Transcript Highlights:

• Look, nobody doubts the rise of AI is good news for tech companies who are making record profits.
• doubts</c><00:20:01.880><c> the</c><00:20:02.040><c> rise</c><00:20:02.360><c> of</c><00:20:02.520><c> AI
• </c><00:20:02.840><c> is</c> Look, nobody doubts the rise of AI is Look, nobody doubts the rise of AI
• from that work for workforce development initiatives designed to get Minnesotans ready for the age of AI
• I'd also like to propose the establishment of a new governor's council on the future of the AI economy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• sections, including the prohibition on storing medical. records offshore, the sections on the use of AI
• Fourth, it clarifies provisions related to the use of AI by delineating that healthcare practitioners
• It also makes a requirement that AI used for diagnostic purposes, using the contents of an EMR, must

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is, we recognize AI can be a very important tool.
• </c> against the use of technology such as AI against the use of technology such as AI or<00:55:26.000
• ,</c><00:56:19.200><c> I</c> where you came from, things that AI, I where you came from, things that
• AI, I think<00:56:19.520><c> it</c><00:56:19.599><c> would</c><00:56:19.760><c> be</c><00:56:19.920><
• But boy, you read that subdivision, it's sure like you want to prohibit the use of videos and AI.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He is survived by his siblings, Cheryl, Edward, Kathleen, Gerard, and Timothy, and a longtime companion

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Rules Committee reports. Members adopted resolutions congratulating Auburn on the 100th anniversary of the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket launch and welcoming Boston’s new National Women’s Soccer League team, the Boston Legacy, to Massachusetts. The House also adopted orders extending the reporting deadlines for the Committee on Revenue on two House documents into 2026. The chamber suspended joint rules to allow several petitions to proceed, including proposals on social media regulation for minors, a sick leave bank for a Department of Children and Families employee, retirement credit for a probation employee, taxation of certain foreign government pension benefits, and naming the American lobster the official crustacean of the Commonwealth. The Steering, Policy and Schedule Committee then listed bills for consideration, including measures on private road maintenance in Gloucester, property valuation and assessment fairness, municipal tax collectors, preservation of historic resource information in community preservation funds, and Salem liquor license changes. The House advanced those bills through second and third readings, then passed to be enacted local bills involving compensation for a Revere widow, a Wellesley senior tax deferment change, and a Hopkinton library trustees charter amendment. It also engrossed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a specific applicant, Edney Joseph. The session ended with a moment of silent tribute to Adrian Dolan of South Boston and an order to adjourn until the next Thursday morning in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• His beloved Scotia was his companion during his railroad years, later followed by his loyal Bella.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up several committee reports and House and Senate bills, including a proposal to repeal archaic law criminalizing pregnancy, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee, and Senate bills designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, which were advanced through procedural steps. The chamber also passed to be engrossed local and special legislation, including changes to the Tewksbury town charter, a Boston Police Department age-waiver bill for Lewis Cabral, a Nantucket charter bill making the county charter gender neutral, and a sick leave bank bill for Sally DeRosia of the Department of Correction. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a House petition concerning the taxation of certain foreign government pensions and referred it to the Committee on Revenue. In addition, the Senate adopted an emergency preamble for a Warren election-validation bill. The chamber then considered final passage of several bills, including measures affecting the Cotuit Fire District, the Historical Society of Sandwich and Cotuit, and the Salem licensing board compensation, all of which were enacted and sent to the Governor. A separate election-validation bill for Bourne required a two-thirds vote and was enacted by standing vote, with two members in favor and none opposed. The session also included a motion to adjourn in memory of Ralph Edward Pascarelli, which was adopted after a brief tribute and moment of silence. The Senate then adopted an adjournment order and recessed until the next formal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is survived by his siblings Cheryl, Edward, Kathleen, Gerard, and Timothy, and a longtime companion

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had already heard Senator Campbell's companion bill...

