Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator from Washington. >> Senator from Washington.
• I thank the senator.
• : Senator Harrison, Senator Benson, Senator Plunkett.
• >> Senator from Windham. >> Senator from Windham.
• >> Senator from Bennington. >> Senator from Bennington.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Favlla? >> Any further questions? Senator Favlla?
• Senator, Senator, Senator, >> stop<00:24:02.320> by<00:24:02.559> later.
• Senator Ihara is excused. Senator Moriwaki votes aye.
• Senate Bill 3096. This is next item. Senate Bill 3096.
• Senator Ihara is excused. Senator Moriwaki votes aye. Senator Fevella?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Mamao is excused. Senator McKelvey: Yes. Senator Awana: I. Recommendation is adopted.
• Senator Hashimoto, I. Senator Moriwaki, I. Senator Dela, I. Measure is adopted.
• Senator Moriwaki. I. Senator Dela I. Senator Moriwaki. I. Senator Dela I.
• Senator Rhoads. >> Aye. Senator Rhoads.
• Senator McKelvey. Senator Lamasao. Aye. Senator McKelvey.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard several measures and took testimony without questions on SB 2431 relating to health savings accounts and SB 2797 relating to consumer protection. For SB 2797, the DCCA Office of Consumer Protection offered comments, Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposed the bill over gift card fraud compliance costs and legal risk, and AARP Hawaii supported it. The committee also heard SB 2946 on foreclosures, where the Hawaii State Bar Association’s Collection Law Section and several lenders, associations, and individuals opposed the measure, while the Hawaii Bankers Association and others offered comments. SB 2961 on insurance drew comments from the Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurance Council, with NAMIC opposing and some individuals supporting. SB 2948 on insurance fraud received comments from the Insurance Division and support from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, with NAMIC and the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding also commenting. No votes were taken during the hearing portion, and the committee recessed after testimony. The committee then reconvened for decision-making on the 9:30 agenda. SB 2431 was passed with amendments, including DOTAX-requested changes, a five-year limit on credit carryforwards, removal of an aggregate cap, a rural definition, transparent reporting, technical amendments, and a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050. SB 2797 was also passed with DCCA-requested amendments, technical changes, and the same deferred effective date. SB 2946 was deferred because there was no testimony in support. SB 2961 was passed with amendments, but after Senator McKelvey raised concern that policy-limit language could undermine the bill, the committee removed two policy-limit amendments before adopting the recommendation. SB 2948 was passed with amendments deleting certain definitions, aligning penalties and public-records provisions, adding coordination and disclosure clarifications, and making technical changes; one no vote by Senator Awana was recorded, with the rest in favor. The committee also considered SB 3000 from a prior hearing and recommended passage with amendments clarifying the Attorney General’s authority, creating a special fund, and addressing concurrent actions, again with a deferred effective date and one no vote by Senator Awana. In a joint CPN/GVO agenda, SB 2258 relating to school agriculture procurement targets was passed with amendments after the Department of Education said it would need to follow up on whether changing the target period from calendar year to school year would create procurement or scheduling issues; the committee added technical changes, a deferred effective date, and routed the bill to Ways and Means, with a note that Education should also have received it. In a later joint CPN/AEN hearing, SB 2452 relating to climate-friendly insurers drew strong opposition from the Insurance Division and several insurance groups, who warned it could push insurers out of the authorized market and into the surplus lines market, raising costs; Senator Dela questioned whether the bill would worsen an already strained market, while the division said the legislature could make the policy choice but warned of market disruption. The hearing then moved to SB 2760 on invasive species, where DLNR, DAB, CGAPS, and the Oahu Invasive Species Committee generally supported broader inspection and quarantine authority, civil penalties, and longer interim-rule authority, while committee members asked about staffing, treatment capacity, and implementation for non-agricultural commodities such as building materials and vehicles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 3040.
• includes Senate Bill 2645. includes Senate Bill 2645.
• Senate Bill 3108? Senate Bill 3108?
• Senate Bill 3109. Senate Bill 3109.
