Video & Transcript : 'trauma facilities' :
Page 85 of 500
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We're also not addressing the trauma that families undergo when they discover that a loved one who has
- </c> age we're also not addressing the trauma age we're also not addressing the trauma that<01:21:32.000
- The trauma that my family experienced when I finally confessed to them my addiction... could bet on a
- So this disease has created significant trauma, and I do feel that having it accessible online has made
- and and I do created significant trauma and and I do feel<01:48:00.119><c> that</c><01:48:00.400><c>
Committee:
Senate Finance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- with historically underserved and underrepresented communities where families have faced poverty, trauma
- and as a mother of two children, when I had to pull my kids out and put them in another academic facility
- , it was really heartbreaking, the hurdles. ...in another academic facility.
- preschool all the way to high school and community college, and I've also taught in three prison facilities
- consistent training in trauma-informed practices or a clear, integrated approach to social-emotional
Summary:
The committee heard several education-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 2189, AB 2615, AB 2496, AB 1750, and AB 1644. AB 2189 would create an $800,000 grant program through the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to support a statewide parent network for special education advocacy and training. Supporters said families need stronger coordination and information to navigate special education, while an opponent argued the bill could duplicate existing family-led organizations. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to Appropriations, held on call for add-on votes.
AB 2615, a cleanup bill to AB 715 on antisemitism and instructional materials, drew the most controversy. The authors said it was intended to clarify prior commitments by removing references to professional responsibility standards, refining the “factually accurate” language, and clarifying how discriminatory materials are handled. Supporters said it would help protect students from discrimination, while many educators, civil rights groups, and other organizations opposed it unless amended, warning that the factual-accuracy language could chill teaching and be applied too broadly. The committee chair and members raised concerns about implementation but ultimately supported moving the bill forward; it passed 5-0 and was held on call.
AB 2496 would streamline school accountability reporting by making the California School Dashboard the primary transparency tool, phasing out the School Accountability Report Card over time, and making mid-year LCAP reporting optional. Supporters said this would reduce duplication and administrative burden while preserving access to key data; opponents worried families could lose the simplicity and accessibility of the current SARC and that the mid-year update still serves an important purpose. The bill was approved 3-0 and held on call. AB 1750, which would extend full salary for an additional five months for school employees who exhaust sick leave due to illness or injury, was supported as a dignity and retention measure but opposed by administrators over staffing and cost concerns; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. AB 1644 would require a bell-to-bell smartphone ban in TK-8 and recommend it for high school, with exceptions for instructional and safety needs; supporters said phones are harming attention and learning, while opponents argued districts had just adopted local policies and needed more flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Vets Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- on Morrison County, which is home to Camp Ripley, one of the nation's premier military training facilities
- Camp Ripley is a 53,000-acre regional training facility that serves not only the Minnesota National Guard
- Each year, more than 65,000 service members train at this elite facility, which is nearly double the
- investigating allegations of criminal sexual conduct involving military personnel. on state-owned military facilities
- The goal of opening four new facilities has come to fruition.
Committee:
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It is a statewide facility. Patients come from all over the state to go to Hennepin Healthcare.
- level one hospital intact in our trauma level one hospital intact in Minnesota.
- </c> just a regional facility. just a regional facility.
- </c> It is a statewide facility. It is a statewide facility.
- do not reside in Hennepin facility do not reside in Hennepin County.
Committee:
House Health Finance and Policy
Keywords:
HF4401, Minnesota Medical Assistance, dental reimbursement, dental rates, critical access dental providers, Medicaid dental, MinnesotaCare, managed care plans, county-based purchasing plans, fee-for-service, oral health access, safety-net clinics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Indian health services, state-operated dental clinics, low-income patients, children's dental care, provider reimbursement, dental access
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- AT THE DETENTION FACILITY CURRENTLY.
- CURRENTLY, THE 287G CONTEMPLATES THE DETENTION FACILITIES AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS.
- As a mother, I can't imagine the trauma of my child being ripped from their classroom and carted away
- THE TRAUMA OF MY OTHER STUDENTS EXPERIENCING, SEEING THIS HAPPENING.
