Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:02.040> pool<00:11:02.360> code<00:11:03.079> they've<00:11:03.240>
• > stick<00:11:03.800> with<00:11:03.959> the<00:11:04.120> addition<00:11
• 00:11:07.720> year<00:11:08.040> with<00:11:08.279> SP 437<00:11:12.440> okay
• <00:11:12.720> so<00:11:13.040> far<00:11:14.040> okay<00:11:14.800> all<
• 11:24.360> the<00:11:24.480> issuance<00:11:24.920> of<00:11:25.079> permits<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up HB 428, with Philip Sherman of the Building Code Review Board presenting a detailed amendment intended to reorganize building-code statutes and limit local changes. He said the proposal would move code-related provisions into RSA 155-A, preserve municipalities’ ability to adopt and administer local enforcement mechanisms and additional non-state codes such as housing or property maintenance codes, but prohibit technical amendments to the State Building Code. He also explained that local administrative functions like permits, fees, certificates of occupancy, plan review, and staffing would remain local, while any local ordinance would still need BCRB confirmation. Members discussed the distinction between administrative and technical amendments, the need to keep fire-code provisions separate, and a date error in the draft’s submission deadline; Sherman suggested the effective-date language should be corrected to reference July 1, 2024. The committee did not vote on the amendment and instead agreed to circulate the draft and revisit it in a later subcommittee meeting before bringing it to the full committee. The discussion then shifted to fire-code issues, with State Fire Marshal Sean Tumi explaining that fire-code-related provisions should be cleaned up in the fire-code statutes and that the state should restrict technical local amendments while possibly allowing limited administrative local standards for transparency and operational consistency. He gave examples such as driveway access, sprinkler connections, key boxes, and other fire-system details that could benefit from local standardization if clearly disclosed. He noted that a separate Senate bill, SB 94, may be a more appropriate vehicle for some of the fire-code language. The chair again emphasized the need for further review and scheduled another subcommittee meeting before the matter would go to the full committee. The committee then began HB 244, and Sherman introduced it as a cleanup of the older municipal-building-code provisions scattered through the RSA 67X series. He said the bill would consolidate and update those references, continuing the effort to align municipal enforcement and appeals provisions with the statewide building-code structure. The transcript cuts off before any further action or vote on HB 244.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start off with tab 11. Tab 11.
• The simple amendment is to reduce the quorum of the council from requiring 11 members present to nine
• I'm 24 years old and I'm a member of the Palm Beach and Tallahassee chapters of Florida Youth Shine.
• I'm 24 years old and I'm a member of the Palm Beach and Tallahassee chapters of Florida U Shine.
• This chapter of statute sees redundancies out there, is currently provided.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and considered a wide range of bills, including early learning and special needs funding (SB 1102), Israel bond investment authority (SB 1674), Parkinson’s disease research at USF (SB 1800), mental health and substance use disorder reforms (SB 1620), veterans nursing home beds (SB 788), securities regulation updates (SB 988), labor pool regulation (SB 1672), Alzheimer’s awareness (SB 398), educator preparation (SB 1590), student mental health reporting (SB 1310), specialty license plates (SB 824), financial institutions and IOTA-related issues (SB 1612), transportation facility designations (SB 1408), utility worker protections (SB 1386), DNA testing grants (SB 1072), the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (SB 364), housing support for former foster youth and homeless students (SB 584), sex offender registration changes (SB 1654), migrant vessel disposal (SB 830), commuter rail indemnification (SB 916), juvenile justice revisions (SB 1344), aggravating factors in capital cases (SB 984), and a criminal offender substance abuse pilot program (SB 1140). Most bills were explained by sponsors, often with supportive testimony from affected agencies, advocacy groups, or industry representatives, and several were amended before final action. The committee adopted amendments on many measures, including clarifications and effective-date changes for SB 1102; technical changes to SB 1620 implementing mental health commission recommendations; a delete-all amendment for SB 1620; an amendment to SB 988; a consumer-disclosure amendment on SB 1612; and multiple amendments to SB 1408, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, and SB 1344. SB 1672 on the Labor Pool Act drew extensive public testimony in opposition from worker advocates, who argued repeal would weaken protections for temp workers and formerly incarcerated workers, and the bill was temporarily postponed to a later meeting without a vote. Several bills received notable testimony in support, including SB 584, where former foster youth described housing instability and the importance of campus housing and federal voucher coordination; SB 1386, which was backed by utility and industry groups seeking stronger penalties for assaults on utility workers; and SB 984, which drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops over expansion of death penalty aggravators. The committee also heard support and opposition on SB 1612 regarding IOTA interest rates and legal aid funding, with bankers and civil legal aid representatives disputing the proper rate structure and whether the bill conflicted with Florida Bar rules. At the end of the meeting, the committee reported all voted-on bills favorably, including SB 1102, SB 1674, SB 1800, SB 1620, SB 788, SB 988, SB 398, SB 1590, SB 1310, SB 824, SB 1612, SB 1408, SB 1386, SB 1072, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, SB 830, SB 916, SB 1344, SB 984, and SB 1140. Members also requested to be recorded on various bills, and the committee adjourned after noting one remaining meeting would be lengthy.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:02.240> Is<00:11:02.399> there<00:11:02.560> anyone<00:11:02.800>
• <00:11:06.640> If<00:11:06.800> not,<00:11:07.040> any<00:11:07.279> questions
• <00:11:09.200> Seeing<00:11:09.519> none,<00:11:09.920> thanks<00:11:10.160>
• :11:34.240> up,<00:11:34.480> we<00:11:34.720> have<00:11:34.880> the<00:
• Good<00:11:41.519> afternoon,<00:11:42.000> chair,<00:11:42.320> vice<00:11