• Senate Bill 3108. Senate Bill 3108.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 3040, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Supporters, including Moms Demand Action and a crime-victim advocate, argued the office would improve data collection, research, and coordination to help reduce gun violence. Opponents, including several gun-rights advocates, said the proposal was duplicative, lacked oversight, and would exclude the firearms community. The chair noted 41 testimonies in support and 77 in opposition, but no vote was taken on the bill in the portion provided. The committee then moved through a series of decision-making items and adopted the chair’s recommendations on several measures. SB 17 on wildfire mitigation passed with amendments from multiple agencies and a report date shifted to the 2028 session. SB 2730 on criminal justice reform passed with a defective effective date amendment, SB 2749 on sentencing passed with a defective effective date, SB 2688 on compassionate release passed with amendments narrowing eligibility and adding notification and funding language, and SB 2798 on law enforcement passed with a defective effective date to make the agricultural enforcement pilot program permanent. SB 2645, a short-form bill, was amended to insert substantive provisions and recommitted to the committee. SB 2383, which would have provided a $15,000 retention bonus for sworn law enforcement officers, was reconsidered and held in committee because it was identified as a duplicate. The committee also passed SB 2575, relating to firearms, with amendments adopting a proposed SD1 that would establish minimum mandatory prison terms for certain class A firearm felonies and add clarifying language. SB 2720, which would create a Hawaii firearm injury restitution fund funded by firearm manufacturer licenses, also passed with amendments clarifying the fund’s scope and eligible injuries. Later, the committee began hearing SB 3107 on parole eligibility. The Office of the Public Defender and the Hawaii Paroling Authority supported language allowing the parole board to waive certain program requirements, while the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission opposed the bill, warning it could keep people incarcerated longer if program access remains limited. The Department of Corrections said it is working on classification changes and a pilot project to move inmates through the system faster.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, Senator, Senator, that we pass on consent last year. that we pass on consent last year. that
• >> Senator<00:28:40.720> Rosen. >> Senator Rosen. >> Senator Rosen.
• Senator Carson. >> All right. Any other? Senator Carson.
• Yeah, >> Senator<01:06:53.680> Roer. >> Senator Roer. >> Senator Roer.
• >> Senator, >> Senator, >> Senator, >> thank<01:18:39.360> you.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Judiciary is in session. Senator Reardon, you're going to lead me in the pledge.
• Senators, I beseech you to vote no on Senate Bill 464.
• Yes, Senator. >> Other questions? Yes, Senator.
• >> Yes,<01:00:31.839> Senator. >> Yes, Senator. >> Yes, Senator.
• Senator Alice. questions. Senator Alice.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bard. >> Yes. >> Senator Brennan. >> Yes. >> Senator Brock. >> Yes. >> Senator Kitten. >> Yes. >> Senator
• >> Senator Hardy. >> Yes. >> Senator Harrison. >> Yes. >> Senator Hashim. >> Yes. >> Senator Hein. >
• > Yay. >> Senator Engel. >> No. >> Senator Lion. >> Yes. >> Senator Major. >> Yes. >> Senator Mats. >
• > Yes. >> Senator Mley. >> Senator Norris. >> Yes. >> Senator Pley. >> Yes. >> Senator Plunkett. >> Yes
• . >> Senator Ron Ginsdale. >> Yes. >> Senator Baholski. >> Yes. >> Senator Watson. >> Yes. >> Senator

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• member, Senator Zellner, and Senator Mattera.
• Next is Senate Bill 4473 by Senator Ramos.
• Next is Senate Bill 4514A by Senator Ramos.
• Next is Senate Bill 4593 by Senator Fahey.
• Next is Senate Bill 4832 by Senator Ryan.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Labor met for its third meeting of the 26th Legislative Session and considered six bills. The agenda included workers’ compensation, labor law, minimum wage reporting, and employer training measures. Senators present included Ferdinandis, Jackson, Mayer, Zellner, and Mattera, with Senator Mayer’s bill on direct deposit for workers’ compensation payments opening the meeting. The committee advanced SB 4467, which would allow certain workers’ compensation payments to be made by direct deposit; SB 4473, which concerns liquidated damages for labor law violations; SB 4514A, which would require an annual Department of Labor report on cost of living, poverty rates, and the effectiveness of the state minimum wage; SB 4832, which would require additional annual reporting by the Workers’ Compensation Board; and SB 6912, which would define mental health practitioners with diagnostic authority under workers’ compensation law. It also advanced SB 4593, which would create a voluntary Department of Labor training and certification program for employers called the Neurodiversity Training Pledge. For each bill, a motion was made and the committee voted to report the measure forward, generally by voice vote with no opposition noted in the transcript. Most bills were reported to the calendar, while SB 4593 was reported to the Finance Committee. The chair closed by thanking members for an effective meeting and inviting them to the next Labor Committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Rules will come to order.
