Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:19:58.480> how have several recommendations about how have several recommendations about
• So we do recommend to improve OBFF's So we do recommend to improve OBFF's accountability<00:24:33.600
• We recommend that the office.
• It really is a recommendation, similar in the way our office makes recommendations to agencies, but we
• <01:02:38.079> It they recommend that they do it. It they recommend that they do it.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Audit Commission heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of the Office of Ombuds for Families (OBFF). Auditors said the office remains important because of Minnesota’s long history of racial disparities in the child protection system, but they found major problems with how OBFF is operating. The report said OBFF’s statutory duties are very broad compared with its small staff and budget, and that the ombuds persons are not carrying out all required duties while spending substantial time on activities not required by law. Auditors also said the office’s recent impact is unclear and that its complaint-handling work has significant deficiencies, including poor documentation, limited data, few policies, inconsistent handling, and failure to follow best practices. The presentation also focused on oversight and accountability. Auditors said OBFF’s three community boards, which are supposed to appoint and oversee the ombuds persons, have not provided adequate oversight: meeting requirements were often not met, attendance was low, and there was little evidence the boards were fulfilling their statutory duties. The auditors further said OBFF’s unusual structure, with no single designated leader and shared authority among the three ombuds persons, creates unclear lines of accountability. Their recommendations included revising OBFF’s statutory duties to better match legislative goals and resources, improving complaint-handling practices, strengthening board oversight, and establishing a single leadership position for the office. Members asked follow-up questions about racial disproportionality in out-of-home care, spending on nonrequired activities, and whether the ombuds persons met statutory qualification requirements. Auditors referred members to the report for more detailed data, said the office does not track expenditures by function, and noted that while the ombuds persons have relevant professional backgrounds, the evaluation raised concerns about whether they are meeting their duties as expected. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. recommendation if we can implement this recommendation if we can implement this program<01
• Your recommendation is vote I chair. Your recommendation is adopted.<02:10:04.239> Okay.
• Your recommendation is adopted.
• Your recommendation is adopted. I chair. Your recommendation is adopted.
• Chair recommendation is adopted. Okay. Chair recommendation is adopted. Okay.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills on water, land, housing, permitting, and historic preservation. For SB 746/SD2/HD1 on invasive species, DLNR and the Department of Agriculture supported the intent but warned that a bounty approach for coconut rhinoceros beetle could have unintended consequences, divert resources from biocontrol research, and be vulnerable to abuse; Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measure. The committee also heard SB 1541 on the WoE water system, with testimony from ADC, Kunia Village Title Holding Company, and Farm Bureau in support, emphasizing the importance of the system for agriculture and the high cost of water on lands already dedicated to farming. The most extensive discussion was on SB 66, relating to building permit review and county permitting authority. DPP opposed the bill, saying the problem is not just agency review time but the broader permitting process, including applicant corrections, outside-agency review, staffing shortages, and low pay that make it hard to fill vacancies. DPP said it already meets or beats existing review deadlines for residential permits and is using tools like electronic plans and AI to help applicants submit better plans. Several supporters, including Iron Workers Local 625, an individual witness, and Hawaii Food Industry Association, backed the bill but urged a pilot program or other safeguards; some also asked for broader permit coverage beyond single-family homes. Committee members questioned DPP about whether applicant correction time should count against the clock, whether self-certification could be used, and whether the state should fund any new mandate. The committee then took up SB 26 on affordable housing, with HHFDC, OPSD, and HCDA in support and no opposition noted. Finally, on SB 1263 relating to historic preservation, HHFDC and DLNR supported the bill, while OHA offered comments and requested amendments, especially on the new risk-based review process for high-, medium-, and low-risk areas. OHA said the new procedure should be implemented carefully and allowed more time, describing it as a pilot that should be done well to be useful while still protecting cultural and historic resources. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair's recommendation is adopted.
• The recommendation is adopted.
• Shimizu hearing no others recommendation Shimizu hearing no others recommendation adopted<01:16:
• Council statute so we just recommend Council statute so we just recommend removing<01:48:26.119>
• We are... your recommendation is adopted okay your recommendation is adopted okay thank<02:14:27.920>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• of not charging the ACT ear recommended of not charging the ACT ear recommended contributions<00
