Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, absolutely. of a better term. Um [snorts] of a better term.
• <02:00:23.360> liability<02:00:23.840> for limit of the state's liability for limit
• remove the limit. remove the limit. >> Hello. >> Hello. >> Hello.
• terms.
• gendered terms with genderneutral terms. gendered terms with genderneutral terms.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2046, which would establish and fund an Olo Hawaii Commission to coordinate and promote initiatives supporting the use of Olo Hawaii. The Attorney General suggested adding an end date because the bill creates a temporary commission, and several supporters from the University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the commission could improve coordination, funding decisions, and consistency across agencies. Members discussed whether the commission should include broader representation, including expertise on Niihau dialect speakers and other stakeholders, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next measure. The committee next considered House Bill 2438, creating the Hawaii Cultural Trust within DBEDT, authorizing an income tax credit for contributions to the trust and qualified cultural organizations, and creating a special license plate to support the trust. DBEDT said it would need additional resources, including staff, to administer the program. The Department of Taxation recommended changing the effective date to 2026 to allow time for implementation and adding a requirement that credits be claimed within one year. OHA supported the bill but objected to language that would require it to maintain a prequalified list of organizations, saying that could limit applicants and conflict with its grant process. The Tax Foundation said it supported cultural funding but preferred direct appropriations and grants over a trust fund and tax credit structure. The final measure discussed was House Bill 2584, which would temporarily increase public land trust revenues transferred to OHA while reaffirming the state’s obligation to the 20% pro rata share, with a repeal date of June 30, 2028. The Attorney General recommended deleting the bill’s requirement that OHA receive a minimum amount equal to the 20% share, arguing the constitution and Admission Act do not specify a precise dollar amount and that the legislature must determine allocation. OHA strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently pays only about 5% and that historical records show much higher amounts are owed; OHA also pointed to a carry-forward account it said held about $55 million. DLNR opposed the bill because the fiscal impact was unspecified and could affect land management and special fund budgets. Several OHA trustees and supporters urged the committee to pass the bill, and one testifier criticized the state for underfunding Native Hawaiian obligations. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued hearing testimony on HB 2584.

Transcript Highlights:

• When our contractors have no liability limits, and they can be sued for, they can be sued.
• So also one thing that everybody failed in the contract.
• Basically, they forced me to do it under the contract rules. It progressed.
• We agree to the terms, but you know I can't start for two months.
• And so that's just an extra cost, like Sean said, that's added to the contract.

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 916, which would limit contractor liability on Missouri Department of Transportation projects when contractors are following approved plans and standards, and would also clarify that contractors are not required to indemnify the state as a condition of bidding or beginning work. Senator Berger and several supporters argued the bill would align responsibility with control, reduce unnecessary litigation, and lower insurance and project costs for contractors who are sued for conditions they did not create. They emphasized that the bill would not protect negligence, defective workmanship, or concealment, and the sponsor described examples of contractors being drawn into lawsuits before work began or after projects were complete. Supporters included representatives of construction firms, the Missouri Asphalt Payment Association, the AGC of Missouri, the Missouri Municipal League, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and engineering groups. Contractors described cases where they were sued over alleged design issues or incidents occurring after completion, saying they had no ability to change the design but still incurred legal and insurance costs. One municipal league witness also explained a separate provision clarifying that a public entity does not waive sovereign immunity merely by being named as an additional insured on a contractor’s policy. MoDOT’s deputy director testified for informational purposes, warning that removing indemnification could expose the state to more litigation during construction. After the committee established a quorum in executive session, a motion was made to vote Senate Bill 916 do pass. The committee approved the bill unanimously, 8-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• entered into a 20-year contract entered into a 20-year contract agreement<00:06:11.520> to
• And I as the contracts on the back end.
• Our contracts run through 2027.
• Our contracts run through 2027, the year 2027.
• the time it takes for the process limits the time it takes for the process limits the<01:15:54.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You can have a long-term contract, and then you get local governments involved because, presumably, it's
• a longer-term contract, which is typically after 30 days.
• Then you have a... ...longer-term contract, which is typically after 30 days, then you do have enforcement
• term.
• But there are some limitations to that, and we recognize that as well in terms of reasonable accommodations

