Transcript Highlights:

• And on the other hand, to have the good senator from Denver co-prime a bill with you guarantees 100%
• You don't have to carry around a statute, but I guarantee you that when they see you coming, they know
• are realized State claims to guarantee are realized in people's everyday lives.
• There's no guarantee it will.
• We guarantee, we pledge not to restrict We guarantee, we pledge not to restrict, with the exception of

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is just reemphasizing that there are due process rights that are guaranteed to all residents
• 00:11:10.040> are there's due process rights that are there's due process rights that are guaranteed
• 11.079> all<00:11:11.360> residents<00:11:11.760> of<00:11:11.839> the guaranteed
• to all residents of the guaranteed to all residents of the United<00:11:12.200> States<00:11:
• To that end, I respectfully urge lawmakers to guarantee that the bill includes measures to protect immigrants

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 22, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, the Office of the Public Defender, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, argued the bill would protect due process and constitutional rights regardless of immigration status. Some supporters requested amendments, including removing a probable-cause terrorism provision, adding enforcement language, and preserving warrant requirements. Public testimony was heavily in favor, with the chair announcing 91 testimonies in support and 52 in opposition. The committee then heard HB 73, which would prohibit setting aside public lands for immigration detention facilities. Testifiers in support said public land should serve local needs, not detention centers, and cited housing, food security, and community trust concerns. The Office of the Public Defender and others also supported the measure, and the chair reported 85 testimonies in support and 40 in opposition. The committee next took up HB 438, which would fund legal representation for people in immigration proceedings. Supporters, including the Public Defender, the University of Hawaiʻi Law School Refugee and Immigration Clinic, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU, emphasized the civil nature of immigration court, the severe consequences of removal, and the need for more pro bono and trained attorneys. Several suggested amendments focused on training and building a legal-services pipeline; the chair reported 83 testimonies in support and 51 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 457, aimed at requiring notice to detained individuals about their rights when ICE seeks to interview them or has a detainer request. Supporters said the bill would ensure people understand their right to remain silent and to refuse interviews, and the Legal Clinic suggested the warning be given orally, potentially via recorded messages, rather than only in writing. The Office of the Public Defender noted the bill aligns with existing due-process warnings in criminal court and suggested referencing current law. Finally, HB 476, which would raise the capital gains tax rate, drew support from Hawaiʻi Appleseed on fairness grounds; the Department of Taxation said it would review revenue questions but had no estimate available. After recess, the committee returned to decision-making and moved HB 22 forward on the chair’s recommendation of HD1, with the chair noting that the bill already contained language allowing counties to adopt stronger standards and protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the viable contract, only access to group coverage is guaranteed.
• uh benefits provided by TRS guaranteeing uh benefits provided by TRS and<00:19:47.600> as<00:
• Uh because under the guaranteed.
• But how much coverage is guaranteed.
• access to group coverage, but guarantees access to group coverage, but they<00:31:43.279> could

