Transcript Highlights:

• proficiency in certain specified skills, they pass a licensure exam, and they have rigorous and mandatory
• licensure exam, and they have a rigorous licensure exam, and they have a rigorous and<00:40:10.080> mandatory
• c><00:40:10.640> training<00:40:11.040> requirements<00:40:11.680> that and mandatory
• training requirements that and mandatory training requirements that they<00:40:11.960> have<00

Bills: HF3547, HF3651, HF4043, HF4282, HF4095

Keywords: fireworks, public safety, regulation, tax revenue, local government, sale, safety standards, fire safety, ethanol, fuel equipment, compatibility standards, law enforcement, peace officer, unauthorized practice, criminal justice, civics education, jail medication, correctional facility, detention, incarcerated persons

Transcript Highlights:

• Four, it's paired with mandatory full rate reviews every third year.
• Four, it's paired<00:48:26.840> with<00:48:27.040> mandatory<00:48:27.760> full<
• 00:48:28.160> rate<00:48:28.400> reviews paired with mandatory full rate reviews paired
• with mandatory full rate reviews every<00:48:29.160> third<00:48:29.600> year.

Bills: HB1984, HB1593, HB2423, HB1691, HB2283, HB2386, HB1824, HB1697, HB2164, HB2165

Keywords: renewable energy, solar energy, self-certification, building permits, environmental regulations, HB1593, affordable housing, pet-inclusive housing, pet friendly housing, rental housing, affordable rental housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, tenant pets, companion animals, dogs, cats, landlord-tenant law, security deposit, pet deposit

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1984 HD2, which would require government entities issuing building permits to create a self-certification process for certain behind-the-meter rooftop solar and energy storage systems, allowing approved applicants to proceed without waiting for standard permit review. The Public Utilities Commission and DLNR offered comments, and the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Holoholo Energy, Photon Works Engineering, Malama Solar, RevoluSun, and others testified in strong support. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals while still relying on licensed engineers, electricians, and county inspections for safety. Committee members asked about risk, existing county pilot programs, and whether self-certification had been used before; witnesses said the professional liability remains with licensed signers and that current automated review systems often flag minor issues that slow projects. The committee also noted 16 additional written testimonies in support. The committee then took up HB 1593 HD1, which would require HHFDC-financed affordable rental housing projects to allow residents to own or keep common household pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill is a top priority because housing restrictions are a major reason pets are surrendered and because many unhoused residents with pets avoid housing that does not allow animals. In response to questions, the Humane Society said concerns about pet-related damage are overstated, suggested pet behavior screening as a safeguard, and said it would be willing to work on broader private-market pet-friendly housing policies. Members raised concerns about whether allowing pets in public housing could create problems for residents who later transition to the private market, and the witness said California has a similar law and no major negative effects had been identified. Finally, the committee heard HB 2423 HD2, which would require that by January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in Hawaii for on-highway vehicles contain at least 5% biodiesel by volume. The Hawaii State Energy Office offered comments, and Hawaii Transportation Association and Pacific Biodiesel Technologies testified in support. Pacific Biodiesel argued the mandate would improve energy security, stabilize fuel prices amid global supply disruptions, and support local clean-fuel production. In response to questions, the company said its nameplate capacity is 5.5 million gallons per year and it has produced over 6 million gallons annually, but much of its output is tied up in standby generator contracts that can fluctuate. Witnesses said the mandate would provide a stable market signal and could support future investment in expanded local biodiesel production, including agricultural feedstock development and a possible second refinery. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And major review is mandatory for larger projects such as non-renewable facilities 80 megawatts or greater
• A mand is mandatory<01:20:29.600> for<01:20:29.840> larger<01:20:30.239> projects
• ><01:20:30.560> such<01:20:30.719> as mandatory for larger projects such as mandatory for

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, it's paired with mandatory and full rate reviews every three years.
• 00:22:08.960> it's<00:22:09.039> paired<00:22:09.360> with<00:22:09.520> mandatory
• <00:22:09.919> and Third, it's paired with mandatory and Third, it's paired with mandatory

