Transcript Highlights:

• There were legislative changes that happened 12, 15 years ago that enabled these businesses, through
• Um, and they update it every year. It's on their website. I print it out.
• it whenever there's a new we update it whenever there's a new legislative<00:46:25.040> change
• Um, and they update it every year. code. Um, and they update it every year.
• We're already updating it regularly.

Bills: HB1991, HB1776, HB1897, HB1900

Keywords: liquor tax, alcohol, inflation adjustment, small craft breweries, public health, tenant rights, housing stability, landlord-tenant code, eviction prevention, multilingual resources, condominium, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, attorneys' fees, common expenses, construction defects, building code, statute of repose, statute of limitations

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers. Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels. Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The council addresses issues and recommends legislation pertaining to workers' compensation.
• Um, for DLI, the bill requires an update to their workers' compensation insurance verification website
• to workers legislation pertaining to workers compensation.<00:01:16.240> The<00:01:16.479>
• Um, for DLI, the bill requires an<00:02:30.239> update<00:02:30.560> to<00:02:30.800>
• > their<00:02:31.120> workers<00:02:31.520> compensation an update to their workers

Bills: SF1832

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation aims to remove financial barriers to essential screenings, making it easier for state
• It updates the processes and presents the plans to the Legislature, and that is the bill, Mr.
• Well, the last time we updated this plan, the internet wasn't really ubiquitous.
• We're going to get updated metrics that are going to allow us a lot more visibility and actually have
• Sometimes I feel like we pass legislation and it kind of goes out there into the void.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.

Transcript Highlights:

• input as we analyze legislation. input as we analyze legislation.
• Um the produce under this legislation.
• These records can be updated daily if the governing body or the assessor wanted to get them updated daily
• <02:29:19.520> daily Um, these records can be updated daily Um, these records can be updated
• Um, wanted to get them updated daily.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> No, right to a vote by Stephanie Johnson, our senior legislative analysts stepping in with her.
• Our legislative analyst. Can you please raise your hand?
• During our meetings, we get updates from DOT from industry leaders and subject matter experts.
• The purpose of this report that presenting to you today pass during the 2024 legislative session, Senate
• We're saving the best for last year and last, but not least we're going to update by dot the transfer

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Legislative District 48. I serve as chair of the committee.
• What would be the best one that we could all be on board with as a legislative and executive body?
• What would be the best one that we could all be on board with as a legislative and executive body?
• In addition, it was briefly mentioned that the fire alarm panels may need to be updated.
• I will also share that much of the furniture has been updated in the past few years.

Keywords: 956, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've worked with this team of people on legislative reform.
• I know that I want to focus on legislation probably.
• I know that I want to focus on legislation probably.
• worded was that they had to update their address.
• There are specific parameters listed in the legislation.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We um you can see there it's updated.
• honored to be a part of this legislation.
• honored to be a part of this legislation.
• honored to be a part of this legislation.
• honored to be a part of this legislation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the report was published and we do update those figures, and I'm happy to send you the latest updates
• So, the report was published and we do update those figures, and I'm happy to send you the latest updates
• of that updated data.
• This is not an updated slide.
• . updated. updated.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a section that would give us rulemaking authority to TDA to be able to update rules once the
• This would make it easier to update rules and not have to...
• Wait for a legislative session to change in statute.
• Instead, it streamlines the process, allowing livestock producers to register, renew, or update their
• TSCRA and its membership thank Chairman Guillen for filing the important piece of legislation.

Bills: HB147

Keywords: government contracting, business program, discrimination, state procurement, equity, underutilized businesses

