Keywords: HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SRXoF8fbBI, 2026-07-02T01:22:43+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Scheduled for February 4, 2020 Ka ‘Aha Kenekoa THE SENATE Ka ‘Aha ‘Ōlelo Kanakolu THE THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE ‘Aha Kau Kānāwai 2020 REGULAR SESSION OF 2020 Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair Ke Kōmike Ikehu, Ho‘omohala Waiwai, a me ka ‘Oihana Ho‘okipa Malihini COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM Kenekoa/Senator Glenn Wakai, Luna Ho’omalu/Chair Senator Brian T. Taniguchi, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 4, 2020/ Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Hola / TIME: 2:45 p.m. Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 414 / Conference Room 414 Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street Papa Kumuhana A G E N D A SB 2527 RELATING TO BROADBAND SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE. Establishes the broadband service infrastructure grant program to award grants to applicants to extend deployment of facilities used to provide broadband service to unserved and underserved areas of the State. Makes an appropriation. TEC/EET, WAM Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Peleluali 4, 2020/ Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Hola / TIME: 2:50 p.m. Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 414 / Conference Room 414 Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street Papa Kumuhana A G E N D A SB 2837 RELATING TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STEERING COMMITTEE. Preserves the continuity of the Information Technology Steering Committee to properly administer 27-43, Hawaii Revised Statutes, while redefining the composition of the committee. TEC, JDC SB 2243 RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY. Requires the house and senate to permit remote testimony, via telephone, at public hearings. TEC, WAM SB 2432 RELATING TO CABLE TELEVISION. Amends the factors the director of commerce and consumer affairs must consider when determining whether cable service should be made available upon a new application of a cable franchise. Requires that the director require cable operators to provide cable service to residences in their service area where there is a minimum density of at least twenty-five homes per linear mile, with certain exceptions. TEC, CPH Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair Ua Ho‘opane‘e ‘ia nā Pila a i ka Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 4, 2020 MEASURES DEFERRED TO Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 4, 2020/ Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Hola / TIME: 2:55 p.m. Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 414 / Conference Room 414 Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street Ka Ho‘oholo Mana‘o ‘ana ma nā Pila i Helu ‘ia ma Lalo Nei: DECISION MAKING ON THE FOLLOWING MEASURE(S): SB 2307 RELATING TO STATE PROCUREMENT OF WIFI AND INTERNET SERVICES. Requires that all state and state funded facilities have internet computer and wireless access filters to block access to pornography sites. GVO/TEC, WAM SB 2836 RELATING TO THE ACCESS HAWAII COMMITTEE. Gives agencies more flexibility and online options to provide enhanced digital services to the public in order to better serve the public and businesses TEC/GVO, JDC No Ka ‘Ike ‘Ē A‘e, E Kelepona Aku I Ke Kākau ‘Ōlelo Kōmike Ma (808) 587-7217. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT (808) 587-7217., 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• We're only using $200 million of what is probably about a $1.5 billion surplus, which will come back
• And we think that targeting it in this way is an appropriate use of one-time money and... ...on here
• We're only using $200 million of what is probably about a $1.5 billion surplus, which will come back
• By withholding appropriated funds for climate resilience, the Trump administration is making it clear
• And so I think redeploying that bill to this use is actually a really appropriate way to do that.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development held a hearing on the DRIVE Act, a proposal to invest $400 million in Massachusetts research and innovation without new taxes. Governor Healey and administration officials said the bill would direct $200 million to public higher education research and regional partnerships and $200 million to a research funding pool for hospitals, universities, and other institutions, with the goal of retaining talent, leveraging private and philanthropic dollars, and offsetting major federal R&D cuts. They argued that research is a core economic engine for the state, supporting jobs across labs, construction, services, and surrounding businesses, and said the bill would help protect the Commonwealth’s tax base and competitiveness during a period of federal uncertainty and cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether Fair Share surtax dollars should instead be used for K-12 and other community needs, whether the proposal is enough given the scale of lost federal grants, and how the money would be allocated. The governor responded that the funds are one-time surplus dollars, that most surtax revenue already supports education, and that the bill is meant as a bridge to stabilize public higher education and research. She also said the legislation includes a review board and could support a revolving or matched-fund approach in some cases. Several members pressed for more detail on selection criteria, future funding, and whether private companies and large endowments should contribute more. University of Massachusetts leaders and researchers testified that federal grant cancellations and delays are already causing layoffs, furloughs, rescinded admissions, and lost research capacity. UMass officials said the bill would help preserve faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research programs in medicine, climate science, marine science, Braille instruction, and AI decision-making. They emphasized that the funding should be merit-based and that the state needs to act quickly to prevent talent from leaving Massachusetts. Business, labor, and industry groups, including MassBio, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, AIM, the AFL-CIO, and Building Trades, supported the bill, saying it would protect jobs, sustain the innovation ecosystem, and reinforce Massachusetts’ national leadership in research and life sciences. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have another bill that had to go through education, not health, and then go to appropriations, but
• The money is appropriated to the Higher Education Department.
• I was blessed to raise three sons, and I had "the talk" with them at an appropriate age.
• I made a comment that schools would absorb this and take it from their surplus.
• So just plan B, or keep in mind, or maybe you will be asking for appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Otherwise, my understanding was that we can't put the surplus that we had in the education trust fund
• <00:06:28.880> that<00:06:29.039> we<00:06:29.199> had the Surplus that we had
• the Surplus that we had bu<00:06:30.400> in<00:06:30.639> the<00:06:30.919> education
• Otherwise, my understanding was that we can't put the surplus that we had in the education trust fund
• um the appropriation from general fund<00:09:26.600> go<00:09:26.839> into<00:09:27.200