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1688, which would provide a general excise tax exemption for certain aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and facility construction, received comments from the Department of Taxation and support from Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Kohala Coast Resort, the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Testimony indicated the measure was intended to clarify an existing exemption rather than create a new one. The bulk of the hearing focused on HB 2386, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms and a water carrier inflationary cost index. The Department of Transportation said it would change its testimony to support the bill, citing a 2020 working group recommendation, while the PUC and DCCA offered comments. Matson, the Maritime Group, Hawaii Harbors Users Group, and Young Brothers supported the measure, arguing it would modernize regulation, improve predictability, and help maintain reliable interisland shipping. Hawaii Farm Bureau offered comments, while Hawaii Food Industry Association, Maui Brewing Company, Lani Kai Brewing Company, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii opposed it, arguing automatic rate increases were not the solution and that underlying costs and efficiencies should be addressed first. The chair noted the bill was essentially the same as one previously considered, and asked questions about how Hawaii’s water carrier regulation compares with other states. The committee also heard HB 1691, which would allow electronic signatures for certain motor vehicle title transfers after total-loss insurance settlements and remove the notary requirement for that narrow transaction. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and one individual supported it, with Copart saying the change would reduce delays and could allow a faster, largely electronic settlement process. Members asked about county impacts, and Copart said counties would only see a different form with no added cost or electronic integration. HB 1680, requiring county finance directors to notify agencies through a centralized system for vehicle transfers, drew opposition from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services and one individual in support. HB 2516, raising helmet requirements for electric foot scooters and bicycles and requiring helmets for high-speed or Class 3 electric bicycles, received support from DOT, DOH, AAA Hawaii, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. HB 193, allowing deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement, drew support from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, the Hawaii Disabilities Rights Center, and an individual who suggested amendments to broaden the bill to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and adjust the proof standard. HB 2442, increasing required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in larger parking lots, was supported by the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Disability Rights Center, which said the bill would address shortages of accessible parking and may need technical amendments to align terminology with the ADA.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the bill also creates automatic treble damages, mandatory attorney fees, and broad liability provisions
• also creates automatic<00:14:13.519> treble<00:14:14.000> damages,<00:14:15.120> mandatory
• automatic treble damages, mandatory automatic treble damages, mandatory attorney<00:14:16.160>

Bills: HB0003, HB0004

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a minimum $1,000 per day fine followed by mandatory liens and foreclosure does not promote compliance
• minimum $1,000 per day def fine<01:57:32.239> followed<01:57:32.480> by<01:57:32.719> mandatory
• c><01:57:33.199> leans<01:57:33.520> and<01:57:33.920> for fine followed by mandatory
• leans and for fine followed by mandatory leans and for foreclosure<01:57:34.560> does<01:57:34.800

Bills: HB1527, HB1823, HB2490, HB2223, HB2325, HB2104, HB2593, HB2592, HB1927, HB1553, HB1964, HB1918, HB1990

Keywords: gambling prohibition, Aloha Stadium, University of Hawaii, amateur athletics, state lands, coastal resilience, Maui, Mantokuji Bay, coastal erosion, environmental protection, Native Hawaiian, spiritual sites, historic preservation, economic development, burial sites, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, cultural history, archaeology, Hawaii Revised Statutes, civil service

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1527 relating to gambling. The chair outlined hearing rules, including a two-minute limit and a warning that bills not heard would die. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from a prosecutor, Honolulu Police Department, and Stop Predatory Gambling, all arguing that casinos and sports betting increase crime, sex trafficking, harassment of athletes, and broader social harm. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee moved on without questions or action taken on the bill. The committee then heard HB 1823 relating to coastal zone management and HB 2490 relating to coastal resilience. For HB 1823, DLNR, the Office of Planning, and Maui County testified, with Maui County supporting the measure and its proposed amendments. For HB 2490, DLNR expressed concern about exempting a proposed Mokuji Bay pilot project from permits and regulation before a long-term plan is finalized, while the County of Maui, the Mokuji Soto Zen Mission, and the Office of Planning supported the bill as a coastal resilience pilot. The mission described severe erosion, sea-level rise impacts, and years of unsuccessful efforts to stabilize the shoreline; its consultant said the study is leaning toward nature-based and hybrid solutions. In questioning, members and DLNR discussed whether the bill should say the project “shall” or “may” be exempt, and the chair indicated the language would be adjusted to preserve DLNR discretion and to change the lead agency reference to OPSD. No vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee took up HB 2223 relating to historic preservation reviews. SHPD said it stood on its written comments, while OPSD and DHHL supported the bill. DHHL argued the measure would streamline reviews, improve transparency, and help address long wait times for its projects, saying it could alleviate burden on SHPD and better serve beneficiaries. Representative Shimizu questioned whether the bill would create redundancy and expand government rather than strengthen SHPD, noting a separate staffing bill already exists. SHPD responded that DHHL is uniquely subject to 6E review and that the bill would not waive federal or state historic review requirements; the discussion also touched on possible federal-style grant support and the existing memorandum of agreement between SHPD and DHHL. The transcript ends during questioning, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but this key provision of SB 25, the Make Texas Healthy Again bill, talked about mandatory food labels
• required for K through 12, higher education, and medical schools. healthy again uh talked about mandatory
• healthy again uh talked about mandatory food<01:21:42.800> labels, food labels, food labels,
• Physical activities in schools, K to 5 mandatory nutrition advisory committee established.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• original intent of Congress, that this be paid for on a local level, by taking it over and making it mandatory
• citizens that might find themselves incarcerated, and we are going to exacerbate that problem with mandatory
• The Supreme Court has indeed addressed the Ten Commandments, but never once has it approved their mandatory
• The Supreme Court has indeed addressed the Ten Commandments, but never once has it approved their mandatory

