Transcript Highlights:

• So, it is extensive, and we're very proud of this outcome.
• <00:04:47.720> by<00:04:47.960> the annually fairly extensively by the annually fairly
• extensively by the Office<00:04:48.520> of<00:04:48.680> the<00:04:48.800> Legislative
• So, it<00:05:06.400> is<00:05:06.560> extensive,<00:05:07.640> and<00:05:08.000>
• , and we're very proud of it is extensive, and we're very proud of this<00:05:08.919> outcome.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• do have some examples of different approaches that states have taken, from very restrictive and extensive
• very restrictive and inquiring extensive very restrictive and inquiring extensive data<00:26:39.279
• Services that different providers operate and their models vary pretty extensively.
• > pretty operate and their models vary uh pretty operate and their models vary uh pretty extensively
• Uh so overhead costs and extensively.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Your Revenue Committee will meet at 12:15 in Extension Room W6 to take up Senate File 110, Residential
• meet today upon noon recess<01:46:47.760> and<01:46:47.920> capital<01:46:48.239> extension
• recess and capital extension room W4. recess and capital extension room W4.
• 12:15 in<01:48:13.280> extension<01:48:13.840> room<01:48:14.320> W6<01:48:
• room W6 to take up Senate in extension room W6 to take up Senate File<01:48:17.360> 110,<01:48

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's the primary reason for the extension, but also that we suspect that, you know, do we need
• I stand on my written testimony in support of this extension. Thank you very much.
• ,<00:31:38.880> but<00:31:39.200> also reason for um the extension, but also reason
• for um the extension, but also that<00:31:39.840> we<00:31:40.159> suspect<00:31:40.480
• extension. Thank you very much. extension. Thank you very much.

Bills: HB1546

Keywords: Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And looking at that extension seems to be out of bounds, and the date after which there's 40 years is
• 02.680> that Um and um uh looking at that that that Um and um uh looking at that that that extension
• 00:14:06.160> um<00:14:07.120> uh<00:14:07.920> out<00:14:08.079> of extension
• seems to be um uh out of extension seems to be um uh out of bounds<00:14:08.639> and<00:14:08.880
• <01:28:35.520> deficit<01:28:36.080> that's uh looks like extensive deficit that's

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on line 13, the same thing but an extension.
• They were asking for an extension for that.
• <00:29:03.919> This 13 the same thing but an extension.
• This 13 the same thing but an extension.
• <00:29:21.200> for extension for extension for that<00:29:22.960> line<00:29:23.360>

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• I used to travel extensively for business and have had to do the absentee ballot process many times.
• I I used to travel<00:08:18.039> extensively<00:08:19.039> for<00:08:19.360> business
• extensively for business and have had<00:08:22.000> to<00:08:22.160> do<00:08:22.319><
• Um, and obviously you can kind of draw the extension, the unfortunate extension there.
• Um, and obviously you can kind of draw the extension, the unfortunate extension there.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I have extensive public accountant.
• Um, I have extensive experience<00:27:34.000> in<00:27:34.240> state<00:27:34.480> tax
• I've written extensively on policy and legal issues relating to digital taxation, and I'm honored to
• I've written extensively<00:42:52.960> on<00:42:53.200> policy<00:42:53.520> and
• <00:42:53.760> legal<00:42:54.000> issues extensively on policy and legal issues extensively

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or a 17-year-old child living with schizophrenia who's experienced extensive trauma and is now boarding
• trauma<01:21:00.440> and<01:21:00.600> is<01:21:00.760> now experienced extensive
• trauma and is now experienced extensive trauma and is now boarding<01:21:01.320> in<01:21:01.440
• 23:47.040> may<01:23:47.280> have<01:23:47.719> experienced<01:23:48.280> extensive
• and they may have experienced extensive and they may have experienced extensive childhood<01:23:

