Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:32.160> or coverages is at traditional levels or coverages is at traditional levels
• It's a reclassification of a class 5910 temp position to a class 10 classified position.
• So what the Senate did is just move those funds from class 59 to class 10 with no net change.
• > 10 class 5910 temp position to a class 10 class 5910 temp position to a class 10 classified<
• to class 10 with no net change. to class 10 with no net change. We're<01:43:56.080> done.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee of Conference on HB 1 and HB 2 was called to order, and Legislative Budget Assistant Michael Kaine reviewed the working documents before the committee. He explained the compare report, the detailed change sheet, the HB 1 index, the HB 2 side-by-side, the surplus statement, and a revenue handout, noting that the committee would vote up or down on all detail-change items and that unresolved items on hold would be removed from the final bills. He also identified staff available to answer technical questions and noted that the committee would track the dollar impact of decisions as it proceeded. Members then turned to the revenue outlook, with discussion focused on the gap between the House and Senate budget positions. House members said their budget guidance was based on revenue estimates that were significantly below the governor’s proposal, and they discussed whether additional revenue could close part of the gap. Department of Revenue Administration Commissioner Lindsey Stepp presented updated revenue estimates based on May data, explaining the methodology and the ranges for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. She said business taxes were the largest source of uncertainty, with estimates reflecting current economic conditions, recent revenue performance, and a range of possible growth rates. Committee members questioned the assumptions behind the business-tax ranges, including why the low and high scenarios were set at 2% and 8% growth. Stepp said the range was based on historical performance and current economic factors such as inflation, tariffs, and business behavior, and she noted that June is a major estimate-payment month for business taxes. Members also discussed recent revenue trends, including the effect of tariffs and the possibility of federal tax policy changes affecting repatriated profits. The commissioner and House members also discussed other revenue sources, including rooms and meals and real estate transfer taxes, with the House side arguing that lower mortgage rates and home prices could increase real estate transfer revenue. No votes were taken in the portion provided, but the committee discussed possible upward adjustments to House revenue assumptions, including increases of roughly $70 million in total based on the updated outlook and additional insurance-related revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• In December 2022, the Railroad Commission at our direction applied for Class 6 primacy to enable the
• Yeah, the fiscal note just, uh, doesn't reflect really a level of resources that would be adequate for
• actually doing this at a level, uh, that the council envisions.
• The Class 2 underground injection control program applies to produced water disposal wells that have
• before the Railway Commission is granted oversight to Class 6 CO2 injection.

Transcript Highlights:

• care but but require forensic level care but but require<00:44:57.800> level<00:44:58.000>
• Would be a forensic-level facility.
• :28.479> A sentences 20e sentences Class A Class A sentences 20e sentences Class A Class A Life
• B or<02:35:13.000> Class<02:35:13.240> A or Class A or Class A so<02:35:16.080> and
• B, Class A, Class C, B.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the K-3 level. the K-3 level.
• <00:18:44.600> of and to coordinate high levels of and to coordinate high levels of external
• ,<00:19:48.919> more read or do math at grade level, more read or do math at grade level,
• level standards in reading and math. level standards in reading and math.
• So fourth grade students in level.

