Transcript Highlights:

• on education policy to the committee on education policy to the committee on education policy signed
• Senate bill number Taxation education Senate bill number Taxation education Senate bill number 175 by
• Nays from finance and Taxation education Nays from finance and Taxation education Senate Bill Senate
• Nay from finance and Taxation education Nay from finance and Taxation education Senate bill number9
• Center educating Educational Center educating Educational Center educating people by offering people

Bills: SB 26 , SB 28 , SJR 36 , SB 616 , SB 565 , SB 384 , SB 28 , SB 28 , SR 131 , SR 168 , SR 174 , SR 175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• as a vocational educator, CTE educator—different, sorry, old term—and I look online, it doesn't tell
• as a vocational educator, CTE educator—different, sorry, old term—and I look online, it doesn't tell
• it to education as a vocational<01:16:00.840><c> educator</c><01:16:01.800><c> CTE</c><01:16:02.280><
• c> educator</c> vocational educator CTE educator vocational educator CTE educator different<01:16:03.400
• </c><01:37:23.560><c> uh</c> or a program at a higher education uh or a program at a higher education

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on House Bill 71, which would bar public elementary and secondary schools and higher education facilities from being used as shelters for certain non-citizens, with a stated exception for short-term emergency sheltering of up to 72 hours and for community-wide emergency use. Prime sponsor Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia said the bill was modeled on federal and out-of-state proposals and was prompted by examples in New York and Massachusetts where schools or other facilities were used as shelters, causing disruption. She argued the bill does not truly “ban” anything, but instead places a condition on receipt of state funds, and said the fiscal note’s projected loss of federal funding was unsupported and should have been described as undeterminable. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope and practical effects, including whether it would apply to vacant school-owned buildings, schools used during summer, charter schools, and situations where other states send people without advance notice. Harvey-Bolia said vacant buildings not functioning as schools would not be covered, and that the bill would still allow short-term emergency sheltering and community-wide use during weather events. She also said the bill would not prevent remote learning, and that its purpose was to avoid displacing students. Several members pressed her on the fiscal note and whether any federal or state program would actually be at risk; she said she found no evidence that funding would be lost and that DHHS had not identified a real threat. A witness from the New Hampshire Association of School Administrators, Jerry FW, raised practical concerns about who would determine eligibility at a shelter site, how the 72-hour limit would be enforced, and whether the bill would apply to charter schools. He also noted that remote learning is no longer an option in New Hampshire, making one of the bill’s stated concerns less relevant. The discussion also included clarification of the terms “refugee” and “asylum seeker,” with members and the sponsor debating the distinction and whether refugees are vetted. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we had a robust outreach plan to try to reach all of our enrollees. >> Representative Dawson.
• </c><00:42:07.839><c> early</c> do as much as we could to outreach early do as much as we could to outreach
• The member then asked whether any outreach is being done, such as PSAs.
• Is there any um outreach being &gt;&gt; Okay.
• </c> outreach to try and get the word out. outreach to try and get the word out.

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been able to contribute over 2 billion dollars a year to higher education to find different things
• end of the day, our continued success ability for us to deliver 2.2 plus billion dollars a year education
• Over the past year, we've significantly expanded our outreach efforts.
• quality and the timeliness of our work of those steps that we've taken, whether it's recruiting outreach
• Property Insurance claims disputes unit within the education of disputes program and all of the positions

Transcript Highlights:

• , including mental health and behavioral health outreach.
• on it and have appropriate outreach to make that happen.
• So in terms of the workforce and, you know, leveraging our higher education institutional partners, I
• So definitely compensation, education, but then also, if you will, the support.
• We are working very hard, along with our higher education institutions, to build the pipeline.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It was one we originally started with and, through negotiation with the Department of Education, added
• Because there is a reality in education. And it's a two-tiered reality.
• And so if that is the case, we are putting far too much trust in our education system.
• It risks turning inclusion into misconduct, service into liability, and outreach into litigation.
• And when we ...to liability and outreach into litigation.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and through our Blue Thumb education and through our Blue Thumb education program<00:24:27.080><
• </c> it's also a tool for public education it's also a tool for public education and<00:26:33.720><c>
• I just wanted to highlight it has a public education and outreach campaign, it has individual landowner
• I just wanted to highlight it has a public education and outreach campaign, it has individual landowner
• I just wanted to highlight that it has a public education and outreach campaign; it has individual landowner

