Transcript Highlights:

• On line 15 also changing section 15 to section 16.
• On line 15 also changing section 15 to section 16.
• On line 15 also changing section 15 to section 16.
• </c> changing section 15 to read section 16. changing section 15 to read section 16.
• And final section 15 to section 16.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The for-cause section was taken out. Okay. That section was taken out in lieu of the amendment.
• And if you look at Section 4, there's 'may' when it comes to using funds as appropriated.
• And if you look at Section 4, there's 'may' when it comes to using funds as appropriated.
• In striking the parts that you did in Section 2, you know, Section 1, 2, and 3 there, and then under
• Section 3 there, you got Section 1 and 2 strike.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the sections two through six ...recreation enhancement.
• Section two is the title section. Section three is legislative intent.
• Section four is the creation, administration, and eligible recipients.
• Section five is the management of those funds. Section six is the provisions for the rules.
• So the first slide there shows a section of 20-inch AC main line that's been sectioned to put in a butterfly

Summary: The committee first heard House Joint Memorial 13, which urges Congress and the Trump administration to codify and follow the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision and remove pre-Sackett guidance on federal wetland jurisdiction. Senator Lakey, attorney Damien Schiff, and Mike and Chantelle Sackett testified in support, describing the EPA’s enforcement actions against the Sacketts and arguing the decision should be fully implemented. The memorial was moved to the floor with a do pass recommendation and passed on voice vote. The committee then heard House Bill 678, which would allow the use of transmitting trail cameras to help wolf trappers comply with trap-check requirements. The sponsor and supporters from the Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho Wildlife Federation, Fish and Game Commission, Idaho Trappers Association, and livestock groups said the bill would improve efficiency and humane treatment while helping manage wolf populations. The Idaho Conservation League asked for amendments, arguing the bill removed a clear minimum standard for how long an animal may remain trapped. The motion to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation passed. Next, the committee approved several DOGE Task Force cleanup bills: House Bill 566, repealing the unused STORE outdoor recreation enhancement fund; House Bill 568, repealing obsolete code on floating timber and townsite claims; and House Bill 774, repealing minimum fines for certain illegal hunting offenses because those penalties are covered elsewhere in code. Each bill was moved to the floor with a do pass recommendation and approved by voice vote. The committee also approved minutes from February 16, 18, and 23, 2026. After a recess, the committee received a presentation from the Idaho Water Users Association on North Idaho water issues. Presenters from Hayden Lake Irrigation District, Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District, and East Green Acres Irrigation District discussed aging infrastructure, urban growth, aquifer conditions, workforce training, and water supply challenges in North Idaho. They described recent and planned projects supported by state funding, concerns about future demand, and the need for continued investment and coordination. No formal action was taken on the water presentation, and the meeting adjourned after questions about a forthcoming Coeur d’Alene tribal water rights settlement bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are very minor changes to simplify and clarify this section.
• Director Cameron, on page 102, Section 030, Minimum Standards for Benefits, that continues on to page
• I am, of course, here to discuss House Bill 563, but just one small section of it.
• I'm, of course, here to discuss House Bill 563, but just one small section of it.
• words in Code Section 54-209: 'Part 2, performed under the supervision of and verified by an active