• the ACT recommended the ACT recommended contributions<00:29:54.919> on<00:29:55.039> the
• charging accurately recommended charging accurately recommended contributions<00:31:04.559> or
• One of the recommendations that we brought to the board in the same review of opportunities was a recommendation
• <01:31:36.360> that opportunities was a recommendation that opportunities was a recommendation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the event that the Commission orders a recommended decision or written recommendation to be issued
• And the record exists with or without that recommended decision.
• The recommended decision is only a conclusion.
• The recommended decision is only a conclusion of the record.
• Recommendation from the students.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have recommendations having to do with ratepayer protection.
• We also have recommendations having to do with ratepayer protections.
• it did not emerge as a recommendation of the work group.
• And so that recommendation narrowly failed when it was put up for a vote.
• And so that recommendation narrowly failed when it was put up for a vote.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shoemake as chair and Representative Alex Ibarra as vice chair. Members then moved into a series of work sessions focused on data centers, transmission, and workforce needs tied to Washington’s clean energy and grid planning challenges. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, created under Executive Order 25-05. They said the group met for six months, received more than 1,000 public comments, and included representatives from agencies, industry, tribes, labor, utilities, environmental groups, and research institutions. The presenters emphasized that data centers are expected to be the largest source of load growth over the next five to ten years, creating concerns about grid capacity, ratepayer impacts, forecasting, water use, backup generation, and compatibility with Washington’s energy and climate laws. They described nine recommendations, including protecting existing energy and climate policy, improving forecasting, seeking more clean power and transmission, and encouraging flexible data center operations. A proposed tax incentive change that would have expanded eligibility while tying the exemption to new clean electricity sources narrowly failed in the work group. Members asked about tribal consultation, cooling technologies, and local benefits from data centers; the presenters said tribal consultation was ongoing and a final report would follow. Keegan Moyer of West Tech then outlined a regional transmission study showing major strain on the Western grid from load growth, electrification, resiliency needs, and limited transmission capacity. He said the 10-year study identified about 12,000 line miles of needed projects across the West, with roughly $56 billion in estimated costs, including planned projects, reliability upgrades, and new interregional transfer projects. He stressed that many projects are upgrades within existing rights-of-way, but new corridors are still needed, and he previewed recommendations on permitting, equipment procurement, cost allocation, and project sponsorship. In response to questions, he discussed the difficulty of crossing jurisdictional “seams,” the role of federal coordination, landowner compensation, eminent domain as a last resort, and the limited role of public financing beyond a federal GRIP grant. Stephanie Scott of Commerce presented the transmission workforce study, which focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers. She said current workforce levels are far below what will be needed under a clean energy expansion scenario, and that active projects are essential because apprenticeship training depends on thousands of hours of hands-on work. She highlighted barriers such as high upfront CDL and pre-apprenticeship costs, the need for wraparound supports, and the importance of expanding access for women, people of color, and tribal communities. Members asked about tribal utility apprenticeship programs, utility-run training pipelines, and whether the study included funding sources; Scott said the report would include an inventory of apprenticeship programs and tribal considerations, but revenue ideas were outside the study scope. Finally, Brant Johnson of Grid United described the North Plains Connector as a case study in large transmission development. He said the project, a 420-mile, 3,000-megawatt HVDC line connecting Montana and North Dakota, has relied on early stakeholder engagement, route changes, tribal consultation, and coordinated federal and state permitting to reduce risk and shorten timelines. He said the project aims for permits by the end of 2026 and construction beginning in 2028, with an earliest commercial operation date of 2032. In response to questions, he discussed the challenges of crossing regional seams, interconnection queues, land acquisition and compensation, eminent domain, and financing, noting that the project is primarily privately financed with a $700 million federal grant covering a portion of costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendation.
• The recommendation. But if you right? The recommendation.
• Chair, your recommendation is adopted. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.
• Chair, your recommendation is adopted. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.
• Chair, your recommendation is adopted. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Bills: SB3302, SB2061, SB2050, SB2102, SB2694, SB2089, SB847