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 295, which would make school building aid funds non-lapsing/non-APS. Representative Cahill said the bill was intended to keep any unused building aid money available for future projects, potentially helping move projects up the priority list or provide a little more funding for school construction. Members asked about how much money has lapsed in past years, whether the education trust fund and building aid are separate, and whether any lapsing dollars could be used to pay down debt. Department of Education official Jim Carney said about $29.1 million would be available if building aid is funded to the $50 million maximum in FY26, confirmed that the fund currently lapses, and said the department would gather historical lapse data. Committee members also discussed whether a dedicated fund structure could achieve the same goal, and the chair noted that the education trust fund statute includes school building aid as one of its uses. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee said it would later hold a work session after receiving more information. The committee then took up HB 237, introduced by Representative Dan McGuire, which would prohibit the use of special education state funds and differentiated aid for students not receiving special education services. The New Hampshire School Boards Association, through Becky Wilson, opposed the bill as written, saying it was unclear, potentially unnecessary, and difficult to implement because adequacy and differentiated aid are distributed as part of a districtwide lump sum rather than as student-specific dollars. She explained that special education costs are embedded across district budgets, including staffing, training, transportation, and instruction, and that some staff and services benefit both special education and general education students. Wilson also said differentiated aid is not tied to a specific pupil and is used at the district’s discretion, though it is intended to support students with greater needs. Committee members pressed on whether the bill would require districts to track money by individual student, whether it could conflict with federal special education law, and whether it would affect least restrictive environment requirements. Wilson said making the funds student-specific could create privacy and accounting problems and could make it difficult to staff inclusive classrooms, though she did not give a definitive legal opinion on federal compliance. She agreed that students who are not eligible for special education would not be included in the separate catastrophic/special education aid reimbursement program. The discussion continued into the second section of the bill, with members exploring how adequacy aid and differentiated aid are used in practice, but no action was taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I believe an amendment would be open and appropriate. would benefit uh the US people uh the US would
• from these volcanoes does not do any damage to volcanic activity because there’s such a gigantic surplus
• from these volcanoes does not do any damage to volcanic activity because there’s such a gigantic surplus
• from these volcanoes does not do any damage to volcanic activity because there’s such a gigantic surplus
• from these volcanoes does not do any damage to volcanic activity because there’s such a gigantic surplus

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These could be appropriations that were modified or new appropriations entirely or appropriations that
• 00:05:16.320> changed or appropriations that were changed or appropriations that were changed
• base appropriation base appropriation FY2829<00:08:25.360> to<00:08:25.520> set<00
• Line 219 is a deletion of the appropriation for the Second Harvest Heartland appropriation.
• Section 2 is appropriations to the MDA, with subdivision 1 being the total appropriation.

Bills: HF2446

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Huge surplus, we blew it, and we still didn't address any of the real critical needs.
• Huge surplus, we blew it, and we still didn't address any of the real critical needs.
• level and through the appropriate resource?
• level and through the appropriate resource?
• level and through the appropriate resource?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the House bill, there was an $80,000 appropriation each year of the budget.
• The Senate eliminated that appropriation and established a dedicated fund for gifts and donations to
• response to the issue an appropriate response to the issue that<02:08:25.360> our<02:08:25.599
• <02:10:23.840> money<02:10:24.079> to<02:10:24.239> the offer s surplus money
• to the offer s surplus money to the municipality<02:10:25.040> for<02:10:25.280> deposit

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In a concise and appropriate manner, and one that gets the message across.
• was appropriated for transfer to the Department of Public Safety.
• Now on page five, item three discusses the border security appropriations.
• With our current appropriations standing here today. Okay.
• Do you all know that, or is that appropriate for the agency to ask?

