Transcript Highlights:

• number of positions authorized.
• The requested positions will increase the total number of positions authorized at ASU by three.
• Peer approved the appropriation for this position yesterday.
• It eliminated six positions.
• So these are positions that we, that did not reflect what we were doing.

Summary: The committee first reviewed several personnel actions. It approved the Arkansas State Police request to swap three corporal positions for three lieutenant positions to supervise increased trooper staffing along the I-40 corridor, with no net increase in positions and an estimated cost of $89,000 from general revenue. It also approved Arkansas State University-Jonesboro’s request for three project/program administrator pool positions to support the new College of Veterinary Medicine, and approved the Department of Commerce Economic Development Commission’s request for an extra help position tied to Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act work. One item was pulled from consideration. The committee then received a report on a reduction in force at the Department of Veterans Affairs that eliminated six positions. Senator Petty asked for reassurance that veterans’ services would not be harmed, and VA Secretary Colonel Rob Ader explained that the action was part of a broader restructuring rather than a simple cut, intended to realign the agency, free resources, and expand services such as a new continuum-of-care program, veteran employment support, and stronger coordination with employers as veterans transition out of service. He said the agency also expected to save money. Members also questioned VA officials about the impact on county and district veteran service officers and about severance and retirement implications for affected employees. VA officials said the county VSO program remains in place, with efforts underway to improve training, supervision, and consistency across counties, including reporting to county judges. They also explained that severance is based on years of service, is not recouped if an employee later takes another state job, and that retirement eligibility and early-retirement penalties would still apply under existing rules. The committee took no further action after the reports and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN TERMS OF POSITIONS 13 POSITIONS ARE FORFEITED BY THE AGENCY WHEN WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF VACANCIES
• BACK TO POSITION.
• BUT WE HAVE SUCH A DISPARITY NOW BETWEEN THE OPERATIONAL POSTS AND POSITIONS AND THE FUNDING POSITIONS
• I HAD 53 HOUSING UNITS REQUIRE 814 POSITIONS AND I DON'T HAVE THOSE 814 POSITIONS.
• FUNDED POSITIONS PAY SIGNIFICANTLY MORE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the person's elected position, regardless of whether that position was partisan or nonpartisan.
• to fill this position.
• With the district, when you look at all the position titles, we have levels for so many positions here
• district legislative aid position.
• So, Every position, it's assumed, must meet their comparable position within the region.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kerk’s position.
• Kerk's position. Too understand his Dr. Kerk's position.
• Seeing none, we'll close the hearing. positions. So, this bill will allow positions.
• . position. position.
• c> position non-compete business and position non-compete business and position associates. associates

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these positions?
• to them for the position. to them for the position.
• positions are quite high. positions are quite high.
• staff position on Kauai. staff position on Kauai.
• uh for telework positions. uh for telework positions.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• position.
• The positions: they adopted the same position we did.
• The positions: they adopted the same position we did.
• position.
• the house position. the house position.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:33.679> within support associate position within support associate position within
• Corner's request for this AP position Corner's request for this AP position but<00:20:08.760>
• In fact, we support a new extension agent position along with creation of the AP position.
• So, we are requesting, Chair, that you consider two positions: the AP position of the original bill and
• In fact, we support a new extension agent position along with creation of the AP position.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard five bills and later took up one joint Housing/Higher Education measure. On SB 1146 SD1, relating to the Alaw Canal, testimony from DLNR and UH was in support of funding an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to address debris management and water quality in the watershed; members discussed the cost burden on DLNR and the possibility of identifying upstream sources of debris. On SB 1232 SD2, relating to wastewater systems, the Department of Health, DHHL, and several advocacy groups supported a three-year pilot program at UH’s Water Resources Research Center to test new wastewater technologies, with witnesses saying it could help certify cheaper alternatives and reduce cesspool upgrade costs. On SB 119 SD1, relating to nursing, witnesses supported funding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Maui College. On SB 865 SD1, relating to agriculture, UH CTAHR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and many island agricultural groups supported funding for a Kona Cooperative Extension position, with testimony and committee discussion favoring an extension agent over an administrative support role. On SB 1487 SD1, relating to UH revenue bonds, UH supported authorizing revenue bonds for priority capital projects, and members asked for clarification that the measure was a preliminary authorization rather than a specific spending plan. In decision-making, the committee recommended passing SB 1146 SD1, SB 1232 SD2, SB 119 SD1, SB 865 SD1, and SB 1487 SD1 with House Draft 1 amendments, mainly to change defective dates to 7/1/3000 and, for SB 865, to upgrade the position to an extension agent. Votes were unanimous in favor on the measures, with one recusal noted on SB 865 and some members excused on other votes. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for a joint House Housing/Higher Education hearing on SB 1553 SD2, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL asked that the bill be deferred because due diligence was incomplete and more discussion was needed with UH and other stakeholders; UH said it was coordinating access to the property and described its current and future use. Both committees agreed to defer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• other positions are today.
• new positions and three new positions new positions and three new positions were<01:17:21.840>
• We have 30 positions total and three that are unfunded authorized positions.
• And again, 14 positions that are funded, classified positions, zero unfunded positions, either classified
• c><02:17:57.920> positions, positions, zero uh unfunded positions, positions, zero uh unfunded