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been doing a lot of multicultural media outreach to ensure that everybody knows that they are invited
• at the recommendation of Valentina in the governor's office, who leads their multicultural media outreach
• It has created a partnership with the Executive Office of Education that engages 250 public schools and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The special commission on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution met without quorum, but proceeded with updates on major upcoming 250th events. Chair Sean Garballey and Senator Paul Mark opened the meeting, then Dusty Rhodes gave a detailed overview of Sail Boston and the Tall Ships festivities, including ship arrivals on July 9-10, the opening ceremony on July 10, the parade of sail on July 11, public boarding, harbor fireworks, and the Sail Boston festival. He noted the event will involve 20 countries, about 60 ships, multiple anchorages, and significant coordination with pilots, tugboats, and public safety agencies, with a budget of more than $5 million. Director Kate Fox and Sheila Green reported on Massachusetts 250 campaign efforts, including website and social media performance, merchandise sales, grant-funded exhibits and murals across the state, multicultural outreach, and July 4th programming tied to the Boston Pops Spectacular. They highlighted a series of MA 250 promotional videos, the I-Civics “We Declare” student reading project, the America 250 time capsule submission, the national reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, the Great American Block Party in Boston, and the flag sojourn that will bring a ceremonial flag to several Massachusetts sites before it is sent to Washington, D.C. They also mentioned upcoming MA 250 signage at MassDOT service plazas and a new schools-and-farms partnership announced by state secretaries. Jonathan Lane of Revolution 250 updated the commission on Bunker Hill-related events, the Gloucester battle reenactment, Treaty Day in Watertown, and the Declaration of Independence project. He said Revolution 250 secured funding to reprint the Ezekiel Russell Declaration of Independence for distribution to all Massachusetts cities and towns, using an 18th-century press and handmade paper. The commission then discussed creating a Massachusetts-specific time capsule, with members offering to help identify objects and suggesting it include both historic and contemporary items. The meeting ended with general thanks, an invitation to an upcoming Mass Humanities screening, and a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been doing a lot of multicultural media outreach to ensure that everybody knows that they are invited
• at the recommendation of Valentina in the governor's office, who leads their multicultural media outreach
• It has created a partnership with the Executive Office of Education that engages 250 public schools and

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The special commission on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution met without quorum but proceeded with updates on upcoming commemoration activities. Chair Sean Garballey and Senator Paul Mark opened the meeting, then heard a detailed presentation from Dusty Rhodes on Sail Boston/Tall Ships, including the July 10–15 schedule, ship arrivals and parade of sail, harbor anchorage, public boarding, the Sail Boston festival, fireworks, and related public safety and logistics planning. Rhodes said the event will involve 20 countries, about 60 ships, and significant coordination among pilots, tugboats, hotels, sponsors, and 67 public safety agencies. Massachusetts 250 staff Kate Fox and Sheila Green reported on campaign outreach and programming. They highlighted strong website and email engagement, merchandise sales, grant-funded exhibits and murals across the state, the Boston Pops July 4 program, multilingual media outreach, and an I Civics “We Declare” student competition. They also described Massachusetts’ contributions to the America 250 time capsule, the July 8 national reading of the Declaration of Independence, the Great American Block Party in Boston, the flag sojourn, MA 250 signage at rest areas, and a new schools-and-farms partnership with the Department of Clean Energy and Environment and the Executive Office of Education. Jonathan Lane of Revolution 250 updated the commission on Bunker Hill-related events, the Gloucester battle reenactment, Treaty Day in Watertown, and the organization’s Declaration of Independence project to reprint the Ezekiel Russell broadside for distribution to Massachusetts communities. Members praised the work and discussed a possible Massachusetts-specific time capsule, with several offering to help provide objects or facsimiles and staff planning to solicit broader commission interest in a subcommittee. The meeting ended with brief announcements about an upcoming Mass Humanities screening and Freedom Trail’s 75th anniversary, followed by a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had outreach from Tunnels to Towers and all these different things.
• We've had outreach from tunnels to towers and all these different things.
• And then we're really excited that Idaho educators have requested more than 1,500 tile kits as part of

