Transcript Highlights:

• For all testifiers, including those on Zoom, we ask that you stand on your written testimony.
• If your oral testimony is different from your written testimony, the time limit for each testifier will
• If time permits, decision-making will occur after we hear from those offering testimonies.
• And we have absolutely no testimony. So, we will—what should we go to, decision-making?
• First off, we have is Burns testimony.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs met on March 28, 2025, to hear testimony on SCR 24, with a proposed SD1 that would also change the title to urge the U.S. Department of Defense to keep all references to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team on its public website. Testimony was unanimously in support from veterans’ groups, civil rights organizations, and individual supporters, including Nisei Veterans Legacy, the Daniel K. Inouye Institute, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, the Hawaii Coalition for Civil Rights, and the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Club. A senator also voiced strong support, saying the resolution addressed fairness and recognition of nonwhite service members. The committee then discussed STR 96 and SR 79, which urge Maui County, the Maui Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop and implement an evacuation route signage program for Maui. There was no testimony on these measures. Members indicated that, consistent with committee practice, the measures would be deferred because of the lack of testimony. For SCR 24, the committee recommended passage with amendments, adopting the proposed SD1 and adding references to the 100th Infantry Battalion after each mention of the 442nd. The committee then took votes and adopted the recommendation. For STR 96 and SR 79, the committees deferred decision-making, with the Public Safety and Military Affairs committee agreeing to the deferral.

Transcript Highlights:

• OKAY, PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THIS AMENDMENT? ANY PUBLIC TESTIMONY? IS THERE DEBATE ON THIS AMENDMENT?
• WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC TESTIMONY. SENATOR, DO YOU WISH TO SAY SOMETHING?
• PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE AMENDMENT? PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE AMENDMENT? ANY DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT?
• IS THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC TESTIMONY? . THANK YOU VERY MUCH MA'AM. YOU HEARD THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
• WAIT DO WE HAVE FOR THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Agriculture Biosecurity stands on its written testimony, offering comments on this
• The Hawaii Farm Bureau will stand on its written testimony, providing comments. >> Thank you, Brian.
• My organization will stand on our written testimony and strong support. >> Did I pronounce your name
• and<00:01:58.560> strong our written testimony and strong our written testimony and strong
• to note the opposing testimony to note the opposing testimony expressing<00:03:18.080> concern

Bills: SB2373, SB2101, SB2905, SB3231, SB2486, SB2376

Keywords: carbon sequestration, marine ecosystem, climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity, nature-based solutions, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management, county solid waste plan

Summary: The committee heard SB 2006, which would clarify that a farm dwelling permit in an agricultural district may include a single-family farm dwelling with an accessory employee housing structure, subject to restrictions. Testimony was largely supportive, with comments from the Department of Agriculture Biosecurity, DPP, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Farmers Union, Housing Hawaii Future, and several individuals. The chair noted there were nine in support, two opposed, and four offering comments. In decision-making, the chair recommended passing the bill with OPSD-suggested amendments to clarify the definitions of farm employee housing and bona fide agricultural services. The chair also referenced opposing testimony that raised concern the original draft could limit tourism activities that provide supplemental income for bona fide farming operations. The proposed amendments were intended to make clear that farm employee housing is only for workers and not visitor accommodations, while allowing tourism activities on the same parcel if they are secondary and incidental to a bona fide agricultural operation, do not occur in employee housing units, and comply with county ordinances. The committee adopted the recommendation and voted to pass SB 2006 with amendments. The recorded votes showed the chair, vice chair, Senator Rhoads, and Senator Awa in favor, with Senator DeCoite excused. The same pass-with-amendments recommendation was then made to the housing committee and adopted there as well, with Senator Elephante voting aye and Senator Favella excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each public witness will be given 2 minutes to provide his or her testimony, and please register at the
• Uh, we don't show any witnesses registered for testimony on Senate Bill 2847.
• With no public testimony on Senate Bill 2847, public testimony will close and we'll leave the measure
• We'll open up public testimony on Senate Bill 3039.
• With no public testimony, public testimony will close.

