Video & Transcript : 'transitional living services' :
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 17th, 2026 at 09:11 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- So when I'm flagging enterprise services, enterprise services bring money, revenues into the general
- health services.
- Related to community-based youth mentoring services.
- Just one quick question, Joey, on Line 312, Rural Air Service Enhancement. ...Service Enhancement.
- This is to subsidize services out of those airports.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, December 11, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Early in his service, Mr.
- So the brave service members who put their lives on the line for our country and our freedoms will not
- </c> opportunity when service meets purpose. opportunity when service meets purpose.
- </c> into the public service." End quote. into the public service." End quote. Why?
- </c> service to the people of Okano County. service to the people of Okano County.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Planning Advisory Board (5-21-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> department for community-based services department for community-based services involved<00:08:51.120
- </c><00:08:56.959><c> We're</c> in need of intensive services. We're in need of intensive services.
- </c> services. We're also doing uh that work. services. We're also doing uh that work.
- on the lives of those students?
- 31:45.440><c> to</c> McDow Center provides services to McDow Center provides services to prepare<00:31
Summary:
The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project.
The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs.
The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Tue Apr 1, 2025 @ 10:45 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, so I lived with my wife and I for years right next to the Pulo range training facility, and I wanted
- Um, so during the time we lived there, we frequented the beach park.
- We swam there regularly, frolicked on the beach, and again we lived just downwind from the range.
- um just downwind from and again we lived um just downwind from the<00:11:47.120><c> range.
- So, um, I also live in South Maui and I am in support of this bill, um, this resolution.
Committee:
House Energy & Environmental Protection
Summary:
The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection met on April 1, 2025, to hear three resolutions. The first, HR 27/HCR 28, sought to reconvene a working group on contamination remediation tied to the Pu‘uloa/Puoa Ranch Range training facility. Testimony was strongly supportive, with speakers from the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i and the community describing concerns about lead contamination, health risks to children and pregnant women, and the need for continued testing and coordination. The committee later recommended and adopted the resolution unamended by vote, with Rep. Quinnland excused.
The second measure, HR 143/HCR 149, asked the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a working group to assess steps toward transitioning Volcano, Hawai‘i, into a biosphere area aligned with the Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve. Support came from community and environmental interests, including testimony from the Sierra Club and others, and DLNR offered comments. The committee recommended passage with amendments limiting the working group participants to the district representative and the Volcano Community Association, and that recommendation was adopted.
The final measure, HR 191/HCR 199, urged DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize restoration and protection of additional wetlands and an Ankuline pools. DLNR supported the intent but suggested technical clarifications, while community testimony emphasized wetlands’ role in flood control, sediment capture, and long-term environmental protection in South Maui. The committee recommended several amendments, including removing reference to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, revising agency references, changing “state waters” to “waters of the state,” and assigning the County of Maui as the responsible party for certain wetland protections. The amended resolution was then adopted, and the hearing adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And I will tell you in closing that nearly all of the people we represent live in fear of having their
- which it doesn't look like we're going to be, we will have to come back and reconvene after the transition
- We live it, we know it, and it's really detrimental and derogatory to those of us who are telling the
Committee:
House Agriculture
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, Senator Cron. think 85% of them are members and live think 85% of them are members and live
- Uh, a lively discussion about members.
- </c><01:10:43.120><c> It</c> uh I live a long way from St. Paul. It uh I live a long way from St.
- And so I live in the wildest of times.
- It is an service to the public.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Postsecondary Education Apr 7th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- We are not transitioning that into actual boots on the ground jobs. That's what this goal is.
- So let's make sure that the transition from high school to college is as smooth as possible by ensuring
Committee:
House Postsecondary Education
Keywords:
education, concurrent enrollment, students, age restrictions, academic access, apprenticeship, career education, youth programs, employment, technology centers, SB1593, OSU Tulsa, Oklahoma State University/Tulsa, Board of Trustees, higher education, university governance, A&M Board, Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, presidential search, board rules
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- taking them to offset costs, and he wants to make sure those funds are protected when children transition
- the last thing those parents can do to provide for their kids, are protected when the children transition
Summary:
The House convened with 61 members present, approved the House Journal, and received several committee reports and messages from the Senate. Committee actions included printing and referral of multiple bills and memorials, and the filing of House Joint Memorial 10 with the Secretary of State. The House also introduced a number of new measures, including bills on child care licensing, foster care, administration services to cities, elections, sex crimes, education certificates, and a constitutional amendment on state-owned land.
