Transcript Highlights:

• The project, known as Project Leo, was originally created in 2016 and operated through the Centers for
• Um, so it's my understanding that Project 2025 called for the privatization of student loans, which could
• What is your view on the privatization of student loans, whether that be connected with Project 2025
• Going back to Project 2025, which was birthday...
• What is your view on the privatization of student loans, whether that be connected with Project 2025

Bills: S1570, S1376

Keywords: missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding, genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance

Summary: The committee heard and approved two bills before moving to a long confirmation agenda. SB 1570, by Sen. Gates, would restore Project Leo, a previously sunset program that helps locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination between CARD centers and local sheriffs; it was praised as a proven tool for families and first responders and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1376, by Sen. Burgess, would create grants to support genetic counseling education and help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors; testimony noted the state’s limited supply of licensed counselors and the need to expand clinical training, and the bill also passed favorably. The committee then considered a block of reappointments to university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and others. No one requested separate votes on the reappointments, and the block was confirmed unanimously for recommendation to the next committee. A series of new appointees then appeared and largely emphasized workforce training, nursing, military support, and local economic development at their institutions. Witnesses included appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, FIU, UWF, Valencia, the College of the Florida Keys, and others; several highlighted strong NCLEX pass rates, dual enrollment, and partnerships with employers or military communities. One nominee, Florida Poly reappointment Ilya Shapiro, faced pointed questioning from Sen. Bracey Davis about past comments regarding race and the Supreme Court; he said his remarks were about hiring criteria, not a specific justice, and reiterated opposition to race- or sex-based selection. The committee also briefly struggled to reach Sherry Young by phone before hearing her testimony for Chipola College, where she said she wanted to give back as an alumna and nurse practitioner. Most new appointees were recommended for confirmation in a block, while Thomas Zachary Smith of UWF was pulled for separate consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• to say I'm very concerned about unfettered access to private property.
• Also, I just wanted to say I'm very concerned about unfettered access to private property.
• We also agree that they should have access to private property to try to address those risks.
• So you can enter private property without permission. You can cause... The next page.
• So you can enter private property without permission. You can cause damage.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Da, project manager for Clarity Project.
• My name is Da, project manager for Clarity Project.
• My name is Da, project manager for Clarity Project.
• My name is Da, project manager for Clarity Project.
• <00:49:46.640> our project manager for clarity project our project manager for clarity project

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That wasn't projected a few years ago.
• The private nonprofit and the private for-profit, and then compared to our aggregated statewide data.
• Same with our private nonprofits.
• Here's where we see a difference with our private for-profit institutions. Private nonprofits.
• Our private nonprofits are pretty consistent, a little bit higher over the past five years, but our private

