Transcript Highlights:

• back backlog deficit of $480<01:10:27.120> million<01:10:28.000> for<01:10:28.239>
• of is much severe than the construction of is much severe than any<01:29:59.880> motorized<01
• :30:00.400> Trail<01:30:00.760> construction any motorized Trail construction any motorized
• Trail construction included<01:30:02.320> as<01:30:02.520> part<01:30:02.679> of
• It will drastically increase time and cost to construct and expand new trails and routes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just talking about how impressed I am with the construction workers, as they're not slowing down
• The construction is looking forward to opening next year. Yes, next year is the hope.
• One thing I noticed on the slide is you mentioned the CDC and the backlog, and then you talked about
• We have started construction there. It's 50 units of supportive housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll think joint base joint basing construct between the Air Force and Navy at Joint Base Pearl Harbor
• , Hickam, has led to extensive infrastructure and military construction delays, including at the Hickam
• the Navy, the new Secretary of the Navy, between the Navy and the Air Force on the need these construction
• something so that they can eliminate bottlenecks. could do just-in-time ordering, they know what's backlogged

Keywords: Air Force modernization, fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, air superiority, national security, recapitalization

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on military procurement and modernization, with significant discussions surrounding the Air Force's capabilities and strategic needs. Key topics included the urgent need for recapitalization of the Air Force's fighter squadrons, as well as the importance of integrating new technologies like autonomous systems to bolster military effectiveness. Several senators raised concerns about the current resources available to the Air National Guard and the potential loss of skilled service members if recapitalization plans are not swiftly developed. There were also discussions on the importance of maintaining air superiority in light of evolving threats, particularly from adversaries like China.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should you have money for a C-Cap, we're asking for money to... ...construct a new health professions
• introduced in HB1, supporting the formula, the National Research Support Fund. and potentially the trip backlog
• breast cancer biopsies, the Palme's coronary artery stent, HER2 breast cancer target, MRI image construction
• So fortunately as you know the bond election of last year allowed us to now start the construction for

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is some of the backlog. It's not all of it, but just a nuance there.
• It's not all of it, but um just backlog.
• <00:23:03.919> by to further reduce the backlog by to further reduce the backlog by streamlining
• <00:25:08.559> So<00:25:08.880> they that we get that backlog down.
• So they that we get that backlog down.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 525, which would have transferred administration of the program for the deaf and hard of hearing and the related board to OPLC. The chair said the sponsor was no longer interested in moving forward, and Representative Schmidt moved ITL. The motion passed 14-0 with two members absent, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee then considered Senate Bill 182 on the maternal mortality review committee. The chair described a narrower amendment that would keep the name change, clarify operations so recommendations are returned to the appropriate entities, and expand contact with family members and close contacts, while dropping a proposed addition of a Department of Corrections member. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then moved ITL and placed on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 185, dealing with OPLC investigations and backlog reduction, received an update from OPLC General Counsel Nicholas Fry. He described efforts to improve public communication, clear the complaint backlog, standardize intake and expert review, add automated responses and website updates, use weekly legal-viability reviews, create preliminary investigation protocols, and establish a process for law-enforcement referrals. Members asked about board involvement and criminal-conviction cases; Fry said boards are kept informed and that such matters can proceed either through complaints or application/background-check processes. Representative Groa requested a follow-up update in January, and the committee agreed to an oral report then if needed. The bill was then voted ITL unanimously and placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 349 on optometrists performing ophthalmologic laser procedures. Dr. Angelique Sawyer testified in support, saying the amendment adds more specific proctoring and qualification requirements, based on language requested after earlier hearings, and that similar systems exist in other states. Representative Sers confirmed that the new sections were the key additions, while Representative Schmidt said he remained open to the concept but wanted a thorough review and asked about a subcommittee. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no vote recorded on HB 349.

