Transcript Highlights:

• I try to make certain that it's a balanced approach and make certain that when I bring something to the
• Senate Bill 1924 restores the pre-2013 balance.
• Amendments to Senate Bill 1924 strike the right balance in how we want conduct on our campuses handled
• You mentioned striking the right balance, and I think that if we had done so in 2013, made the changes
• I appreciate him bringing it forward as a result of... ...testimony in committee and the proper balance

Bills: SCR46, SB31, SB39, SB227, SB330, SB401, SB407, SB467, SB482, SB500, SB506, SB512, SB527, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB647, SB648, SB659, SB663, SB715, SB732, SB758, SB801, SB816, SB847, SB870, SB884, SB1020, SB1055, SB1065, SB1137, SB1169, SB1181, SB1283, SB1383, SB1395, SB1410, SB1433, SB1490, SB1558, SB1574, SB1626, SB1666, SB1718, SB1727, SB1756, SB1757, SB1845, SB1924, SB1964, SB1972, SB2018, SB2031, SB2075, SB2076, SB2080, SB2111, SB2117, SB2154, SB2161, SB2173, SB2206, SB2225, SB2253, SB2268, SB2314, SB2322, SB2351, SB2371, SB2476, SB2533, SB2540, SB2570, SB2589, SB2623, SB2658, SB2660, SB2692, SB2693, SB2717, SB2722, SB2753, SB2779, SB2877, SB2880, SB2900, SB2920, SB3031, HJR4, SB5, SB260, SB1786, SJR3, SJR18, SB1, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR46, SCR48, SCR19, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1433, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1924, SB2253, SB2018, SB2206, SB584, SB1085, SB1490, SB2314, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB1137, SB636, SB2056, SB1558, SB884, SB227, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1626, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB1055, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB648, SB647, SB512, SB1721, SB2268, SB2366, SB1013, SB2692, SB2570, SB2797, SB2111, SB2371, SB2383, SB646, SB1169, SB1754, SB1718, SB2779, SB2004, SB1756, SB2119, SB527, SB2322, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB407, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB3031, SB2877, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB2117, SB715, SB2330, SB1964, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2658, SB1574, SB2900, SB2753, SB2398, SB401, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB2031, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, HJR4, HB135, HB1109, SCR30, SCR3, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, HCR35, HCR64

Keywords: Texas beef, cattle industry, agricultural heritage, Texas strip steak, economic growth, SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you would you run out of balance because the voters allowed up to 3.
• Everyone's like, wow, you guys really go through a lot of checks and balances and we do that for the
• So. >> If that I appreciate the detail of the chain of custody records, the checks and balances.
• So that adds a check and balance. You have to deal with everything else.
• Then why do we entrust our balance with the post office with audit or supervision and also independent

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that brings back to mind the balance that I had mentioned earlier of balancing our historic fabric
• So we're balancing the acoustics with the building itself.
• earlier of balancing our historic fabric earlier of balancing our historic fabric that<00:15:58.800>
• :17.519><c> with</c><00:16:17.920><c> the</c> we're balancing the acoustics with the we're balancing
• Things may help balance that out a bit.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the earned sick and safe time balance would just accumulate and sit unused if not needed.
• </c><00:24:11.159><c> that</c><00:24:11.440><c> on</c> the farm economy but balancing that on the farm
• economy but balancing that on the<00:24:11.840><c> backs</c><00:24:12.200><c> of</c><00:24:12.400><c
• </c> because she she talks about this balance because she she talks about this balance of<01:41:42.440
• You know, we are seeking balance. We are seeking common sense.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But ultimately you'll be able to make payments, do correspondence, check your balance, all those types
• But ultimately you'll be able to make payments, do correspondence, check your balance, all those types
• Has there been some other discussion about other ways to balance the budget besides tax increases?
• </c><01:03:28.799><c> their</c> someone for helping balance their someone for helping balance their checkbook
• </c> go to a bank and they help you balance go to a bank and they help you balance your<01:03:57.799>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll begin with comments on the need to strike a balance in the state between innovation and trust.
• Balancing innovation and trust is about moving fast without breaking confidence, the confidence of our
• In order to strike this balance, we must focus on using computer intelligence to augment human intelligence
• Balancing innovation and trust is about moving fast without breaking confidence. confidence of our use
• In order to strike this balance, we must focus on using computer intelligence to augment human intelligence

