Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> uhc><00:01:19.439><c> Senac><00:01:20.000><c> 338c><00:01:21.000><c> uhc> here on behalf
• that this is the<00:02:58.640><c> typec><00:02:58.800><c> ofc><00:02:58.920><c> Billc><00:02:59.120
• ><c> ac> the type of Bill that we would do a the type of Bill that we would do a impact<00:03:00.480
• ><c> onc><00:03:01.040><c> soc><00:03:01.159><c> Ic><00:03:01.280><c> canc><00:03:01.480><c>
• c><00:03:22.000><c> doc><00:03:22.319><c> taxc><00:03:22.519><c> toc><00:03:22.640><c> thec

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. SB 338, relating to taxation, would temporarily reinstate the Act 221 technology infrastructure renovation tax credit and expand eligible technology-enabled infrastructure to include data servers; Tax Department said it had no requested changes, SurfPAC supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation offered comments. Members later advanced SB 338 with amendments, including a report to the Legislature before the 2029 session and technical changes. SB 1491, on departmental data sharing, would add the Department of Taxation to the state longitudinal data system to share aggregated wage data; UH, Hawaii P20, and the Tax Foundation supported it, and Taxation said it could comply as written. The committee amended the bill to also include DBEDT and then passed it with amendments. The committee also considered SB 1156 on sexually explicit deepfakes, SB 853 on an immigration services trust fund, SB 436 on limiting State Fire Marshal service to three terms, and SB 1034 on rest periods in the food service industry. The Attorney General said SB 1156 was unnecessary because existing law already covers AI-created deepfakes, and the committee deferred the bill. SB 853 drew support from DLIR/Office of Community Services and civil rights advocates, but opposition testimony noted substantial public opposition; the committee deferred the measure, saying existing resources from Act 7 made the trust fund premature. SB 436 drew concerns from the State Fire Council representative that term limits would add complications, but the committee passed it with amendments. SB 1034 drew mixed testimony: DLIR stood on comments, the restaurant association supported the intent but suggested changing the five-hour threshold, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association opposed it over the lack of a definition of food service industry; the committee amended the bill to add that definition and passed it with amendments. At the later 3:15 p.m. decision-making-only agenda, the committee deferred SB 730 indefinitely after conferring with the PSM chair, saying it was special legislation needing further work in the interim.

Transcript Highlights:

• :05.680><c> wec><00:01:05.840><c> servec><00:01:06.080><c> thec><00:01:06.320><c> peoplec><00
• c><00:01:38.000><c> Wec><00:01:38.320><c> havec><00:01:38.479><c> 12c><00:01:38.880><c> 12c
• c><00:01:40.000><c> Wec><00:01:40.400><c> havec><00:01:40.720><c> ac><00:01:41.119><c> quorum
• c> whatc><00:18:39.679><c> typesc><00:18:39.919><c> ofc><00:18:40.160><c> programsc> critical
• role in what types of programs critical role in what types of programs that<00:18:41.120><c> theyc

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> datedc><00:06:38.040><c> Wednesday,c><00:06:38.600><c> Aprilc><00:06:38.960><c> 15th,c>
• c><00:06:41.040><c> willc><00:06:41.200><c> beginc><00:06:42.280><c> atc><00:06:42.480><c> the
• c><00:10:52.880><c> Onlyc><00:10:53.000><c> itc><00:10:53.080><c> wasc><00:10:53.200><c> ac
• Only it was a different<00:10:53.880><c> typec><00:10:54.160><c> ofc><00:10:54.440><c> digging.
• c><00:10:55.320><c> Senatec><00:10:55.640><c> Filec> different type of digging.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met under call, established a quorum, and adopted the printed committee reports, except those relating to Senate Concurrent Resolution 6. It then gave second reading to Senate File 4282 and several House files, and later handled motions including re-referring Senate File 4634 from Jobs and Economic Development to Taxes. The chamber also designated special orders for immediate consideration. On special order, Senate File 4339, relating to the excavation notice system and utility locating, was presented as a safe-digging measure requiring electronic positive responses from utility operators and updated contact information for locators. The bill was read a third time and passed 64-0. The Senate then took up House File 3718, which modernizes the Board of Veterinary Medicine, updates definitions and licensing rules, expands scope of practice and telemedicine provisions, changes board composition, and adds a background check requirement; after questions from Senator Green about the bill’s sponsor, background checks, and board size, it passed 52-13. The Senate next considered Senate File 4455, concerning the Lake City and Red Wing port authorities. An A2 amendment was adopted to address municipal public utilities commission voter ratification language, and the bill as amended passed 65-0. The session ended with announcements, including a lighthearted note about “Steak on a Stick Eve,” excusing Senators Webber and Miller, and adjournment until Thursday, April 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> uhc><00:01:17.680><c> Ic><00:01:17.759><c> justc><00:01:18.000><c> seec><00:01:18.159><c>
• .<00:01:21.759><c> Justc><00:01:21.920><c> wantc><00:01:22.080><c> toc><00:01:22.240><c> sayc
• c><00:01:26.400><c> Soc><00:01:26.479><c> Ic><00:01:26.640><c> wantc><00:01:26.720><c> toc>
• c><00:20:51.679><c> typec><00:20:51.840><c> ofc><00:20:52.000><c> anc><00:20:52.159><c> investigation
• c> up under some type of an investigation up under some type of an investigation related<00:20:53.520