Summary: The America 250 Advisory Council met with a quorum and approved the prior meeting minutes. Staff gave a financial update showing about $344,310.88 in total expenditures to date, with roughly $64,987.14 remaining in the bottom line and an estimated $9,147 returning to the commemorative fund after two outstanding grants are resolved. Members thanked staff for getting grant money out to cities and counties and for tracking the celebration fund carefully. The council then received legal guidance from the Attorney General’s Office on how to handle contracts. Counsel Yvonne Dunbar explained that the full committee, not subcommittees alone, must decide how America 250 funds are spent and should clearly designate who is authorized to sign contracts and carry out delegated tasks. The committee voted to authorize the co-chairs to sign agreements approved by the council and to send signed agreements to the Legislative Services Office and Treasurer’s Office for recordkeeping and payment processing, with questions routed back to the co-chairs. Members also discussed a specific $20,000 celebration fund contract, but were advised no new motion was needed because the expenditure had already been approved; the contract would simply be returned for signature once finalized. An ambassador program update highlighted strong public participation, including nearly 2,000 ambassadors, 170 cities, 44 counties, 47 businesses, and 29 schools using customized logos. The council also heard about the Capitol quilt display, which grew from an expected 12 quilts to 62 and has drawn significant public attention, along with progress on the Liberty Bell carriage and a fountain project. The governor’s task force report covered upcoming America 250 initiatives such as the July 8 “Sharing the Spirit of America” reading event, the youth art project “My America, From Ground Zero to Common Ground,” America’s Potluck, and the updated Idaho and federal event websites. The federal report summarized national America 250 activities, including Idaho’s submission to the America’s Time Capsule project, the Flag Sojourn, America’s Field Trip, America Innovates, the growing congressional America 250 caucus, and the planned Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. Finally, the council approved disbursement of grant awards requested by Power County, the City of Nampa, the City of Heyburn, and Jerome County. Members discussed scheduling the next meeting for April 20 and adjourned after brief closing remarks thanking staff and partners for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had outreach from Tunnels to Towers and all these different things.
• We've had outreach from tunnels to towers and all these different things.
• We're really excited that Idaho educators have requested more than 1,500 tile kits as part of this activation

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The America 250 Advisory Council met with a quorum and first approved the prior minutes. Staff then provided a financial update showing most of the $250,000 celebration fund had been allocated, with about $9,147.70 expected to return to the commemorative fund after two outstanding grants are finalized, and total expenditures reported at $344,310.88 across related accounts. Members thanked staff for keeping the grants and payments moving so local events could be planned. The council then received legal guidance from the Attorney General’s Office on contracts and spending authority. Counsel explained that the committee as a whole controls the commemorative funds, may delegate contract work to subcommittees or individuals, and should clearly identify who is authorized to sign each contract. The council voted to require that any legally binding agreements approved by the committee be sent to the co-chairs for signature, and that signed agreements be shared with Legislative Services and the Treasurer’s Office for recordkeeping and payment processing, with questions routed back to the co-chairs. Members also discussed a specific $20,000 celebration contract for organizers, noting it had already been funded and was still being finalized for signature. Updates followed on the ambassador program, including nearly 2,000 ambassadors, extensive city/county/business/school logo participation, a large quilt display at the Capitol, service challenge progress, and plans for the Liberty Bell carriage and fountain projects. The governor’s task force report highlighted upcoming America 250 initiatives such as the July 8 “Sharing the Spirit of America” reading event, the youth art campaign “My America, From Ground Zero to Common Ground,” America’s Potluck, and website updates. The federal report covered the National Archives’ “America’s Time Capsule,” “America’s Block Party,” Flag Sojourn, America’s Field Trip, America Innovates, the expanded congressional caucus, and the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. Finally, the council approved grant disbursements for Power County, the City of Nampa, the City of Heyburn, and Jerome County, and scheduled the next meeting for April 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• and outreach about these programs.
• As was mentioned in the last panel, we're also doing education and outreach for increasing access for
• Now that there is staff and capacity to expand and partner with the ISC on additional outreach, education
• 50-year water action plan: water education for the general public.
• This is for outreach and education for decision makers in New Mexico.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• discussing concerns and sharing proven and effective safer alternatives to anticoagulants at public outreach
• I've helped educate Lincoln residents about the harm these poisons cause in our community and communities
• Education works, and residents support proven alternatives that do not endanger other wildlife.
• I quote in part: 'Thank you, resident X, for educating us on bait boxes and what is inside.'

