Video & Transcript Research : 'First Amendment'
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NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/17/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing none, I'll first call the question on the adoption of the amendment 0733H and ask the clerk to
- The first is on uh page one, amendment.
- first because the point of having an amendment is to make a bill viable.
- <01:34:26.480>
of those amendments as a first order of those amendments as a first order of - So, um, because the the amendment first.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day- REASSEMBLE Part 1 Jun 30th, 2026
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Amendment 1, House Amendment 1, and House Amendment 2, is hereby passed by the House.
- by House Amendment 1, as amended by House Amendment 1 to House Amendment 1, House Amendment 3, and Senate
- 1, House Amendment 2, House Amendment 1, and House Amendment 3 into this one amendment, which I will
- 1, House Amendment 1, House Amendment 1, House Amendment 1, House Amendment 3, and Senate Amendment
- 1, House Amendment 1, House Amendment 2, and Senate Bill 9 with Senate Amendment 1 and House Amendment
Summary:
The House convened on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, and moments of silence for Gerlindy Lancelotti and Iva Durham. Members then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions, including consent calendar items and several measures related to agriculture, lottery reporting, health care, fire service membership standards, inmate work, telecommunications, rent increases, youth camp licensing, primary elections, respiratory care practice, and marriage equality. The chamber also heard extended debate on Senate Bill 233, concerning removal of snow and ice from vehicles, and on House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary while barring participation in both parties’ primaries.
Among the notable actions, House Concurrent Resolution 157 passed as amended, directing the State Lottery to report on options to support traditional lottery retailers. Senate Bill 53, preserving the Delaware Farm to Community Program if federal support declines, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 307, giving the Public Service Commission authority to designate eligible Lifeline carriers, and Senate Bill 339, clarifying advance health care directives, also passed. Senate Bill 235, removing a sunset on manufactured home rent increase calculations, passed, as did Senate Bill 325 after House Amendment 1 narrowed disqualifying offenses for fire service membership and adjusted related background-check rules. Senate Bill 309, discharging remaining incarceration-cost balances, and Senate Bill 324, addressing constable-related firearm permit provisions, both passed.
The chamber tabled Senate Bill 233 once to consider a proposed amendment for trucks and other hard-to-clear vehicles, but the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended by the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was tabled pending legal review. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry, passed after extensive floor debate and personal statements from members on both sides. Senate Bill 293, creating a licensure pathway for summer camps to participate in purchase-of-care, passed after House Amendment 1. House Bill 188 on open primary access for unaffiliated voters passed 22-17, and Senate Bill 94, concerning respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery, passed after House Amendment 2. The transcript ends as the House begins consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/24/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Amendment protection, gun owners do have equally strong core First Amendment rights to speech and protest
- <00:13:27.519>
amendment <00:13:27.920>rights exercising their first amendment rights - including gun owners, have first including gun owners, have first amendment<00:14:26.480>
rights - speech<00:14:37.199>
and First Amendment rights to speech and First Amendment rights to speech - 13.919>
violations, have found First Amendment violations, have found First Amendment violations
Keywords:
civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, constitutional rights, color of law, 42 U.S.C. 1983, section 1983, civil action, damages, injunctive relief, attorney fees, law enforcement task force, federal-state cooperation, intergovernmental agreement, federal agency partnership, Minnesota Constitution, U.S. Constitution, police accountability
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/26/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, and I do have four amendments. So, we could either have Lori go through the bill first, Mr.
- Chair, or I could bring forward amendments. I'd imagine you'll want to hear from her first.
- Chair, the A2 amendment contains two transfers, which will—the first one, which will become Section 10
- Okay, do you want to move to adopt the amendment first or...?
- Everybody should have a copy of it. amendment first or Yes, I move to adapt amendment first or Yes, I
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Please read the first amendment.
- Amendment barcode 212818 by Senator Rouson: delete lines 31 through 45 and insert amendment.
- The amendment withdrawn. Please read the next amendment.
- Amendment barcode 350766 by Senator Bracy Davis. Amendment barcode 350766 by Senator Bracy Davis.
