Transcript Highlights:

• For safety reasons, everyone must be seated.
• If you require a reasonable accommodation, please speak with our sergeant staff.
• For safety reasons, everyone allowed.
• For safety reasons, everyone must<00:04:54.240><c> be</c><00:04:54.400><c> seated.
• ><c> accommodation,</c> you require a reasonable accommodation, you require a reasonable accommodation

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• And to the community of Jackson County, you have every reason to be proud.
• </c> sense safeguards for energy development. sense safeguards for energy development.
• And I rise in the name of justice for the TSA workers for many reasons, a multiplicity of reasons, but
• ,</c><02:18:25.040><c> but</c> reasons, a multiplicity of reasons, but reasons, a multiplicity of reasons
• ,</c><03:01:02.720><c> maybe</c> discount rate, reasonable, maybe discount rate, reasonable, maybe slightly

Bills: HB5587

Keywords: geothermal, environmental policy, federal drilling permit, energy production, state regulations, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• It's reactionary, and it fails to improve public safety for many reasons.
• Here are five reasons to vote no. First, AB 1701 is overly broad.
• For these reasons, we respectfully ask for a no vote. Thank you very much.
• This line of reasoning has the same underlying contempt at its core.
• It's perfectly fine to have a reasonable difference of opinion.

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with AB 1741 by Assembly Member Pacheco, which would allow felony prosecution of sexual battery committed during a residential break-in. Supporters, including Riverside County prosecutors and victim services staff, said current law leaves some home-invasion sexual assaults as misdemeanors when intent to commit another felony cannot be proven; opponents from public defender and civil liberties groups argued the bill was unnecessary, vague, and overbroad. After discussion, the committee passed AB 1741 to Appropriations as amended. The committee then heard AB 1701 by Assembly Member DeMaio, which would bar recall and resentencing for juveniles convicted of school shootings. Supporters framed it as a narrow public-safety measure in response to the Santana High School shooting and the potential resentencing of the shooter; opponents argued it was overly broad, ineffective as deterrence, and inconsistent with juvenile rehabilitation principles. The committee ultimately voted the bill out to Appropriations, but it later failed on the final roll call when members added on their positions. AB 1743 by Assembly Member Wix proposed allowing local governments, state agencies, and higher education institutions to request firearm trace data from DOJ for research and policy purposes. Supporters said the data could help identify trafficking patterns and inform evidence-based gun violence prevention, while opponents said trace data only shows the first lawful retail sale and could mislead policymakers or burden DOJ. The bill was passed to Appropriations. AB 1716 by Assembly Member Stefani, supported by UC and victim advocates, would let CalVCB reimburse tuition costs for college students whose education is disrupted by sexual violence; it passed to Appropriations after a strong debate over victim compensation. AB 1667 by Assembly Member Burner, adding fentanyl to the serious felony list for furnishing to a minor, also passed after emotional testimony from a bereaved parent and law enforcement support, despite opposition from drug policy and civil liberties groups. The committee adopted a consent calendar including AB 1549, AB 1681, AB 1723, and AB 1737, while AB 1538 and AB 1727 were pulled by their authors. In the final tally, AB 1701 and AB 1723 failed on the floor add-on roll call, while AB 1716, AB 1741, AB 1743, and AB 1667 advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• For victims of trafficking, confidentiality is not merely a legal safeguard.
• For victims of trafficking, confidentiality is not merely a legal safeguard.
• For this reason, AARP supports 5993. Thank you. Thank you so much.
• This is a challenging issue for us for a number of reasons.
• I speak in opposition to Senate Bill 5735 for many reasons.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. SB 5720 would enact the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, adding complaint and notice requirements before default judgments in consumer debt cases and preserving existing debt-buyer protections; the sponsor and witnesses from consumer and collection groups described it as a compromise measure, and there was broad support with 53 people signed in pro. SB 5833 would allow a vehicle to remain running for up to 30 minutes to keep a pet safe from heat or cold; the sponsor said he would amend liability language, while animal control and police groups raised concerns about shifting the focus away from animal welfare and creating liability issues, though many sign-ins were pro (107 pro, 4 con). SB 5936 would update human trafficking law by allowing prosecution of business entities that knowingly benefit from trafficking, adding confidentiality protections for victims, and creating a process for T and U visa certifications; survivors and advocacy groups supported it, while hospitality and law enforcement groups asked for clarifying amendments, especially on business liability and duplicative visa procedures, and sign-ins showed 24 pro and 283 con. SB 5993 would prohibit interest on new and unpaid medical debt and shorten enforcement of judgments involving medical debt to six years without renewal; supporters said it would reduce financial harm and help patients, while hospitals, physicians, collectors, and business groups warned it could discourage payment and worsen provider finances, especially for rural hospitals, with 129 sign-ins pro and no con sign-ins. Finally, SB 5735 would create state standards for labeling imitation firearms, including BB guns and toy guns, with advisories and penalties for altered markings; the sponsor said it was intended to reduce mistaken shootings, while gun-rights and firearms-training witnesses argued federal law already covers the issue and that the bill would burden lawful training and competition, with 8 pro and 184 con sign-ins. The committee closed each public hearing and adjourned without recorded votes on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• They had no reason to toss you into that police car.
• It doesn't stop me from doing anything, and the reasoning isn't because I did something wrong in the
• Chapter 143 allows for contracts to protect the safeguards of employees.
• Now, I understand, you know, reasonable minds can differ on the interpretation.
• Yes, there are many, many reasons why they agreed to the conditions of this deal.