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:35 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56 Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12 Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58 Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13 Adjournment: 01:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board received updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. Chris Biddle reported that deferred compensation assets had grown to about $4.787 billion with roughly 88,000 participants, crediting auto-enrollment, targeted marketing around pay raises, and retiree-focused services. He said the board’s self-directed brokerage account, authorized by last year’s legislation, is being designed around a $40,000 account-balance threshold with up to 25% transferable into the brokerage window, tentatively for July 1 of the coming year. He also described the free financial planning program, which has been used by about 3,300 to 3,500 participants with an 87% return rate, and noted that the plan is currently in a fee holiday; members asked about the fee structure and whether the CFP service is provided through Nationwide, which Biddle confirmed. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s growth and asked for the legislation referenced by Biddle. He said the plan’s annual fees are capped, with a $1 monthly fee plus other charges up to a $225 cap, for a maximum of $237 per year absent a managed account. He also said the program is seeking unified payroll access to expand participation, especially among teachers, and that prior lineup changes saved about $6 million annually in participant fees. Bo Barnes of TRS then addressed retired teachers’ health insurance, first clarifying a prior question about declining federal contributions to the retirement annuity trust. He explained that federally funded school positions generated contributions that rose from $72 million in 2019 to $109 million in 2022, then fell to $85 million this year, with a projection of $80 million over the next three years; if those dollars do not come from federal sources, they would have to be replaced through the SEEK formula. Barnes then reviewed TRS health coverage, explaining that the statutory contract guarantees access to group coverage but not fixed premium levels, and that TRS administers two retiree plans: KEHP for retirees under 65 or otherwise not Medicare-eligible, and MEHP for retirees 65 and older or Medicare-eligible. Barnes said TRS completed RFPs for the 2026 plan year, retaining Express Scripts for prescription drugs and switching the Medicare Advantage medical provider from UnitedHealthcare to Humana, while keeping plan design, provider access, out-of-pocket costs, and benefits materially unchanged. He noted a modest hearing-aid improvement of $500 per ear beginning in 2026. He also reported that the TRS Board approved the maximum state contribution for KEHP at $1,044.96, up from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said would require about $15 million to $16 million more annually, while the MEHP premium would drop from $210 to $200 per month because of the new contract. Using the 2024 valuation, he said the KEHP increase would slightly reduce the health trust funded ratio from 80.4% to 80.1% and raise unfunded liability from $4.036 billion to $4.051 billion. Barnes closed by reviewing the 2010 shared-responsibility reforms that shifted retiree health costs away from a pay-as-you-go model, including phased employee and district contributions and Commonwealth stabilization funding. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• program guarantee. program guarantee.
• :57:20.160> is foundation program guarantee is foundation program guarantee is different<00:57
• program guarantee program guarantee and<00:57:32.880> special<00:57:33.280> education<
• This year I have foundation guarantee.
• every part of foundation guarantee every part of foundation guarantee funding<01:32:25.040> models

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You are not about to change that track record in Hawaii, I can guarantee, because I've been part of many
• You are not about to change that track record in Hawaii, I can guarantee, because I've been part of many
• You are not about to change that track record in Hawaii, I can guarantee, because I've been part of many
• You are not about to change that track record in Hawaii, I can guarantee, because I've been part of many
• <00:34:50.639> because record in Hawaii I can guarantee because record in Hawaii I can guarantee

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused. The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments. Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we're also, if a cadet or an applicant, if they send in a... if they're accepted, they're guaranteed
• So, if they apply, they're guaranteed to stay at their home post.
• <00:22:41.960> to So, if they apply, they're guaranteed to So, if they apply, they're guaranteed
• to have a surrounding they're guaranteed to have a surrounding post. post. post.
• hours, uh then they would be guaranteed hours, uh then they would be guaranteed a<00:42:09.480><

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• board has no outstanding Arizona Public School Credit Enhancement Program obligations or outstanding guarantee
• financing provided by the board, or 30 days after the retirement of all program obligations and guaranteeing
• ...provided by the board or 30 days after the retirement of all program funding obligations and guaranteed

Bills: SB1210, SB1370, SB1422, SB1423

Keywords: private postsecondary education, nondomiciled institutions, tuition recovery fund, accreditation, regulations, patriotic youth groups, public school, civic involvement, educational purpose, discrimination, youth access, credit enhancement eligibility board, school financing, public schools, financing assistance, bonding, debt obligations, guaranteed financings, program sunset, statutory continuation

