Transcript Highlights:

• We achieved overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate. The bill does a couple of things.
• So I think, again, there was overwhelming support in the Senate.
• So, there was bipartisan support in the Senate, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
• I'm supportive of this concept of being able to allow y'all to get to subpoena.
• the confidence to that can demonstrate the confidence to provide a safe and reliable repair.

Bills: SB324, HB395, HB222, HB310, HB285, HB144, HB251, HB380

Keywords: Morgan County, judge of probate, legal qualifications, equity jurisdiction, constitutional amendment, campaign finance, electronic notifications, civil penalties, Fair Campaign Practices Act, Secretary of State, sex offenders, treatment programs, electronic media, post office box restrictions, Class C felony, parole, probation, human cloning, criminal penalties, embryo

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Because more people need support. Because more people need support.
• in this bill and brought studies that clearly demonstrated health risks and other supporting materials
• health risks and other demonstrated health risks and other supporting<02:30:49.040><c> materials</c>
• supporting materials supporting materials that<02:30:50.840><c> this</c><02:30:51.040><c> body</c><02
• </c> supporting Colorado's economy. supporting Colorado's economy.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• OSD in Hawaiian Affairs in support. OSD in support. support. support.
• </c> support the bill and we do also support support the bill and we do also support HHFDC's<01:03:08.559
• OHA in support, DBEDT in support, OPSD in support, Hawaii Realtors in support, AARP Hawaii in support
• Our first testifier is HHFDC in support support support in<01:16:31.120><c> support.
• 36.880><c> support,</c><01:16:37.360><c> OPSD</c> support, [music] DBED in support, OPSD support, [music

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness. A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along. The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, thank you for all of your support for that.
• The governor is a big supporter of what she put into that trailer bill.
• So, thank you for all of your support for that.
• So, thank you for all of your support for that.
• The governor is a big supporter of the SEC.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on a non-germane amendment to SB 302, a Senate bill originally requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment was intended to preserve and separate out language developed for the governor’s budget proposal and HB 2 concerning a solid waste facility site evaluation committee, a moratorium, and related public-benefit/site-benefit provisions, so the policy would still have a vehicle if the budget language did not advance. He said the proposal reflects extensive work by the House, the governor’s office, and DES, and he was open to further changes to align with any budget conference committee outcome. Dr. Adam Finkele testified in support of the amendment and the underlying site evaluation concept, arguing that landfill siting decisions should be based on cost-benefit analysis that includes public harms, local impacts, and regional impacts rather than only private benefits. He praised the committee process and prior legislation requiring agencies to respond substantively to public comments, and said the new language improves on the governor’s version by moving the committee’s review earlier in the process and requiring more complete application information, including alternatives and impacts on nearby wells and aquifers. He also supported a three-year moratorium on new landfill applications, saying it would give the state time to address leachate, PFAS, waste reduction, and weak siting rules. Members asked about possible conference committee changes, the value of having a separate review body, and whether the new rules would invite litigation. Dr. Finkele said he would likely sue over the rules because he считает them too weak, but also said the legislature could fix the problems through other bills such as HB 77. He acknowledged that the site evaluation committee is not a perfect solution, but said it is a useful intermediate step between the agency and the courts and likely would meet only rarely if capacity need remains the main trigger for future landfill decisions. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:22.800><c> the</c> submitting testimony and support the submitting testimony and support the
• testimony and support um bbcp submitting testimony and support um bbcp koi<00:14:32.360><c> operating
• <00:16:22.959><c> in</c> support in support in person<00:16:25.600><c> not</c> person not person not
• Additionally, we had testimony and support from the Department of Health and testimony and support from
• , and WAA Consulting in support.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we urge your support on this bill. we urge your support on this bill.
• We urge your support. Thank you fuel. We urge your support.
• Please support Senate File 570.
• Please support Senate File 570.
• Please support Senate File 570.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask for your support on this. It is a bipartisan issue. Thank you, Chair Backer.
• I would support this, as all of you said.
• I would support this, as all of you said.
• </c><00:48:29.079><c> this</c> please support this please support this Bill<00:48:31.200><c> thank</c
• </c> and just to sort of support and just to sort of support representative<01:42:08.760><c> nad's</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so thank you for your support. Thank you for leaning in.
• know that you have the support of the governor, and know that we will continue to lean in and support
• And, two, organizations who need support with accessibility can be supported through professional development
• You've been so supportive as we've moved through.
• Support short form.

