Transcript Highlights:

• An example of one of these initiatives is a $250,000 investment by the board for a statewide digital
• skills training opportunities are available, ensuring that foundational and digital literacy skills
• of digital advertising, very targeted to businesses, particularly small businesses, who may need to
• Quick pivot into the digital literacy and missing middle set aside.
• It's a lot of digital advertising.

Summary: The subcommittee met to receive an informational presentation from CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrian Johnson, joined by Anthony Gagliano of CareerSource Suncoast, on the structure, funding, and services of Florida’s workforce development system. Johnson explained that CareerSource serves job seekers and businesses through 21 local workforce development boards and nearly 100 career centers, using federal and state funding streams such as WIOA, Wagner-Peyser, SNAP Employment and Training, and TANF. She described services including case management, training, wraparound supports, job matching, rapid response for layoffs and disasters, and business services such as recruitment, customized training, and on-the-job training. She also highlighted the REACH Act’s role in consolidating local boards from 24 to 21, creating the Master Credential List and Credential Review Committee, and implementing performance-based letter grades for local boards. Members asked detailed questions about funding formulas, letter grade metrics, apprenticeships, youth services, small business access, and the demand occupation list. Johnson said federal allocations are driven largely by unemployment and poverty formulas, which has reduced Florida’s WIOA funding by about $27 million over four years because of the state’s low unemployment rate. She explained the letter grades measure outcomes such as increased earnings, reduced public assistance, employment and training outcomes, work-based learning, business engagement, and service to individuals in certain programs, and said the system is being reviewed for possible changes, including removing extra credit and adjusting weights. On youth services, she said Florida has a waiver allowing a 50/50 split between in-school and out-of-school youth funding, and that local partnerships drive outreach. On the demand occupation list, she said it is based on state labor market data and projections, but local boards can submit evidence of local demand when data does not reflect conditions in their area. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on apprenticeships and workforce training grants. Johnson and Gagliano described apprenticeship navigators funded by the $7.75 million apprenticeship expansion allocation, which help employers navigate registration and expand apprenticeships into nontraditional fields such as IT, health care, education, and hospitality. Gagliano gave examples from CareerSource Suncoast and said navigators helped employers move faster through registration and develop programs with local education providers. Johnson also discussed Incumbent Worker Training Grants and Quick Response Training Grants, noting recent awards of nearly $3 million to 69 businesses and $6.5 million to 24 businesses, respectively, and said these programs are targeted toward high-skill, high-wage occupations and priority industries. The meeting ended with no votes or formal action; the chair thanked the presenters, invited follow-up questions, and adjourned the meeting without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• In today's digital era, our young people face risks. that previous generations couldn't even have imagined
• Should they be allowed to contribute to a toxic digital ecosystem without being held accountable.
• The experience our children are having in the digital space is one fraught with danger for them, and
• Our goal is to create protections for kids as well as empower young people to navigate digital spaces
• with digital literacy and an understanding of their rights and responsibilities.

Keywords: child safety, Big Tech, CSAM, legislation, online exploitation, bipartisan, social media

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the pressing issues surrounding child safety online, with a particular emphasis on recent legislative efforts aimed at curbing child sexual exploitation and harmful content accessible through social media platforms. Senators engaged in a heated discussion regarding the implications of Big Tech's lobbying efforts against vital bills such as the Stop CSAM Act and the Kids Online Safety Act. Noteworthy testimonies highlighted real-life impacts of online dangers, including tragic cases of child exploitation and drug-related fatalities linked to social media interactions. The bipartisan nature of the committee's commitment to address these issues showcased a collective determination to make the digital environment safer for the younger generation.

Transcript Highlights:

• To the right, you see Florida Digital Services, right?
• Where is Florida Digital Service?
• Were you consulting at all with the digital services on that?
• I would say, I mean, we do have conversations with the Florida Digital Service, and the Florida Digital
• But has Department of Revenue participated in Florida Digital Services Data Catalog?