Summary: The Senate Education Committee considered three bills. SB 1210 would create a separate out-of-state registration process for private post-secondary institutions domiciled outside Arizona that enroll Arizona residents in fully online programs, require certain disclosures and financial protections, and extend student tuition recovery fund protections to those students. Testimony from the Arizona Private School Association supported the bill as closing a regulatory loophole and protecting Arizona students; the committee moved it forward with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. SB 1370 would allow principals, during the first quarter of the school year, to let eligible patriotic youth groups address students and distribute materials, and would prohibit public schools from discriminating against such groups based on membership criteria or oath requirements. The sponsor’s representative said the bill would allow, not require, access and would expand a list of youth groups that has not been updated since 1978. The committee approved the bill with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. SB 1422 would continue the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board until July 1, 2036, with termination tied to the retirement of outstanding obligations, and SB 1423 would continue the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education until July 1, 2036. Both bills were described as continuations of existing programs; WICHE’s president testified in support of SB 1423 and noted the state’s long partnership with the organization. The committee passed both bills with due pass recommendations, each by 7-0 votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 45.800> spending<01:49:46.160> policy guaranteed in the 5% spending policy guaranteed in
• guaranteed to the general fund. guaranteed to the general fund.
• We're talking about your guaranteed low income returns that you have in your portfolio.
• We're talking about your guaranteed low income returns that you have in your portfolio. Thank you.
• We're talking about your guaranteed low income returns that you have in your portfolio.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're guaranteed a rate of margin, which is a nice business model.
• This is just a good amendment to make sure we can guarantee that to the people that voted us to be here
• This is just a good amendment to make sure we can guarantee that to the people that voted us to be here
• This is just a good amendment to make sure we can guarantee that to the people that voted us to be here
• Who gave them their jobs and This is just a good amendment to make sure we can guarantee that to the

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 130 members present, approved the previous day’s journal, and read several groups of introductory House bills and a bond initiative, referring them to the appropriate committees. Senate bills were also introduced in the House and assigned to committees. The chamber then took up House Bill 1, concerning limits on cost recovery for investor-owned electric and gas utilities, with debate focused on whether the bill would reduce ratepayer costs or interfere with utility compensation and grid reliability. Two amendments to HB 1 were debated and both failed by roll call after floor leaders argued they would undermine the bill’s purpose of protecting ratepayers. One amendment would have allowed utilities to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to exceed pay or bonus limits for vital workers; supporters said it would preserve flexibility to retain critical employees and maintain reliability, while opponents said any extra compensation should come from shareholders, not ratepayers. A second amendment sought to exempt frontline workers involved in system reliability, emergency response, and storm restoration; supporters said it would protect the grid and allow quick response in emergencies, while opponents again said it would shift costs back onto ratepayers. The House also heard extended questioning about utility rates, PSC approval, and broader energy costs, including references to Empower charges and infrastructure expenses. After the amendment debate, the House voted to special order HB 1 for a later time, allowing additional amendment opportunities, and the bill was set aside. The session then moved to committee announcements, including briefings and bill hearings for Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Government, Labor, and Elections, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means, along with several subcommittee meetings later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not guaranteed that. The only people guaranteed healthcare in Florida are inmates.
• The only ones in America guaranteed free healthcare are prison inmates.
• They are not guaranteed, but it depends on the offense. Senator Ingoglia, thank you, Mr. President.
• Do you know who is guaranteed A free education from the Florida taxpayers? Prisoners.
• We cannot guarantee that person will be there, so we have to have structure in place in the states in

Bills: SJR36, SR8, SR14, SR15, SR17, HCR54

Keywords: accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, advocacy, legislation, business issues, memorial, law enforcement, sacrifice, tribute, community support, service, community, Holocaust, remembrance, antisemitism, human rights, education, Holocaust Remembrance Day, memorialization, sexual assault

Transcript Highlights:

• because I can't guarantee this bill? No, Mr.
• President, I challenge guarantees. Mr.
• that has guaranteed that has guaranteed 100% 100% 100% anything. anything. anything.
• because I can't<00:38:38.720> guarantee<00:38:39.200> this<00:38:39.440> bill.
• can't guarantee this bill. can't guarantee this bill. No,<00:38:41.599> Mr.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and roll call, establishing a quorum with 33 members present. The chamber approved the prior journal, excused absent senators, welcomed viewers, and received House messages announcing passage of House Bill 253, House Bill 436508, and House Concurrent Resolution 44 for concurrence. New filings were also reported: Senate Bill 197 on economic development and Senate Joint Resolution 99 designating the Destiny Brewer Memorial Highway in Martin County. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 72, a measure on recruitment and retention of health care professionals and declaring an emergency. The bill’s sponsor argued it would protect health care workers’ conscience rights, improve recruitment and retention, and address provider shortages and corporate pressures in medicine, while emphasizing that emergency care would still be required under federal law. Supporters said the bill would protect providers from being forced to participate in procedures that violate their moral or religious beliefs and cited examples from other states and physicians who had left practices over conscience concerns. Opponents argued the bill’s language was too broad and could allow denial of non-emergency care based on vague moral, ethical, or religious objections, potentially harming patients in health care deserts and sending the wrong message about caring for all people. One senator raised a hypothetical about racial discrimination under the bill’s definitions, while supporters responded that the bill was intended to protect providers and patients and that existing professional ethics and hospital policies would prevent abuse. Additional supporters said the measure would not deny basic care and would help keep physicians in the state. The bill was still under debate at the end of the excerpt, with questions and responses continuing; no final vote or disposition on Senate Bill 72 is shown in the transcript provided. Other bills reported from second reading were referred to the Rules Committee for further action, and Senate Bill 69 was passed over and retained its place on the orders of the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• provisions relate to the Minnesota provisions relate to the Minnesota Insurance<00:09:57.440> Guarantee
• Insurance Guarantee Insurance Guarantee Association.<00:09:59.920> Um,<00:10:00.240> and
• committee is close to making a final decision on policy in the Medicare supplemental space and guaranteed
• <00:15:52.480> renew<00:15:53.279> renewability space and guaranteed renew renewability
• space and guaranteed renew renewability protections<00:15:54.399> for<00:15:54.639> private

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• incorporate that 25% so that the EFA student's tuition cost would be greater than a student who is partially
• a<00:48:41.000> student<00:48:41.359> who<00:48:41.440> is<00:48:41.520> partially
• c><00:48:41.880> funded<00:48:42.160> by<00:48:42.280> the a student who is partially
• funded by the a student who is partially funded by the state?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• electric utilities, gas utilities, telecom, very minorly, after, you know, the telecom's act, um, partially
• the telecom's<01:49:59.440> act<01:50:00.159> um telecom's act um telecom's act um partially
• > deregulated<01:50:03.040> water<01:50:03.360> and<01:50:03.600> waste partially
• deregulated water and waste partially deregulated water and waste private<01:50:04.400> sorry

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's partially put together right away, but the rest of it does take a little bit of time and then it
• <00:44:45.839> It's<00:44:46.160> partially doesn't and it doesn't.
• It's partially doesn't and it doesn't.
• It's partially put<00:44:46.880> together<00:44:47.680> right<00:44:47.920> away,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• think, well, again, in a grant process, in most cases, you expect to get funding upfront, or at least partial
• get funding upfront and and or expect to get funding upfront and and or at least<01:19:57.280> partial
• <01:19:57.760> funding<01:19:58.080> upfront<01:19:58.640> and at least partial
• funding upfront and at least partial funding upfront and then<01:19:59.280> you<01:19:59.920>

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed. The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention. Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if we can get the PILT, that'll be partial payment for my counties in your counties, which in some
• <01:58:08.400> PILT,<01:58:08.800> that'll<01:58:09.040> be<01:58:09.199> partial
• <01:58:09.520> payment<01:58:09.840> for the PILT, that'll be partial payment for the
• PILT, that'll be partial payment for my<01:58:10.239> counties<01:58:10.800> in<01:58:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We eliminated in the agency submission about 20 positions, seven full-time, 13 partial, to meet the budget
• 00:54:35.839> seven<00:54:36.160> full-time<00:54:36.880> 13<00:54:37.839> partial
• <00:54:39.040> um positions seven full-time 13 partial um positions seven full-time 13 partial

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so this program um would take $1 million uh and fund um free or partially subsidized child care um
• 36:59.760> or take 1 million uh and fund um free or take 1 million uh and fund um free or partially
• :01.040> child<00:37:01.280> care<00:37:02.160> um<00:37:02.320> for partially
• subsidized child care um for partially subsidized child care um for uh<00:37:03.280> individuals<

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• missing some class time because they have a meeting with a social worker shouldn't be counted as partially
• missing some class time because they have a meeting with a social worker shouldn't be counted as partially
• missing some class time because they have a meeting with a social worker shouldn't be counted as partially
• missing some class time because they have a meeting with a social worker shouldn't be counted as partially

Keywords: 1187, senate, all