- President, I respectfully withdraw this amendment. Amendment withdrawn.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and visiting groups, including the Challenger Learning Center, the Florida Dental Hygienists Association, Zeta Phi Beta, Pine Forest High School students, and others. Senators also noted President Albritton’s recovery and upcoming caucus and appointment announcements. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar.
The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 156, which increases penalties for crimes against law enforcement officers and other personnel, including making manslaughter of an officer punishable by mandatory life imprisonment without release and clarifying resistance to officers. Senator Leek described the bill as a compromise intended to honor Officer Jason Rainer, while Senators Rouson and Bracy Davis offered and then withdrew amendments. Senators Pizzo, Berman, Smith, Polsky, and others questioned the bill’s impact on self-defense, officer conduct, jury instructions, prosecutorial discretion, and the removal of language regarding unlawful force by officers. Supporters argued the bill corrects confusion and strengthens protections for officers; opponents said it removes civilian protections and imposes disproportionate mandatory sentencing. The bill passed 31-4.
The Senate then passed SB 168 on public nuisances, expanding nuisance law to include gambling establishments and increasing penalties; SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives; SB 292 and SB 298 creating public records protections for appellate clerks and dating-violence victims; SB 296 establishing the HAVEN alert platform study and expanding address confidentiality protections for domestic violence victims; SB 364 modernizing CPA licensure; SB 386 creating protections for farm equipment purchasers; and several Open Government Sunset Review bills preserving or extending public records and meeting exemptions, including SB 7000, SB 7202, SB 706, SB 708, SB 7012, SB 7014, and SB 7016. Most passed with little or no opposition, though some of the public-records measures drew a few nays. At the end, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify passed bills to the House and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
NV
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a conceptual amendment that takes the first reprint, which already had significant changes, and
- Maybe you could come down and help explain the amendments to the first reprint that you're requesting
- This is a conceptual amendment that takes the first reprint, which already had significant changes, and
- So first, if you look at the... ...matters that the amendment addresses.
- So first, if you look at the amendment that is in front of you, that Chair Scheible indicated has AB
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Senate and Governmental Affairs May 27th, 2026
Senate & Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's finish the amendment first. Okay. I guess my question may be on the amendment.
- And then Amendment Number 7 is the school board's amendment.
- the amendments?
- Let's finish the amendment first. Okay. I guess my question may be on the amendment.
- This is our amendment. The amendment, our court is read. However, the amendment is put on.
Keywords:
sales tax, exemptions, credits, rebates, uniformity, legislative rules, fiscal report, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, delegates, state election, ratification, Louisiana, public meetings, broadcast, transparency, government accountability
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, March 2, 2026
Labor, Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- children come first. children come first.
- Additional discussion or amendments? amendments? amendments?
- So the motion is to adopt the handout amendment, um, but amend the amendment with a strike. Yes.
- Um amendment.
- but amend the amendment with a strike. but amend the amendment with a strike.
Keywords:
medical necessity, insurance, healthcare policy, independent review, claim processing, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, welfare, Medicaid, employment, eligibility verification
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill does have a set of technical amendments. Can I offer technical amendments?
- We'll do it first.
- Are there any questions on the amendment? Are there any objections to the amendment?
- This bill does have a set of amendments. All right, I'll offer a set of amendments.
- Members, this is Amendment Set 4-633. These amendments are purely technical.
Summary:
The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 28 with a quorum and took up several Senate bills, beginning with SB 113 on the local health care provider participation program in Calcasieu Parish. The committee adopted a technical amendment and heard that the bill would shift the local sponsor from the parish to the city if needed by a June 1 deadline. After brief discussion and no opposition, SB 113 was reported favorably with amendments.
The committee then approved SB 23, which exempts certain assisted living facilities licensed by LDH from the definition of food service establishment, and SB 150, which would allow LDH to scan and electronically store vital records supporting documents and return originals to citizens. SB 221 also advanced after testimony that it would allow EMS providers to be reimbursed by Medicaid for emergency responses where treatment is provided on scene but the patient is not transported. Members discussed that the bill could reduce unnecessary ER use and likely would require some rulemaking, but it was reported favorably.