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several major technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Department of Financial Services’ Florida PALM project, which is replacing the state’s decades-old FLAIR accounting system. DFS described PALM as a statewide effort affecting all three branches of government, with cash management already live and the remaining financial management, payroll, and data warehouse components still in development. Officials said the project began in 2014, was restructured after a 2022 legislative pause, and is now being recommended for a go-live delay from January 2026 to July 2026. Members asked about governance, staffing, contract structure, cost growth, and maintenance costs; DFS said the contract is deliverable-based, the current amendment would add a net $2.2 million, and post-go-live maintenance is expected to be about $13 million annually under the current contract through July 2027. The Agency for Health Care Administration then updated the committee on the FX Medicaid enterprise modernization program. AHCA explained that federal CMS directed states to move from monolithic Medicaid systems to a modular approach, leading Florida to procure separate vendors for integration services, data warehouse, unified operations, provider services, and claims processing, with pharmacy benefits still to be procured. Officials said the project has spent about $334 million to date, with most costs federally matched, and requested $189.95 million for the upcoming year. They also highlighted a 2024 special assessment that produced 81 recommendations, most tied to staffing shortages, and said the Legislature added 47 FTEs, with 17 currently filled or being filled. Members asked about governance changes, production status, data access, and future technology maintenance; AHCA said some components are operational, the data warehouse is nearing certification, and the agency is working to keep the system adaptable and nonproprietary. The Department of Children and Families presented its Access modernization project, which is replacing a mainframe-based eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid assistance, and related programs. DCF said the six-year, $205 million project is in its third year and has already delivered a new customer portal with mobile access, multi-factor authentication, and fraud protections, while also building a worker portal, document management, community partner tools, and workload management functions. The agency said it is requesting $36.625 million for the next fiscal year, the same as last year, and emphasized that the project has remained on schedule and on budget by breaking work into smaller modules and using strong vendor and staff support. Members praised the project’s progress and asked about cybersecurity testing and the long delay before modernization began; DCF said security requirements were built in from the outset and that the remaining work will focus on moving staff off the legacy mainframe and modernizing notices and back-end processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for the National Digital Newspaper Program
• Number 11, UA Little Rock with SSIA Technologies to provide operational digital planetarium system.
• Number 11, UA Little Rock with SSIA technologies to provide operational digital planetarium system.
• , and reporting of digital media buys.
• They are actually—it's our digital media buys.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill brings our laws up to date with the reality of AI today and ensures that digital deception
• And we would micro-target all of our customers." "...acquisition strategy is digital.
• There was nothing in the listing which indicated that the entire kitchen had been digitally added to
• However, there is no existing requirement to disclose when a listing has been digitally staged.
• This leads to an inconsistent application of labels on digitally altered images that is dependent on

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• First on the agenda is HB 934, relating to the Hoi broadband and digital equity office.
• First on the agenda is HB 934, relating to the Hoi broadband and digital equity office.
• technology so we have like digital technology so we have like digital platforms<00:27:03.240>
• First up, HB 934 HD1, relating to broadband and digital equity office.
• <01:38:16.880> Equity to White broadband and digital Equity to White broadband and digital

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with HB 934 on broadband and digital equity. Testifiers from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Office of Enterprise and Technology Services, DCCA, the University system, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others generally supported the measure and emphasized the need to coordinate broadband efforts, fund operations, and expand access to high-speed internet, devices, and digital navigation services. The Chamber of Commerce and West Coast Comprehensive Health Center supported the bill but objected to HD1 language excluding broadband infrastructure for retail service, warning it could create unintended consequences and limit community-led or rural projects. The Lieutenant Governor explained the state expects roughly $400 million to $500 million in federal broadband funding, described the bill as consolidating efforts under a broadband office attached to the CIO, and said the office would focus on infrastructure, devices, and training. No vote was taken on HB 934 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 97 on travel insurance. The Insurance Division said it had no major problem with the product but requested technical changes to align with licensing requirements and noted the bill largely codifies practices already used in the industry. Industry witnesses from Allianz and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association said the measure would create a consistent framework, add consumer protections, and align Hawaii with the NAIC model adopted in many other states. Members questioned whether there was a specific problem the bill was solving, and the division responded that it was mainly a framework and form-review measure rather than a response to a known enforcement issue. The bill was discussed but no final action was reported in the excerpt. HB 448 on technology enablement drew broad support from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Food Industry Association, and other business representatives. Supporters said the measure would help businesses use technology such as digital platforms, e-commerce, robotics, and AR/VR to improve competitiveness, especially in tourism and other sectors. Committee members pressed for clearer scope, cost estimates, and assurances that local companies would be used; the agency said it would prioritize local-first contracting, use federal NIST-related support where possible, and estimated an initial request of about $200,000, though it could not give a firm total. Members expressed concern that the plan was still too undefined. The committee then began HB 455 on small business loans, where the Attorney General suggested explaining why a special fund is needed, and a witness from H Collaborative said the bill would help startup businesses that struggle most to access capital.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we did digital IDs, allowing them to be able to, if mobile driver's licenses were available
• So instead of having to carry your card in your wallet, you could carry your digital ID on your phone
• Senator Lang continued: Instead of having to carry your card in your wallet, you could carry your digital
• ><00:47:07.920> what<00:47:08.319> happens<00:47:08.800> to<00:47:09.680> assets
• <00:47:10.079> when support uh what happens to assets when support uh what happens to assets