- IMMIGRANTS FLEEING TRAUMA WILL FIND THEMSELVES TRAPPED IN A SYSTEM THAT REINFORCES THAT WHICH THEY FLED
Keywords:
immigration enforcement, unauthorized alien entry, death penalty, capital felonies, 287G agreements, in-state tuition, undocumented students, DACA, TPS, Venezuelan immigrants, law enforcement funding, immigration detention, federal preemption, equal protection, constitutional challenges, immigration status determination, school resource officers, conscientious objection, clergy protection, teacher protection
Summary:
The Florida House passed two immigration enforcement bills during a special session. Senate Bill 4C creates new state offenses for unauthorized alien entry/reentry into Florida and mandates the death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of capital felonies. Senate Bill 2C establishes a state immigration enforcement board, provides $300+ million for local law enforcement immigration cooperation, creates a $1,000 bonus program for officers participating in federal immigration enforcement, and repeals in-state tuition for undocumented students effective July 1, 2025. Multiple amendments were proposed but failed, including protections for Venezuelan TPS holders, DACA recipients, students in critical professions, and conscientious objection provisions for clergy and teachers. Debate included constitutional concerns about federal preemption, equal protection violations, and mandatory death penalty provisions. The session also included a memorial urging DHS to provide 287G agreement training opportunities.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/29/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- where they obey, have previous trauma where they obey, you<03:40:12.399><c> know,</c><03:40:12.560><
- It would impact your correctional facilities as well.
- Also, I don't want facilities as well.
- It's true that correctional facilities.
- correctional facility was going to<04:18:26.319><c> question</c><04:18:26.640><c> somebody</c><04:18
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- My injuries are visible, but the trauma is not. Drunk driving didn’t just break my body.
- My injuries are visible, but the trauma is not. Drunk driving didn’t just break my body.
- My injuries are visible, but the trauma is not. Drunk driving didn’t just break my body.
- My injuries are visible, but the trauma is not. Drunk driving didn’t just break my body.
- So 65 evaluative about 10 facil. Okay. So 65 evaluative about 10 facil.
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Commerce
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers.
Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels.
Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, crisis nurseries are required to be licensed as two separate facilities because they provide
- ,</c><00:09:45.720><c> children</c><00:09:46.080><c> who</c> uh been through trauma, children who uh
- been through trauma, children who have<00:09:46.480><c> witnessed</c> have witnessed have witnessed um
- We are currently in the midst of a conversation to save our Level 1 trauma center safety net hospital
- </c> conversation to save our Level 1 trauma conversation to save our Level 1 trauma center<00:48:29.760
Committee:
House Ways and Means
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- It does not prevent women from accessing abortion facilities.
- </c> rules or regulations um these facilities rules or regulations um these facilities are<00:14:17.600
- </c> your facility and it's very impressive. your facility and it's very impressive.
- </c><00:57:12.640><c> of</c> and to help them through the trauma of and to help them through the trauma
- Um, we're referring in these facilities.
Committee:
House Judiciary
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Health & Social Services, February 11, 2026
Labor, Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- for all facilities.
- </c> um they would qualify for a facility um they would qualify for a facility fee.<01:24:25.360><c>
- We're just not paying a facility<01:37:50.719><c> fee.</c> facility fee. facility fee.
- </c> the facility. the facility.
- </c> facility fee as the Jesse mentioned. facility fee as the Jesse mentioned.
Committee:
House Labor, Health & Social Services
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (6-24-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Most of them are going to a facilities.
- Um, and this is a massively important facility.
- Not just I want to important facility.
- ><c> substance</c><01:02:08.720><c> abuse,</c> for abuse, trauma, substance abuse, for abuse, trauma,
- <01:02:35.520><c> not</c> because our facilities are not are not because our facilities are not are not
Summary:
The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure.
The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation.
KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 4/14/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't know how we facilities already.
- we just like reframe this and understand that when people respond that way, they're responding to trauma
- way, they're people respond that way, they're responding<01:15:05.920><c> to</c><01:15:06.000><c> trauma
- That's what you're responding to trauma.
- Generational trauma, genetic trauma, situational trauma, environmental trauma.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The child had major head trauma. Gary was the first one on the scene and initiated CPR.
- c><00:12:48.399><c> had</c><00:12:48.720><c> major</c><00:12:49.040><c> head</c><00:12:49.279><c> trauma
- The child had major head trauma. on top. The child had major head trauma.
- Gary ultimately died trauma can take.
- </c><01:15:42.719><c> concern,</c><01:15:43.120><c> and</c> a service issue, a facility concern, and
Committee:
House Transportation Finance and Policy
Keywords:
Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Kentucky Housing Task Force 2025 (9-22-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- She's currently a paramedic and hopes to eventually become a trauma nurse.