A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 404, a broad vision benefit plan reform bill. Supporters, including optometrists, said the measure would improve transparency, patient choice, and access to eye care by limiting restrictive plan practices; opponents from the vision care plan industry argued it was an unprecedented, provider-driven overhaul that could raise costs and reduce flexibility. After extensive testimony and an agreed amendment clarifying network participation, the committee reported SB 404 favorably with amendments. The committee also reported SB 32 favorably with amendments after emotional testimony from parents and advocates about perinatal bereavement care, cooling devices, and training for hospitals to give grieving families more time and dignity after infant loss.
Finally, the committee heard SB 43, which would create a psychedelic-assisted therapy initiative within LDH for clinical research and treatment involving ibogaine and psilocybin, with testimony from veterans, researchers, and advocates describing potential benefits for PTSD, substance use, and traumatic brain injury. The bill was reported favorably with amendments and set to pass a courtesy sheet. The committee then began SB 253, a bill regulating peptides and compounding pharmacies, adopted technical amendments clarifying provider liability, and continued discussion as the transcript ended.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate amendment, and hope to have your support. amendment that is printed in today's amendment that
- . amendment. amendment.
- The first amendment amends section two of the bill to prohibit drug manufacturers from requiring a 340B
- amendment?
- amendment?
Summary:
The House opened with routine proceedings, including a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, then referred three bills to money committees under House Rule 35A: S.197 to Ways and Means, and S.193 and S.278 to Appropriations. The chamber also read and celebrated HCR 304, honoring the display of Julian Scott’s Civil War painting, The Fourth Vermont Forming Under Fire, in the State House and recognizing the people who helped locate and acquire it for Vermont. HCR 303 was also read, extending best wishes for a speedy recovery to Rep. Ann Donahue; members then offered warm remarks welcoming her back to the chamber. Several members introduced guests in the gallery, and caucus announcements were made before the body moved to the calendar.
On transportation, the House took up H.944, the fiscal year 2027 transportation program. The House Transportation Committee reported major differences with the Senate version and, by straw poll, recommended a committee of conference. The House refused to concur in the Senate amendment, appointed conferees, and suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The House then considered S.214, which would allow the NEK Choice School District to pay tuition for pre-K students to nearby New Hampshire public-school programs, with administration by Essex North Supervisory Union and possible waivers from state agencies. Education, Ways and Means, and Appropriations all recommended concurrence, citing limited fiscal impact and improved access for children in Essex County; the bill was read a third time and ordered to third reading after debate that included support for rural access and concerns about relying on out-of-state capacity.
The House also concurred in Senate amendments to H.171, adding “the role of victim advocates” to officer-involved shooting investigation protocols, and to H.577, the Vermont prescription drug discount card program, which added annual reporting requirements and a terminology fix. The House likewise concurred in Senate amendments to H.588, the annual Office of Professional Regulation bill, including changes on rescission authority, substance-use treatment alternatives, CPA language, pharmacy technician authority, fee placement, and background checks. It then concurred in Senate amendments to H.611, a DVHA housekeeping bill, including 340B protections, a one-year delay for the community-based doula certification program, and codification of current HIV-prevention coverage practice. H.921 was postponed for two legislative days. Finally, the House took up S.227 on immigration protocols in Vermont schools, with the member from Williston describing it as a school safety measure that limits collection and sharing of immigration-status information, provides trusted resources to families, and requires a judicial warrant before law enforcement enters non-public school areas for immigration matters.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I am accepting the committee's amendments.
- We appreciate the amendments that were in print, the latest amendments in print, and are committed to
- committee amendments.
- Your bill does enjoy a due pass as amended recommendation with the committee amendments, and I commend
- So first, while the recent amendments to manual override provisions are an improvement, the bill still
Summary:
The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with SB 739 (Arreguín) on the Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program for transportation network companies. The author and supporters from Lyft, Uber, and TechNet said the bill would update EV miles traveled and greenhouse gas targets to reflect current market conditions, add flexibility for CARB and the CPUC, and protect drivers from losing platform access while also creating a path for future electrification. Opponents including the American Lung Association, Sierra Club California, and NRDC argued the bill would weaken a program meant to accelerate EV adoption and should retain stronger targets. Members discussed affordability, charging infrastructure, and the need to balance climate goals with feasibility. The committee approved SB 739 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, later recording a 9-0 vote when the roll was completed.
