Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, CDC are abided by those requirements without impacting existing state employee labor agreements
• So with that, in 2024, we hosted a total of 12 of those events, resulting in 442 new employees in various
• Why would you, as a state employee, or as somebody trying to be a state employee, want to wait that long

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• exempt the state, counties, private sector, and nonprofit organizations and treatment providers and employees
• organizations and treatment providers organizations and treatment providers and<00:15:48.720><c> employees
• from</c><00:15:49.360><c> civil</c><00:15:49.680><c> liability</c><00:15:50.160><c> and</c> and employees
• from civil liability and and employees from civil liability and let<00:15:50.480><c> the</c><00:15:50.800

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a series of Senate bills and generally advanced most of them, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 15 on the definition of historic property was amended to narrow the definition to properties at least 50 years old that are culturally significant or otherwise significant for Hawaii Register purposes, and it passed. SB 97 on excessive speeding was amended to clarify felony penalty language, license revocation timing, and fingerprinting procedures, and passed. Other bills passed as is or unamended included SB 145 on water shortages, SB 108 on accessible parking enforcement, SB 660 on hospitality anti-harassment measures and panic buttons, SB 1662 on landlord application fees and tenant screening reports, SB 1421 on Department of Health provider arrangements, SB 1439 on DOH nuisance authority, and SB 1452 updating controlled substances law. SB 1454 on wage payment violations passed with technical amendments only, while SB 1481 on motorcycle instruction permits was deferred as not ready. Several bills received more substantial changes. SB 253 on condominium association budget summaries was amended to require a single document and to shift the standard to substantial compliance; it passed. SB 371 on critical infrastructure damage was amended to remove a section affecting manslaughter law and to apply specifically to broadband and cable networks; it passed. SB 984 on water pollution liability for large landowners was advanced with a defective date. SB 1517 on public land leases for recreational residential use was amended to change the lease term to five years and add a defective date. SB 1074 on temporary continuation of challenged activities during environmental review was significantly amended to limit the provision to currently authorized activities, add a one-year limit with possible court extension, and clarify other terms; it passed. SB 1322 on emergency mental health transport was amended to restore provider-initiated transport language, require notice and coordination, remove special immunity provisions, and clarify court-ordered treatment procedures; it passed. The committee also passed SB 1496 on disability access to information in public accommodations, with a request that the committee report discuss the Roe v. St. Pizza case and the distinction between physical and digital accommodations. SB 1255 on Uniform Information Practices Act record retention was deferred as not ready. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that both agendas were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• revealed that the Department of Budget and Management has been using training programs for state employee
• has been using training programs for has been using training programs for state<00:01:32.159><c> employee
• c> staff</c><00:01:33.799><c> that</c><00:01:33.960><c> refers</c><00:01:34.320><c> to</c> state employee
• staff that refers to state employee staff that refers to Republicans<00:01:35.360><c> as</c><00:01:35.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It repeals the report on the use of seasonal employees, the use of temporary employees by the Department
• ,</c><01:26:49.360><c> the</c><01:26:49.480><c> use</c> the use of seasonal employees, the use the use
• of seasonal employees, the use of<01:26:50.040><c> temporary</c><01:26:50.760><c> employees</c><01:26
• :51.400><c> by</c><01:26:51.520><c> the</c><01:26:51.640><c> Department</c> of temporary employees by
• </c> know today how many temporary employees know today how many temporary employees are<01:27:05.960

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a high-turnover, high-stress situation for these employees, and we're just looking to help them
• out, help retain those employees because they're needed.
• This is a high turnover, high employees.
• </c><00:08:51.280><c> and</c> stress situation for these employees and stress situation for these employees
• </c><00:08:55.839><c> because</c> out, help retain those employees because out, help retain those employees

