Transcript Highlights:

• However, the suspect was charged with kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct in that case.
• <00:09:57.440> Um who conduct who committed that crime.
• Um who conduct who committed that crime.
• :10:07.800> and<00:10:08.080> criminal<00:10:08.440> sexual<00:10:08.800> conduct
• kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct in<00:10:09.320>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4205, as amended, was heard and then re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Representative Tabke said the bill is intended to protect Minnesotans’ private data tied to license plate reader systems by requiring warrants for out-of-state access, limiting dissemination of privately collected data, and adding reporting and oversight. He said the amendment was substantive and was adopted before the bill was discussed. Tabke also said he was open to changes, including revisiting the audit requirement, and noted the bill should still allow law enforcement to use license plate data for investigations. John Beeler of the ACLU of Minnesota testified in support, arguing that automatic license plate reader use has expanded far beyond what the 2015 statute contemplated and that third-party vendors have complicated data practices and accountability. He said the bill would modernize the law, require public disclosure of data-sharing relationships, and ensure private vendors are subject to data obligations. Jeff Potts of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association opposed the bill as written, saying LPR technology has been important in investigations, including a recent child abduction case, but that the annual audit requirement would be too costly for small agencies and could make the technology unaffordable. He said the association was open to further discussions on guardrails but opposed the bill in its current form. Members raised questions about what data is actually returned by a license plate query versus an LPR hit, with Representative Duran arguing the bill conflated limited registration information with broader private data. Representative Feist supported the bill, saying the public should not trust Flock and that the issue is the cumulative tracking of people’s movements, not just isolated data points. Representative Hudson said the bill raised valid questions but might unintentionally hinder investigations, and he requested a roll call. The committee ultimately adopted the A1 amendment and moved the bill forward on a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• order to hear as much from the public as possible within the limits of our time, we will not permit conduct
• that disrupts or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of today's legislative proceedings.
• order to hear as much from the public as possible within the limits of our time, we will not permit conduct
• that disrupts or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of today's legislative proceedings.
• The cost of capital proceedings, which are conducted for all the water utilities—actually, it's conducted

Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• No engaging in conduct that disrupts or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the hearing.
• Previously, no engaging in conduct that disrupts or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of this hearing
• And I think the private right of action is also to deter the conduct, right?
• see happen, what companies even agree that we shouldn't be doing certain things, that's the kind of conduct
• companies even agree that we shouldn't be doing certain things in agreement with that—that's the kind of conduct

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bad actors in multiple sectors are trying to find wiggle room to use technology to engage in conduct
• Now, price-fixing software is only new for its ability to accomplish the same illegal conduct at a broader
• And that is the conduct that this bill seeks to make very clear.
• And that is the conduct that this bill seeks to make very clear.
• This is ubiquitous, harmful conduct occurring across our economy.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took up multiple votes. AB 576, dealing with updates to California’s charitable fundraising platform registry after AB 488, was presented as a technical fix to help charities and platforms more quickly update eligible listings; there was no opposition testimony, and the measure was later moved on a due pass basis. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone programs, was presented with proposed amendments requiring U.S.-based data storage and limits on sharing or selling collected data; supporters said it would protect sensitive drone-collected information while preserving affordable drone use, while there was no opposition testimony, and it was also later passed out on a due pass as amended basis. AB 75, which would require insurers to give notice before collecting aerial images of homes and provide homeowners access to those images, drew support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a cost-saving inspection tool and that the bill could worsen availability and affordability; the bill was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee spent the most time on AB 325, which would address algorithmic price-fixing and collusion. The author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software or algorithm to set prices can function as collusion even when the agreement is hidden behind code, and cited examples involving housing, frozen potatoes, gas pricing, and other industries. Opponents, including apartment, business, hospital, retail, chamber, and tech groups, said the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful software and public-data market research, and might chill legitimate pricing tools, especially for small businesses and housing providers. Committee members raised concerns about clarity, intent standards, and whether the bill should focus more narrowly on nonpublic competitor data; despite those concerns, AB 325 was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open. Later, AB 1221 was presented as a workplace surveillance bill that would prohibit certain invasive or discriminatory surveillance tools, require notice to workers, limit sharing of worker data, and require corroborating evidence before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor and consumer groups supported the bill, saying modern surveillance technologies can track speech, movement, emotion, and other sensitive traits and can be biased or abusive. The Security Industry Association opposed it, warning that the bill’s broad definitions could restrict legitimate security systems, emergency sharing with first responders, and employer responses to misconduct or unsafe behavior. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on AB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1706 relating to the authority of the governing board of a state governmental body to conduct
• Senate Bill 1706 relating to the authority of the governing board of a state governmental body to conduct
• This bill would direct the Department of State Health Services to conduct a study on the prevention and
• and the new division would regularly assess vulnerabilities, coordinate proactive responses, and conduct
• Simply put, SB 2148 requires the PUC and ERCOT to conduct simulated or tabletop exercises twice a year

