Transcript Highlights:

• Just a reminder, not today, but tomorrow we'll be having rural caucus... Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Just a reminder, not today, but tomorrow we'll be having rural caucus in Room 206 at 12 o'clock.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we have a joint resolution together over in the House, the Mountain Caucus did, on studying our
• I think we have a joint resolution together over in the House, the Mountain Caucus did, on studying our
• I think we have a joint resolution together over in the House, the Mountain Caucus did, on studying our
• I think we have a joint resolution together over in the House, the Mountain Caucus did, on studying our
• I think we have a joint resolution together over in the House, the Mountain Caucus did, on studying our

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:00 SB 100 Discussion 02:09 SB 100 Roll Call Vote 10:50 SB 8 Discussion 11:46 SB 8 Roll Call Vote 15:44 SB 49 Discussion 16:32 SB 49 Roll Call Vote 25:43 SB 222 Discussion 28:23 SB 222 Roll Call Vote 29:48, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the next thing would be caucus meetings. Senator from Taylor. >> Mr.
• President, upon the call of the chair, I move that the majority caucus will caucus in the President's
• Uh, upon recess, the Senate Democratic Caucus will convene in Room 156. Members, please take note.
• Um, and we said in our caucus, is there any problem regarding this bill?

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus in support. And three individuals in support.
• Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus in support. And three individuals in support.
• Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus<00:14:47.040> in<
• Caucus in support. Caucus in support.

Bills: HB1743, HB2122, HB1756, HB1837, HB1729, HB2559

Keywords: owner-builder, exemption, housing crisis, contractor, leasing restrictions, affordable housing, construction, regulations, teacher housing, housing vouchers, teacher retention, Hawaii Department of Education, hard-to-staff schools, housing, first-time home buyers, savings account, tax deductions, homeownership, savings accounts, tax deduction

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. HB 1743 would expand the owner-builder exemption by repealing a leasing restriction and requiring notice when a leased residential structure was built by an unlicensed contractor. Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and the Contractors Licensing Board opposed the bill, warning it could encourage unlicensed contracting and weaken consumer protections, while Hawaii Realtors, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, BIA Hawaii, and others supported it as a way to increase housing flexibility. After questions about whether licensed electrical and plumbing work would still be required, the committee voted to pass HB 1743 with amendments and a defective date. The committee also heard and advanced HB 2122 HD1 on teacher housing, which would create a teacher housing assistance program using vouchers from the teachers housing revolving fund. Testimony included support from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and individuals, with the Office of Collective Bargaining in opposition and the Department of Education offering comments. The bill was voted out as is. The committee then considered HB 1756 and HB 1837, both updating the individual housing account program to reflect current housing prices; supporters including Housing Hawaii’s Future and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said the limits were outdated and needed inflation adjustments, and HB 1756 was passed with amendments while HB 1837 was deferred as nearly identical. HB 1729 would disallow the state home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Hawaii Realtors opposed it, while Housing Hawaii’s Future supported it as a way to prioritize first-time homebuyers and reduce competition from second-home buyers. The chair noted a possible revenue savings estimate and the committee passed the bill with amendments, with several reservations. Finally, HB 2559 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited exclusive groups of buyers, which the Office of Consumer Protection said needed an enforcement clarification and the Realtors said could affect some legitimate private-listing situations. The chair proposed replacing the outright ban with a disclosure requirement for private listings, and the committee passed HB 2559 with amendments. The hearing then adjourned after the chair thanked members, staff, and the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the chair of the Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and I'm testifying in strong
• support on behalf of our caucus.
• support on behalf testifying in strong support on behalf of<00:24:26.960> our<00:24:27.240> caucus
• 28.760> do<00:24:28.919> stand<00:24:29.200> on<00:24:29.360> our of our caucus
• um we do stand on our of our caucus um we do stand on our written<00:24:30.240> testimony<00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on building codes, taxation, police reports, National Guard benefits, and discriminatory reporting. SB 48 would have required the State Building Code Council to assess financial impacts of code adoption on homes and include utility costs; testimony was mixed, but the bill drew concerns about housing costs and code timing. SB 120 would have changed the State Building Code Council’s responsibilities and code adoption process; the International Code Council and Sierra Club opposed it, while BIA Hawaii and others supported it, arguing current code cycles raise costs and counties need more flexibility. The committee later noted that county building departments had not submitted testimony on SB 48 or SB 120. SB 138 would create a nonrefundable income tax credit for hurricane-resistant safe rooms. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and revenue uncertainty, while Hawaii Emergency Management stood on written comments. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a clarifying tax language change and an effective date of July 1, 2077. SB 112 would allow immediate family members of deceased persons to receive police closing reports after a set period; the Attorney General and prosecuting attorney supported access in principle but requested explicit redaction authority for minors and confidential personal information. The committee adopted amendments reflecting those concerns and passed the bill. SB 88 would authorize allowances for TRICARE, dental, and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. It received support from National Guard and Department of Defense representatives and was passed as is. SB 16 would create civil remedies for discriminatory reporting to law enforcement based on protected characteristics and require public guidance from the Department of Law Enforcement and Civil Rights Commission; it received support from the department and several advocates, with one opposition testimony. The committee passed SB 16 with an amended effective date and technical changes. In final action, the committee deferred SB 48 and SB 120, and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the remaining measures before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I cannot overstate the preventative nature of this legislation.
• We are lucky nature of this legislation.
• Treasur of the Domestic Policy Caucus. Treasur of the Domestic Policy Caucus.
• , And on behalf of Domestic Policy Caucus, And on behalf of Domestic Policy Caucus, I<01:58:52.320
• I do have one question for legislators.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So current legislation right now is the State Fire Council is in an advisory capacity to the State Fire
• > now So current legislation right now So current legislation right now uh uh uh is<00:19:40.080
• testimony such as this legislation testimony such as this >> and<00:20:34.000> the<00:20
• Shidell, we have in opposition Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Mr.
• Party Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of<00:27:48.559> Hawaii,<00:27:49.360> Mr.