Transcript Highlights:

• It imposes a two-year moratorium on new applications to allow DHS to work through the current backlog
• the IC program, in questions as to program utilization, setting approval timelines. associated with backlog
• Service uh associated with backlog Service uh setting<00:03:45.519> reviews<00:03:46.519>
• <00:03:58.560> and<00:03:58.680> it through uh the current backlog and it through uh
• the current backlog and it directs<00:03:59.159> DHS<00:03:59.560> to<00:03:59.879>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those numbers were significantly higher, so we are still working on clearing out a backlog of cases.
• And how much backlog do we have? So we are... and rectifying that.
• Despite efforts to prioritize and close these cases in recent months, the backlog remains a significant
• Services Commission, it was underfunded and grossly understaffed, which resulted in an unacceptable backlog
• BHEC's Executive Director and staff made eliminating those backlogs a top priority, and the LPC board

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• currently applicants for adult foster homes who want to be licensed or certified, but there is a backlog
• /c><00:14:30.920> not<00:14:31.160> there's<00:14:31.320> a<00:14:31.519> backlog
• <00:14:31.959> that and they're not there's a backlog that and they're not there's a backlog

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard several resolutions focused on health care access, Medicaid services, and regulatory reform. SR 6 urged the Director of Health to create a working group on health insurance reform to reduce prior authorization delays; testimony was generally supportive, with DHS, SHIPA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and HMSA all offering comments or support. SHIPA said House Bill 250 would provide a better mechanism for the same goal, but the committee still moved forward with the resolution. SR 7 asked DHS Med-QUEST to cover behavioral health services for children in school-based settings, and SR 9 sought a program to incentivize community care foster family homes to accept people eligible under the Medicaid IDD waiver program. DHS supported the intent of both measures but raised concerns about regulatory limits. Testifiers on SR 9, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, argued the state should be more creative in expanding residential capacity, especially on the neighbor islands, while the chair questioned whether the barriers were state administrative rules or federal requirements. The committee also heard SC 14/SR 10 on a sunrise analysis for lactation consultant licensure. Supporters said lactation services can improve health outcomes and save costs, and that Medicaid coverage remains limited. After discussion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations: SR 6 and SC 14/SR 10 were passed with technical, non-substantive amendments; SR 7 was deferred; and SR 9 was deferred for further work. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• administrative burden at a time when there are numerous other priorities, including reducing application backlogs
• HB 4045, construction defects. Commerce. HB 436, technical correction. Education.
• HB 4045, construction defects. Commerce. HB 436, technical correction. Education.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and several proclamations and recognitions, including International Mother Language Day, Nurses Day at the Capitol, Environmental Day, Arizona Aerospace Day, Childhelp, Teamsters Local 104, and African American Legislative Day. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and three excused. The chamber also handled routine business such as committee reports, bill referrals, first and second readings, and announcements of upcoming committee meetings. The main floor action centered on House Bill 2785, a tax conformity measure. Members debated it at length, with supporters arguing it would make tax forms legal, align Arizona with federal tax changes, and provide tax relief to taxpayers and small businesses, while opponents said it was an unpaid tax cut for wealthy individuals and corporations that would force cuts to health care, education, SNAP, and other services. The House passed HB 2785 on a 32-26 vote with two not voting and sent it to the Senate. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and considered several Health and Human Services and Commerce bills. HB 2190, HB 2206, HB 2396, HB 2442, HB 2448, HB 2688, HB 2689, HB 2690, HB 2796, and HB 2797 were debated, with most receiving do-pass recommendations after amendments. Testimony focused heavily on SNAP policy, including payment error rates, work and training requirements, food restrictions, and waiver authority, with Democrats warning of added burdens and reduced access for eligible families and Republicans arguing the bills would improve accountability, nutrition, and compliance with federal law. HB 2689, which would collect hospital patients’ immigration status on a voluntary basis, drew strong opposition over concerns it would deter people from seeking care; it was still reported out of committee, though a later motion to amend the committee report to show HB 2689 failed was rejected 24-32. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, and several bills were referred to engrossing before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the short version is, if you can commence construction of a solar and wind project—I'm talking utility
• then importantly, The Treasury rules around all of this—around what is FIOC, what is commenced construction—all
• shortages, especially for transformers, which, by the way, are all custom-built and frequently backlogged

