Transcript Highlights:

• If Goffstown says we have a two-acre minimum, fine. That's no problem.
• If Goffstown says we have a two-acre minimum, fine. That's no problem.
• If go says we have a twoacre minimum,<00:25:26.720> fine.
• <00:25:29.279> It minimum, fine. That's no problem. It minimum, fine. That's no problem.
• require review revision review revision. require review revision review revision.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing focused on Senate Bill 153, a proposal to speed up Department of Transportation driveway/entrance permitting for larger residential developments, generally 20 units or more. Senator Mark McConkey, the prime sponsor, said long permit delays can stall financing and housing construction, and explained that the bill creates a second, expedited permitting lane funded by a per-door fee. He said the original 90-day mandate was replaced with a more workable process developed with DOT and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, and noted that the fiscal note had been removed. Committee members asked about the fee structure, timing, whether the bill applied to 20 doors/units, and whether it affected income-restricted housing; McConkey said it does not include income-based incentives and does not change zoning or local planning requirements, only the DOT permit timeline. Industry witnesses strongly supported the bill. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the proposal is a public-private partnership the industry requested, that time delays can jeopardize financing, and that builders are willing to pay for faster review as long as safety remains the top priority. Joshua Reap of Associated Builders and Contractors gave similar support, saying DOT bottlenecks have long slowed projects and that the bill would help move approved developments forward without burdening taxpayers. Questions from members focused on whether the expedited lane would pressure DOT to approve unsafe projects, whether consultants would already be vetted, and how the process would work alongside local approvals; witnesses said DOT would still retain final sign-off and that the process would be transparent and safety-focused. Alan Hanscom of DOT then explained the department’s role in more detail. He said the bill would require DOT to issue permits within 60 business days after approval of the traffic impact study for qualifying residential projects, and would create a $120 per-unit fee to fund a dedicated liaison position and software upgrades. He said the applicant would also pay for third-party consultant engineer review under DOT oversight, with the consultant costs passed through at no DOT markup and any unused funds returned to the applicant. Hanscom said DOT has been working with the sponsor and builders to clarify the process and improve transparency, and estimated the fee would support a position that coordinates between applicants, districts, consultants, and DOT bureaus to reduce dead time in the review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• It may be necessary to reschedule the hearing because we are required to be available on Zoom.
• <00:14:43.639> to enactment of a statutory requirement to enactment of a statutory requirement
• But are they reasonable, safe standards for a minimum?
• <02:05:16.280> to thing the judge is not even required to thing the judge is not even required
• <02:05:26.079> to the the judge is not even required to the the judge is not even required

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Health and Labor heard testimony on HB 1244, a measure relating to labor standards at health care facilities and nursing staff ratios. Committee members opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a suggested two-minute testimony limit and Zoom rules. The bill drew extensive testimony from hospitals, nursing organizations, unions, and individual nurses, with the central debate focusing on whether staffing ratios should be set by statute or left to collective bargaining and unit-level staffing decisions. Opponents included the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Straub Benioff Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kapiolani Medical Center, and Queen’s Health Systems. They argued that fixed ratios are too rigid for the changing conditions of hospital care, could worsen workforce shortages, and should be handled through labor negotiations, staffing committees, and existing agreements. Several also pointed to investments in nursing education, loan repayment, and workforce development as better solutions. Queen’s said it had recently reached an agreement with nurses after more than 40 meetings that included a staffing framework, and Kapiolani and others emphasized the need for flexibility in emergencies and specialty care. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Pride at Work Hawaii, the Hawaii Nurses Association/American Nurses Association chapter, Hawaii Nurses Association Local 50, UNAC/UHCP, and individual nurses, said unsafe staffing levels contribute to burnout, turnover, errors, and patient harm. Testifiers described chronic short staffing, emotionally and physically exhausting workloads, and situations in which nurses were responsible for too many patients at once. Supporters argued that safe ratios are necessary to protect both patients and nurses, and that collective bargaining has not been enough to ensure safe conditions statewide, especially in facilities without unions. No vote or final committee action was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering or testifying, please get in touch with our committee staff.
• Members, the committee unanimously adopted House Bill 2854 by Representative Aa relating to the required
• I'm similar to Emily, I worked jobs and took classes that required these group strip searches.
• Um, mandatory depression screenings require that each inmate who is pregnant or has given birth in the
• Another missing requirement is the continuity of care during and after transfer from a county jail to

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks, members, for the questions. requirements um but you also said that requirements um but you also
• <00:54:10.280> more other features that may require more other features that may require more
• does include um educational requirements does include um educational requirements so<01:05:19.319
• <01:10:22.679> uh ask that it be amended to at minimum uh ask that it be amended to at minimum
• what they would do is they would require what they would do is they would require that<01:41:50.679

