Video & Transcript Research : 'facility definition'
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- State, possibly in for-profit facilities.
- create immigration detention facilities create immigration detention facilities and<00:45:04.160
- immigration detention facility.
- That's definitely a recommendation.
- <04:03:16.960>
bits <04:03:17.199>in definitely bits in definitely bits in pieces<04:03
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 180, which concerns critical incident stress management teams. Representative Mark PR, the bill sponsor, proposed an amendment to add a definition of “team leader” and to clarify that teams may or may not be affiliated with a municipality. He argued that a certification test offered by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation is unnecessary and too expensive at $400, since team members are volunteers who already receive training and continuing education. Committee members asked about the training structure and certification language, and the sponsor explained that the teams are self-certified and that the amendment was intended to clean up the bill’s language.
The committee then voted on HB 180 in executive session. Amendment 0261H was adopted 11-0, and the bill was then moved as amended and passed 11-0. The committee placed the bill on consent.
Later, the committee heard House Bill 438, sponsored by Representative Timothy Horan, dealing with immigration detention and related state policy. Horan described the bill as an update to earlier legislation and said it would codify best practices, prohibit state cooperation with mass deportation efforts, bar for-profit operation of immigration detention facilities, and require Executive Council approval before the governor could deploy the National Guard for immigration deportation activities. Committee members questioned whether the bill could be read as authorizing detention facilities and discussed the relationship between the state and Strafford County Jail. An amendment presented on behalf of Representative Patrick Long was described as a technical rewrite that removed several sections and changed language, but the hearing ended before any vote was taken on HB 438.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill would force our new facility to close. Thank you very much.
- So many of these facilities are needed, unfortunately.
- First, the definition of homeless services is very broad.
- I think the definition of services is so broad.
- , it is not a battery storage facility.
Bills:
HB551, HB 1281, HB1378, HB1617, HB2868, HB2881, HB3374, HB4439, HB4726, HB4732, HB4878, HB4914, HB4921, HB4958, HB5200, HB5318, HB5360, HB5402, HB5568, HB5573, HB5623, HJR218
Keywords:
political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 18th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- What are underutilized facilities?
- up to par or to expand facilities.
- And in Santa Fe, we have a composting facility that's utilized this.
- We're a game facility. We're a game State.
- USDA inspected facilities.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 035 Feb 18th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I I do think correctional facilities.
- The facility teenagers, that says a lot.
- There’s no definition.
- If we want these kids to not definition.
- And these are animals, of a facility.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from February 13, 2026, and heard several announcements and introductions, including recognition of student guests and notices about upcoming committee meetings. Members also shared informal remarks tied to Lunar New Year celebrations, a water policy breakfast, and other caucus or committee updates. The chamber then took up special orders for several bills, including House Bill 1013 and House Bill 1064.
House Bill 1013, concerning ratio utility billing systems used by landlords to allocate utility charges to tenants, was presented as a technical cleanup to last year’s House Bill 1090. Supporters said it was intended to clarify that such billing practices remain allowable and to align the statute with legislative intent. Amendment L002, offered to state that the bill created no private right of action and to limit litigation, was debated at length but defeated. Opponents argued it would restrict existing rights under consumer protection law, while supporters said it would reduce unnecessary lawsuits. The bill then passed the committee.
House Bill 1064, concerning modifications to the youthful offender system, was also heard. Supporters said the bill codifies existing Department of Corrections practices, updates language to promote effective communication, and reflects evidence-informed, trauma-informed rehabilitation aimed at reducing recidivism. Amendment L003, which adjusted language to be more inclusive of the YOS community, was adopted. Several members opposed the bill, arguing it codified practices already in place, lacked clarity on evaluators and costs, and did not sufficiently account for victims’ perspectives. Despite that opposition, the committee report was adopted and the bill advanced with the amendment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Aug 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I definitely am on board. Oh, I would love to do something in my Assembly district.
- I definitely am on board.
- I know there are other facilities too.
- The ag community is definitely a new space for Solache and for this committee.
- It's definitely a new space for Solache and for this committee.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in Paramount as part of its “Pocketbook Tour,” focused on affordability, cost pressures, and household impacts in Los Angeles County. The first panel centered on workers and learners, with testimony from the UCLA Labor Center and the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. Speakers described how rising living costs, tuition, and low wages force many students to work long hours, often in unrelated, low-wage jobs, while struggling with food, rent, bills, anxiety, and limited financial aid. Recommendations included expanding state-funded work study, creating a statewide internship tax credit for small businesses, improving financial aid formulas to reflect regional cost of living, increasing flexibility for students, and strengthening worker-rights education and career pathways.