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out House Bill 3093 by Representative Villanueva and the companion bill, Senate Bill 1052

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you talk about advancing tech, I think, especially in terms of tourism, who's not talking about AI
• And we're looking at how best to implement AI to that purpose.
• And now we really feel that AI might be the answer as we move forward.
• Chair, in terms of the AI-specific...” “Mr.
• Chair, in terms of the AI-specific use of the agency, really where we were looking at first to implement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Alex Scalpsa Ridgeway’s nomination to serve as Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. Chair Jay Kaufman opened with remarks about the committee’s role in reviewing nominees for fidelity to state law and executive accountability. Ridgeway gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior state service, and her view that tourism is a major economic driver for the state. She highlighted record visitation and spending, the importance of marketing the whole state, and efforts to expand social media, data use, and support for rural communities. Committee members questioned Ridgeway about the state of tourism, responsible visitor messaging, the need to market Arizona despite major attractions like the Grand Canyon, rural tourism strategies, international travel declines, return on investment for marketing, and how she would respond to unlawful or poor policy directives. She said she would always follow the law, would raise concerns about policy using data, and emphasized an activity-based marketing strategy focused on family travel, outdoor recreation, cultural travel, culinary, wellness, and luxury. She also discussed conflict-of-interest safeguards, said she would support more transparency and checks and balances, and noted plans to explore AI and other technology to improve efficiency. Public testimony strongly supported the nominee. Representatives from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, the Cactus League Baseball Association, and Experience Scottsdale praised Ridgeway’s experience, leadership, and collaborative approach, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance statewide. The committee then moved to recommend her confirmation. The motion passed 5-0, and Chair Kaufman congratulated Ridgeway on the committee’s approval and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Emily Choi Green, CEO and co-founder of Clearly AI. Good afternoon, Senators.
• I'm Emily Troy Green, CEO and co-founder of Clearly AI, a cybersecurity startup, and I'm here to oppose
• While the big companies have had layoffs, Clearly AI has created jobs here.
• With regard to AI, the bill requires that a determination of medical necessity must be made by a licensed
• First, it removes Medicaid from the bill, so none of the prior authorization or AI regulations apply

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 29, 2026, to consider a gubernatorial appointment, three public hearings, and two executive-session bills. Kristen L. Frazier was introduced as the governor’s appointee to the Board of Tax Appeals. She described her background in legislative fiscal analysis, constitutional law, and tax adjudication, and said the board is working on faster residential review and settlement processes. Members praised her service and said the appointment would be voted on at a future meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5893, which would transfer $65 million from the Natural Climate Solutions Account to the Wildfire Response, Forest Restoration, and Community Resilience Account to fully fund wildfire response and forest health work. Committee staff explained the Climate Commitment Act funding source and the account history, and the Department of Natural Resources said the money would support forest health treatments, firefighting readiness, and partner pass-throughs. Forest industry representatives and DNR supported the bill, arguing wildfire work reduces emissions, protects communities, and prevents larger future costs; one member questioned why DNR had not submitted a decision package for the funding. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 6229, which would subject gains from the sale of qualified small business stock to Washington’s capital gains tax. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers, raise about $1.2 million in fiscal year 2027, and cost the Department of Revenue about $1.1 million over four years to implement. Startup founders, venture capital and tech industry representatives opposed the bill, warning it would discourage investment, founders, and job creation in Washington; a Budget and Policy Center witness supported it as a way to make the tax code less regressive and argued the exemption mainly benefits the wealthiest taxpayers. The committee also heard House Bill 1376, which would allow taxpayers to prepay capital gains tax up to six months early without interest on any later refund; staff said it had no revenue impact and a small administrative cost, and the lone public witness opposed it as penalizing success. In executive session, the committee received a briefing on the proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5395 on prior authorization transparency and AI use in health care, and on Substitute Senate Bill 5860 regarding school board compensation. The committee adopted the proposed second substitute for SB 5395 and voted it out of committee with a do pass recommendation to the Rules Committee, subject to signatures. Substitute SB 5860 was moved out of committee without recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is about utilization of AI now in reference to prior authorization.
• This bill is about the utilization of AI now in reference to prior authorization.
• What I'm trying to do is walk a fairly tight line about appropriate utilization of AI for fraud detection
• and utilization of AI in the preauthorization process versus inappropriate utilization that systematically
• This is an evolving area of AI and evolving technology, and I think this is a reasonable continuation

