Transcript Highlights:

• Based on that and other reasons, I move that.
• And she does it for the right reasons.
• Do you see any reason to close these 10 centers?
• NASA and commercial space companies is a critical part of space exploration efforts.
• This data underpins climate action efforts at every level of the globe.

Keywords: state policy, governance, legislative processes, public concerns, policy improvement

Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page two, this explains the reason, reasons for the biennial changes, which total a net decrease of
• What is the, what The reason, what's the reason leadership, leadership and focus and then of course the
• But there's reasons we have, but there's reasons we have laws in, in many areas of our state against
• so good reasons.
• Within reason, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason taxpayers will save is to avoid inflation by moving the project smoothly, faster.
• The reason why we started looking at this area is mainly because we want to help working families.
• Can you describe a little bit more in detail what these outreach efforts look like in practice?
• <01:08:29.679> You're wasting a lot of time and effort.
• You're wasting a lot of time and effort.

Bills: SB2198, SB2140, SB3055, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2761

Keywords: workforce development, craftspersons, skilled trades, artisan, craftsmanship, trade recognition, award program, DLIR, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, vocational education, career pathways, cultural preservation, workforce excellence, apprenticeship, Hawaii trades, economic diversification, public nominations, governor awards, historically significant venue

Transcript Highlights:

• objective, and retailers support efforts objective, and retailers support efforts that<00:09:51.560
• In my mind, it's a failed effort.
• In my mind, it's a failed effort.
• "Reasoning?" "Reasoning?"
• <01:07:24.440> why credible reason why credible reason why these<01:07:26.000> systems<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a cleanup effort that is providing clarity to a very complicated issue.
• Yes, thank you, and I, too, rise in opposition and for some other reasons, so I went.
• So outside of the reasons of my smaller counties, they want to be able to do this.
• It simply is just a paper on there, and for those reasons. I ask for your no vote on this.
• Define standards such as reasonable diligence, no consistent statewide standard exists.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and for that reason we think it may be a better idea to just get rid of this program entirely.
• Uh and for that reason<00:22:56.880> we<00:22:57.039> think<00:22:57.120> it<00:
• So it's a statewide effort that we're looking at, um, how they're going to go about it.
• <00:28:01.120> that So this a it's a statewide effort that So this a it's a statewide effort
• Keep this program, but yet you guys aren't making the effort to revise it so that it's relevant.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Senate Committee on Education, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing heard House Bill 1088 HD1, which would exempt housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) from school impact fees. The Department of Education said it was open to working with DHHL and the Legislature, including possibly eliminating the construction-cost portion of the fee for DHHL and other government affordable housing projects, but it wanted to retain the land-dedication requirement for future school sites where growth would exceed existing school capacity. The School Facilities Authority supported the bill, and DHHL strongly supported it, noting that its testimony referenced an earlier emergency proclamation but that the exemption remains in the current proclamation. DHHL also said it had no objection to a proposed amendment from the Wahiawa Hawaiian Homestead Association. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii testified in opposition to the broader school impact fee program, arguing that the fund has accumulated about $29 million that has not been spent and citing concerns raised in State Auditor Report 19-13, including administrative and constitutional issues. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the fee system is being applied fairly, especially to smaller projects and homeowners, and whether the districts and calculations used to assess fees have been updated. Members questioned the DOE and SFA about the distinction between land and construction costs, the use of fees in areas like Kīhei, Kalihi, Ala Moana, and Ewa, and whether the department had revisited district calculations as recommended in the audit. DOE said it had collected about $500,000 in construction money and $2.8 million in land contributions for Kalihi-related areas, and said it would follow up on questions about land conveyances and district updates. After discussion, the chair called for a vote. The Education committee recommended passing HB 1088 HD1 as is, with Senator San Buenaventura voting with reservation and Senators Ihara and Kole voting aye. The recommendation was adopted. The Housing committee then also deferred the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• to continue to embolden with the effort to continue to embolden with the good<00:10:10.680> work<
• reason that they're deciding to leave. reason that they're deciding to leave.
• Thank you for taking the time and effort to interview me for the Labor Appeals Board vacancy.
• And they should only be appealed when there's good reason for it.
• <00:31:47.120> for appealed when there's good reason for appealed when there's good reason

