Transcript Highlights:

• It extends surviving spouse benefits for reserve officers killed in the line of duty.
• Nevertheless, the statute is very specific in that it says commissioned police officers.
• Our fiscal office takes it down as factual.
• Heath Williams, Office of Group Benefits.
• Middlebrook and Officer Jollivet.

Bills: HB12, HB145, HB222, HB291, HB430, HB821, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB979, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, provider agreements, contracting actions, participating facilities, network status, survivors benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:24.400><c> of</c> Woodward on behalf of the Office of Woodward on behalf of the Office of
• </c><00:28:07.200><c> does</c> out of the governor's office does out of the governor's office does provide
• And next up we have the Attorney General's Office on Zoom.
• And next up we have the Attorney General's Office on Zoom.
• Um the state office consumer one.

Bills: HB2488, HB2456

Keywords: disability, communication access, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, healthcare, sign language interpreters, auxiliary aids, weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, obesity, Medicaid, healthcare costs, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this is urging the Department of Education in collaboration with the Department of Health and Office
• Um in support, the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Thank you very much.
• Um in support, the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Thank you very much.
• Um in support, the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Thank you very much.
• Um in support, the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Thank you very much.

Bills: HCR67, HCR102, HR61, HR94

Keywords: disability, communication access, healthcare, sign language interpreters, deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, auxiliary aids, effective communication, peer counselor, youth mental health, social disconnection, Hawaii schools, wellness program, student support, cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed care, disability rights, peer counseling, education

Summary: The joint Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Committee on Health heard two measures on April 7, 2026. HCR 67/HR 61 would request the Disability and Communication Access Board to study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and develop guidelines. Written testimony supported the measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, DCAB, Local Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual. A DCAB representative noted the proposal could serve as a backup if related measures do not move forward. No one testified in opposition, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended. The second measure, HCR 102/HR 94, urged the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools. Support came from the Department of Education, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, and individual testifiers Katie Smith and Ray Ward. Smith said peer support can reduce stigma, increase belonging, and improve school climate. Ward, speaking from lived experience, described the harms of loneliness and trauma and said a peer counselor program could provide culturally grounded support and safer pathways to help. No opposition was offered, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ed Vannino, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Austin.
• Office as a resource. If anyone has a question, I don't see any, and we'll open public testimony.
• There were some issues with the comptroller's office. There was some proposition.
• discrepancy in state law by allowing a fuel tax credit or refund for diesel that is used to operate auxiliary
• We do have Shannon. grant from the comptroller's office as a resource witness.

Bills: SB771, SB2345, HB135, HB135

Keywords: diesel fuel tax, tax credit, auxiliary power units, power take-off equipment, refund, energy efficiency, firefighter retirement, municipal contributions, pension system, retirement benefits, funding ratios, sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, civil liability, motor vehicle, legal protection, removal

Transcript Highlights:

• Emily Andrews with Governor Jeff Landry's office.
• than police officers.
• We currently provide that benefit for commissioned officers only.
• For whatever reason, reserve officers were not included.
• And last year, one of the ones I delivered was for an auxiliary officer that was killed tragically in

Bills: HB12, HB42, HB205, HB222, HB324, HB325, HB350, HB416, HB482, HB610, HB749, HB797, HB807, HB821, HB979, HB992, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, phased retirement, Teachers Retirement System, faculty retention, administrative fees, public postsecondary education, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, judicial salaries, judges, judiciary compensation, cost of living adjustment, COLA

Transcript Highlights:

• I just thought it might be helpful to note that the overview we received about the Office of the Secretary
• Those running for office have little room to get their messages across, have trouble getting to their
• Those running for office have little room to get their messages across, have trouble getting to their
• Those running for office have little room to get their messages across, have trouble getting to their
• Those running for office have little room to get their messages across, have trouble getting to their

Bills: HF72, HF66, HF69, HF73

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:42.520><c> or</c> hours for security officers or hours for security officers or protective
• officers are increasingly Security officers are increasingly filling<00:13:37.560><c> gaps</c><00:13
• </c> security officers. security officers.
• Thank you. officers. officers.
• </c> office and from the governor himself. office and from the governor himself.

