Transcript Highlights:

• and people that would help you mentors and people that would help you learn<01:04:46.079> those
• Uh, in my personal experience, robotics mentors stay later than almost any other educator, oftentimes
• Um, but these mentors are oftentimes not paid or not fully paid for these hours.
• Uh in my personal experience,<01:06:51.760> robotics<01:06:52.240> mentors<01:06:52.720
• Um but these mentors are night.

Bills: HB1813, HB2429, HB2423, HB1996, HB1851, HB2546, HB2028, HB2583, HB2490, HB2545, HB2114, HB1859, HB2534, HB2474, HB1863, HB2475

Keywords: taxation, general excise tax, use tax, exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, tax expenditure, tax expenditure evaluation, tax credit review, tax incentive, tax exemption, use tax exemption, income tax credit, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Taxation, fiscal oversight, budget accountability, tax policy, revenue loss, public spending

Summary: The committee opened with HB 1813 on taxation and HB 2429 on tax expenditure evaluation, taking mostly written testimony and limited oral discussion. On HB 2429, the Tax Foundation and Department of Taxation raised privacy and federal-law concerns, warning that the bill could require taxpayers to file duplicative returns and could risk disclosure of federal tax information if released publicly. Members and witnesses discussed using anonymized or summary reporting instead of individual public release, with the department saying summarized data would be preferable and that the state can ask for the information as a policy matter, but individual public release could create problems. The committee then heard HB 2423 HD1 on biodiesel, where Pacific Biodiesel said it can supply all biodiesel needed for B5 in Hawaii without imports and asked to move the implementation date earlier to November 2027 to allow rollout planning. HB 1996 HB1 on hearing aids drew broad support; a disability access representative said earlier insurance-based efforts had run into administrative problems and that this bill would immediately lower costs for consumers. HB 1851 HD1, also related to hearing aids, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the Tax Foundation argued the program would be better funded directly rather than through the tax system, citing overhead costs and blank provisions that should be filled in before passage. On HB 2546, the research activities tax credit, HCDC said the credit supports long-term R&D and should be converted from a first-come, first-served system to proration so more applicants receive some benefit; the agency described the credit as helping companies move from idea to commercialization and noted the state is leaving potential jobs and federal dollars on the table. HB 2028 HD1, relating to Labor Day for construction workers, drew support from labor representatives who said it recognizes construction workers and helps offset cost-of-living pressures, while the Tax Foundation opposed it as an industry-specific subsidy and flagged technical issues with undefined terms and blank credit amounts. The committee also heard HB 2583, HB 2490, HB 2545, HB 2114, and HB 1859 HD1. HB 2490, concerning coastal erosion at Mokuhiki Bay, received strong support from a temple representative who described severe shoreline loss, years of temporary emergency work, and the need for a long-term, nature-based solution in coordination with state agencies. HB 2545, involving HCDC and SBIR commercialization, was supported as a way to turn R&D into economic development; HCDC said it had more applications than it could fund and that the bill could help create high-wage jobs. HB 2114, the Hawaii Benefits Hub, received comments from ETS and DHS emphasizing support for the concept but cautioning that operational, policy, cybersecurity, and data-sharing standards must be carefully aligned. HB 1859 HD1 on workforce development drew strong support from workforce and philanthropic groups, who said Hawaii faces a long-term gap between projected living-wage jobs and the number of young people entering the workforce, and argued the bill would create durable infrastructure for coordination and long-term planning. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a cap on mentor teachers?
• I mentor pre-service and new teachers.
• educators—but those mentors are becoming harder to find.
• I should not have been a mentor in my fourth year of teaching.
• We are the teachers leading, mentoring, and providing stability.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• his office, full-time student in the spring of 1972, and I honor this gentleman who was my first mentor
• 18.480> first I honor this gentleman who was my first I honor this gentleman who was my first mentor
• mentor mentor and<00:05:21.080> uh<00:05:21.160> of<00:05:21.320> high<00:05:21.520