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day. Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously. The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure. The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first was that it's structured to regulate conduct, not content.
• It is. ...It's judging the conduct, right?
• So, this doesn't judge the content; it's going at the conduct, and it's... putting the power back in
• which is $5 or no more than $50, and it takes a lot of time to determine that they are actually conducting
• These problems are driven in large part by conduct that is, in our opinion, unethical for members of

Bills: SB30, SB517, SB1313, SB1314, SB1316, SB1541, SB1698, SB1845, SB1860, SB2420, SB2429, SB 30

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Transcript Highlights:

• 10 evaluations under supervision to be fully qualified to conduct child custody evaluations.
• So that's kind of one of the issues. is how they're conducted in each county, but those are either paid
• I am now an independent practitioner, and the court appoints me as such to conduct custody evaluations
• And all judges, even bad judges, are still adherent to the code of judicial conduct.
• A 2024 review of child and family services in this state conducted by the Administration for Children

Bills: HB116

Keywords: film industry, incentives, economic development, state funding, media production

Transcript Highlights:

• We are very interested in conducting a comprehensive study of our classification and compensation systems
• And so we want to be able to contract with a third-party vendor to conduct a study of our classification
• to contract with a thirdparty<00:10:21.200> vendor<00:10:22.000> to<00:10:22.399> conduct
• c><00:10:22.720> a<00:10:23.040> study<00:10:23.360> of thirdparty vendor to conduct
• a study of thirdparty vendor to conduct a study of our<00:10:24.040> classification<00:10:25.040

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Similar to CEQ's annual litigation<04:37:19.199> surveys<04:37:19.840> conducted<04:37:
• 20.400> between litigation surveys conducted between litigation surveys conducted between 2001
• in 2020 by directing CEQ to conducted in 2020 by directing CEQ to review<04:38:02.799> the<04
• <05:06:32.718> He while conducting surveillance duty.
• He while conducting surveillance duty.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, Lord, as we conduct the people's business, grant us patience and understanding as we complete our
• after receiving reports, adjourn for the purpose of holding committee and subcommittee meetings and conducting

Summary: The House convened in special session with prayer, a moment of silence for former Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mettier Bowen, the Pledge of Allegiance, and confirmation of a quorum. The clerk read the Governor’s amended special session proclamation, which added two subjects to the call: legislation protecting Floridians from artificial intelligence harms, including an AI Bill of Rights and possible public-records exemptions during early investigations, and legislation on medical freedoms similar to Senate Bill 1756. The special session was set to run from April 28 to May 1, 2026. The chamber then seated and swore in three new members: Representatives Hillary Holley, Samantha Scott, and Emily Gregory. The House adopted motions accepting their certifications as prima facie evidence of election and declaring them duly elected and qualified members. Guests of the new members were recognized in the chamber. Speaker Pro Tem Duggan outlined the House’s approach to the special session, saying the House had received the Governor’s proposed redistricting maps and intended to bring them to the floor for consideration the next day. He also said that, because no bills had been filed on the other topics in the call before the special session began, those issues would not be taken up. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and reconvene on April 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. or upon call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's the first committee meeting of the session, I want to go over some general rules of how we'll conduct
• We will follow the rules of procedure and conduct ourselves in an orderly fashion, which we always do