Bills: SB213, SB378, SB610, SB681, SB918, SB1172, SB1252, SB1343, SCR8

Keywords: SB 213, Texas insurance, Insurance Code, Chapter 551, Chapter 541, bundling, tying arrangement, cross-selling, homeowners insurance, residential property insurance, auto insurance, personal automobile insurance, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, deceptive insurance practice, property and casualty insurer, Lloyd's plan, county mutual, reciprocal exchange, farm mutual

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, first reporting SB 1006 favorably after adopting a committee substitute that adds quarterly ZIP-code-level reporting to TDI on insurer declinations, cancellations, and nonrenewals. The committee also adopted substitutes and favorably reported SB 388, which adds nuclear to a credit program and excludes batteries from the dispatchable definition; SB 917; SB 504, which narrows reporting requirements for certain local entities, raises a salary threshold, and authorizes AG injunctive relief; SB 925, which clarifies that federal match dollars are included in a PLA-related prohibition; and SB 815, which removes downcoding references and focuses on AI use in prior authorization. SB 815 advanced on an 8-2 vote, while SB 388 advanced 6-3 and the others were reported 9-0 or 6-0 as noted. The committee then heard testimony on SB 378, which would prohibit aestheticians and cosmetologists from administering injections or using prescriptive medical devices unless legally authorized and would clarify TDLR disciplinary authority. The author and a retired neurosurgeon testified that unsafe, unauthorized injections pose real patient risks, and a TDLR witness said the bill addresses a long-standing regulatory gap. SB 378 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard SB 1252, aimed at reducing municipal permitting barriers for residential backup power systems; the author and industry witnesses said city permitting is costly and inconsistent, while municipal utility representatives and advocates said the substitute preserved safety and utility oversight. That bill was also left pending. Additional bills heard but left pending included SB 1172, which would let LPs and LLCs sell their own property without a real estate license; SB 681, which would extend engineer license renewal periods and apply similar flexibility to engineering firms; SB 918, a TDLR cleanup bill for orthotics and prosthetics exemptions; SB 1343, which would require data brokers to post a clear link explaining Texans’ privacy rights and how to exercise them; SB 213, which would prohibit forced bundling of residential property and auto insurance while preserving voluntary discounts; SB 610, which would codify TDLR’s anti-trafficking unit; and SCR 8, expressing opposition to a central bank digital currency over privacy, security, and financial-stability concerns. Public testimony on SB 1343 and SB 213 was generally supportive, with consumer and advocacy groups emphasizing privacy, competition, and survivor safety, and the committee closed the day with those measures and others left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, the bill number is H. 678, and its companion on the Senate side is S. 388.
• The growth of AI, of course, adds to the pressure around data security concerns that we have, and these

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also strengthens protections for children by ensuring AI-generated content that depicts minors in
• This is House Bill 2292, the cross-reporting on child abuse where companion animals are also being abused

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Perpetrators can also use AI-generated images to exploit their victims.
• </c><00:25:13.279><c> generated</c> perpetrators can also use AI generated perpetrators can also use
• AI generated images<00:25:14.600><c> to</c><00:25:14.919><c> exploit</c><00:25:15.520><c> their</c><00
• </c><00:37:35.680><c> generated</c> remember especially with AI generated remember especially with AI
• and made you know they did Ai and made you know and<00:48:46.200><c> it</c><00:48:46.359><c> would</