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to focus on nursing education funding, workforce supply, and Florida’s low NCLEX pass rates. The chair emphasized that Florida ranks last nationally in nursing exam pass rates and said the committee wants to use budget decisions and a forthcoming nursing bill to improve outcomes. The Florida Center for Nursing at USF presented preliminary workforce and education data showing RN supply is moving toward equilibrium with demand through 2037, while LPN shortages are projected to worsen, especially in some regions. The center also reported on enrollment, retention, faculty vacancies, and NCLEX trends, noting Florida still underperforms the national average but has shown some recent improvement, including higher RN pass rates in 2024 despite fewer test takers. The center highlighted that students who test sooner after graduation tend to pass at higher rates. A panel of nursing education leaders from public universities, state colleges, technical colleges, and private institutions described how prior state pipeline and line-item funding helped expand enrollment, simulation labs, faculty hiring, student support services, and partnerships with hospitals. UNF, Galen College, College of Central Florida, Keiser University, and Lorenzo Walker Technical College each reported strategies such as expanded simulation, mental health and social work support, test-prep and remediation, and efforts to grow faculty pipelines. Several speakers said faculty recruitment and retention remain major barriers because of salary competition with hospitals, faculty debt, and aging faculty. Technical college representatives also stressed the need to strengthen LPN pathways, English-language support, and LPN-to-RN bridge programs. Members asked for ideas to improve NCLEX outcomes and discussed possible policy options, including student loan forgiveness, critical shortage supplements for faculty, incentives for students to test soon after graduation, and possible changes to timing or regulation around NCLEX eligibility. Several witnesses supported more flexible or recurring funding, while noting that one-time line funding has been useful for simulation, scholarships, and faculty support but is harder to sustain. The committee adjourned after the discussion, with the chair saying the ideas would be considered in future funding and policy decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public-private administration.
• Allowing a this new pilot project.
• raise private funds.
• > progress Like many memorial projects, progress Like many memorial projects, progress has<05:
• . projects. projects.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There also have been some cases where they changed the AMI mix of projects, so they'll require more projects
• <00:22:56.960> so they changed the Ami mix of projects so they changed the Ami mix of projects
• One individual in support. help getting for sale projects to be help getting for sale projects to be
• or otherwise involved in the project or otherwise involved in the project that<00:38:01.119>
• the cost of the project.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures. SB 38 SD2 drew mixed testimony on changes to 21H projects, with HHFDC supporting and county and community groups split between support and opposition. In discussion, members focused on how county legislative bodies can alter projects in ways that increase costs, including changes to AMI mixes and fee waivers. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, limiting county changes that would impose stricter conditions than HHFDC, stricter AMI requirements, or reduced fee waivers; the motion passed with one member voting with reservations and two members excused. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 71 SD2, which would revise the rental housing revolving fund. Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi YIMBY, and NAAP Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken support for deeply affordable units, eliminate the 5% set-aside for households at or below 30% AMI, and create a funding gap for households between 60% and 120% AMI. Supporters of the bill, including public housing and some development interests, emphasized the need to redirect funding and make the program more flexible. In decision-making, the committee described the bill as making comprehensive changes that would narrow Tier 2 toward higher-income projects and favor shorter loan terms, then moved it out with amendments. The committee also heard and advanced several other measures with little or no opposition: SB 40 SD2 on state finances, SB 378 on HHFDC, SB 572 SD1 on housing, SB 1229 ST2 on the dwelling unit revolving fund, and SB 602 on the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority all received support testimony and were moved forward. For SB 65 SD2, HPHA and other agencies supported the measure, and HPHA testified it sought roughly $8 million to $10 million for repair and maintenance of units not covered by CIP funds. The committee also took up SB 826 SD1 on the low-income housing tax credit, where HHFDC, the Tax Foundation, and DHHL expressed confusion over the bill’s intent and whether it would bar state agencies from using LIHTC financing; no action was taken on that item in the excerpt. SB 944 SD2 on LIHTC transferability drew support and a suggestion to keep clarifying language that notifies the tax department, and the committee indicated it would keep the provision in.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also done 5 private orbital crewed flights off from Florida.
• enterprise and private business and to space flight missions, private missions to the space station
• and also just private free fire missions.
• You can see the just the a hefty amount of private capital.
• It's come in the number of projects that we went through.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we we exclude those areas in our<00:15:15.839> projects. our projects. our projects.
• It's private property. >> state property. It's private property.
• I'd like to go over bigger projects.
• I'd like to go over smaller projects. I'd like to go over bigger<01:36:15.240> projects.
• So, for the big projects, you probably want Finite Carbon because they've got a number of the big projects

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductions and approval of the previous minutes, including a small amendment clarifying a note about “leakage” in a prior presentation. The committee then heard a presentation from Sarah Hall of the American Forest Foundation on the Family Forest Carbon Program, which she described as a voluntary carbon and forest management program for smaller landowners. She said the program provides annual payments and technical assistance, requires a forest management plan within two years, and is designed to support improved forest management while still allowing compatible uses such as recreation, hunting, and some harvesting. Hall emphasized that the program is intended as one tool among many and is not a fit for every property. She said most enrolled landowners did not previously have a forest management plan or work with a forester, and that the program helps bring “unengaged” landowners into active management. She also said the program is compatible with current use and other commitments on a case-by-case basis, and that landowners retain ownership of their land and timber rights while AFF holds the carbon rights for the contract term. She highlighted examples of landowners using the program to support taxes, family ownership, wildlife habitat, timber stand improvement, and continued recreational or business uses. Committee members asked about registry compliance in New Hampshire and the relationship between carbon markets and the program. Hall responded that AFF handles registry administration for landowners and would follow up on the specific registry count raised by a member. She explained that the program is funded through a mix of carbon market revenue, philanthropy, and grants, and that carbon credits are generated through landscape-level methodology and monitored using randomly selected plots compared with FIA data. She also noted that consulting foresters are key partners in the program and that AFF has paid more than $3 million to consultants nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• The private funding is restricted to public schools, and private schools are no longer eligible for this
• The private funding is restricted to public schools, and private schools are no longer eligible for this
• Funding it and possibly partner with the private funder or other private funders at that time.
• And then when private philanthropy shows up, when private dollars show up, then your answer becomes,
• I found the private funds. Unfortunately, the private. I found the private funds.