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:16.800> And<01:11:17.120> basically<01:11:17.600> these<01:11:17.920>
• Okay. um<01:11:24.400> when<01:11:24.640> you<01:11:24.880> look<01:11:25.040>
• > at<01:11:25.199> them<01:11:26.320> um<01:11:27.120> and<01:11:27.360>
• so for example<01:11:28.560> if<01:11:28.800> I<01:11:28.960> hear<01:11:29.360
• <01:11:31.120> nature<01:11:31.840> that<01:11:32.080> may<01:11:32.320>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, in support. Thank you so much.
• I'm also a member of the American College of Surgeons' Southern California Chapter, which is in support
• Adding on for item number 11, SB 1314 by Menjivar. Arias, aye. Arias, aye. Jeff Gonzalez, aye.
• Item number 11, SB 1314 by Menjivar, for add-ons. Mark Gonzalez. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Item 11, SB 13, 14 by Menjivar with the motion of due pass to Business and Professions Committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chapter secretary and treasurer, and this is my third term serving our chapter here.
• I'm the Chapter Service Coordinator Some people call it Chapter Manager.
• So, a lot of these chapters, the 110 chapters we have, they have limited authority.
• chapters.
• I serve eight chapters, and of course, it was nine chapters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I'll move ahead to page 11 and point out a change to House Rule 3.21, which is the rule related
• 01:49.159> page house and then I'll move ahead to page house and then I'll move ahead to page 11
• :01:51.479> a<00:01:51.600> change<00:01:51.880> to<00:01:52.119> house 11
• uh and point out a change to house 11 uh and point out a change to house rule<00:01:52.880> uh
• that propositions that amend a chapter that propositions that amend a chapter of<00:02:02.200>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met to approve the January 15, 2025 minutes and then reviewed proposed permanent House rules for the 2025 session. House Research outlined the main changes, including eliminating the fiscal calendar and consent calendar, denying per diem reimbursement when a member is absent from a floor session, clarifying germaneness for certain statutory amendments, codifying election-challenge procedures from the temporary rules, updating the list of major finance and revenue bills, revising committee listings to match the new committee structure, and adding remote-operation rules that require the House Journal to identify members attending or voting remotely and bar per diem on those days. The committee first adopted an A6 author’s amendment clarifying that the per diem restriction for remote participation applies only to days a member attends and votes remotely during a floor session. Representative Schultz then offered the A4 amendment, which he described as improving public access to legislators and encouraging greater public engagement with members in their offices; it was adopted after no further discussion. After the amendments were approved, the committee adopted the permanent rules of the House as amended. The chair noted that the permanent rules would be taken up during session on Monday, January 27, 2025, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And pages 10 and 11, the last couple of pages, new language added, and pages 10 and 11, the last couple
• She's now 11. She can ride a bike.
• Chairman, I find myself in agreement with my esteemed colleague from District 11.
• By 2028, that grows to $11 billion. Folks, $11 billion. By 2028, that grows to $11 billion.
• Folks, $11 billion from Arizonans, $11 billion. What would you do with $11 billion?

