Transcript Highlights:

• Our budget’s grown, and we have over 100 full-time staff now, and our budgets went from $5 million to
• Our budget’s grown, and we have over 100 full-time staff now, and our budgets went from $5 million to
• Our budget’s grown, and we have over 100 full-time staff now, and our budgets went from $5 million to
• </c> 100 full-time staff now and our budgets 100 full-time staff now and our budgets went<00:18:01.240
• </c><00:29:29.519><c> of</c> ft space that has an annual budget of ft space that has an annual budget

Bills: HF110 , HF111 , HF263 , HF105

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

Keywords: HF110, Adrian Independent School District, Independent School District No. 511, school construction, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, refundable exemption, construction materials, capital improvements, school roofing, playground remodel, retaining walls, plumbing, bathroom remodel, locker room remodel, window replacements, local tax relief, general fund appropriation, Minnesota chapter 297A, retroactive tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• put<00:36:18.480><c> in</c><00:36:18.640><c> our</c><00:36:18.880><c> county</c><00:36:19.119><c> budget
• /c><00:36:19.359><c> that</c><00:36:19.599><c> we</c><00:36:19.839><c> hire</c> put in our county budget
• that we hire put in our county budget that we hire the<00:36:20.720><c> uh</c><00:36:21.359><c> um</
• So that's the major change for the state, the 10% or so of the overall budget in the 10-year plan. on
• 17 projects at the budget at the $33<02:02:04.000><c> million</c><02:02:04.560><c> budget.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, your current budget certainly... I'll ask the question. Sorry.
• I didn't mean to presume. >> Does your current budget have enough money to contract with FedEx?
• certainly I'll ask your current budget certainly I'll ask the<00:35:32.160><c> question.
• Does<00:35:35.200><c> your</c><00:35:35.440><c> current</c><00:35:35.680><c> budget</c><00:35:36.240>
• <c> have</c><00:35:36.480><c> enough</c> Does your current budget have enough Does your current budget

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just yesterday, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed the budget that assumes savings should
• With the budget assuming those savings, we just need this bill to get passed.
• While the bill was vetoed last year, we were able to get funding in the budget for this bill.
• to pass the bill to use the money we've already allocated, or we have set aside from last year's budget
• And in this year's budget, we were also able to get even more funding to help fulfill the requirements

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Belmont's operating budget is tight.
• This decline has translated into nearly a $60,000 reduction in our operating budget.
• But with the steep revenue decline and a very lean budget, we can no longer afford rent.
• In 2014, our annual budget was $1.2 million. We're down to about $550,000 now.
• In FY 27, the city will likely have to have tough talks of budget cuts.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on a large docket of technology, internet, cybersecurity, broadband, and media bills. Early testimony focused on community media funding legislation, with lawmakers and local access advocates arguing that as cable subscriptions decline and streaming grows, revenue tied to cable franchises no longer supports community television and PEG programming. Supporters said community media remains a key source of local news, government meeting coverage, and civic transparency as newspapers disappear or consolidate. A related bill on cable contract oversight also drew support, with testimony that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable is backlogged and should more actively review municipal-provider agreements and report its workload to the committee. Another major topic was a proposal to create a Massachusetts Innovation Fund for state IT modernization. The Alliance for Digital Innovation backed the bill, saying agencies need flexible upfront capital to replace outdated systems and improve cybersecurity, and pointing to the federal Technology Modernization Fund as a model. The witness noted that funding for the state program still needs to be identified. The committee also heard strong support for a bill requiring free broadband in public housing, with Rep. Emmela Goodwin and MAPC describing internet access as essential for jobs, school, telehealth, and civic participation. They said the digital divide in Massachusetts is driven largely by affordability rather than infrastructure, though questions were raised about costs, wiring, and whether all housing sites already have broadband access available at the curb. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on bills to limit addictive social media feeds for minors. Supporters, including lawmakers, parents, teens, and advocacy groups, argued that algorithmic feeds contribute to addiction, anxiety, body image problems, and other harms, and said the bills would restrict surveillance-based curation and overnight notifications while leaving search and followed accounts available. Opponents, including FIRE, CCIA, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, argued the bills would require invasive age verification, threaten privacy and cybersecurity, burden adults’ anonymity, and likely face First Amendment challenges. They also warned the measures could disadvantage smaller businesses and may be unconstitutional based on recent court rulings in other states. The committee also heard support for blockchain-related bills creating a commission, a pilot program, and consumer education efforts, with testimony that Massachusetts has the talent but needs a coordinated state strategy. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The FY26 budget invests $475 million in the Commonwealth Cares for Children, or C3, grants and over $1
• The FY26 budget invests $475 million in the Commonwealth Cares for Children or C3 grants and over $1
• Because it is the budget piece that I'm concerned about when it comes to how do we make sure we would
• That proud decision, though, cost us approximately $250,000, or roughly 9% of our annual budget last
• At a time when an increasing number of constituents are... ...and strains on their budgets at a time