Bills: LB878, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB1209, LB937A, LB962A, LB1050, LB1050A, LB965, LB1022, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB745, LB749, LB778, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR495, LR496, LR497, LR498, LR499, LR500, LR501, LR502, LR503, LR504

Keywords: paid parental leave, state employees, workplace benefits, family support, economic impact, Medicaid, Medical Assistance Act, home and community-based services waiver, HCBS waiver, waiver participant, assessment tool, clinical interviewing, service tier, retroactive coverage, doula, doula reimbursement, maternal health, prenatal care, pregnancy, birth outcomes

Transcript Highlights:

• within this project.
• So this document management system project, we have already implemented 65% of this project.
• project.
• He's a project director.
• It's also called the CARE project. The CARE project has made significant and measurable progress.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, there are a few projects.
• We simply look at the project.
• Workforce housing projects and community land trust projects.
• Sewer and water projects is left. Roads... Sewer and water projects is left.
• And if the owner sells the infrastructure facility to a private entity before the end of the project,

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:54.160> companies University of Hawaii private companies University of Hawaii private
• our work with the nurseries um P private our work with the nurseries um P private residences<00:
• <01:07:35.079> pest need to be a role for private pest need to be a role for private pest
• <01:44:36.119> that's program um one of the projects that's program um one of the projects
• and other partners uh including private and other partners uh including private land<01:48:20.360

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ALL SHELTERED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BEGIN WITH THE SHELTER SERVICE.
• PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS AND WALL PACK COST EFFECTIVE PROJECTS ARE TRIAGED SOMETIMES COST CANNOT BE THE
• SO ALL OF THESE PROJECTS TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION.
• PROPERTY, PRIVATE LAND INCLUDING PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOODS IS NOT ELIGIBLE AS IT STANDS FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL
• BUT THERE IS OBVIOUS NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the private prisons prioritize profit.
• And many private prisons, cut costs behind.
• With between Whether prisons is really an area for private practice, uh, is that really an area for private
• I've been in private prison 1 year and 9 months of my time, I was in private prison.
• In a privately owned, operated and managed facility and future contracting with private vendors, while

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Marcia. and private and private um,<00:17:42.960> somewhat<00:17:43.440> separate
• and private philanthropy is where<00:17:52.400> we<00:17:52.720> should<00:17:52.960><
• So, assuming that the state's moving that direction generally for a number of projects which are out
• <00:20:26.720> that a lot of the larger projects that a lot of the larger projects that state's
• through potentially public private through potentially public private partnerships<00:20:30.960>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees met on a 3:00 p.m. agenda that included House Concurrent Resolution 94 and several gubernatorial nominations. HCR 94, which asks the governor to proclaim Hawaii a Purple Heart State on August 7, 2025, drew support from the Hawaii Veterans of Foreign Wars and no opposing testimony. The chair recommended passage as is, and the committees adopted the recommendation without objection. The bulk of the meeting focused on nominations to the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, along with one nomination to the Medical Advisory Board. Nominees and supporters emphasized experience, continuity, and service: Dana Alla Lopez, Beverly Lee, and others described prior commission work; Janet Sato and Marcia Deutsch highlighted long involvement in arts education, grants review, and public art; and Randall Francisco stressed arts advocacy and accessibility. Testimony in support also came from commission staff, the Association for Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development, the mayor of Kauai, and others. One nominee, Judy Kvel Kovville, had support from the Department of Transportation. Several committee members raised broader questions about sustaining arts funding amid possible federal cuts and changes in state project financing that could reduce revenue under the 1% for art law. The nominees for the arts-related posts said they were open to exploring new funding sources, including private philanthropy, community support, and learning from other states. After discussion, the committee voted to advise and consent on all listed nominations—GM506, GM507, GM508, GM556, GM654, GM740, GM742, and GM743—with no votes or reservations, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:30.680> on uh these fuel reduction projects on uh these fuel reduction projects on
• <00:55:54.480> of blueprint for the privatization of blueprint for the privatization of government
• Historical attempts at privatization in the area have failed.
• We actually have a desalination project.
• <01:18:59.120> uh actually have a desalination project uh actually have a desalination project