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we wanted to get somebody in there who would educate the leadership on a culture of privacy. citizens
• ><03:47:48.159><c> there</c><03:47:48.760><c> who</c><03:47:48.920><c> would</c><03:47:49.199><c> educate
• </c><03:47:49.720><c> the</c> somebody in there who would educate the somebody in there who would educate
• </c><04:25:39.279><c> trust</c><04:25:39.560><c> fund</c> the general funds education trust fund the
• general funds education trust fund other<04:25:40.119><c> funds</c><04:25:41.000><c> and</c><04:25:41.080

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work. Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract. White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Act, which mandates early childhood education services be provided for eligible infants and toddlers
• work supports in the form of child care subsidies to families who are working or completing their education
• That need is for education, prevention, or screening.
• It's really just prevention, education, and outreach that is done through the department and also through
• It's really just prevention, education outreach that is done through the department and also through

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations from Legislative Services analyst Morgan Poloni and Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon on the Division of Early Learning and Development, the Division of Public Health Services, and Family and Community Partnerships. Major topics included the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP), the Idaho Home Visiting Program, the Idaho Immunization Assessment Fund, HIV and hepatitis prevention, ARPA-funded public health projects, kinship navigation services, and proposed agency reorganizations and transfer authority changes. Poloni explained that several divisions were recently reorganized, making year-to-year comparisons difficult, and outlined the governor’s and agency’s FY 2027 requests, including additional federal and dedicated funds for child care capacity, public health programs, and prevention services.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we need more funding in order to continue the work, doing outreach and also scaling up this
• </c><00:53:07.359><c> and</c> to continue the work doing outreach and to continue the work doing outreach
• </c> and they're managed through education and they're managed through education and<01:05:52.400><c>
• I respectfully ask the committee to reconsider this bill and pursue a more effective, educative, and
• Effective, educative, and uh culturally aware solution.

Bills: HB1621 , HB1880 , HB1831

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: pesticides, environmental impact, agriculture, 1,3-dichloropropene, chlorpyrifos, land management, wastewater compliance, state funding, survey issues, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Agriculture and Food Systems and Energy and Environmental Protection heard three bills. HB 1621 would create a conservation, agriculture, and soil health incentive program under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, with annual reporting and funding. Testimony was broadly supportive from the Climate Commission, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Farmers Union, White Alliance for Progressive Action, and the Farm Bureau, and the bill was described as a way to advance soil health and support producers. HB 1880 would prohibit, beginning in 2027, the use of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene (such as Telone). The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered written comments, Hawaii Farmers Union supported the ban citing drift and health concerns, and the Farm Bureau opposed it, arguing growers need such tools; the bill also drew discussion about crop rotation and other pest-management practices. HB 1831 would authorize funding to address survey deficiencies and wastewater compliance issues on certain non-agricultural parklands; the Attorney General’s Office warned the bill as written may violate the U.S. Constitution’s contract clause and suggested revisions, while the department and Farm Bureau supported the measure’s intent. The committees later took up decision-making and voted to pass all three measures with amendments, with the effective dates changed to July 1, 3000 and HB 1831 amended to reflect the Attorney General’s suggested changes. The Agriculture and Food Systems committee then heard HB 1572, which would establish a four-year restorative aquaculture development program to streamline permitting, expand infrastructure and workforce capacity, create pilot sites, and convene an advisory council. The Attorney General noted a technical issue about whether council members would be compensated, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union all expressed support for streamlining aquaculture and promoting restorative aquaculture. Members asked about the bill’s focus on restorative aquaculture, and the department said the program would give the area dedicated resources and a framework. The committee also heard HB 219, which would temporarily reestablish the coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy program and manager position; the department, Waimea Coffee Association, Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union supported it. HB 2139 would fund University of Hawaiʻi research on treatment methods for the Queensland longhorn beetle. Testimony from DLNR, the invasive species council, university researchers, farmers, and the Farm Bureau emphasized the beetle’s spread and damage to trees and crops, and described nematode biocontrol as promising but labor-intensive and in need of more research and scaling. Members asked whether the funding was for research rather than a position, whether the current nematode approach is sufficient for large orchards, and whether other controls are being explored; the response was that the bill funds testing and that more work is needed, including local production of nematodes if the method proves effective.

