Transcript Highlights:

• Amending Chapter 9, Title 54, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new section 54-918, Idaho Code, to provide
• Repealing Chapter 33, Title 54, Idaho Code, relating to the Freedom of Choice of Ventures Act.
• The gentlelady from 32. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• it in Chapter 13 to clarify it so that people understood better. ...so that people understood better
• Leavitt votes nay. 68 ayes, 32 nays.

Summary: The House opened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for Nampa Mayor Rick Hogaboam. Members then approved the journal and received a series of messages from the Senate and governor, including enrolled bills and new Senate measures. Standing committee reports moved several bills and resolutions forward, including House Bill 911 and Senate Bill 1258 from State Affairs, and House Concurrent Resolution 36 supporting the Idaho National Guard. The chamber introduced several new bills, including House Bills 933-935, and later took up a number of memorials and resolutions. House Joint Memorial 20, urging Congress to address the fiscal impact of Plyler v. Doe on Idaho schools, passed without objection. House Joint Memorial 19, supporting federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, passed 61-8-1 after debate over whether eliminating the department would shift enforcement costs to the state. House Concurrent Resolution 34, directing feasibility studies on Bear River Basin water development, also passed, 67-2. The House then considered and passed several Senate bills, including SB 1301 on adding a retail location for small breweries, SB 1256 cleaning up outdated reporting requirements for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, SB 1345 allowing voluntary secure electronic tax commission communications, and a series of water-related bills clarifying ditch easements, water district fees, withdrawal procedures, canal/lateral responsibilities, and irrigation district board eligibility. SB 1286, restricting predatory veteran disability-claims services, also passed after supportive testimony from veterans’ advocates. Later, the House approved a House Business Committee report on administrative rules, then suspended rules to move a large set of appropriation and policy bills, including HB 919 through HB 925 and HB 889 and HB 931, all of which passed with varying vote margins. The day ended with announcements, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until March 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh He um, One day. 323 yeah 32 absent. The records reflect Ms. Perez is here.
• Chapters 73.51C of the Texas Administrative Code.
• In chapter 16, uh, we use manufacturer, package, label, and, uh, bottle.
• We have about 32 million people calling Texas home.
• We have 60 chapters across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're already subject to Chapter 140, Section 148C, which governs sick time in Massachusetts, so we're
• I rewrote the unemployment laws the last time Chapter 151A was rewritten completely.
• and have 17 ARC chapters across the state that provide meaningful services to our community.
• He's 32. He's 32, okay. Yeah, he's a good-sized kid.
• Seven years ago, a Chapter 149 reform boosted the minimum wage to $15.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid public hearing with testimony on a wide range of labor, workforce, unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, disability services, farm labor, hospital staffing, and workplace harassment bills. Chairs Jake Oliveira and Paul McMurtry outlined hearing procedures, limited testimony to two minutes, and noted written testimony would be accepted after the hearing. Committee members and staff were introduced throughout the session as witnesses arrived in person or remotely. A major portion of the hearing focused on unemployment insurance legislation. Greater Boston Legal Services, the AFL-CIO, and Rep. Joan Meschino supported bills to adjust UI eligibility for workers with fluctuating schedules and to streamline waivers and write-offs for non-fault overpayments, arguing the current system unfairly denies benefits or burdens workers who were not at fault. They also backed bills calling for more oversight and resources for the Division of Unemployment Assistance, citing persistent delays in benefit payments. NFIB opposed the UI changes, warning that the trust fund is headed toward insolvency and arguing the bills would worsen the system’s finances. Rep. Meschino and committee members emphasized that the proposals were meant to protect good-faith claimants and did not apply to fraud. Another large set of bills addressed wages, workforce development, and working conditions. Testimony supported raising and modernizing direct care wages to address severe staffing shortages in human services and disability services, with advocates from the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council, The Arc of Massachusetts, parents of adults with disabilities, and a direct care worker describing how low pay and turnover harm people needing support. The committee also heard support for apprenticeship-related bills from the AFL-CIO and the Carpenters, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed mandatory apprenticeship ratios and urged changes to align them with licensing laws. Farm worker advocates supported a bill to raise farm labor standards, including minimum wage, paid breaks, and paid time off, while the Farm Bureau opposed parts of it beyond the minimum wage increase. The hearing also featured testimony on workplace harassment training, overtime protections, hospital mandatory overtime, suicide prevention signage on construction sites, and a proposal to update the Massachusetts Medical Society’s mission language from “citizens” to “people.” Labor groups, educators, and compliance trainers strongly supported mandatory annual sexual harassment training, saying it would improve workplace culture and reduce harm. SEIU 1199 supported extending the hospital nurse mandatory overtime ban to the broader hospital workforce. Witnesses on the suicide prevention bill described personal losses in construction and recovery work and urged posting 988 information on job sites. The committee took no votes during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports, and members asked follow-up questions on UI calculations, apprenticeship ratios, small-business impacts, and emergency exceptions for hospital staffing.