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 534, a measure concerning development in Kakaʻako Makai involving the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chairs explained that the hearing was decision-making only and no testimony would be accepted, though members could ask clarifying questions. The chair outlined amendments to clarify HCDA’s approval process, require an environmental impact statement before residential development proposals are submitted, require Department of Health documentation on hazardous substances, and specify that only OHA-owned parcels would be eligible for certain residential development with a 400-foot height limit and maximum floor area ratio of 10.0. The amendments also addressed affordability, owner-occupancy, association fees, and a special fund, while noting Attorney General concerns that the fee could be construed as a tax and suggesting further review by Judiciary and Ways and Means. Members discussed the affordability threshold, with one senator suggesting 160% AMI instead of 140% due to high housing costs and concern that essential workers could be priced out. Others raised concerns about Native Hawaiian affordability, the long-term effect of perpetuity restrictions, and whether the process would protect OHA’s interests. An HCDA representative said 140% AMI was used in existing reserve housing rules and that lower thresholds could make development economically infeasible. OHA and other supporters said the proposal was still early in planning and emphasized the need for public hearings, community input, and compliance with environmental and remediation standards. The committees voted to pass SB 534 with amendments: Water and Land approved it 4-1, and Hawaiian Affairs also adopted the chair’s recommendation, with one member excused and one voting no. The meeting then moved to SB 3, relating to water resource management. The bill would authorize the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel, create an executive director position, allow challenges to emergency orders under certain conditions, establish fines for water use offenses, and revise emergency and shortage declaration procedures; Red Hill-related provisions were noted as removed from this version. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, the Board of Water Supply, OHA, and Sierra Club, with OHA stressing the measure’s importance to Native Hawaiian water rights and past litigation. A Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representative supported the bill with amendments and recommended explicit language directing the commission chair or designee to advocate for water rights and reservations for homelands. The chair indicated the committees would use the prior Senate-passed version as the basis for further action, and the discussion then moved on to SB 130, a search-and-rescue reimbursement bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you mentioned, that post was put on X in my private capacity as a private citizen.
• Now private citizens have the right to say this. I completely agree.
• Private citizens have the right to say and believe whatever they want.
• Certainly different political backgrounds coming to me privately, sending me notes and saying, sir, I
• But can you support me and this committee in working on those infrastructure projects?

Keywords: Department of Defense, nominations, Matthew Lohmeyer, Justin Overbaugh, global security, military readiness, NATO, Russia, China, defense infrastructure

Summary: The meeting was primarily focused on discussing nominations for key positions within the Department of Defense, specifically for roles such as the Undersecretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Senators expressed urgent concerns about global security threats, the need for robust military readiness, and the emphasis on effective collaboration with NATO allies amidst rising tensions with adversaries such as Russia and China. Several senators highlighted the challenges facing military infrastructure and defense capabilities, suggesting a critical need for improvements and investment in these areas to ensure national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's 350 megawatts of privately funded natural gas going into that facility now.
• Right now, as Michael mentioned, we are building this project in Abilene.
• The long-term vision of the project is that we...
• So now I'm a private hospital.
• we were trying to impose these conditions on the private sector?

Bills: SB 6, SB6, SB504, SB765, SB815, SB929

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Transcript Highlights:

• That's where we the projection was in August.
• So maybe about 40-43% coming from the private sector.
• transportation projects.
• About 57% of Them are private pay already.
• But we can't compete against the private sector in certain areas, especially with private lawyers.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh even more thousands of project.
• Uh my dollars for a street project.
• to the definition of a capital project. to the definition of a capital project.
• subdivision two um are the two projects subdivision two um are the two projects that<01:20:22.880
• <01:44:34.639> or entertainment facilities, private or entertainment facilities, private or

Keywords: 1187, senate, all