The committee then heard SB 1190 (Grove), the “Safe Passage for Youth Act,” which would regulate private youth transport services used for out-of-state residential placements. The author and sponsor testimony described abusive practices such as nighttime pickups, blindfolds, restraints, and emotional trauma, and said the bill would require CPUC permitting, TrustLine background checks, training, parental consent, and bans on certain practices. Support came from youth and disability advocates, with no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended recommendation and later passed 9-0.
SB 1191 (Ochoa Bogh) would extend the sunset for California High Cost Fund A and B universal service programs that help provide affordable telephone service in rural and high-cost areas. Supporters from rural telecom companies and industry groups said the funds are essential for maintaining service, 911 access, and emergency communications in remote communities. There was no opposition, and the committee advanced the bill on a due pass recommendation; it later passed 9-0. The consent item, SB 985 (Strickland) on the 911 emergency system, was also approved.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1246 (Cortese) on autonomous vehicles and emergency response. The author and supporters from SEIU California and the California Professional Firefighters said the bill would require AV companies to provide incident response, notify local jurisdictions during system failures, ensure U.S.-based remote drivers, and prevent public safety workers from having to manage AV breakdowns. Industry opponents argued the bill intrudes on federal vehicle standards, gives local governments enforcement authority they should not have, and could create overly broad notification and response requirements. Members raised questions about local control, response times, and whether the bill was premature given existing DMV regulations. Despite those concerns, the committee passed SB 1246 on a due pass as amended recommendation, later recording a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed and returned to complete roll calls before adjourning.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 094 Apr 18th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I'd like to be a yes on the bill, but it requires adopting this amendment first. Thank you.
- So, I'd like to be a yes on the bill, but it requires adopting this amendment first.
- So, I'd like to be a yes on the bill, but it requires adopting this amendment first. Thank you.
- So, I'd like to be a yes on the bill, but it requires adopting this amendment first. Thank you.
- amendment first. Thank you. amendment first. Thank you.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- So we will begin with the first bill presentation.
- First, I think it's important to recognize that we as public defenders also First, I think it's important
- First, I would just point out that the proposed amendments that would include a 1050(g)(4) would be limited
- I will be accepting the committee amendments.
- Let me just state for the record: the amendments would... ...the amendments would limit the access to
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Mar 4, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- On this measure, I would like to adopt the first amendment recommended by the Department of Commerce
- So now my recommendation is only to adopt the first amendment and the testimony from the Department of
- <01:50:53.360>
amendment would like to adopt the first amendment would like to adopt the first - > testimony the first amendment and the testimony the first amendment and the testimony from<01:51
- First is a vote to reconsider, and then the second vote is to make amendments.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing either support or comments rather than opposition. HB 2395, relating to taking marine deposits for research, education, management, or propagation, received support from the University of Hawaii and DLNR. HB 2585, relating to agricultural tourism, drew broad support for its intent to keep agritourism secondary to farming, but agencies and farm groups raised concerns about enforcement, county authority, and the rebuttable presumption language. Testifiers included OPSD, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, a small farm operator, and others, with some urging clearer definitions, simpler registration, and protections for bona fide farms and hosted farm stays.
HB 1728, on rainwater catchment systems, was supported in principle by DLNR, which cited drought conditions and said it deferred to counties and the Department of Health on safety and regulation. HB 1881, which would prohibit passenger ropeways on mountain lands, drew strong support from community testifiers who said it would help prevent development disguised as agritourism and protect forests and country lands. HB 1990, establishing penalties and possible foreclosure for unresolved zoning violations, received comments from the Attorney General recommending removal of AG references and more county-centered enforcement, while the Hawaii Association of Realtors warned the 30-day timeline could create problems for absent or unaware homeowners.
The committee also heard HB 1712, which would expand and make permanent certain seats on the State Building Code Council. The Plumbers and Fitters union supported the bill, but BIA Hawaii requested amendments to add “licensed contractor” language, and architects and other professionals opposed the measure, arguing that increasing the council from 12 to 15 voting members would make it less efficient and harder to reach quorum. Finally, HB 2151, relating to hempcrete, was supported by a Kauai workforce development advocate and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, who said hempcrete could support agriculture, manufacturing, and affordable housing while reducing carbon and reliance on imported materials. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- LET'S SHOW THE STRIKE ALL AMENDMENT ADOPTED. WE ARE NOW ON THE BILL AS AMENDED.