Bills: SB96, SB97, SB130, HB230, SB154, SB93, SB99, SB96, SB97, SB130, HB230, SB154, SB93, SB99

Keywords: salvage title, salvage certificate of title, rebuilt title, flood vehicle, junk vehicle, total loss, motor vehicle title, vehicle branding, insurance claim, insurance company, Department of Revenue, vehicle inspection, rebuilder, automotive dismantler, parts recycler, secondary metals recycler, junkyard, vehicle identification number, VIN, stolen vehicle

Transcript Highlights:

• Our contract number 12 funds uh to conduct a special examination.
• <00:21:23.840> Uh,<00:21:24.320> and conduct a special examination.
• Uh, and conduct a special examination.
• <00:24:46.559> Um<00:24:46.880> but conduct of the government entity.
• Um but conduct of the government entity.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the May 12 minutes, then deferred item 285 on the routine personal service contract green list for Western Kentucky University to the July 2026 meeting. It also noted that several deferred university contracts had been withdrawn by the institutions, and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, including personal service contracts, amendments, memoranda of agreement, Kentucky Entertainment incentive agreements, deferred items, and corrections, except for items pulled for further review. The main pulled item was a Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts contract supporting Fayette District Court’s juvenile treatment court through Fayette County Public Schools. Court officials explained that the program, created under Supreme Court rules in 2022, serves court-connected juveniles with mental health and related needs, operates at the courthouse, and uses a school-employed program manager funded through a pass-through arrangement with Fayette County Public Schools and the Urban County Government. They said the program has had over 100 referrals, accepted about half, and had at least 25 successful graduates, with 11 high school graduates among participants. Members asked about who pays for drug screens, family involvement, and what counts as successful completion; the officials said the Urban County Government’s Division of Youth Services pays for drug screens and services, and that parents must participate in classes and support services. The committee then approved the contract review, with some members explaining their votes in support and one member emphasizing the committee’s role in reviewing contracts in the public interest. The committee also reviewed two Auditor of Public Accounts contracts. The auditor’s representative said contract 11, with Vantage Point Solutions, will examine the Kentucky Communications Network Authority/Kentucky Wired network for $700,000, well below the $1.5 million appropriated, and that a report is expected before the 2027 regular session. Contract 12 funds a special examination of investment managers used by Kentucky’s retirement systems, prompted by a Legislative Oversight and Investigations request to assess whether investments tied to ESG factors are consistent with fiduciary duties; the representative said the retirement systems have been cooperative and that findings are expected on a similar timeline, with some flexibility built into the deadline. After questions about the Texas litigation referenced in the explanation, the committee approved both auditor contracts without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• There has been numerous conducted.
• What does exceptional conduct look like? Who determines that?
• What does exceptional<02:53:46.240> conduct<02:53:46.800> look<02:53:47.040> like?
• <02:53:47.840> Who exceptional conduct look like? Who exceptional conduct look like?
• <02:55:38.720> that demonstrates exceptional conduct that demonstrates exceptional conduct

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It imposes retroactive liability on businesses for conduct that...
• It imposes retroactive liability on businesses for conduct that federal and state governments not only
• Support and cooperation in any sort of study that y'all want to conduct.
• And then the final point is we recommend that the board conduct a gap analysis...
• AARP recently conducted a survey of New Jerseyans 45 plus, and we found that 89% were very concerned

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the nuts and bolts day-to-day work is conducted by that entity, and as Miss Phillips said, that structure
• Shainer shared with you, working closely with the Department of Education is critical in that they conduct
• 21:17.679> they of Education is critical in that they of Education is critical in that they conduct
• all that operational arm of the conduct all that operational arm of the requests<00:21:21.440> and
• <00:48:56.880> ongoing applications, conducting ongoing applications, conducting ongoing oversight