• Senate Print 9155, by Senator [questionable: approved]. Enacted by the Cannabis Law.
• Moved by Senator Fernandez, second by Senator Addabbo. All in favor? Opposed? The bill is reported.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Rules met with one bill on the agenda: Senate Print 9155, sponsored by Senator [questionable: approved] and enacted by the Cannabis Law. Senator Fernandez moved the bill and Senator Addabbo seconded it. The committee took a vote on the motion, and the bill was reported favorably. No testimony or substantive debate was described in the transcript. The chair announced that the bill would go directly to the floor for passage that day, and the meeting was then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris. >> Good morning, Madam President.
• >> Senator Tedisco for introduction. >> Secretary will read. >> Resolution 1315 by Senator Tedisco congratulating
• Senate Resolution 1316, Senator Tedisco congratulating the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake field hockey team
• SENATE RESOLUTION 1316 SENATOR TEDISCO CON DRAT GRATE -- LATING THE BURNT HILLS BALLSTON LAKE FIELD HOME
• Senator Tedisco on both resolutions. >> Thank you, through you, Madam President.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, approving the prior journal and taking up several messages and motions. A Rules Committee report was accepted on Senate Print 915, a Cannabis Law bill, and the chamber then moved to debate that measure on the controversial calendar. The bill was described by supporters as clarifying how distances are measured for adult-use cannabis dispensaries near schools and houses of worship, with the sponsor saying it would create statewide consistency and provide clearer direction to the Office of Cannabis Management. Opponents argued it would weaken protections for children and churches, reward agency mistakes, and allow dispensaries to be sited closer to school property than intended. After extended debate, the Senate passed the bill 36-23. The cannabis debate centered on whether the bill merely clarifies legislative intent or substantively changes the law. Supporters said the current language left measurement methods undefined and that the bill would help legal dispensaries, reduce confusion, and push back illicit stores. Opponents said the original law already protected school grounds and houses of worship, and that the new language would allow dispensaries to abut school playgrounds, fields, or church-related property in some cases. Several senators also raised concerns about youth exposure, public consumption, local zoning, and the performance of the Office of Cannabis Management. After the vote, the Senate returned to the calendar and passed additional measures, including Calendar 121 (Public Authorities Law), Calendar 170 (Public Health Law), and Calendar 190 (Labor Law), each by comfortable margins. The chamber also adopted a resolution package honoring Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School’s boys cross country team and girls field hockey team for state championships, with Senator Tedisco introducing the guests. Later, the Senate passed Senate Print 6990A, the Civil Voice Law, which requires state agencies to conduct exit interviews for employees who resign or retire. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, morale, and retention by standardizing a way to hear from departing workers. The bill received affirmative explanations of vote from Senator Jackson and others, and the Senate continued through the calendar after its passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ka'i votes yes. Senator Fukunaga is excused. Senator Kim, excused. Senator Fevella. Aye.
• <00:01:51.520> Senator yes. Senator Ka'i votes yes. Senator yes. Senator Ka'i votes yes.
• Senator Fukunaga? Excused. Senator Kim? Aye. Senator Fevella? Aye.
• Senator Fukunaga? Excuse. Senator Kim? Senator Fukunaga? Excuse. Senator Kim?
• Senator Fukunaga? Excused. Senator Kim? Aye. Senator Fevella? Aye.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2045 relating to combat sports and recommended passage with SD1. Members adopted requested changes from DCCA and the boxing commission, including clarifying that the onsite medical professional must be a licensed physician, specifying when a deputy combat sports commissioner must file a written report, removing the combat sports registry language and ambulance requirement, clarifying promoter payment requirements, and requiring advance coordination with the nearest emergency room or hospital. The bill also makes technical amendments and sets an effective date of July 1, 2050. The measure passed unanimously among members present, with Senators Fukunaga and Kim excused. The joint hearing then considered SB 2187 relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Testimony was brief and largely in support, and the committees agreed to pass the bill with SD1, making technical non-substantive amendments and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees voted to adopt the recommendation, with members present voting aye and some senators excused. A longer portion of the hearing focused on several economic development measures, including SB 2072 on tourism, SB 3049 on a trade-oriented production capacity grant program, and SB 3166 and SB 3167 involving technology development and the blue economy. SB 2072 drew questions about cost, benefit, and the practicality of promoting Michelin-star restaurants in Hawaii. SB 3049 received broad support from DBEDT, HTDC, chambers, and industry groups, but members questioned whether a new grant program was needed, why DBEDT could not do it without legislation, and whether the state should instead use existing entities like HTDC; the discussion also covered matching funds, likely beneficiaries, and administrative capacity. SB 3166 and SB 3167 were supported by technology and ocean-sector witnesses who said the state needs coordinated planning, specialized expertise, and support for advanced manufacturing and ocean innovation, but members raised concerns about relying on third-party consultants, duplication of existing public capacity, ethics, cost, and whether the work should instead be done by state staff or existing institutions. No final votes on the later bills were captured in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Elefante. >> Aye. >> Senator Rhodes. Senator Favela is excused.