Transcript Highlights:

• prepared testimony was in the bill. prepared testimony was in the bill.
• >> Thank you for your testimony. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your<02:43:19.120> testimony. your testimony. your testimony.
• for your testimony. for your testimony.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Keevi, thank you for your testimony.
• Obviously, that goes to the testimony by Mr. Kibi about how the Gulf states... The testimony by Mr.
• Your testimony has been very helpful.
• Clayton, thank you for the testimony.
• Clayton, for the testimony.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you are not finished with your testimony, then I'll gently remind you to wrap up your testimony at
• proceed with your testimony. proceed with your testimony. >> Thank<00:34:59.120> you.
• >> Thank you for sharing your testimony. >> Thank you for sharing your testimony.
• You've heard in other testimony support.
• Let me scoot down closer to this microphone. testimony. Um we have testimony.

Bills: HF3415

Keywords: child care, day care, licensed child care center, license-exempt child care, immigration enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, judicial warrant, facility access, sensitive locations, immigrant families, Minnesota Statutes chapter 142B, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:42.640> to would ask you to keep your testimony to would ask you to keep your testimony
• Okay, seeing none, public testimony is now closed.
• Um, and I mean I think we heard, you know, testimony from Ms.
• guess I heard in some of the testimony guess I heard in some of the testimony that<00:41:29.160>
• Public testimony is closed. I open up to questions from members. Public testimony is closed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 276 um I've circulated some testimony formal<00:06:40.840> testimony<00:06:41.840> but
• You can submit it, but then just use your testimony to summarize your testimony.
• then just use your testimony to then just use your testimony to summarize<00:16:21.319> your<
• > to summarize your testimony we're going to summarize your testimony we're going to read<00:16
• you um you received my written testimony you um you received my written testimony my<00:16:36.880

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any other public testimony online, Pierre? Any other public testimony in the room?
• Is there any other public testimony Is there any other public testimony online<00:21:37.360>
• <00:31:54.960> um have been here might recall testimony um have been here might recall testimony
• Any other testimony before I take public testimony, any other agency or association testimony on this
• or association testimony on this bill? or association testimony on this bill?

Bills: HB0008, HB0009, HB0028

Keywords: stalking, minors, felony, protection orders, criminal penalties, grooming, sexual offenses, child protection, sexual exploitation, law amendment, explicit conduct, sex crimes, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• your testimony. your testimony.
• . testimony. testimony.
• Begin your<00:36:06.160> testimony.
• your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair. your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• <00:36:14.720> by humor as I started my testimony by humor as I started my testimony by saying

Bills: HF1532, HF1290, HF2231, HF2013

Keywords: eminent domain, reimbursement, property acquisition, appraisal, landowner rights, HF1290, AED, automatic external defibrillator, defibrillator signage, wayfinding signs, roadside signs, directional signage, public access AED, emergency medical response, cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac arrest, public safety, Minnesota Department of Transportation, road authority, transportation law

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Yosua submitted written testimony, but I just wanted to make a few other comments.
• Thank you, Chair. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Um, Hawaii Food Industry Association will stand on our testimony in opposition.
• Um there was some testimony transition.
• We stand on a written testimony with comments.

