Transcript Highlights:

• who will be presenting bills. to Labor and Employment, as well as any authors who will be presenting
• We are now going to go out of order and start with item number eight, AB 2137, Assemblymember Chen.
• That is a gap we have both the authority and the responsibility to close.
• It offers temporary assistance in filling labor gaps.
• And just want to thank you for that, and would love to be a co-author. Appreciate it.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on worker safety, wages, workforce training, and retirement savings. AB 2137 (Chen) would strengthen safety rules and certification for artificial stone fabrication shops to reduce silica exposure; AB 2499 (Gibson) would require Cal/OSHA to develop heat-illness protections for incarcerated workers and staff in correctional facilities; AB 2300 (Arambula) would streamline the disbursement of state and federal workforce funds; AB 2646 (Krell) would establish a minimum wage floor for certain agricultural workers; AB 2227 (Connolly) would tighten licensing and bond requirements for farm labor contractors and add default-judgment procedures for wage claims; AB 1869 (Haney) would create a reporting process for alleged REIT interference in hotel operations; AB 2650 (Pellerin) would expand CalSavers with emergency savings accounts and other updates; AB 2634 (Zbur) would prioritize labor-management partnerships in High Road Training Partnership grants; and AB 1888 would require skilled-and-trained workforce and prevailing wage standards for work under the Safe Home Grant Program. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create California’s approval process for short-term Pell-eligible workforce programs. The committee also took up several consent items, including AB 1904, AB 1980, AB 2550, AB 2078, and AB 2682. Most bills were described as aligning state programs with federal law or improving worker protections and program quality, while opponents generally raised concerns about costs, administrative burden, regulatory uncertainty, or reduced oversight. Testimony was largely split along labor and industry lines. Supporters included labor unions, legal aid groups, workforce boards, and affected workers or family members, who emphasized heat illness, wage theft, silica exposure, poor prison conditions, and the need for higher-quality training and retirement access. Opponents on several bills, especially those affecting agriculture, REITs, and workforce administration, argued the measures would increase costs, create uncertainty, or duplicate existing law. On AB 2227, committee members engaged in extended discussion about Labor Commissioner delays and whether the bill’s default-judgment and bond provisions would meaningfully help workers. On AB 1869, members and witnesses debated whether the bill created new standards or simply improved enforcement of existing REIT rules. The committee voted to pass all of the measures heard, generally with motions to do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations. Several bills were held open for absent members during the meeting, and later add-on roll calls recorded additional ayes, moving the bills out of committee. The meeting concluded after the consent calendar was approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please proceed. did not have authority yet from the did not have authority yet from the commissioners
• restitution was ordered.
• cases where restitution was ordered. cases where restitution was ordered.
• Hawaii Parrolling Authority in support. Hawaii Parrolling Authority in support.
• Temporary.

Keywords: 910, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Human Services Subcommittee come to order. Sabrina, please call the roll. Chair Melo: Here.
• I will go in alphabetical order. Chair: I'm saving myself.
• Chair: Next we are going to go out of order of seniority because the Representative needs to get back
• Mandating coverage that cannot be obtained is not protection but a shutdown order.
• We have one bill left which is PCS for HB 1267, Temporary Cash Assistance Eligibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> The House Education Policy Committee meeting is now called to order.
• We got to respect the order I'm chairing.
• That is not the intent, but it creates a temporary teaching certificate exclusively for veterans.
• <00:40:15.920> teaching<00:40:16.400> certificate temporary teaching certificate temporary
• Time served as a teacher pursuant to a temporary certificate under this section shall not be counted