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing held a public hearing on January 31 and heard testimony on a series of housing and building-code bills. The first major item, HB 1 relating to building codes, drew sharply divided testimony. Supporters, including BIA Hawaii, Grassroot Institute, Dr. Horton, and several builders and trade groups, argued the current code-adoption process is slow, fragmented, and costly, and that reform would help housing production. Opponents, including Sierra Club Hawaii, AIA Hawaii, ICC, and labor representative Kiko Bosi, said the bill would weaken public safety, reduce statewide consistency, and could leave tenants and first responders at greater risk. No vote was taken during the hearing, and members asked questions about the effect of a governor’s emergency proclamation suspending the Building Code Council and about county authority over code amendments. The committee then heard HB 745 and HB 1321, both also relating to building codes. Grassroot Institute supported both measures, saying the system is broken and needs streamlining, while BIA Hawaii and others emphasized the cost burden of repeated code updates. Opponents, especially Bosi and ICC, argued that the bills would undermine the State Building Code Council’s role, create confusion, and prioritize cost over safety; Bosi also said labor should be included in any code discussions. Members questioned whether counties can remove state code provisions and whether the state code already supersedes county codes, and one member noted the need for clarity and consistent enforcement rather than a wholesale overhaul. Later, the committee heard HB 284 on housing, HB 761 on county permitting and inspection, and HB 738 on historic preservation. HB 284 drew support from several housing and real estate groups, while DLNR opposed it. On HB 761, HHFDC supported the bill, DLNR warned that the proposed changes could jeopardize Hawaii’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, DAGS said it would likely need to duplicate county permitting staff, and the Department of Planning and Permitting opposed it; Grassroot Institute and NAIOP supported it. For HB 738, HHFDC, DLNR, Grassroot Institute, Hawaii YIMBY, NAIOP, and others supported the measure, with Grassroot and NAIOP suggesting clarifications so expedited review would also cover mixed-use projects and better define the scope of work. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• At a minimum, the statute of limitations should be extended to.
• That would require any insurance company that covers transition treatment to also be required to cover
• House Bill 113 removes that requirement.
• Five days minimum.
• Number two, it increases the minimum.

Bills: HB 1239, HB1990, HB1748, HB1749, HB2578, HB2986, HB1970, HB3163, HB2733, HB1922, HB 113, HB 1088, HB1938, HB3004, HB2637, HB2960, HB113

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• First financial disclosure requirements.
• <00:04:57.759> applied financial disclosure requirement applied financial disclosure requirement
• So there is damage even would require.
• <00:20:55.280> um they're determining a minimum term. um they're determining a minimum term
• look and see what we require. look and see what we require. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 120 now requires that if a rule requires ratification and it is not ratified in the regular session
• requirement to review 20% of the rules each year.
• requirement to review 20% of the rules each year.
• required by a statute or by an existing rule.
• required by a statute or by an existing rule.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met for its first meeting of the session, took roll, and heard a presentation from Ken Plant of the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee on SB 108, the 2025 law overhauling Florida rulemaking. The presentation focused on new deadlines for agencies to begin and publish rules, limits on automatic sunset provisions, changes to emergency rule procedures, expanded public input on statements of estimated regulatory costs, a five-year review cycle for existing rules, and new licensing-reporting requirements. Members asked about the review timeline and emphasized the need to keep agencies accountable for meeting the new requirements. The committee then reviewed the Department of Management Services’ response to Auditor General Report 2025-1096 on fleet management. DMS said the audit found 10 issues, most of which it believes it has addressed, and described the statewide fleet system as tracking about 27,000 assets with limited staff. DMS highlighted two major improvement ideas that would require funding: an enterprise telematics system to automate vehicle data and improve tracking, and centralized fleet procurement to reduce duplication and save money. Members questioned the status of FleetWave implementation, missing vehicle records, integration with other state systems, and access controls for separated employees. DMS explained that FleetWave is fully implemented but still relies on manual data entry, that discrepancies with the state accounting system largely reflect mismatched or inconsistent entries, and that policies and procedures were updated after the audit. The department said it now works more closely with People First to deactivate access when employees leave. After discussion, no further business was raised, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, it requires real problem Promulgation.
• The program itself is a minimum of 100 instructional hours during the summer.
• It requires small class size maximum of one to 12 instructors, student ratio.
• Both those changes actually do require legislative change.
• So not just roll promulgation, but it does require a statue change.

Transcript Highlights:

• something that is required to uh meet something that is required to uh meet certain<01:30:36.000>
• requirements for a permit. Look at 3.13. requirements for a permit. Look at 3.13.
• that require a permit to harvest. that require a permit to harvest.
• <01:38:53.800> to and the permit can be required to and the permit can be required to harvest
• It's going to require<01:41:05.200> a<01:41:05.280> permit require a permit require a permit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're well aware of the age restriction requirement. And also...
• Aware of the age restriction requirement. And also, it's not just about age.
• Many counties reported using reserve funds to help meet the cap requirement.
• Levy limitation requirements.
• And the tax is also paid by the minimum. certainly is a component.