Transcript Highlights:

• 32:33.520><c> as</c><01:32:33.679><c> the</c><01:32:33.840><c> prime</c><01:32:34.159><c> sponsor</c>
• ><c> was</c><01:32:36.480><c> a</c><01:32:36.719><c> request</c><01:32:37.040><c> at</c><01:32:37.199
• at the uh of<01:32:37.840><c> the</c><01:32:38.000><c> Department</c><01:32:38.480><c> of</c><01:32:
• c> the</c><01:32:41.199><c> bill</c><01:32:41.440><c> seeks</c><01:32:41.840><c> to</c><01:32:42.080>
• 32:57.360><c> versus</c><01:32:57.679><c> the</c><01:32:58.239><c> uh</c><01:32:58.600><c> 5-year</c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:16.000><c> at</c><00:32:16.320><c> HDA</c><00:32:16.880><c> to</c><00:32:17.039><c> to</c>
• And I think,<00:32:20.640><c> you</c><00:32:20.720><c> know,</c><00:32:20.799><c> if</c><00:32:20.960
• So, we know<00:32:26.000><c> I</c><00:32:26.240><c> know</c><00:32:26.480><c> what</c><00:32:26.720><
• well as yes, the island um<02:32:55.760><c> chapters,</c><02:32:56.399><c> island</c><02:32:56.640><c
• </c><02:32:57.359><c> So</c> um chapters, island visitors bureau.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House and Senate tourism briefing focused on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract oversight, destination management action plans (DMAPs), and the impact of recent legislation and audit findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson said she accepted the temporary role to help address agency challenges, emphasized rebuilding trust, and said HTA is reviewing the state auditor’s concerns and posting its response publicly. She also described HTA’s mission and organizational structure under SB 1571, including reporting lines to the governor, the director, and the board, and outlined staff additions in finance, brand marketing, destination stewardship, and planning. A major topic was the permanent CEO search. HTA board chair Tata Po said the goal is to select a CEO within about four months, with the search firm still engaged, the position description being revised to reflect the new law and compensation changes, and approvals still needed before the job can be reposted. Members expressed frustration that the recruitment had been paused and questioned whether HTA has sufficient qualified leadership and staff during the interim period. Board leadership said the current staff is limited by vacancies but that they have confidence in the team and will add resources if needed. Members also pressed HTA on the role of the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana contract, asking how staff oversight works and whether staff members were effectively wearing multiple hats. HTA explained that the stewardship team provides direction to contractors and that the work is divided among specialists overseeing projects such as tour guide certification, technical assistance, community tourism collaboratives, and a destination app. The committee also discussed whether the board can still vote on budgets under the new structure; the Attorney General’s office was cited as confirming that the board may advise, but the department director retains budget authority. HTA said it is working with CNHA and HVCB on contract and budget timing, with a goal of shifting to a calendar-year process so recipients know funding earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stop Harms from Addictive Social Media Act, amending Title 48, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Chapter
• act relating to the Restroom Access Act, amending Title 48, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Chapter
• Amending Title 48, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new chapter 21 to Title 48, Idaho Code, to provide
• , Idaho Code. ...House Bill No. 550, Idaho Code, to revise certain rulemaking authority, amending Chapter
• Good lady from 32. Wait to you hear that. Now you can go.