- </c> professional who deals with in a trauma professional who deals with in a trauma response.<00:45:
- </c> and hopes to eventually become a trauma and hopes to eventually become a trauma nurse. nurse. nurse
- And Susan, our Senate Bill 129 provided incentives if conversion of those facilities goes to more than
- of those facilities goes to more<01:18:50.239><c> than</c><01:18:50.480><c> 50%</c><01:18:51.040><c>
Summary:
The Housing Task Force heard a presentation from Anita Sanford of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky and Sheri Cybert of Indiana’s Residential Infrastructure Fund about Indiana’s low-interest loan program for local housing infrastructure. They described the program as a voluntary, locally driven model that helps communities finance roads, sewers, sidewalks, traffic lights, turning lanes, and other infrastructure needed for new housing development. Sanford emphasized that infrastructure and regulation are major drivers of housing costs, citing estimates that infrastructure can account for up to 30% of a home’s cost and regulations another 25%, and said the association is studying Kentucky-specific regulatory costs. She also noted that every $1,000 added to new home construction can price out about 2,000 Kentucky households.
Cybert explained that Indiana’s program, administered through the Indiana Finance Authority, began in 2023 with $75 million appropriated over two years and has since closed 17 loans totaling $60.7 million, with more than 2,700 projected housing units. The program reserves 70% of funds for rural communities and 30% for urban communities, requires applications from local governments rather than developers, and asks communities to show need through a market study, describe the infrastructure and housing to be built, and provide preliminary engineering plans and a repayment source. She said the loans currently carry an interest rate around 3.5%, reset quarterly, and that the program has generated about $25 million in savings to communities compared with private borrowing. She also described recent Indiana legislative changes that encourage higher density and other zoning reforms, and said a majority of those local ordinance changes must be adopted for an application to be fundable.
Members asked about the ordinance requirements, the funding split between rural and urban areas, repayment mechanisms, and whether there were caps on project size. Cybert said repayment is worked out case by case, often through existing or project-specific TIFs, temporary tax agreements, or letters of credit, and that the program has no cap on request size or income/affordability restrictions. She said the largest request funded was $19 million for a 700-unit project. Co-chair Mills and others discussed whether Kentucky could adopt a similar model and what it would cost, while Sanford and Cybert said they were still refining budget estimates. Later, Scott Welch, president of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky, testified that upfront infrastructure costs are a major barrier in his projects, citing a $1 million pump station and road-widening and utility relocation costs as examples, and said an infrastructure fund would help get projects off the ground.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- their patients are informed that cancer has been designated as a reportable disease, and that the facility
- That is a requirement that's already on the books for facilities and physicians.
- that it affiliates with rather than the facilities it assumes ownership of.
- Our trauma center and primary acute care hospitals in the city of Oakland, which I live in, Highland
- I'm a specialist clerk working at the John George Psychiatric facility, part of Alameda Health Systems
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124, which would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to raise awareness of a screening that many eligible Californians do not know exists; retailers raised concerns about signage size, distribution, and notice to stores. The bill was presented while the committee lacked quorum, so no vote was taken at that time.
Members then heard SB 1150, which would require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author and committee chair emphasized patient awareness and privacy, while registry and university stakeholders said they appreciated the amendments and would continue working on the language. SB 1400 followed, proposing changes to Alameda Health System governance to give Alameda County more flexibility and direct oversight; county and labor supporters said the current structure is too rigid for today’s health care environment, and no opposition was heard.
The committee also heard SB 1094, which would expand substitution of biosimilars and generics to lower prescription drug costs. Supporters, including health plans and Sharp Health Care, said the bill would reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs, while opponents from biotechnology and rheumatology groups raised concerns about pharmacist substitution, patient switching, and therapeutic equivalence. After quorum was established, SB 1094 passed 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1314, which would create a statewide definition for smoke shops, impose a 600-foot buffer from sensitive sites, and restrict nitrous oxide sales; it drew broad support from local government, pediatric, and law enforcement groups and passed 6-0 on call. SB 1309, which would eliminate cost-sharing for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care, also passed 7-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations after testimony from clinicians, advocates, and insurers. Finally, SB 1199 was introduced to ban copay accumulators, with the sponsor and author arguing it would ensure patient assistance counts toward out-of-pocket maximums and improve medication access.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-03 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This first came to light when a two-month-old in California was hospitalized for head trauma.
- They worked in approved facilities. They are supervised, insured, and subject to board oversight.
- The trauma to that child, the trauma to Sarah... ...over $100,000 in legal fees trying to push back against
- The trauma to that child, the trauma to Sarah... ...months.
- The trauma to that child, the trauma to Sarah, the tears that her grandfather and I shared when the baby's
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions.
The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously.
The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 16th, 2026 at 08:30 am
Early Learning & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- completion of an orientation and application that includes information about the applicant, the facility
- We have daily and monthly safety checklists in place at all of our facilities.
- There's a greater likelihood of trauma and higher ACEs scores for the kids that we see in the program
- How many actual facilities do we have in this region?
