Transcript Highlights:

• We also have with us Darrell Parker, Court Executive Officer, Santa Barbara Superior Court, Chair of
• the Court Executives Advisory Committee; Caitlin O'Neill, Legislative Analysis Office; and Anita Lee,
• I also am here as the chair of the Court Executive Advisory Committee, representing the 58 court executives
• So I'm here as the chair of the Court Executive Advisory Committee, representing the 58 court executives
• My name is Linnell He, and I'm the Executive Director of Appellate Defenders.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you negotiate with the unions for the judicial branch, or does the executive branch negotiate for
• Do you negotiate with the unions for the judicial branch, or does the executive branch negotiate for
• Do you negotiate with the unions for the judicial branch, or does the executive branch negotiate for
• We do not, uh, we do not go through the executive branch. Eric, thank you. Thank you.
• branch negotiate for those executive branch negotiate for those employee<00:29:44.919> unions

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee heard a presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on the Minnesota judicial branch’s 2026-27 budget request. He outlined the courts’ structure and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court cases annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. Shorba emphasized the courts’ constitutional role, the fact that court fines and fees are deposited into the general fund rather than retained by the branch, and recent legislative investments that helped reduce pandemic-era backlogs, improve technology, sustain treatment courts, and raise interpreter and examiner pay. The budget request focused on several areas: a 6% judicial salary increase to address recruitment and retention problems, including a 15% rise in turnover and a 27% drop in applicants since 2020; funding for health care and office lease cost increases; digital accessibility compliance work required by new federal ADA rules; a modernized justice partner access system for court records; higher pay for forensic psychological examiners, whose workload has risen sharply; increased juror compensation from $20 to $100 per day and mileage adjustments; and ongoing funding for interpreters, jury services, and cybersecurity. Shorba said the total request would be a 12% increase over the FY 2026-27 base budget. Members asked follow-up questions about funding for newly launched treatment courts and how those courts are financed after federal grants expire. Shorba said he would provide more detail later and noted the branch generally starts treatment courts with federal funding before seeking state support. Representative Ric also asked about labor negotiations, and Shorba explained that the judicial branch negotiates its own contracts rather than using the executive branch, with three unions involved and many unrepresented employees. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:21.480> board officer as well as an executive board officer as well as an executive
• As you know, the statewide safety council that is continuing to meet was set up by an executive order
• My name is Katie Kramer, and I'm the co-executive director of Violence Free Minnesota.
• :34.320> Alexandra the co-executive director of Alexandra the co-executive director of Alexandra
• /c><01:03:47.280> of<01:03:47.400> Justice Executive Director of Office of Justice Executive

Bills: HF4446, HF4066, HF1082

Keywords: public safety officer, survivor benefits, line of duty death, occupational cancer, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, correctional officer, first responder, workers' compensation, death benefits, occupational exposure, carcinogen, cancer presumption, mesothelioma, leukemia, lung cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I thought that was reflecting a commitment to execute those parts of that consulting agreement
• <00:23:28.159> those reflecting a commitment to execute those reflecting a commitment to execute
• That's very hard inefficient execution.
• You've got to go through the executive council and so forth.
• You've got to go<00:46:22.079> through<00:46:22.560> the<00:46:22.800> executive

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met after recess to hear a Department of Health and Human Services overview of its contract structure, with CFO Nathan White explaining that DHS currently has 969 active agreements spanning service contracts, grants, data-sharing agreements, use-of-premises agreements, and MOUs. He said contracts are budgeted across multiple class lines and accounting units, often braided with federal funds, which makes the system complex; he also noted that the department’s top spending list was limited to 18 items rather than 20 and included both individual contracts and grouped regional/provider contracts. White emphasized that many contracts support direct services to residents, while others support departmental operations such as software support and staffing. Commissioner Hardy said the listed contracts are essential to serving vulnerable populations and supporting required administrative infrastructure, and she stressed that the department tries to work with providers and families rather than impose changes on them. In response to questions about area agencies and developmental disability services, DHS officials said the agencies’ duties are spelled out in contract and statute, including family support services, billing-related functions, and services tied to the state’s community-based system; they said some billing duties have already been moved outside the contract. They also explained that the department rejected a previously discussed two-tier waiver concept after stakeholder feedback in October 2023 and instead shifted to rate-based work, including CIS assessments, to better align payment with individual need. Members also raised concerns about possible waste, sole-source contracting, and subcontracting. Hardy said she had not seen specific evidence of waste beyond a whistleblower call mentioned by a member, but acknowledged that inefficient execution can occur in government and said the department is trying to improve management. On procurement, she said sole-source contracts require her approval and that competitive procurement is the default when possible. White added that subcontracting is allowed only with written state permission under the standard P-37 terms, and subcontractors must meet the same obligations as the prime contractor. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was created over 25 years ago and was adopted in the executive branch.
• Right now we have 11% of the executive branch as telecommuting full-time.
• Right now we have 11% of the executive branch telecommuting full-time.
• and Tracy Haddad, who is executive and Tracy Haddad, who is executive director<00:20:53.800>
• <00:21:19.040> branch following all the executive branch following all the executive branch