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:06 Attendance Roll Call: 00:11 SB 53 Discussion: 01:54 SB 53 Vote: 09:09 SB 192 Discussion: 10:15 SB 192 Vote: 13:42 HB 290 Discussion: 15:02 HB 290 Vote: 16:08 HB 314 Discussion: 16:45 HB 314 Vote: 19:38 Adjournment: 21:32, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. Senate Bill 53, sponsored by Senator Thomas, addressed Fayette County planning and zoning procedures after a 2024 law was interpreted to limit public comment at certain hearings. Thomas, along with witnesses Walt Gaffield and Zachary Davis, argued the bill would clarify that residents have a right to speak for or against planning matters affecting their homes and neighborhoods. The committee voted favorably on SB 53, with all members present voting yes. The committee then took up Senate Bill 192, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would allow smaller cities to use agreed-upon procedures instead of full audits under certain conditions, with standards set by professional accounting rules and oversight by the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Department of Local Government. Supporters said the bill would help small and midsize cities facing audit costs and a shortage of auditors without reducing accountability. The committee adopted a substitute and passed SB 192 unanimously, with several members explaining their support. House Bill 290, sponsored by Representative Wilson, would change how county law library funds can be used, allowing bar associations to spend money on online legal research tools rather than only books. The sponsor said some local associations have unused funds and need more practical options. The committee passed HB 290 unanimously. Finally, House Bill 314, sponsored by Representative Lockett and Senator Williams, would reorganize oversight of the Kentucky Wired network by consolidating authority and personnel into the Commonwealth Office of Technology amid concerns about KCNA’s management. The bill drew criticism from Senator McDaniel, who called Kentucky Wired a boondoggle and questioned its costs, but the committee still passed HB 314 with favorable expression 9-2 and sent it to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:23.280><c> Um,c><00:01:23.759><c> wec><00:01:24.000><c> doc><00:01:24.320><c> have
• c><00:01:27.119><c> youc><00:01:27.280><c> andc><00:01:27.520><c> letc><00:01:27.600><c> you<
• <c> andc><00:02:59.440><c> I'mc><00:02:59.680><c> notc><00:03:00.000><c> Ic><00:03:00.239><c>
• :15:36.240><c> thec><00:15:36.399><c> typec><00:15:36.560><c> ofc><00:15:36.720><c> socialc><
• 00:15:37.040><c> workersc> needs and the type of social workers needs and the type of social workers

Bills: HB245, HB138, HB151, HB152, HB245, HB138, HB151, HB152

Keywords: inhalants, controlled substances, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, health, public safety, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision, perinatal care, prenatal care, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:07:19.759><c> Ifc><00:07:19.759><c> youc><00:07:19.919><c> willc><00:07:20.160><c> as
• /c><00:07:22.479><c> toc><00:07:22.639><c> bec><00:07:22.800><c> givenc><00:07:23.039><c> byc
• c><00:18:22.559><c> Uh,c><00:18:22.799><c> butc><00:18:23.039><c> asc><00:18:23.200><c> Ic>
• <00:19:53.520><c> Isc><00:19:53.679><c> therec><00:19:53.840><c> anyc><00:19:54.080><c> typec
• Is there any type of tabulation that<00:19:55.200><c> wouldc><00:19:55.360><c> takec><00:19:55.520