Transcript Highlights:

• basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education
• They made this extraordinarily outreach to 180 community organizations. They talked to prisoners.
• And then every one of the ideas in that report are based on that research that they did and that outreach
• /c><00:32:26.520><c> Uh</c><00:32:26.760><c> when</c><00:32:26.920><c> you</c> they did and that outreach
• Uh when you they did and that outreach.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 11, urging Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, drew support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and Pride at Work Hawaii, both of which backed the measure as a statement of equality and protection for LGBTQIA+ people. A member also reminded testifiers to keep signs and statements relevant to the measure. SCR 22, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Ahu and Aliʻa, had no testimony. SCR 58, calling for a progressive enforcement framework for parking violations in DLNR boating and ocean recreation lots, drew strong support from multiple testifiers who argued that towing is overly punitive, costly, and unfair to beach and harbor users; they favored warnings or smaller citations instead of towing and raised concerns about signage, contract oversight, and the cost of proposed enforcement technology. One member asked about whether DLNR could use HPD or other officers for citations, and the discussion focused on staffing and enforcement authority. The committee then heard SCR 60 SD1, requesting an update on the “Breaking Cycles” study on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was not present, but the Corrections Reform Working Group strongly supported the resolution, saying the study reflects extensive community outreach and should not be shelved. Testifiers urged the committee to use the report to examine alternatives to a new jail, including diversion, pre-trial reform, probation reform, and renovations to existing facilities, and one testifier suggested amendments to add experts in those areas and technical assistance from the Prison Policy Initiative. Another testifier described Maui’s use of wraparound reentry services, prosecutorial discretion, and programming as an example of reducing incarceration without expanding jail capacity. SCR 184, asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine anti-discrimination laws as applied to algorithmic and automated decision systems, had no in-person testimony, with the chair noting one support and one comment submitted. The final measure, SCR 89 SD1, which would create an advisory committee under the Hawaii correctional system oversight commission to develop recommendations on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu, also had no testimony from the department, but the Corrections Reform Working Group supported it as a way to ensure community input into jail planning. A later testifier echoed concerns about building a large new jail and urged the committee to consider alternatives to incarceration and to include people with expertise in diversion, pre-trial reform, and probation reform. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nature, climate education, and research facility grants are again pretty high level.
• Nature, climate education, and research facility grants. Again, pretty high level.
• Grant outreach.
• It is the educational and personal development core members undertake as well.
• of our program. ...the training and education component of our program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• outreach.
• outreach.
• outreach.
• <01:37:53.760><c> Outreach</c><01:37:54.159><c> so</c><01:37:54.400><c> again</c><01:37:54.840><c> we
• </c><01:37:54.960><c> support</c> educate Outreach so again we support educate Outreach so again we support

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 13, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of housing, land, and resource bills. Early bills included HB 743 on fiscal sustainability, HB 1318 on affordable housing, and HB 1409 on the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Testimony on the housing measures was largely supportive from agencies and advocacy groups such as the Office of Planning, Hawaii Housing Future, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities, and the County of Kauai, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) raised concerns on HB 1318 about public trust duties for ceded lands. On HB 1409, members questioned whether the bill needed updating in light of a separate bill changing the board structure, and witnesses said the measure did not change funding but only the board’s mission and scope. The committee also heard HB 1410, which would create a supportive housing special fund. Supporters, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Appleseed, argued that predictable dedicated funding is needed for supportive housing, social services, and long-term homelessness solutions. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed tax earmarks in general, saying they subvert the constitutional budgeting process. Members asked how the fund would be administered and who could access it; witnesses said HHFDC and the counties would coordinate the process, but DLNR noted the bill did not provide additional administrative capacity and suggested language to address that. Later bills included HB 528 on residential leaseholds, HB 1359 on flood mitigation, HB 1087 on historic preservation reviews, HB 868 on disabilities, and HB 1323 on transfer of non-agricultural park lands. HB 528 drew limited testimony, with a Catholic Charities/Hawaii Public Housing Authority representative offering a general example of leasehold development but saying the bill’s exemptions had not been discussed in detail. HB 1359 prompted discussion of homeowner and county responsibilities for drainage and flood damage, with DLNR saying private owners are responsible for drainage on private property and counties for county roads. HB 1087 was supported by DHHL, which said historic preservation reviews currently take about 165 days and the bill could improve timeliness, while Hawaii Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed it. HB 868 drew support from the Disability Rights Center and DCAB, with testimony focusing on beach access and the need for clearer legal authority. On HB 1323, DLNR opposed the bill, saying it did not reflect Act 90 and that some agricultural parcels should remain under DLNR for conservation, watershed, recreation, or fire protection reasons; DOA, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the measure, arguing that productive agricultural lands should be transferred to agriculture to protect local food production and family ranches.

Transcript Highlights:

• For too long, many communities have been invisible in our education system.
• For too long, many communities have been invisible in our education system.
• For too long, many communities have been invisible in our education system.
• For too long, many communities have been invisible in our education system.
• </c> fall short in providing educational fall short in providing educational materials<00:30:49.760><

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all