Bills: HF2367, HF2319, HF2523, HF1742, HF671, HF2331, HF2722, HF2406, HF1674

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's going to be the extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as additional tax considerations
• So that's going to be uh the extension<00:05:21.280> of<00:05:21.600> tax<00:05:21.919>
• of tax cuts and jobs act um as extension of tax cuts and jobs act um as well<00:05:23.759> as
• <00:09:45.760> of<00:09:46.160> the going to find uh the extension of the going to
• find uh the extension of the TCGA<00:09:47.120> the<00:09:47.200> tax<00:09:47.440>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is that there's extensive research showing that fines and fees are not helpful in improving
• Uh, in fact, both fines and fees and fines and fees together have been shown through extensive research
• The first is that there's extensive The first is that there's extensive research<01:15:09.040>
• <01:15:18.480> research<01:15:18.800> to shown through extensive research to shown
• through extensive research to increase<01:15:19.440> recidivism,<01:15:20.159> which<01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 281 SD1, which would define and prohibit torture as a Class A felony. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, HPD investigators, and other supporters said the bill is needed because existing laws do not adequately capture torture, especially cases involving children and vulnerable persons. Several testifiers emphasized that starvation is a common method of torture that often leaves little visible evidence, and they urged the committee to restore the original starvation language removed from the measure. The Office of the Public Defender said it did not oppose the bill’s purpose but raised concerns that the language was too broad and could create trial issues, particularly around minors and vulnerable people, and suggested narrowing amendments. The chair indicated the testimony had made a strong impression and said the committee would try to move the bill forward. The committee then heard SB 292 SD1, relating to sexual exploitation and safe harbor protections for survivors seeking medical or law enforcement help. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the measure, noting that a prior version raised equal protection concerns that were no longer present, and said survivors should be able to seek help without fear of prosecution. Written support was also noted from several advocacy and state groups. Testimony in support focused on retaliation fears, trafficking, and the need for manpower and resources to address exploitation and related crimes. Finally, the committee took up SB 295 SD1, which would increase penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and treat a violation of one as a second offense for the other. The Public Defender’s Office objected to the mandatory jail component, arguing judges should retain discretion and that there was no clear evidence mandatory jail deters violations. The transcript cuts off before any final committee action or vote on SB 295 was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• training and spent extensive money to get certified in residential condominium association management
• <00:31:55.519> training<00:31:55.880> and have gone to extensive training and have
• gone to extensive training and extensive<00:31:56.600> money<00:31:57.200> to<00:31:57.360
• > get<00:31:57.480> s<00:31:58.039> ified<00:31:58.559> in extensive money
• to get s ified in extensive money to get s ified in residential<00:31:59.679> Condominium<00:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on several bills. HB 576, relating to restrictions on the transfer of real property under chapter 201H, drew support from HHFDC and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, which said the bill would waive transfer restrictions that conflict with DHHL’s program implementation. HB 421, relating to contractors, drew opposition from the Contractors License Board and DCCA/RICO, who said the measure would weaken owner-builder restrictions meant to prevent circumvention of contractor licensing laws; Hawaii Roter and the Grassroot Institute supported it. Members questioned whether the bill would still bar resale within a year and whether subcontractors would still need licenses. HB 367, relating to building permits, received support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Grassroot Institute, with comments from DLNR; testimony urged the bill to be expanded to include zoning permits as well as building permits to avoid confusion, especially on Kauaʻi. HB 826, relating to housing, received mixed testimony. HHFDC and several local and advocacy groups supported it, while the Sierra Club raised concerns about converting agricultural lands to residential use, possible impacts on food security, property values, taxes, and the need to account for public trust and traditional practices. HB 525 also drew support from HHFDC and three individuals, with no opposition noted. HB 252, relating to managing agents, was supported by the Hawaiʻi Council of Community Associations and opposed by the Community Associations Institute and several individuals, who argued that commercial management experience is not the same as condominium management and preferred language tied to industry certifications and a later effective date. HB 709, relating to trespassing, was opposed by the Honolulu Police Department, which said officers would have difficulty verifying ownership or tenancy in the field, that the bill could require a separate enforcement team, and that the sheriff’s division is better suited to handle evictions. Hawaiʻi Realtors and the Grassroot Institute supported the measure. Finally, HB 431 HD1, relating to housing, received broad support from the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities, HHFDC, DHS, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, OHA, county housing offices, and multiple nonprofit and political groups. Supporters emphasized the bill’s funding for housing and supportive services, with the homelessness office describing the measure as unprecedented and saying it could help the state cut homelessness in half over the next few years.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would just say in closing, we are an extension of the legislature.
• I would just say in closing, we are an extension of the legislature.
• I would just say in closing, we are an extension of the legislature.
• I would just say in closing, we are an extension of the legislature.
• I would just say in closing, we are an extension of the legislature.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met on January 16, 2025, for an organizational and informational session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Jim Nash reviewed committee expectations, including that nonpartisan staff are to be used for factual information rather than political arguments. He also noted the committee rules were a blend of prior chairs’ rules and would be posted without a vote. Helen Roberts of House Fiscal gave a high-level overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and budget structure. She explained that the State Government Finance Committee oversees funding for major administrative agencies, the legislature, constitutional offices, and several boards, councils, and commissions. She emphasized that the committee’s general fund base for fiscal years 2026-27 is about $1.31 billion, less than 2% of the state general fund, and that the largest pieces are the Department of Revenue, the legislature, and pension aids. She also described how all-funds presentations differ from general fund views, highlighting internal service funds such as Minnesota IT Services, Department of Administration services, and other chargeback or reimbursement arrangements. Members asked questions about House and Senate budgets, debt service related to the Capitol Area building project and move costs, and how Minnesota IT Services is funded through fee-for-service chargebacks. Colby Sullivan of House Research then summarized a memo in the packet that outlines the entities within the committee’s jurisdiction and the constitutional and statutory provisions governing them. He pointed members to the memo as a reference and noted that the committee also has jurisdiction over the Legislative Coordinating Commission, the legislative auditor, the legislative reference library, the reviser of statutes, the Secretary of State’s budget and certain duties, and three gambling-related agencies, though gambling policy itself is generally handled by another committee. He offered to help members with bill drafting and amendments and to provide a linked electronic version of the memo. The Office of the Legislative Auditor then began an overview of its work. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall explained that the office is nonpartisan, serves all 201 legislators, and provides oversight through financial audits, program evaluations, and special reviews focused on state funds. She distinguished the Legislative Auditor from the State Auditor, noting that the State Auditor is an elected constitutional officer who focuses on county and local government funds. Randall said the office would also present a deep dive into its November performance audit of the Minnesota State Lottery. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have worked extensively with the manufacturers, packaging companies, and other stakeholders, and the
• I'll also ask my witness to explain the timeline extension from 2020 to 2037.
• So explain the timeline extension from 2020 to 2037. Thank you. Yeah.
• The external cans was one that we asked for a long extension.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without this extension, DIR would lose the authority needed to continue funding staff responsible for
• Initially, I think we required a resume, a cover letter, a statement of qualifications, with extensive
• Why not do a two- or three-year extension with a reporting requirement?”
• “Explain that a little bit more: why not do a two- or three-year extension with a reporting requirement

