Transcript Highlights:

• We worked with White Coat Waste. Oh, by the way, Dr.
• We worked with White Coat Waste. Oh, by the way, Dr.
• We are wasting time, money, and lives. In fact, we are delaying real results.
• We are wasting time, money, and lives. In fact, we are delaying real results.
• </c><05:03:32.558><c> on</c> reform that ends taxpayer waste on reform that ends taxpayer waste on ineffective

Summary: The committee held a work session on a bill arising from the Lee case involving animal seizures and humane society involvement. Members and the commissioner discussed concerns about due process, lack of clear notice to animal owners, the need for owners to understand when they are surrendering ownership, and whether humane agents should have additional training or certification. Several members also questioned the role of the NH SPCA and humane societies, the absence of oversight, and whether there was any financial or policy conflict in their involvement. The commissioner said the Department of Agriculture does not have a direct relationship with humane societies, but does coordinate with police on seizures, and noted that problems tend to arise when agencies do not consult the department first. Testimony and discussion focused on possible fixes to the bill, including clearer written notice of rights, requiring a third-party qualified veterinarian or other neutral evaluator, establishing the condition of animals at the time of seizure for later court proceedings, and possibly using teleconferencing with a veterinarian in limited circumstances. Some members suggested the bill may need a broader study committee, while others said it should be amended now rather than delayed. The chair said the bill would be worked on further and sent to the subcommittee for more detailed review. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 250, which would allow local governing bodies to regulate dog muzzling. Representative Jodi Newell testified that the bill was intended to let municipalities respond to dangerous dogs, citing Keene’s attempt to require muzzling after a serious incident but lack of clear authority under current law. Deborah LeBlanc also testified about a dog attack that seriously injured her dog and said a muzzle requirement could have prevented the attack. Committee members asked about the incident, existing dog-control laws, and whether the dog had been leashed; the discussion suggested the bill was meant to clarify local authority over muzzling as a public safety measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• money, not waste gas, not waste our time, not suffer, and not prohibit people who have a medical problem
• money, not waste gas, not waste our time, not suffer, and not prohibit people who have a medical problem
• money, not waste gas, not waste our time, not suffer, and not prohibit people who have a medical problem
• /c><01:38:11.760><c> not</c><01:38:11.920><c> waste</c><01:38:12.119><c> our</c> waste money not waste
• gas not waste our waste money not waste gas not waste our time<01:38:12.560><c> not</c><01:38:13.119

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I just think it's a little bit of a waste.
• </c> just think it's a little bit of a waste. just think it's a little bit of a waste.
• Um, and in fact, the state may even save in household hazardous waste costs.
• Um, and in fact, the state may even save in household hazardous waste costs.
• </c><03:26:17.680><c> So,</c> household hazardous waste costs. So, household hazardous waste costs.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And the HDOT draft energy security and waste reduction plan would have the state move to expensive and
• </c><01:31:06.000><c> fuels</c> harmful bofuels and waste-based fuels harmful bofuels and waste-based
• First, remove the eligibility of fuels produced from trash and construction demolition wastes unless
• based fuels then another to and waste based fuels then another to electrof<02:29:44.319><c> fuels</c
• </c> and construction demolition wastes and construction demolition wastes unless<02:29:57.920><c> we

Summary: The committee heard SB 2694 SD2, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to create automatic adjustment mechanisms for water carriers, including a water carrier inflationary cost index, and to waive certain requirements under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Testimony was sharply divided. The Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and several shipping, harbor, labor, and business-related supporters argued the bill would modernize regulation, reduce the need for large catch-up rate cases, and help keep rates aligned with rising costs. Young Brothers said its current rate-setting process is expensive and delayed, and that annual adjustments with guardrails such as a 5% cap and periodic full reviews would support sustainable operations and the state’s supply chain. Some supporters also said the company’s less-than-container-load service and required inter-island routes create costs that are not fully covered by current rates. Opponents, including the Consumer Advocate, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Food Industry Association, restaurant and chamber groups, and other businesses, argued the bill would lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses and should not move forward. Several testified that shipping costs already significantly affect pricing and that automatic increases would worsen the cost of living. The Consumer Advocate said Young Brothers should focus on cost control and implementing its business plan rather than automatic rate increases. The Maui Chamber and others pointed to a recent PUC decision that imposed a two-year stay on rate increases and said the bill would undermine that protection. Some opponents urged the committee to defer to the PUC’s regulatory authority. The PUC explained that it regulates water carriers as public utilities under existing statute and said it had recently approved a temporary rate increase while imposing a two-year stayout period on further increases, with emergency relief still possible. PUC members said they were still examining whether they have authority to adopt the proposed WICI mechanism by rule and wanted legislative clarity. In response to questions, the PUC said it prefers the current two-year stayout as reflected in its order. Young Brothers also clarified that it serves less-than-container-load cargo, that some routes and services are cross-subsidized because they are not profitable, and that an independent observer is being put in place to monitor implementation of its updated business plan. The transcript ended with the committee still taking questions; no final vote or disposition on the bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't waste any more time pointing fingers. State points to the city, city points to the state.
• Don't waste any more time pointing fingers. State points to the city, city points to the state.
• any more time pointing figure waste any more time pointing figure State<00:37:12.000><c> points</c><
• If you had an open bounty for whatever the cost is, right, don't turn in all your green waste, leave
• </c> right don't turn in all your green waste right don't turn in all your green waste leave<01:43:21.520