Summary: The House convened with 68 members present and approved the House Journal from the previous legislative day. The chamber also received notice of a temporary substitute for Legislative District 17, Seat B, and a Senate Joint Memorial transmitted from the Senate. House Concurrent Resolutions 23 and 24 were introduced and referred for printing; HCR 23 seeks a U.S. constitutional convention to impose congressional term limits, while HCR 24 honors fallen Kootenai County and Coeur d’Alene firefighters and supports Idaho first responders. Standing committee reports moved several bills forward. The Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee reported House Bills 532-539 printed and referred them to the Transportation, Local Government, and State Affairs committees as appropriate. The Business Committee recommended House Bill 514 do pass. The House also received first readings for a large group of bills, including measures on juvenile correction public records, child enticement, social media restrictions for children, public employee retirement contributions, military leave, counselor licensure for military chaplains, restroom access, cosmetology licensing, boating enforcement, hospital district dissolution petitions, midwifery authority and rules, and property tax assessment. On the Third Reading Calendar, Representative Ben Adams asked unanimous consent to hold House Bill 493 for one legislative day while the sponsor works with an affected stakeholder; there was no objection. During announcements, members welcomed visiting county officials, the Idaho Vacation Rental Alliance, nurses in the gallery, and noted upcoming meetings including the Rural Health Transformation Program and an Energy Caucus luncheon. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and recessed until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• that was voted out of the House and Senate before conference committee gave them the power under chapter
• We even give it to franchise corporations for ferry systems in chapter 268 or corporations do that do
• ... chapter 268 or corporations do that do railway systems in chapter 273, and we give it to departments
• HCR 18, HCR 32, HCR 33, HCR 53, HCR 98 HD1, HCR 105 HD1, HCR 122, HCR 173, and HCR 179 HD1.
• Beginning with HCR 18 and HCR 32. HCR 32, HCR 33, HCR 53, on the top of page seven.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<00:32:00.400><c> we're</c><00:32:00.560><c> a</c><00:32:00.600><c> small</c><00:32:00.920><c> town
• , of less than<00:32:03.920><c> 4,500</c><00:32:04.640><c> people,</c><00:32:05.080><c> but</c><00:32
• ><c> daily</c><00:32:10.960><c> population,</c><00:32:12.200><c> and</c><00:32:12.320><c> at</c><00:32
• ><c> public</c><00:32:23.640><c> space,</c><00:32:24.320><c> which</c><00:32:24.560><c> work</c><00:32
• For<00:32:34.120><c> example,</c><00:32:34.560><c> a</c><00:32:34.600><c> recent</c><00:32:34.920><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• **Senate Bill 32**, introduced by **Senator Antonio Maestas** (member_10564), an act relating to criminal
• **Senate Bill 32**.
• **Senate Bill 32**, having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and referred to the **Senate
• That's **Senate Bill 32**.
• Fund**, reconciling conflicting enactments of the same section of law by repealing Laws 2010-2011, Chapter

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:10.920><c> and</c><02:32:11.080><c> I</c><02:32:11.240><c> saw</c><02:32:11.680><c> the</c><02:32
• ><c> day</c><02:32:34.560><c> and</c><02:32:34.720><c> I</c><02:32:34.800><c> Saw</c><02:32:35.080><c
• :32:42.080><c> this</c><02:32:42.319><c> place</c><02:32:42.800><c> every</c><02:32:43.200><c> day</c
• > do</c><02:32:44.439><c> you</c><02:32:44.680><c> look</c><02:32:45.160><c> the</c><02:32:45.399><c>
• :32:53.200><c> free</c><02:32:54.200><c> thanks</c><02:32:54.680><c> to</c><02:32:55.640><c> Donald</

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mitigation uh<00:32:04.000><c> that</c><00:32:04.120><c> will</c><00:32:04.320><c> come</c><00:32:04.440
• ><c> in</c><00:32:04.880><c> and</c><00:32:05.080><c> clean</c><00:32:05.360><c> up</c><00:32:05.639>
• the other was<04:32:02.920><c> we</c><04:32:03.040><c> have</c><04:32:03.159><c> a</c><04:32:03.279><
• <04:32:06.000><c> pretty</c><04:32:06.159><c> much</c><04:32:06.359><c> the</c><04:32:06.439><c> end<
• the<04:32:15.720><c> public</c><04:32:16.159><c> interest</c><04:32:16.680><c> side</c><04:32:17.239>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony. The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive. HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> any</c><00:32:00.240><c> sense</c><00:32:00.559><c> what</c><00:32:00.799><c> we</c><00:32
• :32:02.240><c> average</c><00:32:02.559><c> wage</c><00:32:02.880><c> for</c><00:32:03.039><c> a</c><
• yet<00:32:09.360><c> we</c><00:32:09.600><c> want</c><00:32:09.760><c> them</c><00:32:10.000><c> to<
• /c><00:32:10.159><c> take</c><00:32:10.240><c> care</c><00:32:10.399><c> of</c><00:32:10.480><c> our<
• </c><00:32:11.840><c> Um,</c><00:32:12.240><c> when</c><00:32:12.480><c> you</c><00:32:12.640><c> look