Bills: HB2384

Keywords: student-athletes, compensation, name image likeness, NCAA, Title IX, transparency, education, Hawaii, athletic programs, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees heard HB 2384, relating to student athlete compensation, with testimony largely in support from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Athletics, and several other supporters. UH Mānoa said the bill would create a framework for name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies, including education, financial literacy, agent regulation, transparency, and reporting. Supporters argued NIL is now a necessary part of college athletics to recruit and retain athletes, keep Hawaiʻi talent in-state, and remain competitive, while also helping student athletes develop as future leaders. One supporter also emphasized the need for financial guidance so young athletes do not mishandle NIL income. Committee members questioned why the bill would direct public funds to NIL payments rather than broader athletic operations or other student groups, whether other states are funding NIL directly, and whether the approach could create a bidding war. UH representatives said the university already has NIL contracts in place, but the bill would strengthen and formalize policies. They said the requested funding model includes about $5 million for NIL and $10 million for athletics operations, with the NIL amount intended to supplement private fundraising; they also noted UH has raised roughly $1.5 million to $2 million for NIL since July 1 and is targeting $3 million this fiscal year. Members also raised concerns about fairness, public spending priorities, and whether the university’s policies adequately protect student athletes. The committees voted to pass HB 2384 HD1 with amendments. The chair said the bill should be amended to explicitly state that allocated funds may be used by UH for NIL payments to student athletes, and asked the next committee to examine whether a different payment scheme, similar to those used elsewhere, might be more appropriate for public funds. One member announced a no vote, citing concerns about direct public funding of NIL and unequal treatment of student athletes versus other students. The JHA committee adopted the same recommendation, with some members voting with reservations. Afterward, the meeting moved on to HB 644 HD1 on single-use plastics, where the first testimony was in opposition from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Biodegradable Products Institute, both arguing the bill as drafted would improperly exclude certified compostable products and should better align with composting and certification standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you so much for your testimony and so much for all of your testimony here at this select
• Thank you so much for that testimony.
• Thank you so much for your testimony.
• Thank you so much for that testimony.
• And I was really struck with your testimony.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. The opening prayer and remarks emphasized the significance of holding the first committee hearing on tribal land. Members said the hearing was intended both to hear testimony about ongoing problems in schools and to identify next steps for legislation and policy, especially as the session neared its end. The committee also referenced recent efforts supporting Native students’ right to wear regalia at graduation and broader concerns about representation in education and state institutions. The first panel centered on Native students’ experiences in public schools. Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over wearing tribal regalia at graduation, including a restrictive approval form and administrators who she said denied Native identity and made her feel invisible. Morningstar Ghali connected those experiences to the legacy of boarding schools, racial profiling, suspensions, and the “boarding school to prison pipeline,” and called for culturally responsive education, Native educators, counselors, Native studies, and restorative justice. Janet K. Bill, from the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs, described her own path from tribal Head Start to Stanford, law school, tribal council, and state service, and said education, justice, and sovereignty are linked. Members asked about restorative justice, representation, and how to build pipelines into leadership and education roles. The second panel focused on solutions. Chairwoman Michelle Heredia Cordova urged a reimagined education system that is more personalized, experiential, culturally grounded, and balanced with land-based learning, while also recruiting Native teachers and creating stronger tribal partnerships. Chairman Leo Sisku said schools should educate educators, stop tokenizing Native students, and create accountability and consequences for discriminatory behavior; he also supported stronger tribal-school partnerships and more positive outreach. Chairman Fred Bean emphasized consistent engagement from tribal leaders at every level of schooling, stronger transitions from elementary to college, and programs that prepare Native youth for leadership, trades, and higher education. Chairman Shaineto of Tule River argued that schools and administrators should face consequences for violating Native students’ rights, and that Native people should not have to keep educating institutions about basic cultural respect. Committee members responded by discussing possible statewide solutions, including regional tribal boards, better enforcement of existing laws, stronger pipelines into teaching and leadership, and improved representation on boards and in state agencies. Several members raised the need to implement existing laws, fill vacant Native appointments, and consider broader protections for Native regalia and cultural expression. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but the hearing concluded with a clear call for continued collaboration, accountability, and legislation driven by Native voices.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. The Chair calls Kristin Tipps.
• Thank you for your testimony. Nice to meet you. Thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: SB2024, SB227, SB268, SB1467, SB1580, HB5537, SB1313, SB1677, SB918, SB331, SB2207, SB2721

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• So I appreciate the testimony here.

Bills: HB164, HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we'll open it up for public testimony on Senate Bill 2967.
• If not, we'll close public testimony and leave the bill pending.
• We'll open up public testimony and we'll call it a day. If it's stacked, Texas A&M?
• Doug next to me has testimony.
• Thank you to the chair and committee for hearing my testimony.