Bills: SB3240

Keywords: defense, workforce development, local business, manufacturing, federal funding, economic resilience, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing. SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge my legislative colleagues Colleagues to reject a logic that singles out taxpaying residents of
• Thank you, Assemblymember Addis, for members of the LWC, the Legislative Women's Caucus, for attending
• This is where the Legislative Analyst's needs to intervene. I don't buy the numbers.
• We've had a lot of pieces of legislation.
• Karina Hendron with the Legislative Analyst's Office.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to first thank the sponsors for bringing this legislation forward.
• here today, and that New Mexico is putting forth... ...legislation that we're considering here today
• I mean, if we don't get them through, the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee can work on
• The response was no; they need reciprocity, and the legislation would streamline that process.
• Do you know who initiated—I know we all initiate our own legislation, so I get that.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's something that the vast majority of the current legislators have never dealt with.
• This endowment is not open to private donations; it's a legislative endowment.
• . report requirements that would be made through this type of legislation.
• Is anybody, Madam Chair, is anybody on the part of the Irish caucus?
• exploration of this legislation and building those...

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One cog in a wheel, but we have a Veterans Caucus with Senator Collins, Truenow and Avila, and I'm so
• There are 30 states right now trying to pass the same legislation that...
• It feels good to get behind something good like this legislation.
• And I'm proud to support this legislation today. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Smith.
• I'm so proud of this piece of legislation.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [music] DFL caucus leader Zach Stevenson said in part of a statement, "Both Shelley and Meg are going
• to be exceptional legislators, and I am excited to welcome them to our team."

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The transcript reports on two special elections that returned the Minnesota House to a 67-67 tie ahead of the 2026 session. Shelley Buck won the District 47A seat unopposed, replacing Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger after her move to the Senate, and Meg Luger-Nikolai won District 64A with 95% of the vote after the seat opened when Khali Herr became St. Paul’s mayor. DFL caucus leader Zach Stevenson issued a statement welcoming both winners and saying they would be exceptional legislators. The segment is informational and does not describe any committee action, debate, or votes beyond the election results.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will also notify the Democratic members of a caucus at 12 noon in rooms A1 and A2.
• Notify the Democratic members of a caucus at 12 noon in rooms A1 and A2. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first took up a series of bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures on Brockton residency requirements for local offices, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, non-competition agreements, election administration in Salem, school nutrition, local election procedures in Longmeadow, Charlemont, Conway, and Concord, a senior property tax exemption for North Attleboro, Holyoke City Council special meetings, renter consumer rights, alcohol licensing in Southbridge and Raynham, and the Reading Home Rule Charter. The House suspended Rule 7A, ordered the bills to a third reading, and then advanced them accordingly. The chamber then considered several engrossed bills for final action. House No. 4763, validating the results of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election, was passed and, after a separate constitutional vote, its emergency preamble was adopted. The House also passed to be enacted bills concerning the Cuttyhunk Fire District, Otis Fire District funding for the Historical Society of Endicott and Cuttyhunk, and the Salem licensing board. Additional third-reading actions included House No. 4321, allowing the Dalton Fire District to continue employing interim fire chief Christopher Francis Chahat, which was ordered to a third reading, and House Nos. 4267 and 4582, directing the Boston Police and Fire Departments respectively to waive maximum age requirements for named individuals, both of which were passed to be engrossed. The House then adopted an order to meet the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned to that time in formal session, with a Democratic caucus announced for noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as another member of the Dad's Caucus, Senator Gounardes is right on with this one, in my personal
• The member of the Dad's Caucus, Senator Gounardes, is right on with this one, in my personal opinion,