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum, approved the March 17, 2026 minutes, and heard a lengthy update from Tax Commissioner Brian Croshys on property tax relief programs. He reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting increased relief after House Bill 1158 and House Bill 1176, but also discussing how some households “income adjust out” of eligibility over time. Members asked about indexing income thresholds, expanding eligibility by age alone, simplifying administration, county-level notices, and whether the county and state systems could be streamlined. Croshys said the programs are heavily used, largely administered at the county level, and that the department is still refining compliance and reporting; he also said there were no material findings or overarching concerns in the latest review. The committee agreed more detailed PRC information would likely come back in a September meeting, and the chair announced an afternoon recess for lunch before later reconvening. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase report, the zero-growth report, and a statistical report on property values and tax levies by class. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and identified counties and cities with the largest percentage changes in growth or decline. She also summarized recent trends: agricultural values remain relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed values have risen over the last five years; in 2025, residential property accounted for the largest share of statewide property tax levies, followed by commercial, agriculture, and centrally assessed property. Committee members asked about unusual zero-growth figures, the effect of annexation and land-use changes, and whether the 3% levy cap was forcing political subdivisions to use reserves or defer spending. Myers said many counties complied by using reserves, delaying capital projects, or limiting increases, and that some counties had not used their full cap. The committee then moved to the stripper oil extraction tax exemption. Commissioner Croshys reviewed the state’s oil tax structure and estimated the revenue impact of keeping stripper wells exempt from extraction tax while still paying production tax. He said the exemption saves operators hundreds of millions of dollars over a biennium, while the state still collects production tax on those wells. He also discussed projected impacts if the exemption were changed for future wells and noted that future outcomes depend on oil prices, production declines, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly explained the historical difference between the 35-barrel and 30-barrel thresholds for certain wells, citing differences in completion costs and lateral lengths. The committee then heard from EERC CEO Charles Gorecki, who presented an analysis of oil well life cycles and said most oil is produced before wells reach stripper status, but that refracturing or other reinvestment can significantly extend production and keep wells above the threshold for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• to a minimum of 1.10 or 1.15<00:10:09.279> examine<00:10:09.880> the<00:10:10.079>
• It will require innovative and flexible solutions in the face of limited resources.
• <00:50:37.200> an managers cannot uh require an managers cannot uh require an association<
• Right now, that isn't something that homeowners associations are required to have.
• <01:31:42.080> to homeowners associations are required to homeowners associations are required

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WHILE FLORIDA LONG REQUIRED RESERVES.
• THUS NOT REQUIRED BY THE LAW.
• IT COULD BE BASELINE AND IT COULD BE FULL BUT AT A MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR TALKING MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
• WHAT IS THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM THAT IS REQUIRED AS OPPOSED TO A SORT OF WISH LIST?
• IT DOES NOT REQUIRE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the issues that's come up is driver's license requirements for jobs that don't require driving
• satisfy licensing requirements.
• On the top of page 25, our training requirements, this recommendation would require administrative code
• On the top of page 25, our training requirements, this requirement would require a recommendation would
• require administrative code changes.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Requirements are for the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.
• Certain examination requirements for certain applicants for engineering license or for the Committee
• It was 2420 by Gonzalez of El Paso relating to the requiring each public institution of higher education
• AB 2443 by Hicklin relating to requiring the Texas Education Agency to prepare.
• AP 2496 by Dunton relating to the required firings of the issue protective order with the commission

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the above quality provisions require qualified staff, of course.
• Equal access to the requirements.
• This is a requirement.
• But we do not have a requirement right now in the rule.
• minimums in classrooms, the council would approve those projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1028 by Shaheen relating to the certain political subdivisions publishing required notices.
• HB 1058 relating to the eligibility requirements to serve as an election watcher for the committee on
• It'd be 1080 by curry relating to the publication of a required notice By a political subdivision by
• HB 152 by Morela Schall, relating to signature required on carrier envelope for ballot voted by mail.
• HB 1163 by Cunningham relating to planning and the financial responsibility requirements for certain

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Department of Transportation to amend its rules to lower the minimum age for a commercial
• It requires the Department of Transportation to amend its rules to lower the minimum age for a commercial
• and requirements. and requirements.
• more burdensome renewal requirements more burdensome renewal requirements will<01:38:47.040>
• <01:49:37.760> uh are maneuverable and don't require uh are maneuverable and don't require

