Transcript Highlights:

• Um if<00:34:11.119><c> it'sc><00:34:11.359><c> thec><00:34:11.599><c> typec><00:34:11.760><c> of
• c><00:34:12.000><c> housingc><00:34:12.480><c> projectc><00:34:12.879><c> andc> if it's the type
• ><c> typesc><01:53:20.960><c> ofc><01:53:21.360><c> ofc><01:53:21.760><c> billsc><01:53:22.719
• ><c> andc><01:53:23.040><c> thisc><01:53:23.199><c> willc> to these types of of bills and this
• ><c> samec><01:54:56.320><c> typec><01:54:56.560><c> ofc><01:54:56.800><c> discussionc> like

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a call of the Senate, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and moved to messages from the House. The chamber received several House-passed Senate files, including SF 2814 (real estate appraisers), SF 3637 (transportation), and SF 4244 (technical corrections), and took up SF 1714 on payment transparency and public contracts. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to SF 1714, advanced it to third reading, and then passed the bill 65-0. The Senate also received House amendments to SF 3432 on public safety, but instead of concurring, it voted to send the bill to a five-member conference committee. The Senate likewise agreed to a conference committee request on HF 4188, a commerce bill dealing with consumer protections for insurance and financial products. The Senate then handled additional House messages and routine business, including first reading of several House files and adoption of committee reports. A committee report on SF 453, relating to thermal energy networks as public improvements and water works, recommended amendment and passage under Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, and the report was adopted except for the referenced resolution item. The chamber also completed second readings of several Senate bills and one House bill, and approved a motion to withdraw SF 4464 from the Committee on State and Local Government and return it to the author. The main floor debate centered on HF 1141, the housing finance and policy omnibus. Senator Port described the bill as focused on affordability, including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota infrastructure grants, manufactured housing protections, limits on large institutional investors buying single-family homes, and increased oversight of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The Senate adopted several amendments, including a technical A12 amendment, A7 to dedicate $5 million of bonding to manufactured home park improvements, and A4 on manufactured housing protections such as rent receipts and longer move-out time after eviction. Senator Abler then offered A14, which would limit rent increases in certain non-market-rate, tax-credit housing for seniors to CPI-based increases; supporters framed it as a humanitarian measure for elderly residents facing steep rent hikes, while opponents raised concerns about rent control, the scope of the amendment, and the need for more detail. The transcript ends during continued debate on A14, with no final vote shown on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• schoolc> different type of process that school different type of process that school districts<01:07
• c> typec><01:19:46.239><c> thingc><01:19:46.719><c> outc><01:19:46.880><c> ofc><01:19:47.120>
• <c> yourc><01:19:47.520><c> specialc> loan type thing out of your special loan type thing out of
• ><c> thisc><01:46:59.600><c> typec><01:46:59.840><c> ofc> look to how to incentivize this type
• of look to how to incentivize this type of activity<01:47:00.639><c> andc><01:47:01.040><c> support