Keywords: SB3302, homemade food products, farm kitchens, home kitchens, Department of Health, DOH, food safety, food labeling, value-added agriculture, small farms, agricultural land, commercial food establishment permit, cottage food, direct-to-consumer sales, local food systems, Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapter 91, farm-to-table, food processing, public health regulation

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on April 9, 2026, and heard testimony on several measures. SB 3302 SD1 HD1, dealing with homemade food products, would require the Department of Health to adopt rules for farm kitchens producing homemade food products that are no more stringent than rules for home kitchens. The Department of Health said it supported the bill with technical amendments, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii also supported it. No opposition was heard. A lengthy discussion focused on SB 2061 SD2 HD1, which concerns a 99-year leasehold residential condominium project and HCDA’s rules for sales, income restrictions, and buyback pricing. HCDA supported the bill and said the House draft clarified unclear provisions and would help move the project to pre-sales. Testimony and committee questions centered on whether the project should remain owner-occupied in perpetuity or allow investor purchases after an initial sales period. HCDA explained that the bill was revised to make the project feasible in the market, that 60% of units would be income-restricted for buyers at or below 140% of area median income, and that the remaining units could be sold without owner-occupancy restrictions. Some members and testifiers expressed concern that the bill had shifted away from the original owner-occupancy vision and could become an investment property model, while others argued the changes were necessary for the project to pencil out and compete with fee-simple developments. No vote was taken during the discussion shown. The committee also heard SB 2050 SD1 HD1, which would allow chiropractic students in accredited programs to engage in clinical practice beginning July 1, 2028. The Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the measure, and one testifier described personal experience with student chiropractic care in California. Members questioned why the board requested delaying implementation until 2030, and the board said it needed more time to develop rules because it meets only a few times a year and rulemaking is lengthy. Finally, SB 2102 SD2 HD1, on industrial hemp in commercial feed, was introduced; the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered comments, the Department of Health raised concerns about regulating pet food and possible jurisdictional conflict, and a farmer testifying in support suggested narrowing the bill to federally approved livestock feed rather than pet food.

Transcript Highlights:

• The subcommittee recommended reporting with substitute 10 to 0.
• The subcommittee recommended reporting 8 to 2, and I so move.
• The subcommittee recommended reporting 7 to 3. We have a motion to report.
• The subcommittee recommended reporting 7 to 3. Based upon immigration status.
• The subcommittee recommended reporting 10 to 0. A motion to report. Recommended reporting 10 to 0.

Keywords: House Committee Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Leach moves that Senate Bill 835, without amendments, be reported to the full House with the recommendation
• Leach moves that Senate Bill 1073, without amendments, be reported to the full House with the recommendation
• Without amendments, be reported to the full House with the recommendation that it be passed and printed
• Without amendments, be reported to the full House with the recommendation that it be passed and printed
• Leach moves that Senate Bill 1073 without amendments be reported to the full House with the recommendation

Bills: SB1960, SB1730, SB766, SB2342, SB2501, SB2903

Keywords: digital rights, replication, Voice likeness, visual likeness, private causes of action, fee structure, online service providers, postmortem rights, self-defense, stand your ground, castle doctrine, use of force, deadly force, civil immunity, civil liability, tort claims, attorney fees, court costs, lost income, Chapter 9 Penal Code

Transcript Highlights:

• If there are no questions, we recommend we file this report.
• If there are no questions, staff recommends we file. Any questions?
• If there are no questions, staff recommends we file.
• If there are no questions, staff recommends we file. Any questions?
• If there are no questions, staff recommends we file. Any questions?

Summary: The committee began with prayer and approval of the January 8 minutes, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that for the 2022 reports, 19 of 43 entities had had their turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reports, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five outstanding. The committee also filed a report on Adona, where staff said the city had made enough progress toward substantial compliance with municipal accounting laws to discontinue withholding turnback, and the committee adopted that recommendation. The bulk of the meeting focused on municipal accounting noncompliance cases. Gum Springs and Denning were presented with extensive repeat findings involving budgets not adopted by ordinance or resolution, missing or incomplete bank reconciliations, inadequate receipts and disbursement records, payroll issues, and improper handling of Act 833 funds or other city money. Both cities’ mayors and recorders-treasurers testified about efforts to correct records, obtain training, and work with the Municipal League; the committee voted to start the 60-day turnback-withholding clock for both and then filed the reports. Fargo was deferred because no city representative was present. Additional reports included Green Forest, Elaine, Strong, Brooklyn, Mineral Springs, Rondo, Waldo, Columbia County, and several private water and sewer entities. Strong drew significant concern over missing garbage-bag revenue, improper fund transfers, and deficit balances; the committee deferred that report to the March meeting. The committee also heard investigative or referred reports on the Faulkner County Fair Association, Brooklyn payroll direct-deposit fraud, and other entities with questionable disbursements or recordkeeping. In several cases, staff recommended filing the reports after responses were received; in others, the committee deferred action when responses were lacking or representatives were absent. The meeting ended with a motion to defer a Cross County Rural Water matter so the entity could appear at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you said you were not sure, but isn't this a TABC recommendation?
• You mentioned this conflicting with the sunset recommendation. Could you elaborate on that?
• Senator Perry moves that the bill be recommended for the local and uncontested calendars.
• Senator Zaffirini moves that the bill be recommended for the local and uncontested calendars.
• That the bill be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Is there any objection?