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Along with that, we have an expanding ability to keep records digitally.
• they want to go up there and digitize some of their own records.
• Now, um, are can digitize their records.
• those documents that are digitized those documents that are digitized available<00:26:34.080>
• <00:27:03.200> and of managing this digitation and of managing this digitation and compliance

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard. Representative Bose explained that the bill would modify class one definitions, eliminate class two, reduce the utility obligation for class one thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjust alternative compliance payments for classes one, three, and four. He said the changes were intended to save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, would not materially harm the renewable portfolio standard, and would have little effect on class two because that market is already saturated. Members questioned the impact on consumers, the state budget, and the renewable energy fund; Bose said the fund had already been redirected in the state budget, and another member noted an amended fiscal note showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue. The committee also discussed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and later removed by the Senate, and Bose said the Senate’s eventual action was hard to predict. The committee then heard House Bill 164 on local records retention from Secretary of State David Scanlan. He said the long-standing local records manager position had never been funded, but that the need for it had grown as towns increasingly digitize records and must ensure accessibility, including ADA compliance. He described the bill as a way to provide state support and expertise to municipalities, especially smaller towns with limited resources, and said the fiscal note for hiring the position remained accurate, though broader website and storage costs could rise over time. Members asked about retrieving lost records, the cost of a public website, and whether records should remain local or be stored at the state level; Scanlan said the state would serve as a resource rather than take control of local records. Finally, the committee began work on House Bill 365, also with Secretary Scanlan, concerning proof of U.S. citizenship for indigent voters. He said the bill would help voters who may lack required documents under the new voter registration law by allowing the state to verify qualifications through federal, private, or other state databases and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to earlier voter ID accommodations and said the goal was to help qualified voters meet the new requirements without weakening them. Members raised questions about defining “indigent,” how out-of-state birth records would be handled, and the practicality of the verification process; Scanlan said the term would likely need further discussion and that the state would try to assist voters before election day whenever possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what this does is that on line 63 it would tie it to digital activity, and then it would go on to
• <00:22:38.559> activity uh it would tie it to digital activity uh it would tie it to digital
• 59.919> uh about, you know, something to handle uh about, you know, something to handle uh digital
• 01.760> uh<00:23:01.919> under,<00:23:02.400> you<00:23:02.559> know, digital
• currency uh under, you know, digital currency uh under, you know, common<00:23:03.039> ownership<

Bills: HB139, HB220, SB274, SB282, SB277

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:53.320> media, disclaimers also apply to digital media, disclaimers also apply to digital
• or audio communications would digital or audio communications would have<00:08:24.760> to<00:
• With advances in technology, the digital political ad landscape has also radically shifted over that
• <00:13:20.360> political to clarify that all digital political to clarify that all digital
• have especially in light of a digital have especially in light of a digital representation representation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, the bill modernizes Minnesota's on-ad disclaimer rules for digital ads, reflecting the prevalence
• of digital political spending by clarifying that digital political ads must have on-ad disclaimers unless
• > digital<00:47:33.440> political<00:47:33.839> spending prevalence of digital political
• spending prevalence of digital political spending by<00:47:34.640> clarifying<00:47:35.119>
• that digital political ads by clarifying that digital political ads must<00:47:36.560> have<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• access policy that needs to be adhered to by the sender of the digital content to CIS before it is placed
• access policy that needs to be adhered to by the sender of the digital content to CIS before it is placed
• access policy that needs to be adhered to by the sender of the digital content to CIS before it is placed
• The newish Minnesota Legislature digital access policy that needs to be adhered to by the sender of the
• digital content to CIS before it is placed on a link on the website.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed. Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed. The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved. After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 282 of Florida statute requires coordination between agencies and Florida Digital Service.
• And then Florida Digital Service is also required to provide subject matter expertise in the development
• We at the Division of State Purchasing are actively working with our partners at Florida's Digital Service
• We at the Division of State Purchasing are actively working with our partners at Florida's Digital Service
• staff augmentation vendors, and we are currently procuring new and innovative IT services such as digital