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 13 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received an invocation from Reverend Michael Marshall of Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The chamber then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and moved into the calendar. Several motions to reconsider earlier actions on calendar items were taken up and, in multiple instances, tabled or passed over without further action. The main substantive debate centered on SB 2208, the Mississippi Public University System Governance Study Committee creation bill. Senator Boyd moved to reconsider the bill, and Senator Dupree offered a friendly amendment to add two additional members representing HBCUs, one appointed by the lieutenant governor and one by the speaker of the House. The amendment was adopted, and the bill then passed by use of the morning roll call. The Senate also took up SB 2587, concerning absentee ballots and removing the envelope requirement; Senator England moved to reconsider the failed vote, explained the bill as a way to let voters deposit ballots directly into a scanner, and answered questions about ballot security and the statewide election management system. Senator Tate attempted to offer an amendment to simplify the bill and return to current law, but the amendment was not in writing and was withdrawn; the bill then passed by morning roll call. Other calendar items were largely handled by motions to table reconsideration. SB 2746, the Older Mississippians Act, and SB 2728, the Mississippi Chance for Youth Court Act of 2026, were both tabled at the reconsideration stage. SB 2523, relating to state institutions of higher learning, was also tabled. After completing the calendar and brief announcements, the Senate agreed to recess until noon, with the journal to reflect the later return time.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> downc><00:03:42.560><c> toc><00:03:42.640><c> thec><00:03:43.040><c> uhc> And then we'll
• <c> inc><00:04:30.920><c> lawc><00:04:31.480><c> inc><00:04:31.680><c> Junec><00:04:31.960><c
• ><c> toc><00:07:27.320><c> goc><00:07:27.480><c> toc><00:07:27.560><c> thec><00:07:27.680><c>
• 13:39.440><c> atc><00:13:39.520><c> allc><00:13:39.680><c> typesc><00:13:40.000><c> ofc> 88,000
• students at all types of 88,000 students at all types of institutions<00:13:41.000><c> relyc><00:13

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> onec><00:00:55.280><c> ofc><00:00:55.360><c> thec><00:00:55.520><c> thingsc><00:00:55.600
• :55.920><c> DE1c><00:00:56.719><c> doesc><00:00:57.039><c> isc><00:00:57.360><c> alsoc><00:00
• c><00:01:18.880><c> Andc><00:01:19.119><c> Ic><00:01:19.280><c> thinkc><00:01:19.680><c> Ic
• certain types<00:13:09.440><c> ofc><00:13:09.720><c> organizations.
• 00:13:11.600><c> hearc> types of organizations.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2037, which would replace the current executive board model for Direct Care and Treatment with a commissioner-led structure. Representative Frederick moved the DE1 amendment, which was adopted, to conform the bill with Senate language and place the CEO under the commissioner. Frederick said the change was intended to preserve some continuity while increasing accountability and insulating direct health care services from politics. Frederick argued that the existing executive board, which meets only a few times a year and hires the CEO, would leave the legislature and governor with limited ability to respond quickly to serious problems in a billion-dollar agency. He said the bill is about accountability to Minnesota taxpayers and creating a structure more like other state agencies. Public testimony was closed without any outside witnesses. Members discussed the tradeoffs between board governance and a commissioner model. Chair Schumacher noted Frederick would become chief author of the bill, and several members said they appreciated the effort to balance accountability, continuity of care, and operational expertise. Questions focused on the role of the advisory council; Frederick said it would remain in place so stakeholders could advise the commissioner and CEO, and that legislators are included among its members. The committee then laid over House File 2037, as amended, for possible inclusion in a later bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:26.960><c> Uhc><00:01:27.280><c> we'rec><00:01:27.439><c> goingc><00:01:27.520><c> to
• :28.320><c> secondc><00:01:28.560><c> andc><00:01:28.720><c> lastc><00:01:28.960><c> itemc><00
• c><00:01:30.000><c> Thatc><00:01:30.159><c> isc><00:01:31.040><c> Senatec><00:01:31.360><c> Bill
• ensure plug-in solar is accessible across<00:04:23.680><c> housingc><00:04:24.000><c> types,c><00
• :04:24.320><c> notc><00:04:24.479><c> justc> across housing types, not just across housing types,