- When a facility is out of compliance with these conditions of participation, the facility not only risks
Committee:
House Early Learning & Human Services
Keywords:
military families, early childhood education, access, assistance program, education equity, HB2317, early learning, child care licensing, day care, preschool, Head Start, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Washington State, RCW 43.216, child care center, family home provider, family child care, outdoor nature-based child care, school-age child care
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- What this amendment would do is rebase the assisted living facilities.
- What this amendment would do is rebase the assisted living facilities.
- The city of Lacey, like I said, has already built the facility.
- Yet DCYF has intentionally stopped referring babies to that facility. Why?
- With this particular facility, I think there have been significant conversations going on with this facility
Summary:
The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on a proposed substitute operating budget bill and worked through a long series of amendments before voting on the bill. Members discussed a wide range of budget items, including court funding for Thurston County civil filings, Attorney General funding for a domestic extremism task force, grants for Yakima aquatics access, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring programs, poverty reduction work, a proposed Department of Housing task force, federal grant inventory staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, DCYF family resource centers and pediatric interim care, law enforcement training and equipment, shellfish and birthing center licensing fees, school bus depreciation, charter school accountability, transition to kindergarten priorities, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI grants. The committee also considered amendments related to the Columbia River Gorge Commission, shrub-steppe habitat mitigation, and a study on Lower Snake River reservoir drawdown impacts.
Debate on many amendments centered on whether items were statewide priorities or local projects, and on the fiscal constraints of the budget. Supporters often argued that proposals would protect vulnerable populations, improve public safety, or leverage future savings and outside funding; opponents frequently cited budget pressure, the availability of existing funding, or the need to avoid singling out local projects. Some amendments were adopted, including Clark 343 on intent to fund up to 10,000 additional eCAP slots, Jones 419 on paint stewardship funding, and Stevens 070 limiting birthing center license fees. Many others failed, including amendments on Thurston County court funding, the domestic extremism task force, Yakima aquatics, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring, poverty reduction workgroup funding, the Department of Housing task force, federal grant staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, the PIC Center contract, the Lacey regional training academy, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI-related proposals.
The committee then moved to the underlying bill, Proposed Substitute House Bill 2289, and adopted a do pass motion after disposing of the amendments. The transcript indicates the committee ultimately reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/17/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Many of these men, I would say probably all of them, suffer from some type of trauma, some more severe
- Many of these men, I would say probably all of them, suffer from some type of trauma, some more severe
- Many of these men, I would say probably all of them, suffer from some type of trauma, some more severe
- Many of these men, I would say probably all of them, suffer from some type of trauma, some more severe
- Things that would not have happened being in those facilities.
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Jan 30, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- AC chiller on Kauaʻi, and $5 million for lump sum bond funds to address continuing and emergent facility
- AC chiller on Kauaʻi, and $5 million for lump sum bond funds to address continuing and emergent facility
- </c> includes addressing unresolved trauma includes addressing unresolved trauma and<01:39:38.760><c>
- My proposed amendment under number one is trauma-informed care for women offenders provided by women
- informed Care for Women is trauma informed Care for Women offenders<02:12:41.159><c> provided</c><02
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 4000, the Judiciary’s biennium budget bill for FY 2026-2027. Judiciary Director of Policy and Planning Brandon Kimura testified in strong support, outlining operating requests of about $6.17 million in FY 26 and $6.25 million in FY 27, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $9.9 million in capital improvements. He described funding needs for specialty courts, preparations for the Wahiawa District Court, an additional district court judge and staff for Kona, cybersecurity upgrades, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, statewide priority items, and restoration of several essential staff positions. He also said the Judiciary was seeking an additional $2 million for the Children’s Justice Center relocation lump sum because updated estimates had risen to about $8 million. The committee also discussed potential impacts from uncertain federal funding and asked for written follow-up on those risks and on the capital request, including coordination with Budget and Finance.
Several organizations and individuals testified in support of the Judiciary budget, including the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi, and legal service providers. Mioko Eto asked for an additional $1 million for civil legal service providers, explaining that the current funding is spread across multiple providers and that the need remains high. David Copper of Legal Aid supported the request, citing statewide demand, 105 staff, 7,100 cases closed in the past year, and 15,000 calls received, while noting that many people seeking help cannot be served because of capacity limits. He also said recent federal funding disruptions and proposed cuts could affect legal services and related programs. Committee members asked about the Criminal Justice Research Institute’s mission; Kimura said its primary statutory role is to build a database focused on pre-trial reporting and data analysis, though it is also working on probation and mental health-related projects. No vote or final action on HB 4000 was taken in the hearing excerpt provided.