Transcript Highlights:

• We do look forward to constructively engaging in a conversation should this bill move forward.
• facilities to schedule and perform upgrades, especially in rural areas with limited labor pools and construction
• However, despite their proactive efforts, unavoidable delays such as excessive permitting backlogs and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are going to be kind of a separate, um, building construction method. Thank you.
• , we had, if you might be experienced or some of your constituents experienced, we did have long backlogs
• mobile homes and currently owning some mobile homes, uh, just, uh, what the standards as far as 24 construction

Bills: HB303

Keywords: jail standards, living conditions, Harris County jail, safety, inmate welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that sort of thing is going to start to materialize within the Medicaid construct specifically
• I think that sort of thing is going to start to materialize within the Medicaid construct specifically
• My question kind of revolves around hospital staffing and emergency room backlog that we've kind of all
• That was beneficial to the town, helped with staffing issues on the fire department, as well as backlogging
• maybe an easier pathway to licensing some of these EMS partners so that we can reduce some of the backlog

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you doing the Department of Public Construction as well? Yes. Okay, thanks, Michael.
• Are you doing the Department of Public Construction as well? Yes. Okay, thanks, Michael.
• We started with July of 2024, so there was essentially an 18-month backlog.
• We started with July of 2024, so there was essentially an 18-month backlog.
• populated and will allow for tracking of inactive and active licenses and registrations once the backlog

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it just backlogs a system of non-appropriate care.
• <00:20:30.600> a<00:20:30.840> system<00:20:31.320> of and so it just backlogs
• a system of and so it just backlogs a system of non-appropriate<00:20:32.360> care<00:20:32.720
• will help to put more appropriate children in more appropriate placements and reduce some of that backlog
• no web or mobile capabilities backlogs no web or mobile capabilities despite<01:26:35.360> social

Bills: HF1380, HF1166, HF487, HF1553, HF1472, HF258, HF1911

Keywords: psychiatric treatment, human services, mental health funding, per diem rate, Clay County, disability services, assistive technology, remote support, advocacy, training programs, HF487, Wellness in the Woods, Minnesota human services, grant funding, general fund appropriation, peer support, substance use recovery, addiction recovery, reentry services, reentry after incarceration

Transcript Highlights:

• This solution will reduce the existing backlog while ensuring stakeholders receive their day in court
• This solution will reduce the<04:44:17.120> existing<04:44:17.600> backlog<04:44:18.080
• > while<04:44:18.400> ensuring the existing backlog while ensuring the existing backlog
• This bill addresses the backlog of appeals before the Interior Board of Land Appeals, or IBLA.
• The ERA creates an extensive backlog.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is also to note that there are specific construction activities...
• So there is a change in that construction horizon that's happened.
• We do need funds in hand to begin construction.
• The timing of transit in this is all guided by that construction sequencing.
• We are also looking to advance construction.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the first slide shows that there is a tremendous backlog of both matters pending before the
• of these applications and 3.4 million backlog of immigration court cases. those who are applying for
• > million<00:30:47.520> backlog<00:30:48.159> of<00:30:48.480> immigration
• > and 3.4 million backlog of immigration and 3.4 million backlog of immigration court<00:30:49.279>
• Um, in Hawaii alone, as of I believe August, data showed that there was a backlog in our own Honolulu

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented. Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families. Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record. Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• from our perspective at the Office of the State Auditor, $20,000 a year wasn't enough to address the backlog
• which people could self-certify to a hundred thousand dollars, it would cut down on some of this backlog
• And so if they don't need the funding, they don't come in, and that's how they end up with backlogged

Transcript Highlights:

• It's kind of the list of the projects that were deferred or delayed, i.e. the construction funding was
• It's kind of the list of the projects that were deferred or delayed, i.e. the construction funding was
• /c><00:42:58.079> as<00:42:58.240> what<00:42:58.400> their<00:42:58.640> backlog
• <00:42:59.440> I as far as what their backlog would be.
• I as far as what their backlog would be.

Keywords: 1189, house, all