Bills: SB2671, SB2902

Keywords: permit processing, permitting reform, county permits, development permits, building permits, land use, construction delays, housing development, infrastructure development, county workforce, differential pay, salary incentive, performance bonus, recruitment and retention, expedited hiring, vacancy rates, permit backlog, government modernization, county mayor, county council

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard two measures. SB 2671, relating to essential permitting positions, drew no oral testimony beyond written comments from the Department of the Attorney General and the Office of Planning. The chair said the bill was intended to make government more efficient and reduce red tape in the permitting process. SB 2902, relating to renewable energy, received testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, Kauai Island Cooperative, Bright Saver, and 350 Hawaii. Supporters described the bill as a way to expand access to plug-in or balcony solar, lower electricity bills, improve resilience, and broaden access for renters and apartment residents. Several testifiers urged amendments to avoid limiting the measure to condominiums, to remove condominium board approval language, and to eliminate utility or PUC registration requirements. The PUC said registration could help with safety, linemen protection, and circuit hosting-capacity concerns, and noted that improper installation or oversizing could create problems. After a brief recess, the committee voted to recommend both bills for passage with amendments and deferred each to April 19, 2042. The recommendations were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• :14.760><c> Marshc><00:01:15.680><c> uhc><00:01:15.840><c> fromc><00:01:16.080><c> myc> named
• uhc><00:01:18.200><c> atc><00:01:18.360><c> 8c><00:01:18.520><c> yearsc><00:01:18.760><c> old
• ><c> werec><00:02:39.800><c> wec><00:02:39.959><c> werec><00:02:40.120><c> goodc><00:02:40.320
• ><c> itc><00:02:47.760><c> camec><00:02:48.040><c> outc><00:02:48.160><c> ofc><00:02:48.240><
• c> thec><00:02:48.320><c> housec><00:02:49.000><c> andc><00:02:49.160><c> thatc> once it came

Bills: HB381, HB259, HB393, HB399, SB358, SB362, SB363, SB348, SB187

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.920><c> toc><00:01:02.079><c> movec><00:01:02.239><c> Housec><00:01:02.480><c> Filec> that
• c><00:01:04.239><c> askc><00:01:04.479><c> itc><00:01:04.640><c> toc><00:01:04.720><c> bec>
• c> toc><00:02:52.560><c> bec><00:02:52.640><c> ablec><00:02:52.800><c> toc><00:02:52.959><c>
• ><c> samec><00:04:38.800><c> umc><00:04:38.960><c> typec><00:04:39.199><c> ofc><00:04:39.360>
• type of of request for two the same um type of of request for two different<00:04:41.320><c> locations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> uhc><00:02:00.399><c> bothc><00:02:00.719><c> chairs,c><00:02:01.520><c> uhc> do want to
• :02.560><c> andc><00:02:03.360><c> Chairc><00:02:03.680><c> Nashc><00:02:04.079><c> forc> Chair
• ><c> goingc><00:02:06.640><c> toc><00:02:06.719><c> havec><00:02:06.799><c> ac><00:02:06.960>
• c> townc><00:03:48.239><c> inc><00:03:48.480><c> inc><00:03:49.040><c> uhc><00:03:49.599><c>
• c><00:03:56.720><c> Andc><00:03:56.879><c> itc><00:03:57.120><c> wasc><00:03:57.200><c> itc