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee held its first meeting of the session and began with member and staff introductions, followed by a work session on emerging technology, digital risks, and governance, focused on artificial intelligence in state government. Washington Technology Solutions officials Gretchen Perry, Katie Ruckel, and James Galvin described the state’s approach to balancing innovation with public trust, emphasizing human judgment, transparency, accountability, and the use of AI to augment rather than replace people. They outlined benefits such as automating repetitive tasks, improving fraud and anomaly detection, supporting multilingual access, and improving customer service and internal productivity. The presenters also discussed AI risks, including algorithmic bias, overreliance, hallucinations, and ethical concerns, and explained the state’s governance framework. That framework is based on NIST AI risk principles and includes statewide AI principles, inventory requirements, risk assessments for high-risk uses, accuracy and monitoring requirements, training, data-sharing controls, and restrictions on creating likenesses without consent. They noted the state adopted a statewide AI policy on December 11 and has created an AI community of practice and related subcommittees to support implementation. They also said the policy was bargained with unions where required and that agencies must give notice before consequential AI-related changes affecting working conditions. James Galvin highlighted current AI use cases across state agencies, including visual and spatial analysis for emergency response and flood recovery, the Department of Licensing’s Dolly chatbot for resident services, and an internal contract-assistance tool for staff that is limited to approved materials. Members asked about audit implications, language services and interpreters, the policy’s applicability beyond government, union involvement, return on investment, and whether the state uses off-the-shelf or custom AI models. The presenters said most uses rely on off-the-shelf large language models, that high-risk generative AI is not yet in production, and that the policy is designed to encourage low- and moderate-risk uses while adding more scrutiny for higher-risk applications. No votes or legislative actions were taken; the meeting concluded with committee housekeeping and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• CHANGED IS A NUMBER OF STRATEGIES THAT THE LEGISLATURE DEPLOYED DURING THE 2025 SESSION THAT BOOST THE BALANCE
• SO VERY SIGNIFICANT REALIGNMENTS THAT CHANGED THE BALANCE FORWARD INTO 25-26 AS A RESULT OF LEGISLATURE
• ADJUSTMENTS AND WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE A MANDATORY MINIMUM RESERVE LEVEL, WE STILL HAVE A PROJECTED ENDING BALANCE
• YOU CAN SEE IN TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE VERY BIG LARGE POSITIVE COMING FROM THE BALANCE FORWARD FROM 25-
• THERE IS A TRUST FUND CASH BALANCE OF ABOUT 14 MILLION AND THIS IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair McClure: ARE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not meaningfully changing the competitive balance between firms that are operating in the state
• It's not meaningfully changing the competitive balance between firms that are operating in the state
• So part of this is about the balance between, like, if we have this optimistic view, what does the tax
• to where a refinery such as Phillips 66 could, ...to sort of tilt the balance to where a refinery such
• of how much money are we providing for new equipment. ...of transit, but then also the balance of how

Summary: The subcommittee heard extensive testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the proposal would help decarbonize aviation, support a long-term transition in the fuel sector, and encourage in-state investment and jobs. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and several outside witnesses recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited net climate benefits, and may shift limited feedstocks away from renewable diesel rather than create additional fuel supply. A major point of debate was whether the credit would mainly benefit California refineries and workers or instead subsidize out-of-state producers while reducing revenue for transportation programs. Supporters, including union members, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, and airport representatives, said SAF is one of the few viable near-term options for aviation, that California should keep fuel production and jobs in-state, and that the credit would help maintain refinery operations and support the industry’s transition. Opponents, including the LAO, trucking and fuels groups, environmental organizations, and county/road advocates, warned that the proposal could raise gasoline and diesel prices, reduce diesel excise tax revenue for highways and local streets and roads, and provide limited climate benefit compared with other uses of state funds. Some members also raised concerns about feedstock availability, food-system impacts, and whether the policy should be more narrowly targeted if the goal is to support a specific refinery. No vote was taken. The chair stated at the outset that all items on the agenda were being held open for a future hearing, and public comment was taken after the first item because of the level of interest. The hearing then continued with public testimony, which was split between strong support from labor and industry and strong opposition from environmental, transportation, and local government groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:27.520><c> by</c><00:10:27.720><c> placing</c> farther from that balance by placing farther
• from that balance by placing unnecessary<00:10:28.880><c> barriers</c><00:10:29.480><c> at</c><00:10
• too far away from the accessible balance too far away from the accessible participatory<00:10:43.720
• So, this bill would help move us closer to restoring a better balance, one where our elections are both
• ,</c> us closer to restoring a better balance, us closer to restoring a better balance, one<00:49:18.920

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the current reserve balance in the fund? We will have to get it for you.
• And if so, what is your balance in that fund, if you have that fund?
• Is that a separate fund balance, or— I'm going to defer to Misty on what that is named exactly.
• So it's about finding that balance. I understand, and I think that's a great point of view.
• So it's about finding that balance.