Keywords: Virginia Commission for the Arts Board Meeting, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that can afford to financially support that can afford to financially support me.<00:58:42.880><
• Uh, welcome and please introduce yourself for the record. support SF 2932 to ensure that all support
• </c><01:07:58.160><c> them</c> tax credits that could support them tax credits that could support them
• </c><01:08:00.319><c> their</c> along their journey um and support their along their journey um and support
• Demonstrations of what your price gamut.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to start on page one of the booklet, just demonstrating that in third quarter.
• I'm going to start on page one of the booklet, just demonstrating that in third quarter.
• So we've been sending support staff.
• And so we've been sending support staff.
• So we're just putting every effort we have into recruiting and supporting the workforce.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging, Children, and Youth first approved the February 11 minutes and then reviewed a DCFS policy manual update from Director Tiffany Wright. The rule changes were described as largely terminology and compliance updates to align with new laws, an executive order, and current practice, including moving internal procedures out of the public manual and into DCFS’s internal procedure manual. Members asked whether the changes altered practice or just wording, and Wright said they were mainly procedural and vernacular updates, such as changing terms like “protection plan” to “immediate safety plan” and “safety factor” to “safety threat.” The committee then reviewed and accepted the rule without objection. Wright also presented DCFS performance data for the third quarter of FY 2026, including hotline reports, investigations, foster care, in-home services, permanency, and adoption measures. She noted staffing shortages in some counties, lower timeliness in completing maltreatment reports, and efforts to support those areas with central office staff and daily calls. Members asked about neglect trends, sexual abuse/exploitation categories, behavioral issues, and workforce recruitment and retention. Wright said DCFS is expanding hiring support, outreach, retention efforts, trauma support through UAMS, and a new staff training model beginning July 1. She also presented the biannual overturned investigations report, which tracks hotline calls, true findings, appeals, and reversals by county, and answered questions about comparing it with prior years. Major Jeff Drew of the Crimes Against Children Division presented the 2025 annual report, saying the hotline received 67,987 calls and 37,986 were accepted for investigation, with 6,539 CACD investigations assigned and a 28% substantiation rate. He described hotline operator training, including a four-week program with policy review, scenarios, recorded calls, live call monitoring, and evidence-chain and decision-making instruction. He said the starting salary for hotline operators is $43,888 plus benefits and would check on comparisons with other states. Elizabeth Pooley of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas reported that the state’s 29 CACs and 64 multidisciplinary teams served 13,568 children and families in 2025, up about 3,000 from the prior year, and hosted 259 trainings. Members asked about funding, and she said state funding is the same for each center at roughly $70,000 to $75,000, supplemented by federal and community support, with work underway on Arkansas-specific best practices. The meeting ended after a brief unrelated question about Meals on Wheels and a Project Zero adoption event announcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, you're just demonstrating. It wasn't inadvertent.
• You were demonstrating how to use the raise-hand function in Zoom, which I appreciate.
• Thank you for that demonstration. All right.
• Each session can only support...
• , device support, otherwise help access to the Internet.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee heard three State Auditor’s Office performance audits: implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act, Washington’s digital equity planning, and the Department of Commerce’s Digital Navigator Program. In the law enforcement training audit, the State Auditor found the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training content but had not developed all required topics, lacked a systematic project management approach, and had weak tools to ensure participation and compliance. Auditors said most officers had not completed the required 40 hours, patrol tactics training was a major bottleneck, and the Commission’s reporting did not clearly show statewide compliance. The Commission said it generally agreed with the recommendations and had begun implementing some changes. Committee members raised concerns about staffing, liability, incentives, and whether the law had enough enforcement “teeth.” In the digital equity audit, auditors said Washington lacked a comprehensive, unified statewide plan, a designated leader, and reliable funding for digital equity efforts. They said existing plans were fragmented, with the NTIA-approved plan the most complete but no longer fully funded after federal changes. The State Auditor recommended the legislature establish oversight authority and require a lead organization to coordinate and evaluate statewide digital equity efforts and develop a unified plan. The Department of Commerce and Office of Equity agreed with the need for clearer leadership and coordination, and a public witness described ongoing coalition and local planning work. Committee members asked about best practices from other states and whether the auditor could provide additional research on coordination models. In the Digital Navigator Program audit, the State Auditor concluded Commerce did not consistently follow core grant-management practices, including competitive award processes, vetting of grantees, clear contracts, performance monitoring, and reimbursement controls. Auditors said Commerce expanded grants without a new competition, lacked adequate documentation and reporting, and paid out millions without sufficient support; they also cited management decisions that overrode staff concerns. Commerce said it had already begun major contract-management reforms, created a new contracts and compliance structure, and was working on risk assessments, documentation standards, and staff training. Members pressed Commerce on accountability, possible recoupment of improper payments, ethics issues, and whether the agency had clear performance metrics for the program. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m pleased to rise in support of the Constitution.
• I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to support our regional transit authorities.
• I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to support our regional transit authorities.
• We have some demonstrations.
• I rise in support to speak in support of our supplemental budget before us today.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were able to maintain the intended use funds for our Funds for Student Support Personnel Aid for our
• In order to create this funding stream, we slowed the growth in student support aid.
• Candidates would need to demonstrate that they can teach the science of reading.
• Our student support professional aid was meant to bring more counselors, psychologists, school nurses
• And so I'm asking for your support.