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I want to give recommendations on STR 16.
• Um, I want to give<00:09:08.800> recommendations<00:09:09.519> on give recommendations
• Recommendation Voting on SR12, STR 16.
• I recommendation is Senator Favlla.
• Recommendation is adopted.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SR 12/SCR 16, which asks the Department of Health to convene a task force to identify minimum professional standards for community health worker training programs. The Department of Health supported the measure and said it could take on the work with current resources. Testimony from Papa Ola Lokahi, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Community Health Worker Association, and community health workers strongly supported the resolution but urged broader task force representation, including community health workers themselves, Papa Ola Lokahi, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, the Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Community Health Worker Alliance, and community-based rural nonprofit organizations. Several testifiers also asked that community health workers make up at least half of the task force. The department indicated it had no objection to adding the requested groups, and members discussed those proposed amendments. The committee then took up SR 141/SCR 172, which requests a Department of Health working group on demolition waste reduction. Energy Justice Network and other supporters urged amendments, including use of the internationally recognized zero-waste definition and hierarchy. The committee also heard SR 165/SCR 205, which would direct the Department of Health to adopt rules setting maximum decibel levels for concerts or events at private venues in primarily residential areas. The department said it was already working on noise issues and wanted a community noise working group to address nuisances beyond current statutory categories, but members questioned the lack of specific standards, the absence of a defined working group membership, and whether the proposal would lead to broader restrictions on events. Testimony and discussion focused on concerns about noise impacts, enforcement, and the balance between community complaints and long-standing local events. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided. The hearing then moved on to SR 174/SCR 194, which would ask the Department of Health to reduce the use of disposable surgical equipment and adopt sustainable practices, but discussion of that measure was not included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read the first bill on the calendar together with committee recommendations.
• I recommend that House Bill 2950 do pass. Thank you.
• To the whole rise to report, I recommend that House Bill 2950 do pass.
• House Bill 2950 as amended receive a do-pass recommendation.
• It recommends that House Bill 4136 do pass. Representative Colleton. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions and proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Eric Osowski as Doctor of the Day, Donate Life Day participants, State Farm Day guests, and proclamations honoring Ganado Unified School District and Chinle Unified School District for academic and cultural achievements. The chamber also handled routine business such as committee assignments, Senate messages, and motions to adjourn and to refer bills to additional Committee of the Whole consideration. The main floor action centered on several bills and a concurrent resolution. HB 2093 was amended to restore mental health instruction while removing social-emotional learning, and HB 2229 was amended after debate over abortion-related language and public funding restrictions; both received do-pass recommendations. HB 2429, HB 2950, and HB 4136 also received do-pass recommendations after floor amendments, with HB 2950 amended to make tourism improvement areas voluntary and add notice requirements. HB 4001 advanced after extensive debate over regulating alternative nicotine products, with supporters arguing it would help curb youth vaping and opponents urging taxation and stronger public-health provisions. HB 4030 and HCR 2052, both focused on limiting municipal tax and fee increases tied to affordability, inflation, and utility costs, were heavily amended and advanced after debate over local control, data centers, water costs, and the scope of the amendments. The House also took up procedural challenges, including a failed appeal of the chair’s ruling that a health-care claims amendment to HCR 2052 was out of order under the single-subject rule. On final adoption of the Committee of the Whole report, the House ordered HB 4001 and HB 4030 and HCR 2052, as amended, to engrossing and signing. In third reading, HB 2170 passed 36-16, HB 2380 passed 31-21, HB 2389 passed 31-21, HB 2784 passed 31-21, and HB 2902 passed 31-21, while HB 2388 failed 23-29. The transcript ends as the House was moving on to HB 294.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2669, a do-pass recommendation. Thank you guys, appreciate you.
• You've given House Bill 2256 as amended a do pass recommendation.
• House Bill 2256 as amended has a do pass recommendation. Rep.
• You've given House Concurrent Memorial 2007 a do pass recommendation. The do pass recommendation.
• You've given House Resolution 203 a due pass recommendation.