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard several bills, all of which were left pending. HB 1113, by Rep. Cain, would update Texas hemp law to keep state rules aligned with federal changes, require timely rule amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and create hemp research permits for universities and nonprofits. Supporters from the Texas Hemp Coalition said it would improve research, licensing, testing, and enforcement while helping the industry stay compliant and competitive; the author said the bill was intended to reward good actors and deter bad ones. HB 1203, by Rep. Gonzalez, would create an Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Department of Agriculture to address food insecurity and coordinate local food access efforts. Gonzalez said the office would build on a prior Department of Agriculture study and help connect farmers, agencies, schools, and local governments; members asked about the fiscal note, consumer costs, and whether the office would overlap with existing programs. HB 1269, HB 1276, and HB 1277 focused on plant disease and pest prevention, including a grant program and studies to identify gaps and track outbreaks. Gonzalez emphasized the need for a more intentional state response, citing crop losses from pests and a recent cotton disease outbreak in his district. HB 1437 would create a pollinator task force to address threats to Texas honeybees and related pollination industries. A Texas Beekeepers Association witness described major recent colony losses, emerging threats such as mites and hornets, and the need to bring agencies and researchers together; Gonzalez noted prior work adding a bee specialist at AgriLife Extension. Finally, HB 147, by Chairman Guillen, would modernize cattle brand registration by moving it to an electronic system at the Texas Animal Health Commission while keeping county clerks involved. Supporters said it would improve efficiency, accuracy, and access for ranchers and law enforcement, while an opponent warned about possible electronic tracking implications and costs for small producers. The committee took no final votes and adjourned after leaving HB 147 pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, we have passed some landmark environmental legislation and provided record funding for
• We update them every five years, taking into account new data that comes in.
• We are in the process of updating every one of our BMAPs to incorporate some of the changes that the
• We have received all of those plans, and we will be updating them by the July 21, 2025 deadline, and
• When wastewater, or when the water quality improvement grant legislation was amended, it also included

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present, heard opening remarks from Chair Rodriguez and member introductions, and discussed broad priorities including water quality, climate change, budget oversight, and accountability for environmental investments. Members emphasized concerns about nutrient pollution, springs, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and the need for better data and measurable results. The committee then received a presentation from DEP Deputy Secretary Adam Blaylock on the state’s water quality restoration framework. He explained how water quality standards, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), and reasonable assurance plans work together to address impaired waters, and noted that BMAPs are updated every five years with annual reviews in between. He also described recent statutory changes requiring five-year milestones, restrictions on new septic systems in certain areas, and public-facing data tools to track projects and water quality trends. Members questioned whether BMAPs are producing enough improvement and whether the five-year update cycle is too slow. Blaylock said results can take years because of project lag and environmental variability, but that the department can adjust plans if data show they are not working. He also highlighted $2.9 billion in statewide water quality funding since 2019, nearly 1,100 funded projects, and a $1.1 billion water quality improvement grant program that now covers impaired waters beyond BMAP areas. The committee discussed agricultural projects, DEP and FDACS funding roles, and a new dashboard and centralized monitoring platform under development. No formal votes or other actions were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment moved by the vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• DHH commissioners update and Commissioner Weaver. >> Second. >> Second.
• DHH commissioners update and Commissioner Weaver. >> Uh, good morning.
• <00:06:37.199> I request, I believe, on the update. I request, I believe, on the update.
• >> Well, thank you for that update very much. >> Thank you.
• <00:40:01.040> to supporting us and filed legislation to supporting us and filed legislation

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, with one member abstaining because of absence and one member opposing. The main informational items were a Department of Health and Human Services update on the rural health transformation grant and a public health briefing on vaccines, followed by a quarterly budget and staffing update and an annual report from the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias. Commissioner Lori Weaver reported that the department submitted the rural health transformation grant application on November 4, described it as reflecting input from communities and providers statewide, and said CMS review and budget negotiations would follow before final approval on December 31. She said the grant could support hiring as long as administrative costs stay within the 10% cap, and that the governor’s office will oversee administration with HHS. Ian Watt then testified that New Hampshire remains committed to vaccine access, including through the universal purchase program and annual respiratory virus guidance for flu, RSV, and COVID-19. He said the state continues to use evidence-based review for vaccine policy, noted the CDC’s change regarding the combined MMRV vaccine for the first dose in young children, and said New Hampshire’s school vaccine mandates remain at nine for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, with statutory exemptions still in place. Department staff also said there have been no supply or funding problems affecting childhood vaccine access. Nathan White, the department’s CFO, reviewed the DHHS budget and vacancy trends. He said DHHS makes up a large share of the state budget, that about 31% of its budget is general funds subject to lapse, and that lapse projections are difficult because much of the budget is driven by utilization rather than personnel. He reported current projected general fund lapse of just under $20 million, compared with about $39 million in the statewide surplus statement, and explained that only about a third of DHHS general funds can actually lapse because of statutory restrictions. He also said the department has about 400 unfunded positions, contributing to roughly a $30 million general fund reduction across the biennium, and that the hiring freeze has pushed vacancy trends upward while critical direct-care positions are being prioritized. The Alzheimer’s subcommittee reported six meetings this year, presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and work toward a new state Alzheimer’s plan. The subcommittee is developing a needs-assessment survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers, with the goal of using the results and other data sources to inform the plan. Its recommendations focus on integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease and aging outreach, embedding brain health into systems of care, adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS, and continuing partnerships with statewide organizations. Members also discussed recent research and prevention efforts, and the committee noted that a separate bill is being pursued to include Alzheimer’s and dementia in existing public health awareness campaigns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other systems are being updated. For example, we're in the process of updating our system now.
• What do you see going forward from us legislators?
• We get a lot of questions about this from legislators.
• It's one that you would have seen from the legislative session.
• Did the legislative body at one time actually excuse DOCR from EDM?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or endorsing this type of legislation. or endorsing this type of legislation.
• process by which protocols are updated. process by which protocols are updated.
• are now considering similar legislation. are now considering similar legislation.
• And we should legislate that. >> right? And we should legislate that.
• result of legislation passed in 2024. result of legislation passed in 2024.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are Already preparing for our 2026 legislative session.
• So I just want to let you as legislators know.
• , the Legislative Finance Committee and your committee today.
• legislative session, again, were two things.
• I got kind of an update on the bridge in Hidalgo County.