The second panel focused on microbusinesses and small business affordability. Testimony from microenterprise advocates, the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network, and local business owners described rising commercial rents, labor costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, insurance, utilities, and disaster-related pressures as major threats to small businesses. Witnesses emphasized that small businesses are central to local economies and asked the state to expand technical assistance, low-interest financing, disaster support, supply-chain development, and community-based outreach. They also urged more intentional support for microbusinesses and home-based entrepreneurs, including networks that connect them to resources and help them build collective buying power.
Committee members asked about possible state actions, including tax credits for hiring local workers or interns, support for trades and apprenticeships, and ways to partner more closely with SBDCs and chambers of commerce. Public comment echoed the hearing themes, with speakers highlighting student hardship, nonprofit mental health funding, renewable energy jobs and internships, and the need for state support for clean-energy incentives. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks and adjournment at 11:05 a.m.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Fri Mar 14, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not clear for me, even as a board member, but it's definitely not clear for members of the public
- It's not clear for me, even as a board member, but it's definitely not clear for members of the public
- It's not clear for me, even as a board member, but it's definitely not clear for members of the public
- It's not clear for me, even as a board member, but it's definitely not clear for members of the public
- We, as public defenders, are in these facilities daily, weekly. I've been there twice this week.
Summary:
The committee heard several measures, beginning with Senate Bill 869 on community outreach boards. The Office of Information Practices said the bill was now clear and raised no concerns after clarification that it applies to Hawaii County community development action plan committees under the Sunshine Law. Written support was received from several individuals, and one testifier initially opposed the bill but withdrew opposition after hearing OIP’s explanation. No vote was taken in the excerpt.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 405 on neighborhood board meetings, which would let boards receive and discuss reports from government officials that were not on a noticed agenda, with final action deferred to a later noticed meeting. OIP said the bill was a policy choice but warned it would give boards more flexibility at the cost of less public notice. Support came from the Wke neighborhood board and Jacob Weinek, while Natalie Iwasa and Greg Mian opposed it, arguing it could lead to unclear agenda items and deeper discussion without adequate public notice. No vote was taken.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 903 on a claims review working group in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asking for the measure to be deferred because it believed a complete inventory and audit of the public lands trust should come first. Members asked about the status of related House Bill 1358. The committee then heard tax measures: Senate Bill 1469, which would suspend the collection statute of limitations while tax assessments are on appeal, and Senate Bill 1467, which would clarify that county tax appeals do not need to be served on the Director of Taxation. The Tax Department supported both bills, and the Tax Foundation’s witness generally agreed but suggested a possible amendment to SB 1469 regarding insurance premium tax language. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 544 on sentencing of minor defendants, which would require courts to consider youth-related factors and allow departures from mandatory minimums; OHA, the Public Defender, Human Rights for Kids, and others supported it, citing trauma, diminished culpability, and national trends, and no opposition was noted in the excerpt.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 691 on family courts, which would set a minimum age of 12 for adjudication of law violations. The Public Defender and Human Rights for Kids supported the bill, saying very young children should not be treated as law violators and can still receive services through other family court mechanisms. The Attorney General’s office and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office opposed the measure, arguing it could limit court jurisdiction and services for younger children and might have unintended consequences, including recruitment of children into criminal activity. Members asked whether amendments could preserve the bill’s intent while addressing those concerns; no final action is shown in the excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Could this definition impact intersex persons and could it... ...lead to equal protection challenges
- for excluding them from facility use aligned with their identity?
- On page 1, lines 42 to 52, you have male and female definitions.
- Yeah, that could definitely happen, and that's what we're seeking to prevent in this bill.
- And, you know, if you don't have this clear definition, the way that they're interpreting it now, the
Keywords:
real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (02/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:09:33.799>
at an issue for correctional facilities at an issue for correctional facilities - as was stated before um the definition as was stated before um the definition of<01:11:21.560>
- of sex, but such facilities provided for students of one sex shall be comparable to such facilities
- Separate toilet, locker room, and shower facilities on the basis of sex, but such facilities provided
- There is no easy definition for sex.