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several gubernatorial nominations to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council and one nomination to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board. For GM 779, Mark Fong Su Wat said he would bring his experience as an electrician and labor community member to workforce development, and he committed to serving if confirmed. Testimony was unanimously supportive, with 10 in support and none opposed, and the committee voted to recommend advise and consent; the recommendation was adopted. For GM 792, Sheryl Cross sought a second term on the Workforce Development Council and described her work on employer engagement, military veteran affairs, and military spouse employment. In response to questions, she emphasized the need to better connect military spouses, underrepresented workers, and students pursuing trades or non-college pathways to jobs, including through school academies and online hiring initiatives. The item was held for later decision-making. For GM 793, Ashley Lohua, also nominated to the Workforce Development Council, said her focus would be helping people stay in Hawaii by improving job retention, listening to community concerns, and building pathways between sectors. Support testimony highlighted her work with marginalized communities and her empathy and leadership. She told the committee she would use her nonprofit and HR experience to help address vacancies and workforce barriers; the item was also held for later decision-making. For GM 774, Douglas Thomas Moore, nominated to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, said his first priority would be reducing the backlog. He proposed using informal conferences and mediation to speed workers’ compensation appeals and suggested recruiting more practitioners, especially younger ones, into the field. The committee noted 11 supportive testimonies and no opposition; no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it being used for the right reasons or the wrong reasons?
• They can't get a warrant unless they have, you know, the reasonable suspicion or the probable cause,
• They can't investigate without making sure that there's a reason to investigate, and that's protected
• My sort of question and debate topic for the chair is the following: Is this an effort to consolidate
• Is there debate on the amendment or the reason why Barney left? Seeing none.

Bills: S0086, S0642, S0712, S0758, S0896, S1224, S1300, S1370, S1712

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, bail bond, insurance regulation, foreign insurers, financial disclosure, premium reporting, pyramid schemes, consumer protection, fraud prevention, legal affairs, penalties, justice, administrative commission, membership, state attorneys, public defenders

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1300 on education and workforce development for current and former inmates. Senator Claudio explained that the bill is intended to expand collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections to provide training opportunities tied to Florida’s need for CDL drivers. The bill was reported favorably without debate. Members then considered SB 896 on campus safety, as amended by strike-all and late-filed amendment. The bill would require postsecondary institutions to adopt active assailant response plans, conduct security risk assessments, improve threat reporting and information sharing, and allow voluntary participation in the guardian program; the late-filed amendment removed a prohibition on guardians wearing uniforms. After questions about the firearm-discharge provision near campuses and testimony both for and against, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens, SB 642 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and confirmed appointees listed on tabs 10 through 19. The committee next heard SB 712 on pyramid promotional schemes, which would create a new prohibition and increase penalties while preserving legitimate direct sales plans. Members raised concerns about whether participants in such schemes might themselves be victims, and the sponsor said prosecutorial discretion would distinguish victims from primary wrongdoers; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1224 on rental housing application fraud was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from apartment and realtor groups in support. In the latter part of the meeting, Chair Martin presented SB 1370 to expand habitual traffic offender status to repeated unlicensed driving, and SB 1712 to create a statewide FDLE counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit. SB 1370 was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1712 drew extensive questioning and public opposition over concerns about broad language, surveillance, and possible impacts on speech and protest, but the sponsor said the unit would focus on protecting the state from adversary intelligence threats and operate within constitutional limits; it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission was amended to adjust commission membership and reported favorably unanimously. The committee then recorded additional votes for members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh that particular uh effort<00:17:33.600> uh effort uh effort uh identified<00:17:36.799>
• c><00:38:50.800> resolved<00:38:51.200> note reason for the partially resolved note reason
• > major<00:52:37.599> reason<00:52:37.839> I other reason the other major reason
• I other reason the other major reason I would<00:52:38.240> say<00:52:38.400> would<00
• Just personally reasons, right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened by approving the September 5, 2025 minutes, with one member asking that future minutes use honorifics such as Mr. or Ms. The agenda was then adjusted so Police Standards and Training could present first. Director John Skipa reported on the 2019 performance audit, saying 12 of 16 findings were fully resolved and the remaining items were substantially or partially resolved. He highlighted work on a job task analysis to update curriculum and develop a more realistic physical aptitude test, including possible replacement of the long-used Cooper test and a shift away from mandatory baton training toward electronic weapons training. He said stakeholder work groups would meet in October and November, with a goal of completing the work by the first quarter of 2026. On the strategic planning and performance measurement finding, Skipa said the agency had relied on the 2019 audit and the LEAC report as guides while also implementing a digital records system. He acknowledged that a formal forward-looking strategic plan with the council had not yet been completed, but said he and the council chair wanted to do so, possibly through a retreat-style planning session. Members asked how many LEAC recommendations had been fully implemented; Skipa said he did not know the exact number but believed nearly all of the 22 items assigned to his agency were complete. On the administrative rules finding, he said a part-time former director had been brought back to help revise outdated rules, the council subcommittee had finished its work, and proposed changes would be sent to the full council, then to stakeholders and the public, with a public hearing expected and implementation targeted for 2026. For the Corrections Advisory Committee finding, Skipa said the committee had been reconvened in 2020 and 2021 but had limited usefulness because the statutorily named members were mostly high-level administrators rather than line supervisors or newer corrections staff. He said some positions later went unfilled because of budget and staffing issues, and the committee had not been called back, but he was open to either informal adjustments or possible legislative changes to make the committee more useful. Committee members suggested that the statute may need to be amended to allow more appropriate designees or supervisors to participate. After Police Standards and Training concluded, the committee moved on to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, where the executive director said he would focus on the partially resolved items in the dental examiner audit and the National Path audit, noting that many changes were tied to recent statutory revisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, you know, we have a very diverse business plan and effort here.
• Uh traditional freight uh effort here.
• Uh, we have actively reached out through business development efforts.
• Um, it was not our for several reasons.
• <00:48:10.720> obviously, reasons, the the equipment obviously, reasons, the the equipment