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to continue its study of the cost of special education, with the chair emphasizing that the group needs to narrow its focus over the coming year toward specific cost drivers, including the IEP process, Medicaid, charter schools, and EFAs. Members reviewed a draft first report due November 1 and agreed it would be a brief synopsis of prior meetings, with minutes attached. The September 30, 2025 minutes were amended to correct the number of federally funded department staff from 234 to 23, and to revise language about Senator Sullivan’s comments so they reflected concerns about IEP advocates and fees charged to families rather than support for the concept. The amended minutes were then approved unanimously, with abstentions noted for members who were absent. The main presentation focused on how special education costs are handled for students attending charter schools. The DOE representative said there are 804 students with disabilities in charter schools across 88 of the state’s 176 districts, and that the district of residence remains responsible for all services and costs. She explained that students must meet IDEA criteria through district evaluation and parent consent, and that services are determined through individual IEP meetings rather than by a blanket charter-school decision. Members asked how those costs are tracked, whether any students are merely “monitored,” and whether districts separately identify charter-school special education expenses; the answer was that most districts fold those costs into their overall special education budget, though some may break them out as a line item. The discussion then turned to transportation and mileage costs for staff providing services at charter schools. Testimony indicated that districts may use their own staff, contract staff, or contract with a charter school for certified services, and that travel costs are often either built into contracts or absorbed as part of staff time rather than separately reimbursed. Members questioned whether mileage is reimbursed when staff travel to distant charter schools and whether those costs can be isolated in district budgets; the response was that practices vary by district and are not usually broken out by special education function. Several members argued this makes it difficult to determine the true cost of delivering special education, especially given New Hampshire’s model in which the district of residence pays regardless of where the charter school is located. The chair noted the complexity of the system and compared it to the state’s separate tuition and transportation approach for career and technical education centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• > forc><00:09:30.519><c> thatc><00:09:30.959><c> thatc><00:09:31.120><c> typec><00:09:31.279>
• <c> ofc> the demand for that that type of the demand for that that type of position<00:09:31.959><c
• that would constitute alternative<00:53:53.440><c> typec><00:53:53.799><c> programsc><00:53:54.680
• ><c> soc><00:53:54.880><c> ac><00:53:54.960><c> lotc><00:53:55.079><c> ofc> alternative type
• programs so a lot of alternative type programs so a lot of that<00:53:55.400><c> largelyc><00:53:55.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> typec><01:14:29.760><c> ofc> proactive with things and the type of proactive with things and
• the type of work<01:14:30.120><c> thatc><01:14:30.199><c> we'rec><01:14:30.400><c> doingc><01:
• 01:14:50.480><c> typec><01:14:50.679><c> ofc><01:14:50.800><c> workc><01:14:51.040><c> thatc>
• <01:14:51.159><c> Ic><01:14:51.320><c> couldc><01:14:51.520><c> doc> yet the type of work that
• um partial hospitalization<01:15:15.159><c> thatc><01:15:15.360><c> typec><01:15:15.520><c> of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:05:09.360><c> isc><00:05:09.520><c> sortc><00:05:09.639><c> ofc><00:05:09.759><c> ac>
• ><c> typec><00:35:30.640><c> ofc><00:35:30.760><c> policyc> training or some type of policy training
• or some type of policy clarification<00:35:33.480><c> soc><00:35:33.720><c> wec><00:35:33.800><c
• to receive some<01:04:43.440><c> typec><01:04:43.640><c> ofc><01:04:43.799><c> servicesc><01:04
• :44.640><c> Missc><01:04:45.119><c> Garrettc> some type of services Miss Garrett some type of services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 54.080><c> thesec><00:08:54.480><c> typesc><00:08:54.720><c> ofc><00:08:54.880><c> non-cognitive
• c> impact of these types of non-cognitive impact of these types of non-cognitive skills<00:08:56.440
• ><c> thesec><00:15:21.440><c> typesc><00:15:21.639><c> ofc><00:15:21.800><c> thingsc><00:15:22.079
• ><c> rightc><00:15:22.240><c> nowc><00:15:22.639><c> toc> doing these types of things right now
• to doing these types of things right now to reduce<00:15:23.839><c> significantlyc><00:15:24.440><

Bills: HF2582, HF2266, HF2518, HF2039, HF1941

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• 52.720><c> thec><00:01:52.799><c> past,c><00:01:53.040><c> soc><00:01:53.360><c> excitedc><00
• ><c> forc><00:04:52.080><c> usc><00:04:52.240><c> toc><00:04:52.880><c> umc><00:04:53.040><c>
• 00:54:11.920><c> thec><00:54:12.160><c> typesc><00:54:12.559><c> ofc><00:54:13.040><c> incidents
• c><00:54:13.760><c> andc><00:54:14.079><c> didc><00:54:14.240><c> Ic> um by the types of incidents
• and did I um by the types of incidents and did I go<00:54:14.880><c> thec><00:54:15.119><c> wrong<

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:42:48.400><c> types.
• c><01:42:49.760><c> Uhc><01:42:50.639><c> thec> certain magazine types.
• of the particular a secure door right of of the particular type<02:17:17.840><c> ofc><02:17:18.000
• to put this restriction on one class of retailer,<03:03:08.000><c> onec><03:03:08.479><c> typec>
• type a<03:20:15.040><c> onec><03:20:15.279><c> whenc><03:20:15.439><c> anc><03:20:15.680><c> eye