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held an informational hearing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Massachusetts; no bills were heard or voted on. Chairs Bud Williams and Liz Miranda opened by framing the hearing as a response to recent federal actions they said threatened DEI efforts, funding, and civil rights protections in education and other sectors. They said the committee would hear from experts, agencies, advocates, and businesses about the legality and benefits of DEI and the impact of federal actions on the Commonwealth. Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler testified virtually that Massachusetts is pushing back against federal efforts to restrict DEI, including guidance and certification demands directed at schools. He highlighted state investments in early education, child care, early college, career and technical education, and educator diversity, arguing these efforts help close opportunity gaps for Black and brown students, students with disabilities, English learners, and other underserved groups. In response to member questions, he said federal education dollars are core to services for students and that the state is prepared to fight funding cuts while monitoring impacts across K-12, early education, and higher education. Elizabeth Matos of the Attorney General’s Office said DEIA programs remain legal under state and federal law and described AG guidance issued to help institutions navigate federal confusion. She reviewed litigation the office has joined or won, including efforts involving withheld school funds, museums and libraries, the Minority Business Development Agency, Head Start, AmeriCorps, and other federal actions. Members asked about immigration-related fear and profiling, and Matos pointed to existing Know Your Rights guidance, said complaints to the Civil Rights Division have increased, and noted the office is seeing issues involving housing discrimination, employment, public accommodations, and threats to call ICE. She also said the office is open to further legislative ideas but did not discuss specifics. Evelyn Carter, a social psychologist, testified that diversity, equity, and inclusion are often misunderstood and defined the terms plainly, emphasizing that diversity is a group characteristic, equity addresses unequal starting points, and inclusion is about belonging and access. She argued that DEI matters because it creates guardrails against bias, helps make environments accessible, and addresses ongoing inequities. In response to questions, she suggested practical strategies such as using clear criteria and written records in decision-making, broadening who is considered part of one’s in-group, and pairing bias awareness with concrete behavior-change tools. The hearing also included testimony from Meredith Tewitt of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, who spoke about the importance of DEI for women, veterans, and people who rely on federal institutions, and urged lawmakers to continue supporting inclusion and access.

Transcript Highlights:

• call them out of order so everybody knows the House is in session today, the second day of their budget
• Don't take it personal, but we were called up to the chamber during the budget debate, so I'll be coming
• So they are going to be in and out voting and debating on the budget, so I'll do my best to keep the
• They're out voting on the budget. I promise you, I didn't insult all my House colleagues.
• They're out voting on the budget, so they'll be in and out. They'll be here shortly.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a lengthy public hearing with testimony on a wide range of health insurance and access-to-care bills. Early testimony focused on prescription drug pricing and pharmacy reimbursement, with supporters of H. 1326 arguing that pharmacy benefit managers and MassHealth managed care arrangements reimburse independent pharmacies too little, contributing to pharmacy closures and “pharmacy deserts.” The committee also heard repeated support for H. 1151/S. 742 on cognitive rehabilitation for acquired brain injury, H. 1288/S. 716 on telehealth parity for nutrition counseling, H. 1309/S. 761 on full-spectrum pregnancy care without cost-sharing, H. 1312 on insurance coverage for doula services, H. 309 on prompt access to health care by removing deductibles for certain services, H. 809/H. 1227 on biomarker testing, H. 1162/S. 810 on reducing inequities in access to medical procedures by limiting insurer cuts tied to Modifier 25, and S. 726 on insurance coverage for mobile integrated health. Testifiers included legislators, physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, emergency and rehabilitation clinicians, and patients and family members. Supporters of the brain injury bill said cognitive rehabilitation is medically necessary, improves long-term outcomes, and can reduce institutional care and public costs; they noted the bill has been heard repeatedly and has support from the Brain Injury Commission and prior favorable committee action. Supporters of the pregnancy care and doula bills described out-of-pocket costs as a barrier to maternal health and shared personal stories of high bills and unmet support needs. Biomarker testing advocates and cancer patients said coverage gaps deny patients access to precision treatment, can lead to avoidable suffering, and should be standardized across insurers; several speakers said insurers often deny claims despite clinical benefit. Dermatology witnesses said insurers’ use of Modifier 25 cuts reimbursement for same-day evaluation and procedure visits, forcing separate appointments and increasing patient burden. Mobile integrated health supporters described home-based care as a way to reduce emergency department use and hospital readmissions, especially for patients with transportation or mobility barriers. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• police shortage, allows them overtime, gives them flexibility and control that they need over their budget
• police shortage to allow them overtime, gives them flexibility and control that they need over their budget
• Louis budget, which will completely bankrupt the city. ...half of the city of St.
• Louis budget, which will completely bankrupt the city because of an error that you all made without coming
• heard the claims from the other side, I think that what will happen is that it will accelerate a budget

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 133-0. The session then included many introductions of interns, guests, and a Teacher Appreciation Day statement. A committee report recommended passage of Senate Bill 903, and the chamber moved into third reading and amendment action on Senate Bill 1421 and related measures. Members debated and adopted a long series of amendments covering public safety, criminal justice, schools, and corrections. Topics included drone enforcement authority for law enforcement, a Missouri Ranger school safety program and school bus stop-arm penalties, Clean Slate automatic expungement language narrowed to drug offenses, an Alzheimer’s task force and dementia training for law enforcement, fire hydrant testing, pseudoephedrine access, banning portable electronic devices in prisons, hands-free cell phone law fixes, critical infrastructure protections, parental accountability for minors’ offenses, fentanyl trafficking, attorney general firearms authority, support for St. Louis and Kansas City police boards, DNA collection on arrest for additional crimes, a 25-foot buffer around first responders, a domestic violence registry, squatter and notary fraud fixes, gift card fraud, and post-conviction death penalty procedures. Several amendments drew opposition over civil liberties, school safety, prison penalties, and death penalty concerns, but most were adopted. The most contested item was the death penalty post-conviction relief amendment, which members argued either would streamline appeals and risk wrongful executions or would provide needed finality for victims; it ultimately passed 75-68 after a roll call vote. Another notable debate centered on the St. Louis Police Board amendment, with members disputing who should pay for police overtime and liability costs. The transcript ends amid discussion of a corrections-related amendment on good-time credit and rehabilitation programming, with the amendment to the amendment being supported by members from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Coalition for Women's Prisoners; California for Safety and Justice; California United for Responsible Budget
• personally that your bill, while very well-intentioned, would in my mind be more appropriate for Budget
• County jails are now facing severe overcrowding and strained budgets that are undermining their ability
• At a recent Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing on CECR, the legislature discussed ongoing concerns
• Emily Harris, on behalf of Californians United for a Responsible Budget, in strong support, and Sister

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• personally that your bill, while very well-intentioned, would in my mind be more appropriate for budget
• County jails are now facing severe overcrowding and strained budgets that are undermining their ability
• At a recent Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing on CECR, the Legislature discussed ongoing concerns
• Emily Harris on behalf of Californians United for a Responsible Budget in strong support, and Sister
• Freedom Coalition, in strong opposition. of Californians United for a Responsible Budget and Sister