Summary: The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered. The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted. Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not pining this; I'm just saying if they can't fill it, then how do we balance it?
• </c><02:08:57.440><c> it</c><02:08:57.639><c> I</c> fill it then how do we balance it I fill it then
• one one of the trying balancing one one of the important<02:13:11.280><c> roles</c><02:13:11.520><c>
• keeping the child in the do we balance keeping the child in the school<02:13:17.800><c> versus</c><02
• that the the mental have to balance that the the mental health<02:13:46.480><c> complexity</c><02:13

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> just it's part of that larger balance just it's part of that larger balance and<00:26:00.159><c>
• </c><00:44:21.200><c> on</c> thriving natural ecological balance on thriving natural ecological balance
• Um, and sometimes we get things out of balance because of how we manage.
• </c><02:20:33.439><c> because</c> we we get things out of balance because we we get things out of balance
• And that's when it gets out of balance.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our budget, call it budget balancers. our budget, call it budget balancers.
• And align for that budget balancer.
• Total balance available 39,134,296.
• And align for that budget balancer.
• </c> and align for that B uh budget balancer. and align for that B uh budget balancer.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HIBs are incredibly well balanced between the metro and greater Minnesota.
• well balanced between the metro and greater<00:31:32.640><c> Minnesota.
• We want to try and ensure geographic balance throughout our state.
• </c> try and ensure geographic balance try and ensure geographic balance throughout<00:59:39.760><c>
• Those are all things that will balance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask that you have a balanced approach towards regulation and rates in this upcoming session.
• This is the state heartlessly and logically gutting services to balance your spreadsheets.
• </c> logically gutting services to balance logically gutting services to balance your your your spreadsheets
• </c> that needs to be brought back in Balance that needs to be brought back in Balance thank<01:52:47.280
• We've got to bring this in balance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So with this amendment, what kind of balance in the checks and balances between the three branches of
• So with this amendment, what kind of balance in the checks and balances between the three branches of
• It restores the balance in the force members.
• They're supposed to be checks and balances.
• There's a big balance. There are no checks.