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions and proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Eric Osowski as Doctor of the Day, Donate Life Day participants, State Farm Day guests, and proclamations honoring Ganado Unified School District and Chinle Unified School District for academic and cultural achievements. The chamber also handled routine business such as committee assignments, Senate messages, and motions to adjourn and to refer bills to additional Committee of the Whole consideration. The main floor action centered on several bills and a concurrent resolution. HB 2093 was amended to restore mental health instruction while removing social-emotional learning, and HB 2229 was amended after debate over abortion-related language and public funding restrictions; both received do-pass recommendations. HB 2429, HB 2950, and HB 4136 also received do-pass recommendations after floor amendments, with HB 2950 amended to make tourism improvement areas voluntary and add notice requirements. HB 4001 advanced after extensive debate over regulating alternative nicotine products, with supporters arguing it would help curb youth vaping and opponents urging taxation and stronger public-health provisions. HB 4030 and HCR 2052, both focused on limiting municipal tax and fee increases tied to affordability, inflation, and utility costs, were heavily amended and advanced after debate over local control, data centers, water costs, and the scope of the amendments. The House also took up procedural challenges, including a failed appeal of the chair’s ruling that a health-care claims amendment to HCR 2052 was out of order under the single-subject rule. On final adoption of the Committee of the Whole report, the House ordered HB 4001 and HB 4030 and HCR 2052, as amended, to engrossing and signing. In third reading, HB 2170 passed 36-16, HB 2380 passed 31-21, HB 2389 passed 31-21, HB 2784 passed 31-21, and HB 2902 passed 31-21, while HB 2388 failed 23-29. The transcript ends as the House was moving on to HB 294.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:32.360> Association<00:11:33.200> objected<00:11:33.720> to the Veterinary
• And<00:11:36.160> we<00:11:36.720> we<00:11:36.920> had And we we had And we we
• had I<00:11:38.880> think<00:11:39.160> it<00:11:39.280> was<00:11:39.600> a<
• /c><00:11:40.400> reg<00:11:40.720> last<00:11:41.040> month<00:11:41.360> adding
• walls four walls four walls to<00:11:44.040> a<00:11:44.080> location.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed several Fish and Wildlife regulations. Staff explained amendments to 301 KAR 2:176, 4:112, and 6:030, including updating wildlife control tag language, creating an impoundment agent program for seized wildlife, and clarifying boating safety rules. A member raised a concern about boat wakes near docks, and staff said the commission had recently voted on related changes that were not yet included because the regulation had been filed earlier; those changes would have to come back later. The committee approved the staff amendments without objection. The Board of Veterinary Examiners then presented 201 KAR 16:767, which would require veterinary managers to be physically present during business hours and limit them to five registered facilities. Board representatives said they had tried to meet with affected parties before the hearing but had not reached agreement. A representative for Kentucky Pet IQ argued the rule was written for full-service hospitals and would be impractical for short, limited-service clinics that only provide vaccinations, preventive care, and parasite testing. Members expressed concern about the rule’s impact on veterinary access in underserved areas, and the committee voted to defer the regulation until the next month so the parties could continue negotiating. The committee next considered Transportation Cabinet 601 KAR 9:120, the online insurance verification system, in both ordinary and emergency form. The chair said staff had identified conflicts with a bill passed the prior year and moved to find the regulations deficient. The motion passed on a roll call vote, with six ayes and two pass votes. The committee then found ordinary ABC regulations 804 KAR 12:020 and 12:030 deficient as well, again by six ayes and two pass votes, after noting that the emergency versions had already been found deficient the previous month. Finally, the committee reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services 902 KAR 55:110, which would require veterinarians to report dispensed controlled substances to KASPER while exempting administered medications. OIG staff said the rule was meant to align regulation with statute, which includes veterinarians as prescribers, and emphasized that the reporting duty applies to prescriptions, not administration to animals. Some members supported the change as a needed anti-diversion measure, while others worried about implementation burdens and timing. After discussion, the committee found the regulation deficient by a 6-2 vote. The meeting then moved into full review of 922 KAR 1:565, a Department for Community Based Services rule implementing kinship care provisions from Senate Bill 151; staff said it was needed for implementation once funding is available, but a member criticized the two-year delay and the inclusion of language conditioning implementation on funding. A public witness from the Kinship Families Coalition argued the rule should not shift the 120-day application window in a way that could affect federal funding eligibility and urged the committee to reject the regulation as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• , actually tracing the repealed chapter to the successor chapter.
• For an example of that, like chapter 6329 was the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.
• Chapter 6329 was the Unclaimed Property Act.
• A kind of high point was 2020, when we removed 11 chapters from the code, but last year only one was
• repealed it, which would include the full new chapter in that bill.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Calendar 11, Senate Print 8755, Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Public Health Law. >> Read the
• section. >> Section 2, this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as the chapters
• section. >> Section 2, this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as the chapters
• I thank the Governor for agreeing to chapter agreement on this bill and it is critically important, and
• >> SECTION 2, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE SAME DATE AND IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE CHAPTERS