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm hopeful that we can get this into the budget.
• I'll reserve my vote for when this budget finally comes together.
• I'll reserve my vote for when this budget finally comes together. This may not make the cut.
• Note that this will take $100 million out of our state budget.
• In time of such budget challenges, I can't vote for a bill to give increased revenue specifically to

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2615, as amended by a strike-everything amendment creating an Independent Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety with 15 members, authority to review DCS data and practices, request briefings and audits, conduct site visits, and receive confidential complaints, with a $2.2 million FY 2027 appropriation. The sponsor and several parents and foster/adoptive caregivers testified in support, describing child safety failures and arguing for independent accountability, while some members questioned whether the Ombudsman’s office was the right home for the committee and suggested other oversight structures. The amendment was adopted, but the bill itself failed on a 5-5 vote. House Bill 2620, which would appropriate $300,000 annually from FY 2027 through FY 2031 to the Arizona Department of Veterans Services for grants to emergency shelters serving veterans, received strong support from the sponsor and shelter advocates who said the funding would help move homeless veterans toward stable housing and connect them with VA services. Members emphasized veterans’ service and the need for trauma-informed case management, and the bill passed with a 10-0 do-pass recommendation. House Bill 2321, requiring DCS to place and later remove a credit freeze for children in care to prevent identity theft, also passed unanimously after the sponsor and members discussed the administrative process and protections for foster youth. The committee then considered House Bill 2601, directing ADOT to seek federal segmentation for the Interstate 11 project between Casa Grande and Wickenburg so environmental review could proceed separately from litigation affecting the southern portion. Supporters framed the bill as a bipartisan way to keep the project moving, while opponents from environmental groups and several members argued it would encourage sprawl, harm desert habitat, and add cost and delay; the bill passed 6-4. House Bill 2992, a pilot program for child sexual abuse and grooming awareness education in six public schools, drew testimony from a trafficking survivor and others who supported prevention efforts, but some members argued the topic should be handled through broader sex education or parent education; it passed 6-4. Later bills also advanced: HB 2156, appropriating $250,000 to the Livestock Compensation Fund, passed 7-3; HB 2165, exempting certain veterans and National Guard members from state park admission fees, passed 6-4 after amendment narrowing the exemption; HB 2960, creating a veterans specialty court grant program and related data-sharing requirements, passed 8-0; HB 2014, directing studies on gasoline blends and fuel feasibility amid EPA waiver concerns, passed 6-2; and HB 2957, preserving non-Real ID licenses and limiting biometric/data retention with a Kavanaugh amendment, passed 5-4-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• year,</c><00:58:33.920><c> members,</c><00:58:34.400><c> what</c><00:58:34.520><c> I</c> but in a budget
• We ended up passing a budget, as you well know, last spring, that contained some increase in kind of
• We ended up passing<01:13:15.360><c> a</c><01:13:15.400><c> budget,</c><01:13:15.680><c> as</c><01:13
• you</c><01:13:15.840><c> well</c><01:13:16.000><c> know,</c><01:13:16.120><c> last</c> passing a budget
• , as you well know, last passing a budget, as you well know, last spring<01:13:16.680><c> that</c><01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• cycle has a small, minor headache involved in it because it falls every other cycle alongside the budget
• First reading, Senate Bill 185, an act relating to branch budget recommendations.
• Senate Bill 186, an act relating to branch budget recommendations.
• Senate Bill 187, an act relating to branch budget bills.
• Senate Bill 187, an act relating to Senate Bill 187, an act relating to branch<01:26:48.440><c> budget