Bills: SCR56, SCR79, SCR85, SCR120, SCR129, SCR181, SCR63, SCR112, SCR194, SCR195, SCR196, HB202, HB963, HB1050, HB1511, HB1546, HB1550, HB1553, HB1643, HB1656, HB1658, HB1664, HB1667, HB1682, HB1700, HB1721, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1878, HB1969, HB2005, HB2078, HB2152, HB2246, HB2270, HB2279, HB2289, HB2385, HB2417, HB2429, HB2503, HB2599, SB253, SB847, SB1142, SB1432, SB2043, SB2050, SB2074, SB2102, SB2135, SB2138, SB2140, SB2320, SB2340, SB2386, SB2396, SB2397, SB2398, SB2433, SB2446, SB2521, SB2544, SB2567, SB2578, SB2580, SB2595, SB2601, SB2645, SB2673, SB2706, SB2727, SB2802, SB2852, SB2892, SB2929, SB2972, SB3007, SB3069, SB3073, SB3076, SB3136, SB3138, SB3157, SB3204, SB3234, SB3247, SB3302, SB3324, SB3325, HB1815, HB2592, HCR32

Keywords: lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, community wellbeing, invasive species, octocoral, Pearl Harbor, environment, Navy responsibility, marine ecosystem, ecosystem preservation, shoreline maintenance, civil service, classification review, compensation systems, labor shortage, employee retention, department collaboration

Transcript Highlights:

• has allowed us to focus collectively on the quality of clinical practice, shared expectations for mentoring
• The quality of clinical practice, shared expectations for mentoring, and strong partnerships with districts
• It allows residents to be placed with strong mentor teachers, even when a district may not have an immediate
• This now allows for level twos to be able to mentor the new school nurses.
• This allows for level twos to be able to mentor the new school nurses. Thank you for that.

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• so I think one way our apprenticeship can be an attractive model is that, you know, you get that mentor-mentee
• It's a mentor-mentee relationship.
• A mentor-mentee relationship. So there's someone there, you know, provides that kind of support.
• They have to have that mentor-mentee relationship.
• The mentor and mentee relationship is so important and crucial.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the January minutes. Members then heard from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler, who gave an update on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s apprenticeship efforts and emphasized apprenticeship as an earn-while-you-learn model that can help address workforce shortages while including people with disabilities. He described growth in apprenticeships across sectors such as banking, bio, early education, health care, and human services, and noted recent milestones including the state’s 10,000th registered apprenticeship, expanded tax credits, reduced program fees, added apprenticeship liaisons, and Grow grants to support program development. Committee members focused on how apprenticeship could be adapted for human services and disability-related jobs, including early education, direct care, PCA work, sterile processing, and related health occupations. They asked about funding structures, employer participation, community college involvement, and how to make programs accessible to people with disabilities. Cutler explained that apprenticeship programs are employer-designed but must meet core requirements such as paid employment, at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning, related technical instruction, mentorship, and progressive wages. He said the state can support programs through the registered apprenticeship tax credit, which he said is $4,800 per apprentice and can be stacked with the disability employment tax credit, and through Grow grants, which were most recently awarded at about $2.1 million statewide. Members and Cutler discussed using intermediaries such as trade associations, nonprofits, and disability organizations to help employers set up programs and navigate incentives. He said the commission could be useful as a convener and suggested a targeted panel or information session with apprenticeship liaisons, employers, and existing sponsors to identify a few specific occupations and build a proof of concept. The meeting ended with agreement to follow up offline on potential partner employers, including Eastern Bank, and on possible next steps for a focused panel or pilot opportunities.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're learning we are many of our programs develop here, mentoring program, which is very successful.
• Again, the peer mentors really come into play.
• And so there's someone who's there that is a person who is your mentor.
• We have students who have the residential mentors that Doctor Anderson was talking about.
• We have mentors as FSU College of Education that come in.

Transcript Highlights:

• deserve special recognition for their decades of commitment to the program, spending countless hours mentoring
• spending commitment to the program spending countless<00:04:12.760> hours<00:04:13.360> mentoring
• <00:04:13.959> and<00:04:14.200> inspiring countless hours mentoring and inspiring
• countless hours mentoring and inspiring generations<00:04:15.400> of<00:04:15.599> pages

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They're working with a mentor teacher.
• So both the candidate and the mentor teacher will be compensated, and after every year, based on the
• career they working with a mentor career they working with a mentor teacher.<00:53:41.520> So
• will be u compensated and mentor teacher will be u compensated and after<00:53:48.800> every<
• <01:01:41.520> And mentors and all. And mentors and all.