Summary:
The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, which Rep. Jim Kofalt said is the same language as last year’s HB 396, vetoed by the governor. He described the bill as allowing, but not requiring, separation by biological sex in three areas: bathrooms and locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions. Kofalt argued the bill would give local school boards and other policymakers discretion to set practical rules, citing concerns about safety, privacy, and a Milford incident involving a biological male in girls’ locker rooms. Committee members pressed him on the lack of a definition of “biological sex,” and he said he did not think one was necessary because males and females are commonly understood. He also said the bill was meant to address situations where outside groups threaten lawsuits and leave local boards with no latitude.
Testimony then split sharply. Supporters, including Executive Counselor Karen Hill and several others, said HB 148 would roll back anti-discrimination protections, contradict New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” values, and harm transgender and non-binary people. Opponents described the bill as discriminatory and unnecessary, arguing that existing bathroom and sports policies already work and that the bill would invite harassment, invasive enforcement, and legal conflict. Several speakers, including trans residents and parents of trans children, said they had used public restrooms without incident and warned that enforcement would be impractical or abusive. One supporter argued the bill was needed to protect girls’ privacy and safety and cited school sports disputes and a concern about a sex offender at a game as examples of why sex-segregated rules should be restored.
Committee members asked questions about how biological sex would be defined, whether the bill was responding to real incidents in New Hampshire, and how any restrictions would be enforced. Kofalt said he was aware of issues in several school districts and at the State House, but did not have detailed documentation for every case. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the chair instead moved through public testimony under a strict two-minute limit and noted that follow-up questions would be limited so the committee could hear multiple bills that day.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (4-28-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- partnerships with um health facilities. partnerships with um health facilities.
- And and may anything with this facility.
- <00:20:47.919>
and as a temporary maintenance facility and as a temporary maintenance facility - <00:21:06.960>
currently current to the new facility currently current to the new facility - <00:32:48.399>
We're a new multi-purpose facility. We're a new multi-purpose facility.
Summary:
The committee first approved the February minutes and noted there had been no March meeting. Staff then provided a series of information items, including quarterly capital project status reports from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, a University of Kentucky equipment purchase report, notice that the committee took no action on certain March transactions, school district debt notices for Fayette and Jessamine counties, lease-space advertisements due to building conditions, a Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission report, and asset preservation project reports from KCTCS and Eastern Kentucky University.
The committee then heard and unanimously approved Murray State University’s request for interim authorization to use institutional revenues for a $1.5 million roof replacement at the Curs Center student center. University of Kentucky also received unanimous approval for a $115 million public-private partnership project to expand Parking Structure 7 and the Johnson Center recreation space; testimony emphasized the loss of parking from hospital expansion, increased student enrollment, a planned $21 per semester recreation fee increase, and the goal of improving student retention and campus capacity.
Next, the committee received a report on a Kentucky State Police Post 11 renovation in London funded at $1.138 million, with members asking how long the repairs would extend the building’s useful life; KSP said the work was a long-term investment and replacement was still many years away. The committee also approved multiple real property lease actions, including a new CHFS lease in Scott County, several lease renewals for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, CHFS, Transportation Cabinet, and a Secretary of State relocation lease tied to a capital renovation project. Members questioned one Jefferson County lease rate and the witness said it had been in place since 2007.
Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented three water loan items, which were rolled and then approved: an $841,383 East Clark County Water District loan for waterline upgrades, a roughly $6.13 million Oldham County Water District loan for US 42 improvements, and a $619,180 increase for Canonsburg Water District’s Schopes Road project due to higher-than-expected bids. The committee then approved eight K-12 school facility issuances, including projects in Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Lincoln, McLean, Paris, Somerset, and Spencer counties, covering early childhood, new school construction, HVAC, energy conservation, and renovations. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and adjournment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, we have to, we put definitions, right? Definitions have meaning.
- Definitely, over the past several years.
- And we're using that facility as a future preservation research and training facility. facility.
- No, I receive a deer from a facility that received a deer. From a CWD positive facility.
- into a breeding facility.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Public Safety Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- That said, I definitely understand the financial strain that our counties are under.
- As noted, any calls that come from correctional facilities are recorded and accessed as necessary.
- The amount of the facility in which will turn the facility safer along with everyone in the general public
- I definitely feel safer when I see you patrolling the streets.
- I'm definitely interested, and then, of course...