On the floor, the House considered and passed House Bill 501, which requires petition signature gatherers to disclose on their name tags who is paying them if they are compensated. Members also passed House Bill 558, codifying protections for foster youth survivor benefits, House Bill 608, clarifying the school district facilities fund and repayment rules, and House Bill 636, allowing school district facility funds to be used for lease-purchase arrangements. Each of these bills passed by voice or recorded vote with no title corrections.
The House also passed House Resolution 21, related to Transportation Department rules and preserving a manual backup process for electronic registration, and House Resolution 22, which approved Education Committee rules. House Joint Memorial 12 was held on the third reading calendar for one legislative day, and House Joint Memorials 9 and 11 were enrolled and sent for signatures. The session ended with announcements and adjournment until 10:30 a.m. the next day.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Apr 21st, 2026
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- going to be moving forward to the 2027 session and how things look a little bit different as we transition
- doesn't recognize that, in these very difficult times we're in, in terms of inflation and the cost of living
Committee:
Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy
Summary:
The committee first approved the November minutes by roll call vote, with a majority of members voting aye and some members excused. Staff then provided brief litigation updates: Fowler et al. v. Leathers remains pending in federal district court over interest calculations on transferred TERS funds, with summary judgment motions expected to be heard May 1; Dolan v. King County was decided against the state in Pierce County Superior Court on the issue of recouping attorney’s fees from a former PERS member, though no fees were assessed against the state in that case.
An actuarial update noted upcoming presentations on the agency’s work and the latest valuation report, including new contribution rates reflecting updated demographic assumptions. The committee then reviewed its draft interim work plan and correspondence items, focusing on requests related to Plan 3, Plan 1 COLAs, teacher retirement age, and a missed early retirement factor. Members discussed a possible study of Plan 3’s design and outcomes compared with Plan 2, including retirement ages and benefit adequacy, and staff was asked to work with DRS on a study outline.
The committee also discussed ongoing COLA requests and the need for retiree groups to bring forward a more formal proposal for the next budget cycle, with members noting that any recommendation should likely be made by October or November. Another major topic was the study of LEOFF 1 medical/disability boards, including how many boards exist, how they operate, and what costs they incur; staff said it was still gathering basic information and would provide an overview next month. Staff also explained planned changes to how correspondence will be handled and posted online due to cybersecurity concerns. The committee approved the May agenda by voice vote and then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I think Texas does even look into that today, that your ability for a contractor to make a living and
- It's delivered highways, it's delivered transit systems, it's delivered airports, bridges, manufacturing
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Mar 18th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Like you're saying, you know you're living in one place, you live in another place. So what...
- You're saying you know you're living in one place, you live in another place.
- And I have with me the director of our state civil service.
- We live in a global economy now.
- You've got skilled services where they'll stay three or four weeks.
Committee:
House House and Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
Department of State, statutory entities, re-creation, termination, Louisiana laws, Department of State Civil Service, Louisiana legislation, government re-creation, authority termination, financial disclosure, public servants, ethics, immediate family, transparency, legislators, transportation, foreign travel, cultural exchange, public service, HB393
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 28 (2-17-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:21:29.520><c> go</c><00:21:29.679><c> off</c><00:21:29.919><c> and</c><00:21:30.159><c> transition
- </c><00:21:30.559><c> into</c> students can go off and transition into students can go off and transition
- Number one, it reduces the amount of standardized testing by transitioning the on-demand and writing
- Number one, it reduces the amount of standardized testing by transitioning the on-demand and writing
- The second and arguably most important change that House Bill 257 enacts is transitioning Kentucky's
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Senate Message 04:26
Report of Committees 05:13
Orders of the Day/ HB 6 06:22
HB 480 14:13
HB 562 17:55
HB 136 25:53
HB 257 29:47
HB 490 35:54
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 40:30
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 52:44
Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 53:49
ConC/Rules Report 57:12
Floor Amendments 58:49
Adjournment 58:59, 958, all
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EIG DEFER, AEN-EIG Public Hearings 02-12-2026
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We had a bill heard last week on Senate Bill 2699, regarding public transit.
- It's being streamed live on YouTube.
- So, first up is SB 2373. being streamed live on YouTube. In the being streamed live on YouTube.
- Um, or say you are a large food delivery or rather, you know, food service entity that would otherwise
- entity that would otherwise service entity that would otherwise maybe<00:09:40.480><c> not</c><00:09
Bills:
SB2699
Committee:
Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Keywords:
fare-free transit, youth transportation, environmental tax, transit equity, public transit, Hawaii, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The committee reconvened and first addressed SB 2699 on public transit/free transportation for young people. Members noted that the Committee on Transportation had already deferred the measure, and this committee said it would defer it as well before adjourning that brief reconvened session.