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:06.840><c> free</c><00:32:07.080><c> to</c><00:32:07.200><c> do</c><00:32:07.360><c> what</c><00:
• </c><00:32:08.840><c> or</c><00:32:08.960><c> is</c><00:32:09.120><c> this</c><00:32:09.279><c> bill<
• ><c> to</c><00:32:16.760><c> do</c><00:32:17.519><c> and</c><00:32:17.679><c> I</c><00:32:17.799><c>
• to reserve<00:32:18.600><c> the</c><00:32:18.799><c> right</c><00:32:18.960><c> to</c><00:32:19.200>
• </c><00:32:26.639><c> yeah</c><00:32:26.760><c> this</c><00:32:26.880><c> is</c><00:32:27.639><c> uh<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:03.519><c> the</c><00:32:03.679><c> United</c><00:32:04.080><c> States</c><00:32:04.679><c> was
• ><c> be</c><00:32:34.240><c> in</c><00:32:34.320><c> a</c><00:32:34.519><c> peaceful</c><00:32:34.880
• 00:32:44.519><c> are</c><00:32:44.679><c> parallel</c><00:32:45.080><c> to</c><00:32:45.200><c> the</
• violence<00:32:46.039><c> we</c><00:32:46.240><c> once</c><00:32:46.440><c> fled</c><00:32:46.840><c
• ><c> us</c><00:32:55.080><c> because</c><00:32:55.480><c> their</c><00:32:55.679><c> loved</c><00:32:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 16, and the chair moved the bill with a recommendation that it be re-referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations. Representative Rymer said the bill would require reporting to ICE when an illegal immigrant is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney does not prosecute, and would bar state and local entities from blocking federal immigration enforcement. He described the bill as narrowly focused on serious offenses such as murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct, and said it was intended to improve communication with federal authorities about dangerous offenders. Supporters argued the bill would improve public safety and cooperation with federal law enforcement. David Zimmer, a former local law enforcement official, said cooperation with ICE is consistent with law enforcement practice and helps with information-sharing, warrants, consulate notifications, and locating individuals. Several other supporters, including a crime victim family member and a security officer, said the bill would help identify dangerous criminals and protect communities. Opponents said the bill would reduce trust in local law enforcement and discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes. Testifiers from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Advocates for Human Rights, Violence Free Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Northstar Alliance, the City of Minneapolis, and others said mandatory ICE notification could deter domestic violence and trafficking victims from seeking help, harm due process, and undermine community safety. Some also warned it would interfere with local separation policies, burden local agencies, and have negative economic and civil rights impacts. The committee also heard emotional testimony from individuals describing domestic abuse and immigration-related fears, and from family members of a murder victim who supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:44.000><c> Prior</c><00:32:44.320><c> citations</c><00:32:44.720><c> to</c><00:32:44.799><
• Prior citations to be met within<00:32:45.279><c> 10</c><00:32:45.519><c> calendar</c><00:32:45.760><
• Appropriates 2 million for<00:32:49.600><c> the</c><00:32:49.679><c> state</c><00:32:49.840><c> highway
• > to</c><00:32:51.679><c> support</c><00:32:51.840><c> the</c><00:32:52.080><c> establishment</c> year
• Uh chair kilo votes<00:32:57.360><c> I.</c><00:32:57.679><c> Cocher</c><00:32:58.080><c> Tarnis.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee first took up HB 496 HD2 SD1 on mamaki tea. Members described the agreed conference draft as prohibiting misleading use of Hawaiian words, imagery, place names, and motifs on tea packaging unless all tea or dried leaves were grown, harvested, and dried in Hawaii. The bill also included an appropriation for a measurement standards inspector position at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, with $65,000 in each of FY 2026 and FY 2027. The House and Senate managers recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by unanimous votes from the members present, with some members excused. The committee then recessed and reconvened several times to manage a larger agenda of conference bills, moving some items to later times and rooms. Among the measures adopted were HB 862, addressing school transportation shortages by allowing certain nontraditional vehicles under safety conditions; HB 667, retitled the Microchip Identification Act, requiring DOT and counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips and notify animal services; HB 958, regulating electric bicycles and other micromobility devices with safety, labeling, registration, and age requirements; HB 934, relating to broadband and the digital equity office, with appropriations and positions; HB 960, raising DOT capital advancement contract thresholds and annual caps; HB 697, updating automated speed enforcement rules and appropriating $2 million; and SB 26, creating an affordable housing land inventory task force with a $250,000 appropriation. Each of these measures was adopted with amendments by conference vote, with some members excused and several brief recesses taken for quorum or agenda management. Not all bills were resolved. HB 732, relating to the film industry tax credit cap, was deferred after conferees said they had not reached agreement, despite comments supporting the industry and local workers. HB 437, concerning an office in the Philippines under DBED, was also deferred for lack of agreement. The committee adjourned after stating that the remaining measures on the agenda would be deferred indefinitely.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> um</c><01:32:46.320><c> so</c><01:32:47.320><c> we</c><01:32:47.520><c> will</c><01:32:48.119><c
• ><c> bit</c><04:32:48.439><c> so</c><04:32:49.159><c> the</c><04:32:49.359><c> requirements</c><04:32
• :50.920><c> uh</c><04:32:51.080><c> Bill</c><04:32:51.520><c> are</c><04:32:51.720><c> just</c><04:32
• ><04:32:53.920><c> probably</c><04:32:54.359><c> already</c><04:32:54.680><c> have</c><04:32:54.840><
• ><c> list</c><04:32:55.640><c> for</c><04:32:55.800><c> all</c><04:32:55.960><c> the</c><04:32:56.199