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance met and considered a long agenda of bills focused on health coverage, insurance regulation, and related consumer protections. Measures discussed included coverage for infant formula, restrictions on step therapy for serious mental health conditions, physical and occupational therapy services, outpatient substance use disorder treatment without pre-authorization, mortgage guarantee insurance, patient navigation services, specialized dental benefit plan information, firefighter medical exams, the Strength and Homes Program, accident prevention course instruction, early egg and peanut allergy coverage, speech therapy for stuttering, dog-breed-related insurance restrictions, insurer advertising requirements, prescription drug substitution during shortages, and notice of long-term care rate increases. Members also discussed the rationale for some bills, including concerns about outdated advertising rules and the importance of allergy-related coverage for children. Most bills were moved favorably, with several reported to the floor and others referred onward to the Finance Committee, Substance Use Disorder Committee, or Transportation Committee. Notable referrals included the infant formula, patient navigation, allergy coverage, stuttering therapy, and drug shortage substitution bills to Finance; the substance use disorder bill to the Substance Use Disorder Committee; and the accident prevention course bill to Transportation. Bills on mental health step therapy, mortgage guarantee insurance, specialized dental plan information, firefighter exams, dog breed restrictions, and insurer advertising requirements were reported to the floor. The committee also took recorded votes, with some members noted as without recommendation or without recusal on certain bills, and Senator Helming recorded in the negative on the long-term care rate increase notice bill. Overall, the meeting concluded with all agenda items acted on and no bill defeated outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• Journal of the House, 94th session, 2025, 15th legislative day, St.
• Report from committees on rules and legislative administration.
• GOP members of the Ways and Means Committee will meet briefly in our caucus room immediately after session

Transcript Highlights:

• Does that continue in the legislation before us today?
• legislation— >> Are you asking the sponsor to yield?
• IN THE LEGISLATION, ONE OF THE FEW CRITERIA THAT IS ACTUALLY STILL PERMITTED TO BE In the legislation
• UNDERMINING THROUGH LEGISLATION, LIKE THE ODD I EVEN LAW.
• This legislation is motivated strictly by politics.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the journal, and then moved through a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills for third reading. The chamber also received and accepted a Finance Committee report on nominations for Kathleen Mosier as Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Terrence O’Leary as Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and John Kagia as Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management. All three nominees were confirmed, with Mosier and O’Leary confirmed unanimously and Kagia confirmed 57-1, with Senator Walczyk voting no. The Senate adopted previously approved resolutions recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and mourning the death of Susan Irene Wright of Harlem. Senators Brisport and Bottcher spoke at length in support of Pride Month, emphasizing LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and ongoing threats to the trans community. On the Susan Wright resolution, Senators Cleare, Bailey, and Bottcher praised her community leadership, philanthropy, and family legacy, and Assembly Member Jordan Wright was recognized in the chamber. The body then considered and passed many bills on the calendar, including measures on insurance, environmental conservation, public health, education, business law, labor, social services, highway law, and local tax exemptions. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote, including a measure to end higher insurance premiums for widows, a bill to prohibit correctional facilities from denying visitation because of menstrual products or IUDs, and a Medicaid-related bill to expand access to blood pressure monitors for pregnant people. Most bills passed with broad support, though some had notable opposition from a small group of senators. Late in the session, the Senate took up a proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting. Senator Stewart-Cousins sponsored the measure, and Senator Walczyk questioned it extensively, arguing voters had previously approved an independent redistricting process and objecting to changes that would remove the Legislature’s two-thirds map-approval requirement and alter the commission’s role. The sponsor said the changes were needed in response to aggressive partisan redistricting in other states and would still require voter ratification in future sessions. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote on the amendment shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our preference is to go that route through collaboration versus going through legislation.
• I'm the Western legislative affairs manager at the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas.
• I'm the Western legislative affairs manager at the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas.
• We believe the advisory council is a good addition to the legislation.
• Uh, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii in support. Life of the Land comments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on several energy and environmental bills. On HB 470, relating to noise and leaf blowers, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent to reduce noise pollution but raised concerns about using decibel limits alone and suggested using dBA measurements; testimony also noted the bill would regulate future sales rather than current use, and there were three additional testimonies, two in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised before the committee moved on. The committee then heard HB 742 on transit-oriented development, which would require HCDA to prepare a programmatic EIS for Ewa, Kapalama, and West Oahu improvements. UH supported the bill, HHFDC said it was already preparing a master plan and programmatic EIS for the Ewa area, and HCDA explained that the projects are already underway or completed, including infrastructure work funded by prior appropriations. Supporters said the bill would streamline environmental review and potentially reduce costs for future housing, while HCDA emphasized the work is already in progress. On HB 340, concerning a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process and related cost recovery, DCCA provided comments, the Attorney General suggested changing a deadline to a specific date, and the PUC said it wanted to study the matter further while still meeting the 180-day reporting requirement. Solar and clean energy groups strongly supported the bill as a way to speed interconnection and advance grid-interactive technologies, while Hawaiian Electric supported the goal of more DERs but opposed the process, saying its interconnection performance has improved and that collaboration would be preferable to legislation. Members asked about newer technologies, UL 1741, and ratepayer impacts, and the Consumer Advocate said removing the cost-recovery section would alleviate its concerns. The committee also heard HB 243, requiring PV- and EV-ready new residential construction, which the Hawaii State Energy Office described as a cost-saving no-brainer because installing these features during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting later. The hearing then shifted to HB 350, expanding the water-heater systems that can satisfy building-permit requirements to include heat pump water heaters alongside solar hot water systems. The Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray supported the concept but asked for amendments to align efficiency standards and noted the bill’s removal of a 15-year lifespan limit for solar thermal systems, and Hawaii Solar Energy Association raised questions about how heat pump performance should be measured and whether PV-plus-heat-pump combinations should qualify. Committee members asked about impacts on smaller homes and ADUs, and the discussion remained focused on technical standards and possible amendments; no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• there are programs that were cut in this bill that are hard for myself and for the members of my caucus
• for myself and for uh the members<00:01:51.360> of<00:01:51.520> my<00:01:51.759> caucus
• /c><00:01:52.399> and<00:01:52.960> the<00:01:53.200> students members of my caucus
• and the students members of my caucus and the students that<00:01:53.680> we're<00:01:53.920>
• legislative assistant Drew Jones.<01:27:44.639> And<01:27:44.880> on<01:27:45.120>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I do have a couple of questions about this legislation.
• I noticed that the Trade Courts legislation that...
• And at that time, we can weigh in as legislators.
• I understand that this is enabling legislation.
• I remember clearly voting on that legislation. Legislation, and it was a two-tiered credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 63, colleagues, is a critical piece of legislation for the future of public transportation in the
• Transit agencies are in a dire situation that this legislation will help to alleviate.
• I'm the beginning of the end of the tweener caucus here.
• I'm the beginning of the end of the tweener caucus here.
• I'm the beginning of the end of the tweener caucus here.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 86, which would extend and expand the CAEATFA sales and use tax exclusion program through 2031, raise the annual cap from $100 million to $200 million, and add fusion energy. Supporters, including the State Treasurer and industry and labor representatives, cited billions in clean-tech investment, job creation, and environmental benefits; county groups opposed the bill over local revenue losses. The committee approved SB 86 on a 12-0 roll, holding the roll open for additional members. The committee then heard SB 545, which would require Go-Biz to study economic development opportunities along the California high-speed rail corridor, including land value, development incentives, and public-private partnerships. Labor, Fresno’s mayor’s office, and other stakeholders supported the bill as a way to spur corridor development and future funding opportunities, while one business group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. The bill passed on a 9-1 vote, with the roll held open. Members next considered SB 63, a Bay Area transit funding measure authorizing a regional revenue measure to support transit operations amid looming fiscal shortfalls. The author and witnesses described severe service cuts that could follow without new funding, while committee members raised concerns about the bill’s structure, county participation, polling, and whether other revenue options should be considered. The bill advanced on a 9-3 vote, with the roll held open, and the committee also approved SB 263, directing a state study of tariff impacts on California’s economy and supply chains, on an 11-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 661, which would redirect aviation-related tax revenues back to airports for aviation purposes and bring the state into compliance with federal requirements; testimony focused on airport modernization, rural access, and allocation formulas, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.