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Development to complete a comprehensive review of the classification and compensation systems for all positions
• We have in here $330,000 for salaries for those positions.
• , we need some sense that these positions can be filled.
• So the staffing positions, we are in the process of recruiting.
• 00:23:27.520> filled sure that these positions can be filled sure that these positions can be

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several labor and personnel measures. Senate Bill 1567 would require the Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of the executive branch classification and compensation system and allow it to contract with a third party outside normal procurement rules. Director Brana Hashimoto testified in support, saying the state has more than 1,400 classes of work and limited staff to keep the system current; she said outside vendor help and market data are needed to update class specifications, minimum qualifications, and pay structures. She noted the project scope and timeline would depend on funding, and said the governor had approved about $1 million for the effort. Members asked about vendor scope, comparisons to the private sector and other public employers, consolidation of obsolete classes, and whether the exemption from procurement rules would speed the work. The committee also heard Senate Bill 326 on defense of state employees, with testimony in support from HGEA, the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Senate Bill 337 would expand the pool of interest arbitrators used in collective bargaining disputes by allowing the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to request a list from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and to use arbitrators from both FMCS and the American Arbitration Association; HGEA supported the bill, saying the broader pool would improve selection and address communication issues. Senate Bill 1233 would create a State Internship and Workforce Development Program within DeHerd. The University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce supported it. DeHerd said the program could help place interns into vacancies and convert them to civil service jobs, but said it would need about five FTE and roughly $330,000 in salaries to administer a program serving about 50 to 75 interns at a time; members questioned whether the positions could be filled and whether the program could proceed without added resources. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1359, which would increase the employer-based composite monthly contribution to the Hawaii EUTF Benefits Trust Fund beginning in January 2026 and then tie future increases to Medicare Part B premium changes with a lag. The EUTF administrator testified, and a member noted the measure resembled a bill that had died in conference the prior year. Senate Bill 1454 would give the Labor and Industrial Relations director authority to issue wage payment violation orders, establish penalties and appeals, and broaden the definition of wage; the department supported it, explaining it would align procedures under chapter 387 with existing chapter 388 enforcement and make investigations easier. Finally, the committee moved through a series of collective bargaining cost-item bills for various bargaining units and related entities, with testimony generally in support from Budget and Finance, HGEA, UH, HHSC, UPW, and other unions and associations. One amendment request was to include bargaining units 1 and 10 in the temporary hazard pay funding bill, and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association noted its airport firefighters unit was still in arbitration and would provide final numbers later.

Transcript Highlights:

• These three positions will be utilized at Blanchard Springs State Park.
• The bonuses would be paid to all current and new CNAs taking a position with the agency.
• These three positions will be utilized at the Blanchard Springs State Park.
• This is a three positions once filled is roughly $264,000 that includes match.
• total number of positions.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are not paid positions.
• The six additional positions that we're requesting are three deputy district attorney positions, one
• senior investigator position, and two additional senior legal assistant positions.
• But all nine positions, three positions, two positions.
• Secondly, Currently, we have seven vacant attorney positions and five vacant support staff positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you could state your position on the bill—your position. Oh, I oppose the bill. Okay, great.
• And I will just say, I think that Texas has an opportunity to put itself at a positive competitive position
• , and I want positions.
• So I think it's a really positive, really good idea.
• So I think it's a really positive, really good idea.