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• He's like, oh, you don't need to waste your time talking to me. I'll never get to vote again.
• So all that is taken to a hazardous waste place or something?
• But this stuff would be taken off to a hazardous waste place. ...of soil or whatever it is, but this
• stuff would be taken to hazardous waste places, or would it just be taken to a regular garbage place?
• My bill does not address what happens to the hazardous waste or the industrial waste.

Bills: SB1778 , SB1570 , SB134 , SB1966 , SB1636 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB259 , SB504 , SB592 , SB2030 , SB1572 , SB843 , SB1242 , SB1255 , SB1262 , SB1264 , SB1286 , SB1581 , SB1290 , SB1316 , SB1319 , SB1369 , SB1379 , SB1381 , SB1400 , SB1427 , SB1436 , SB1461 , SB1496 , SB1509 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB904 , SB1592 , SB1645 , SB1684 , SB1767 , SB1772 , SB1813 , SB1894 , SB1928 , SB1946 , SB1980 , SB2040 , SB2060 , SB2061

Summary: The Senate first handled several gallery introductions recognizing visiting groups, including Muskogee Day, domestic violence advocates, Wagner High School leadership students, the Bixby Chamber and football team, and the Heartland Home Educators co-op. The chamber also adopted a motion to suspend debate rules for the remainder of the day so third-reading bills could be debated under shortened time limits. Senate Bill 134, which shortens the waiting period for Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System retirees to return to public employment from one year to six months, drew questions about “double dipping,” actuarial impact, and workforce shortages. The author said the bill was requested by the Association of County Commissioners to help counties retain experienced workers, noted an actuarial estimate that the system would drop from 107% to 105% funded, and explained there were no special safeguards beyond existing limits. The bill advanced and then passed 47-0. Senate Bill 196, a measure naming multiple bridges, highways, and interchanges for veterans, law enforcement officers, and other honorees, was presented as a personal bill by the author, including a bridge named for his grandfather. After brief questions, it advanced and passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1636, which allows immediate family members or similar individuals to request OSBI review of cold homicide cases after a local law enforcement case-file review, also advanced after questions about eligibility, timing, and workload; supporters said it would give families a path to seek answers in long-unsolved cases. It passed 47-0. The chamber then considered Senate Bill 1725, which addresses expressive activity on higher-education campuses by allowing content-neutral security fees, limiting discipline to narrowly defined harassment, and requiring free speech training for first-year students. Debate centered on campus free speech, university accountability, and whether the bill would add costs or sufficient enforcement; it passed 40-17 and was advanced as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1726, a companion bill requiring training for graduate assistants who teach, emphasizing classroom management, academic integrity, and viewpoint neutrality, passed 41-7 and was also advanced as an emergency measure. Finally, Senate Bill 259, a long-debated water bill requiring metering or approved measuring devices for groundwater use, drew extensive discussion over costs, property rights, regional differences, and regulation of irrigators; the bill was advanced to final passage after a 34-8 vote, with debate continuing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• treat and or new process. processes to treat and dispose<05:08:34.400><c> of</c><05:08:34.638><c> waste
• </c><05:08:34.958><c> water</c><05:08:35.200><c> on</c><05:08:35.440><c> individual</c> dispose of waste
• water on individual dispose of waste water on individual sites<05:08:36.320><c> that</c><05:08:36.560
• and you cannot ex exceed that and waste and you cannot ex exceed that and and<05:22:08.718><c> have<
• water of the ETIC the size of the waste water of the ETIC system<05:22:26.958><c> for</c><05:22:27.200