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first took up SB 268, a public records exemption bill for public officers. Senator Brodeur explained the bill on behalf of Senator Jones, saying it would protect partial home addresses, phone numbers, and certain family information for the governor, cabinet members, and other elected officials because of threats and harassment against public servants. An amendment narrowing and clarifying the definition of public officer and the process for claiming the exemption was adopted without objection. Chair Fine and Senator Brodeur both spoke in support of the bill, citing personal experiences with threats and the need to protect officials and their families. CS for SB 268 was then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard a presentation from Brandon Spencer, Director of State Purchasing and Chief Procurement Officer at the Department of Management Services, on state agency procurement and contracting practices, including IT procurements. He described the state’s procurement structure, including state term contracts, alternate contract sources, and agency procurements, and said the division now manages more than 960 enterprise-wide agreements, with that number continuing to grow. He also highlighted that roughly 21% of purchase order spend is on IT services, discussed statutory requirements for IT procurements, and said the division is working with Florida Digital Service to improve oversight, training, vendor accountability, and procurement options. No committee action followed the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, now moving into the Digital Equity Act again.
• we also are charged with the digital we also are charged with the digital Equity<00:12:01.639>
• <00:17:28.120> opportunity organizations um in digital opportunity organizations um in digital
• sessions and building our digital sessions and building our digital opportunity<00:17:39.679>
• We're also working to create a digital opportunity network, and we plan to pilot a digital opportunity

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill created a digital platform, which is to bring all workforce opportunities in one place in the
• This bill it created<00:02:00.079> uh<00:02:00.240> a<00:02:00.479> digital<00:02
• which is created uh a digital platform which is uh<00:02:02.880> bring<00:02:03.200> all
• And this aims to create a centralized digital platform where students can find internships and stuff
• <00:04:16.799> platform create a centralized digital platform create a centralized digital

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• divide, to promote digital inclusion, and achieve...
• Assembly Bill 2279's goal is clear: to close the digital divide, promote digital inclusion, and achieve
• true digital equity across California.
• The digital divide promotes digital inclusion and achieve true digital equity across California.
• Yet too many communities remain on the wrong side of the digital divide.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A key recommendation was to reduce the digital divide by providing inclusive access to a protected AI
• The CSU is reducing the digital divide and ensuring that AI opportunities are not limited to those who
• And what we were most concerned about is that we would be causing a digital divide with our CSU.
• Some of it is housed in digital learning policies.
• Some of it is housed in digital learning policies.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Higher Education and the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an oversight hearing on the California State University’s AI-empowered initiative, including the systemwide rollout of ChatGPT EDU and broader AI integration across CSU campuses. Opening remarks emphasized both the promise of AI for student success, workforce preparation, and access, and the need to address risks such as bias, privacy, misinformation, environmental impacts, and mental health harms. CSU representatives said the initiative grew out of Academic Senate recommendations and a systemwide generative AI committee, and that the goal was to provide equitable access, training, governance, and workforce alignment across the 23-campus system. CSU officials described systemwide contracts for AI tools, the AI Commons training hub, and faculty grant programs supporting AI-related curriculum innovation. They said more than 93,000 ChatGPT EDU accounts had been activated, over 4,300 faculty had taken voluntary training, and $3 million had been awarded to 63 faculty-led projects from more than 400 submissions. San Jose State University highlighted its own AI-focused programs, courses, orientation training, faculty fellows, student ambassadors, and interdisciplinary efforts to build AI literacy and responsible use into instruction and co-curricular programs. CSU also said it was tracking metrics on adoption, academic outcomes, workforce outcomes, and environmental impacts. Faculty, staff, and student representatives welcomed the educational potential of AI but raised concerns about the rollout, saying it had moved quickly and without enough consultation or consistent systemwide policy. They urged stronger protections for academic freedom, intellectual property, privacy, equity, and worker input, and warned about bias, surveillance, job displacement, and the environmental cost of AI. Legislators pressed CSU and OpenAI representatives on training requirements, data privacy, bias reporting, discipline for misuse, liability, sycophancy, and safeguards against harmful uses such as non-consensual imagery or self-harm-related interactions. CSU said interactions in the licensed tool are private, data are not used to train models, and campuses retain their own conduct processes; members also asked CSU to follow up on systemwide training, policy consistency, and additional safeguards.