Keywords: Investments in Information Technology Improvement & Modernization Projects Oversight Board will met upon adjournment of both chambers. The time set is noon on YouTube, But the official time will likely vary based on chamber proceedings. Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:00 Tools for Managing Remote Work Kentucky Personnel Cabinet 00:00:30 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 00:20:20 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:33:10 Housing, Buildings and Construction 00:47:40 Commonwealth Office of Technology 00:56:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee received testimony from Personnel Cabinet Secretary Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Deputy Secretary Robert Long on the state’s telecommuting policy. Bailey explained that telecommuting in the executive branch is governed by a statewide policy requiring eligible employees to work in the office three days a week and telecommute up to two days a week. Eligibility depends first on the position, not the person: public-facing jobs, roles requiring special equipment or insecure document handling, and other duties that cannot be performed remotely are not eligible. Employees and managers must complete training, sign agreements, comply with safety and IT requirements, and telecommuting privileges can be revoked for poor performance or discipline. She said the cabinet audits compliance and that telecommuting has helped maintain services during inclement weather, disasters, and building renovations. Bailey also said about 33% of the workforce is hybrid, 11% telecommutes full-time, and 56% does not telecommute. Members asked about cost savings, eligibility, discipline, and technology requirements. Bailey said she did not have statewide cost-savings figures and referred that question to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. She said employees must have reliable connectivity and appropriate equipment, but there is no fixed broadband speed requirement; if an employee cannot connect, they must come into the office. She also said telecommuting postings indicate whether a position is eligible, and that performance issues are handled through progressive discipline rather than being ignored. Transportation Cabinet officials then described how their agency manages remote work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock, along with IT and human resources leaders, said the cabinet follows the executive branch policy and actively manages telecommuting employees through Microsoft Teams, VPN access, daily standups, project tracking, and manager oversight. They said more than 2,600 of the cabinet’s 4,000 employees cannot telecommute because their jobs are public-facing or field-based, while about 35% are eligible to telecommute up to two days per week. The cabinet also has 13 state employees and 94 contract employees working full-time remotely in IT. Officials said telecommuting has improved recruitment and retention, supported emergency response and weather operations, and allowed the cabinet to continue working during storms and other disruptions. Members asked about phone equipment, monitoring, and “mouse jiggler” devices; officials said phones are often forwarded to personal or state devices, Teams shows real-time availability, and managers rely on daily accountability and project management tools to monitor work.

Transcript Highlights:

• David Copper, Executive Director of Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. We stand in strong support.
• We have the Executive Office on Early Learning in support.
• <00:26:20.840> Office Do we have the Executive Office on Aging on Zoom?
• we have a lot of great executive we have a lot of great executive directors<00:38:14.520> uh<
• Moving on to the next bill: House Bill 300, the executive budget.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We even—our own executive director came over from California.
• We even—our own executive director came over from California.
• <01:09:03.960> officer Christopher Fernandez executive officer Christopher Fernandez executive
• I'm Candace ETO I'm the executive I'm Candace ETO I'm the executive officer<01:09:49.839> for
• <01:28:55.800> officer uh submitted by by its executive officer uh submitted by by its executive