The hearing then moved to SB 2373, which would establish a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions and authorize the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop methods to quantify carbon reductions from marine ecosystem restoration. The Energy Office said marine carbon sequestration was outside its expertise and asked to be removed from that portion of the bill, while DLNR and OPSD offered comments and said the work fit better with their areas, with DLNR saying it could take it on if properly resourced. Testimony included support from environmental groups, and committee discussion focused on which agency should lead and whether existing methodologies could be used.
Next was SB 21001 on organic waste reduction and diversion. The Department of Health supported the intent but raised implementation concerns. Hawaii Farmers Union strongly supported the bill, arguing it would help build compost supply, improve soil health, and give counties time to develop infrastructure; they cited Vermont as a model and said the bill could extend landfill life and reduce methane. Members asked about the Vermont approach and the need for infrastructure before household-level diversion.
The committee also heard SB 2905, which would increase the environmental response, energy, and food security tax and direct more revenue to the electric vehicle charging system subaccount. The Energy Office, PUC, and Tax Department offered comments; youth and clean transportation advocates strongly supported the bill as a way to expand charging access and meet EV adoption goals. A member questioned whether the proposed increase would outpace the state’s ability to deploy chargers, and PUC staff said the current annual appropriation is about $750,000 and that they could provide more data on an appropriate funding level.
Additional measures were briefly taken up: SB 3231 on condominium maps and county zoning certification in A districts drew support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; SB 2486 on climate change drew comments from the Energy Office, Climate Commission, and OPSD, who said it duplicated existing climate planning and should include adaptation language; and SB 2376 on the renewable fuels production tax credit drew support from industry and agricultural groups, while the Energy Office and Tax Department raised concerns about the rollover provision and the scale of the credit. No final votes were recorded in the excerpt beyond the earlier deferral of SB 2699.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- In the Tolleson District, bond issues have come up and not as much as debt service has been discussed
- agencies that help other counties. ...for running educational service agencies that help other counties
- to provide the services that they provide.
- That practice kind of happened as we were transitioning back into person, but then it slowly stopped.
- That's probably not even enough to pay the debt service on the bond that they used to buy the land.
Committee:
House House Education Committee of Reference
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several school-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on governance, transparency, and accountability in school districts. House Bill 2318 would impose term limits on school district governing board members in districts with at least 250 students, while allowing county superintendents to appoint a term-limited member to fill a vacancy. Supporters argued it would bring fresh ideas and prevent entrenched leadership; opponents said voters should decide. The bill received a due pass recommendation after a divided roll call.
House Bill 2312 would allow certain patriotic youth groups to address students during school hours and require equal access for those groups in school forums. The sponsor said it was intended to promote programs such as FFA, Scouts, and similar organizations. Some members objected that it would take instructional time and was not truly permissive if access was granted to one group, and the bill nonetheless received a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2320 would require school districts to hire a registered independent municipal advisor before calling a bond election and for each successful bond issue. The sponsor and supporters said this could reduce underwriting fees and save taxpayers money, while some members raised questions about costs if a bond failed and whether the bill should be narrowed; it passed with a due pass recommendation after several members voted present or no.
The committee also approved House Bill 2376, which would bar districts from buying or leasing school property while a charter or private school is still operating there, and House Bill 2378, which tightens conflict-of-interest rules for the School Facilities Oversight Board by barring the architect and engineer members from having school-construction business. Both were framed by the sponsor as responses to concerns raised in Tolleson Union-related testimony and reporting. House Bill 2379, as amended, requires school board members to complete biennial training approved by the Auditor General, to be offered by county superintendents or ADE, with counties able to contract with others; supporters called it needed training, while opponents raised concerns about unfunded mandates, inclusion of ASBA, and charter schools. It received a due pass recommendation. Finally, House Bill 2380 would require board and subcommittee meetings to be held in-district, preserve online access to materials, and require public approval of out-of-state travel, with reimbursement if retroactive approval is denied. Rural districts and others raised concerns about flexibility, executive-session confidentiality, and administrative burden, but the bill was discussed with amendments and public access concerns rather than a final recorded action in the excerpt.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- With this program, and I'm not familiar, would it allow live guns to be in schools?
- will still work to inform students and help kind of pass that baton a little bit easier from the transition
- will still work to inform students and help kind of pass that baton a little bit easier from the transitioning
Committee:
House Education
Summary:
The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU limited authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus as a two-year pilot program. Supporters said the bill would let LSU respond more quickly to deteriorating properties near campus and improve the student experience, while keeping protections such as appraisals and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect residential property or be expanded to other universities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then advanced SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better align apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Testimony emphasized the need to reduce duplication and improve coordination so students and employers can more easily connect. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices.