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:05 Roll Call: 00:00:14 SB 26: 00:01:50 SB 64: 00:18:29 SB 73: 00:22:54, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Chair Storm, would protect parents and prospective parents with disabilities by barring disability alone from being the sole basis for denying an adoption petition or terminating parental rights. Testimony from Judge Marcus Vanover and Crystal Adams described the bill as a product of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health and its work groups, cited Kentucky and national cases and federal ADA guidance, and said the bill would require consideration of supportive services, clearer documentation, retention of records, and conforming language changes. Senator Carroll asked how the bill would apply to a hypothetical adult child with special needs; witnesses said the bill is aimed at adoption and termination proceedings where the Cabinet is already involved, not proactive service requests. The committee approved SB 26 by a unanimous 7-0 vote and sent it to the floor with favorable expression. The committee next considered Senate Bill 64, also sponsored by Chair Storm, which would expand the definition of key infrastructure assets to include telecommunications services such as telephone lines and broadband and make damaging, tampering with, or rendering those services inoperable a Class D felony. Representatives from Charter/Spectrum and AT&T testified that copper theft and vandalism have increasingly damaged fiber and other facilities, citing more than 20 incidents in Kentucky in 2024 affecting over 30,000 customers and diverting resources from broadband expansion. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then passed SB 64 by a 7-0 vote with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Julie Adams, which would create a felony offense for sexual extortion, allow victims or their representatives to bring civil actions, include the offense in Kentucky’s sex-crime definitions, and require school-based notification and education efforts along with resource information for students. Senator Adams and witness Lady T. Thompson described sextortion as a fast-growing online crime targeting minors, often through social media, gaming, and messaging apps, and argued that stronger penalties and prevention efforts are needed. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SB 73.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:37:23.440><c> related</c> examples on what sort of AI related examples on what sort of AI related
• </c> that not to mention the other AI that not to mention the other AI services<01:40:19.119><c> that
• </c> governor Basher's signature for the AI governor Basher's signature for the AI policy<01:41:38.320
• </c><01:41:45.679><c> related</c> organizations to procure AI related organizations to procure AI related
• </c> including the AI policies. including the AI policies.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:27 Legislative Research Commission 00:01:15 KentuckyWired Operations Company 00:17:30 Wireless Internet Service Providers Association 00:40:15 Administrative Office of the Courts 01:08:55 Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts 01:33:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the July 9 minutes without objection and heard from Jay Hartz and Jonathan Harris of the Legislative Research Commission. Members asked about Capitol and legislator security in light of recent targeted shootings in other states. Hartz said LRC had removed members’ home addresses from its website, was reviewing other state-government records for similar information, and was working with the Speaker, Senate President, Kentucky State Police, and outside security experts on broader safety measures. He also said LRC is exploring commercial products to help block personal contact information from public view, but declined to name vendors publicly. Harris added that driver’s license scans at the Capitol are handled by Kentucky State Police, while LRC has a process for flagging high-volume or concerning contacts for police review. The LRC also reported that redistricting work has already begun, with census coordination underway, evaluation of redistricting software including Mapitude and open-source tools, and plans to make the same tools available to the public in the LRC library. The committee then heard from Kentucky Wired Operations Company CEO Robert Morphonius, COO Tom Snyder, and counsel Patrick Hughes about the Kentucky Wired network. They explained the corporate structure: Kentucky Wired Operations Company is a private for-profit special purpose entity that designs, builds, operates, and maintains the network; Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Company is a nonprofit instrumentality used for financing; and Open Fiber Kentucky handles commercialization of excess capacity under a wholesale agreement. They said Kentucky Wired Operations is in the operations and maintenance phase, with those obligations continuing until 2045, and that technical changes to the network generally require KCNA approval through formal change-order processes. They also said the company conducted a market test in June 2023 under Schedule 19 of its contract, considered proposals including Open Fiber and the incumbent service provider, and retained the existing provider. Members asked about KCNA’s role, procurement, network customers, and revenue. The witnesses said Quac operates outside normal state procurement because its process is governed by contract, while KCNA acts as the Commonwealth’s oversight authority and filter for changes. They identified current network users as including AOC, KCTCS, postsecondary education, and other Commonwealth agencies, with all requests routed through KCNA; they also said a separate change process for Exceliccom is in litigation. On funding, they said the operation is paid through monthly appropriations, with roughly a million dollars a month for the service provider and a couple hundred thousand for Quac’s oversight, not including debt service, which is bundled into the availability payment. The discussion ended as members began asking about responsibility for damage-related costs such as squirrel-related outages.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for Aaliyah's AIS fingerprint system. Good afternoon, chairman and members.
• Butler Snow got caught using AI to represent us in cases against prisoners in federal court.
• to represent us Snow got caught using AI to represent us in<00:44:46.560><c> cases</c><00:44:46.880>
• on other cases when caught using AI on other cases when prisoner<00:45:31.119><c> litigation?
• Got just got caught using AI.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are looking at how AI can help us.
• My two things for AI are: it must reduce costs and must provide better customer service, because it can
• We are looking at how AI can help us.
• My two things for AI is it must reduce costs and must provide better customer service, because it can