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on February 20, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. HB 850, relating to condominiums, drew support from the Community Associations Institute and the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, who said it would improve owner participation, clarify voting rules, and preserve the use of proxies as a personal choice. A Zoom testifier supported the bill’s intent but warned that special meetings can be abused and suggested further amendments to address board president authority. Members asked about proxies versus electronic voting and whether the bill would reduce proxy use; no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 48 on coffee labeling, with the Department of Agriculture in support, and HB 1370 on taxation, where a local brewery representative supported equal tax treatment for beer served from 5-gallon kegs and larger kegs when dispensed from a faucet, arguing the bill would clarify draft beer treatment and encourage sustainability. HB 1422 on motor carriers received comments from the Public Utilities Commission and the Department of State Parks, while representatives from a community-based shuttle initiative supported the bill and said nonprofit, community-led transportation solutions should not be regulated like traditional carriers. HB 874, relating to child performers, received support from SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and individual performers, who emphasized protecting minors’ earnings, safety, and schooling. Testimony also discussed whether to include social media influencers and whether to add annual income limits or trust-account protections; the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said the issue was outside its wheelhouse. Later, HB 799 on healthcare drew support from health plans and HMSA, with the Department of Health requesting amendments such as a sunset date, a Maui-only pilot, and a report back before changing its position. HB 1379 on health received support from Hawaii Pacific Health, but the Hawaii Medical Board raised concerns about vague language and public-safety implications for internationally trained physicians, asking for more time to study national licensing recommendations. Finally, HB 439 on education was heard, with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposing the bill as drafted and warning about licensing standards and predatory third-party loans affecting J-1 teachers; the transcript ends before any action or vote on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:40.799> search uh items as we're executing search uh items as we're executing search
• <00:56:58.000> director Guadalupe Lopez I'm executive director Guadalupe Lopez I'm executive
• <00:58:44.720> directors coalitions my fellow executive directors coalitions my fellow executive
• <01:09:12.719> director primary role is the executive director primary role is the executive
• <01:19:34.159> orders in response to all the executive orders in response to all the executive

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Executives uh business owners and Executives uh business owners and Professionals<00:40:58.960> in
• He then said he would move to leave executive session.
• A motion was made to leave executive session, seconded, and approved unanimously.
• The committee then moved to leave executive session, seconded and approved unanimously.
• <01:43:49.400> session good uh move to leave executive session good uh move to leave executive

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• council that approves all the executive council that approves all of<00:12:58.160> our<00:12:
• So that's—and then it also goes through the governor and Executive Council for additional scrutiny.
• <00:25:21.520> council<00:25:21.919> and boy, DHS and the executive council and boy
• , DHS and the executive council and the<00:25:22.320> governor<00:25:22.640> all<00:25:
• the childcare advisory council executive the childcare advisory council executive committee,<00:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• non-compliance with this executive non-compliance with this executive order.<01:33:55.920> So
• We've got executives at a crossroads.
• And so it's going to happen by executive order.
• And so it's going to happen by executive order.
• :17:24.639> get like and yeah, executive orders can get like and yeah, executive orders can get

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, and obviously the executive will have a... ...are doing this kind of responsibility.
• I think, and obviously the executive will have a different perspective on that. Wow.
• I think, and obviously the executive will have a different perspective on that. Wow.
• I think the executive was projecting $295 million. So that is actually the entirety of the state.
• So the executive is projecting $295 million; you all are projecting $232 million. Right.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Executive Director of the Texas Veterans Commission, and I'm here with my communications director
• We work together with the Texas Workforce Commission very closely to execute this.
• Our TVC commissioners, executives, and our staff participate in outreach events across the state at least
• cleanup by allowing these offices to report either to Commissioners Court or a designated county executive
• management and aligns veteran services with other county operations that already report through an executive

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard a briefing from the Texas Veterans Commission on its major programs and outreach efforts. TVC described its claims assistance, health care advocacy, education oversight, employment services, entrepreneurship support, mental health and suicide prevention work, women veterans services, grant funding for nonprofits and local governments, and support for veteran treatment courts. The agency also highlighted its communications strategy, including media outreach, events, newsletters, social media, and the Texas Veterans State Benefits Booklet, and noted that less than 58% of veterans were aware of TVC in the latest needs assessment. A committee member asked about performance metrics, and TVC said each appropriation has associated measures and that it could provide recent results. The committee then took up Senate Bill 651, which would allow a county veterans service office in a large county to report either directly to commissioners court or to a designated county executive official. Senator West explained the bill as a cleanup of current practice, and Dallas County testified in support, saying the change would streamline internal management. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 897 would reduce the non-state matching requirement for the Texas Veterans and Family Alliance grant program in larger counties from 100 percent to 75 percent in the committee substitute, rather than the 50 percent reduction in the filed version. Supporters from MetroCare and Emergence Health Network said the lower match would help sustain and expand veteran mental health services, citing increased demand and program growth. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also adopted its rules. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1814, which would create an interagency database to collect and coordinate contact information for transitioning veterans so agencies could proactively connect them with services. Senator Hancock said the goal was to better use information already being collected, though he noted the bill had a significant fiscal note. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1818, which would create a temporary six-month licensing and certification process for military members and spouses assigned to Texas while they wait for letters of good standing from other states. VFW testified in support, emphasizing the importance of employment for military families. Both bills were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so naturally we're hearing a lot about executive orders.
• <01:01:22.839> order exec presidential executive order exec presidential executive order correct
• this an executive order that's still is this an executive order that's still in<01:01:30.520> effect
• <02:11:48.840> session really probably executive session really probably executive session
• With that, I'll take any questions. think again issuing an executive order think again issuing an executive

