Transcript Highlights:

• The target for the average district salary would be the new average salary or 105% of the prior year.
• We change that to up to 105% of the prior year salary. There are two districts that that affects.
• The target for the<01:14:24.640><c> average</c><01:14:25.120><c> district</c><01:14:25.600><c> salary
• <c> salary</c><01:14:29.920><c> or</c> new average salary or new average salary or 105%<01:14:32.560>
• </c> to up to 105% of the prior year salary. to up to 105% of the prior year salary.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the agency nurses get a higher hourly salary but no benefits.
• It's not that there are no nurses; there's an issue of nurses being hired based on the salaries that
• Those school nurses who are not on the teachers' salary.
• that some of hired based on the salaries that some of them<02:06:42.599><c> are</c><02:06:42.760><c>
• I think we need to work on salaries, and I don't think that doing away with certification really is a

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• new local approval of these optional permits on tasting room sales room licenses, we are respecting parity
• provides some much-needed help for our struggling craft distillers while ensuring local controls and parity
• new local approval of these optional permits on tasting room sales room licenses, we are respecting parity
• provides some much-needed help for our struggling craft distillers while ensuring local controls and parity

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to Commonwealth's Attorneys salary increment.
• Moving on to county attorneys salary increment.
• This also amends salary increment.
• Page 33, salary supplement for nationally certified teachers.
• </c> the appropriations for the salary the appropriations for the salary compression<01:02:47.880><c>

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I need to make any changes, if we are hiring somebody, we need to give higher salary.
• We use those funds for that higher salary, but that position now is less that money, so that position
• They are real positions, but they've taken the salary savings, and so that's why they're not letting
• but that position for the higher salary but that position now<00:40:30.040><c> is</c><00:40:30.240><
• </c> but that they've taken the salary but that they've taken the salary savings<00:41:20.839><c> and

Summary: The joint Committee on Higher Education and Agriculture heard Senate Bill 1158, which would authorize general obligation bonds and appropriations for a controlled environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon Research and Teaching Site in Manoa. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the University of Hawaiʻi, Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Maui County, MetroGrow Hawaiʻi, and other agricultural groups, who said the project would strengthen food resilience, support year-round production, create clean jobs, and provide a demonstration site for urban vertical farming. University representatives said the project would include demolition of an existing condemned building, a research and lab component, and a multistory vertical farm, with an estimated cost of $6 million and a projected two-year build time. Members questioned whether Manoa was the best location, whether the project fit the university’s broader strategy, and whether the request would displace other priorities. The University said the site is tied to SEAR activities, close to students and faculty, and intended to support hands-on training and commercial-scale production. In response to concerns about soil testing and stakeholder needs, the University said it would restart the soil testing lab using internal funds, though not as part of this bill, and would request additional staff for efficiency. The committee then recessed and later reconvened in decision-making, where the chairs recommended and the committee adopted amendments to SB 1158, including a name correction and deferral to July 31, 2050, and the bill passed with amendments. The committee then took up Senate Bill 663, relating to the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and SEAR research and experiment stations. The University testified that the stations are important for locally relevant agricultural research but are short staffed, with 34 positions down since 2005, and that the bill requests eight new positions, including agricultural technicians and four county community coordinator positions, to improve station operations, community engagement, and workforce development. The Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying the positions are needed to revamp extension services and that Manoa is an appropriate urban location for the vertical farming component. Members questioned why vacant or existing positions could not be used instead of new ones, and the University explained that some listed vacancies reflected old federally funded positions or inaccurate counts, promised a written update, and said it was working to fill current openings. No final vote on SB 663 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not going to cause cuts in teacher salaries.
• Chair McClure: I think you should ask that question to Judge Maney in his salary.
• The first one is the public defenders' salary.
• We know that the salaries are completely out of scope.
• We know that the salaries are completely out of scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't do that now because when the city of Tallulah took over the water, we got high salaries.
• The mayor's salary went up. The city clerk's salary went up.
• And the city superintendent's salary went up.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the troubled water system in Tallulah and whether to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the water utility. Senator Jackson described the system’s long-running failures, the need to expand repairs beyond the treatment plant to the distribution network, and the growing project cost, which he said had risen to roughly $26 million. Legislative Auditor’s Office staff explained that the system had received failing grades from LDH for several years, had entered joint receivership in 2024, and was placed under a public health emergency in 2025; they said the city’s adoption of limited fiscal administration in April 2026 made it eligible for additional state funding. Governor’s staff said the state, GOSEP, Magnolia, and the city had worked together to restore service and that the limited fiscal administrator would help unlock an emergency subfund and other financing sources. The mayor of Tallulah supported the appointment, saying the state’s work had improved water quality and that the limited role would focus only on the water system rather than the whole city. She said the city was preparing an RFQ to move the project toward bidding. Two residents spoke in opposition. One argued that the city had recently elected a new council and should wait for new local leadership before proceeding. Another questioned the need for the appointment, criticized past management and contract arrangements, and objected to using emergency funds to pay prior project costs. State officials responded that the F grade and public health concerns justified the action, that the administrator would control water-system finances, and that the distribution system needed repairs to address leaks and water quality issues. After discussion, a committee member moved to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the Tallulah water system. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. The committee then moved to public comment and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• five-year trend, government debt per resident with a five-year trend, median income, average employee salary
• , the percentage of that budget spent on salaries and benefits, and the number of special taxing districts
• They look at average employee salary.
• They look at the percentage of that budget spent on salaries and benefits.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 1221, the Department of Financial Services agency package, was presented as a streamlining and modernization bill covering the My Safe Florida Home Program, unclaimed property, and the state’s new PALM accounting system. Two amendments were adopted: one restoring the current $15 million cap DFS may retain in the unclaimed property trust fund and another making conforming changes to replace references to FLAIR with PALM. The bill was supported by public witnesses and was reported favorably after a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then heard HB 1291, dealing with the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA). The sponsor explained that the bill was intended to address concerns that NICA could fall below actuarially sound funding in the 2027-2028 fiscal year and that current law lacks clear triggers for funding remedies. An amendment was adopted that removed the bill’s fiscal impact and preserved a $20 million reserve. NICA representatives spoke in support, and the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. Finally, the committee took up CSHB 1329, which would modernize local government budget transparency by requiring budgets to be posted 14 days before hearings, retained online for five years, and made searchable and accessible, while also requiring a 10% budget-cutting exercise before adoption. Local government groups and the CFO’s office discussed costs and suggested that the EDR portal may be a better centralized way to present the data, especially for smaller jurisdictions. Members generally supported the transparency goal but raised concerns about implementation costs; the sponsor said the bill was still being refined. The bill was reported favorably on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no for now. The meeting then adjourned after the chair noted submission of the FY 2026-27 budget recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eagle, Daniela Hernandez, Krie Ruda, Alexis Jager, Kalia Lucero, Olivia Ponin, Grace Scutter, Margo Salari
• Lucero Olivia ponin Grace Scutter Kalia Lucero Olivia ponin Grace Scutter Margo<00:15:16.639><c> salari
• > Wilson</c><00:15:19.240><c> welcome</c><00:15:19.560><c> to</c><00:15:19.720><c> your</c> Margo salari
• jica Wilson welcome to your Margo salari jica Wilson welcome to your house<00:15:20.079><c> of</c> representatives