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 15th, 2025 at 04:00 pm
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- As of July 25, DOCR facilities will be at 1,464 and in the main facility, 1,753 overall, which is exceeding
- They know they need to build a new facility.
- so they had to purchase the 72-bed facility.
- There's more facilities that will accept males than females.
- But it is definitely more...
Summary:
The committee reconvened in the afternoon and took up only Senate Bill 2015, the Department of Corrections budget. Representative Steeman explained that the budget reflected major changes from the Senate version because bed contracts with Grand Forks and Burleigh-Morton were still unresolved when the Senate acted. He described rising inmate populations, added county/regional jail payments, deferred maintenance and repair funding, planning money for a new Missouri River Correctional Center, software and equipment upgrades, victims of crime grants, and a one-time diversion/deflection center grant for Fargo funded through the Community Health Trust Fund. He also outlined funding for body cameras, tasers, and protective vests, and a Native American reentry program/report provision, along with a legislative management study on sentencing, corrections, and parole oversight.
Members asked about the possibility of private or design-build alternatives for the new Missouri River Correctional Center. After discussion, the committee adopted language directing the steering committee to oversee design and construction and to explore other options. There was also discussion of the importance of maintaining North Dakota’s correctional rehabilitation culture, the cost and availability of out-of-state placements, and the current number of inmates housed in regional, county, and interstate facilities.
The committee adopted the amendment to engrossed Senate Bill 2015 and then approved the bill as amended on a 21-0 vote, with two members absent and not voting. Representative Steeman was designated as the carrier. The chair then thanked members for their work and announced the committee would reconvene the next morning to continue with remaining bills and budget work before adjourning.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- So by including good faith and the definition for it, we set a standard, and that's important.
- Responsible use of state funds, definitely.
- The bill provides districts with greater control over their short- and long-term facility plans.
- The bill provides districts with greater control over their short and long-term facility plans.
- So appreciate the bill definitely. So additional debate...
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including visiting student groups, chambers of commerce, and apprenticeship participants. Senators also observed a moment of silence for a fallen Walton County deputy and later for the late John Pasadoma. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with most bills passing overwhelmingly and several amendments adopted along the way.
Among the major measures, SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers passed 37-0 after debate and an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties; SB 7020 on open government and cybersecurity information passed 37-0; SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund was adopted by voice vote; SB 944 reducing insurance overpayment claim deadlines for psychologists passed 37-0; SB 878 expanding misdemeanor probation treatment provisions to controlled substances passed 36-1; SB 538, the state court system package, passed 37-0; SB 480 on nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans passed 32-4; SB 472 on correctional-facility education credit for licensure passed 37-0; and SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification passed 28-9 after extensive debate about enforcement, federal preemption, and the bill’s purpose.
Later, the Senate passed CS/HB 421 on peer support for first responders 37-0 after substituting the House companion, and SB 164 on vessel accountability advanced with a technical amendment. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools drew the most extended debate and multiple amendments; it changes testing, promotion, teacher evaluation, certification, and facilities rules, and passed 37-0. The chamber also passed SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements 36-0, SB 316 creating series LLCs 35-1, and SB 384 on annexing state-owned lands 36-0. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget schedule guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper for SB 2500 and SB 2502, and adjourned until April 9.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Feb 12th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- It does include all inmates and offenders in FDC and county detention facilities.
- I mean, there's definitely a ton of different ways we could skin this cat.
- I mean, there's definitely a ton of different ways we could skin this cat.
- However, I believe that these facilities are still constituents under their legislators.
- However, I believe that these facilities are still constituents under their legislators.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard an update from Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon on staffing, overtime, capital needs, and inmate population growth. Dixon said the prison population has risen by about 8,000 since January 2021 while staffing has not kept pace, forcing the agency to open 53 housing units without funded positions and rely heavily on overtime and National Guard support. He cited a $189 million deficit tied to salaries and overtime, noted that most staff have less than three years of experience, and argued the solution is to fully fund posts for operational housing units. He also reviewed the department’s fixed capital outlay projects, including repairs, new housing construction, and medical modular units intended to reduce outside hospital transports, and gave an update on the VINE victim notification system and its expansion.