• Senator Favela is >> Senator Rhodes.
• Senate Bill 2787? Senate Bill 2787?
• Uh,<00:32:38.320> Senator. Uh, Senator. Uh, Senator.
• Senator Elefante? Aye. Senator Rhoads? Aye. Senator Favela? Is excused.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors. During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• thank you, Senator. thank you, Senator.
• Senator Apprentice. other questions? Senator Apprentice.
• >> Senator<00:48:30.240> Aar. >> Senator Aar. >> Senator Aar.
• Senator<00:59:28.559> Long. Senator Long. Senator Long.
• Senator Long. the committee? Senator Long.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, would you like to do >> All right. Senator, would you like to do it?
• Vice Chair, senators.
• on Senate Bill 656? on Senate Bill 656?
• close the hearing on Senate Bill 656. close the hearing on Senate Bill 656.
• We also, Senator Gan, we also exec Senate Bill 567.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We all said<00:36:58.560> Senator, said Senator, said Senator, >> thank<00:36:59.440>
• Others Yes, Senator. Senator. Senator. >> Thank<00:59:35.760> you,<00:59:36.000> Mr.
• >> Senator, >> Senator, >> Senator, >> thank<01:02:16.240> you.
• Senator uh uh senators, uh thank you for Senator uh uh senators, uh thank you for taking<01:12:21.600
• >> Yes, >> Yes, >> Yes, >> Senator. >> Senator. >> Senator.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Clarkson, yes. >> Senator Caldor, yes. >> Senator Cummings, yes. >> Senator Julie, yes.
• >> Senator Hardy, yes. >> Senator Harrison, yes. >> Senator Hashim, yes. >> Senator Hern, yay. >> Senator
• Engles, no. >> Senator Lion, yes. >> Senator Major, yes. >> Senator Mats, yes. >> Senator Mley, Senator
• Norris, yes. >> Senator Pley, yes. >> Senator Punkin, yes. >> Senator Ron Hinsdale, yes. >> Senator
• Bosski, yes. >> Senator Watson, yes. >> Senator Weeks, yes. >> Senator Weston, yes. >> Senator White,

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have with us today, Senator Claire, Senator ... Senator ... Senator Corp, Senator Schooke.
• Moved by Senator Schooke. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Anyone else? Second by Senator Schooke.
• The third bill on our agenda, Senate Bill 6017 by Senator Baskin.
• The fourth bill on our agenda is Senate Bill 6165, sponsored by Senator Skoufis.
• The fifth and last bill on our agenda is Senate Bill 839 by Senator Garnardt.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee met on February 10 and considered five bills. Senator Claire’s SB 2458 would set a six-year limit on challenges to New York City water board fees, rates, rents, and other service charges, and it was moved and reported to the floor. SB 2555, also by Senator Claire, would require explanatory statements for property disposals to identify all beneficial owners and be made publicly available; it was also passed and reported to the floor. The committee then approved SB 6017 by Senator Baskin, the Food Retail Establishment Subsidy for Healthy Communities Act, which would provide loans, guarantees, interest subsidies, and grants to support food retail in underserved areas. Members noted the need for better food access in underserved communities. The committee also took up SB 6165 by Senator Skoufis, which would extend open meetings and FOIL requirements to certain local development corporations and related not-for-profit entities; there was some discussion about how these entities are used by municipalities, and the bill was reported to the floor. Finally, the committee approved SB 8839 by Senator Garnardt, authorizing the Dormitory Authority to provide financing for the New York Climate Exchange’s construction and facilities. All five bills were advanced, with no recorded opposition, and the meeting adjourned after the last bill was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion from Senator May, second by Senator Savasar. Any negative votes?
• We've got a motion from Senator Jackson. Second from Senator May. Any negative votes?
• Any from Senator Walzick? Any votes to advance without recommendation? Senator Martins.
