Video & Transcript Research : 'active efforts'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Republican Members Propose New Legislation Addressing Fraud - 02/19/26
Transcript Highlights:
- the nation in fraud detection efforts the nation in fraud detection efforts and<00:07:12.880>
- I introduced this last year, and it's still active for the biennium.
- do what is the extraordinary efforts do what is the extraordinary efforts that<00:20:24.720>
- <00:35:22.320>
from fact, she res resisted Tom efforts from fact, she res resisted Tom efforts - We met every o um activity that we did.
Summary:
Senate Republican leaders held a press event to roll out a package of anti-fraud proposals focused on state welfare and human services programs. Mark Johnson opened by citing recent fraud scandals, including a shuttered housing program and reports of vulnerable adults being left without care while providers billed for full services, and said Republicans want top-down reform, stronger accountability, new technology, and tighter oversight of taxpayer dollars. Michael Kreun said Republicans support an independent Office of Inspector General and argued the Senate-passed bill should not be weakened in the House; he also said the Senate should restore its role in confirming agency commissioners, especially at DHS, which he described as central to the fraud problem.
Jordan Rasmusson outlined a plan to stop “blank checks” for DHS and DCYF services by requiring legislative audit review when a program exceeds budget by 5 percent and legislative approval for additional spending at 10 percent over budget. He also said DHS should adopt basic integrity tools such as electronic visit verification and client sign-off. Steve Drazkowski described two bills: a statewide “do-not-pay” list to block payments to ineligible people or entities, and an “I’m Not a Robot” proposal for Medicaid managed care that would require enrollee verification forms, with a 2 percent payment withhold used to encourage compliance and potentially fund county system upgrades. Mark Krueger said the state should improve technology and data use for eligibility determinations, citing other states’ rapid fraud-fighting systems, and proposed penalties for false reporting to the Legislative Auditor after a DHS audit found falsified site-visit records.
Steve Gruenhagen said his bill would require DHS and DCYF to resume annual fraud-prevention and oversight reports to the legislature, which he said had stopped after 2017 despite rising fraud cases. Michael Holmstrom proposed unannounced site visits for all DHS and DCYF providers before enrollment, reenrollment, and revalidation, funded through provider service fees, and cited a recent case involving a woman with autism who was billed for far more care than she received. In the Q&A, Kreun said House Democrats’ delete-everything amendment to the inspector general bill removed the law enforcement division and stripped the bill of its “teeth,” and he suggested the governor’s office may have been involved in efforts to replace the bill with a weaker coordination council model. No votes were taken in the press conference.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 10, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And, you know, this risk and needs assessment is critical for many activities.
- with our recruitment efforts to hire at the minimum.
- But with respect to efforts to fill our vacancies, we are constantly actively recruiting.
- So that effort is currently underway.
- I mean, is that actively process and being filled? >> My understanding is, yes, it is.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , even though our police were not involved with the ICE activity per se.
- , even though our police were not involved with the ICE activity per se.
- <00:43:04.720>
So <00:43:05.480>just activities upon our community. - So just activities upon our community.
- , would be doing a warrant or an activity, would be doing a warrant or an activity, they<00:46:28.360
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026
Joint Legislative Audit
Transcript Highlights:
- February 2025 bar exam, as well as our audit of CSU and UC's implementation of Title IX and their efforts
- The Active Transportation Plan is not at the... And that's really what audits are for.
- The Active Transportation Plan is not at the...
- So I appreciate the effort that's here.
- So I appreciate the effort that's here.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear status updates from the state auditor and consider several new audit requests. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, including a new 2026 audit on DMV license revocation, and noted other statutory audits on the State Bar exam rollout, CSU/UC Title IX implementation, tobacco tax, state financial statements, federal compliance, and high-risk issues such as late financial reporting, Medi-Cal eligibility, and water infrastructure safety. The committee approved a consent calendar covering audits on UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring.
The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s request to audit SANDAG’s road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly used and documented, citing prior problems with tolling and financial oversight. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, has improved internal controls, and believed its funding uses were appropriate. Several members questioned whether the audit duplicated existing reviews and whether the issues were already public, and the request ultimately failed on a roll call vote.
Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ administration of Proposition 47 grants. Supporters said the audit would assess whether grant recipients comply with requirements and whether outcome and recidivism data are reliable, while BSCC said the program already has oversight, including biennial State Controller audits, and pointed to reported reductions in homelessness, unemployment, and recidivism. The committee approved the audit. Senator Cortese’s request to audit CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract also passed, with supporters citing rising out-of-pocket costs, provider network problems, and the long-running contract’s lack of competition; CalHR responded that most members have nearby access, it recently ran an RFP, and it will add MetLife as a second carrier in 2027. The committee then approved the remaining consent items and adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Feb 12th, 2025
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Please make every effort to review them.
- No, this would be active law.
- This is an attempt to keep officers, uh, retention efforts to go as far as... ...the retention efforts
- At the top is the active COLAs over the years in red.
- What the blue represents is the active COLAs, and the red is the retiree COLAs.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Education Committee Apr 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman Jonas, Representative Schatz, it's a team effort with this student.
- They're doing the relationship-building activities in their classrooms.
- ALICE training is an active shooter response training.
- Alice training is an active shooter response training.
- school districts supported a wide range of safety and compliance activities.
Summary:
The committee met to hear presentations on dual credit programs from North Dakota higher education leaders, a school superintendent, and teachers. Valley City State University described its dual credit model, emphasizing quality control through annual teacher training, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty qualification review, school visits, and pathways aimed at the College Studies Certificate. Members asked about teacher employment, course scheduling, revenue, scholarships, and whether a centralized model might improve efficiency; VCSU said most instructors are K-12 employees, online offerings are still small, and centralization could weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College similarly stressed access and partnerships, noting about half of its headcount is still in high school, with both online and face-to-face dual credit options, district reimbursement arrangements, and support for rural schools. Lake Region also said dual credit helps students who might not otherwise see themselves as college-bound, but reduced tuition can still be a barrier for some families.
Fargo Public Schools reported continued growth in dual credit, with 50 courses offered in partnership with several NDUS institutions and a 12.61% increase in participation. The superintendent highlighted a growing education pathway, including students completing Introduction to Education and field experience, and said the district is exploring a grow-your-own teacher pipeline. He also raised concerns about inconsistent institutional processes, teacher credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity, arguing for more aligned statewide systems. In response to questions, he said AP and dual credit can coexist, with AP often better for highly selective out-of-state colleges and dual credit better for students targeting North Dakota institutions, and he described some use of Arizona State online courses in earlier rural partnerships but said Fargo is focused on local institutions.
Two teachers then testified on the classroom perspective. A West Fargo anatomy and physiology teacher said dual credit has expanded access, lowered costs, and prepared students well, but agreed that foundational science courses may be more effective when taken later in high school to reduce knowledge loss before college. A Drake-Anamoose English teacher, who has taught dual credit for more than 20 years, said the program has supported many students who went on to a wide range of careers and emphasized that small rural schools rely on dual credit to provide opportunities they otherwise could not offer. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , have had to beef up their lobby teams in recent years because there has been a pretty concerted effort
- There was an effort to get all capacity firmed during the last session, but ultimately it was decided
- And so this would be an effort to try and avoid that more amicably and efficiently.
- As many of you know, Texas spent more than $11 billion on border security efforts.
- Such efforts help ensure system reliability.
Bills:
HB45, HB755, HB 1232, HB1555, HB2460, HB2702, HB2973, HB3120, HB3225, HB3314, HB3356, HB3371, HB3634, HB3638, HB4247, HB4283, HB4290, HB4302, HB4503, HB4511, HB4565, HB4581, HB4627, HB4632, HB4660, HB4668, HB4960, HB5042, HB45
Keywords:
housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Brantley, thank you very much for your ongoing efforts.
- Because through their efforts, Mr.
- So thank you for all that effort. And thank you for bringing the certificate.
- It's an assessment of the effectiveness of the efforts.
- So this bill is all about efforts, and I think it's important that those efforts be assessed.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, when the original application is placed, there is an insurable interest on that active employee
- People are still actively employed. Okay. People are still actively employed. Okay. Mr. Clark.
- And we appreciate the efforts here.
- And then the more we And we appreciate the efforts here.
- We've been actively working with Mr.