Transcript Highlights:

• digital world. Please pass this bill. digital world. Please pass this bill.
• You're essentially mandating a digital ID system tied to every online account.
• Don't build a surveillance or digital ID system in the name of protecting kids.
• You're essentially mandating a digital ID system tied to every online account.
• Don't build a surveillance or digital ID system in the name of protecting kids.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• access to the resources and the opportunities and addressing the educational, health, economic, and digital
• access to the resources and the opportunities and addressing the educational, health, economic, and digital
• access to the resources and the opportunities and addressing the educational, health, economic, and digital
• access to the resources and the opportunities and addressing the educational, health, economic, and digital
• access to the resources and the opportunities and addressing the educational, health, economic, and digital

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senate POCI caucus members held a press event outlining their priorities for the session and framing them as a response to federal actions and rhetoric they described as harmful to Black, Brown, Indigenous, immigrant, and other marginalized communities. Senator Zaynab Mohamed said the caucus would not be silent and emphasized goals including culturally responsive and accessible health care, protection from discrimination, fully funded education from cradle to college, an equitable bonding bill, and safe, dignified housing. Senator Erin Maye Quade said the caucus would fight efforts to “resegregate” society and highlighted support for strengthening the READ Act and advancing the Minnesota Building Families Act to cover infertility care through insurance. Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten pointed to recent DFL accomplishments such as the CROWN Act, restoring the vote, and the African-American Family Preservation Act, and urged colleagues to consider how legislation and budgets affect communities of color. She also said she would champion Minnesota Connecting Families, a proposal to make communication free for incarcerated people, along with a ban on legacy admissions and legislation preventing housing discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders. Senator Mary Kunesh reviewed education investments made over the past two years, including increased school funding, free lunches, library funding, pre-K expansion, the READ Act, and the Teachers of Color and Indigenous Act, and said her top priority is advancing an Equal Rights Amendment and protecting tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. Senator Susan Pha said the caucus remains necessary because people of color and immigrants still face discrimination, including her own family, and said the group would continue fighting for equality and opportunity. In response to questions, caucus members said they hoped for bipartisan support on some proposals but were prepared to use their majority if needed. They said they were not intimidated by the new federal administration or Republican control in Washington, argued that Minnesota should protect residents from federal harm, and criticized GOP efforts they characterized as attacks on DEI and racial equity. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Digital has become so very much important now because access to a lot of services occurs online, and
• Digital has become so very much important now because access to a lot of services occurs online, and
• has become so knew was physical digital has become so very<00:48:10.720> much<00:48:11.400>
• digital digital accessibility is however digital digital accessibility is vital<00:49:33.359> to
• nonprofit they encounter digital nonprofit they encounter digital barriers<00:50:06.480> so

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Human Services and Homelessness heard two SNAP-related bills on March 13, 2025. SB 960 SD1 would appropriate funds to DHS to improve SNAP administration, including additional positions. Testimony from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, and many others strongly supported the measure, emphasizing high food insecurity, the importance of SNAP federal dollars, and the need to reduce delays and improve access. DHS said vacancies and retention are the main barriers, with staffing shortages statewide across processing centers. The department described efforts such as wikiwiki hiring, bringing back retired workers, using interns, and improving call center efficiency, and said it had requested a 5% performance incentive package estimated at about $1.1 million per year, though that request did not make the governor’s budget. Members asked about vacancy counts, staffing distribution, and how the bill would interact with other SNAP funding; DHS said some funding was tied to the new eligibility system and that staffing requests would need to be separate. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion heard. The committee then heard SB 961 SD1, which would require DHS to adjust minimum certification periods and participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project. Supporters, including AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and additional organizations and individuals, said the bill would reduce red tape, help kūpuna, and ease administrative burden. DHS supported the concept but said the current legacy system cannot automate these changes and that any implementation would require manual processing until the new system is in place. DHS and committee members discussed the risk of higher error rates and timeliness problems with manual processing, noting the department had recently been assessed a $1 million penalty for high payment error rates and was already in corrective action for timeliness. Members also discussed the anticipated fall 2026 rollout of the new system and whether the bill should be delayed until then; DHS said it preferred to assess the new system first before pursuing waivers and related changes. The committee then moved on to the next measure after the discussion.