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved several routine motions, including excuses for absent members, permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, and postponements of some bills. The chamber also received a Senate message listing measures passed by the Senate and adopted a memorial resolution honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, with remarks entered into the House Journal after a moment of silence. The House then took up a long third-reading calendar and passed a series of Senate bills on topics including criminal justice and corrections sunset provisions (SB 2405, 2406, 2407), election equipment testing (SB 2166), electric grid reliability and attack-preparedness exercises (SB 2148), firefighter collective bargaining (SB 777), DFPS and foster care procedures (SB 1141 and SB 1398), Medicare durable medical equipment billing (SB 1330), property tax administration (SB 1453), probate cleanup and record transfers (SB 1448 and SB 1839), mental health filing procedures (SB 53), school residency for children in safety placements (SB 226), diabetes-related amputation study (SB 1677), rapid DNA analysis (SB 1723), utility rate transparency and capacity cost recovery (SB 1664 and SB 1856), community supervision eligibility (SB 552 postponed), and other measures. Several bills passed with broad support, while others drew notable opposition and narrower margins, including SB 777, SB 2137, SB 2111, SB 1677, SB 1936, SB 1453, and SB 38. Two bills drew especially extensive debate. SB 2148, dealing with electricity supply chain reliability and tabletop exercises for critical facilities, was discussed as a grid-security measure aimed at coordinating utilities, law enforcement, ERCOT, and the PUC in the event of physical attacks; it passed unanimously. SB 1936, changing how LSD is measured for criminal prosecution from dosage-based to weight-based calculations, prompted extended discussion about lab consistency, carrier mediums, and fairness in charging, with supporters saying it would help crime labs and law enforcement and opponents warning it could distort penalties depending on the medium used; it passed 108-26. The House also passed SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, after questions about overlap with TDEM and the cost of adding personnel. Late in the day, the House debated SB 38 on eviction procedures, with supporters saying it targeted squatters and streamlined removal of unauthorized occupants, and opponents arguing it would make evictions too easy and worsen homelessness; it passed 85-44. The chamber also began debate on SB 37, a major higher-education governance bill that would expand governing-board oversight of curriculum, hiring, and faculty senates; members raised concerns about academic freedom, faculty governance, and the impact on humanities programs, and debate was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• New people moving into my park are paying $885 a month now, with the mandatory lawn care service.
• /c><01:27:12.960> now<01:27:13.960> with<01:27:14.159> the<01:27:14.719> mandatory
• <01:27:15.719> Lawn $885 a month now with the mandatory Lawn $885 a month now with the mandatory

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• are unaware that they must disclose all fees to prospective tenants, and the total rent and all mandatory
• total<00:07:33.080> rent<00:07:33.319> and<00:07:33.440> all<00:07:33.639> mandatory
• <00:07:34.199> fees<00:07:34.960> must total rent and all mandatory fees must total
• rent and all mandatory fees must be<00:07:35.720> that<00:07:35.879> are<00:07:36.039>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I was supposed to have a testifier here, but alas, she works in a school and she was called to a mandatory
• works in a school and she was called<00:08:55.600> to<00:08:55.760> a<00:08:56.000> mandatory
• <00:08:57.279> Um,<00:08:57.680> and called to a mandatory meeting.
• Um, and called to a mandatory meeting.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I don't think there's a mandatory minimum under the statute that you're looking at.
• <00:52:47.480> think<00:52:47.640> there's<00:52:47.800> a<00:52:47.840> mandatory
• <00:52:48.440> minimum don't think there's a mandatory minimum don't think there's a mandatory