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• yourself and present your testimony yourself and present your testimony thank<00:14:32.920> you
• Thank you for the testimony, Mr. Elwood. Please introduce yourself and present your testimony.
• Yeah, thanks for your testimony.
• Yeah, thanks for your testimony.
• <00:48:16.040> we now have 36 according to testimony we now have 36 according to testimony

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee heard Senate File 486, as amended by the A2 delete-everything amendment, which would create a supplemental, year-round energy assistance program administered by the Department of Commerce alongside LIHEAP. Senator Dibble said the bill is intended to help low-income households pay utility bills throughout the year, including summer months, by providing crisis grants, ongoing monthly assistance, emergency heating system repair or replacement help, outreach funding, and reporting requirements. The committee adopted the A2 amendment before hearing testimony on the bill as amended. Supportive testimony came from Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board, Jenny Glumac of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Mackey of Minnesota Valley Action Council, Ron Elwood of Legal Aid, Jamie Fitz of CenterPoint Energy, George Shardlow of the Energy CENTS Coalition, and Kent Sulum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association. Witnesses said energy burdens are especially high in rural Minnesota, utility arrears and shutoffs have increased, and most shutoffs occur in summer when LIHEAP is unavailable. They argued that year-round assistance would help vulnerable households, reduce shutoffs, improve health and housing stability, and create administrative efficiencies by using existing LIHEAP infrastructure. Several witnesses cited data on the need for assistance, including high energy burdens in rural areas, more than 91,000 Minnesota households disconnected for non-payment in 2024, and the large share of LIHEAP recipients who are seniors, people with disabilities, children, or veterans. Amanda Mackey described a client story illustrating how energy assistance can stabilize a household and lead to broader benefits. Senator Mathews offered comments supporting help for households in need but said the bill is a stopgap and tied the need for expanded assistance to prior legislative actions that increased energy costs. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion of the transcript provided, and members indicated they would return to questions after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:36.080> Good testimony. Good afternoon. Good testimony. Good afternoon.
• begin your testimony. begin your testimony.
• name and begin your testimony. name and begin your testimony.
• Please begin your testimony. Please begin your testimony.
• testimony on the bill. testimony on the bill.

Bills: HF3753, HF4299, HF4700, HF4282, HF4139, HF3530, HF4031

Keywords: school safety, threat assessment, pilot project, education, real-time monitoring, public safety, HF4299, school safety specialists, Minnesota School Safety Center, appropriation, general fund, fiscal year 2026, school security, school violence prevention, student safety, Department of Public Safety, school resource support, education funding, peace officer, training reimbursement

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony.
• <00:35:56.040> all then thank you for your testimony all then thank you for your testimony
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for taking our testimonies out of... Thank you for taking our testimonies out of order.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We welcome public testimony.
• their testimony as well.
• We have some testimony on this nomination. Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you very much for your testimony, ma'am. Thank you very much for your testimony, ma'am.
• Thank you for your testimony. Are there questions from Mr. Aaron? Questions? I will ask.

Summary: The committee met to consider a large slate of appointments, with the main discussion centered on the confirmation of Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Harris testified about her background in state service and outlined agency priorities including Medicaid financial accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, behavioral health redesign, rural health access, workforce recruitment, and use of technology and AI. Senators questioned her extensively about the Hope Florida/Medicaid settlement controversy, opioid settlement-funded advertising campaigns tied to marijuana prevention and the 2024 Amendment 3 election, public records compliance, abortion reporting and enforcement under the Heartbeat Protection Act, managed care denials, value-based purchasing, and Medicaid funding pressures. After debate, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation, with Senator Polsky voting no. The committee then considered Anna Ortega and Robert Payne for the Florida Public Service Commission. Ortega, a current PSC commissioner and former staff advisor, discussed utility regulation, data center load issues, ratepayer protections, transparency in PSC decisions, and lessons from other states. Payne, a former legislator and longtime utility co-op employee, emphasized his technical background and the need to balance utility returns with consumer affordability. Both nominees were confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and recommended favorably to the full Senate. Next, the committee heard from Jeffrey Aaron for reappointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission. Aaron described PERC’s role in public-sector labor disputes and said his work had been upheld in appellate courts without reversal. Senators questioned him about his law firm’s state contracts, his role as chairman of Attorney General James Uthmeier’s PAC, and his connection to the Hope Florida Foundation matter; he declined to discuss the pending investigation. Public testimony included opposition from Florida Voice for the Unborn. The committee nevertheless recommended his confirmation, with several no votes. Finally, the committee approved the remaining appointees on tabs 5 through 46 in a single vote, postponing Dr. John Littell and DCF Secretary Hatch, and then adjourned.