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal as corrected, and then proceeded out of order to memorials. House Memorial 1002, honoring former Representative Carl Eugene Miller of Leadville, was read and adopted unanimously, 63-0 with two excused. Speakers highlighted Miller’s service as a miner, Army veteran, Lake County commissioner, state representative, Public Utilities Commission commissioner, and his role in establishing the National Mining Hall of Fame and the Leadville Trail 100. His family was recognized in the chamber. During announcements, members welcomed several visiting groups, including Prowers County commissioners, the Rocky Mountain Cradle to Career Civic Influencers, the Colorado Springs School, and Advocates for Recovery Colorado, which was noted as advocating for recovery support and related policy issues. Members also mentioned upcoming committee meetings, including Finance and Appropriations, and a reminder that the business affairs and labor committee was not meeting that day. The House then set special orders for March 19, 2026, and adopted motions limiting debate time on House Bill 1126 to three hours and on Senate Bills 4 and 43 to two hours each. The chamber then resolved into committee of the whole and began consideration of House Bill 1126, which concerns requirements for dealing firearms. The bill was read at length at the request of the minority leader, who argued that the measure could hurt small, family-owned gun businesses. The bill summary described expanded permit requirements for firearm dealers, additional requirements for responsible persons and employees, recordkeeping and security mandates, reporting of theft or loss, and increased penalties for violations, including fines, suspension, or revocation of dealer permits.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have on the ability to stand up to 5, a one C 3.
• That's our hospital report card that other emergent issues, they can review any type of data, any type
• C 3.
• C contracts is is is this concept of continuity of care?
• And yes, I'm C 3 point program rolling out a 2 point.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 56.920><c> ofc><00:01:57.000><c> saying,c><00:01:57.320><c> "Wec><00:01:57.480><c> arec><00:01
• c> Who<00:02:22.000><c> camec><00:02:22.280><c> inc><00:02:22.440><c> withc><00:02:22.600><c>
• And<00:02:43.400><c> Ic><00:02:43.440><c> wantc><00:02:43.600><c> toc><00:02:43.680><c> givec
• c><00:03:43.760><c> trainc><00:03:44.800><c> ac><00:03:44.880><c> lotc><00:03:45.120><c> ofc>
• c> Healthcare for our type 1 diabetics to not get left out.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Perez-Vega delivered a farewell-style floor speech reflecting on her service representing District 65B and thanking colleagues, staff, and community members. She spoke about her Puerto Rican heritage, her family’s activism and military service, and the importance of public service and teamwork in the House. Much of the speech was personal and celebratory, with repeated thanks to staff and fellow legislators for their support. She highlighted several policy accomplishments and priorities from her time in office, including passing driver’s licenses for all, advancing housing justice and tenants’ rights to organize, supporting workforce development, and backing the READ Act and dual-language education. She also mentioned efforts related to ethnic studies, healthcare for type 1 diabetics, and securing funding for a future Minnesota Latino Museum. She emphasized that these achievements were collective efforts and credited Speaker Melissa Hortman’s leadership and encouragement. No formal vote or committee action occurred in the excerpt. The speech concluded with praise for collaboration across the aisle, a call to continue serving Minnesota communities, and applause from the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> toc> I do think the governor is open to listening and considering all types of opinion when it
• /c><04:00:26.640><c> ofc><04:00:26.800><c> programming,c><04:00:28.080><c> addingc> certain types
• of programming, adding certain types of programming, adding programming<04:00:29.120><c> toc><04:00
• c> thatc><04:05:24.960><c> typec><04:05:25.199><c> ofc><04:05:25.359><c> thing.
• c> campaigns, that that type of thing. campaigns, that that type of thing. >> Represent.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> butc><01:23:35.280><c> hec> type the sheriff can observe but he type the sheriff can observe
• 26:28.439><c> thatc><02:26:28.640><c> typec> for example identity theft or that type for example
• ><c> sweepingc><04:04:51.359><c> typec> that this is a very wide sweeping type that this is a very
• c><05:18:05.000><c> toc><05:18:05.958><c> typec><05:18:06.200><c> inc><05:18:06.440><c> ac>
• <c> ofc><06:19:39.240><c> firefightingc> believe some type of firefighting believe some type of firefighting

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:33.200><c> Chairmanc><00:01:33.520><c> andc><00:01:33.759><c> goodc> >> Thank
• c><00:01:36.880><c> I'mc><00:01:37.119><c> herec><00:01:37.360><c> thisc><00:01:37.600><c> morning
• c><00:11:47.519><c> typec><00:11:47.680><c> ofc> to try to encourage that type of to try to encourage
• that type of investment.<00:11:48.959><c> Ic><00:11:49.120><c> Ic><00:11:49.519><c> don'tc><00
• ><c> typec><00:22:24.320><c> ofc> a way to retrieve that type of a way to retrieve that type of information