- WE DO HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT.
- FIRST WE WILL HEAR BARCODE 114341 BY REPRESENTATIVE PLAKON WITH AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT.
- THAT IS THE AMENDMENT MR.
- UP NEXT WE HAVE AMENDMENT THE AMENDMENT BAR CODE 484885 BY REPRESENTATIVE JACQUES.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- strikes that might raise First Amendment objections, and we recommended deleting that section.
- It violates the First Amendment.
- We don't have to do the first recommended amendment because we deleted that whole section.
- We don't have to do the first recommended amendment because we deleted that whole section.
- first recommended amendment because we first recommended amendment because we deleted<03:37:48.880>
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on HB 1875, which would expand Hawaii’s existing protections to include gender-affirming health care, clarify permitted disclosures of protected health information, and bar certain adverse actions by malpractice insurers and health carriers against providers of lawful reproductive or gender-affirming care. The Insurance Division of DCCA supported the bill with a technical amendment, suggesting language tied to actuarial analysis rather than the phrase “actuarially sound.” The Office of Information Practices also provided comments.
Most testimony was strongly in support. State agencies and advocacy groups, including the Hawaii State Youth Commission, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Stonewall Caucus, ACLU of Hawaii, PFLAG Oahu, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the bill would protect patient privacy, reduce chilling effects from out-of-state litigation, and help retain providers in a state already facing shortages. Several testifiers said gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and life-saving, and emphasized that Hawaii should protect its own health care decisions from outside political pressure.
A few individuals testified in opposition, arguing the bill was unnecessary or that it protected providers more than opponents of the bill, but these views were not echoed by most of the testimony. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers to keep comments brief and maintain decorum. The transcript provided does not include a final committee vote or disposition on the bill.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-22 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Feb 11th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It's the first state.
- That is the first amendment. That is the first amendment. Okay.
- If this amendment would pass, it would replace the amendment sent, barcode 737514.
- Show the amendment is adopted. We are back on the bill as amended with the substantive amendment.
- We are back on the bill as amended with the substantive amendment.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 200, which would implement recommendations from DEP’s 2020 Recycling Goal Final Report by creating a technical assistance group to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026. The bill focuses on recycling education and outreach, evaluating the former recycling grant program, and developing markets for recyclable materials. Supporters from the waste and recycling industry and counties said the bill would finally create a real plan to help Florida move toward its recycling goals. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, which would promote green, gray, and hybrid infrastructure, direct USF’s Flood Hub to develop guidelines, require DEP rulemaking on erosion and mangrove protection, and study whether nature-based flood reduction could help lower insurance costs. Supporters appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7000 as a committee bill to continue a public records exemption protecting site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species.
Members next took up SB 56 on weather modification activities. The bill would prohibit the release of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere to affect weather or sunlight, define geoengineering, increase penalties through an amendment, and create a DEP reporting hotline with possible referral to DOH or emergency management. The sponsor and several supporters argued the bill was needed to address public concerns and lack of oversight, while several senators questioned the evidence, the role of state agencies, and whether the bill was ready for passage. Despite opposition from some members, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 62 creating a resilient building tax credit program, after amending it to shift agency references from DEP to DBPR and add university advisory members, and CS for SB 80 to clarify state park management as conservation-based, require public notice and advisory input for plan changes, and improve reporting on park repairs; both bills were reported favorably after testimony from supporters and conservation groups who sought tighter language to prevent incompatible uses.
Finally, the committee received presentations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on gopher tortoise relocation, wildlife disease surveillance, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. FWC described tortoise relocation and recipient-site programs, ongoing monitoring of wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease and feline leukomyelopathy, and efforts to address fish die-offs and update sanctuary agreements amid state-federal jurisdiction issues. No votes were taken on the presentations.
MN
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This amends the offensive negligence, negligent injury in the first degree, to include injuries negligently
- This amends the offensive negligence, negligent injury in the first degree, to include injuries negligently
- restitution and it's that first restitution and it's that first requirement<00:20:14.960>
that - First up on 1284 is Dr.
- This amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken.
SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases.
The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.