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first noted that House Bill 398, concerning Holocaust and genocide studies, and House Bill 131 had already been handled previously and were off the schedule. It then took up House Bill 740, which would require the Department of Education to maintain permanent records for closed charter schools. After brief discussion about overlap with another charter-school bill that already addressed closure and records, Representative Freeman moved to table the bill. The committee voted 16-0 to table/ITL the bill, and it was placed on the consent calendar. The main discussion centered on House Bill 557, which would require additional information on school budget ballots, including average cost per pupil, enrollment history, and teacher-to-administrator ratios. Members raised concerns that the bill was duplicative of existing law, overly detailed, costly to towns, and potentially electioneering or cumbersome on ballots. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help voters who do not attend deliberative sessions or use online resources. The committee did not vote on the bill during the discussion; instead, members moved into caucus and later indicated they would hold the bill until Monday for further review. Later, the committee turned to House Bill 699 on special education definitions and considered Amendment 0606H. The sponsor explained the amendment was developed with the Department of Education after hearing testimony and was intended to align state definitions with federal law and incorporate recommendations from a prior audit, including changing “functionally blind pupils” to “students with visual impairments.” Some members supported the changes as responsive to the hearing and audit, while others objected that the amendment was still confusing, had not fully addressed stakeholder concerns, and should wait for a more comprehensive special education audit. The discussion also referenced House Bill 754 and another amendment, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 699 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• As 1 Timothy chapter 1 states, the goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart, a good
• Glendale has 10, Chandler has one, Gilbert has one, Mesa has eight, Tucson has 42, and Phoenix has 32
• House Bill 2188, amending Title 41, Chapter 14, Article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to early
• House Bill 2960, amending Title 12, Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 12-119.06 and Title 41, Chapter 11,
• Members, by your votes of 32 ayes, 20 nays, 8 not voting, one vacant, you have passed House Bill 2445