Bills: HB2163, HB2256, HB2305, HB2367, HB2369, HB2669, HB2772, HB2916, HCM2007, HCR2004, HR2003

Keywords: lighting laws, construction equipment, farm equipment, vehicle safety, Arizona Revised Statutes, salvage vehicles, insurance claims, abandoned vehicles, salvage auction dealers, vehicle title, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, law enforcement, neighborhood electric vehicles, alternative fuel, vehicle license tax, tax exemption

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2669, which would limit railroad train length to 8,500 feet on main and branch lines in Arizona. The sponsor and several supporters, including a Santa Cruz County fire captain and a BNSF engineer, argued that very long trains create public safety risks by blocking crossings, delaying EMS and fire response, and increasing the consequences of derailments involving hazardous materials. Union Pacific’s witness opposed the bill, saying train length does not cause derailments, that railroads already track crossings and train movement, and that shorter trains would increase congestion and delays. Members debated safety concerns versus interstate commerce and constitutional issues, then advanced the bill on a do-pass recommendation by roll call vote. The committee then considered HB 2369, as amended, which requires certain photo-enforcement citations to be signed by the presiding judge and allows electronic signatures. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by a Mesa issue involving about 40,000 citations that bore the wrong judge’s signature after a judge left the bench. A Mesa representative and a Paradise Valley court director testified that their photo-radar citations already include a judge’s signature, though the practice varies by court. Members discussed whether the requirement should apply only to photo enforcement, whether a designee should be allowed if a judge is unavailable, and whether the bill should be clarified further. The Martinez amendment was adopted, and the bill was returned with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2256, a technical cleanup measure for salvage auction dealers, was then approved. The bill allows a salvage auction dealer to obtain title to a vehicle abandoned after an insurance claim is denied or unpaid, and sets notice and title-release procedures; the amendment refined how an insurance company may request actions regarding a salvage vehicle and payment of storage fees. A CoPart representative said the change would streamline handling of total-loss vehicles when coverage is denied or the owner cannot be located. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do-pass recommendation. The committee also approved HCM 2007, which urges renaming sections of State Route 69 to honor veterans from five wars, after members discussed adding World War I to the memorial. HB 2772, which would place a pre-hospital medical care directive indicator on driver licenses or ID cards, generated extensive discussion about DNR/advance directive language, first-responder liability, good Samaritan protections, and whether the designation should be handled through a hospital-style advance directive instead. The sponsor said he was willing to work on amendments and broader stakeholder input, and the committee recessed and then held the bill for later consideration. Separately, HCR 2004, which would prohibit photo enforcement systems such as speed and red-light cameras if approved by voters, was heard with strong opposition from Scottsdale Police, who said photo enforcement reduces collisions and serious injuries and should remain a local decision; supporters argued the systems raise due process concerns and do not stop dangerous driving. The transcript ends during that debate, before a final committee action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those two staff recommends that we're removed from the 60-day list. Second.
• And they had an agency that gave you that recommendation with CMW? Okay.
• Staff recommends we defer this report.
• Staff recommends that we take a minute to review those.
• And if there are no questions, staff recommends that we file these reports.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee heard multiple audit and compliance reports involving Arkansas municipalities and a regional solid waste district. Several small towns were discussed for repeat findings involving delinquent water and sewer audits, municipal accounting noncompliance, and misuse of street funds, including Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, Haynes, Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove. In several cases, staff noted that turnback escrow was already being withheld because required water audits had not been filed, and some entities were reported to be current on payment plans only after staff updated the records through May 2026. The committee also reviewed a special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District, which included findings on payroll approvals, contracts, credit card documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, bidding, advertising costs, and the sale of trailers and other equipment. A separate report on municipal accounting noncompliance was presented for towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Fargo, Lead Hill, and Alma, with staff recommending some be removed from the 60-day list while others remained under review. Several local officials appeared and explained the findings. Fargo’s mayor said the town was understaffed and had begun improving records, while Lead Hill’s mayor said the town had hired more office help and was working to complete overdue water audits. Alma’s officials said they were trying to catch up on audits and accounting issues. Jericho’s police chief defended the town’s traffic enforcement and said the town had adjusted speed limits and enforcement practices to avoid the speed-trap threshold, while staff clarified that the prosecutor decides whether to pursue penalties. Haynes officials said revenue losses and the loss of their police department had made it difficult to keep up with required street-fund payments, and Gilmore