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard and approved several Idaho Department of Insurance rule dockets, most of them described as negotiated rules with no substantive changes and mainly aimed at removing duplicative language, clarifying definitions, and reducing regulatory burden. The approved rules covered self-funded health care plans, joint powers/self-funded arrangements, long-term care insurance, small employer and individual health insurance availability, coordination of benefits, short-term health plans, and managing general agents. Members asked a few technical questions, including about bonding versus dishonesty insurance, preexisting condition language, Medicare coordination, and the structure of short-term plans; the director explained that Idaho’s preexisting-condition protections remain in law and that the short-term plan changes were intended to expand consumer options and align coverage periods with the calendar year. One short-term plan docket had both a temporary and pending rule component, and the committee approved the pending rule to become effective on the Legislature’s sine die date. The committee also noted Rule 80 and Rule 82 declarations by members with insurance licenses. The committee then took up House Bill 563, which would lower barriers to becoming a CPA in Idaho by creating additional licensure pathways. Representative Ehlers said the bill responds to a CPA shortage by allowing a bachelor’s degree plus the CPA exam and two years of supervised experience, or a master’s degree path, while also easing reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs. Testimony from Rachel Misnick raised concern that the bill’s supervision language could make it harder for some state employees and others without direct CPA supervisors to qualify. Ken McClure, who helped draft the bill for the Idaho Society of CPAs, said the supervision requirement is a quality-control measure and that the Board of Accountancy can use peer or mentor verification arrangements; he also argued the reciprocity provisions reflect national uniform standards and would help Idaho CPAs practice elsewhere. Laura Lance of the Idaho Society of CPAs testified in support, saying the bill adds flexibility and helps address supervision challenges, especially in rural areas. After discussion, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The broad scope under Section 6 would, I think, capture what the author intends already, but by amending
• Currently, only sections 1 through 4 are covered when reporting to government bodies and law enforcement
• Currently, only sections 1 through 4 are covered when reporting to government bodies and law enforcement
• 181 932 uh it's the statute uh section 181 932 uh it's the statute immediately<00:10:10.079><c> after
• </c> better with section better with section 127a<00:10:43.839><c> and</c><00:10:44.160><c> so</c><00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 23, authored by Representative Robbins, was heard on a motion to advance it to the next committee. The bill, as amended by the A1 author’s amendment, would clarify the statutory definition of abuse, fraud, and waste and expand whistleblower protections for state employees who report those issues to legislators, the legislative auditor, or constitutional officers. Robbins said the measure is intended to protect state workers and align whistleblower language with existing Inspector General definitions; he also cited recent fraud investigations as the backdrop for the bill and noted a Senate companion, SF 475, with bipartisan support. Devon Bruce of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees testified in support of the bill’s protective intent but raised concerns that it only covers classified state employees, creating uneven treatment between classified and unclassified workers and between state and local public employees. Bruce also warned that the bill does not fully address data practices issues, including the handling of nonpublic, private, or proprietary information, and suggested broader privacy protections for whistleblowers’ identities. In response to questions, Robbins said the bill was not meant to change data practices law and that those issues should be addressed separately. Members debated whether the bill was ready for further consideration and whether it should also go to the fraud oversight committee or Judiciary. Motions to lay the bill over and to re-refer it to the fraud prevention and state oversight committee both failed. After a roll call vote, the committee approved the bill 7-6 and sent House File 23 to Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• That entire section was taken out.
• And so let me begin with section number seven.
• And this is a section where it begins by section 51500 is about the teacher shall not give instruction
• Goes on to say based on promoting discriminatory bias on section 7 new section 7 Discriminatory bias
• What that section of the bill talks about now is that. that item must be removed.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• NMSA 1978, being Laws 1993, Chapter 77, Section 31, as amended.
• For example, you'll see at the end of the sections that there is a section about not requiring a compact
• of Albuquerque there in the northwest section.
• That's in another section of law.
• 64-164-1-23 NMSA 1978, being Laws 1965, Chapter 34, Section 3.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The staff amendment amends various sections to comply with KRS Chapter 13A.
• </c><00:10:02.600><c> advising</c> statute establish a new section advising statute establish a new section
• The agency amendments for the Eno amend various sections to comply with KRS Chapter 13A and amend Section
• The staff-suggested amendment amends Section 7 to correct addition dates and Section 5 to comply with
• The staff-suggested amendment amends Section 7 to correct addition dates and Section 5 to comply with