Bills: SB 15

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:08.480><c> personal</c> House Bill 159, safeguarding personal House Bill 159, safeguarding
• </c><00:20:22.640><c> 5%</c> question is um was there a reason 5% question is um was there a reason 5%
• President. reasonable reasonable amendment<00:31:43.840><c> that</c><00:31:44.240><c> goes</c><00:31:
• </c> uh alive because it's reasonable. uh alive because it's reasonable.
• </c> very disturbing um and is is one reason very disturbing um and is is one reason for<00:57:21.440

Transcript Highlights:

• And for those reasons, AGC of California and the San Diego chapter respectfully opposes SB 1154.
• This measure has helped safeguard... ...albuterol in public schools.
• It is also not safeguarding us against hate. They are politicizing it.
• And the reason I'm asking is I have two in my district.
• And for this reason, I support the bill. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills. SB 1154 would allow community college districts to use best-value procurement for public works projects over $1 million. The author and community college supporters argued it would give colleges flexibility similar to K-12, UC, and CSU and help avoid delays and costly change orders. Contractors and electrical subcontractors opposed the bill, saying its skilled-and-trained workforce requirement and safety provisions would narrow competition and disadvantage small and nonunion firms. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass vote and was placed on call. SB 1347 would clarify that stock albuterol may be stocked in all public schools, including preschool programs. The author and a physician testified that the bill would remove confusion in existing law and improve access to emergency asthma medication for students. School nurses, respiratory care advocates, and small school districts supported the measure, and there was no opposition. The bill passed unanimously on a due-pass to the floor vote and was placed on call. SB 1222 would create a pilot program to designate a lead county office to help regions struggling with career technical education implementation. Supporters said many students remain disconnected from school and work and that the bill would spread proven regional CTE practices. Some committee members questioned whether another pilot was needed, arguing existing CTE programs need more funding and fewer new structures, while the author and sponsor said the bill would build regional capacity and share successful models. The bill passed to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. SB 1378 would create a California Excellence in Service Learning Designation Program to recognize schools and districts with strong service-learning programs. Supporters said it would validate existing work and encourage civic engagement, while one member raised concerns about adding more designations and workload for schools. The bill passed as amended to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. SB 1048 would create a Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students demonstrating climate science knowledge through coursework and hands-on learning. Supporters, including the Department of Education and climate education groups, said it would align students with growing clean-energy careers; some members cautioned against adding more curriculum-related seals and noted equity and implementation concerns. The bill passed to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. Later, SB 1101, the Higher Education Data Sharing Transparency Act, was presented. It would require CSU, community colleges, independent colleges, and request UC to notify students, faculty, and staff when their personal information is shared with federal agencies such as the Office for Civil Rights, and to limit disclosure to what is legally required. Supporters said recent federal investigations and subpoenas have created fear and a lack of transparency on campuses. Committee discussion focused on subpoena authority, constitutional limits, and whether notice should be required; one member said she would abstain because of legal concerns, while another said the bill would continue to be examined in the next committee. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 1101 before a final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• For that reason, we are opposed, and thank you. Thank you for your presentation.
• This measure has helped safeguard... Albuterol in public schools.
• It is also not safeguarding us against hate. They are politicizing it.
• And the reason I'm asking is I have two in my district.
• And for this reason, I support the bill. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it requires that development application fees reasonably relate to the actual cost of review and
• I support the rural boundary in good faith, and part of that reason we find ourselves in the position
• Meaning that if they weren't bailed out, they would have sat in jail for absolutely no reason.
• I think it's entirely reasonable that... ...likelihood of that person showing back up in court.
• For that reason, I'm down on this amendment. Any other debate on the amendment?