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• of these rules really create a framework for us to be able to plan and interconnect large loads appropriately
• So typically staff will put that rule out and go as far out as they think is appropriate and others.
• They're at a record surplus for their budget, and it's very well received in the community.
• And Jacobs has designed a long-term plan that runs through 2080 on how we get from a deficit to a surplus
• We do not receive any state appropriations.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, well, just one comment and then I have a question for the appropriate person who's here today.
• Um, well, just one comment and then I have a question for the appropriate person who's here today.
• Um, well, just one comment and then I have a question for the appropriate person who's here today.
• Um, well, just one comment and then I have a question for the appropriate person who's here today.
• Um, well, just one comment and then I have a question for the appropriate person who's here today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what the bill would do is limit appropriations to one-time extension per appropriation, but keeping
• You'll see all of the open appropriations, and you'll be able to filter by those open appropriations.
• by appropriation, what was going on.
• You can filter by any one of these project titles, the appropriation ID if you have it, appropriation
• We don't have special appropriations in here. She is tracking special appropriations.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• I think our appropriations look fairly large.
• Here is our five-year appropriation history. Appropriations have been very stable.
• Here's our appropriation review from 24 and 25.
• To increase appropriations by $500,000, which would give us a total of $5.9 million in appropriations
• Actually, I think they were appropriations.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the remainder of that is called surplus, unassigned funds.
• You know, their insurance regulations, their surplus premiums have to be, uh, they have to do something
• regulations, you know, their insurance regulations, you<00:57:05.440> their<00:57:05.599> surplus
• premiums have to be uh you their surplus premiums have to be uh they<00:57:08.319> have<00:57
• time if there is an at the appropriate time if there is an argument<03:13:28.960> as<03:13:29.200

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota has been very good to these households, and I think it's appropriate that they pay a little
• House Research: Madam Chair and Representative Roach, the total annual appropriation for LGA is
• You take an $18 surplus. You take $10 in tax increases, and that's not enough.
• 01:08:25.120> in<01:08:25.240> tax<01:08:25.600> increases, surplus.
• You take $10 in tax increases, surplus.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I explained to them why I thought it was an appropriate House Bill 2 item, but I said we will engage
• <00:13:16.760> and legislature has appropriate and legislature has appropriate and appropriate
• that it's a diagnosis that's appropriate that it's a diagnosis that's appropriate for<01:06:52.200
• individuals were getting the appropriate individuals were getting the appropriate care<03:58:29.080
• <03:59:37.319> provider well-qualified appropriate provider well-qualified appropriate provider

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• hold ourselves to a high standard to ensure that the funds that we spend for health care are done appropriately
• session, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, Representatives, or the Chair of the appropriate
• So right that only allows for the lieutenant governor's or speak or chair of the appropriate committee
• that for the state of Texas, where because of all your great work we're going to have a $23 billion surplus
• But I would think the more appropriate thing based on what you're saying is that you would be should

Bills: HB138, HB335, HB388, HB138

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• money from a previous appropriation money from a previous appropriation dealing<00:09:50.320>
• Um, so there's a surplus in that account right now, and this just increases that appropriation. dealing
• the uh um the appropriation canled out. the uh um the appropriation canled out.
• <00:24:03.200> So appropriates that money back out. So appropriates that money back out.
• So everyone has seen these appropriations previously. appropriations in the last bianium that appropriations

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to turn to the legislative appropriation request that was submitted at the end of last last summer
• And for the businessmen and women among you, think of that 81 million dollars as trade. surplus.
• It accounts for 8.1% of SFA's annual state appropriation. funding is essential for covering educational
• This would be a one-time $30 million appropriation and investment by by the state to help supercharge
• Jack Hitzman, Vice Chair Martinez, House Appropriations Committee.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriateness of an exchange<00:04:27.680> of<00:04:27.840> resources.
• We actually at this moment are running at a surplus.
• We actually at this moment are running at a surplus.
• wanted to ask, would it be appropriate wanted to ask, would it be appropriate to<01:03:16.880>
• <01:03:51.119> in I think that u would be appropriate in I think that u would be appropriate

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for Representative McCool, who was absent due to a family death, then approved the April 14 minutes and noted the agenda contained 482 items totaling about $138.6 million. The first deferred item involved the Office of the Controller and a brokerage services contract. Senators questioned why the new contract was roughly $1 million a year when a prior vendor had been paid about $300,000 annually, why the procurement was rebid after years of no-bid arrangements, and why past performance was not heavily weighted. Agency witnesses said the prior vendor had held the work for more than 20 years, the new RFP drew more competition, technical evaluators did not see cost until after technical scoring, and AON received the highest technical score despite being an out-of-state vendor with its closest office in Nashville. After discussion, the committee voted to take no action, and the contract advanced to the Finance Cabinet for final decision. The committee then considered a DCBS memorandum of agreement amendment. Members asked what funding was being redirected to cover an increase of about $265,000. DCBS explained that reduced spending on interpreter services, due to more commonly used forms being translated into other languages, freed up funds to support the contract. The committee approved the item. Next, the committee reviewed an initial contract for the Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists. The board explained that its small legal staff was handling 11 active cases and needed outside counsel with investigators and additional attorneys because of ongoing litigation and disciplinary changes tied to prior legislation and a recent LOIC report. Members asked whether the contract was a not-to-exceed amount and whether the board could afford it; the board said the $50,000 was a ceiling, not an expected spend, and that the board was fully funded through licensing fees and currently running a surplus. Senator Thomas urged support, citing recent reforms in Senate Bills 14 and 22 and the need to help the board work through corrective action. The committee approved the contract. The Board of Pharmacy item was then deferred at the agency’s request until the June 2025 meeting, and the committee approved that deferral.