving EV charging, after members raised concerns that the costs of preparing school bus charging infrastructure could be shifted to ratepayers. The committee then advanced Senator Parker’s pilot program for resilient EV charging microgrids, with discussion focused on using existing NYSERDA resources, the role of batteries, and the bill’s purpose in supporting emergency charging during outages. Another bill on heavy distribution centers and EV charging was also advanced after debate over its application to large warehouse and e-commerce facilities. The committee also considered a bill on carport-mounted solar systems that would limit local zoning restrictions. A motion to substitute in a different bill was ruled improper for lack of notice, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on appeal. Members then advanced a PSC guidebook bill on gas and electric rate-making, and a utility shutoff protection bill for medical emergencies, life support equipment, and elderly, blind, or disabled customers, with questions about age definitions and the scope of medical documentation. The committee also advanced the Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act, which would create a pilot program for electrification and weatherization in disadvantaged communities, with members discussing whether the program would be available at no cost to building owners and how utilities would access capital. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about who would pay for the programs, whether ratepayers or taxpayers would bear the costs, and how much local control would remain under the solar siting bill. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed a recent NYISO report warning about possible summer reliability issues and urged the committee and the PSC to review it closely. The chair noted the report should be considered alongside other state planning documents, and the meeting then adjourned.