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1588, which would establish a Department of Transportation noise detection program using cameras to enforce noise control laws. DOT supported the measure and said it is already piloting the technology at eight locations, with about 10 sites costing roughly $2 million to $2.5 million to install and operate. The Department of Health said it was willing to work with DOT but noted its current regulations are not designed for vehicular noise sources and that the bill may need clearer standards to be enforceable. Members raised concerns about the lack of a specific decibel threshold and whether the system could accurately identify the source of noise; DOT said the pilot can pinpoint vehicles and that the program would align with existing health standards, but no final number was identified during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1696, which lowers the minimum age for a commercial driver’s license from 19 to 18 and removes a restriction tied to vehicle category, while requiring DOT rule changes. DOT, the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Transportation Association, Teamsters Local 996, and other stakeholders testified in support. The Hawaii Transportation Association suggested adding a training requirement for drivers ages 18 to 20, proposing at least 320 hours of employer training and recordkeeping. Members sought clarification that the bill would apply to intrastate, not interstate, licensing. For HB 233, the committee considered a measure authorizing DOT to designate airport special district zones statewide to prevent unauthorized access and improve security. DOT and the City and County of Honolulu supported the bill, explaining that defined boundaries would help law enforcement address trespassing, disruptions, fires, theft, harassment, and other incidents around airports and terminals; DOT said commercial airports are ready to implement the proposal, while some general aviation sites would need further work. Members asked about the scope of the boundaries, existing enforcement, and whether the measure would cover state-owned or non-state parcels near airports. The committee also heard HB 2332, which renames the Harbors Division as the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes “harbor” from “port” in statute. DOT, the Maritime Group, and harbor users supported the bill, saying the change would reduce confusion between commercial cargo/cruise facilities and recreational small boat harbors, and could help with clarity and possibly federal grant competitiveness. Members asked about impacts on small boat harbors and cruise activity, and DOT explained that the bill is aimed at purpose-built commercial ports, not recreational facilities. The committee also took testimony on HB 2283, which clarifies DOT’s consultative role with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in setting port pilotage standards and requirements. DOT, DCCA, Matson, the Hawaii Pilots Association, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve coordination and ensure pilot licensing standards reflect operational realities in the harbors. Finally, after a recess, the committee heard HB 2217, which would allow driver’s permits, licenses, and ID cards to include a notation for a non-apparent disability. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities opposed the bill as drafted, saying voluntary alternatives such as Smart 911 may be better and that the category is too broad. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended limiting the notation to medically recognized, specifically defined conditions so agencies can train personnel and avoid confusion or escalation.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2449 by Hicklin relating to the discovery requirements of the procedure of defendants in a criminal
• AB 2496 by Dunn relating to the required. executive to issue protective order within the commission of
• AB 2519 by Holt relating to the disclosures required to record an instrument conveying real property
• as such to satisfy general education requirements finding such courses using state appropriations or
• requiring related facility practices and Freshman student orientation at those institutions refer to

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB6 will also require utilities to develop a protocol.
• Part of the analysis that we would require of them, and that the bill would require of them, is that
• Yet one will require a 180-day regulatory process and the other one will not.
• some planning requirements.
• The agreement would have minimum requirements, but the primary requirement is that it would result in

Bills: SB6, SB11, SB33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would codify into statute current case law in Missouri, making it more clear what is required
• As I mentioned earlier, there already is a case in Missouri that does require this, Lessee v.
• As I mentioned earlier, there already is a case in Missouri that does require this, Lessee v.
• As I mentioned earlier, there already is a case in Missouri that does require this, Lessee v.
• Several states like Missouri that don't have a statute also have case law that requires this.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2250, which would require insurers, beginning in 2027, to pay for full siding replacement when storm damage affects only part of a home and matching siding is not reasonably available. Sponsor Rep. Jaclyn Zimmermann said the bill is intended to codify existing Missouri case law and address complaints from constituents who were left with mismatched siding after hail damage, especially in older homes where the original materials are no longer made. Committee members generally expressed support for the consumer-protection goal, while also discussing possible changes such as limiting the requirement to certain elevations or adding clearer policy disclosures. Opposition testimony came from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, which argued the bill could raise premiums for all homeowners and noted that consumers can already buy more comprehensive coverage if they choose. Coalition witnesses said insurers should repair direct physical damage but warned against requiring full-house replacement for cosmetic mismatch, citing a prior St. Louis-area experience where a similar requirement reportedly increased premiums. Members and witnesses also discussed related issues such as consumer understanding of policy terms, the availability of different policy products, and whether contractor payroll or fraud concerns should be addressed separately. No vote was taken on HB 2250. After the hearing, the committee established a quorum and moved to executive session on House Bill 3328. The committee adopted a House Committee Substitute that removed the IBHS certification requirement in favor of a non-biased third-party testing lab and removed the adjuster cap, while otherwise keeping the bill’s stronger home program framework. The committee then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 3328 do pass by a vote of 9-0, and the meeting adjourned.