Summary:
The House Insurance Committee met with a quorum and took up three Senate bills. Senate Bill 341, by Senator Edmonds, was amended with technical changes and reported as amended. The bill expands the Louisiana churches and nonprofit religious organizations’ self-insured fund from a property-only pool to broader commercial coverage, including premises liability, fraud, contents, wind and hail, and loss-of-use coverage. Testimony from the sponsor and the Department of Insurance emphasized that the measure was intended to help churches and nonprofits, including smaller congregations, while preserving solvency requirements for the fund.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 509, by Senator Cloud, concerning bank-owned life insurance (BOLI). The sponsor, bank and insurance industry representatives, and the Department of Insurance discussed allowing banks to exchange underperforming policies for better-performing ones under 1035 exchanges, while clarifying insurable-interest and consent issues. Members raised questions about former employees, split-dollar arrangements, and whether additional consent would be needed. Because the parties were still working on a solution, the committee adopted a technical amendment but voluntarily deferred the bill until the following week.
Finally, Senate Bill 464, by Senator Barrow, was presented by Ryan Haney and the Department of Insurance as a framework to cover severe obesity treatment, including bariatric surgery. The bill would allow the state to partially implement the mandate based on the amount of funding appropriated, rather than requiring full funding up front. Supporters said the measure could reduce long-term health costs and align Louisiana more closely with neighboring states. The committee reported the bill favorably, and the meeting then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So thank you for championing those efforts and, you know, I plan to support this piece of legislation
- And, and the timing is, uh, today is a different time than it was when we started this effort in the
- Uh, when it comes to this industry and these efforts. Yeah, great. It's a great question.
- This cost includes labor resources and administrative efforts to address the issue.
- Reading through there like crazy because they know it's not an active zone.
Bills:
HB 341, HB 791, HB 1564, HB 1695, HB 1722, HB 1729, HB 1772, HB 2003, HB 2954, HB 2989, HB 3084, HB 3134, HB 3135, HB 3309, HB 3611, HB 3679, HB 3727, HB 3832
Keywords:
affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Sep 2nd, 2025
Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- They're highly supportive of this effort on our part.
- The next slide is class 6 primacy activity.
- A lot of seismic activity. How does seismic activity affect this, Chair Steinborn?
- So he starts to ask the question, is this really worth the effort?
- That effort is ongoing.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (01/15/2025)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- really important element to our effort really important element to our effort to<01:39:53.920>
- These are actively ongoing conversations to help address the serious concerns.
- These are actively ongoing conversations to help address the serious concerns.
- These are actively ongoing conversations to help address the serious concerns.
- These are actively ongoing conversations to help address the serious concerns.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Our youth activities, they need activities for summertime, same as a sing toaya that I seen hundreds
- Our youth activities, they need activities for summertime, same as a sing toaya that I seen hundreds
- Youth activities, they need activities for summertime, same as a sing toaya that I seen hundreds and
- <01:09:53.759>
public participate as the active public participate as the active public gathering - <01:23:43.800>
to file 319 is supporting our efforts to file 319 is supporting our efforts
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Press Conference: American Society of Civil Engineers Feb 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , we're excited to present the results of our 2025 Texas infrastructure report card, a monumental effort
- He's remained an active member of ASCE since college, serving as chair of several committees.
- Through our collective efforts, we strive to inspire positive change for all Texans across the state.
- The Texas Water Development Board has actively, has actively addressed these needs, providing more than
- It requires a collaborative effort from government, private sector, communities, federal governments,
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 6, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, it was definitely a multidisciplinary agency-coordinated effort.
- I mean, it was definitely a multidisciplinary agency-coordinated effort.
- I mean, it was definitely a multidisciplinary agency-coordinated effort.
- I mean, it was definitely a multidisciplinary agency coordinated effort.
- It's certainly a team effort and thank you for having us today. Thank you.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on reducing or modernizing professional regulation. HB 6015, by Rep. Oliver, repeals the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute to allow businesses more flexibility in container materials; members joked about the possibility of a Home Depot bucket, and the bill passed 16-0. HB 339, by Rep. Abbott, creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers based on employer recommendation and exam passage, but members raised concerns about qualifications, liability, and oversight; Abbott said he was open to amendments, and the bill passed 14-1 with Rep. Overdorf dissenting. HB 139, by Rep. Lopez, allows pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms instead of only printed forms; a technical amendment added readability and placement requirements for digital forms, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, lets the Department of Corrections coordinate with DBPR boards so inmates who complete licensure-related classes can receive credit toward professional licensure; supporters framed it as a second-chance and workforce bill, an amendment clarified that DBPR handles professions without boards, and the bill passed favorably 15-0.