Bills: HF3493, HF4114

Keywords: safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, special education, funding, education finance, appropriations, budget, cross subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• Six, allow families to self-attest their income level.
• So staffing levels need to remain the same, whether or not a child attends.
• But each option offers different levels of access and comes with trade-offs.
• I believe that was also you missed. prioritization or the priority levels.
• Priority levels because of all of those additive pieces over the years.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on California’s child care, preschool, and transitional kindergarten oversight, with chairs emphasizing the state’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care and the need to break down silos between programs. CDSS and CDE reported progress toward the plan’s goals, including universal access to TK for all four-year-olds next school year, expanded access for low-income three-year-olds, and more children with disabilities being served in state preschool. They also noted ongoing work on quality rating/review reform, funding structure changes, and the need to address rates, workforce shortages, and federal uncertainty around Head Start. Testimony from advocacy groups and providers largely supported expanding access while simplifying the system. Children Now, Every Child California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that California still has uneven access, especially for infants, toddlers, and three-year-olds, and urged investments in mixed delivery, inclusion, full-day options, and a cost-of-care rate methodology. Every Child California recommended consolidating part-day and full-day contracts, streamlining eligibility priorities, making the two-year-old option permanent, and funding staffing incentives. Parent testimony highlighted how child care gaps and county-to-county transfer delays can disrupt work, safety, and children’s stability, and providers described low reimbursement rates, the need for health and retirement benefits, and support for delinking subsidy rates from private pay. The second panel addressed universal transitional kindergarten. The Learning Policy Institute reported rapid TK expansion, with most districts now offering TK, but said access still depends on facilities, staffing, and whether programs are available at all school sites. The Department of Finance said the governor’s budget would fully implement TK by adding funding for all eligible four-year-olds and lowering the adult-to-child ratio from 12:1 to 10:1. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the administration’s enrollment and cost assumptions were optimistic and estimated lower TK enrollment growth and lower costs for the ratio change. CDE supported the expansion and urged continued funding for UPK coordinators, teacher development, and mixed-delivery planning grants. Members questioned facilities shortages, staffing competition, and how to ensure TK expansion does not displace CSPP or Head Start classrooms. No formal votes or actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of those employees exist at the county level. There are a few at the state level.
• The majority of those employees exist at the county level. There are a few at the state level.
• The majority of those employees exist at the county level. There are a few at the state level.
• employees exist at the uh county level. employees exist at the uh county level.
• There are a few uh at the state level. There are a few uh at the state level.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• levels.
• of the very quick very high level of the very quick very high level overview<01:27:52.719> of
• Information Services out of our class Information Services out of our class 27. 27. 27.
• <01:33:42.800> meaning the one of the highest levels meaning the one of the highest levels
• <02:27:06.880> I that level of care to individuals. I that level of care to individuals.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We usually are dealing with it at the top level. But that is why.
• We usually are dealing with it at the top level. But that is why.
• So we do webinars that are very high level.
• It was classes and workshops for seniors, performances in senior facilities.
• We reached that level of a class...

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• having students in my class having students in my class who<00:17:59.000> had<00:17:59.840
• in my class cuz in my class cuz the<00:18:05.760> parents<00:18:06.560> and<00:18:06.840
• to the 200% level.
• <01:18:12.800> Um<01:18:13.280> it's poverty level to the 200% level.
• Um it's poverty level to the 200% level.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minneapolis hosts a world-class facility for users and visitors.
• c> users<00:02:51.760> and world-class facility for users and world-class facility for users
• <00:05:56.720> go just very quickly at a high level go just very quickly at a high level go
• again, keeping the facility in top class again, keeping the facility in top class condition,<00:
• Um so the way we look at it high level.

Bills: HF4912, HF4664

Keywords: electronic pull-tabs, pull-tabs, tipboards, gambling tax, Minnesota Racing Commission, Thoroughbred, horse racing, Minnesota-bred horses, breeders, owners, racing purses, industry subsidy, gambling revenue dedication, problem gambling, compulsive gambling treatment, general fund appropriation, state affiliate National Council on Problem Gambling, racing incentives, equine industry, public officers

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:30.479> of federal, state, and local levels of federal, state, and local levels of
• <00:10:46.160> They been in class. Um, I snapped them. They been in class.
• You're sitting in class, high school science class, unidentified masked agents, part of a paramilitary
• group, storm into the classroom in a biology class in a middle school English class.
• in a middle school English biology class in a middle school English class.<01:16:27.199> I<01

Bills: HF3435, HF3409

Keywords: school access, school site, school district, charter school, federal agents, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, USCIS, immigration enforcement, judicial warrant, student privacy, school safety, sanctuary schools, warrant requirement, federal warrant, school grounds

Transcript Highlights:

• college graduate-level engineers that we need to fill those jobs as well.
• They don't take a financial accounting class.
• It's math financial accounting class.
• to share at the elementary level.
• to share at the elementary level.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on February 25, 2026, to consider gubernatorial nominees to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council under GM 630, GM 628, and GM 631. The chair explained hearing procedures, noted backup reconvening plans in case of technical failure, and said decision-making would occur after testimony if time permitted. Testimony on all three nominees was overwhelmingly supportive, including from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials, Workforce Development Council representatives, and various outside supporters. For GM 630, Carrie Miro described decades of work on career pathways and emphasized applied learning, internships, and stronger links between education and employers. Senators questioned how to restore hands-on trade and career education and how to connect students to real workforce opportunities; Miro said businesses should help shape training and that students need both credit and employment incentives. For GM 628, Rona Fukumoto said her experience leading Lanakila Pacific and working in homeless services would help the council better understand the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations, and she stressed educating employers and the public. She also said youth programs, apprenticeships, and early intervention for “opportunity youth” are important, and noted that college-based programs like those at HCC can still provide effective hands-on pathways. For GM 631, Keith Dlo, who is seeking reappointment, said the Workforce Development Council should help create a future in Hawaii for younger generations by aligning schools, agencies, employers, and communities. He said his work on American Job Centers and the council’s convening power show it is an active body, not just a reporting mechanism. Senators pressed him on how to measure success beyond federal compliance, and Dlo said the council needs Hawaii-specific metrics focused on participation, completion, job placement, and retention of young residents, while also adapting to changes like AI. No votes or final confirmations were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• She is currently a secretary for the sophomore class of 28.
• Parents deal a lot with their autistic kids depending on the level of autism.
• I nerded out in that class. I had so much fun doing all the hands-on projects.
• And currently, he serves as the junior class... ...honor society and student council.
• And currently, he serves as the junior class vice president.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the junior high and high school level." the junior high and high school level."
• classes so that they can go on.
• state level to do anything about it. state level to do anything about it.
• level. I wish we still had those days. level. I wish we still had those days.
• pharmacists to practice at their level. pharmacists to practice at their level.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm also the mother to a 5 year-old autistic boy with a level to autism.
• Great to have is that many kids in my school are costly, removed from the other classes to retake these
• And I even here on a student level because we asked for feedback, I am so done with testing and they
• one, the teacher might not get the student to level 3 but gets decided to level 2 in previously.
• Unlike the zombies that are in our 07:00AM classes. This is the problem.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are here to learn how to run for office at the local level or at the state level or maybe even beyond
• They are here to learn how to run for office at the local level or at the state level or maybe even beyond
• Um, I don't think an AP English<00:41:05.839> class English class English class should<00:41:07.680
• level then this is this is appropriate. level then this is this is appropriate.
• class that every single student takes. class that every single student takes.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Adding a different level of reporting requirements.
• There's a very broad class of aliens out there.
• Well, at the magistration level, the magistrate has access.
• On a policy level, the concept here is not offensive.
• Harassment is increased to a Class A misdemeanor and assault to a Class 3 felony.

Bills: SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, SCR25, SB687, SB1332, SB2185, SB552, SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SCR25, HB2525, HB142, HB140, HB29, HB451, HB3809, HB3307, HB 1130, HJR1, HB9, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:54.759> we contributing at those higher levels we contributing at those higher levels
• of accounts everywhere, from, you know, at the one level, the trainee, the two levels, advanced, the
• three level is kind of your...
• Do we really need all those levels?
• Do we really need all those levels?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Credit claimed, which was the experience at the federal level.
• Minnesota is uniquely positioned to be a national leader in research and development, with world-class
• Minnesota is uniquely positioned to be a national leader in research and development, with world-class
• , so it is time to make ourselves as competitive as our neighboring states to make sure that world-class
• , so it is time to make ourselves as competitive as our neighboring states to make sure that world-class

Keywords: 919, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are back to normal levels, is my understanding.
• And so they are running those classes as people in those areas receive those court orders to attend classes
• And so that one is level.
• They're taking the four required graduate-level classes.
• Those are for graduate-level classes, which means the tuition and fees for graduate-level classes are

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.