Summary: The House convened with 46 members present and five excused, then deferred reading of the journal. The chamber received Governor’s Message No. 4, which transmitted proposed changes to the fiscal biennium 2025-2027 executive budget, and the message was received and filed. The House also received a Senate communication transmitting a Senate bill that had passed third reading in the Senate; on motion by Representative Morikawa, seconded by Representative Garcia, the bill was given first reading by title on a voice vote. During introductions, Representative Morikawa recognized staff members Judy Hernandez and Robbie Allen, Representative Lamosao welcomed Kab Bukowski of IBEW 1260, and Representative Iwamoto introduced a Hawaii Pacific University student group visiting to learn about the legislative process and environmental policy. The House then considered Standing Committee Report No. 797; Representative Todd moved to adopt the report and advance the accompanying House bill as amended to second reading and third reading calendar, the motion was seconded by Representative Morikawa, and it passed by voice vote. No resolutions were up for action, and none were referred to print. Announcements highlighted an upcoming Capitol agriculture event featuring more than 70 vendors and a separate notice about House member jacket samples and ordering for 2025. The House adjourned on motion by Representative Moryker, seconded by Representative Garcia, until 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 27th.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Seu, the CEO of Hawaii Electric Industries, earned $95,833 in salary, and his total compensation
• And Shelley Kimura, the president and CEO of an HEI subsidiary, earned $575,000 in salary, with a total
• </c><01:15:44.440><c> and</c><01:15:44.600><c> his</c><01:15:44.880><c> total</c> 95833 in salary and
• his total 95833 in salary and his total compensation<01:15:46.040><c> is</c><01:15:46.480><c> $5.4</
• a total 575,000 in salary with a total compensation<01:15:58.920><c> of</c><01:15:59.679><c> 1.47</c

Transcript Highlights:

• . $70,304,185.105 is the $1,000 sped, or special education, salary supplement.
• There were salary increases and funding for the new staff provided by judicial redistricting.
• We did fund critical salaries for a new law enforcement academy class.
• We did fund critical salaries for a new law enforcement academy class.
• We did fund critical salaries for a new law enforcement academy class.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can be paid whatever salary staff.
• If a position has been filled, you use the actual salary and benefits of that new position.
• The default budget had to have the $100,000 salary, not the new $55,000 salary.
• $100,000 salary, not the new<01:53:17.360><c> $55,000</c><01:53:18.440><c> salary.
• This would have new $55,000 salary.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I may have just promoted some people on the spot here, but the salaries will stay the same.
• will stay the same salaries will stay the same let<00:07:00.319><c> me</c><00:07:00.520><c> let</c><
• Who determines the starting salary rates of the public defender counsel?
• Who determines the starting salary rates of the public defender counsel?
• Who determines the starting salary rates of the public defender counsel?