Bills: HF4446, HF4066, HF1082

Keywords: public safety officer, survivor benefits, line of duty death, occupational cancer, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, correctional officer, first responder, workers' compensation, death benefits, occupational exposure, carcinogen, cancer presumption, mesothelioma, leukemia, lung cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

Transcript Highlights:

• And the $1.5 million that we are asking for is to stand the office up.
• This is what this oversight office does, and I fully support funding it.
• discharged to obtain peace officer certification in Arizona.
• discharged to obtain peace officer certification in Arizona.
• I know that is specific to the Army; the Army has military police officers.

Bills: SB1032, SB1055, SB1107

Keywords: corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy

Transcript Highlights:

• But uh security officer in a hospital.
• ><c> at</c><00:48:58.720><c> Children's</c> the security officers at Children's the security officers
• </c> if you intend it to be security officer if you intend it to be security officer or<00:49:55.440>
• </c> security officer. security officer.
• The Office of Higher bill language.

Bills: HF2358, HF3496, HF3504, HF2169, HF3440

Keywords: public safety, coercion, criminal penalties, law enforcement, victim protection, HF3496, supervision abatement, earned compliance credit, earned compliance credits, conditional release, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, restitution, willful nonpayment, probation-like supervision, release supervision, community supervision, lifetime conditional release, early termination of supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> officers that were killed on this date. officers that were killed on this date.
• </c><00:07:53.120><c> Um,</c> officers at all. Um, officers at all.
• correction officers.
• Peace officers and safety officers.
• </c> public officials offices. public officials offices.

Bills: HF1567, HF2809, HF3380

Keywords: public safety officer, peace officer, correctional officer, law enforcement, police privacy, officer safety, doxxing, personal information, data privacy, government data practices, private data, internet posting, online disclosure, residential address, phone number, email address, family member protection, child safety, school information, public records

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally the committee substitute was requested by the department in the office of the Attorney General
• It's the comptroller's office and the County and District Clerks Association and differs from the bill
• Across Texas, peace officers, parole officers, and emergency personnel put themselves at risk daily while
• Therefore, this bill would increase the criminal penalty for assaulting a peace officer, patrol officer
• and community supervision officers and establishes a rebuttal presumption.

Bills: SB127, SB456, SB482, SB659, SB739, SB816, SB1234, SB1666, SB1886, SB1980, SB2580, SB2611, SB2693, SB2776

Keywords: child abuse, reporting obligation, statute of limitations, negligence, legal professionals, human organs, criminal penalties, physician license, medical ethics, illegal trade, smuggling, human trafficking, felony offenses, law enforcement, authorized peace officer, peace officer definition, tracking equipment, communications access, electronic surveillance, cell phone records

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is crafted with the intent to increase protections for peace officers, parole officers, community
• supervision officers, and emergency services.
• , community supervision officer, or peace officer carrying out their lawful duties.
• It adds parole officers and community supervision officers to the list of protected roles under this
• We have offices in five states, including right here in Texas.

Bills: SB1099, SB1896, SB1980, SB127, SB614, SB955, SB1278, SB1372, SB1936, SB1937, SB2580, SB2595, SB2798

Keywords: SB 1099, illegal alien, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense, first-degree felony, minimum sentence, Criminal Justice, Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• officers with families as well.
• There's municipal law enforcement, sheriff's offices, constable offices, fire marshals, game wardens,
• There are five, six, seven categories where any peace officer, any peace officer, including an Attorney
• General's office peace officer, may arrest.
• The AG's office, their peace officers, they just do things particular to their duty.