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a memorial adoption of HCR 2064 honoring former legislator Barbara Leff, which was unanimously adopted and sent to the Senate. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Eladio Pereira, and numerous student and constituent guests in the gallery. After routine desk business and bill referrals, the House moved into Committee of the Whole to consider a long calendar of measures. Several bills were amended and advanced with do pass recommendations. HB 2170 was narrowed to restrict state purchases of certain electronic and information technology from China/Chinese-controlled entities and to address third-party resellers. HB 2375 dealt with middle housing in historic districts, with amendments limiting demolition of historic structures unless necessary for health and safety and preserving local discretion. HB 2380 focused on school district transparency and meeting location rules, requiring governing board materials online and keeping meetings within district boundaries, with debate over local control and comparisons to legislative caucus retreats. HB 2617, HB 2621, and HB 2671 also moved forward after amendments; HB 2621’s discussion centered on certificates of educational convenience and ensuring special education access for children in unorganized territory and DCS placements. The committee also advanced HB 2720 on anti-human trafficking and prostitution-related reforms, including sealed records for sex trafficking survivors and an anti-human trafficking grant fund; HB 2772, allowing a DNR designation on driver’s licenses, prompted extended questions about emergency care and liability; HB 2784, dealing with school district excess cash refunds, was amended to phase in implementation; HB 2902, affirming support for the Electoral College, drew the most ideological debate, with supporters citing constitutional structure and opponents arguing for a national popular vote; and HB 2950, concerning a tourism/hospitality district, saw a failed attempt to make participation voluntary. The House also considered HB 4025, a study bill on the feasibility of building an oil refinery in Arizona, which sparked extensive debate over fuel prices, refinery capacity, environmental impacts, and whether a study was necessary, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:27.360><c> So</c><00:32:27.600><c> at</c><00:32:27.760><c> this</c><00:32:27.919><c> time,
• </c><00:32:38.559><c> Um</c><00:32:39.039><c> my</c><00:32:39.279><c> name</c><00:32:39.360><c> is</c
• 32:26.320><c> finding</c><01:32:26.639><c> by</c><01:32:26.880><c> the</c><01:32:27.040><c> governing
• body uh<01:32:29.600><c> made</c><01:32:29.840><c> in</c><01:32:30.080><c> bad</c><01:32:30.400><c>
• Uh and I<01:32:55.840><c> would</c><01:32:56.000><c> also</c><01:32:56.320><c> say</c><01:32:56.560><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:32:12.480><c> agreement</c><00:32:12.799><c> on</c><00:32:13.039><c> party</c><00:32:13.360><c>
• </c><00:32:18.000><c> Um,</c><00:32:18.320><c> you</c><00:32:18.399><c> know,</c><00:32:18.559><c> I<
• My mother<00:32:23.840><c> was</c><00:32:24.240><c> a</c><00:32:24.480><c> teachers</c><00:32:24.960>
• </c><00:32:39.360><c> into</c><00:32:39.760><c> a</c><00:32:40.960><c> cold</c><00:32:41.279><c> water
• Um,<00:32:46.480><c> and</c><00:32:46.799><c> of</c><00:32:46.960><c> course,</c><00:32:47.279><c> as

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing with Professor Colin Moore on democratic norms and their erosion in the United States, with a focus on what that could mean for Hawaii. Chair Carl Rhodes introduced the topic and the professor, noting the briefing was livestreamed and could be rescheduled if technical problems arose. Moore defined democratic norms as unwritten guardrails that make written constitutional rules work in practice, emphasizing two core norms from political science: mutual toleration, meaning acceptance of political opponents as legitimate, and institutional forbearance, meaning restraint in using legal powers to the maximum for partisan gain. Moore used historical examples to show how norms develop and erode, including George Washington’s resignation, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the contested 1800 election, Franklin Roosevelt’s court-packing plan, and Watergate. He argued that democracies usually erode gradually rather than through sudden coups, often through leaders who reject opponents’ legitimacy, tolerate political violence, restrict civil liberties, or attack the press. He said the United States is vulnerable because of its strong presidency, an 18th-century constitutional design that did not anticipate modern political parties or a neutral civil service, and because polarization has encouraged “constitutional hardball” and retaliation. He cited comparative examples such as Hungary, Turkey, and other countries that slid toward authoritarianism over time, and said the U.S. has been rated a flawed democracy by outside indexes. Moore said the erosion predates Donald Trump, though he believes Trump has accelerated it, and pointed to recent actions and rhetoric as moving beyond ceremony into government practice. He also warned that Congress has not consistently checked executive power and that public willingness to excuse anti-democratic behavior from preferred candidates is troubling. The briefing ended with Moore turning to federalism and Hawaii, arguing that the state depends heavily on federal funding for health care, schools, housing, and infrastructure, and that delays or disruptions from an unstable federal government could create serious local harm even if no law is formally broken.

Transcript Highlights:

• force<00:32:11.039><c> land</c><00:32:11.200><c> owners</c><00:32:11.519><c> who</c><00:32:11.679><c
• </c><00:32:19.840><c> This</c><00:32:20.080><c> proposal</c><00:32:20.480><c> simply</c><00:32:20.799
• And with that, Madam<00:32:28.080><c> Chair,</c><00:32:28.320><c> I</c><00:32:28.480><c> do</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:30.559><c> um</c><00:32:30.720><c> House</c><00:32:30.960><c> Child,</c><00:32:31.279><c>
• </c><00:32:33.200><c> uh</c><00:32:33.360><c> since</c><00:32:33.600><c> this</c><00:32:33.760><c> is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all