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mandatory notification to ICE will circumvent Minnesota's criminal justice process by facilitating the
• of an arrest based on<00:48:05.839> suspicion<00:48:06.720> alone<00:48:07.720> mandatory
• on suspicion alone mandatory on suspicion alone mandatory notification<00:48:09.000> to<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike the MCAS, which many students perceive as merely mandatory but inconsequential, the ACT's acknowledged
• 34.360> merely which many students perceive as merely which many students perceive as merely mandatory
• c> in<00:21:36.360> consequential<00:21:37.159> tests<00:21:38.000> the mandatory
• but in consequential tests the mandatory but in consequential tests the act's<00:21:38.799> acknowledge

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But they're only giving them three years to do it, so $800 to $900 a month in additional mandatory payment
• 31:21.520> additional<01:31:21.920> payment<01:31:22.280> M<01:31:22.639> mandatory
• month in additional payment M mandatory month in additional payment M mandatory or<01:31:23.360>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They state that since several states have made its use mandatory, more than half of all new hires go
• its<00:35:57.359> use several states have made its use several states have made its use mandatory
• 35:59.200> half<00:35:59.400> of<00:35:59.560> all<00:35:59.760> new mandatory
• more than half of all new mandatory more than half of all new hires<00:36:00.599> go<00:36:00.800

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So $100,000 shouldn't... so there's two things: it's the mandatory five years and $100,000.
• So $100,000 shouldn't... so there's two things: it's the mandatory five years and $100,000. um uh that
• 01.360> the shouldn't so there's two things it's the shouldn't so there's two things it's the mandatory
• 02.320> years<00:26:02.520> and<00:26:03.039> 100,000<00:26:04.039> so Mandatory

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• default tax savings clause, so I'll briefly say that the New Hampshire trust code has both default and mandatory
• 47.160> our<00:35:48.160> narrow The New Hampshire trust code has both default and mandatory
• The New Hampshire trust code has both default and mandatory provisions, and the default provisions are
• The New Hampshire trust code has both default and mandatory provisions, and the default provisions are

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These first two days are not an overview, but we do have mandatory reporting and reports that have to
• do<00:07:33.000> have<00:07:34.280> um<00:07:35.280> uh<00:07:36.000> mandatory
• <00:07:36.720> reporting<00:07:37.560> and we do have um uh mandatory reporting and
• we do have um uh mandatory reporting and reports<00:07:39.000> that<00:07:39.160> have

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• coordination role and establishes new accountability measures, including legislative response deadlines and mandatory
• coordination role and establishes new accountability measures including legislative response deadlines and mandatory

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a ceremonial observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support of House Resolution 107, which designates May as AAPI Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s contributions, resilience, and the need to confront discrimination and hate. The resolution was adopted, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, highlighting leaders in education, business, labor, media, cultural preservation, and public service. After guest introductions, the Assembly took up a series of bills. Measures discussed included HOA reserve funding for common interest developments (AB 2050), professional review requirements for lawsuits against design professionals (AB 2106), direct home delivery of enteral formula (AB 1794), expanded CalWORKs-related support for student parents (AB 1829), longer insurance moratoriums for wildfire survivors (AB 2038), election cybersecurity (AB 2281), medical privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care (AB 2448), water district board compensation (AB 2568), county public contract change-order authority (AB 1658), and several other education, health, and licensing bills. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 2050 passed 44-6, AB 2038 passed 45-8, AB 2448 passed 49-13, and AB 1658 passed 61-2, while several others passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and affirming California’s mail voting system. The resolution prompted extended debate over election integrity, voter access, and federal versus state authority, with supporters arguing mail voting is secure and accessible and opponents calling for stronger voter list maintenance and verification. The resolution passed 47-13. In addition, ACR 141 and ACR 123 were adopted by voice vote after co-author roll calls, and the chamber continued or passed on numerous other file items as it worked through the daily file.