Transcript Highlights:

• requirements needed to ensure that the soldier can return to duty and continue performing their military occupational
• I see you have an amendment coded A1. Would you please explain your amendment?

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and occupational therapy examiners, there are 2
• the top of page 41, item 16, increase audit staff resources to meet requirements of Texas government code

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• offer health coverage and that such coverage is not insurance for the purpose of the Florida Insurance Code
• They have great latitude to implement wishes prior to just approving a certificate of occupancy.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on six bills. SB 480, by Senator DeSigley, would allow a narrowly tailored nonprofit agricultural organization to offer health coverage to its members, especially farmers and ranchers, outside the Florida Insurance Code; supporters said it would improve affordable access in rural areas, while the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network warned the plans would not have to cover preexisting conditions or comply with ACA protections. An amendment aligning the bill with the statute for nonprofit religious organizations was adopted, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1226, also by Senator DeSigley, would create a regulatory framework for pet insurance and wellness programs; it drew no opposition and was reported favorably. SB 988, by Senator Truenow, would revise securities exemption and filing requirements under Florida’s Invest Local exemption law; a strike-all amendment clarifying terms, fingerprinting, and related compliance provisions was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably with the committee substitute. SB 944, by Senator Davis, would correct an omission in the law governing insurance overpayment claims so the 12-month limit applies to psychologists and HMO claims, with an effective date tied to January 1, 2026; the Florida Psychological Association supported the measure, and it was reported favorably with committee substitute after an amendment. SB 756, by Senator Burton, would remove the age-8 diagnosis cutoff and age cap for mandated insurance coverage for autism services, update the autism definition to the current DSM, and also repeal age caps for Down syndrome diagnosis; disability advocates and provider groups supported the bill, and it passed as amended. SB 1078, introduced on behalf of Senator McLean, would streamline permitting and inspection procedures for certain fire alarm and sprinkler projects, set deadlines for local agencies, limit extra documentation demands, and restrict enforcement of local ordinances not properly submitted; fire industry representatives supported the compromise amendment, some senators questioned local flexibility and permitting delays, and the bill was reported favorably after the amendment was adopted. The committee also approved a motion allowing staff to make technical and conforming changes and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A journey-level worker is someone who is fully skilled and qualified in the occupation.
• to by existing programs that train in the same occupation and geographic area.
• This is the pipeline for occupational safety and health professionals.
• This trains occupational medicine doctors, industrial hygienists, safety professionals, and occupational
• This is one of the highest-risk industries for occupational fatalities or severe occupational injuries

Summary: The committee heard a report on the Underground Economy Task Force in Washington’s construction industry. Labor and Industries said the task force, created by a 2024 budget proviso, met 11 times and developed consensus recommendations to improve enforcement against worker misclassification, unregistered contractors, and unpaid taxes and premiums. Consensus items included defining and regulating construction labor providers, improving interagency data sharing, increasing penalties for repeat offenders, expanding L&I authority over successor accountability, reviewing agency penalty rules, and exploring tracking of cash payments. Majority-but-not-consensus ideas included posting subcontractor notices at job sites, setting an independent-contractor threshold that would trigger L&I review, holding direct contractors liable for unpaid wages owed by subcontractors, and reviewing reporting requirements. Testifiers from labor, business, and the Attorney General’s Office generally supported stronger enforcement and transparency, while business representatives cautioned against overregulation and said any new rules should avoid burdening legitimate contractors or restricting lawful cash payments and independent contracting. L&I said the final report would be distributed by December 31 and the task force work group would be reconvened. The committee then reviewed the wage recovery work group report. L&I explained current wage complaint procedures and said the work group, made up of labor and business representatives, reached five consensus recommendations: allow L&I to prioritize wage complaints strategically, permit aggregation of related complaints, raise the minimum penalty under the Wage Payment Act from $1,000 to $1,500 and create a penalty matrix, improve employer awareness with materials for new hires, and establish a wage recovery fund. The fund would be seeded by penalties, would not require new employer assessments, and would allow limited early payments to eligible workers facing hardship, with a proposed cap of $2,500 and a later review of the program. Business and labor representatives both supported the overall framework, though business raised concerns about fraud safeguards and recovery of funds if a claim is later found invalid. Members also received an overview of Washington’s apprenticeship system. L&I described the state’s apprenticeship agency structure, the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, and the difference between Washington’s state apprenticeship standards and the federal Office of Apprenticeship system. The presentation highlighted current participation levels, program approval and objection processes, and strong post-completion outcomes, including median annual earnings above $100,000 and an estimated $7.80 return for every public dollar invested. Committee members asked about how apprentices apply, how sponsors work with L&I, and whether recurring objections could be addressed earlier in the process. Finally, the committee heard updates on wildland firefighter respiratory protection, federal cuts to NIOSH, and economic and federal policy impacts on unemployment insurance and workforce services. L&I said wildland firefighters face significant smoke exposure and cancer risk, but current rules do not require respiratory protection for that work because of technical and operational challenges; the agency is watching efforts in other jurisdictions and at the federal level. On NIOSH, L&I warned that federal staffing and grant cuts could weaken occupational safety research, training pipelines, and programs affecting Washington workers, including firefighter cancer tracking and Hanford exposure assessments. ESD reported rising UI claims, a stable unemployment rate, and pressure on the trust fund, while also describing technology and process changes that have improved claims handling. ESD also said HR1 will significantly increase demand on WorkSource services through new work-search requirements for SNAP and Medicaid recipients, creating an unfunded mandate that the agency is preparing to implement with partner agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• The lessons of the Holocaust must become a cultural code for teaching human values, democracy, human
• House Bills 422, 423, and 425 to licensing, occupations, and administrative regulations.
• House Bills 422, 423, and 425 to licensing, occupations, and administrative regulations.