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of administrative regulations, most of which were advanced with staff-suggested amendments and no objection. Early items included the Kentucky Public Pension Authority’s 105 KAR 1:451, which updates reporting language and adds the contractor wizard for certain employers, and a large package of Board of Veterinary Examiners regulations that revise fees, facility and AHP registration requirements, continuing education, liability, and practice rules. The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s compact-related regulation and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors’ complaint and compact rules were also reviewed and approved with amendments, along with fish and wildlife rules affecting elk hunting, youth deer season length, bear-dog approvals, and foxhound enclosure permits. The committee also approved transportation, education, workplace standards, horse racing, and several health and human services regulations, including Medicaid waiver reimbursement updates and a child care regulation that sends certain large claims to the Office of Inspector General for review. Several agencies briefly explained their regulations when members asked questions. Fish and Wildlife said the elk population is strong and the baiting change is intended to support harvest monitoring and fair chase, while the longer youth deer season was meant to give young hunters more opportunity. The Department of Community-Based Services said the $10,000 and $5,000 claim thresholds were meant to clarify rare cases involving possible fraud or unresolved recoupment issues. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 5:305 drew the most discussion: it would allow certain state-chartered credit unions with a low-income designation to participate in federal programs, including limited non-member deposits and supplemental capital, but the regulation was deferred again amid continued discussions. The Kentucky Bankers Association testified against the credit union regulation, arguing that allowing non-member deposits conflicts with existing statute limiting credit union deposits to members and other credit unions, and that an administrative regulation cannot override that statutory restriction. Committee members heard the agency’s explanation that the proposal is intended to help underserved communities and that the non-member deposit authority would be limited, but no final action was taken because the item was deferred. The meeting otherwise concluded with the remaining regulations being called, discussed briefly, and approved or advanced without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the ones that we have in front of us, section 11 and section 57.
• The remainder of that section, the next section relates to the state auditor, the role of the state auditor
• That's in this next section.
• The remainder of that section, the next section relates to the state auditor, the role of the state auditor
• That's in this next section.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to go back to section one.
• I want to go back to section one.
• </c><00:20:33.120><c> on</c> Um, so there are several sections on Um, so there are several sections on
• ><c> one</c><00:24:34.080><c> that</c> in article 2, section one that in article 2, section one that
• So it deletes page 37, section 2, and page 38, section 5. So just the fines.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or excuse me line 1.9 Bill section or excuse me line 1.9 delete<00:05:28.080><c> section</c><00:05:28.400
• Line 1.14 deletes section 16, which was another of the attendance provisions.
• Line 1.14 deletes section 16, which was another of the attendance provisions.
• Line 1.14 deletes section 16, which was another of the attendance provisions.
• </c><00:08:00.240><c> one</c> Association then 2.28 delete section one Association then 2.28 delete section

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents and school employees would also be given a written copy of the relevant code section before a
• They wanted to delete Section C3-2, where... ...to delete Section C3-2, where there are two pilot regions
• It's in the code section itself: 61-7-7, subparagraph C, new subdivision 5.
• So there were two penalty sections, five and seven, and there still are two penalty sections, but we
• You see that in the section heading there for Section 5. That stayed the same.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee considered and advanced several bills. House Bill 4995, concerning video cameras in special education classrooms, was explained as requiring parents to be notified of recording interruptions, providing written notice of the law to parents and school employees, shortening the required random review of recordings from every 90 days to every 30 days, and clarifying that school boards must still conduct independent investigations even if DHS or prosecutors do not act. The committee adopted the motion to report the bill to the full Senate. House Bill 5214, dealing with drug testing in child abuse and neglect cases, would allow courts to order testing of parents in certain cases, require laboratory confirmation of positives, and require DHS to notify the court and other parties; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, then reported the bill as amended and adopted a title amendment. The committee also advanced House Bill 4025 and House Bill 5441, both restructuring state personnel systems. HB 4025 would exempt employees of the Department of Health, health facilities, and human services from classified civil service and grievance procedures beginning July 1, 2026, while preserving status for some current employees and allowing exemptions to comply with federal requirements; the committee adopted a piecemeal amendment and reported it as amended. HB 5441 would eliminate separate civil service systems for Transportation, Revenue, and the Bureau for Social Services and move classifications and compensation structures to the Division of Personnel, with testimony from the governor’s counsel emphasizing faster hiring and more flexibility; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment and reported the bill as amended. House Bill 4602, a child welfare pilot program creating a private community-based system for post-removal services, drew testimony from DHS about concerns over costs, continuity, oversight, and child well-being outcomes, while supporters argued it could reduce caseloads and improve flexibility. The chair amended the bill to remove one of the two pilot regions, leaving only the Berkeley/Jefferson County pilot, and the committee then reported the bill as amended despite opposition from the senator from Marion. House Bill 4106, removing the provisional concealed handgun license requirement for ages 18 to 21, heard testimony from a pediatrician opposing the change and from a gun rights advocate supporting it; an amendment requiring firearms training for under-21 carriers failed by a 1-14 roll call, and the committee then reported the bill as amended. Finally, House Bill 4198, after a subcommittee rewrite, was advanced with a strike-and-insert amendment that refined E-Verify requirements for public and private employers, added exemptions for certain small or new employers and sole proprietors, clarified recordkeeping and notice requirements, and adjusted penalties and enforcement procedures. After a motion for the previous question, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 4198 as amended. House Bill 5319 was removed from the agenda, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under our current law, the state credit is tied to the federal definitions under IRS Section 45X, which
• Within the definitions, as used in this section, it just says E, a critical mineral.
• And Madam Chair, Representative, I'm looking at, there's another section I was interested in.
• On section 16, Madam Chair, on page 7 of the FIR, the section requires tribal governments with cooperative
• On section 16, Madam Chair, on page 7 of the FIR, the section requires tribal governments with cooperative