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our chief executive officer, Nicole Goddair, was a member of the commission, and I attended all the meetings
• So H. 253 will require the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish a rate of payment
• And I'm joined by the executive director of the DPCC, Nancy Altario, and I want to thank her for joining
• Office of Aging and Independence—I'm sorry, yes, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence.
• I was going to call it the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, which recently had a name change, so, who

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on a broad slate of disability-related bills. Topics included creating a permanent Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Board (H. 231/S. 134), establishing a system for compensating guardians who serve incapacitated, unbefriended individuals through MassHealth (H. 253/S. 154), expanding Nikki’s Law to require MassHealth day habilitation programs to use the abuse registry (S. 165 and related bills), modernizing and streamlining the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s statute and procedures (H. 243/S. 139), updating the definition of developmental disability to align more closely with federal law and include people such as those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (H. 276/S. 150), removing outdated and offensive terminology from the General Laws (H. 232/S. 137), and an autism education reform bill (H. 286). Several bills had no sign-ups, and the committee also noted related measures on cueing and prompting in PCA programs (H. 277/S. 157).

Transcript Highlights:

• And then he thrived during a 38-year And then he thrived during a 38-year state<00:02:17.440> executive
• branch<00:02:18.319> career<00:02:19.120> focused<00:02:19.440> on state executive
• branch career focused on state executive branch career focused on human<00:02:20.080> services
• the of the Alchemist Brewery, CFO, the Alchemist<00:08:45.440> Brewery,<00:08:46.880> Executive
• Brewery, Executive Director of Vermont<00:08:48.080> Brewers<00:08:48.480> Association,

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with a moment of silence and then read H.C.R. 305, a resolution honoring former Representative Francis Matthew “Topper” McFaun for his public and community service. The resolution recounted his background, military and teaching service, work in Vermont state government, local civic leadership, coaching career, and nearly 11 terms in the House. The chamber also recognized McFaun’s family and marked several members’ birthdays with brief congratulatory remarks. The House then took up H.B. 921, an alcoholic beverages bill, and concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. The Senate changes limited certain fourth-class license locations to five, added recordkeeping and annual reporting requirements for malt direct distribution, deleted a prospective sunset on direct distribution, and added new caterer’s license provisions allowing service at the license holder’s own premises and limiting caterer-hosted functions to five per year. The committee reported hearing from legislative and industry stakeholders and recommended concurrence on a 9-0-2 straw poll. Next, the House considered H.B. 907 on legislative review of reporting requirements. Members explained that a Senate-related amendment was used to address a constitutional problem in the earlier bill by revising the sister-state program termination language so the governor retains sole authority to terminate an active partnership, while the committee may only propose termination by majority vote. The House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment with the further House amendment, then suspended rules to message the action to the Senate forthwith. Finally, the House took up S. 230, a miscellaneous labor bill on fair employment practices, and concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to the House amendment by roll call vote, 85-48. The main dispute concerned the Senate’s changes to House language restricting non-compete agreements for lower-income hourly employees and health care providers, and a separate provision directing the Department of Corrections and the Vermont State Employees Association to develop a proposal on solicitation in DOC parking lots. Supporters said the remaining language was acceptable and would facilitate discussion, while opponents objected to the DOC parking-lot provision. The House then recessed until 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, my name is Christopher Fernandez, Executive Officer for the Board of Pharmacy.
• Yes, my name is Christopher Fernandez,<00:14:26.360> Executive<00:14:26.839> Officer<00
• :14:27.240> for<00:14:27.360> the Fernandez, Executive Officer for the Fernandez, Executive
• Uh, Cory Sanders, Executive Director of the Hawaii Pharmacists Association.
• Uh Cory Sanders, Executive committee.