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:59 Orders of the Day 00:06:19 Recess 00:06:38 Reconvene 01:11:12 HB 306 01:11:42 HB 34 01:14:19 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:16:25 Rep. Petrie Statements on Budget 01:16:42 Motions, Petitions, and Communications continued 01:23:50 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:36:28 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 01:38:52 ConC/Rules Report 01:45:18 Floor Amendments 01:46:21 Adjournment 01:46:32, 958, all

Summary: The House convened on the 14th legislative day after winter weather closures, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 27, 30, 40, and 76 and requested concurrence. The chamber also suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and later recessed briefly for caucus and for meetings of the committee on committees and the rules committee. Two bills were taken up and passed on the floor. House Bill 306, relating to criminal trespass, was explained as a workplace-safety measure that would define disruptive or threatening behavior in workplaces and increase penalties for repeat offenses; it passed 83-7. House Bill 34, relating to death benefits, was described as expanding recognized cancers for fire service-related benefits; it passed 92-0. After passage of HB 34, a motion for a clincher was adopted without objection. During announcements, a member from Todd outlined the newly filed branch budget bills and said the executive budget would be a scaled-back, “bare-bones” operational budget focused on restraining spending growth and inviting more public review through budget subcommittees. The House also adopted a citation honoring Notre Dame Academy and Catholic Schools Week, heard an announcement about hearing screenings by the Kentucky Academy of Audiology, and received a lengthy floor speech marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day before adopting House Resolution 30 without objection. At the end of the session, new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on lactation consultation, Medicaid waivers, a child tax credit, postsecondary employment, long-term care, court security officers, prisoner monitoring devices, administrative regulations, the state budget, transportation, legislative and judicial appropriations, stalking, and memorial overpasses. The committee on committees referred several bills to standing committees, the rules committee posted House Bills 56, 214, 281, and 366 for the next day, a floor amendment to House Bill 320 was reported, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a single-family dwelling built on a permanent chassis designed for long-term residential occupancy
• As we clean up our tax code, where are we finding loopholes where people are not having a tax liability
• looking into it, and this bill is to keep auto insurers from using credit scores, education, and occupation

Transcript Highlights:

• So the most useful action that this commission can take is to support the X9QR pay code standard.
• Support the adoption of this X9QR pay code standard because this will give merchants flexibility on how
• That's why I was recommending using the adoption of the QR pay codes because it is a much more secure
• And there's a new standard of pay codes, QR pay codes, that was introduced very late last year that would
• So that's why, as this ecosystem grows, driving that adoption of the QR pay codes will help everybody

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• occupational occupational cancer<01:25:41.840> moving<01:25:42.199> on<01:25:42.480>
• professional counselors and occupational professional counselors and occupational therapists<01:
• So this expands that to other building code matters.
• So this expands that to other building code matters.
• to other the building code it expanded to other the building code it expanded dramatically<03:03:44.200

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Safety and Health, over 65% of firefighters who die in the line of duty today die from occupational
• flashovers ever have in its occupational flashovers ever have in its occupational cancer.<00:03:
• presumptively caused by occupational presumptively caused by occupational exposure<00:03:25.200>
• of duty today die from occupational of duty today die from occupational cancer.<00:04:11.920>
• duty deaths are now due to occupational duty deaths are now due to occupational cancer,<00:07:56.240