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I want to thank the author.
• We don't have any other non-committee authors, so we're going to take some committee authors.
• Well, you know, also just thanks to the author.
• So it gives them relief and temporary relief.
• Tangipa, I just want to thank the author.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a series of housing-related bills, with testimony largely focused on streamlining housing production, preserving affordable housing, and improving homelessness responses. AB 1892 clarified HOA repair and election notice rules; AB 1708 sought to give smaller cities a more meaningful role in allocating Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HAP) funds; AB 2058 aimed to reduce duplicative local inspection and permitting barriers for factory-built housing; AB 2576 clarified that historic resources protected under SB 79 include local, state, and national designations; and AB 1751 would expand ministerial approval for qualifying townhome projects to support missing-middle homeownership. Later bills included AB 1924, creating a statewide homelessness prevention strategy; AB 2626, allowing HCD to waive certain monitoring fees for at-risk affordable housing developments; and AB 2089, modernizing welfare exemption recertification and tax filing procedures for affordable housing providers. Supporters across the bills included city officials, housing nonprofits, builders, and advocacy groups, who generally argued the measures would reduce costs, speed approvals, preserve existing housing, or better target homelessness resources. Opposition or concerns were more limited and usually focused on administrative burden, local control, or the need for clearer definitions and safeguards, especially for factory-built housing, townhome approvals, and historic preservation. Several committee members emphasized the need for accountability, data, and balance between housing production and local infrastructure or preservation concerns. The committee took action on multiple measures. AB 1751 passed the committee on an 8-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1924 passed on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 2626 also passed on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 2089 passed on a 6-0 vote to the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation. Other bills were discussed with committee amendments or were held pending quorum or later action, and several authors were invited to continue working with committee members and stakeholders on remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, to that end, you've authored Senate File 4749, which is bipartisan, and it's a task force on housing
• It is, you know, for a temporary start, and for some people they never want to own a home, and that's
• <00:14:04.920> know,<00:14:05.080> for<00:14:05.280> a<00:14:05.360> temporary
• It is it for, you know, for a temporary It is it for, you know, for a temporary start<00:14:06.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes, in some cases, bills that I've co-authored or authored myself that I think advance policy
• AB 830 ARBA 15 authorization due pass out on a roll call.
• CLOSA, I didn't mean to repurpose your bill to another author.
• drowning prevention education. resources, two, authorize an authorized school entity to correspond with
• AB 512 Herbidean prior authorization timelines do pass out on an A roll call.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to do this a little bit out of order on issue number one, but we are going to start off
• Jackson, out of order, out of order.
• The latest Workforce Authorization Bill excludes vocational rehabilitation.
• Thinking about in order to make the program simply unusable.
• Wheelchairs, the things that they need in order to be independent.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , threatening victims, threatening witnesses, violating temporary restraining orders, whether or not
• , threatening victims, threatening witnesses, violating temporary restraining orders, whether or not
• <00:07:45.159> orders<00:07:45.919> whether<00:07:46.120> or temporary restraining
• orders whether or temporary restraining orders whether or not<00:07:46.400> there's<00:07:46.599
• <00:39:30.960> Miss<00:39:31.200> yamam Authority Miss yamam Authority Miss yamam Moro<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order. The Chair lays before the House a communication from the Speaker.
• the District of Columbia Council and approving the DC Income and Franchise Tax Conformity Revision Temporary
• 00:08:08.160> Revision Franchise Tax Conformity Revision Franchise Tax Conformity Revision Temporary
• Temporary Amendment Act of 2025. Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, February 13, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Call the meeting of the PEER Review Subcommittee to order.
• This is very temporary appropriation request item B1.
• It's for $10.5 million in spending authority.
• It's for $36,000 in spending authority.
• It's just the authority to spend. Gotcha.

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies. Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options. The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• housing solutions helping and temporary housing solutions helping them<00:30:21.919> return<00
• are the ones being treated as temporary are the ones being treated as temporary and<01:30:54.320
• Emergency firefighters were hired as temporary federal employees.
• Emergency firefighters were hired<01:35:45.199> as<01:35:45.440> temporary<01:35:46.080
• hired as temporary federal employees. hired as temporary federal employees.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the August meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Jerry Brosky of the Kentucky Mesonet and Kentucky Climate Center. He described the Mesonet’s statewide weather network, now with 84 stations in 78 counties, real-time data used by the National Weather Service, mobile apps, and more than a billion observations. He said recent legislative funding has allowed upgrades such as soil temperature and moisture sensors, cameras at every site, and improved communications and power systems, and has enabled expansion into new counties. He also highlighted products used for flooding, drought, and heat safety, including a wet bulb globe temperature tool being developed with the Department of Public Health. In response to questions, he said counties interested in a station should contact his center, that a station typically costs about $50,000, and that the program is already considering a second Pike County site. The committee then heard from Ryan Drain of Blue Skies and Chris McGee of the American Red Cross on long-term disaster recovery and a software platform called Darcy, short for Disaster Aware and Ready Communities Initiative. McGee explained the Red Cross’s long-term recovery work, including support for recovery groups, direct financial assistance, grantmaking, and coordination with local and federal partners. He emphasized that disasters are occurring more frequently and with repeated impacts, and shared examples from Kentucky and other states showing the need for organized recovery and storm shelter support. Drain said Darcy was developed after the 2021 Mayfield-Graves tornado recovery to replace fragmented spreadsheets and PDFs with a centralized, survivor-led system for preparedness, response, and recovery, designed to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and shorten recovery time. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was competitively bid out by the Health Care Authority.
• So, we are authorized to spend $2.275 million a year.
• Chair, Emily, for the Health Care Authority, we'll...
• A lot of those dollars aren't being spent on change orders that we never see.
• It was The expenditure authority was granted to the Office of Broadband in 2023.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll call this meeting of the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee to order and note that a quorum
• Looking at line 49, there is an authorization for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds that has
• Looking at line 49, there is an authorization for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds that has
• Bring on temporary staff of the state.
• Bring on temporary staff to<00:27:57.520> reduce<00:27:58.240> response<00:27:58.720>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee will now come to order. Kimberly, please call the roll. Chair Buchanan? Here.
• So if we're comparing a sovereign wealth fund to, say, a pension fund as an example, in order to be a
• Specifically, this bill authorizes individuals with a master's degree in veterinary clinical care who
• So you run into situations where, in order to get anything fixed, usually it has to break first.
• Because the actual replacement parts are on back order and will arrive somewhere between any day now