The committee then received a presentation from DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin on the department’s role overseeing more than 1.7 million businesses and professionals across over 30 fields. She highlighted enforcement and complaint data, including more than 24,000 inspections and complaints handled in the last fiscal year, a preference for education and voluntary compliance over formal discipline, and the department’s alternative dispute resolution program, which returned $2.7 million to consumers and saved $270,000 in costs. Griffin also reviewed recent deregulatory and efficiency efforts, including endorsement/reciprocity reforms, fee waivers, reduced processing times, and shorter call wait times, and said DBPR is continuing to look for ways to cut red tape while protecting public safety.
Members questioned Griffin about permitting, continuing education, complaint processing, board vacancies, fraud in cosmetology and construction, coordination with other agencies, and whether schools can block students from taking state exams over unpaid tuition. DBPR staff said complaints are generally processed within 60 days, schools cannot bar graduates from taking the exam because of tuition debt, and the department works with other agencies when issues cross jurisdictional lines. The panel discussion that followed featured industry representatives from landscape architecture, building/code administration, pools, roofing, construction, HVAC/electrical, and hospitality, who generally supported reducing local permitting burdens, standardizing requirements, improving reciprocity and training pathways, and using technology and clearer scopes of work to make licensure and inspections more efficient.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Melvin was born and raised in Milroy, a third-generation farmer, a lifelong active member of St.
- um civilian uh maritime activity. um civilian uh maritime activity.
- <07:08:43.920>
Her <07:08:44.240>dedication or her volunteer efforts. - Her dedication or her volunteer efforts.
- And he was also very active in the Fort Worth chapter of Kappa Alphasai.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Asia/California Trade and Investment Aug 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We're active in 13 countries across the globe that represent 84% of all inbound travel.
- So we saw a drastic decrease in activities in those sectors, so that's one.
- These activities in Asia.
- We work on procurement activities.
- We work on procurement activities.
Summary:
The Assembly Select Committee on Asia, California, Trade and Investment held its first informational hearing to examine California’s economic ties with Asia, the effects of federal tariffs, and ways the state can strengthen trade, investment, tourism, and subnational diplomacy. Chair Jessica Caloza opened by emphasizing California’s role as the world’s fourth-largest economy and a major exporter to Asia, and several members and guests highlighted the importance of AAPI communities, sister-city relationships, and coordinated state outreach. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis described California’s trade missions, APEC hosting, and ongoing climate and trade partnerships, while Japan’s deputy consul general underscored Japan’s role as a major investor and trading partner and encouraged continued engagement.
The first panel, featuring leaders from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation/World Trade Center Los Angeles, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and Visit California, focused on trade, tourism, and investment trends. Witnesses said tariffs and federal uncertainty are disrupting logistics, manufacturing, business travel, higher education, and tourism, with particular concern about port activity, international student declines, and reduced visitation from Asia. They urged California to remain “open for business,” invest in promotion and infrastructure, and use trade missions, MOUs, and sister-city ties to maintain relationships and attract investment.
The second panel, with economist Kyle Handley and trade expert Glenn Fukushima, focused on the mechanics and consequences of tariffs. Both said tariffs function as taxes on importers and consumers, raise costs for businesses, and create uncertainty that delays investment, hiring, and supply-chain decisions. They warned that California is especially exposed because of its ports, cross-border trade, and reliance on global supply chains, and said new federal vessel fees and shifting trade routes could divert commerce away from California. They argued that the long-term damage includes lost growth and reduced U.S. credibility, and recommended that California “tariff-proof” its economy through faster ports, better infrastructure, export assistance, and reduced permitting barriers.
In the final panel, representatives from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Asian Business Association California, and the Small Business Development Center emphasized future opportunities and the needs of small businesses. They said California should deepen ties with Asia through conventions, tourism, and sector-specific partnerships in life sciences, clean tech, semiconductors, hospitality, and small business trade. The witnesses stressed that small and minority-owned businesses need more access to trade missions, capital, technical assistance, and state support, and that California’s economic strength depends on coordinated efforts across regions and industries.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 14th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He also served on several activities, Lincoln Police Activities League Board of Directors.