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• part of the fiscal several DMV fees as part of the fiscal 2627 2627 2627 bianial<00:41:37.040><c> budget
• These</c><00:41:38.480><c> fee</c><00:41:38.800><c> changes</c><00:41:39.119><c> were</c> bianial budget
• These fee changes were bianial budget.
• Um, we dealt with this, the oil fund fee, in the budget in trying to make changes, and it just came down
• uh in trying to make changes and budget uh in trying to make changes and it<00:47:07.359><c> just</c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee convened after briefly waiting for a quorum, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and then moved through several agency rule items. The Department of Transportation’s outdoor advertising rule filing was approved after staff noted the department had addressed substantive comments, though the rules had been expired since 2021 and the agency said it had been operating under statute. Members asked about a denied digital sign proposal, and DOT said that decision was based on statute rather than the rule. The Department of Safety’s administrative license suspension item was postponed with a waiver so the agency could submit conditional approval materials and resolve issues between its forms and rules. The Board of Architects item was conditionally approved, with the condition that the board later approve updated incorporation-by-reference materials at its April 3 meeting or the matter would return as a preliminary objection. The Department of Agriculture’s expired rules prompted extended discussion. Staff and committee members questioned why the department was seeking to adopt rules that had been expired for many years and whether the statutes already provided enough authority to operate without them. Agriculture officials said they were working through a broader modernization effort, focusing on statutes that use mandatory language and updating outdated rules to match current practices, federal standards, and current products such as apples, cider, eggs, and other agricultural commodities. They said the rules before the committee were part of that effort and recommended approval, but members remained concerned about whether some rules were unnecessary. The committee ultimately granted a waiver and postponed the agriculture item for one month so staff could review the underlying statutes and determine whether rulemaking is actually required. Under other business, the committee took up an emergency Department of Safety rule to update DMV forms to reflect statutory fee changes enacted in the 2025 budget. DMV officials said the new fees were already in effect, but the corresponding forms still showed old amounts, causing confusion for customers and elected officials who were fielding complaints. They argued the forms needed immediate updating because the affected forms are widely used, and they said the department had already tried to treat the changes as editorial before being told full rulemaking was required. The department emphasized it was trying to follow the process while avoiding continued use of incorrect fee forms, and asked the committee to allow the emergency rule to proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• They develop and manage the district's multi-billion-dollar budget, investing in our children's future
• Just look at our budget here in the state of Florida, how large our budget is in education.
• We had an opportunity, I mean, a couple of years ago, we had challenges with the budget.
• here in the state of Florida how large our budget is in education that's our budget is in education.
• We had an opportunity, I mean, a couple of few years ago, we had challenges with the budget.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you’re way beyond where I know you guys would like to be because anybody who’s involved in the next budget
• involved<00:42:47.839><c> in</c><00:42:48.000><c> the</c><00:42:48.240><c> next</c><00:42:48.480><c> budget
• </c><00:42:48.880><c> cycle</c> involved in the next budget cycle involved in the next budget cycle probably
• </c> Make a motion to adjourn. >> Movers of the bill building who put in the budget. >> You guys did.
• </c> who put in the budget who put in the budget &gt;&gt; you<00:59:16.960><c> guys</c><00:59:17.200>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee approved the November 7 minutes with three abstentions and then received status updates on several ongoing audits. Audit staff reported that the special education oversight audit was in report-writing, with 34 of 71 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The education freedom accounts audit had 22 of 41 observations completed, with a draft also expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The Doorway program audit had 5 of 13 observations completed, with a draft expected by the end of February and a final report by April or May. The committee then discussed possible new oversight topics, prompted by concerns about fraud in other states and the need to ensure New Hampshire programs are not vulnerable. Members suggested hearing from DHS officials, contract administrators, and possibly the Department of Justice Medicaid fraud unit about SNAP and other programs, as well as reviewing staffing levels in HHS contract management. There was also discussion of whether to revisit the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, though members noted that prior work on that area had been suspended because of litigation. A representative from HHS, Teresa Narrow, briefed the committee on the Bureau of Developmental Services. She said the state had been in compliance with CMS since July 1, 2023 after resolving issues tied to a system redesign and billing changes, and that provider-side billing problems had also been fixed. She also described three existing bodies involved in developmental disability housing oversight, including the Council on Housing Stability, the ABLE Housing Task Force, and a legislative study committee created by HB 168 in 2024. Committee members asked for her notes to be shared. The committee spent substantial time debating whether to pursue a new special education audit at the school-district level. Members discussed the need to examine why some districts have much higher special education rates and costs than others, and whether a statistically selected sample of schools could be used. Audit staff said no new audits could begin until about May or June and that only a couple of auditors would then be available. Members also noted that a legislative study committee is already working on special education and may issue a report later this year, and the committee appeared to leave the school-level audit idea as a potential future item rather than taking immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, is there any money that will be put into the budget, or will they need money to be able to implement
• </c><00:11:52.000><c> put</c><00:11:52.320><c> into</c><00:11:52.720><c> the</c><00:11:53.040><c> budget
• </c> never ever any money put into the budget never ever any money put into the budget for<00:11:54.160
• 05.200><c> need</c><00:12:05.440><c> money</c><00:12:05.920><c> to</c><00:12:06.079><c> be</c> the budget
• or will they need money to be the budget or will they need money to be able<00:12:06.399><c> to</c><