Bills: SB2386, SB2804, SB2852

Keywords: employment, wage transparency, job listings, salary disclosure, labor rights, monopoly, health care access, insurance rates, competition, stock acquisition, digital accessibility, web accessibility, website accessibility, app accessibility, ADA, disability rights, civil rights, public accommodations, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, HCRC

Summary: The committees met in decision-making sessions on several bills and generally advanced them without opposition. Early actions included SB 2386, which clarifies job-posting pay disclosure requirements and lowers the small-employer exemption threshold, and SB 2804, both recommended to pass unamended. SB 2852, addressing accessibility of information and communications technology for people with disabilities in public accommodations, was also recommended to pass unamended. SB 2975 on marine life conservation districts was advanced unamended despite a noted defective effective date. The CPN committee then acted on SB 3019, a consumer protection bill, recommending passage with amendments to require refunds of certain fees upon cancellation and to defect the effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 3231 on agricultural districts, SB 2378 on housing, and SB 3062 on liquor were all recommended to pass with amendments and a defective effective date set to July 1, 2050. SB 3255, concerning cash payments and rounding guidance, was reconsidered after discussion with small business stakeholders and was also advanced with amendments. In the later regular CPN agenda, SB 2607 on landscape architect licensure drew support from the board and professional groups and was recommended to pass with board-requested amendments and a July 1, 2050 effective date. SB 2623 SD1 on pharmacy technician registration was recommended to pass with clarifying amendments from the Board of Pharmacy. SB 2396, which would create a registry for agents managing property for absentee owners and require on-island contact information for certain condo owners, received mixed testimony: supporters emphasized accountability and enforcement, while opponents from community associations raised implementation concerns and asked for further work. The committee ultimately recommended SB 2396 with amendments from the Hawaii Council of Community Associations and a July 1, 2050 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• 06.720> the Tinmouth Town Clerk and Treasurer, the Tinmouth Town Clerk and Treasurer, the executive
• 16:07.759> of<00:16:07.839> the<00:16:08.000> land<00:16:08.160> use executive
• director of the land use executive director of the land use review<00:16:08.720> board,<00:16
• <00:16:21.199> sponsor,<00:16:22.160> uh<00:16:22.240> the<00:16:22.480> executive
• <00:16:22.959> director bill sponsor, uh the executive director bill sponsor, uh the executive

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Vermont poet laureate Bianca Stone, followed by remarks recognizing her work and the presence of students from her Dartmouth poetry class, as well as a separate recognition of community-based domestic and sexual violence advocates in the House gallery. Members also noted Creative Arts Day in Vermont and announced a reception, and later corrected a location for the Sportsmen’s Caucus meeting. No bill introductions were made. The main legislative item was H.527, extending the sunset of 30 V.S.A. section 248A, the telecommunications siting process that allows certain cell tower projects to be reviewed by the Public Utility Commission instead of Act 250. The committee report said testimony showed broad agreement that the process needs improvements in notice, transparency, fairness, and local participation, while preserving a statewide framework for telecommunications infrastructure. The bill would extend the sunset from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030, and direct the PUC to hold public workshops, consult with stakeholders, and report recommendations by December 15, 2027. The House adopted the committee amendment and ordered third reading; the committee vote was reported as 5-3-1. The House also took up JRS 37, a joint resolution supporting gender equality in Nordic combined Olympic competition and urging the International Olympic Committee to require both men’s and women’s divisions for new Olympic sports. The committee heard from the lieutenant governor, the Senate sponsor, and the Vermont Ski Areas Association president, and recommended adoption in concurrence by a vote of 10-1. After an interrogation clarified that the resolution calls for separate men’s and women’s divisions rather than combined teams, the House ordered third reading. The body then adjourned until Friday, February 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Given that one of the Executive Orders in the past six months by the President has called for in question
• I am the Executive Director of the business and professions code.
• I'm the executive officer of the California Board of Psychology.
• This bill extends the operations of the board and its authority to... appoint an executive officer by
• My name is Gregory Pruden and I have the honor of serving as the Executive Officer for the California

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond.. directing marshals from their mission, which includes providing judicial security and executing
• The primary role and mission of the Marshal Service is to provide safety for and obey, enforce, and execute
• Serrato, apprehending fugitives and executing federal court orders.
• legal counsel within the Marshal's service to give you... ...advice on what is lawful for you to execute
• It is to enforce, execute, all of them. commit to providing security for each and every federal judge

Keywords: fentanyl crisis, DEA, drug trafficking, public safety, Judea Serrata, Terrence Cole, judicial security, social media, drug prevention

Summary: The committee meeting centered on the urgent crisis of fentanyl abuse and the government’s response to the drug trafficking epidemic. Key discussions revolved around the nomination of Terrence Cole as the Administrator of the DEA and Judea Serrata as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. Cole emphasized his commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis, highlighting the rising number of overdose deaths and the necessity of bipartisan efforts to dismantle drug cartels. Members engaged in dialogue on the effectiveness of various strategies and the importance of education aimed at preventing drug-related deaths among youth. Additionally, the challenges of social media in drug trafficking were highlighted, indicating a need for greater accountability in how platforms handle such issues. Senators voiced concerns about the impact of administration policies on judicial security and the resources available for marshals to perform their critical roles.