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> ac><00:01:01.560><c> proposedc><00:01:02.040><c> resolutionc><00:01:02.680><c> thatc> Resolution
• ><c> uhc><00:01:09.040><c> asc><00:01:09.200><c> thec><00:01:09.240><c> resolutionc> much the
• c><00:01:10.680><c> Ic><00:01:10.760><c> canc><00:01:11.000><c> walkc><00:01:11.320><c> you
• ><c> Ic><00:01:42.800><c> think,c><00:01:43.000><c> aboutc><00:01:43.320><c> fourc> this year
• :01:44.760><c> toc><00:01:44.880><c> considerc><00:01:45.560><c> howc><00:01:45.720><c> toc><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :16.239><c> 25c><03:46:16.800><c> 30c><03:46:17.120><c> differentc><03:46:17.439><c> typesc><
• 03:46:17.760><c> ofc><03:46:18.080><c> waysc><03:46:18.479><c> thisc> be 25 30 different types
• of ways this be 25 30 different types of ways this money<03:46:18.960><c> canc><03:46:19.120><c> be
• that's all defined too under eligibility ineligibility<04:08:34.000><c> typec><04:08:34.399><c> issues
• c><04:08:35.760><c> Soc><04:08:36.319><c> therec> ineligibility type issues.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• matchingc><00:27:02.559><c> fundc><00:27:03.039><c> typec><00:27:03.200><c> ofc> wanted to do
• a matching fund type of wanted to do a matching fund type of arrangement<00:27:04.760><c> umc><00:
• when patient abuse or any other<01:49:20.760><c> typesc><01:49:21.320><c> ofc><01:49:21.920><c>
• umc> other types of um other types of um um<01:49:23.599><c> I'mc><01:49:23.679><c> notc><01:49
• ><c> DNRc><02:54:12.920><c> andc><02:54:13.399><c> dhhlc> So, was there any type of lease between

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years. For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations. Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need. HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• So maybe some type<00:30:40.559><c> ofc><00:30:40.799><c> reviewc><00:30:41.200><c> andc><00:30
• :42.080><c> yourc> type of review and see like this is your type of review and see like this is your
• ><c> betterc><00:30:54.880><c> andc> type of land project the better and type of land project the
• c> types of potential cases. types of potential cases.
• whatc><03:03:15.520><c> typec><03:03:15.680><c> ofc> discussing with them what type of discussing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education met on February 17 and announced it would limit public testimony to one minute because more than a thousand testimonies were expected on one measure. The first bill heard was HB 1934, relating to the Imagination Library of Hawaii. The state librarian and Friends of the Library supported the bill, saying the program is a proven, cost-effective way to improve early literacy and should be expanded statewide for children ages 0 to 5. Friends of the Library said the current 50/50 match requirement would be too difficult to meet immediately and asked for state funding for the first few years to help launch the expansion. Testimony included eight supporters and one opponent, and members asked whether the proposal was an expansion of an existing program; the state librarian said it would expand service beyond currently targeted communities. The committee then heard HB 20004, which would extend the floating librarian pilot program. The state librarian, Department of Education, HSTA, and several individuals testified in support. Supporters said the program helps address staffing needs and improves student readiness, especially for college and information literacy. One retired community college librarian said school librarians help students prepare for college and are increasingly important in teaching critical evaluation of misinformation and AI-generated content. Members asked about implementation of the existing pilot, including recruitment of certified librarians for neighbor island and Oahu complex areas; DOE said those positions had been identified and recruitment was underway, and existing funds remained intact. The final major discussion was HB 2398, which clarifies the library system’s role in RNMSP-related projects and public library construction on or near school land. The state librarian and public library system supported the bill, while the Department of Education and Attorney General’s office raised concerns about vague language, especially the phrase “land controlled by the board,” and suggested amendments. In questioning, the state librarian explained that the bill was prompted by conflicts on shared or adjacent school/public library sites, including traffic, pickup and drop-off access, and other operational issues. DOE described significant disruption from one project’s traffic changes and said planning for such projects should involve early coordination and formal agreements. The state librarian responded that the new bill would clarify oversight and help avoid delays and disputes over property control and future renovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• typec><00:27:11.480><c> ofc><00:27:11.720><c> engineeringc><00:27:12.720><c> Lic><00:27:13.279
• ><c> forc> a certain type of engineering Li for a certain type of engineering Li for example<00:27:
• workc><00:27:57.279><c> orc><00:27:57.679><c> anyc><00:27:58.320><c> typec><00:27:58.760><c>
• type of of um<00:28:00.519><c> statusc><00:28:01.159><c> inc><00:28:01.799><c> professionc><00
• <c> nothingc><00:28:19.799><c> toc><00:28:19.960><c> doc> same type of thing it has nothing to