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we will move on to the next bill, and that would be Senate Bill 1081, legislative budget
• This would establish a legislative budget office to produce fiscal analysis and reports on bills.
• </c> Senate Bill 1081 legislative budget Senate Bill 1081 legislative budget office<00:08:24.240><c>
• c> a</c> office this would establish a office this would establish a legislative<00:08:25.639><c> budget
• </c><00:08:25.919><c> office</c><00:08:26.159><c> to</c><00:08:26.319><c> produce</c> legislative budget

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The delivery fee is another thing that is affecting everybody in their homes, everybody's budget, with
• sometimes they don't, and that's created a lot of angst at the local level in terms of trying to budget
• sometimes they don't, and that's created a lot of angst at the local level in terms of trying to budget
• and maintenance of roads, but these delivery fees are an inefficient and ineffective way to close budget
• which will only grow pressure on budgets which will only grow if<00:43:45.960><c> EVS</c><00:43:46.440

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um you know we've out of the budget.
• Um, we requested 75 million in the last budget cycle.
• Um, we requested 75 million in the last budget cycle.
• Um, we requested 75 million in the last budget cycle.
• Uh some of uh in the last budget cycle.

Bills: SB2003

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Keywords: Mauna Kea, land management, University of Hawaii, astronomical observatories, leasable lands, natural resource management, stewardship authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Education heard testimony and discussed SB 20003, which would require the auditor’s report under Act 255 to include a recommendation on whether the Monarch Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue managing Monaca lands. Testimony focused on the bill’s reversion language, the role of the auditor, and whether the measure gave the auditor too much discretion without clear criteria. The Office of the Auditor’s position, read into the record, was that it had strong reservations because the bill did not provide standards for assessing fitness and asked that the requirement be held or amended. Other testimony suggested a work group with relevant agencies and Hawaiian practitioners to manage the transition and reduce conflict. Committee members debated whether the bill should simply restore the original reversion language or also require an audit-based fitness determination. Several members questioned the need for a 2031 audit when Act 255 already provides for a performance and financial audit in 2031 and noted that the bill could shift authority away from the legislature. In response, the committee chair explained that the measure was intended to restore language removed during conference and to address the transition back to the University of Hawaii if the authority was not meeting the act’s purpose. The committees ultimately recommended SB 20003 be passed with amendments. The amendments would strike the auditor/audit section, add language addressing timelines by providing a 10-year lease extension and sublease extension, and make technical changes including a defective date. The committees voted to adopt the amended measure and send it forward as an SD1. The transcript also included a separate Education Committee hearing on SB 3286, which would require the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan and report to the legislature. University of Hawaii testimony said the system supports the intent but that the bill’s requirements are a heavy lift across 10 campuses and should follow development of a broader academic strategy. Members raised concerns about deferred maintenance, shifting priorities, and the lack of a systemwide plan, while the university said it already has a six-year capital improvement plan but acknowledged it does not fully incorporate the broader academic and housing strategy the bill contemplates.