Summary: The committee took up eight bills and memorials and reported each favorably. It first passed HM 4063, a memorial urging Congress to lay the groundwork for a federal sovereign wealth fund. Sponsor Rep. Anderson described it as a long-term economic security measure, while several members questioned how such a fund would be structured, governed, and balanced against paying down debt. Ranking member Hunschofsky and Rep. Spencer raised concerns about transparency, market disruption, and the lack of specific parameters. The memorial passed on a recorded vote. The committee then approved CS/HB 139, allowing pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms, with SMG testifying in support as a modernization and pro-business change. It also adopted an amendment and passed HB 1157, which tightens reemployment assistance requirements by adding work-search, interview, identity, immigration, and availability checks; the amendment added protection for missed interviews due to emergencies and removed an email reporting requirement. The Florida AFL-CIO and Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy opposed the bill, arguing Florida’s unemployment system is already overly restrictive and that the proposal would further limit access to benefits, while supporters said it would ensure claimants are actively seeking work and verify eligibility. Members also passed CS/HB 497 to create nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans for farmers and ranchers, with support from Americans for Prosperity, the Florida Hospital Association, and the Farm Bureau; CS/HB 729 to authorize veterinary professional associates to perform limited duties under veterinarian supervision, with testimony from veterinarians and advocates citing access and workforce shortages; and HB 311, a right-to-repair bill for motorized wheelchairs, which drew strong support from disability advocates who described long repair delays, high costs, and the impact on independence and health. Rep. Tramont praised the wheelchair repair bill during debate, and the committee voted it favorably. Finally, the committee passed CS/HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill intended to help regulate financial institutions more efficiently, and CS/HB 715, which allows licensed roofing contractors to perform roof-to-wall connections during reroof or repair projects and extends the emergency cancellation window to 180 days after a declared emergency. HB 715 was amended to require a contract notice advising property owners to verify insurance coverage before signing when the work is tied to an insurance claim. Roofing industry groups and home inspection representatives supported the measure as a way to reduce costs and improve wind mitigation. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced the agenda was complete and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:23.240> a that claim and the judge then orders a that claim and the judge then orders
• those positions were full-time temporary those positions were full-time temporary positions<03:56
• They're also going to be moving the authority for the Natural Heritage Bureau fund under their authority
• <04:01:58.040> for moving the the fund The Authority for moving the the fund The Authority
• going to be liquidated but the authority going to be liquidated but the authority over<04:02:40.640