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT CONTRACT WOULD NOT BE BREACHED BY THE CHANGE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD STILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
• HONORING ITS CONTRACT THROUGH THE UNION. >> Sen.
• Gaetz: THEIR CONTRACT IS WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, NOT WITH THE CHARTER SCHOOL SO THEIR CONTRACT WILL
• HERE IS THE FIRST RULE OF CONTRACT LAW. YOU CAN NEVER MAKE ANOTHER MAN YOUR DEBTOR.
• THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AND DIFFICULT WITH THE AMENDMENT DOES IS LIMIT THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provider, you know, we agreed to a contract.
• This type of contracting art vendor partners are contracting with us at the lasting or center and providing
• And in terms of the I'm sorry. >> Ahead this, how about a year?
• Compare in terms of student outcomes and student engagement.
• . is is not limited to students with a major deficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're trying to do here in general is go to the contract addendum that all vendors sign when they
• sign a contract with the Department.
• legislation mandate that contracts legislation mandate that contracts include<00:08:40.120> specific
• word at least according to our contracts word at least according to our contracts folks<00:13:05.760
• <00:13:14.880> and grandfathering in existing contracts and grandfathering in existing contracts

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee first took up a nongermane amendment to House Bill 71 that would require state vendors, through contract language, to comply with the New Hampshire Patient Bill of Rights. Representative Edwards said the amendment was revised after feedback from the hospital association and DHHS, applies only to new contracts or amendments, and includes a repeal date of November 30, 2026 so it would function only for the current budget cycle. John Williams of Legislative Affairs said the changes reflected work with DHHS procurement staff and with hospital stakeholders, including the removal of the term "addenda" in favor of "amendment" and clarification on prospective application. The committee did not vote on the amendment at that time, noting it would be attached later to HB 71. The committee then moved into executive session and acted on several bills. HB 67, which converts a pilot program for accessible voting machines in local elections into a permanent program, was amended to remove a $100,000 appropriation and adjust dates; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed unanimously, 25-0, and the bill was suggested for the consent calendar. HB 111, extending the Right-to-Know Ombudsman position, was retained and slated to be incorporated into HB 2 after a unanimous 25-0 vote, with the ombudsman noting the office could expire July 1 if the budget were delayed. HB 164, creating a process for a publicly accessible website for local records retention and access, was also retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote because it carries an appropriation. HB 216 was retained for further work because the committee could not get reliable cost information from the retirement system or the Labor Department; members said the fiscal note looked alarming, though the committee believed the actual cost might be near zero. HB 282, which raises the biennium cap on critical injury benefits for first responders from $500,000 to $1 million without increasing any individual benefit, was voted ought to pass 25-0 and will require a report. HB 619, dealing with solid waste issues and a possible self-funding accounting unit, was retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote. HB 650, an annual dedicated-funds cleanup bill that also caps a robotics fund at $1 million, passed ought to pass 25-0 and was placed on consent. Finally, HB 129, defining "evidence-based" in public education, was retained 25-0 while members continued working on language, and HB 133, concerning new resident driver’s license transfer requirements and DMV notices, drew a split policy discussion: the minority raised constitutional, administrative, and fiscal concerns, while the majority moved to retain it for HB 2 consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's limited in scope to just five years.
• Most large contracts are with sophisticated parties, not individuals.
• Most large contracts are with sophisticated parties, not individuals.
• a five-year carryover period, and define terms.
• a five-year carryover period and defined terms. carry over period and defined terms do pass, I mean,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills, with the chair explaining that measures with significant revenue impacts would be sent to the suspense file. AB 1726, which would create a catastrophe savings account for homeowners to save pre-tax dollars for disaster mitigation and recovery costs, drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, while the California Teachers Association opposed it because of the effect on the General Fund and Prop. 98. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 1768, authorizing Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to ask voters to approve a local transaction and use tax to offset federal funding cuts to health and social services, received broad support from county, health care, labor, and community groups. Opposition focused on the bill as a tax increase and on concerns about local spending priorities, while supporters argued it would preserve access to care and essential services. The committee approved the bill on a 5-2 vote and sent it to the Assembly Local Government Committee. AB 1790, which would repeal California’s water’s-edge corporate tax election and require worldwide combined reporting for multinational corporations, generated extensive testimony. Supporters argued it would close a major corporate tax loophole, raise billions in revenue, and make the tax system fairer; opponents warned of double taxation, compliance burdens, retaliation from foreign governments, and job losses. After lengthy debate, the committee referred the bill to suspense. The committee also heard AB 2020, providing a full property tax exemption for the primary residence of 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses, and AB 2069, creating a sales and use tax exemption to spur development on fairgrounds; both drew support but were referred to suspense. Finally, AB 2705, which would cap fees and require disclosures for third parties assisting with claims to excess proceeds from tax sales, was presented as a consumer protection measure and drew support from county officials, while asset-finder companies opposed it as too restrictive and harmful to claimants; the transcript ends during that item’s testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so in terms of resources. going forward mr. chair senator good question okay so in terms of resources
• “Have you considered a multi-part approval for contract authorizations?
• The limited team that you guys have.
• Chair, in terms of the AI-specific...” “Mr.
• “That collaborative approach is essential to long-term competitiveness.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Alex Scalpsa Ridgeway’s nomination to serve as Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. In her opening statement, Ridgeway emphasized her Arizona roots, prior service in state government, and her view that tourism is a major economic driver for the state. She highlighted record 2024 visitation and spending, argued that tourism marketing produces strong returns for taxpayers, and said her priorities include improving data use, expanding social media and digital outreach, supporting rural communities, and strengthening international tourism and direct air service. Committee members questioned Ridgeway about the state of tourism, responsible visitor messaging, marketing the Grand Canyon and other parts of Arizona, rural tourism, budget priorities, use of public funds, and how she would respond to unlawful or poor policy directives. She said the office uses an activity-based marketing strategy focused on visitor personas such as family travel, outdoor recreation, culinary, wellness, and luxury, and that it partners with rural destinations and event organizers to spread visitor spending statewide. She also said she would follow the law, would raise concerns about bad policy, and described steps taken to improve transparency and conflict-of-interest practices after questions about a prior logo contract and a costly state branding project. Public testimony was strongly supportive. Representatives from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, the Cactus League Baseball Association, and Experience Scottsdale praised Ridgeway’s experience, collaboration with industry partners, and understanding of tourism’s economic impact, especially for rural areas and major visitor destinations. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation, with a 5-0 vote, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes the PUC to approve contracts that meet clear public interest criteria and limits procurement
• Uh, this bill would change the term limits of a supervisor checklist from six years to three years, and
• Uh, this bill would change the term<04:19:32.479> limits<04:19:33.439> of<04:19:33.840>
• a<04:19:34.399> supervisor<04:19:35.120> checklist term limits of a supervisor
• checklist term limits of a supervisor checklist from<04:19:36.399> 6<04:19:36.640> years