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on January 28, 2026, approved the prior day’s Journal, and then took up a series of messages from the Assembly to discharge bills from committee and substitute identical Senate bills for third reading. The chamber then proceeded through the calendar, considering measures in public health, business, labor, social services, economic development, agriculture and markets, education, county law, and general business law. Several senators briefly explained votes, including Senator Bailey, who spoke in support of Calendar 67 and asked to be recorded in the affirmative. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew limited opposition. Notable negative votes included Calendar 64 (4 nays), Calendar 66 (1 nay), Calendar 70 (1 nay), Calendar 73 (2 nays), Calendar 77 (18 nays), Calendar 78 (2 nays), Calendar 80 (2 nays), and Calendar 92 (2 nays). At the end of the session, the Senate completed the reading of the day’s calendar, reported no further business at the desk, and moved to adjourn until Tuesday, February 3 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciates this<01:11:05.440> the<01:11:05.600> intent<01:11:06.000> but<01:11
• A<01:11:08.719> text<01:11:09.040> origin<01:11:09.440> model<01:11:10.159> um
• .<01:11:13.520> For<01:11:13.600> example,<01:11:14.640> a<01:11:14.800> law<
• But under<01:11:22.800> this<01:11:22.960> model,<01:11:23.280> the<01:11:23.520
• <01:11:50.880> This<01:11:51.120> is<01:11:51.199> the<01:11:51.440> same

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2046, which would establish and fund an Olo Hawaii Commission to coordinate and promote initiatives supporting the use of Olo Hawaii. The Attorney General suggested adding an end date because the bill creates a temporary commission, and several supporters from the University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the commission could improve coordination, funding decisions, and consistency across agencies. Members discussed whether the commission should include broader representation, including expertise on Niihau dialect speakers and other stakeholders, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next measure. The committee next considered House Bill 2438, creating the Hawaii Cultural Trust within DBEDT, authorizing an income tax credit for contributions to the trust and qualified cultural organizations, and creating a special license plate to support the trust. DBEDT said it would need additional resources, including staff, to administer the program. The Department of Taxation recommended changing the effective date to 2026 to allow time for implementation and adding a requirement that credits be claimed within one year. OHA supported the bill but objected to language that would require it to maintain a prequalified list of organizations, saying that could limit applicants and conflict with its grant process. The Tax Foundation said it supported cultural funding but preferred direct appropriations and grants over a trust fund and tax credit structure. The final measure discussed was House Bill 2584, which would temporarily increase public land trust revenues transferred to OHA while reaffirming the state’s obligation to the 20% pro rata share, with a repeal date of June 30, 2028. The Attorney General recommended deleting the bill’s requirement that OHA receive a minimum amount equal to the 20% share, arguing the constitution and Admission Act do not specify a precise dollar amount and that the legislature must determine allocation. OHA strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently pays only about 5% and that historical records show much higher amounts are owed; OHA also pointed to a carry-forward account it said held about $55 million. DLNR opposed the bill because the fiscal impact was unspecified and could affect land management and special fund budgets. Several OHA trustees and supporters urged the committee to pass the bill, and one testifier criticized the state for underfunding Native Hawaiian obligations. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued hearing testimony on HB 2584.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Alamo chapter will start with introductions with Representative Zamora.
• Thank you, Representative Zamora and the chapter officials for being here.
• Is that also part of something that the chapter is pursuing?
• That's the request that the chapter makes to the state for funding.
• House, as well as Upper Fuling Chapter House.