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard by changing several class definitions, eliminating Class 2, lowering the utility obligation for Class 1 thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjusting alternative compliance payments. Representative Vose said the bill would save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, arguing that Class 2 is already saturated and that the changes would not materially affect renewable energy development. Members questioned the fiscal impact, with an amended fiscal note cited as showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue, and some members raised concerns that the bill could weaken one of the remaining incentives for renewable investment. The committee also reviewed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and then removed in conference committee. No vote was taken in the work session. The committee then heard House Bill 164, concerning local records retention and the creation of a local records manager position. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the position has existed in statute for years but has never been funded, and said the need has grown as records management has become more digital and ADA accessibility has become more important. He described the bill as a way to help towns preserve and digitize records, especially for smaller communities with limited resources, while keeping records locally when possible. Members asked about the fiscal note, the potential cost of a public website and storage system, and whether the state could start by funding the position alone; the secretary said the staffing cost estimate remained accurate but that storage costs could rise over time. Several members expressed support and suggested further discussion with the Department of Information or other agencies. The work session was then closed without action. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 365, which would provide proof of U.S. citizenship assistance for indigent voters. Secretary Scanlan said the bill is intended to help voters comply with the new voter registration documentation requirements by allowing the state to verify eligibility through federal, private, and other state databases, and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to the earlier voter ID law, which he said was successfully implemented with accommodations for voters lacking acceptable ID. Members asked how “indigent” would be defined and how the process would work for out-of-state-born applicants; the secretary said indigency would likely be based on a voter’s statement of inability to pay and that the state would help identify where to obtain records and, if necessary, verify them through outside databases. The discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no vote recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The<00:04:55.759><c> typec><00:04:56.000><c> thatc><00:04:56.320><c> wasc><00:04:56.479><c> used
• c><00:04:56.720><c> atc><00:04:56.960><c> Annunciationc> The type that was used at Annunciation
• The type that was used at Annunciation and<00:04:58.160><c> inc><00:04:58.400><c> shootingsc><00
• c><00:43:31.440><c> thec> The speaker said that, when appropriating, the types of fiscal notes they
• Ic><00:44:05.119><c> mean,c><00:44:05.200><c> thec><00:44:05.359><c> typesc><00:44:05.599><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:00:55.720><c> Inc><00:00:55.800><c> fact,c><00:00:56.360><c> Ic><00:00:56.840><c> Ic><00
• ><c> typesc><00:37:40.120><c> ofc><00:37:40.200><c> propertyc> would deal with other types of property
• would deal with other types of property making<00:37:40.880><c> itc><00:37:41.040><c> muchc><00:
• <00:37:45.200><c> typesc><00:37:45.440><c> ofc><00:37:45.520><c> property.
• c><00:37:46.400><c> That'sc><00:37:46.600><c> inc><00:37:46.720><c> 4112c> other types of property

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by former member Jason Lorber, who spoke humorously about the difference between asking questions and making statements, urging members to be direct and add value in deliberation. The chamber then took up several resolutions: JRH 11, urging Congress to enact the National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2025, was read and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development; JRS 51, setting weekend adjournment for May 1, 2026, was adopted in concurrence; and H.C.R. 261 was read, recognizing May 2026 as Older Americans Month and designating May 6, 2026 as Age Strong Vermont Day. Members also used announcements to welcome guests and highlight events, including the Age Strong Vermont initiative, a former member’s return, visitors connected to psychedelic medicine advocacy, an art social, fisheries and trout-in-the-classroom guests, a legislative intern, and a reminder about the May 16 NAMI walk. The House then took up Senate Bill 230, an omnibus labor measure relating to fair employment practices. The committee explanation described technical clarifications to parental and family leave for full-time teachers, expansion of protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, removal of outdated statutory language on mandatory retirement for tenured faculty, and clarification that elected and appointed municipal officers are not employees for minimum wage and overtime purposes. The main new policy in section 3B would prohibit non-compete agreements for non-exempt employees, with an exception for collective bargaining agreements, and would restrict certain non-compete and related clauses in health care provider contracts while preserving continuity of care and excluding non-clinical business support services. The committee reported extensive testimony and voted 11-0-0 to recommend the bill favorably with amendment; the House agreed to propose the amendment to the Senate and ordered third reading. The House also began consideration of Senate Bill 179, updating Vermont’s Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act. The committee presentation explained that the bill would eliminate the current 9-month deadline for disclaimers, reflecting changes in federal tax law and the much larger modern estate and gift tax exclusion, and would modernize the statute in several ways. Proposed changes include clearer rules for jointly held property, allowing pre-death disclaimers, authorizing trustees and parents in limited circumstances to disclaim on behalf of trusts or minor children, permitting disclaimers by proxy for infirm persons, clarifying partial disclaimers and entity disclaimers, improving delivery rules for non-real-estate property, and specifying that a disclaimer is not a transfer for transfer-tax purposes. The bill was described as a response to outdated law in light of an impending large intergenerational wealth transfer, and the House proceeded with second reading discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• todayc><00:00:49.440><c> thec><00:00:49.640><c> committeec><00:00:50.160><c> onc><00:00:50.440
• ><c> herec><00:00:59.680><c> andc><00:01:00.160><c> againc><00:01:00.760><c> thisc><00:01:00.920
• :01:03.640><c> suchc><00:01:04.040><c> wec><00:01:04.199><c> willc><00:01:04.400><c> notc><00
• ><c> typesc><00:32:07.840><c> ofc><00:32:08.039><c> issuesc><00:32:09.000><c> soc> and farming
• those types of issues so and farming those types of issues so this<00:32:09.399><c> isc><00:32:09.519