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee began with introductions of interns and then took up two bills. House Bill 34, presented by Representative Bant with testimony from Kentucky Professional Firefighters, would expand Kentucky’s presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters. The witness argued that occupational cancer is now the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters and asked that additional cancers, including prostate, pancreatic, thyroid, breast, esophageal, and multiple melanoma, be added to the law. Members asked about the fiscal impact, which was described as indeterminable, and several members voiced support for the bill and for first responders. After discussion, House Bill 34 received a motion and second and was approved by the committee with favorable expression. The roll call showed broad support, with Representative Thomas voting no and the rest of the committee voting yes. The committee then heard House Bill 214 from Representative Wesley, which would create a disabled veterans account program to fund accessibility ramps for disabled veterans’ residences. The bill was described as covering pre-built or custom-built ramps for homes and defining eligible recipients. It also received a motion and second, passed with favorable expression, and the roll call again showed overwhelming support with Representative Thomas voting no and the remaining members voting yes. The meeting ended with an announcement about a National Guard Association legislative breakfast the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said about 9,000 to 10,000 codes use this payment methodology.
• What this language does is allow specified providers to bill Medicaid using collaborative care codes,
• Medicaid using collaborative care codes Medicaid using collaborative care codes establishes<01:36
• <01:38:05.199> that model has designated billing codes that model has designated billing codes
• Psychiatric Services occupational Psychiatric Services occupational therapy<01:57:40.159> and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In safety code, this is referred to as a warrantless arrest. But what is the arrest for?
• This bill amends Chapter 164 of the Occupations Code to allow the Texas Medical Board to consider reissuing
• Under the existing legal framework, under Texas Occupations Code 164.151, you can try to get your license
• So I'd love to talk about informed consent and all the Texas codes surrounding that.
• We have people coming from Midland, Ector County, Odessa, and 14 other zip codes.

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• We have so many different occupational codes to choose from.
• Occupational codes. He used to work at DOP there. What's the S? Standard occupational codes.
• <01:41:51.239> codes<01:41:51.639> he<01:41:51.760> used<01:41:51.920> to
• thank you occupational codes he used to thank you occupational codes he used to work<01:41:52.199
• <01:41:57.280> codes<01:41:58.280> got standard occupational codes got standard occupational

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our veteran occupancy at our facility was 88%.
• for that bill, so by the time we received the funds for the bill we... 4,595 people our veteran occupancy
• at 4,595 people our veteran occupancy at our<00:03:53.400> facility<00:03:53.879> was
• Lake County, per building permit codes, we needed to have an inspection on our septic.
• County uh per building permit uh codes County uh per building permit uh codes we<00:23:13.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2499, Gibson, Heat Standards, do pass as amended to strike Penal Code provisions and make conforming
• AB 2246, Wicks, age-appropriate design code, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• AB 2773, Committee on Business and Professions, Board of Occupational Therapy sunset, do pass.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The only related state entity is the Occupational Health and Safety Program (HSP) under the Department
• Let's take up the late-filed Amendment bar code 9, 3, 4, 9, 8, 2, by Senator Simon.
• We will take up Substitute Amendment bar code 7, 9, 7, 5, 9, 2, by Senator Simon.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's the code if I'm unconscious. You know, things like that.
• construction and occupation construction and occupation self-contained<02:01:44.644> [clears
• I want to acknowledge our building code has done as and restrictive as it could be at times also has
• of federal regulations part 3280 code of federal regulations part 3280 that<02:45:11.279> is<
• I want to acknowledge<02:46:13.520> our<02:46:13.760> building<02:46:14.000> code

Keywords: 910, house, all

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:

• we applaud the improved definition of clinical supervision to fully identify the auditable billing codes
• we applaud the improved definition of clinical supervision to fully identify the auditable billing codes
• we applaud the improved definition of clinical supervision to fully identify the auditable billing codes
• codes for this service. service. service.
• Occupancy, available beds, and the number of operating closed settings, applications under review, and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize a The amendment is coded A8.
• The amendment is coded A12. amended. The amendment is coded A12.
• The amendment is coded A5.
• <02:19:36.080> without unit's owner or occupants without unit's owner or occupants without
• The amendment is coded A8.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The journal was approved as corrected, several Senate files were given second reading, and House files 5099 through 5102 were introduced. The Rules and Legislative Administration report placed a large group of bills on the May 4 calendar with pre-filing requirements for amendments. The first major floor bill was House File 3426, the annual LCCMR bill appropriating about $102.036 million from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for 108 projects, including a new community grants program. Members spoke in support, emphasizing natural resources, outdoor recreation, and added integrity safeguards; the bill passed 117-15. The House then passed House File 4151, a bipartisan occupational licensing bill for private detectives and protective agents. It ends partnership detective licenses and requires background checks for controlling officers and qualified representatives, while preventing licensure of people with disqualifying offenses from other states or federal law. The bill passed 133-0. After that, the chamber took up Senate File 4760, a public safety package incorporating multiple previously heard House bills and additional provisions. The package included items on recognizing Canadian protective orders, sextortion penalties, gift card fraud, firearm age restrictions, restitution, juvenile detention licensing, corrections data and terminology, chemical irritant disclosure, victims’ rights, BCA fraud statutes, and the private detective bill. Several amendments to Senate File 4760 were adopted, including one inserting House language, one changing the effective date for public-employer discretion provisions, one allowing the Office of the Legislative Auditor to request BCA fingerprints for federal tax information compliance, and one clarifying jail medication provisions. Another amendment, A3, drew a roll call after Representative Duran argued it would keep the current juvenile delinquency age and allow more time to build infrastructure; Representative Feist urged a no vote, citing opposition from other stakeholders. The transcript ends during discussion of that roll call, before the final outcome on A3 or the overall public safety package is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, House Bill 1523 relating to the statewide traffic code.
• This removes references to traffic code.
• We don't know if they have codes and standards. We don't know if they have licensing requirements.
• <01:49:33.280> and don't know if they have codes and don't know if they have codes and standards
• House Bill 1523 relating to the statewide traffic code. I recommend we move this out as is.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2592, which would clarify the powers of the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority regarding land use on Mauna Akea and related property transfers. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the rural property transfer but objected to language transferring conservation district use permits, saying CDUPs normally run with the land rather than being assigned to specific telescopes or observatories. The University of Hawaiʻi and the observatories generally supported the bill but urged clearer language, especially on the transfer of real property assets, related obligations and liabilities, and the inclusion of milestones for the transition. Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill’s overall intent but warned that some language could be overbroad and might improperly waive future beneficiary claims. Several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it ignored DHHL lands and beneficiary rights, while others supported it as a way to clarify the authority’s role. Members questioned DLNR about the practical effects of transferring CDUP responsibility, and the committee emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on specific land. The committee then took up House Bill 2593, which would authorize the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to 10 years. The authority explained that the bill does not itself extend any lease, but instead gives the authority discretion to initiate a transparent public process if extensions are needed. The University of Hawaiʻi supported the concept but said the timing of any extension matters and noted possible legal requirements under state law. The observatories also supported the bill, describing it as a flexible tool during a broader transition process and noting that the authority has held many public planning workshops. Opponents, including Native Hawaiian and community testifiers, argued that the conservation lands should receive the highest protection, that the community had not consented, and that the observatories have had decades to plan ahead. One testifier urged the bill be deferred or killed for lack of clarity. In response to questions, the committee clarified that the bill only authorizes a process and does not itself extend leases, and that any extension would require public participation. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 2047, relating to the AHAPU advisory committee. The discussion focused on the committee’s administrative relationship to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and whether DLNR should oversee basic legal compliance issues such as Sunshine Law and legislative reporting. DLNR explained that the committee is administratively attached to the department, which provides support on human resources, procurement, and legal questions, but that the committee itself generally handles its own operations. The department said it would route compliance questions to its attorneys and implement their advice. The hearing then moved on to House Bill 2231, which would transfer appointment authority for island burial council members from the governor and Senate to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. OHA said it generally supported the change for geographic moku representatives, since it already nominates candidates for those seats, but expressed concern about taking on appointment authority for the large landowner seats because that role is less directly tied to its statutory duties.

Transcript Highlights:

• These facilities operate within codes, special use permits, or zoning that is set by that community,
• These facilities operate within<00:09:40.680> codes,<00:09:41.440> special<00:09:41.880
• > use<00:09:42.120> permits,<00:09:42.880> or within codes, special use permits,
• or within codes, special use permits, or zoning<00:09:43.800> that<00:09:44.000> is<00
• <01:09:42.279> relationships, prohibited occupational relationships, prohibited occupational

Keywords: 1187, senate, all