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing opened on House Bill 192, which concerns the Joint Committee on Employee Classification process for state employee positions. Representative Peter Schmidt explained that the bill is a procedural step to send already-reviewed classifications to Korn Ferry and then into statute and the budget. Department of Corrections staff and Commissioner Helen Hanks testified that one Deputy Director of Medical Services position had been omitted from the bill by mistake even though it had already gone through the JCEC process, and they asked for an amendment to add it. Hanks clarified that the position is an existing classified job being converted to unclassified status, not a new position. The committee discussed how the amendment would work and the quorum requirements for the JCEC, then closed the hearing on HB 192 after no further testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 435, sponsored by Representative Don McFarland, which would clarify professional engineering licensure law. McFarland said the bill is intended to make clear that work in IT security, electronics, digital systems, computing, and software is not the practice of engineering requiring a professional engineer license, while preserving licensure requirements for fields such as civil, structural, and building-related engineering. He said he had consulted with the American Council of Engineering Companies and that the bill is meant to remove ambiguity and legal risk, not deregulate engineering. Several members with engineering backgrounds spoke in support, describing the distinction between licensed PE work and other technical fields, and one member noted that software development and regulated software work typically do not require a PE license. The committee voted ought to pass on HB 435 by a roll call of 16-0 and placed it on consent. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 210, which would create a commission to study the New Hampshire state flag. Representative Tom Corman argued that the current flag is a generic “state seal on a blue bedsheet” and does not meet common vexillological design principles such as simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited colors, and distinctiveness. He said the proposed commission would include legislative members plus representatives of the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New England Vexillological Association, and would review the flag’s history and recommend whether to redesign it and how to do so. He also indicated he intended to add language to avoid costs, but the bill discussion was not completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:27 Legislative Research Commission 00:01:15 KentuckyWired Operations Company 00:17:30 Wireless Internet Service Providers Association 00:40:15 Administrative Office of the Courts 01:08:55 Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts 01:33:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the July 9 minutes without objection and heard from Jay Hartz and Jonathan Harris of the Legislative Research Commission. Members asked about Capitol and legislator security in light of recent targeted shootings in other states. Hartz said LRC had removed members’ home addresses from its website, was reviewing other state-government records for similar information, and was working with the Speaker, Senate President, Kentucky State Police, and outside security experts on broader safety measures. He also said LRC is exploring commercial products to help block personal contact information from public view, but declined to name vendors publicly. Harris added that driver’s license scans at the Capitol are handled by Kentucky State Police, while LRC has a process for flagging high-volume or concerning contacts for police review. The LRC also reported that redistricting work has already begun, with census coordination underway, evaluation of redistricting software including Mapitude and open-source tools, and plans to make the same tools available to the public in the LRC library. The committee then heard from Kentucky Wired Operations Company CEO Robert Morphonius, COO Tom Snyder, and counsel Patrick Hughes about the Kentucky Wired network. They explained the corporate structure: Kentucky Wired Operations Company is a private for-profit special purpose entity that designs, builds, operates, and maintains the network; Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Company is a nonprofit instrumentality used for financing; and Open Fiber Kentucky handles commercialization of excess capacity under a wholesale agreement. They said Kentucky Wired Operations is in the operations and maintenance phase, with those obligations continuing until 2045, and that technical changes to the network generally require KCNA approval through formal change-order processes. They also said the company conducted a market test in June 2023 under Schedule 19 of its contract, considered proposals including Open Fiber and the incumbent service provider, and retained the existing provider. Members asked about KCNA’s role, procurement, network customers, and revenue. The witnesses said Quac operates outside normal state procurement because its process is governed by contract, while KCNA acts as the Commonwealth’s oversight authority and filter for changes. They identified current network users as including AOC, KCTCS, postsecondary education, and other Commonwealth agencies, with all requests routed through KCNA; they also said a separate change process for Exceliccom is in litigation. On funding, they said the operation is paid through monthly appropriations, with roughly a million dollars a month for the service provider and a couple hundred thousand for Quac’s oversight, not including debt service, which is bundled into the availability payment. The discussion ended as members began asking about responsibility for damage-related costs such as squirrel-related outages.

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.