Summary: The House convened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and recognition of Officer Cody Popple of the FSU Police Department for his actions during the April campus shooting. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker outlined the final week of session, noting that budget negotiations were still ongoing and that the House would continue taking up Senate bills and returning messages. The chamber then considered a series of mostly technical or sunset-review bills, including SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes, all of which passed unanimously. Several Open Government Sunset Review bills were also approved, extending or preserving public records and meeting exemptions for the Public Service Commission, the Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, cybersecurity records, emergency shelter information, conviction integrity units, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, and school testing materials; most passed with little opposition, though SB 7006, SB 7026, and SB 7022 drew some dissenting votes. The House also passed SB 7016 on small business loan records, SB 7008 on gaming commission records, SB 7000 on emergency shelter information, and SB 7004 on conviction integrity unit records. Members then moved into farewell remarks and recognitions, including an extended farewell speech by Representative Hart-Lowman reflecting on her service, family, district, and policy priorities such as criminal justice, housing, health care, and labor issues. The House also recognized visiting students from Osceola County and other guests in the galleries. Later, the House took up more substantive measures. SB 7040 recreated the emergency preparedness and response trust fund; after a lengthy debate over an amendment to let the fund expire and a strike-all restoring the House position, the bill passed 82-25. The chamber then passed CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, and CS/SB 474 on military affairs, all with broad support. The final portion of the transcript shifted to SB 488 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, where members debated vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and related amendments, including provisions for disabled veterans and dealer allocation rules, before the transcript ended mid-debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with this amendment, what kind of balance in the checks and balances between the three branches of
• So with this amendment, what kind of balance in the checks and balances between the three branches of
• It restores the balance in the force members.
• They're supposed to be checks and balances.
• There's a big balance. There are no checks.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for stopping the April campus shooter. The Speaker then outlined the final week of session, noting the House had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, but that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed this week. The chamber also adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The House took up several Senate bills on special order, largely technical or open-government measures, and passed them with little or no opposition. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and revisor’s changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public-records and meeting exemptions for matters such as Public Service Commission proprietary information, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety records, cybersecurity, emergency shelter contact information, conviction integrity units, and trade secrets. Most passed overwhelmingly, though SB 7006 drew 99-8, SB 7022 on public records for exam integrity passed 101-8 after questions about testing materials and scoring rubrics, and SB 7026 on trade secrets passed 106-3. The most substantive floor debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had become a “slush fund” and had been used for the Everglades detention facility rather than emergencies; several members supported her on fiscal and separation-of-powers grounds, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. The House rejected Eskamani’s amendment and then adopted a Griffiths strike-all amendment adding accountability measures, including spending limits, quarterly reporting, asset tracking, and a sunset/review provision. SB 7040 then passed 82-25. The chamber also passed CS/CS SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which prompted extended questions about vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and foreign passport/I-94 documentation; the bill was still under amendment and debate when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• the budget within the order to balance the budget within the program.<00:12:12.000><c> As</c><00:12:
• So we have to balance in times when we anticipate a shortfall.
• So we have to balance in times deficit.
• This leaves an approximately $8 million balance for the biennium, which for context is less than 2% of
• the whole process whereby the balance the whole process whereby the last<00:30:58.880><c> dollar</c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> balance is that a rate of return. Yeah. balance is that a rate of return. Yeah.
• </c><00:16:13.519><c> plans</c> question. um when the cash balance plans question. um when the cash balance
• It's kind of 3:1 legacy to cash balance, whereas LRP is the opposite.
• </c><00:20:02.559><c> Um,</c> balance whereas LRP is the opposite.
• Um, balance whereas LRP is the opposite.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:01 Attendance Roll Call: 00:01:26 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:27 Investment, Cash Flow, and Legislative Update: Bo Cracraft – Judicial Form Retirement System: 00:03:12 Ryan Barrow – Kentucky Public Pensions Authority: 00:21:52 Beau Barnes – Teachers’ Retirement System: 00:34:31 Adjournment: 01:07:25, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, followed by a roll call confirming a quorum and approval of the prior minutes. A special guest, Dave Eager, was welcomed before the committee moved to presentations from retirement system officials. Bo Craycraft, executive director of the Judicial Form Retirement System, gave a quarterly update on investment performance, asset allocation, and cash flow. He said the plans had held up well amid market volatility, with fiscal year-to-date returns above benchmark and long-term returns remaining strong. He explained that the plans are targeted to a 70% equity/30% fixed-income allocation, that some cash is being held for cash-flow management, and that negative cash flow is expected because of funding and contribution levels. He also said Senate Bill 183, dealing with proxy voting and economic analysis for certain votes, was not expected to materially affect the plans because of their small number of holdings and Bear Trust’s long-term investment approach. Ryan Barrow and Erin Surrod then presented for the Kentucky Pension Authority. They reported positive quarterly performance across the retirement and insurance funds, though results varied by period and remained tied to broader market conditions. They said recent asset-allocation changes had been completed and the funds were now within target ranges. On cash flow, they noted some plans remained negative or near zero, with one plan benefiting from a large appropriation. In the legislative update, they described House Bill 30 as codifying an exclusion from pension-spiking calculations for across-the-board raises, and Senate Bill 10 as increasing retiree health insurance subsidies and changing employee health insurance contribution rules for certain CERS members beginning in 2026. They also said Senate Bill 183 would likely have limited impact, though the agency would review voting policies and incorporate any required economic-analysis procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you best strike that balance?
• I'm hopeful that those kinds of experiences will allow me to strike the right balance.
• </c><01:10:46.199><c> you're</c><01:10:46.480><c> talking</c> the kind of balancing you're talking the
• and um I thought for me that balance and um I thought for me that<01:11:03.440><c> was</c><01:11:03.600
• okay thank you strike the right balance okay thank you very<01:11:58.440><c> much</c><01:11:59.239><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of Governor’s messages for confirmation to several boards and councils, with the chair noting the meeting would continue on Monday and that testimony would be limited due to the large volume of submissions. For Governor’s Message 660, Kelly Oka was nominated to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Oka described her work in workforce development and technology, emphasizing equitable access to tech jobs for local residents, keeping young talent in Hawaii, and using HTDC to attract major technology firms and support cybersecurity and startup growth. Testimony from multiple individuals and organizations was strongly supportive, and members asked about HTDC’s challenges, federal funding, and how to attract more tech investment; no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then considered Governor’s Message 529, nominating Fono Cafi Mei to the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board. Mei said he had 20 years of crane-operating experience, including work on rail projects, and union representatives and labor organizations testified in support. Next, Governor’s Message 502 nominated Ken Louie to the Workforce Development Council. Louie highlighted his four years on the council, including two as chair, his family business, and his goal of expanding opportunities for younger and adult workers. DBEDT, council members, and labor representatives supported him, and members questioned him about the council’s priorities, staffing, federal funding uncertainty, apprenticeships, and military-to-private-sector transition programs. The committee also took up Governor’s Messages 581 and 690 together, both relating to Jared Gashi’s nomination to the Workforce Development Council for different terms. Gashi, from the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, said he would bring the tourism industry’s perspective to workforce development, citing workforce shortages, internships, scholarships, and the need for a broader tourism voice on the council. Support testimony came from state officials and community members, who praised his reliability and leadership; a member asked how he would broaden the council beyond tourism, and Gashi said HLTA represents a wide range of tourism-related sectors and partners. The committee then heard Governor’s Message 571 for Eric Noi to the Deferred Compensation Plan Board, with Noi citing his fiscal and budgeting background; DHS, the board chair, and others supported him. Finally, Governor’s Message 667 nominated Ty Noara to the same board, and Keith Regan testified in strong support, citing her public service, intelligence, and ability to handle difficult situations. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Governor’s Message 560, nominating David Louie to the Employees’ Retirement System Board, with Louie, the ERS executive director, the finance director, and former Governor Abercrombie offering strong support.