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 20 January, 2026: 8:45 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard an update from the Mississippi State Port Authority at the Port of Gulfport on operations, finances, and recent developments. The port emphasized that it is an enterprise agency that does not seek state general fund support, and reported a regional economic impact of $3.8 billion, about $62 million in state and local taxes, and thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The witness highlighted growth in refrigerated cargo, especially efforts to bring more Mississippi poultry through Gulfport, along with continued container traffic and intermodal work. Several major investments and new business lines were discussed. Ports America is required under its lease to invest $43 million, and the port recently received a fourth crane, a $20 million investment that allows two vessels to be worked simultaneously. The port also announced American Cruise Lines stops in Gulfport, which is expected to bring high-end cruise passengers spending time and money locally. Additional updates included growth in technology and blue economy activity at the Roger F. Wicker Center, NOAA’s autonomous vessel operations center, Oceanero’s workforce expansion, and military moves that generated about 70,000 man-hours of local labor. Committee members asked about the FY27 budget, travel, and capital outlay requests. The port said the travel increase was for flexibility and that it spends conservatively, and explained that the larger capital figures reflect a strategic plan and potential private-sector and grant-funded projects rather than expected annual spending. The FY27 request was described as a slight decrease from the prior year, with the main salary increase tied to PERS and health insurance costs, and no special appropriations language was requested. Members also discussed the effort to regain chicken exports through Gulfport, including plans for a future freezer warehouse and the impact of the Kansas City Southern railroad merger, which the port said has had some hiccups but may help in the long run.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason we have debates is to learn and come to an understanding.
• I'm also interested in what the census efforts are happening right now.
• I really appreciate it and want to acknowledge all of your efforts too.
• We acknowledge all the lawmakers' efforts.
• The reason why obviously this has huge impacts on Gallup, but the reason why the state and the United

Transcript Highlights:

• And I feel like there's usually a backstory behind this for some reason.
• Often with little or no effort to actually improve accessibility.
• The gentleman that's actually going to testify was the reason for that.
• The gentleman that's actually going to testify was the reason for that.
• I think the primary thing is: what is the reasoning for these lawsuits?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason for that is there is a shortage of homes.
• There's no reason why there shouldn't be a blackout period.
• There is no clear effort to highlight is there a conflict of interest.
• So for those reasons, we're happy to support the bill today.
• I strongly support the bill for all the reasons stated.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for potentially a couple of reasons.
• And yet no notification made to the 811 center is one of the top reasons for damage.
• It's for this very reason. So it is truly a one call.
• And there's a reason that we talk about no exemptions.
• There is a reason that we talk about consistency.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CSAC supports efforts to ensure that public funds are spent wisely.
• So thank you for your efforts. I completely concur.
• For these reasons, I will not be supporting the bill.
• For these reasons, Local 1000 supports AB 1807 and is grateful...
• That reasoning has no stopping point.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason we didn't need this 20 years ago is because we had a better judiciary.
• There's a specific reason for that. There's four provisions in the Constitution.
• For these reasons we are opposed to SB 9. Thank you.
• It is very reasonable.
• One I 3 reasons for your consideration. First as year.