• A motion by Senator Clear. Seconded by Senator Jackson. Any negative votes?
• Senator Clear. Seconded by Senator Jackson. Any negative votes?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development met on February 10 and reviewed a largely recurring housing agenda, with the chair noting the meeting had been moved to Tuesday because of train delays and that a housing budget hearing was scheduled for February 25. Several bills were taken up that had passed the Senate in prior sessions or had been reported before, including measures on manufactured home park rent increases, first-home savings and grant programs, a mobile/manufactured home replacement program, closing-cost assistance for low-income tenants, protections against eviction for certified medical marijuana use, senior and disabled persons protections, fire code and housing standard penalties, a Manufactured Home Community Preservation Act, a public housing painters apprenticeship program, veterans with service-related disabilities receiving preferences in affordable homeownership programs, and a senior housing task force. One bill on an affordable independent senior housing assistance program was held at the sponsor’s request. Testimony and discussion were limited, with most bills moving on sponsor motions and seconded by other senators. There was brief clarification on the closing-cost assistance bill that it was intended for renters in public or subsidized housing, not people living with parents. Senators generally supported the measures, though some members voted in the negative or to advance without recommendation on several bills. Actions taken included reporting multiple bills either to the floor or to the Finance Committee. Among those reported to the floor were the manufactured home park rent bill, the medical marijuana eviction protection bill, the senior/disabled persons bill, the fire code and housing standards penalties bill, the veterans homeownership preference bill, and the senior housing task force bill. Bills on first-home savings, manufactured home replacement, closing-cost assistance, the first-home grant program, the Manufactured Home Community Preservation Act, and the public housing painters apprenticeship program were reported to the Finance Committee. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sponsor: Senator Skoufis.
• Sponsor: Senator Skoufis.
• Sponsor: Senator May.
• Sponsor: Senator Lieu.
• Sponsor: Senator Mayer.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The committee met with a light attendance and acknowledged committee members, clerk Joyce Andrea, and central staff from IGO and finance. The chair noted an 18-bill agenda, with 17 repasses and one new bill, S.8555, described as a local tax extender for Suffolk County that had been overlooked the prior year. Once three members were present, the committee proceeded with normal motions and seconds. The agenda included a range of measures on alcohol and cannabis regulation, public officers law, executive law, tax law, state law, and highway naming. Bills reported included S.315 on a temporary New York craft beverage permit, S.349 on expanding the definition of agency, S.566 on Address Confidentiality Program eligibility for election officials, S.1130 on renter protections tied to housing subsidies or public assistance, S.1787 on a veteran suicide awareness flag, S.2640 on including veterans in the definition of military status for discrimination purposes, and several cannabis-related bills including S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.6283. S.1418A, concerning attorney’s fees in certain proceedings, was referred to finance. Most bills were reported unanimously, though several had one nay or one without recommendation, including S.2271, S.234, S.2447, S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.8555. The committee also reported S.2364 designating the Honor and Remember flag as an official state flag, S.55 renaming a highway in New York City, and S.8276 regarding qualifications for an assistant county attorney in Rockland County. The chair closed by thanking members and staff and noting the committee would meet again in a few weeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• So today we are joined by Senator Addabbo, Senator Jackson, Senator Tedisco, Senator Weber.
• We have Senator Tedisco, Senator Weber, Senator Weik.
• Senator Jackson, second. Senator Addabbo, all in favor? Aye. Opposed? Without rec?
• Thank you, Senator Jackson. Any questions? Thank you, Senator Jackson. Second.
• Senator Tedisco, second. On favor? Opposed? Without rec? Senator Weik with our rec?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met on February 10, 2026, with members noting the presence of staff and the 4201 schools, which were praised as an example of bipartisan support. The chair also referenced the committee’s annual report of bills passed. The committee then took up five education bills for consideration. S. 1111, which would create a streamlined certification process for combination pre-kindergarten and daycare programs, was reported to finance. S. 1424, prohibiting discrimination against students on school property or at school functions based on religious attire, clothing, or facial hair, was reported to the floor. S. 3071A, establishing a task force on school transportation safety, was also reported to the floor. S. 6273A, directing a study on child caregivers and the impact on their education, and S. 6655, allowing students attending agricultural learning events to be marked present at school, were likewise advanced to the floor. Each bill was moved, seconded, and approved without recorded opposition or with no objections noted. After completing the agenda quickly, the chair invited members to informally suggest future bills for committee review, and the meeting adjourned.