Transcript Highlights:

• 11:09.680> can<00:11:09.760> free<00:11:10.000> up<00:11:10.240> some<00:
• <00:11:11.279> to<00:11:11.519> go<00:11:11.680> in<00:11:11.920> different
• c><00:11:12.160> areas<00:11:12.399> so<00:11:12.640> that<00:11:12.800> we
• > do<00:11:13.279> stuff<00:11:13.519> for<00:11:13.839> the<00:11:14.000
• <00:11:52.320> Is<00:11:52.560> there<00:11:52.720> anybody<00:11:53.040>

Bills: SB2543, SB2435, SB2352

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations reconvened on February 10, 2026, to take up measures previously heard on February 5. It advanced SB 2983 on criminal destruction of trees with technical, non-substantive amendments and a committee report note asking Judiciary to clarify that removal of invasive species remains allowed; the measure passed with one no vote. SB 2930 on the state risk management revolving fund also passed with amendments, including blanking out the amount, setting a defective date, and directing Ways and Means to review a spreadsheet before further action. The committee likewise passed SB 2928 on making the small business procurement program permanent and SB 2970 on standards of conduct for state agency contracts, adopting the Ethics Commission’s recommended language assigning compliance responsibility to department directors and deputy directors. SB 2927 and SB 3068 on procurement were deferred to a time certain on February 12, and SB 3015 on personal information, SB 2929 on public notice, and SB 2938 on search and rescue were also deferred for further discussion or to avoid re-referral issues. SB 2662 on external consultants was amended to remove a cap and preemptive approval language, narrow the expertise standard, and note possible auditor staffing or appropriation needs; it then passed with amendments. The joint GVO-EIG hearing then took up SB 2543 on state construction projects and an Office of the State Construction Manager within DAGS. Testimony from the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund strongly supported the bill, saying it could reduce wasteful spending on large design-build projects and free money for tax credits and other public needs. DAGS, the University of Hawaii, and DLNR offered written comments, while one witness from KIC opposed the measure and asked for an exemption for member-owned electric cooperatives. A Hawaii Solar Energy Association witness also supported the bill but asked that landscape architects be excluded from the bill’s definition of design professionals, and Rocky Mold said Kauai permitting was efficient enough that he had no objection to carving it out. The committee adopted amendments from DNR, DAGS, and UH and passed SB 2543. The hearing also considered SB 2435 on EV charging infrastructure at state facilities. DAGS and the Hawaii State Energy Office supported the concept and explained that the goal was to retrofit managed parking facilities with infrastructure that can meet current and future EV needs, while acknowledging that some stalls can sit unused and that the state must balance space and enforcement. Members raised concerns about whether dedicating 25% of stalls to EV charging would reduce usable parking, and about rural and Big Island conditions where EV range and battery capacity remain limiting. The discussion noted that DOT, DNR, DOE, and DOH may have their own parking facilities outside DAGS control. The committee then indicated it would broaden the bill to apply to all state agencies and lower the threshold in response to member concerns, with final action not fully shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:11:11.440> He<02:11:11.679> will<02:11:11.840> be<02:11:12.000> missed
• >> I<02:11:17.599> seek<02:11:17.760> unanimous<02:11:18.239> consent<02:11
• Speaker, America<03:11:13.920> is<03:11:14.080> at<03:11:14.240> a<03:11:14.399>
• to trustees serving in cases under chapter 7 of title 11, United States Code, to extend the term of
• to trustees serving in cases under chapter 7 of title 11, United States Code, to extend the term of