Bills: HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day. Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care. HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• reducing vacant positions, but reducing authorized positions doesn't necessarily bear any relationship
• What positions are they in?
• The industrial hygienist position, if I recall correctly, was one of the positions in Cal OSHA that had
• 12 percent, how much of that was a sweep of positions and how much of that is filling a vacant position
• That's my position.

Summary: The hearing focused on a state audit of Cal/OSHA titled “The Division of Occupational Safety and Health: Process Deficiencies and Staffing Shortages Limit Its Ability to Protect Workers.” Committee leaders and the audit team described serious workplace tragedies, argued that California’s worker protections are not being adequately enforced, and said the audit was prompted by concerns that Cal/OSHA was too often relying on letters instead of inspections, delaying investigations, and closing cases without enough documentation. Members repeatedly emphasized that the issue was not just staffing, but also outdated policies, weak oversight, and inconsistent enforcement. State Auditor Grant Parks said the audit found a 32% vacancy rate in 2023-24, heavy reliance on hard-copy files, outdated or unclear policies, and inconsistent decision-making in complaints, accidents, citations, and fine reductions. He said Cal/OSHA conducted on-site inspections in only about 20% of complaints, used letter investigations more than 80% of the time, often lacked evidence that hazards were corrected, and sometimes failed to inspect serious injury cases on time. The audit also found weak documentation for fine calculations and settlement reductions, with some penalties reduced substantially without clear explanations. Parks said the agency had accepted the findings and would provide progress updates later in the year. Committee members pressed the auditor on vacancy rates, the use of letter investigations, the low rate of criminal referrals, and whether fines were being reduced too often. Cal/OSHA and DIR officials responded that the vacancy rate had fallen to 12% partly because 66 vacant positions were eliminated in a statewide budget reduction and partly because of hiring; they said 126 people had been hired in the first half of the year. They also said they had hired a policy writer, were updating several policies, were planning periodic internal audits, and were developing a new data management system expected to go live in late 2026 or early 2027. On fines, officials said Title 8 sets base penalties and allows adjustments based on factors like employer size, history, and good faith, with appeals and informal conferences also affecting final amounts. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also contains positions. Refer to personnel.
• It contains positions. Refer to personnel.
• It contains positions. Refer to personnel.
• Item Number 10, Governor's Letter Number 10 for DHS County Ops contains positions.
• Those amendments contain both positions and special language.

Summary: The committee met briefly to organize a long agenda and stated that its main purpose was to refer letters and requests to the appropriate committees, while passing over items not needing referral until the following Tuesday. No substantive debate on policy issues occurred; the discussion was procedural and focused on routing agency and governor’s letters. Under agency communications, letters from the Auditor of State, Supreme Court, Secretary of State, and Lieutenant Governor were referred to the Personnel Committee because they contained positions. Under the governor’s letters, numerous items were referred either to Personnel or Special Language, including requests involving the Department of Education, Finance and Administration, Health, DHS divisions, Correction, Agriculture, Public Safety, Shared Administrative Services, Commerce/Workforce Services, Energy and Environment, and the Finance Disbursing Officer. Several items contained positions, several contained special language, and some contained both. The meeting concluded with notice of a busy schedule for the following week: Personnel at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, JBC at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Claims after JBC on Tuesday, Peer Review after JBC on Wednesday, and Special Language at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. No votes or substantive actions beyond referrals were recorded, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This request does not increase the total number of positions.
• total number of positions authorized at ASU by three.
• It eliminated six positions.
• The employees in those positions were eligible for severance and a special Those positions were eligible
• I needed to reclaim some positions. The state.