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining it would work through a long list of interim topics one at a time and asked members to complete a selection form at the end. The first topic, long-term care, drew testimony from AARP Wyoming and the Wyoming Long-Term Care Association. AARP emphasized Wyoming’s aging population, the state’s roughly $200 million annual Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the need to examine whether more support for home-based care could reduce nursing home use and costs. The association agreed with supporting people at home as long as possible, but asked that any study also consider increased support for nursing homes and assisted living when home care is no longer feasible. Committee discussion also touched on adult day care and PACE-like services, with Mr. Laycock noting prior Department of Health discussion and limited adult day availability due to reimbursement concerns. The committee then heard proposals for neonatal intensive care unit family leave, expanded midwifery scope, and a modification to workers’ compensation law. The NICU leave idea, presented by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, would explore leave options for families with premature infants in intensive care, potentially paid or unpaid, while considering business size and the burden on families who may need out-of-state care. The midwifery topic was framed as a way to address rural maternity and women’s health gaps by allowing midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. On workers’ compensation, the Wyoming Association of Municipalities sought to classify dispatch personnel as first responders so they could receive mental health coverage under workers’ compensation; the Department of Workforce Services explained that current law covers dispatchers under workers’ compensation generally, but the first responder mental health provision added in 2018 applies to law enforcement and firefighters and does not currently include dispatchers. Other topics included problematic gaming and program funding, breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental exams, prescription drug coverage for advanced metastatic cancer, SNAP education, behavioral health workforce clinical training site shortages, CPR in schools, and broader midwifery oversight. The behavioral health workforce proposal, brought by a WICHE commissioner, focused on increasing psychology internship slots in Wyoming, noting that the state currently has only three and that expanding placements could improve recruitment and retention. The CPR in schools topic drew strong support from the American Heart Association, which argued that CPR training in high school could improve bystander response in a rural state with long EMS response times; committee members asked about cost and curriculum fit, and the witnesses said hands-only CPR could be taught by school staff rather than requiring expensive certification. The midwifery discussion later broadened into concerns about oversight and standards after a representative described a constituent’s pregnancy loss and said complaints involving midwifery practice and staffing delays in investigations warranted a deeper review. No votes were taken during the portion provided, and most topics were simply introduced, discussed, and left open for further testimony or later committee selection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, again, because of the narrow pool of employees that we have, we take a lot of effort
• And so, you know, again, because of the narrow pool of employees that we have, we take a lot of effort
• And so, you know, again, because of the narrow pool of employees that we have, we take a lot of effort
• And so, you know, again, because of the narrow pool of employees that we have, we take a lot of effort
• </c> employees communities. employees communities.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several Senate bills. SB 2149 would exempt paternity proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse from mediation and clarify the domestic abuse mediation exemption in divorce cases. The Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the measure but recommended technical and conforming changes, including updating references from HRS Chapter 584 to 584A and aligning the language more closely with the Uniform Mediation Act. Members discussed whether the bill’s wording could limit who may bring a support person to mediation, and the chair suggested the intent was to preserve survivor choice while avoiding ambiguity. No vote was taken in the portion heard. SB 2203 would create an offense for law enforcement officers using masks or personal disguises. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaii, Legal Clinic, and many other supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, while still allowing safety exceptions. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, raised concerns about operational needs, undercover and auxiliary units, body cameras, and possible supremacy clause issues if the bill is aimed at federal officers. The chair noted the bill appeared likely to move forward and asked agencies and advocates to work on possible amendments; testimony count was reported as 114 in support, 3 opposed, and 2 comments. SB 2251 would appropriate funds for the victim witness assistance program in the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying it would replace shortfalls from declining federal funding and help maintain victim services and rights information. A former program director also testified in support. When asked, the office said it would not object to a simple reporting requirement. The committee then moved on to SB 2311, which would address claims against the state and add reporting and timing requirements; the Department of the Attorney General testified with concerns and recommendations, and members began questioning current practices for handling claims and settlements.

Transcript Highlights:

• with valuable information and ensuring strong privacy protections for employees.
• with valuable information and employees with valuable information and ensuring<01:21:05.920><c> strong
• It's a practical, transparent employees.
• Expanding that mandate would increase premiums for all employees and employers at a time of rising health
• and employers at a time of employees and employers at a time of rising<01:46:37.360><c> health</c><01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a liquor-related amendment correcting an earlier drafting error that had accidentally removed enhanced penalties for death-related over-service from the statute. Members explained that the language had already been enacted briefly before being deleted by mistake, and the amendment simply restored the prior penalty provisions. The committee voted unanimously in favor. A second liquor amendment followed, concerning VFW and similar veterans’ clubs. The revised language would allow a veteran or member to sign in a limited number of under-21 guests, with testimony emphasizing that this was meant for small events and would mirror existing restaurant rules requiring a parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse. There was extended debate about whether private clubs were sufficiently public, whether towns could tighten liquor rules locally, and whether enforcement would be effective. Liquor enforcement testified that municipalities must approve licenses, only four minors could be signed in at once under a member’s signature, age-restriction signage remains required, and clubs often report violations themselves to protect their licenses. The amendment was ultimately approved unanimously, and the subcommittee then moved into executive session. In executive session, HB 186, relating to cannabis legalization, regulation, and appropriations, was recommended ought to pass on a 10-7 vote, with a minority report noted. HB 241, relating to treatment alternatives to opioids, was then supported with amendment 2990 and recommended ought to pass as amended; the bill was described as expanding access to non-opioid, non-surgical, and non-medication pain treatments, while the amendment clarified Insurance Department procedures and educational materials. That bill was placed on the consent calendar unanimously. HB 297, concerning access by self-funded employer health plans to claims data, was also recommended ought to pass with amendment 2987 and then ought to pass as amended unanimously; supporters said it would let employers opt in to deidentified claims data, improve transparency, and preserve privacy. It too was placed on the consent calendar unanimously. The committee then considered HB 312, dealing with student-athlete name, image, and likeness compensation, and voted to send it to interim study. Members said the issue remained too uncertain because of ongoing federal and NCAA developments, and that interim study would keep the committee’s options open without killing the bill. The motion was supported as a way to continue monitoring the issue for future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The employees of these facilities should not be prevented from giving pregnant people the choice of necessary
• Representative Her, if you look at lines 2.16 to 2.25, this language specifically restricts these employees
• about</c> this bill is about this bill is about Choice<00:03:34.239><c> the</c><00:03:34.400><c> employees
• </c><00:04:32.199><c> and</c><00:04:32.360><c> Facilities</c> restricts these employees and Facilities
• restricts these employees and Facilities from<00:04:33.440><c> giving</c><00:04:33.800><c> people</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Finegold for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Andrew Bartlett, an employee of the Department
• House 31, an act establishing a sick leave bank for Stephanie Rivera, an employee of the Worcester County

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then received a gubernatorial message recommending fiscal year 2027 appropriations legislation, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Rules reported and the House adopted a resolution honoring Transition House on its 50 years of service to survivors of domestic violence and their families. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two filed petitions: one concerning vacancies on the Groton-Dunstable School Committee and another establishing a sick leave bank for an employee of the Department of Public Health. The House then took up several engrossed bills and emergency preambles, including Senate 2908 and Senate 3031/House 31, both of which received the required separate emergency preamble votes and were adopted 5-0. The chamber also passed to enactment House 4203 and House 4204, both relating to the election of candidates in Haverhill, and House 5096, which extends the period for Southbridge to grant additional on-premises alcohol licenses. Later, the House concurred in a Senate amendment to House 4137 authorizing Wayland to establish a Millennium Fund for the Whalen Free Public Library. It also adopted an amendment substituting House 5531 for House 4614 concerning James J. O'Neill Park, and then passed the bill to be engrossed as amended. The session included a citation recognizing the Sandwich High School Lady Blue Knights girls varsity lacrosse team as 2026 MIAA Division IV-A state champions, with remarks spread upon the record. The House adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and then adjourned to an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• All members, guests, and employees will rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
• Representative Bartholomew and Senator Durant to establish a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roderick, an employee

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several resolutions, including commendations for Healthy Birth Day, Incorporated, Empty Arms Bereavement Support, Incorporated, for recognizing September 19, 2025 as Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, and for the town of Plymouth becoming the 451st International City of Peace. Both resolutions were adopted by voice vote. The chamber then advanced several local and private matters. A bill authorizing Lexington to grant ten additional on-premises wine and malt beverage licenses was read a third time and passed to be engrossed. A bill authorizing Melrose to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed. The Senate also suspended the rules to take up a House bill establishing a sick leave bank for John C. Murphy and ordered it to a third reading. The Senate additionally suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roderick, an employee of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, to the Committee on Public Service. The body adopted an order to adjourn on Thursday at 11 a.m. in full formal session without a calendar. It then agreed to adjourn in memory of K. Walsh, heard a tribute to her life and service in nursing and geriatrics, observed a moment of silence, and adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Social Security Law in relation to establishing an optional 25-year retirement plan for certain employees
• Social Security law in relation to establishing an optional 25-year retirement plan for certain employees

Committee: Senate Civil Service And Pensions

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions met on May 5, 2026, with a quorum present and eight bills on the agenda. The committee considered measures on a temporary task force on the Variable Supplements Fund (S1181), cost-of-living adjustments for certain retirees (S3414A), an optional 25-year retirement plan for Suffolk County fire marshals (S5754B), a heart disease presumption for certain NYC Police Department traffic enforcement agents (S8147B), a Civil Service Commission study of state agency job vacancies (S8209), employment of persons with autism spectrum disorder (S8640), an optional 25-year retirement plan for certain New York Power Authority employees (S9068A), and the effective date of a reclassification for accidental disability retirement benefits (S9909).