officials said they were working on IRS and other debts. The Pulaski County district director said the board had authorized many of the questioned practices and that some issues, such as advertising and vehicle use, were tied to public education and operational needs. The committee took several actions. It approved minutes, accepted or filed some reports without objection, removed Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day list, and deferred action on several matters, including Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Haynes, and the Pulaski County solid waste district, generally until the September or August meeting. Motions to defer or file reports were adopted in multiple cases, and the committee also noted that some matters had been referred to the appropriate prosecuting attorney for further review. The meeting ended with recognition of visiting accounting students who were attending as part of summer internships.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the bill passes as recommended by the conference committee report.
• The bill passes as recommended by the conference committee report.
• As recommended by the conference committee report.
• As recommended by the Conference Committee report.
• The bill passes as recommended by the conference committee report.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendation is to move this as a Senate draft one.
• Recommendations to pass with amendments. Chair Aino. Hi. Vice Chair Votes. I senator Yhara. Hi.
• The recommendations are adopted. Okay. Thank you very much. That concludes our agenda.
• Recommendations to pass with SR 117.
• <00:03:52.879> Thank recommendations are adopted. Okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology met for decision making on Friday, March 28, 2025, and considered two related resolutions, STR 145 and SR 117, concerning the creation of a legislative working group to develop recommendations for establishing and implementing a paid family and medical leave program for Hawaii. The chair explained that the committee would move the measures as a Senate draft with several amendments to clarify that the Department of Labor would convene the working group and could contract with an independent third-party consultant for facilitation, legal and regulatory review, comparative analysis, compliance and eligibility analysis, staffing and operating requirements, drafting recommendations, and the final report. The committee also amended the resolutions to require review of relevant federal and state laws and existing programs, specifically including the Orisa prepaid healthcare act family leave reference as stated in the transcript, and to add an actuarial study or analysis of Hawaii’s workforce, employers, and potential beneficiaries. Another amendment removed LRB as a technical assistance resource because of budget concerns raised in testimony, while clarifying that the Department of Labor may contract for those services. The chair also noted that a representative would be added as a member of the working group, and that the chair of the working group could add other stakeholders as needed, along with any technical, non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency. No questions or concerns were raised, and the committee voted to recommend passage of STR 145 and SR 117 with amendments. The votes were unanimous, and the recommendations were adopted, concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendation<00:37:19.119> adopted. Recommendation adopted. Recommendation adopted.
• > with recommendation is to pass with recommendation is to pass with amendments,<00:39:26.480>
• <00:39:46.960> uh recommendation is to pass as is. uh recommendation is to pass as is. uh
• > un<00:40:10.240> amended recommendation is to pass un amended recommendation is to pass
• Your recommendation is reservations? Your recommendation is adopted. adopted. adopted.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard three resolutions. STR 53 SD1 sought to have the Legislative Reference Bureau work with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunications access so residents can participate in the legislative process. Testimony from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure, emphasizing that many advocates cannot always travel to the Capitol and need better access. STR 117 SD1 urged the Department of Education to work with the Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and the County of Hawaii to inventory bus stops on Hawaii Island used by students and develop safety improvements; DOE described an upcoming live route audit, noted the large number of routes and stops on the Big Island, and said some stops are on private roads. The Department of Transportation, Hawaii County Council, the mayor’s office, and others supported the measure, and members discussed whether the effort could eventually expand statewide. STR 134 asked the Department of Education to provide a detailed report on the true cost of producing school meals to improve transparency and avoid unnecessary price increases. DOE said it already tracks food, labor, benefits, supplies, equipment, and other costs to calculate per-meal costs, but does not currently include transportation costs in the same way; it stated its breakfast cost was $5.80 and lunch cost was $8.66. Support testimony came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the Hawaii Hunger Action Network, and others, who said clearer cost information is especially important amid funding uncertainty. In decision making, the committee amended and passed STR 53 SD1, reverting it to the original draft by replacing the Legislative Reference Bureau with the Controller and adding coordination with the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, while removing references tied to the LRB and the public access room outreach clause. The committee also amended and passed STR 117 SD1, shifting the lead role to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and adding a request for the County of Hawaii to consider funding the effort. STR 134 was passed unamended. Representative Souza was excused for the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to Chair Cataldo and... ...and thoughtful recommendations that have been presented.