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• again it's it's the disclosure and limit again it's it's the disclosure and limit influence<00:18
• <00:24:36.840> to<00:24:37.039> certain then it's limited to certain then it's limited
• state are are familiar with um in terms state are are familiar with um in terms of<01:09:11.400>
• have a lot of tough issues with limited have a lot of tough issues with limited tax<01:20:41.040
• <01:34:24.440> of something a low bar barrier in terms of something a low bar barrier in terms

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Jeff Sigerson, executive director of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, who outlined the board’s mission and core programs: campaign finance disclosure, economic interest statements, and lobbying registration/reporting. He described the board as an independent agency with six members, noted current vacancies and confirmation requirements, and said the board’s budget request was essentially flat, with a base budget of about $1.793 million and most costs tied to salaries, office space, and other fixed expenses. He also reviewed the board’s enforcement structure, emphasizing civil-only penalties, a complaint-driven process, and the availability of reports, enforcement actions, and advisory opinions on the board’s website. Sigerson highlighted several recent and upcoming changes. Local ballot question committees for city, school district, levy, and bond issues now must register with the board if they exceed $750 in activity, and the board is preparing outreach and online registration tools to help local committees comply. He also discussed the public subsidy and political contribution refund programs, saying the board paid out about $2.12 million to 230 House candidates in 2024, that 93% of candidates signed the subsidy agreement, and that 2023 PCR refunds totaled about $447,000 for candidates and $1.616 million for party donors. He noted that the PCR maximum refund was recently increased from $50 to $75 per donation, and that payments could drop significantly in 2026 if the one-time supplement is not renewed. A major focus of the presentation was the board’s lobbying report and related legislative recommendations. Sigerson said the board is moving from tracking marginal expenses to tracking the subjects and entities being lobbied, and that lobbying will be expanded from certain metro-area governmental units to all cities, counties, school districts, townships, and other political subdivisions, potentially adding thousands of lobbyists. He said the board held two public hearings and received 23 written comments on proposed changes. The board’s main recommendations were to broaden the expert-testimony exception so that certain paid experts at local hearings would not need to register as lobbyists, while still requiring disclosure of who testified, before whom, and on what subject, and to adjust the current lobbying definition for local government employees and officials who spend more than 50 hours a month on intergovernmental lobbying work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a cap and time limit are in the committee substitute.
• That is the limit. And they can be transferred in 2026, '27, and '28.
• So that's the time limit.
• , other contracts, investors.
• , other contracts, and investors.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , you're going to need some shorter term, you're going to need some some<00:40:47.760> short-term<
• And we have a limited research infrastructure already.
• <00:45:37.599> uh that as well and we have a limited uh that as well and we have a limited
• take care of these patients long term. take care of these patients long term.
• outcomes uh long term after surgery. outcomes uh long term after surgery.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's the short-term revenue look.
• The term revenue picture.
• For achieving this long-term strategy.
• this contract for?
• Are any of those FTEs, are you looking at contracts or were you with contracts rather than going to full-time