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill: An act establishing a sick leave bank for Courtney Cochran, an employee of
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for Courtney Cochran, an employee, the Department of Children and

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution honoring Massachusetts veterinarian associations and advocates by recognizing May 2, 2026, as Veterinarian Youth Day in the Commonwealth. The Rules Committee also reported several local bills for consideration, including measures affecting Boxborough alcohol licenses, a housing trust fund in Chatham, expanded small property tax abatements in Auburn, a long-term lease authorization for property on South Street East, town meeting accessibility, and increased ordinance penalties in Newton. The House suspended the rules and ordered those local bills to a third reading. It also took up and passed to be enacted three Boston Police Department bills waiving minimum age requirements for specific officers, and later advanced a North Adams bill authorizing retired police officers to serve as special police officers for paid detail assignments. In addition, the House passed to be engrossed a Marblehead bill creating a means-tested senior citizens property tax exemption and a sick leave bank bill for Courtney Cochran of the Department of Children and Families. The chamber welcomed Cardinal Cushing students from Hanover, who had an Easter art exhibit on display. At the end of the session, the House adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• wondering if you could explain a little bit as to why we are treating different types of public employees
• I'll answer the second one first, if that's okay, because it is a taxpayer-funded employee that has to

Committee: House Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill: An act establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee
• Third reading of the bill: An act establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , employee, employee, or<02:31:13.120><c> inmate</c><02:31:13.560><c> of</c><02:31:13.720><c> any</c>
• , or inmate of upon any officer, employee, or inmate of any<02:36:03.320><c> institution."
• upon any officer, employee, or inmate in<02:47:04.600><c> an</c><02:47:04.680><c> institution.
• , or inmate of upon any officer, employee, or inmate of any<02:47:52.840><c> institution.
• ,</c><03:06:15.640><c> inmate,</c><03:06:16.000><c> or</c> officer, employee, inmate, or officer, employee

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've accepted amendments that address employee transition concerns.
• Shane Levine on behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Sheriff Employee Benefit Association
• SB 1330 extends these protections to include utility workers, such as those employees...
• In 2025, one utility reported 180 hostile encounters involving its employees.
• David Bulldog, employee of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, outside employee, electrical

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• management and all managerial and management and all managerial and supervisory<00:12:48.880><c> employees
• </c><00:12:49.600><c> to</c><00:12:49.720><c> complete</c> supervisory employees to complete supervisory
• employees to complete compliance<00:12:50.600><c> training.
• </c> health care agencies whose employees health care agencies whose employees defraud<00:31:34.400><
• He said they have concerns that the disqualifications may have an impact on current employees.

Bills: HF4207 , HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• It's no different whether you're a student or you're a working employee or a mom at home, right?
• It's no different whether you're a student or you're a working employee or a mom at home, right?
• It's no different whether you're a student or you're a working employee or a mom at home, right?
• It's no different whether you're a student or you're a working employee or a mom at home, right?
• ,</c> itemized list of all employees, itemized list of all employees, um,<01:48:02.480><c> an</c><01:

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:20.000><c> GCD</c><00:34:20.879><c> provides</c><00:34:21.200><c> a</c> full-time employee
• of the GCD provides a full-time employee of the GCD provides a a<00:34:22.000><c> pivotal</c><00:34:
• </c><00:36:42.160><c> um</c> which is the part-time employees. um which is the part-time employees. um
• , an individual who part-time employee, an individual who has<00:37:21.520><c> been</c><00:37:21.599>
• There are 100% general funds in the amount of $37,000 for a part-time employee.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what these employees, public employees with a constitutional property right to continued employment
• where the prosecutors have the power to have some adverse employment action on public employees.
• where the prosecutors have the power to have some adverse employment action on public employees.
• where the prosecutors have the power to have some adverse employment action on public employees.
• where the prosecutors have the power to have some adverse employment action on public employees.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house