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 10 minutes, then heard an informational presentation from DOPL Administrator Russ Barron on board fee changes and cash balance management. Barron explained that DOPL is a dedicated-fund agency with no general fund support, so fees must cover board operations, investigations, staffing, inflation, and other costs. He said the agency has used efficiencies such as moving to the Chinden campus, implementing a single licensing system, cross-training staff, and merging boards; overall cash balances were about $63.5 million as of June 30, 2025. He noted that, under prior legislative direction and later codified cash-balance targets, DOPL is reducing fees for 16 boards, increasing fees for 10, and implementing fee holidays for six boards. The committee then approved a pending rule for the newly merged Board of Long-Term Care Administrators, which consolidated previously approved rules for nursing home administrators and residential care facility administrators into one chapter without substantive changes. It also approved repeal dockets for the old nursing home administrator and residential care facility administrator rule chapters, effective July 1, 2026, because those boards were merged into the new board. Finally, the committee considered the Board of Acupuncture’s rules, which included cleanup changes and a significant fee increase. DOPL said the board had a negative cash balance of about $60,000 and needed higher fees to move toward the statutory cash-balance target; the proposal raised initial licensure from $150 to $300 and renewals from $75 to $200. A licensed acupuncturist and Idaho Acupuncture Association representative testified in support, saying the profession is self-funded, the increase is manageable, and licensing is important for insurance billing and market participation. The committee approved the acupuncture docket after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• task force has developed a model use policy that outlines the guardrails for safely using generative AI
• They have just circulated Outlines the guardrails for safely using generative AI.
• comment, and this we hope will assure that court users are protected as the branch implements generative AI
• The task force has also developed guidance for judges using generative AI in their adjudicative role,

Summary: The California Legislature met in joint convention for the annual State of the Judiciary address, with judges and justices from across the state in attendance along with Governor Newsom and other statewide officials. The opening included prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the formal introduction of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the California Supreme Court justices. Speakers emphasized the importance of judicial independence, the courts’ role in protecting rights and democracy, and the value of collaboration between the legislative and judicial branches. Chief Justice Guerrero focused on the state of the judicial branch, beginning with budget pressures from prior cuts and noting partial restoration in the governor’s proposed budget, while urging continued stable funding for courts, court-appointed counsel, and judgeships in high-need counties. She highlighted the expansion and benefits of remote proceedings, ongoing judicial vacancies, workload growth, and efforts to improve data collection and case-weighting. She also discussed implementation of the CARE Act, the court interpreter workforce pilot, CASA and kin-first child welfare efforts, courthouse security and facilities projects, and the judiciary’s work on generative AI guardrails. A major portion of the address addressed the recent problems with the California bar exam and broader State Bar oversight. Guerrero said the court would pursue remedies for examinees harmed by the failures and would strengthen admissions oversight, including the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners. She also reiterated support for pro bono legal services and discussed immigration-related courthouse access, citing state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in courthouses. The convention concluded after remarks thanking the judiciary and Legislature, and the joint session adjourned without any recorded votes or formal legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, House File One was originally running as a companion, not technically because this is the
• companion legally, um, but was running through all the committees and we were changing our bill as Senator
• ,</c> a companion, a companion, not<01:14:33.440><c> technically</c><01:14:34.239><c> because</c><01:
• 01:14:34.880><c> the</c> not technically because this is the not technically because this is the companion
• legally, um, but was running companion legally, um, but was running through<01:14:38.000><c> all</c>

Bills: SF856, HF3168, HF3528, HF389

Keywords: Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, ethnic councils, diversity, governance, state participation, community representation, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, Minnesota Historical Society

Transcript Highlights:

• On House Bill 388, I'd like to wait for the Senate Bill 281, which is the companion bill.
• Bill 281 which is companion bill has Bill 281 which is companion bill has been<02:36:40.200><c> passed
• I would like to defer this measure and wait for the Senate companion bill to come over, which is Senate
• I would like to defer this measure and wait for the Senate companion bill to come over, which is Senate
• bill to come over which is companion bill to come over which is Senate<02:41:00.240><c> Bill</c><02:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.