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• They know what the salary is.
• And the salaries for those types of And the salaries for those types of positions<01:02:43.360><c> are
• </c> Yeah, increase the salary. Yeah, increase the salary.
• </c> salary above listed. salary above listed.
• </c> Salaries is number one. Salaries is number one.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is salaries.
• So the clerk felt it was time to increase the salaries for the staff that support the legislators.
• But again, the major increase from the last 30-day session is the salaries for our staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is salaries.
• seen increases in cost of living, housing, and food, so the clerk felt it was time to increase the salaries
• But again, the major increase from the last 30-day session is the salaries for our staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a superintendent of that salary.
• </c> salaries, not just state investment. salaries, not just state investment.
• </c> additionally, we have a $3,000 uh salary additionally, we have a $3,000 uh salary increase<04:15
• Uh, and frankly, this is at the starting salary.
• Uh but let me be very clear, salaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• asking for an increase to help pay for that position because the council successfully raised the salaries
• The increase in our budget in 2023 was sufficient to pay for an additional FTE at the lower salaries.
• But our current budget cannot sustain the five FTEs because of these new salaries.

Bills: HF2783

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• As this slide shows, about 71% of budgets are for salaries and benefits, with another 13% for financial
• You're correct, salaries and benefits are a major cost driver for the university.
• Most of our campus budgets are salaries and benefits. UC had $125 million in budget deferrals...
• As you know, we continue to work toward implementation of full merit salary steps.
• My salary lags behind that of the community colleges, K-12, and the UC.

Summary: The subcommittee heard opening remarks and updates from UC President James Milliken and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia on the state of higher education, including federal funding losses, civil rights/Title IX compliance, enrollment, housing, and budget needs. Both leaders emphasized the value of UC and CSU to California’s workforce, research, and economic mobility, while warning that federal grant cancellations, investigations, and changes to student aid are creating major financial and operational strain. UC reported losing or having at risk more than 1,600 grants and over $1 billion in research activity, while CSU said it had lost more than 200 grants totaling about $161 million, including minority-serving institution grants that affected student support programs. Both systems said they are investing in civil rights services and trying to limit the release of personally identifiable information in response to federal requests. The committee then reviewed the higher education student housing grant program. Finance and Legislative Analyst’s Office staff said the governor’s budget does not include major new changes but continues support for the program. CSU reported 12 approved projects that will add about 5,047 beds, with roughly 75% below market rate, and said it has about 68,000 beds systemwide, a 92% occupancy rate, and ongoing housing insecurity among students. UC said its housing projects have added more than 7,000 beds when reduced-rent and regular-rent units are combined, but nearly 10,000 students were on housing wait lists at the start of fall 2025. Both systems described rapid rehousing efforts, emergency beds, and partnerships with community colleges, and UC noted several joint housing projects, including at Riverside, Merced, and Santa Cruz. Members discussed whether future housing bonds and use of surplus school sites could help expand capacity. In the enrollment section, the LAO recommended maintaining UC’s 2026-27 resident undergraduate target, funding enrollment growth separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident reduction plan at the three highest-demand UC campuses, and holding UC enrollment flat in 2027-28. For CSU, the LAO recommended revising the 2026-27 enrollment expectation downward to reflect updated projections, while also funding enrollment growth separately and holding enrollment flat in 2027-28. CSU said it has rebounded from pandemic-era declines, is above its funded target by about 3,000 FTE, and is shifting about $89 million and 10,000 FTE from lower-demand campuses to higher-demand ones while developing turnaround plans for seven campuses with sustained enrollment declines, including Sonoma State. UC said it has already exceeded its compact enrollment goals and is planning continued growth, but that sustaining it depends on ongoing state support. Members raised concerns about campus-specific enrollment declines, nonresident caps at UC San Diego, and the need for stronger turnaround plans and teacher preparation pathways. The final section covered core operations and deferred payments: Finance said the governor proposes another one-year deferral of about $129.7 million for UC and $143.8 million for CSU, and the LAO recommended retiring the deferrals when one-time funds are available. CSU described rising compensation, financial aid, utilities, insurance, and deferred maintenance costs, and said it is pursuing cost-saving measures such as procurement alignment, campus integration, and shared administrative services.

Transcript Highlights:

• and that and it goes along<00:04:42.640><c> with</c><00:04:42.880><c> their</c><00:04:43.200><c> salary
• /c><00:04:43.880><c> and</c><00:04:44.000><c> what</c><00:04:44.160><c> they</c> along with their salary
• and what they along with their salary and what they negotiate,<00:04:45.280><c> those</c><00:04:45.480
• So for us, I've got the average teacher salary there, which helps to convert out to a daily rate.
• Um [snorts], you know, again, payments are made at current salary rates rather than higher end-of-year

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education