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed the Department of Corrections budget, with the chair initially noting that the overall numbers looked close to fiscal year 2024 spending, except for federal funds. Department officials explained that prior ARPA expenditures and delayed revenue recognition had distorted the comparison, and that the corrected general fund spend was about $169.7 million. Members then focused on whether the budget’s staffing assumptions were realistic, especially the shift from overtime to full-time lines and the use of vacant positions to offset overtime costs. The department said it is leaning on vacancy savings, but would return for additional appropriations if unforeseen staffing problems arise. A major portion of the discussion centered on recruitment, retention, and staffing levels. Officials reported a 42% vacancy rate in enforcement ranks, down from 51% in January 2023, with 28 new officers headed to the next academy and 33 new hires already tracked. They said overtime is more expensive than regular staffing because of benefits and that it takes about 11 months for a new hire to break even. Members also asked about the split between incarcerated and supervised populations; the department said it oversees about 1,970 inmates in facilities and just over 4,000 people in the community, with 77 positions supervising the community population and the inmate population remaining the most expensive area. The committee also discussed how sentencing and statutory changes affect incarceration levels, including misdemeanor/felony thresholds and theft thresholds, with the department agreeing that such changes can significantly affect prison and jail populations. Members asked about education and recidivism, and the department said base education is the most important foundation, followed by vocational training, while noting that many incarcerated men lack a high school diploma. The department also described a $1.3 million reduction in contracted forensic evaluation services, explaining that these evaluations are court-ordered competency assessments and are not statutorily required to be provided by DOC. Finally, members reviewed victim services funding and staffing, including VOCA-supported positions, and the department explained that a new victim witness specialist would help support survivors at parole hearings and safety planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, so ordered.
• I'm pleased to present SB 237 as one of the lead authors on this bill.
• And I've had conversations with the author about that provision.
• DACA and those with temporary status.
• The author has notice of reconsideration.

Summary: The chamber reconvened after a late-night session and first adopted the consent calendar, including ACR 107 on the Diablo Range, by a 48-0 vote. Members then took up several Senate bills and Assembly measures, with repeated remarks about the long hours and the need to respect staff and keep proceedings moving. A vote change was also announced for Assembly Member Patel on SB 414, changing from aye to not voting. The main policy debate centered on energy, climate, and affordability. SB 237, dealing with oil and gas policy, refinery closures, pipeline safety, Kern County permitting, gasoline blend flexibility, and regional fuel coordination, drew strong support from members who framed it as a managed transition to stabilize fuel supply and protect jobs, and strong opposition from members who called it a giveaway to oil interests and a setback for climate goals. The bill passed 59-0. SB 254, an energy affordability and wildfire package, included wildfire mitigation financing, a successor wildfire fund, transmission cost reductions, clean energy permitting changes, and energization timelines; members raised some concerns about local control, but the bill passed 58-0. SB 840 and AB 1207 advanced the cap-and-invest reauthorization package, with supporters emphasizing emissions reductions, housing, transit, wildfire prevention, and community air programs, while opponents argued it would raise costs and function as a tax-and-spend scheme. SB 840 passed 54-15 and AB 1207 passed 55-10, both with urgency and immediate transmittal. Members also approved SB 352, which makes the Bureau of Environmental Justice permanent and requires air quality monitoring and reporting on AB 617 implementation, by 43-19. AB 825, authorizing California to help establish a Westwide electricity market, was presented as a way to lower bills, improve reliability, and reduce emissions; it passed 67-2 and was sent to the Governor. Additional actions included concurrence in Senate amendments to AB 8 on cannabinoids and AB 383 on firearms cleanup, and the chamber began consideration of AB 764 on wildlife as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• the table in a slightly different order the table in a slightly different order um<00:01:00.960>
• Uh a bill chief authored by 3101. Uh a bill chief authored by Senator<00:01:20.840> Mchuan.
• This is a temporary driver's 171.301.
• the chief author the chief author or<00:36:56.560> Senator<00:36:56.880> Fate.
• <01:35:40.080> This signing on as the co-author. This signing on as the co-author.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm for the Royal Finance Authority.
• Uh, so we have about $26 million in authority left on the 2023 authorization.
• uh left on the 2023 authority uh left on the 2023 authorization.<00:03:48.319> uh<00:03:48.560
• million in authority. million in authority.
• <00:36:41.280> mobile along the way was a temporary mobile along the way was a temporary mobile

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• >> THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS WILL NOW COME TO ORDER PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> Chair Senator McClain
• MOVING ON WITH ADDITIONAL FLOOD RISK REDUCTION INSTEAD OF THE TEMPORARY FLOOD RISK REDUCTION THAT YOU
• SAW THE PREVIOUS FLOOD RISK REDUCTION INSTEAD OF THE TEMPORARY FLOOD RISK REDUCTION THAT YOU SAW THE
• AND NO CERTAIN ORDER EITHER SO I DO APOLOGIZE.
• FLORIDA COMMERCE IS THE GOVERNOR DESIGNATED STATE AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING ALL OF THE

Keywords: 999, senate, all