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• moment to thank the governor and the legislature for securing last year's appropriation and the extension
• That means the portal, and that means what we used to call the downtown extension, extending rail from
• I mean, none of those extensions are under contract by any means, so we have nothing... Sure.
• I mean, none of those extensions are under contract by any means, so we have nothing there.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan and next steps for the project. Chair Cortese opened by noting major changes since the 2024 plan, including new leadership, a bottoms-up review, scope changes in the Central Valley, loss of federal funds, and renewed interest in private investment and value capture. The Authority’s CEO, Ian Chaudhary, presented the project as moving into a construction and track-laying phase, citing progress on Central Valley structures, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations, and a new procurement for track and systems. He said the plan reflects a more disciplined, optimized approach, with the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment targeted for revenue service around 2033 and the broader Phase 1 corridor envisioned as commercially viable through ancillary revenues, public-private partnerships, and future private financing. Committee members questioned the Authority about station relocations, single-tracking, tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, transparency, and the feasibility of private financing. Chaudhary said the Merced and Bakersfield station locations were still under discussion with local governments and that no contracts had been finalized. He defended the reduced scope and single-track approach as a just-in-time strategy to avoid overbuilding, while maintaining high-speed standards. He also said the Authority was exploring land value capture, broadband, energy, and other corridor-based revenue sources, but acknowledged that some tools would require legislative action and that private financing options were still being evaluated. Several senators expressed support for the project but raised concerns about permitting delays, local opposition, constitutional and statutory limits, and the need for stronger accountability. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General then gave critical assessments of the draft plan. LAO staff said the plan assumes major statutory changes, understates risk, lacks transparency about scope changes, and may not fully fund even the smaller Merced-to-Bakersfield segment once borrowing costs and other uncertainties are considered. Inspector General Ben Belknap said the draft plan does not comply with newer statutory requirements in SB 198 and AB 377, citing three main deficiencies: unauthorized scope changes to the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment, an inadequate funding plan that omits financing costs, and missing procurement milestone dates. He said the Authority’s presentation obscures the true cost and schedule impacts of the project changes, and that incomplete reporting limits legislative oversight. The Authority responded that it would address the OIG’s findings in the final business plan, and committee members indicated they expected a written response on compliance issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's run by North Dakota State University Extension.
• The same program is used by the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
• It's ran by North Dakota State University Extension.
• The same program is used by the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a sub that we worked on extensively to get passed in the House and uh the intent of course is
• c><00:07:12.479> we<00:07:12.639> worked<00:07:12.880> on<00:07:13.120> extensively
• <00:07:13.840> to<00:07:14.160> get sub that we worked on extensively to get sub that
• we worked on extensively to get passed<00:07:14.639> in<00:07:14.800> the<00:07:14.960

Bills: SB342, HB379, HB326, HB233, HB388, SB342, HB379, HB326, HB233, HB388

Keywords: land bank, land bank authority, local land bank authority, Alabama Land Bank Authority, tax delinquent property, tax sale, tax lien, redemption period, quiet title, blight remediation, vacant property, foreclosure, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, intergovernmental agreement, county government, municipal government, redevelopment, brownfields, floodplain management

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, you'd have to take action on the extension of the sunset. >> Okay. >> Mr.
• Chairman, you'd have to take action on<00:24:28.320> the<00:24:28.480> extension<00:24:
• on the extension of the sunset. Okay. on the extension of the sunset. Okay. >> Mr.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plans, we get things, most of the daily, uh, locates that we get. are just, they're going to a line extension
• Texas manages very high ticket volumes and some of the nation's most extensive underground energy and
• It is an extensive process.
• lines. listening to them for acoustics and trying to locate that way, but of course more time, more extensive

Keywords: 1184, house, all