Bills: HF1049

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support for his bill SF 5139. support for his bill SF 5139.
• Beyond the farm wineries who support this change, I also want to share the support of Minnesota Farmers
• </c> Beyond the farm wineries who support Beyond the farm wineries who support this<00:07:51.360><c>
• </c><00:19:02.280><c> impacted</c> emergency response, supporting impacted emergency response, supporting
• </c> Uh we'd appreciate your support. Uh we'd appreciate your support.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Supporting everything that Director Boss just said, the state is embracing and supporting home- and community-based
• CWDA so far has expressed support, and we anticipate additional support letters.
• to support individuals who are exiting homelessness.
• And third, who is the no wrong door system designed to support?
• IHSS is an integral support for us and those for whom we care.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My team supports the policy and engineering of PG&E's EE programs.
• We've supported over 2,800 jobs.
• “That support can come in other ways. So I want to highlight that.
• We should be held accountable for our market support programs actually supporting the market.
• And we have to demonstrate that benefit. And we do it through data.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on how CPUC-overseen energy efficiency programs are budgeted and evaluated, with a focus on whether ratepayer-funded programs are delivering sufficient value. The chair framed the issue as not whether energy efficiency works, but how to measure success as programs have shifted from simple measures like lighting to more complex retrofits, electrification, and equity-oriented offerings. CPUC staff outlined the statutory framework, the four-year budget cycle, recent spending of about $795 million in 2025, and the use of the Total System Benefit (TSB) goal metric and the Total Resource Cost (TRC) test for cost-effectiveness, noting that some programs, such as equity and market-support offerings, are exempt from TRC requirements at the program level. Utility, regional network, implementer, and public-interest witnesses largely agreed that energy efficiency remains important for affordability, reliability, and decarbonization, but differed on how to evaluate it. PG&E and SoCal Regional Energy Network representatives emphasized portfolio-level management, the value of third-party implementers, and the need to keep cost-effectiveness at the portfolio or segment level rather than the individual program level. The Energy Coalition argued that the current TRC framework undervalues efficiency because it counts participant costs without fully capturing participant benefits, and urged changes to the metric and to how savings are credited. CalTF staff similarly said programs should receive credit for all savings they influence and that current rules can disadvantage efficiency relative to other demand-side resources. The Public Advocates Office countered that ratepayer-funded programs should produce benefits greater than costs, supported TRC as a useful check, and raised concerns about the growing share of budgets going to programs that have not demonstrated cost-effectiveness. Committee members repeatedly said the math was difficult to explain to constituents and pressed witnesses on whether participant costs should be included in TRC, how TSB is calculated, and whether a simpler or more consistent framework should be used across programs. CPUC staff said the relevant issues are already in two open proceedings, with the budget application proceeding expected to conclude in roughly Q2 or Q3 of the following year and broader policy questions remaining in a separate rulemaking. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with general agreement that the portfolio should remain accountable, but continued disagreement over the best metric and how to balance affordability, equity, and grid benefits.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support this because I support military families and I support educational stability.
• I support this because I support military families and I support educational stability.
• I am glad to support this. I am glad to support this bill.
• You know, so we need to support everybody. The union supports everybody.
• Each of you demonstrated a deep commitment to advocating policies that strengthen your communities, support