Members next approved SB 488, establishing a school safety drone response pilot program to supplement school crisis plans. The bill drew detailed testimony from a vendor describing drone deployment, response times, and coordination with law enforcement; an amendment was adopted to require coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. The committee also favorably reported HCR 97, asking BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study adding age-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education in grades 5-12, with members clarifying that no live firearms would be used on campus.
Finally, the committee approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments adding instructor qualifications, reporting requirements, electronic delivery flexibility, and constitutional safeguards. It also reported SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and apply to charter schools, with an amendment for standalone elementary charters. The committee then passed SB 346 and SB 347, both dealing with deepfakes—one prohibiting their use against K-12 students and the other adding unlawful deepfakes to campus power-based violence rules—and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for use in LA Wallet. Several members raised concerns about naming LA Wallet specifically, but the bill was still reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAM-AEN, WAM-JDC Informational Briefings 01-09-2026
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So anybody can go in and say it's a service animal, and they consider it service.
- </c> um the the the rules for a service um the the the rules for a service animal<00:36:02.240><c> is
- </c> need live bodies. need live bodies.
- Brandon lives there. Oh, yeah.
- be living 8 hours?
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/29/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> services, and money transmission. services, and money transmission.
- necessary goods and services?
- /c> believe uh I live I live in Jackson believe uh I live I live in Jackson >> and<03:56:03.600
- </c> Services and to committee staff members. Services and to committee staff members.
- </c> That's part of signing up for service. That's part of signing up for service.
Committee:
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a everyone can live with.
- ,</c><01:09:59.120><c> not</c> Anybody can provide the service, not Anybody can provide the service,
- </c><01:50:34.400><c> I</c> lives. Uh, further question, please. I lives.
- living and assisted living.
- that was independent living and assisted that was independent living and assisted living.<03:54:03.040
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations May 7th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- So we just want to privatize these services.
- When people think of living organ donation, they usually think of kidneys, but living donors also step
- And if someone living can make that selfless sacrifice, we can help save lives.
- I live there, and I'm like, you got to be kidding me.
- I live there, and I'm like, you got to be kidding me.
Committee:
House Labor & Industrial Relations
Summary:
The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote.
The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- they'll pick up your sound and amplify it a little bit in the room, but it'll be carried over our live
- This prohibits a state agency from entering into any contract, procure, or dispose of goods or services
- This prohibits a state agency from entering into any contract, procure, or dispose of goods or services
- And perhaps, you know, through this working group, we could take a look at transitioning historically
- And perhaps, you know, through this working group, we could take a look at transitioning historically
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills. On SB 2530, relating to campaign contributions, the State Procurement Office suggested clarifying that contractor disclosure information be submitted within 30 days of a fully executed contract, while the Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill but asked that the restriction on contributions by officers be expanded beyond compensated officers. Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action supported the measure and urged keeping the Senate language, arguing it better addresses contractor influence, while no other testifiers appeared.
On SB 2970, relating to standards of conduct, the State Ethics Commission supported the bill and proposed amendments to consolidate the new language into existing Chapter 84 contract provisions and use “department head” instead of “director.” The State Procurement Office supported the measure but recommended closing a perceived loophole by limiting the covered contracts to those under $10,000. No opposition testimony was offered.
The committee then heard SB 2919, which would fund one full-time Deputy Public Defender position focused on immigration-related advice under Padilla v. Kentucky. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrants’ Rights, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, explaining that the position would help public defenders advise clients about immigration consequences of criminal cases, not provide immigration representation. Members asked several questions about the scope of the position and whether it could assist with citizenship; testimony clarified that it would not handle civil immigration matters. The bill was also described as creating a statewide consistent resource for the public defender system.
Finally, on SB 2446, relating to the judiciary, the Intermediate Court of Appeals supported adding a seventh associate judge position but noted the court has only recently been fully staffed at six judges and has improved output through internal changes. The chair emphasized that the bill authorizes the position without funding and encouraged the judiciary to return later if appropriations are needed. The committee also began hearing SB 2730, a criminal justice reform bill on warrantless arrests and citations. OHA supported reducing unnecessary arrests but objected to making citations visible on criminal records; the Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, citing law enforcement flexibility, identification concerns, and possible litigation costs; and the Judiciary requested a later implementation date and suggested changes to citation-resolution language. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 2730 was still underway.