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees in a single vote, then took up a series of bills, most of them reported favorably. The early debate centered on SB 208, a land-use bill by Sen. McLean that would require development fees to reflect review costs and create more objective compatibility standards for residential development denials. An amendment adding housing-related provisions, including an OPAGA study of urban development boundaries, drew extended discussion over the Everglades and local control; it was adopted, while a late-filed amendment on rural boundaries was withdrawn. The bill was then reported favorably after supporters and opponents, including Miami-Dade and housing groups, weighed in. The committee also favorably reported SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments adding conservation, wildlife corridor, and Everglades-related protections, with one amendment specifically preserving stronger protections in counties covered by the Northern Everglades/Indian River Lagoon plan. Several criminal justice and public records measures also advanced. SB 436 would add resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense for battery enhancement and include certain felony battery offenses in prison release reoffender status. SB 830 would extend public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. SB 990 would authorize protected cell captive insurers in Florida. SB 600, on bail bonds, drew the most debate: an amendment by Sen. Rouson preserved the current treatment of charitable bail organizations’ deposits, with supporters arguing nonprofits help low-income defendants and critics saying the bill should distinguish commercial and nonprofit bonding; the amendment was adopted and the bill reported favorably. SB 914 on dry needling and SB 1434 on infill redevelopment also passed, the latter with an amendment removing a 10% markup requirement for buyback provisions. The committee then moved through a large education and health agenda. SB 1504 would let high school students who complete an insurance/personal finance elective qualify later for a customer service representative license. SB 1718 would expand educator preparation and temporary certification options. SB 7038 was a broad education package covering tuition waivers for Florida State Guard members, residency rules, consumer protections, dual enrollment, grading, and college funding; amendments clarified workforce licensure and exempted certain dental training from new licensure rules. SB 1092 on podiatric medicine added definitions and restrictions for cellular/tissue-based products. SB 1138 on qualified contractors created a pre-application review program for certain local governments, with historic-preservation carveouts. SB 186 on student health and safety required seizure-training and action plans in schools, and SB 560 on child welfare streamlined psychotropic-medication procedures for children in state care while adding youth advisory meetings and insurance-data review. SB 902, a broad Department of Health bill, addressed medical marijuana facility setbacks, practitioner discipline, autism microcredentials, marriage and family therapy licensure, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and family home health aide delegation; it passed after two amendments. Finally, SB 218 on land-use regulations limited hurricane-recovery restrictions to affected counties, SB 1002 expanded child-neglect definitions tied to parental drug abuse, SB 1474 tightened biosolids land-application rules, SB 1708 eased out-of-state veterinary licensure by endorsement, and SB 314 established a Florida regulatory framework for payment stablecoins aligned with federal law. Most measures were reported favorably by committee vote after brief testimony or no debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those reasons, I respectfully urge a no vote on House Bill 2661. Thank you for your testimony.
• For those reasons, I respectfully urge a no vote on House Bill 2661. Thank you for your testimony.
• For that reason, we think this change is unnecessary and are recommending a no vote.
• The reason why you see landowners in the bill is because conservation groups started as landowners.
• I think this is a reasonable thing to make sure that in the time of crisis... ...a reasonable thing to