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 108, which amends the Watershed District Act to fix a problem created by last year’s changes: appointed watershed district boards could not legally levy taxes, even though several districts already had mill levies. The sponsor and staff explained the bill would preserve the existing tax authority by tying it to the soil and water district responsible for the watershed district. There was no public opposition, and the committee voted do pass on HB 108 as amended. The committee then heard House Bill 154, a tax credit bill intended to decouple New Mexico’s Advanced Energy Equipment Tax Credit from changing federal definitions and to add fusion machines and related components to the state definition. Supporters from economic development, industry, utilities, and education argued the bill would provide certainty, attract advanced manufacturing, and help New Mexico compete for investment without changing the credit’s caps or fiscal impact. Members questioned why hydrogen, geothermal, and small modular reactors were not included; staff said those technologies were not in the federal definition and that adding them now could create unintended consequences. The committee voted do pass on HB 154, with one member voting reluctantly yes. House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax code cleanup bill, was then presented and amended twice. The first amendment preserved New Mexico’s independent definition of qualified research for the tech jobs and R&D credit. The second removed a proposed expansion of the film tax credit to certain tribal expenditures after concerns about fiscal impact; members discussed possible future approaches for tribal film activity and the film partner loophole. The bill also makes technical and policy changes including rounding certain payments to the nearest nickel, waiving interest when tax deadlines are extended for good cause, removing small late-filing penalties in some cases, allowing delinquent taxpayers to renew permits under installment agreements, intercepting excess delinquent property tax auction proceeds for other state tax debts, clarifying tobacco tax treatment for larger vape cartridges, and tightening film credit rules. After public opposition from business groups and discussion from members, the committee voted do pass on HB 291 as twice amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there is a corresponding policy change in section 1 that will strengthen the use of the threat
• Madam Chair and members, beginning with Section 1, this is Representative Rapinski's House File 129,
• Section 2 is Representative Heintzman's House File 341, which increases penalties for certain drivers
• Section 10 is the second section from House File 124 regarding gifts to agencies and employees of public
• Sections 13 through 16 are Representative Rarick's victim notification bill requirements.

Bills: HF1354, HF1901, HF2124, HF2130, HF2260, HF2099, HF104, HF134, HF1769

Keywords: public safety, school safety, active shooter, active shooter drill, violence prevention, threat reporting, anonymous tip line, See It, Say It, Send It, Minnesota Fusion Center, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, officer-involved death, missing person, endangered missing person, criminal background check, national background check, FBI fingerprint check, adult entertainment license, massage license, correctional facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:56:51.199><c> 7</c> 2027 and then in section 7 2027 and then in section 7 P<01:56:52.960><c>
• Section L becomes K.
• Section L becomes K.
• Section L becomes K.
• Section L becomes K.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2344, amending section 35-326, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to the local government
• House Bill 2437, amending section 36-222, chapter 21.1, article 2.1, and section 41-619, relating to
• House Bill 2573, amending sections 28-1382 and 28-1319, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to driving
• For, evidence-based psychotherapy is defined in the same way that it is defined in Section 28-1381.
• House Bill 4043, amending Section 15-120.07, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to public schools.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But one of the questions that I had is I understand the argument with Section 13.
• We fix that now. ...argument with Section 13 and we passed that. We fix that now.
• And then what is the, why do you even need Section 12? Mr.
• Actually, I think Section 12 is... I do like Section 12.
• Can you—so this is Section 5—does that mean...