Transcript Highlights:

• made significant progress in building a strong set of tools to protect these communities for the long term
• Which is an astronomical number, 478% in terms of appreciation.
• And I'll just in terms of appreciation.
• property is already under contract. property is already under contract.
• lease term. lease term.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our current substitute teachers that I do know that are retirees that have chosen to come back on a limited-term
• <00:08:52.080> How<00:08:52.320> hard back on a limited term basis.
• How hard back on a limited term basis.
• does DOE contract with? does DOE contract with?
• have a limit? have a limit?

Bills: SB2024, SB896, SB2613, SB494, SB2391, SB2125, SB2614, SB2615, SB3262, SB3325, SB3118

Keywords: charter schools, public-private partnership, school facilities, education funding, community need, education, capital improvement, reporting, transparency, technical expertise, public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139

Transcript Highlights:

• The terms will remain the terms under which they retired.
• will the the terms right the terms will the the terms right the terms will remain<01:40:32.840>
• existing contracts or future contracts.
• existing contracts or future contracts.
• Last term? Okay, but it's probably relevant to this term as well.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met to review Division One of a very large budget package, with the chair explaining that the budget was being analyzed in three divisions over multiple days. Members first discussed procedure, including when amendments and line-item votes would be taken, and agreed to proceed with the division’s presentation before questions. Representative Maguire then outlined the division’s approach as a series of tradeoffs to close a large budget gap, emphasizing cuts, some revenue changes, and a focus on overall spending levels as well as individual reductions. The presentation covered a wide range of agencies and policy areas. Major proposed changes included cuts or eliminations to several boards and commissions viewed as costly or duplicative, such as the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Tax and Land Appeals, Human Rights Commission, Commission on Aging, Office of the Child Advocate, and the Personnel Appeals Board, with some functions consolidated into other boards. The division also proposed back-of-the-budget cuts to the Information Technology Department, Judicial Branch, Justice Department, Retirement System, Corrections, and Environmental Services, along with fee increases in several areas. Other notable items included ending marketing for Paid Family Leave, reducing job advertising and tourism promotion, defunding the Arts Council, moving liquor enforcement functions out of the Liquor Commission, and shifting some funds such as the College Savings Commission money to Division Two. Several members questioned specific cuts, especially the elimination of the Council on Aging, the reduction in regional planning commission grants, and the large cut to tourism advertising. Maguire defended the choices as necessary budget tradeoffs, arguing that some programs duplicated work done elsewhere, that regional planning grants were not among the most essential items, and that tourism promotion was a form of spending he viewed skeptically. He also explained that the public defender’s budget was partially restored after a credible claim of a governor’s budget error, and that the committee would continue refining corrections-related cuts because the House was only halfway through the budget process and further changes could still occur in the Senate and conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we're on a limited time span.
• I feel they needed as much money in their contracts line item for next year.
• That sort of eliminates the independent nature of one of those contracts.
• But in these instances, an independent contract has been denied.
• In terms of what we're doing in our request this year, as Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do not want to grow government; I want to be fiscally responsible and limit it, but.
• These private provider contracts are referred to as non-public programs.
• I'm just trying to get a sense of that in terms of how frequently that's occurring.
• Currently, we can only approve the contract that a district enters into.
• B.C. and Anno Domini (A.D.) with the terms Before Common Era (B.C.E.) and Common Era (C.E.).

Bills: SB205, SB582, SB625, SB1884, SB1903, SB2600, SB2617, SB2751, SB111, SB3061, SB1908

Keywords: fetal development, health curriculum, public schools, middle school health education, grade 7, grade 8, State Board of Education, school health advisory council, Texas Education Code, pregnancy, reproductive health, infertility, birth defects, prenatal development, unborn child, trimester, medically accurate instruction, age-appropriate instruction, drug and alcohol effects, lead exposure

Transcript Highlights:

• to contract with the nonprofits.<01:03:03.920> The<01:03:04.160> second<01:03:04.480><
• Um it's important to note poverty limit.
• So the bill, um, as originally tabled by the Senate, removed both the resource limit and increased the
• This amendment leaves the income threshold alone, removes simply the resource limit, and takes effect
• resource limit and takes effect<01:23:16.400> with<01:23:16.719> the<01:23:16.960>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all