Bills: SB9, SB1047, SB1048, SJR17, SJR49, SB40, SJR1, SJR5, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 1

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• the vital role nonprofits play in disaster relief and how the state can continue to support that effort
• As I shared, we're still finding new families every week for different reasons that are finally coming
• So thank you so much, and thank you all three of you for your ongoing efforts in this particular space
• So thank you so much, and thank you all three of you for your ongoing efforts in this particular space
• We'll continue to persist on all the effort and advocacy that we're doing. So, thank you.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery. Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps. Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if there is an exception, I'm sure there's a very good reason for that.
• That was the reason behind the amendment.
• I can promise you that this effort has been collaborative.
• And that's one of the reasons why I'm bringing this bill. I have four kids.
• I appreciate your effort on all of these.

Bills: HR171, HCR49, HB632, HB1084, SB310, SB351, SB399

Keywords: HR171, House Resolution 171, M.J. Foster Promise Program, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Tech Award, Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCATCS, financial aid, scholarship, workforce development, career training, technical education, vocational education, postsecondary credential, associate degree, industry-based credential, high-demand jobs, high-wage occupations

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, for those reasons, I allowed.
• For these reasons, I respectfully oppose this bill.
• respectfully<00:34:14.159> oppose For these reasons, I respectfully oppose For these reasons
• for, you know, various reasons. for, you know, various reasons.
• Thank you again for your<00:57:56.000> efforts. your efforts. your efforts.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Efforts also include equipping clinicians with cultural competency.
• Were any historical expenditures, or have they been in the past, evaluated for reasonableness?
• So I do not believe it's a reasonability issue.
• It's not the reasonability. We have written approved cost allocation plans from the apartment.
• So I do not believe it's a reasonability issue.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Dr. Kelly O’Dare on first responder behavioral health access, peer support, and suicide prevention. She described UCF Restores, the Second Alarm Project, and related partnerships that provide culturally competent treatment, peer training, clinician education, disaster response support, and behavioral health navigation. She cited survey and state data showing significant rates of sleep problems, anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide among Florida first responders, and said evidence-based treatment has helped many patients recover, including a reported 76% who no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria after treatment. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, peer support standards, and whether the state should create more consistent statewide requirements; O’Dare said peer support training must be specialized, linked to higher levels of care, and supported by sustainable funding and statewide coordination. The committee also heard from a public commenter who supported the work and emphasized the need for adequate resources and peer support infrastructure. The committee then received a Department of Children and Families presentation from Casey Penn on the proposed funding methodology for community-based care lead agencies under HB 7089. Penn explained that the new model is intended to be actuarially based, reimbursement-oriented, and more transparent than prior funding approaches, using historical expenditures, standardized reporting, and two main tiers: Tier 1 for largely fixed administrative and operational costs, and Tier 2 for direct child-serving costs based on per-child-per-month blended rates. He said the model includes a 2% risk corridor for Tier 2, hold-harmless funding in the first year, and optional Tier 3 performance incentives, with an estimated additional state appropriation need after offsets. Senators raised concerns about prevention, historical inequities, reasonableness of costs, administrative overhead, blended state and federal funds, adoption subsidies, high-acuity placements, and disaster-related disruptions. Penn said some of those issues could be addressed in future iterations as the child welfare information system is modernized, and he agreed to provide written responses to committee questions. Representatives of the Florida Coalition for Children and CBCs responded that the model is a major improvement but urged additional safeguards, including an administrative cap, clearer separation of direct and indirect costs, and better treatment of federal and pass-through funds. They argued that the system already has oversight and that deficits reflect insufficient appropriations rather than excess spending, while also noting that higher-acuity children and regional differences can drive costs. No votes were taken on either topic, and the meeting ended with committee staff introductions and adjournment.