The committee then heard from Florida clerks of court representatives Jason Welty and Miami-Dade Clerk Juan Fernandez-Barquin, who described clerks’ court-related and county duties and said clerk budgets have not kept pace with the broader justice system. They requested reimbursements for injunctions for protection ($3.3 million), Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator cases ($2.5 million), and juror management ($4.8 million), and said future funding for new judges should include the full courtroom system, not judges alone. Fernandez-Barquin also raised concerns about unfunded mandates, rising retirement and health costs, low court-side pay, and the need to revisit filing fees and trust fund allocations. Members asked about collections, payment plans, license suspensions, and whether some fees or trust fund distributions could be redirected; the governor’s budget had already picked up the $2.5 million request for Baker/Marchman/SVP cases.
During public testimony, speakers urged broader criminal justice reforms and additional funding priorities. A prosecutor emphasized that adding judges requires funding for prosecutors, public defenders, and clerks as well. Other speakers called for parole or long-term sentencing reform to reduce prison populations and costs, criticized staffing and conditions in prisons, and raised concerns about inexperienced correctional officers, visitation delays, and lack of air conditioning in some facilities. The committee took no substantive votes on the items discussed and adjourned after hearing the presentations and public comments.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- One of these first round POCs is the Department of Public Health's Health Care Facilities Inspections
- New parking facilities.
- Changing the definition.
- And we want the legislature to honor the bargain contract, including our definitions.
- CalHR is definitely lying.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Aug 28th, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Santa Ana was picked to have this facility on our lands just west of here.
- We want to ensure that this facility gets built.
- Or the tribe, sometimes if it's like an IHS facility or a BIE facility, the federal government has a
- So there are many healthcare facilities.
- So I do want to definitely recognize that, but it's threatened.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 1 provides definitions for abate, emergency, and removal action.
- Colleges and universities, places of worship, and health care facilities. Why these locations?
- Definitely, ma'am. And I'm sure you heard what Senator Lawson was saying.
- I need a definition of deponent, please. I'm sorry. I'm not that smart. Forget I said it. Anyway.
- And I'm just looking out for the people that use these facilities right now that I want to make sure
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jun 26th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This results in us becoming a peer support facility for other facilities around the state and around
- They are at the facility 5 days a week.
- of the detention facility.
- And I see that you're looking at or you mentioned detox facilities, expansion of detox facilities.
- So, there's definitely Witness: that consideration that is absolutely helpful.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jul 21st, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- No, I definitely understand. The access points.
- We do run a jail here, a regional facility.
- So we're going to hopefully have that facility ready for them.
- trail because of that yano between the facility.
- Already starting to think ahead when this facility is completed.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We're looking forward to opening the facility in the spring of 2026.
- Kohala District Court current facility Kohala District Court current facility carries<00:14:38.639
- <00:15:01.639>
occupied extend the life of facilities occupied extend the life of facilities - for it's a nice use the facility for it's a nice facility<00:16:02.440>
and <00:16:02.800> - <00:16:12.000>
just be working it's a workable facility just be working it's a workable facility
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary heard the Judiciary’s budget presentation from Brandon Kimura and other court administrators. The Judiciary outlined its mission and access-to-justice programs, including specialty courts, self-help centers, online small claims dispute resolution, and e-reminders. It requested an operating budget of $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, along with 17 permanent and one temporary position, and described a series of staffing and program requests tied to specialty courts, district court operations, technology, and public guardianship.
Major program requests included making women’s court permanent by converting seven temporary positions to permanent and adding a substance use counselor; expanding truancy court and the Early Education Intervention Program on Oahu; and making the driving while impaired court permanent. The Judiciary also sought staffing and funding for the new Wahiawa District Court, including security, janitorial, IT, clerical, bailiff, and social worker support, plus an additional district court judge and staff in Kona. Technology requests included cybersecurity tools and a cybersecurity unit, enhanced email protection, and replacement of aging network switches. Other operating requests included continued funding for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, restoration of 12 positions cut during the pandemic, and added support for the Office of the Public Guardian.
For capital improvement projects, the Judiciary’s top priorities were $4 million to design a new South Kohala District Court, $900,000 to replace an aging AC chiller on Kauai, and $5 million for lump-sum facility preservation work. Members asked questions about purchase-of-service contract rates, implementation of court-appointed fee increases, federal grant dependence, specialty court effectiveness, truancy court outcomes, and the condition of the Ewa District Court site. Judiciary witnesses said they were working to raise provider rates through contracts and a separate bill, cited low recidivism and reduced petitions as evidence that specialty courts and truancy efforts are working, and said the Ewa site has significant foundation issues that may require further assessment or a different location.