Bills: HB5097, HB5513, SB523, SB857, SB964, SB1101, SB2143, SB2332, SB2383, HB 1108

Keywords: criminal history, background checks, government code, licensing, information access, rural law enforcement, child care grants, community support, law enforcement retention, advisory committee, SB 523, Texas driver’s license, alternative address, residential address, confidential address, address confidentiality, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Transportation Code, Section 521.1211

Bills: SF0087, SF0111

Keywords: felony, law enforcement, police officer, criminal penalties, public safety, select committee, gaming, regulation, Wyoming law, community impact, 916, all

Bills: SF0087, SF0111

Keywords: felony, law enforcement, police officer, criminal penalties, public safety, select committee, gaming, regulation, Wyoming law, community impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at TJJD, the Juvenile Justice Department, law enforcement officers for the Comptroller's Office, and
• So currently, an officer, a police officer, what is their retirement? So currently, well, we...
• say, an urban officer?
• You want the most experienced and trained officers so the campus law enforcement and officer agencies
• So that when you have an officer who gets shot, like a Santa Fe officer did responding to the Santa Fe

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• We show you registered as Clay Taylor on behalf of yourself and the Texas DPS officers.
• DPS Officers Association, about 5,000 men and women who are troopers, rangers, and CID agents.
• I worked for the Texas State Comptroller's Office for 31 years.
• Our staff frequently transition between offices and between different roles, and so those.
• So we had communicated with your office potential ways to accommodate that issue.

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, it changes the statute to allow our TJJD OIG officers to receive scheduled CPAY.
• These facilities are currently operating... at 145% capacity, with turnover rates for correctional officers
• While the legislature provided raises for correctional officers last session to help ensure hiring outpaces

Bills: HB1967, HB3442, HB5525, HB5561, HB5653, HB5667, SB1171

Keywords: juvenile justice, correctional facilities, reform, rehabilitation, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, alcohol awareness, court-ordered programs, substance misuse education, deferred disposition, youth, parole reform, inmates under 18, mental health, educational achievement, reintegration, foster youth, behavior intervention, community services, diversion policies, HB 5653

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got more of my office. I just like I've brought the one of the most.
• This is providing a pathway for us to get more peace officers.
• Departments need qualified officers.
• I respectfully ask for your support of the Military Police to Peace Officer Pathway.
• The office is housed in the AG's office.

Bills: SB1020, SB1107, SB1117, SB1160, SB1216, SB1308

Keywords: special plates, Arizona Space Commission, transportation, funding, space exploration, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy, law enforcement recruitment, public safety, community policing, background investigation, psychological fitness

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also seen as recently as Ronald Reagan, who was the last president to be shot in office, and the
• provided, as I mentioned, to major party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet offices
• up until the officers-elect assume their official office.
• But do those other Cabinet officers get protective detail once they're elected currently?
• for office, and we already have to take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution.

Bills: S0564, S0572, S0414, S0620, S0500, S0092

Keywords: student volunteers, polling locations, election administration, community service, Florida statutes, ethics, public officers, employment of relatives, transparency, government accountability, campaign finance, child care, elections, fund usage, political candidates, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several election- and ethics-related bills. Senate Bill 572 by Senator Harrell, which would update ethics statutes so the definition of “relative” includes foster parents and foster children, received supportive testimony from the Commission on Ethics and passed unanimously. Senate Bill 414 by Senator Bracy Davis, allowing campaign funds to be used for campaign-related child care expenses, was presented as a way to reduce barriers to public service but was temporarily postponed after the sponsor said it lacked the votes to advance. Senate Bill 500 by Senator Avila would require FDLE protective security details for major-party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet offices from nomination through assumption of office; members questioned the scope, definitions of major and minor parties, and whether taxpayers should bear the cost, and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote. Senate Bill 620 by Senator Mayfield would require candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship or dual citizenship; testimony opposed the bill as stigmatizing dual citizens, but it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 92 by Chair Gaetz, which creates whistleblower-style protections for public employees who file ethics complaints based on firsthand knowledge and face retaliation, with support from the Commission on Ethics. In addition, the committee unanimously approved a block of gubernatorial appointments and then passed Senate Bill 564 by Senator Yarborough, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours; members discussed whether the bill would create new volunteer opportunities and whether the term “community service hours” needed clarification. The meeting ended with adjournment.