Summary: The Personnel Committee met to consider several agency personnel requests. It approved the Arkansas State Police request to surrender three corporal positions and replace them with three lieutenant positions for the I-40 corridor, and approved Arkansas State University-Jonesboro’s request for three project program administrator pool positions to support the new College of Veterinary Medicine. The committee also approved the Department of Commerce Economic Development Commission’s request for an extra help position tied to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act work, described as a fiscal/budgeting and auditing role. One item was pulled from consideration. The committee then reviewed a report item involving a reduction in force at the Department of Veterans Affairs that eliminated six positions. Veterans Affairs officials explained that the action was part of a broader restructuring, not simply a layoff, intended to realign the agency with its current mission, expand services for veterans earlier in their transition from service, and create a veteran employment specialist role to connect veterans with Arkansas employers. They said the restructuring was designed to fit within budget limits and would save money while expanding services. Members asked detailed questions about the impact on veterans, county veteran service officers, severance pay, and retirement implications. Veterans Affairs officials said county veteran service officers are still in place and that the agency is working to improve training, supervision, and consistency across counties, including a report-card style evaluation for county judges. Staff also explained that severance is based on years of service and is not recouped if an employee later takes another state job, though immediate transfers do not receive severance. After discussion, no further action was taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 53 positions. All of those positions will be filled on March 21st.
• <00:04:05.040> will 53 positions all of those positions will 53 positions all of those positions
• position defunding the doj position that position defunding the doj position that<00:14:48.160> enabled
• Are there any vacant positions or unfunded positions?
• positions um two of the eight positions positions um two of the eight positions are<05:18:34.240

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what that position of power, right?
• actually make uh these elected positions actually make uh these elected positions partisan,<00:24
• So, we a partisan position on this.
• <00:24:25.840> or advocating for a partisan position or advocating for a partisan position
• <00:24:44.880> or advocate for political positions or advocate for political positions or

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or a weaker position.
• <00:25:48.320> So into it, it cash flows positive. So into it, it cash flows positive.
• Now, just like with flow positive.
• going to fill an unfilled position.
• positive position for PERS. positive position for PERS.

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard a bill concerning tax increment financing (TIFs). The sponsor explained that the measure would not change the existing financing structure, but would add an optional arrangement cities could negotiate with developers: a revenue bond guaranteed by taxes generated from the development. The goal was to let developers guarantee the bond and access funds sooner on the front end of a project rather than waiting to see whether tax revenues meet projections. After no questions, the committee adopted a motion that the title was sufficient and reported the bill out do pass as a committee substitute. The next bill, Senate Bill 2873, came from the Department of Revenue and dealt with enforcement of the state’s vape registry law. The sponsor said the bill fills a gap left by prior legislation by creating a statutory forfeiture process for seized products valued at $20,000 or less, including notice, a right to contest, and rules for disposition of forfeited property. The committee then moved the bill title sufficient and do pass, and it was reported out. Senate Bill 2894 addressed local improvement projects funded in 2021 through 2024 that had not been executed or had unspent money remaining. The bill would require return of certain funds after a memorandum of understanding was not signed or after three years with unspent balances, require remittance of unspent interest, allow withholding of some city diversion or state aid road funds for noncompliance, and require periodic status reports to the Legislative Budget Office. The sponsor also offered an amendment giving entities 60 days from the bill’s effective date to request a one-time six-month extension; the amendment and the bill both received favorable votes and were reported out. Senate Bill 2910 would require employers in the PERS system to settle the books if a unit of government or other employer terminates participation. Senate Bill 2911 proposed a new return-to-work option for PERS retirees, shortening the separation period from 90 days to 30 days and allowing certain retirees to return to public employment at up to 80% of the stated salary, with employer-paid retirement contributions and possible health insurance support. The sponsor said the bill would exclude elected officials, K-12 superintendents, and IHL/community college administrators, and he discussed the bill’s expected effect on PERS funding with questions from members about actuarial impact and whether the proposal would affect existing retirement rules. Both bills were discussed but the transcript excerpt does not show final committee action on Senate Bill 2911.

Transcript Highlights:

• and a part-time position.
• and a part-time funds a position and a part-time position.<00:07:20.400> So<00:07:20.560> a
• So the case aid and the positions.
• Those 15 positions, are they unfunded? Are they currently filled, or are they open positions?
• support position. don't go away.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and two part-time positions.
• and two part-time positions.
• You also asked about positions.
• So, if you count temporary positions, I think we have 213 total positions.
• this position.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.