Bills: SB2024, SB896, SB2613, SB494, SB2391, SB2125, SB2614, SB2615, SB3262, SB3325, SB3118

Keywords: charter schools, public-private partnership, school facilities, education funding, community need, education, capital improvement, reporting, transparency, technical expertise, public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139

Transcript Highlights:

• I served as an Indian Education Liaison, but I also had the honor to serve as a Check and Connect Mentor
• And if any of you know, when we have mentors in our schools, we talk a lot about how great they are.
• I know our teachers get a lot of credit, but I think our support staff and our mentors...
• And so what we're trying to do is ensure that the people we mentor are actually the ones who work alongside

Transcript Highlights:

• Mentoring the next generation, and that's key.
• Mentoring the next generation, and that's key.
• Mentoring the next generation, and that's key.
• Mentoring the next generation, and that's key.
• Mentoring the next generation, and that's key.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:10:13.160> assigned competition, there is a mentor assigned competition, there is a mentor
• The mentors are local for each unit.
• The mentors are local attorneys<01:10:16.560> or<01:10:16.720> judges.
• Andrew was one of the attorneys who volunteered to be a mentor.
• As part of the students' preparation, the mentors attended several Saturday practices.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the confirmation of Kursha Kauahi Kani Mililani Durrant to the District Court of the First Circuit, but announced it would not vote until April 2. The chair also noted a backup plan if Zoom failed. Testimony was limited to two minutes per speaker. The hearing focused on Durrant’s qualifications, judicial temperament, and readiness for the bench, with no opposition presented. Support came from the Office of the Public Defender, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, and numerous individuals. Witnesses described Durrant as highly experienced in both criminal and civil practice, including district, family, circuit, appellate, ICA, and Supreme Court work. Several speakers emphasized her legal reasoning, mentorship, civility, cultural grounding, and ability to listen and treat litigants with dignity. Personal supporters also highlighted her public service, hula background, and character. Committee members questioned Durrant about how she would approach district court cases involving repeat offenders, mental illness, substance abuse, houselessness, and diversion. Durrant said she would follow the law, consider the full range of sentencing factors, and use available probation, diversion, and treatment options where appropriate. She said she would be committed to using legislative tools such as Act 26 and other diversion powers, and to looking beyond advocacy toward practical justice and reducing recidivism. She also said her clerkship with Judge Marsha Waldorf, including exposure to drug court and mental health court, shaped her approach to problem-solving on the bench.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, what Wallen does is they're kind of glue mentors, providing not just resources and expertise
• Essentially, what Wallen does is they're kind of glue mentors, providing not just resources and expertise
• Essentially, what Wallen does is they're kind of glue mentors, providing not just resources and expertise
• uh providing not kind of glue mentors uh providing not just<00:02:44.239> resources<00:02:44.640
• but to empower them uh and to to mentor but to empower them uh and to to mentor them<00:09:31.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an advantage to bringing folks here because that also imports capital to the state, that imports mentors
• an advantage to bringing folks here because that also imports capital to the state, that imports mentors
• an advantage to bringing folks here because that also imports capital to the state, that imports mentors
• an advantage to bringing folks here because that also imports capital to the state, that imports mentors
• an advantage to bringing folks here because that also imports capital to the state, that imports mentors