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:21.760> I<00:11:22.160> think<00:11:22.240> that<00:11:23.040> um<
• ><00:11:24.640> of<00:11:24.720> the<00:11:24.800> bills<00:11:25.040> that
• We need<00:11:35.120> to<00:11:35.279> make<00:11:35.440> sure<00:11:35.519>
• Yes. 11 to 4. It is 11 to 4.
• It is 11 to 4. And since we are 11 to 4. It is 11 to 4.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with a brief update and prayer for Oscar, a person known to members, noting he was making slow but encouraging progress and awaiting transfer to rehab. The hearing then began on House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of DHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCYF costs. Representative Erica Leyon, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how DCYF resources and shared services are used, and help future discussions about staffing, funding, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely comply without additional cost and was open to adjusting the reporting date, with the department preferring December 31 instead of September 1. Committee members and the DCYF director, Marie Nunan, discussed whether the bill was duplicative of existing reporting and whether it should also include federal funding mandates. Nunan said DCYF already has many policies and reports, but does not currently produce one consolidated DCYF-specific report in this form; she also said the department believed it had the capacity to file the report and was not taking a position on the bill. Several members questioned whether the measure was necessary, while others supported transparency but suggested the information was already available or could be obtained without legislation. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, meaning it will not advance to the calendar at this time. The committee then opened House Bill 775, sponsored by Representative Jod Nelson, concerning supervised visitation centers. Nelson introduced Dr. Scott Hampton, who testified that supervised visitation is important for child safety, domestic violence prevention, and family preservation. Hampton described the history of visitation centers in New Hampshire, saying funding cuts had reduced the number of centers over time and that prior legislation had failed due to budget reductions. He argued that supervised exchanges can reduce risks such as abuse, abduction, and homicide, and said the service can prevent harm without adding cost by avoiding more serious incidents. The hearing on HB 775 was still underway at the end of the transcript, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• 11:14.719> what's<02:11:15.040> and<02:11:15.440> that<02:11:15.760> amount
• c><02:11:25.119> I<02:11:25.360> think<02:11:25.440> you<02:11:25.679> would<
• <02:11:29.119> So<02:11:29.360> to<02:11:29.599> clarify<02:11:30.480> uh
• No, in<02:11:52.159> the<02:11:52.400> sense<02:11:52.560> that<02:11:53.280>
• property<02:11:55.199> now<02:11:56.239> counted<02:11:56.639> as<02:11:57.119>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 11 declares Sections 1 through 6 an emergency measure, and that is standard for the budget for
• The moving expenses on line 11, as Legislative Council is changing and rearranging, they have discovered
• Section 11 is a study.
• Re-engrossed Senate Bill 2390 is a bill for an act to create three new sections to Chapter 54-40.1 of
• Engrossed Senate Bill 297 is a bill for an act creating and enacting a new section of Chapter 54-60 of

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledge, and roll call, establishing a quorum. It then took up a series of appropriations and policy bills, with the most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs budget. The House approved amendments that shifted governance of the department and veterans’ home from ACOVA to the governor, citing concerns about ACOVA’s salary-setting actions and broader appropriation oversight. Members opposed to the change argued ACOVA had studied compensation and acted within its role. The amended bill passed 57-34, and the final bill passed 69-22 with the emergency clause carrying. The House also passed Senate Bill 2001, the legislative branch budget, which funds the 2027 session, legislative staff, chamber upgrades, IT improvements, and salary adjustments for legislative leaders; the bill passed 62-29, but the emergency clause failed. Senate Bill 2019, the Career and Technical Education budget, passed 82-10 with emergency clause. Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget, passed 75-17 after discussion of data center migration, service automation, mainframe transition, ERP study, and DPI’s move from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Other measures passed included Senate Bill 2228 for rural grocery store sustainability grants, Senate Bill 2390 creating a rural catalyst community grant program, Senate Bill 2188 adjusting the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, and Senate Bill 2265 authorizing a veterans national cemetery grant and line of credit with added reporting safeguards. Several House bills returned from the Senate were concurred in and then passed, including House Bill 1361 on mandatory minimum sentences for human trafficking offenders, House Bill 1017 for the Game and Fish Department, House Bill 1588 on firearms and dangerous weapons provisions, House Bill 1429 on harassment and stalking involving robots, House Bill 1591 on county fair resiliency grants, House Bill 1537 on service agreement protection for water projects, House Bill 1203 on edible medical marijuana products, and House Bill 1027 transferring administration of the State Fire and Tornado Fund from the Insurance Commissioner to OMB. The House also rejected a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2307, which dealt with library materials and obscenity-related restrictions, by a vote of 48-51. In addition, the chamber appointed conference committees on several House and Senate measures where concurrence had failed, and laid over Senate Bill 2340 for two legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• , actually tracing the repealed chapter to the successor chapter.
• , actually tracing the repealed chapter to the successor chapter.
• “Chapter 6329 was the Unclaimed Property Act.
• Kind of a high point was 2020, where we removed 11 chapters from the code, but last year only one was
• that repealed it, which would include the full new chapter in that bill.