• DESE appreciates the intent of the recommendations before the commission.
• Those recommendations were considered at our public July 9th hearing.
• That way, it can be referenced by future readers of the recommendations.
• we support the recommendation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the July 9, 2025 minutes and a roll call confirming quorum. DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez gave his first official testimony, affirming the department’s commitment to preventing antisemitism and societal bias in schools, saying DESE supports the commission’s recommendations and will add staff resources to help develop and disseminate guidance and instructional materials. He said DESE’s rubric and guidance for identifying effective curricula and resources should be finalized in late fall, and commissioners welcomed the partnership and asked about the ongoing Section 98A work. The commission then heard from Professor Eitan Hirsch of Tufts, who presented research on antisemitism and campus climate. He described survey findings showing sharply different Jewish and non-Jewish views on Israel, increasing social pressure on Jewish students, and a growing tendency for Jewish students to hide their identity or feel penalized for participating in Jewish life. He argued that colleges need to do more to teach students how to handle dissent and build cultures of viewpoint diversity, and commissioners asked about best practices, regional differences, and the role of campus climate surveys. Rabbi Fine of UMass Amherst Hillel and student Sky Landau testified about antisemitism at UMass, especially since October 7. Fine described both a thriving Jewish student community and serious incidents including harassment, vandalism, classroom issues, protests, and students hiding Jewish identity; he said the university is working with Hillel and DEI leadership on goals and strategy for Jewish inclusion, and he urged more training and structured dialogue. Landau described antisemitic incidents she experienced or witnessed, including hostile BDS meetings, exclusion of Zionist students, Holocaust denial, threats, and social ostracism, and said Hillel was the only consistently safe space for her. Commissioners discussed reporting pathways, affinity groups, mental health supports, and ways to distinguish criticism of Israel from antisemitism. Later, the commission moved to its recommendations and made several edits before voting, including deleting offensive wording in a footnote, adding a citation to recent FBI hate crime data, and restoring language tied to an existing DESE regulation, 603 CMR 26.05, on classroom neutrality and fact-based instruction. Commissioners also reiterated that criticism of Israel’s government is not inherently antisemitic. The meeting included a brief interruption by a protester, after which the commission recessed and then resumed its work on the draft recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support the Governor's recommendation to stabilize Tier 2 rates, and we also urge this body to find
• We recommend modifying the Governor's proposal to make the Tier 2 rate fully fixed.
• We wouldn’t recommend changing this program to be attendance-based.
• We recommend rejecting the fourth round of kitchen infrastructure and training funds.
• So our recommendation, and CSU says that the Governor's budget target of 2.1% is a bit high.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard testimony and took up three main budget areas: the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), differentiated assistance and the statewide system of support, and universal school meals with kitchen infrastructure grants. Public commenters and agency witnesses generally supported continued or increased funding for ELOP, with several groups urging stabilization of Tier 2 rates, more support for older youth, and preservation of equity guardrails and local flexibility. On school meals and kitchen infrastructure, testimony broadly supported universal meals and additional kitchen funding, while the LAO questioned the need for a fourth round of kitchen grants and recommended rejecting it until clearer unmet-need data are available. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to provide $4.7 billion ongoing for the program and $62.4 million ongoing to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended instead fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579 and tying future changes to program requirements. CDE said the program is showing positive results in attendance and math, but data on enrollment patterns, TK participation, and some overlap with other programs are still being collected. Members raised concerns about possible double-funding with ACEs and 21st Century programs, the lack of site-specific data, and whether the current structure best targets students most in need; the issue was left open. For differentiated assistance, CCEE outlined the current statewide system of support and the Governor’s proposal to shift to universal and targeted assistance with a three-year cycle. Finance said the proposal would provide more stable county office funding, broaden universal supports, and give the State Board more flexibility to revise eligibility criteria; it also proposed $131.9 million ongoing for universal and targeted assistance. The LAO objected to changing the system before the State Board finalizes the new performance criteria and recommended revisiting the proposal later, while several members worried that a three-year entry window and broader board authority could weaken subgroup-based equity protections. The committee also discussed school meal funding, with Finance proposing $1.8 billion for universal meals and $100 million ongoing plus $100 million one-time for kitchen infrastructure, while CDE emphasized ongoing needs, deferred maintenance, and the importance of flexibility for innovative strategies such as food pantries. The committee held the issues open and invited additional public comment before moving on.