Transcript Highlights:

• We, we've worked together through several sessions on legislation to improve access to. Yeah.
• So this is, uh, funding to help the agency, uh, update class to come into conformity with legislation
• And those organizations update their information more frequently than does the hub.
• Uh, the there was a similar report, uh, required last session through legislation.
• CEMA was, uh, this, the legislation for this program, for this uh database was passed last session.

Transcript Highlights:

• that all members have five legislative that all members have five legislative days<03:10:25.400>
• This legislation does just that.
• This legislation does just that. This legislation does just that.
• that all members have five legislative that all members have five legislative days<04:20:53.480>
• > reauthorized The legislation would have reauthorized The legislation would have reauthorized

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a staff attorney with the Legislative Council Service and lead staff for this subcommittee.
• One thing is that you all, as legislators, are not here on the border very often.
• Next, we have BorderPlex Digital Assets LLC update on border infrastructure.
• Last legislative session, the legislature passed.
• We're legislators, and there are different committees you're appearing to.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll have a list serve so people can sign up to get updates.
• We'll have a list serve so people can sign up to get updates.
• Some clear commitments to actions with goals and progress updates.
• A couple of regulatory actions are still pending that you all requested an update on.
• Of course, that hadn't been updated since, I believe, in 1979.

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do support updating the Uniform Healthcare Decisions Act.
• So that's what they recommend. legislation and is there anyone hear legislation and is there anyone hear
• division's responsibilities and updated division's responsibilities and updated are<02:08:20.040
• which would update our statute our which would update our statute our statute<02:08:55.880> is
• mental health division uh this update mental health division uh this update would<02:09:03.719><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard Senate Bill 1322, SD2, HD1, a comprehensive measure revising Hawaii’s mental health code. The bill would clarify emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization procedures for people who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and deemed imminently dangerous, expand notice requirements, allow certain information-sharing for assisted community treatment petitions, and add liability protections for emergency responders and providers. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill as a collaborative update to the law, while the Department of Health asked for a copy of provider-generated emergency transport documentation within five days for data and planning purposes. Testimony was sharply divided. Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HHSC, and the Institute for Human Services supported the measure or parts of it but requested amendments, including clarifying whether a second psychiatric exam is required, restoring a 72-hour rather than 48-hour stabilization window, and adjusting where patients are taken when an MEO cannot be reached. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi strongly opposed the bill, arguing it weakens due process and civil liberties, especially around involuntary commitment, assisted community treatment, emergency transport by police, and reduced procedural safeguards; it urged the committee to hold the bill and consider an interim working group. Louie E.K. of the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center also opposed the bill, focusing on immunity from negligence, the use of police for transport, and the reduction of a three-provider review to one in state-hospital treatment orders. Other testimony included support from an individual who said the bill could improve mental health care delivery amid provider shortages, and a comment from Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center warning that the substance use portion of the bill lacks evidence of effectiveness and could be misused. In response to committee questions, the Attorney General’s office said the measure was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including state agencies, hospitals, the ACLU, HHSC, and IHS, and that it aims to make assisted community treatment more accessible and effective by streamlining the legal process and improving consequences for noncompliance. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.