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > long<01:14:11.040> prohibited professional conduct has long prohibited professional conduct
• They could be subject to discipline under the model rules of conduct.
• They could be subject to discipline under the model rules of conduct.
• They could be subject to discipline under the model rules of conduct.
• That's already laid out in the rules of professional conduct.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee members, speakers, and audience members will conduct themselves in a civil and respectful manner
• Speakers will refrain from making comments of a personal nature that reflect upon the character or conduct
• refrain from shouting, booing, or any similar unruly behavior that impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct
• performs the abortion in situations where the harm was due to negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct
• reckless, or intentional conduct. reckless, or intentional conduct.

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be one of the individuals conducting be one of the individuals conducting that<00:37:16.800>
• make a decision, but then a licensed psychiatrist has to review the findings of the examiner and conduct
• <00:50:40.960> the<00:50:41.200> examiner<00:50:41.680> and<00:50:42.000> conduct
• <00:50:42.319> a<00:50:42.640> further of the examiner and conduct a further of the
• <01:21:39.679> research, available for them to conduct research, available for them to conduct

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If such a request is filed, the state health officer or his or her designee shall conduct a hearing no
• c> health officer or his or her design health officer or his or her design shall<00:22:52.320> conduct
• > hearing<00:22:53.760> no<00:22:54.080> sooner<00:22:54.400> than shall conduct
• <01:05:58.480> and<01:05:58.799> documenting<01:05:59.280> quality conducting and
• <01:31:09.760> national and they may just conduct national and they may just conduct national

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up several bills described as vehicles to keep options open for pending rural health issues, especially the rural health transformation fund and the Greenwood Hospital situation. The chair explained that Greenwood Hospital is struggling financially and operationally, including a Medicaid overpayment dispute in which Medicaid planned to recoup $2 million from a December payment, threatening payroll and continued operation. The committee discussed a proposed committee substitute that would delay recoupment until May 1 and preserve legislative flexibility to help Greenwood if a workable plan emerges. The committee adopted motions for title sufficiency and due pass on the block of bills, including the committee substitute and reverse repealer provisions. The committee then turned to two certificate-of-need bills. One bill, 2474, was presented as a rural hospitals measure that would let certain rural hospitals obtain certificates of need for services such as outpatient dialysis units, ambulatory surgical facilities, and geriatric psychiatric units, with definitions aimed largely at Delta and other rural counties. The chair also included a provision making the state health officer’s licensing decision final and not subject to judicial review, with only a short reconsideration process available. Senator Hill objected, arguing the bill concentrated too much power in the health department, eliminated meaningful court review, and unfairly picked winners and losers instead of letting the market work. The chair responded that the goal was to reduce costly, repetitive litigation and preserve access to care in areas where hospitals struggle financially. The committee then considered Senator Blackwell’s broader CO bill, which would address appeals and litigation more generally by shifting costs to the losing party in CO disputes. A reverse repealer was adopted first, and the chair explained that the bill was intended to reduce endless and expensive appeals while still allowing a limited opportunity for reconsideration. Senators Hill and others raised concerns about limiting judicial review and expanding health department power, while the chair said many states have no judicial review in this area and that the committee was exploring the issue further. The chair said he had asked several members to study the matter and contact the National Council of State Legislatures. The committee ultimately adopted the motions on the bills and amendments by voice vote, with the ayes prevailing each time.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2154 relating to a measure requires DAB to conduct a study of markets for Hawaii farmers.
• Uh, we only have data on the inspections that we have conducted at the apiaries.
• that we have conducted at the apiaries. that we have conducted at the apiaries.
• But local data, only the inspection data that we have conducted. >> Okay.
• Moving on to SP 2154, requiring DAB to conduct a study of markets for Y farmers.

Bills: SB874, SB2097, SB2098, SB2126, SB2154, SB2153, SB2160, SB2123, SB2110

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, plant propagation, small farms, midsize farms, sustainable farming, Hawaii, data analysis, market study

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns. The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program. SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them. Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.