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2514, which would create a work group to plan a Global War on Terror Memorial on the Capitol campus. The prime sponsor and supporters, including veterans, Gold Star family members, and military advocates, said the memorial would honor Washingtonians who died in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who later died by suicide, while helping secure private fundraising and a concrete plan for the project. No opposition was recorded during the hearing, and the bill was later closed without a vote in the transcript excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 2661, which would create a temporary task force to study public records request abuse, including frivolous, retaliatory, or harassing requests, and consider possible reforms. Supporters from cities and school-related organizations said some agencies face heavy costs, legal review burdens, and repeated or overly broad requests, especially in schools. Opponents from open-government and media groups argued the bill misdiagnoses the problem, could restrict access, and should instead focus on better staffing, training, technology, and compliance. The hearing ended without a vote in the excerpt. In executive session, the committee voted to advance several bills. It reported out proposed substitute House Bill 2637, which expands Public Records Act exemptions for certain personal information, on a 4-3 vote; House Bill 2632, which updates terminology for noncitizens, on a 4-3 vote; proposed substitute House Bill 2499, on conservation district governance and disclosure rules, on a 4-3 vote after rejecting two amendments; House Bill 2198, concerning the statewide credential catalog and online repository, on a 6-1 vote; and House Bill 2520, allowing emergency meetings outside a county seat and clarifying Open Public Meetings Act procedures, on a 7-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's one reason why the Film-Friendly Texas Certified Community Program is...
• And the reason is, well, there's certainty in the funding for the ten years.
• For the reasons I stated, right there, if we pass this incentive, this is the kickstart.
• Regardless, we brought The Chosen to Texas for a lot of reasons.
• Well, unfortunately, it's all the reasons that we're talking about—give them a reason to stay.

Bills: SB22 , SB 22

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any reason why we're putting the cart before the horse a little bit?
• Is there any reason why we're, I feel like, sort of a risky position to be taking.
• This isn't just about protecting plants; it's about safeguarding our future.
• For those reasons, we're in opposition. Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair.
• For those reasons, we're in opposition. Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of natural resources and climate-related bills. AB 70 would codify a definition of pyrolysis and allow procurement credit for projects using organic waste to generate pipeline biomethane; supporters said it would help divert organic waste from landfills, reduce methane, and support energy reliability. AB 30 would authorize E15 fuel sales in California, with supporters arguing it could lower consumer fuel costs and emissions, while opponents from boating and marine groups raised concerns about engine damage and the need for clear labeling and continued E10 availability. AB 66 would create a CEQA exemption for emergency evacuation routes in high fire-risk areas; supporters emphasized wildfire evacuation safety, while some members worried the bill lacked sufficient guardrails and environmental review. AB 399 would let the Coastal Commission consider blue carbon sequestration in coastal permitting and authorize blue carbon demonstration projects; environmental groups supported it, while business groups objected to new costs and regulatory uncertainty. AB 491 would codify California’s nature-based solutions climate targets for lands and wetlands, with supporters citing climate and adaptation benefits and the Farm Bureau opposing statutory targets. AB 580 would extend Metropolitan Water District authority related to the Colorado River Aqueduct, and AB 43 would make permanent state authority to protect federally designated wild and scenic rivers if federal protections are weakened. The committee also considered AB 436 to streamline siting and permitting of composting facilities and AB 539 to streamline certain Coastal Act procedures and reporting. Most measures received due-pass recommendations and were reported out on roll calls, with several bills also moving on consent; AB 404 was pulled at the author’s request.