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Porta-potties only address restroom waste, toilet waste.
• ,</c><02:12:35.679><c> no</c> their hands, but no kitchen waste, no their hands, but no kitchen waste
• and more waste water that's produced. produced. produced.
• So different have different levels of hazardous wastes.
• </c> to dispose of waste water. to dispose of waste water.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1588, which would establish a Department of Transportation noise detection program using cameras to enforce noise control laws. DOT supported the measure and said it is already piloting the technology at eight locations, with about 10 sites costing roughly $2 million to $2.5 million to install and operate. The Department of Health said it was willing to work with DOT but noted its current regulations are not designed for vehicular noise sources and that the bill may need clearer standards to be enforceable. Members raised concerns about the lack of a specific decibel threshold and whether the system could accurately identify the source of noise; DOT said the pilot can pinpoint vehicles and that the program would align with existing health standards, but no final number was identified during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1696, which lowers the minimum age for a commercial driver’s license from 19 to 18 and removes a restriction tied to vehicle category, while requiring DOT rule changes. DOT, the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Transportation Association, Teamsters Local 996, and other stakeholders testified in support. The Hawaii Transportation Association suggested adding a training requirement for drivers ages 18 to 20, proposing at least 320 hours of employer training and recordkeeping. Members sought clarification that the bill would apply to intrastate, not interstate, licensing. For HB 233, the committee considered a measure authorizing DOT to designate airport special district zones statewide to prevent unauthorized access and improve security. DOT and the City and County of Honolulu supported the bill, explaining that defined boundaries would help law enforcement address trespassing, disruptions, fires, theft, harassment, and other incidents around airports and terminals; DOT said commercial airports are ready to implement the proposal, while some general aviation sites would need further work. Members asked about the scope of the boundaries, existing enforcement, and whether the measure would cover state-owned or non-state parcels near airports. The committee also heard HB 2332, which renames the Harbors Division as the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes “harbor” from “port” in statute. DOT, the Maritime Group, and harbor users supported the bill, saying the change would reduce confusion between commercial cargo/cruise facilities and recreational small boat harbors, and could help with clarity and possibly federal grant competitiveness. Members asked about impacts on small boat harbors and cruise activity, and DOT explained that the bill is aimed at purpose-built commercial ports, not recreational facilities. The committee also took testimony on HB 2283, which clarifies DOT’s consultative role with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in setting port pilotage standards and requirements. DOT, DCCA, Matson, the Hawaii Pilots Association, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve coordination and ensure pilot licensing standards reflect operational realities in the harbors. Finally, after a recess, the committee heard HB 2217, which would allow driver’s permits, licenses, and ID cards to include a notation for a non-apparent disability. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities opposed the bill as drafted, saying voluntary alternatives such as Smart 911 may be better and that the category is too broad. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended limiting the notation to medically recognized, specifically defined conditions so agencies can train personnel and avoid confusion or escalation.

Transcript Highlights:

• But happy to provide what it would mean now while I have the mic, and I don't want to waste a bunch of
• </c><00:25:37.039><c> your</c> traditionally you're really wasting your traditionally you're really wasting
• So the idea here is is to wasting money.
• They're sharp students, Madam Chairman, and they understand that that is a waste of money.
• They're sharp students, Madam Chairman, and they understand that that is a waste of money.

Bills: HB0076 , HB0102 , HB0115

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• c> time</c><01:32:32.000><c> with</c><01:32:32.119><c> a</c><01:32:32.239><c> ranking</c> wouldn't waste
• any time with a ranking wouldn't waste any time with a ranking like<01:32:32.800><c> that</c><01:32:
• But I just want to mention that I really appreciate what Representative Eric said about waste, fraud,
• I really appreciate what Representative Frazier said about waste, fraud, and abuse.
• and they are doing the work that needs to be done, so I hope that does come up in the committee on waste

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• There is on line 42 the solid waste management tax.
• Moving to page five on line 33 with the dedication of the solid waste management tax, it has a fiscal
• Moving to page five on line 33 with the dedication of the solid waste management tax, it has a fiscal
• Representative Johnson's not here, but his effort to reallocate a portion of the solid waste management
• </c><01:41:03.199><c> management</c> really important solid waste management really important solid waste