Summary: The Statute Law Committee meeting began with introductions of new staff, approval of the December 10 minutes, and election of Kyle Shiketty as vice chair by acclamation. The committee also approved a step increase for Code Reviser Kathy Buckley, with members praising her work and noting she had reached the top step. Max Weeks reported on publications: session laws had been published online and physical copies were nearing completion, while RCWs were expected online by the end of the next month with print copies following about a month later. The committee discussed print runs, free distribution to libraries and courts, and rising shipping costs, with a plan to charge actual shipping rates rather than the prior flat fee. Kathy Buckley also reviewed the office’s financial condition, reporting healthy balances in the publications account and general fund and expecting a year-end return of about $600,000. Alice reported on the annual multiple-amendment review process, explaining how the office merges nonconflicting amendments and flags possible items for a future technical corrections bill. The committee adopted the multiple amendments table and discussed plans to prepare a technical corrections bill for the fall and likely the 2027 session. The committee then heard a presentation from Kevin and Judge Anne Levinson on improving RCW disposition tables by adding hyperlinks to repealed session laws and chapter-level cross-reference notes to help readers trace recodified or replaced laws, especially in areas like protection orders and unclaimed property. In other business, the committee discussed clarifying statutory references that sometimes use “Statute Law Committee” when “Office of the Code Reviser” is intended, and agreed to review the statutes for possible cleanup legislation. Members also received an update on the office’s upcoming move to a new building in September, with an open house planned for September 24. The meeting adjourned without setting the next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• 11:00 a.m.
• This does not fix the core danger in Chapter 127A HRS.
• . 13A-11. 13A-11.
• <00:57:09.520> Members,<00:57:09.880> any 11:00 a.m. agenda.
• Members, any 11:00 a.m. agenda.

Bills: SB2109, SB2151

Keywords: emergency preparedness, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, multilingual resources, American Sign Language, public education, community resilience, disaster response, emergency management, governor powers, legislative oversight, public safety, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Public Safety met on March 20, 2026, and the chair opened by noting severe rain and flooding conditions in Hawaii and said the committee would proceed with the hearing but defer decision-making until the next meeting on March 25. The first measure discussed was SB 2109, an omnibus bill on emergency preparedness communications. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from state agencies and advocacy groups such as the Disability and Communications Access Board, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and others. Supporters emphasized the need for funding and planning for multilingual emergency materials and language access, citing current evacuation notices that were not available in languages such as Ilokano or Tongan. The chair stated that action on SB 2109 would be deferred until March 25. The committee then heard SB 2151, relating to emergency management and changes to the governor’s emergency authority. Testimony was mixed but heavily focused on concerns about executive power. Earthjustice supported the bill with amendments, saying it should narrow extraordinary emergency powers, add definitions for emergency and disaster, preserve transparency under the Uniform Information Practices Act, and lower the legislative threshold to terminate an emergency proclamation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Other supporters, including the League of Women Voters of Hawaii and some individuals, also backed reform. Opponents, including Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and numerous individuals, argued the bill still gave the governor too much power, used overly broad disaster definitions, and did not sufficiently protect constitutional rights; several urged major amendments or repeal of portions of Chapter 127A. Some opponents specifically objected to the two-thirds termination standard and to provisions they said could enable compulsory immunizations or other mandates. Members questioned Earthjustice about whether the bill would suspend constitutional rights. Earthjustice responded that the bill would not authorize constitutional violations, but would allow suspension of laws enacted by the legislature, and pointed to existing statutory procedures for individuals to challenge emergency proclamations. The witness described a Mauna Kea case in which a three-judge panel granted relief to an individual under the current statute, and explained that the process could potentially affect a broader proclamation if allowed to run to completion. The hearing continued with additional testimony and questions, but no final vote or committee action on SB 2151 was taken during this portion of the meeting.