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:08 Infrastructure Grant Program 00:00:45 SB 76 Discussion 00:25:50 SB 76 Vote 00:31:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, so it began with an informational presentation from Dr. Kristen Goodell, executive director of LifeKY, about innovation infrastructure and a proposed grant program to support life sciences and other startup facilities. She argued that Kentucky’s research investments only translate into jobs and companies if startups have access to physical lab and equipment space, and said shared facilities can serve many companies over time. Goodell described LifeKY’s Northern Kentucky facility as a proof of concept, noting it has attracted companies from other states and Japan, secured a Thermo Fisher Scientific partnership, and could be replicated elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Members asked about university pipelines, local talent development, sustainability, and how the grant program would measure return on investment; Goodell emphasized public-private partnerships, earned revenue, philanthropy, internships, and STEM programming as part of the model. The committee then took up Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would limit school board occupational license tax increases by raising the population threshold for such increases from 300,000 to 500,000. Bledsoe said the bill was intended to respond to Fayette County’s recent tax controversy, restore public trust, and provide stability for employees, employers, and the school system. He argued that occupational taxes affect many commuters who work in Fayette County but live elsewhere, and said the measure would give time for community buy-in before any future increase. Supportive comments came from Senator Nunn and others, while Senator Boswell asked about the tax rate and cautioned against local tax increases offsetting state income tax reductions. After discussion, the committee called the roll on SB 76. The bill advanced on a roll-call vote, with Senator Armstrong explaining a no vote because he did not want to take tools away from local government and preferred local control. The transcript indicates the measure moved forward from committee after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• that all worked out, and what you would have suggested, or when was the best learning, and were you mentored
• I had a great mentor. Mr. Dick Anderson was my mentor. He did a great job.
• I was a mentor last session.
• And I know that that's more mentoring... ...just kind of to work through.
• And I know that that's more mentoring, but I think if you mentor as a group, there's a lot of questions

Summary: The committee met to organize upcoming legislative session arrangements and staffing, and to review several rule and security-related items. It first approved a Joint Rule 211 change, recommended by the Employee Benefits Committee, that clarifies the deadline and statutory references for introducing health insurance mandate bills so required cost-benefit materials can be completed in time. Members noted the change would streamline the process, though it would not solve all timing and mandate-determination issues. The committee then discussed a draft bill on confidentiality protections for certain public officials and candidates, but members raised concerns about the statute’s complexity, the practical difficulty of administering it, and whether it would meaningfully improve safety; no action was taken and the topic was set aside for further discussion. The committee received an update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is in process to apply for grant funding that could reimburse up to about $200 per legislator for personal security-related expenses such as home cameras, locks, lighting, or monitoring services, with reimbursement handled through Legislative Council and subject to Emergency Commission approval. Members asked about eligible expenses, timing, and whether new legislators would be included, and staff said the program would likely cover current legislators only for this round. The committee also approved the 2027 joint session schedule for the State of the State, tribal-state message, and State of the Judiciary on January 5, with the tribal and judiciary addresses in the morning and the governor’s address later in the day. The committee next approved the statutory reporting schedule for the Commerce Commissioner and agricultural commodity groups, setting the Commerce report for January 13, 2027, and the agriculture reports and pesticide container disposal update for January 14, 2027. Members questioned the usefulness of some of these recurring reports, but agreed to follow the existing statutory requirements. The largest discussion centered on Legislative Council staffing for the 2027 session: the committee approved reducing session staff to 36 Senate and 41 House employees, eliminating procedural clerk positions in standing committees in favor of permanent policy analysts, while retaining quality assurance clerks and adding a House parking lot attendant. It also approved a 3% salary increase for those staff positions, matching the increase given to state employees. Finally, the committee reviewed a revised organizational session and new legislator training agenda. Staff proposed moving some orientation content into a separate pre-session training day for new legislators on November 30, including laptop setup, mock committee and floor sessions, parliamentary procedure, and HR/benefits training, while adding more security and budgeting instruction. Members strongly supported earlier and more practical training, including follow-up reinforcement during the first week of session, and suggested using experienced or term-limited former legislators as mentors. Staff also described efforts to expand training materials into podcasts, flowcharts, and other formats, and Legislative Council leadership outlined the office’s remaining vacancies and a proposed expansion of policy analysts, program evaluators, legal staff, and training support to better serve the legislature and improve oversight of state programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• For me, he was a brother, a trusted friend, and a mentor, who was not only ready to help people, but
• Love to somebody who had become a mentor. In my life. I really struggled, like.
• that I did and learn from him, and he will truly be missed, not just as a statesman, not just as a mentor
• Sylvester Turner was a true mentor. He was the epitome of a statesman.
• He, I considered him a great mentor. We were fraternity brothers.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've been such a mentor to so many of us. And Tom is absolutely right.
• respected policy expert, successful businessman, an agency leader, community advocate, and trusted mentor
• He was a mentor who fed the next generation. I will always remember the lunches that he invited.
• And thankfully, I did get it, but I also gained a friend and a mentor, someone who would constantly ask
• And thankfully, I did get it, but I also gained a friend and a mentor, someone who would constantly ask