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Support, support, support. Go, come on down. Well, thank you. Well, thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• Thomas Wallet, Azul, in support. Michael Chan, with Audubon California, in support.
• Do we have anyone else in support? Anyone in support?
• We support this. We support this. system health on private and public lands.
• We support this. We support this.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused on environmental policy, public infrastructure, housing, and energy. AB 1812, dealing with compostable plastics and compost contamination, drew strong support from farmers, composters, counties, cities, and waste companies, while manufacturers and compostable-product companies opposed it unless amended, arguing it would undermine compostable packaging and SB 54 goals. AB 2216 to expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area also received broad support and no opposition. AB 2481, which would allow leftover glass quality incentive funds to support recycled glass used in fiberglass insulation and other products, was supported by insulation manufacturers, recyclers, and waste advocates and passed with no opposition. AB 2152, streamlining fire station construction and tying CEQA relief to project labor agreement requirements, was supported by firefighters and construction trades but opposed by contractors and wildlife groups over the PLA mandate and environmental review provisions; the committee discussed amendments and sent it forward. AB 1536, the Save Our Shores Act, aimed at offshore oil and gas safety and decommissioning, was supported by coastal and environmental groups and opposed by the petroleum industry, with members debating pipeline safety, drilling risks, and carbon intensity before advancing the bill. AB 1849, a study bill on decarbonized gaseous fuels, split supporters from hydrogen, bioenergy, and propane interests against environmental and justice groups who said it favored biomethane and hydrogen without clear definitions; the author said it was only a study measure, and it moved ahead. AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and community college housing projects, was backed by students, UC representatives, housing advocates, and labor, with no opposition heard; members raised concerns about environmental impacts and evacuation planning, but the bill was approved. Several measures were taken on consent and others were held open for absent members or quorum issues, with multiple bills receiving due pass recommendations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> courageously creating and supporting courageously creating and supporting legislation<00:26:32.880
• I speak in support of this bill.
• </c> the evidence to support the evidence to support to<01:01:56.760><c> support</c><01:01:57.119><c>
• So basically, I don't support passing legislation where there's no demonstrated need for it.
• </c> for those reasons I intend to support for those reasons I intend to support the<02:16:32.200><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on HB 584, which would bar New Hampshire and its political subdivisions from enforcing mandates, orders, or similar directives from the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum. Prime sponsor Representative Green described the bill as a sovereignty measure and offered an amendment to clarify language, including replacing a reference to entities that “create and enforce policies” with language covering enforcement of policies, mandates, orders, requirements, edicts, or directives. Supporters argued the bill was a preemptive safeguard against outside influence and cited concerns about pandemic-era public health measures and international organizations. Opponents, including the American Heart Association, warned it could chill local policymaking and limit the ability of communities to use outside research or guidance. The chair closed the hearing on HB 584 after testimony concluded. The committee then moved to HB 580-FN, relative to retaliatory defamation in domestic violence and sexual violence cases. Representative Anita Burroughs, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to protect people who report sexual assault, sexual harassment, abuse, or domestic violence from retaliatory defamation suits, so long as statements are made in good faith and without malice. She also said the bill preserves the ability of accused persons to defend their names. Burroughs explained that the proposal was prompted by a survivor’s experience and was meant to address the chilling effect of expensive litigation on reporting misconduct. Testimony on HB 580 was generally supportive. Witnesses said the bill would help survivors speak out without fear of meritless lawsuits and described retaliatory defamation as a tool used to silence or intimidate accusers. Burroughs noted the bill was informed by anti-SLAPP principles and referenced high-profile defamation cases as examples of the cost and pressure of litigation. No vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided; the hearing on HB 580 was opened and testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Vermonters support Vermonters support a<00:16:53.280><c> more</c><00:16:53.520><c> fair</c><00:16
• </c><00:17:00.120><c> this,</c> And [clears throat] I also support this, And [clears throat] I also support
• And I ask for the Senate's support.
• </c> ask for the Senate's support. ask for the Senate's support.
• that the banking the bank demonstrate that the banking the bank demonstrate<01:19:24.240><c> that</c

Keywords: 927, senate, all