Transcript Highlights:

• For that reason, I'm here to express our association's support for the bill.
• For that reason, I'm here to express our association's support for the bill.
• We don't feel there's a clear reason for the change.
• </c><00:25:12.880><c> for</c> don't feel there's a clear reason for don't feel there's a clear reason
• </c><00:46:08.680><c> of</c> clouded or diverted by reason of clouded or diverted by reason of personal

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• We haven't seen reason to start laying big piles of cash in every county we go through. Thank you.
• The need for Texas and the other Gulf states to safeguard and promote LNG exports is incredibly important
• And so, for that reason, I'm honored to bring forward here today House Bill 2890.

Bills: HB206 , HB 1238 , HB2890 , HB2970

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything is done for a reason. I represent Senate District 26. It's part of Palm Beach County.
• You have been a constant, a voice of reason, and a sister in this work.
• I wanted to be last for a reason.
• So that's the reasoning for it. In state statute, it doesn't exist.
• So that's the reasoning for the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything is done for a reason. I represent Senate District 26. It's part of Palm Beach County.
• You have been a constant, a voice of reason, and a sister in this work.
• I wanted to be last for a reason.
• So that's the reasoning for it. In state statute, it doesn't exist.
• So that's the reasoning for the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time and consideration, and I'm happy to answer any questions within reason.
• Within reason. Thank you, Senator.
• This isn't good for anyone, and it's for those reasons that if it's for those reasons that if we are,
• This isn't good for anyone, and it's for those reasons that it was filibustered two years ago when it
• So there's a lot of reasons to want to do the coordination.

Committees: House Emerging Issues , House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Transcript Highlights:

• The line of inquiry cannot reasonably stop at whether things are said nicely or with a smile.
• Its mission, the mission of Martha's Vineyard Hospital, is to safeguard the health of island residents
• Its mission, the mission of Martha's Vineyard Hospital, is to safeguard the health of island residents
• The reasons we got here in the first place. That's what we're trying to clean up.
• For these reasons, and on behalf of the over 100 members of the LOHA Coalition, I urge the committee

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on a series of bills focused largely on local-option real estate transfer fees and housing funding tools for communities facing severe affordability pressures. Testimony strongly favored bills for Somerville, Concord, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, and a statewide local-option transfer fee, with speakers arguing that high-end real estate transactions should help fund affordable housing, anti-displacement efforts, workforce housing, and related capital improvements. Elected officials and local housing leaders described rising rents and home prices, investor activity, shrinking year-round housing stock, and difficulty recruiting or retaining teachers, police, health care workers, and other essential employees. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals would be optional for municipalities, could include exemptions for first-time homebuyers or seniors, and would direct revenue into local affordable housing trust funds or housing banks. Committee members asked questions about who would pay the fee and whether it could make housing less affordable, and supporters responded that the fees would be targeted at higher-value transactions and designed with local flexibility. For Somerville, the delegation and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne backed both a local home rule petition and statewide enabling legislation, saying the city has already used zoning reform, inclusionary zoning, and local housing funds but still needs a new revenue source to address displacement and investor-driven purchases. For Concord, Representative Carmine Gentile and Concord housing advocates supported a home rule petition and the statewide bill, arguing that a modest fee on sales above $1 million could generate predictable revenue for affordable housing production and preservation. One committee exchange focused on whether the fee would affect most Concord sales and whether it would be passed on to buyers; supporters said the policy was intended to shift costs toward higher-value properties and help leverage other funding sources. The committee also heard testimony on House 4105, which would redirect a casino-related revenue stream to the Healthy Incentives Program. Farmers, advocates, and residents said the current funding was originally intended to support horse racing but has not met that goal, and that the money would be better used to support Massachusetts farmers and food-insecure residents through HIP. In a separate bill, Senator Becca Rausch testified in support of Senate 268, which would create a state-level hostile learning environment complaint process for higher education institutions and potentially strip tax exemptions from colleges or universities found to have such environments; she cited anti-Semitic and transphobic incidents on campuses and argued that existing federal protections should be mirrored in state law. The hearing also included testimony on college tuition debt reduction legislation from Senator Michael Moore, who said the bill would allow a deduction for tuition and fees paid to Massachusetts public colleges and universities to ease student debt and support the state’s workforce. A major portion of the hearing focused on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket housing bank proposals. Hospital, school, housing, planning, and municipal officials from Martha’s Vineyard said the island’s year-round housing shortage is harming health care, schools, and the local workforce, and urged approval of a housing bank funded by a local-option transfer fee. Nantucket witnesses made similar arguments, pointing to a very high median home price, a large seasonal housing stock, and the need for a dedicated revenue stream to preserve and create year-round housing. Supporters repeatedly cited the long-running success of the islands’ land banks as evidence that transfer fees can work without harming real estate markets. Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Thomas Moakley Luddy also backed the Cape and Islands transfer-fee bills, saying the region needs bold action and a sustainable local funding source to address its housing crisis.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also believe there's a number of safeguards and checks in place on the issuance of Sound Transit
• Brian, you had mentioned something about safeguards for participating in the TIFIA program.
• And this is sort of, I see there are sort of three safeguards, sort of levels, safeguarding the issuance