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 253, a committee substitute dealing with virtual and distance learning programs and school funding. Sponsors and staff explained that the substitute removed several earlier restrictions on virtual education, including residency requirements, the 10% enrollment cap, the ban on K-5 distance programs, and the moratorium on new enrollments. It also changed the State Cyber Academy Act to the Distance Learning Act, added reporting and evaluation requirements for districts and charter schools, and allowed the Public Education Department to withhold funding if programs are out of compliance. Members discussed concerns about impacts on rural districts, charter schools, and programs like Mosquero and the New Mexico Communications Academy, as well as the temporary funding fix for Gallup Public Schools, which was amended to average prior-year and current-year enrollment rather than use current-year membership alone. Public testimony on HB 253 was largely supportive, with school leaders and education organizations backing the amendment and the broader substitute while noting that more work may be needed on oversight and funding formulas. Committee members then debated the bill’s temporary provisions, the study requirement, and whether the changes would adequately address the Gallup funding issue and broader virtual-learning accountability. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for HB 253 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 153, a voluntary industrial decarbonization package that combines an Environmental Product Declaration grant program, a rebate or incentive program for lower-carbon building materials, and production tax credits and capital grants for eligible industrial products. Members asked detailed questions about environmental product declarations, hydrogen, anti-donation concerns, funding sources, and whether the bill would support sawmills, engineered wood, biofuels, and forest-thinning-related industries. Supporters from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and Clean Air Task Force testified that the bill would encourage innovation, attract private investment, and reduce emissions without imposing mandates. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted do pass on the bill, with Representative Brown noted in opposition. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 255, which consolidates public safety workforce funding into a single competitive fund for recruitment, retention, and professional development in law enforcement, firefighting, corrections, and public attorney offices. Testimony from counties, the chamber, AFSCME, and State Police supported the measure as a targeted response to staffing shortages and public safety vacancies. The committee took no extended debate and approved HB 255 with a do pass recommendation. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll notice it's divided into two sections.
• So section one is focused on government buildings.
• So that is section one, focused on government buildings.
• So now let's talk about section two. Section two deals with places of public accommodation.
• We're not doing that in Section 2 with places of public accommodation.

Summary: The committee first took up two RS introductions, RS 33088 and RS 32925, both of which were moved and approved without opposition. RS 33088 would add foreign species and foreign silver and gold to domestic language, and RS 32925 is a concurrent resolution concerning the Morse and Knudson Company’s work on Wake Island before and after World War II. RS 33193, dealing with restoring the presidential primary to March, was set aside until later in the meeting. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to House Bill 607, a proposal to require separate restrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms, and showers for biological males and females in government buildings and to extend premises-liability duties to places of public accommodation. The sponsor and supporting testimony argued the bill was about privacy, safety, and dignity, especially for women and girls, and said it would not require ID checks or other burdensome enforcement. Opponents, including transgender residents, clergy, business groups, and advocacy organizations, argued the bill would target identity rather than conduct, invite harassment and scrutiny, create liability for businesses, and harm transgender and intersex people. Business witnesses said the private right of action and “reasonable steps” standard were too vague and could pressure businesses to police restrooms. After closing remarks and questions, the committee voted 9-5 to send HB 607 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then returned to RS 33193. The sponsor said it would restore the presidential primary in March and keep a $50,000 per-candidate fee to offset costs. A substitute motion to move the primary to coincide with the regular May primary failed 13-1 after debate over cost, party support, and whether the state should fund a separate presidential primary. The original motion to introduce RS 33193 then passed, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> abuse for the purposes of this section abuse for the purposes of this section does<00:41:14.560>
• </c> And then the next grouping of sections And then the next grouping of sections are<00:43:20.400><
• section not unrelated to medical assistance, it defines convicted and fraud.
• section not unrelated to medical assistance, it defines convicted and fraud.
• 10, I think on page 19, and then section 4142 on page 193 and 184, and then on page 202, section one

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:33:22.880><c> 853-4</c> Hawaii Revised Statute section 853-4 Hawaii Revised Statute section 853
• Uh, we just had comments regarding section 4.
• Section 710-1010 already covers obstructing government operations.
• So eliminate section as suggested below.
• </c><01:38:35.119><c> four</c> teachers and then adding uh section four teachers and then adding uh section

Bills: HB1546

Keywords: Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.