Bills: HF2730 , HF2257 , HF2768 , HF1932 , HF2437

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• is you hear all of this talk at the federal level from DOGE and Elon Musk and President Trump about waste
• have detrimental impacts on our environment. ...from DOGE and Elon Musk and President Trump about waste
• as part of their plan to cut the stated as part of their plan to cut the federal<00:46:48.480><c> waste
• ><c> bloat</c><00:46:50.559><c> all</c><00:46:50.680><c> of</c><00:46:50.920><c> those</c> federal waste
• abuse bloat all of those federal waste abuse bloat all of those types<00:46:51.319><c> of</c><00:46:

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• last couple years, and particularly I'd say in the last 6 to 9 months, hearing about the fraud and waste
• Senator Nelson said, our funds are being used effectively and judiciously in order and not being wasted
• very, very hard to get any information back on that through data practices requests. the fraud and waste
• that's occurred in the fraud and waste that's occurred in other<00:30:56.559><c> programs</c> other
• or subject to and not being uh wasted or subject to fraud<00:31:58.200><c> it's</c><00:31:58.679><c>

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• 51:01.440><c> affordability</c><00:51:02.640><c> for</c><00:51:02.840><c> our</c><00:51:02.960><c> waste
• </c> maintain affordability for our waste maintain affordability for our waste wastewater<00:51:04.960
• So two of the buildings are a wasted square footage space at this time. this time.
• </c><01:18:49.280><c> square</c> two of the buildings are a wasted square two of the buildings are a
• wasted square footage<01:18:49.880><c> space</c><01:18:50.240><c> at</c><01:18:50.360><c> this</c><01

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• that we can do that by supporting things like a ban on non-essential use of PFAS, generating less waste
• </c><01:38:29.639><c> and</c><01:38:29.800><c> have</c><01:38:30.040><c> le</c> can generate less waste
• and have le can generate less waste and have le fewer<01:38:30.440><c> landfills</c><01:38:30.880><c
• </c> wealth of knowledge on Solid Waste wealth of knowledge on Solid Waste issues<01:39:06.960><c> so
• </c> become compacted and more toxic waste become compacted and more toxic waste could<01:40:23.920><

Bills: HF1124 , HF1457 , HF1803

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• heat to reduce generated and the waste heat to reduce energy<00:26:18.640><c> costs</c><00:26:18.960
• The facility integrates combined heat and power, transforming waste into energy, working with multiple
• manufacturers, food and beverage industries, to bring high-strength waste to the facility to create
• waste into energy<00:28:14.159><c> working</c><00:28:14.440><c> with</c><00:28:14.640><c> multiple</
• </c> Industries to bring high strength waste Industries to bring high strength waste to<00:28:18.799>

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• This would crowd out investments for waste water, clean drinking water, roads, bridges, our colleges
• This would crowd out investments for waste water, clean drinking water, roads, bridges, our colleges
• Beyond the waste and increased costs, the inconsistent standards and limited interagency coordination
• increased</c><00:42:45.200><c> costs,</c> Beyond the waste and increased costs, Beyond the waste and
• </c> fraud, waste, and abuse. fraud, waste, and abuse.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• You're wasting my time,' and you called this meeting, but you're just doing an executive session and
• Um, and then there's this little bit of friction and possibly waste of people's time.
• You're wasting my time." and you here?
• You're wasting my time." and you called<00:55:12.319><c> this</c><00:55:12.480><c> meeting,</c><00:55
• </c><00:55:19.200><c> of</c> of friction and and possibly waste of of friction and and possibly waste

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we are wasting a ton of money.
• We're wasting tens of millions of dollars.
• This is already happening right now, except we're wasting all that time in the adult system.
• Those kids are already coming back down to the juvenile system anyway, except we're wasting that time
• all that time in the adult we're wasting all that time in the adult system.<00:18:09.520><c> Those</

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 69, Waste and Storm Water Infrastructure Study. Senate File 85, Raven Act.
• Senate File 69, Waste and Storm Water Infrastructure Study. Senate File 85, Raven Act.
• Senate File 69, Waste and Storm Water Infrastructure Study. Senate File 85, Raven Act.
• :41:09.360><c> infrastructure</c> waste and storm water infrastructure waste and storm water infrastructure
• :54:09.679><c> infrastructure</c> waste and storm water infrastructure waste and storm water infrastructure