- Joyner was very active on social media, and so I reached out.
- But yet these efforts totally fly in the face of that.
- Every dollar in SNAP generates up to $1.8 in local economic activity.
- And local economic activity.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, adopted the previous day’s journal, and handled several procedural motions, including suspending rules to allow committee notices and moving some bills and items on and off the file. Members also introduced a number of guests and fellows on the floor, including Equality California Comcast Fellows, tribal youth visitors, interns, local officials, and community representatives.
On the floor file, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1216 (TK-12 omnibus education technical changes), AB 377 (high-speed rail), and AB 951 (health care coverage), and adopted ACR 103 declaring July 14-18, 2025 as California Western Monarch Protection Week. The body also adopted AJR 18, a resolution calling for an official legislative apology to California Native Americans for historic injustices and affirming support for healing and reconciliation, and ACR 71 designating a portion of State Route 101 as the Little Saigon Freeway. Each of these measures drew supportive remarks from multiple members, and co-author rolls were opened before final adoption.
The Assembly also adopted SCR 66 proclaiming Law Day, after a lengthy partisan debate over the rule of law, executive power, and recent federal and state actions; the resolution was ultimately adopted by voice vote after 51 co-authors were added. Members then adopted SJR 3 urging Congress to reverse SNAP cuts and protect CalFresh benefits, with debate focused on food insecurity, fraud, work requirements, and the impact on low-income Californians; the resolution passed with 69 ayes and no noes after 70 co-authors were added. SB 757, authorizing local governments to use nuisance abatement liens or special assessments to collect abatement costs, also passed 68-0, and ACR 94 on anti-microbial resistance was adopted on the consent calendar.
The session concluded with adjournments in memory honoring Jane Day, agricultural leader John C. Harris, and Willie Earl Arno, followed by announcements of committee meetings and the schedule for the next floor session. The Assembly adjourned until Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 9 a.m.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- In an effort to be consistent, I'm just not seeing an argument.
- So I applaud your efforts on this.
- Regarding numbers, there are 350 active boxes in 20 states, including Florida.
- Regarding numbers, there are 350 active boxes in 20 states, including Florida.
- They have high volumes of activities.
Summary:
The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates.
The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding.
A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment.
Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAM-HHS, WAM-TRS Informational Briefings 01-15-2026
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is another activity where we've spent an tremendous amount of effort to remain in place.
- inordinate amount of effort inordinate amount of effort understanding<00:02:28.640>
the <00 - Other notable one was more effort.
- >
where <00:05:22.240>we've this is another activity where we've this is another activity - and security activities. and security activities.
Summary:
The Department of Health presented its supplemental budget requests and described several sources of uncertainty affecting federal funding, including policy changes, shutdown-related disruptions, and shifting appropriations proposals in Congress. Officials said some federal grants had been terminated and then restored, but the department still faces added administrative burden to access funds. They also said trust in public health institutions has declined, and outlined efforts to respond through community engagement, website cleanup, social media, and transparency dashboards.
The department highlighted staffing and operations issues, noting a 29.7% vacancy rate and the success of its hiring pilot under Act 291, which has hired 38 candidates with an average 95-day hiring timeline. On the budget side, officials said the supplemental request includes increases in general, special, and revolving funds, and they walked through the first major general fund item for emergency medical services. After discussion, they said the EMS request was reduced from $8 million to $4.5 million to cover collective bargaining increases and keep contracts whole through August 2027.
Behavioral health items included the payment crisis center in Ewa, which has connected more than 2,000 people to services, though roughly one-third remain unconnected or return frequently. Members questioned the quality of follow-up data and whether the program is reducing repeat use. The department also discussed state hospital decompression efforts, including use of the behavioral health crisis center, transfers to community hospitals, neighbor-island placements, and direct discharge to long-term care facilities; officials said the hospital is licensed for 292 beds and has seen census pressures rise again.
A substantial portion of the hearing focused on Kalaupapa/Kalawao jurisdiction and preservation after patient care ends. Members pressed the department on the lack of a clear statewide plan, the roles of DOH, DNR, and DHHL, and what happens to land, buildings, and the cemetery after the last patient leaves. DOH said the current law is unclear on an end date, that the proposed bill would change the law, and that the landowners’ agreements with the National Park Service and each other will shape the transition. Officials said they would provide more information at a later hearing.