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and handled a number of procedural motions, including suspending rules for adjournments in memory and guest introductions, rescinding prior action on SB 493, and re-referring several Senate bills to different committees. Members also recognized guests on the floor, including family members, interns, firefighters from the Corona Fire Department, and the Quartz Hill High girls’ soccer team, which was honored for its historic championship season. The main floor action was on AB 1795 by Assembly Member Gibson, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage and set clearer insurance claim practices. Supporters said the bill would help wildfire survivors return home safely and urged science-based standards and a rebuttable presumption that contamination after a wildfire was caused by the fire; opponents warned the bill could raise costs and should better address government failures in fire recovery. The bill passed on a 54-6 vote, including the urgency clause. Members also adopted SCR 137, proclaiming March 15 as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day, with remarks praising her role in advancing gender equality and equal rights. The resolution was adopted after 65 co-authors were added and then approved by voice vote. The consent calendar, including SJR 11, was adopted 71-0. A large portion of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory, including tributes to Larry Vane, Dr. William A. Burke, Colonel Alfred P. Glover, and Rita Semmel. The Assembly also honored departing Member James Gallagher, who gave extended farewell remarks before leaving for Congress. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, June 11, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so all of the past folks who worked on cannabis, thank you for being a mentor to our new staff this
• And so all of the past folks who worked on cannabis, thank you for being a mentor to our new staff this
• And so all of the past folks who worked on cannabis, thank you for being a mentor to our new staff this
• ><00:14:31.880> to<00:14:32.000> our<00:14:32.080> new thank you for being a mentor
• to our new thank you for being a mentor to our new staff<00:14:32.520> this<00:14:32.720>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Senate File 4401, a cannabis bill, was presented as a broad maintenance package developed through months of work with more than 80 stakeholders, including small businesses, labor, tribal representatives, medical licensees, and the Office of Cannabis Management. The author said it makes a series of technical and policy adjustments, including support for small businesses, hemp QR codes, privacy protections, event coordinator changes, clearer product definitions, investor and timeline changes, and a bridge for hemp businesses to enter cannabis. It also addresses medical cannabis access by renaming medical combination licenses as macro licenses, eliminating the grow-and-sale ratio, correcting canopy estimates, requiring key products to be stocked, and creating a first step toward a medical psilocybin program with a report and federal funding directive. Representative West supported the bill overall but criticized the canopy reduction for medical combination licenses, arguing it changes the rules midstream and could lead to litigation and taxpayer costs. He said the bill helps social equity applicants by allowing more outside investment and described the hemp provisions as a way to save that industry. The author responded that the bill right-sizes a temporary system and reflects stakeholder agreement on needed changes. After discussion, the author again urged a green vote and thanked staff and prior cannabis workers for their help. There were no amendments at the desk, the bill was given a third reading, and the House passed Senate File 4401 by a vote of 92 ayes to 42 nays, with the title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• as a support coordinator; methods to assess competencies of support coordinators; efficacy of the mentoring
• As far as the mentoring program Rep.
• But the mentoring program in it is not something that really developed, I think, the way it was intended
• education, healthcare, employment, and housing services for youth in these areas to get them positive mentoring

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:58.000> to compassionate friend, and a mentor to compassionate friend, and a mentor
• I would consider her also one of my great mentors, too.
• You may not know, but Mary was a true friend and a mentor for me.
• <01:33:35.840> You<01:33:35.920> know, friend and a mentor for me.
• You know, friend and a mentor for me.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I really appreciate Helmets to Hardhats for giving me an opportunity, and they're great mentors.
• They've been mentoring me this whole year. They're always accessible.
• I talked to gentleman great mentors I talked to gentleman named<00:46:13.680> Tim<00:46:13.880
• me this whole they've been mentoring me this whole year<00:46:19.040> they're<00:46:19.280>
• continue to take advice from the mentors continue to take advice from the mentors of<00:46:35.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all