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5690, which would require WSDOT to improve coordination with utilities on fish barrier removal projects and utility relocations, provide advance notice when feasible, and seek to maximize federal funding for relocation costs. Staff described the bill’s background, including the federal culvert injunction and WSDOT’s fish barrier work, and noted fiscal impacts tied to grant monitoring and possible revenue changes. Senator McEwen said the bill was narrowed from a prior version to reduce fiscal concerns and cited a district example where poor coordination allegedly wasted public and ratepayer funds. Utility representatives from PUDs testified in support, emphasizing better communication, advance notice for budgeting, and access to federal funds; no opposition was presented on this bill before the public hearing was closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6148, which would extend the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years and remove eligibility for regional mobility grant funds if an RTA uses bonds longer than 40 years. Staff and committee fiscal discussion focused on how longer terms reduce annual debt service but increase total interest paid over time, with examples comparing 25-, 40-, 50-, and 75-year bonds. Supporters, including Sound Transit board members, local officials, labor, and transit advocates, argued the bill would give Sound Transit flexibility to manage inflation, preserve project schedules, and align financing with long-lived infrastructure and the federal TIFIA loan program. Opponents argued the bill would increase long-term costs, shift burdens to future generations, and is premature because Sound Transit is still revising its plan and already has substantial cash and bonding capacity. The hearing ended after questions about debt safeguards, refinancing, and how the proposed authority would interact with TIFIA loans.

Transcript Highlights:

• establishes statewide outdoor lighting requirements to protect Hawaiʻi's dark sky, dark night skies, safeguard
• 09:40.800><c> skies,</c> Hawai's dark sky, dark night skies, Hawai's dark sky, dark night skies, safeguard
• native</c><00:09:42.480><c> wildlife,</c><00:09:43.120><c> reduce</c><00:09:43.519><c> energy</c> safeguard
• native wildlife, reduce energy safeguard native wildlife, reduce energy waste,<00:09:44.240><c> and<

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The joint hearing covered three bills, all related to outdoor lighting or permitting. On SB 2278, which addressed light pollution and outdoor lighting standards, testimony was mixed: the University of Hawaiʻi and others raised concerns that the bill’s 4,000K color temperature standard and other provisions conflicted with dark-sky and wildlife-protection recommendations, while some groups testified in support. A lighting industry engineer also questioned how turtle-lighting provisions would apply in practice and urged a workable standard that balances safety, design, and wildlife concerns. On SB 2908, relating to permitting, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and several business groups testified, generally standing on written testimony or supporting the measure. Committee discussion focused on a proposed statewide permitting intake platform; the Office of Planning said the SPEED Task Force believed counties were better suited to handle permitting information, and members asked whether the appropriation was sufficient. The committee voted to pass SB 2908 with amendments, including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050. On SB 2987, also relating to light pollution, the University of Hawaiʻi strongly supported the bill and proposed amendments to create campus lighting zones tailored to safety and foot traffic, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources stood on its comments and several other organizations testified in support or opposition. The chair said the committee would address business safety concerns by making technical and nonsubstantive amendments, exempting outdoor light fixtures for airports, highways, and harbors, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committee then adopted the recommendation to pass SB 2987 with amendments and adjourned.