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 534, a measure concerning development in Kakaʻako Makai involving the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chairs explained that the hearing was decision-making only and no testimony would be accepted, though members could ask clarifying questions. The chair outlined amendments to clarify HCDA’s approval process, require an environmental impact statement before residential development proposals are submitted, require Department of Health documentation on hazardous substances, and specify that only OHA-owned parcels would be eligible for certain residential development with a 400-foot height limit and maximum floor area ratio of 10.0. The amendments also addressed affordability, owner-occupancy, association fees, and a special fund, while noting Attorney General concerns that the fee could be construed as a tax and suggesting further review by Judiciary and Ways and Means. Members discussed the affordability threshold, with one senator suggesting 160% AMI instead of 140% due to high housing costs and concern that essential workers could be priced out. Others raised concerns about Native Hawaiian affordability, the long-term effect of perpetuity restrictions, and whether the process would protect OHA’s interests. An HCDA representative said 140% AMI was used in existing reserve housing rules and that lower thresholds could make development economically infeasible. OHA and other supporters said the proposal was still early in planning and emphasized the need for public hearings, community input, and compliance with environmental and remediation standards. The committees voted to pass SB 534 with amendments: Water and Land approved it 4-1, and Hawaiian Affairs also adopted the chair’s recommendation, with one member excused and one voting no. The meeting then moved to SB 3, relating to water resource management. The bill would authorize the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel, create an executive director position, allow challenges to emergency orders under certain conditions, establish fines for water use offenses, and revise emergency and shortage declaration procedures; Red Hill-related provisions were noted as removed from this version. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, the Board of Water Supply, OHA, and Sierra Club, with OHA stressing the measure’s importance to Native Hawaiian water rights and past litigation. A Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representative supported the bill with amendments and recommended explicit language directing the commission chair or designee to advocate for water rights and reservations for homelands. The chair indicated the committees would use the prior Senate-passed version as the basis for further action, and the discussion then moved on to SB 130, a search-and-rescue reimbursement bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:38.920><c> inc><00:01:39.000><c> yourc><00:01:39.160><c> packetc><00:01:40.280><c> uh
• c><00:01:42.200><c> 2026c><00:01:43.080><c> Senatec><00:01:43.360><c> Taxesc><00:01:43.800><c>
• c><00:02:51.680><c> byc><00:02:51.840><c> 7c><00:02:52.160><c> andc><00:02:52.280><c> 1/2c>
• environment, and it's just a<00:30:28.840><c> win-win-winc><00:30:29.760><c> typec><00:30:30.000>
• c><00:30:30.360><c> Soc><00:30:30.520><c> thankc><00:30:30.840><c> youc> a win-win-win type of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :26:04.760><c> typec><00:26:04.919><c> ofc><00:26:05.080><c> Revenuec><00:26:05.480><c> source<
• /c> and finding some type of Revenue source and finding some type of Revenue source that<00:26:06.039
• these selecting locations to expand these types<01:03:15.319><c> ofc><01:03:15.640><c> devicesc>
• <01:03:16.640><c> umc><01:03:16.839><c> availablec><01:03:17.240><c> forc> types of devices um
• available for types of devices um available for questions<01:03:18.240><c> thankc><01:03:18.440><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several bills on March 11, including measures on harbor vessel requirements, transportation funding, clean fuels, water carriers, parking enforcement, and electric mobility. For SB 1402 SD1 on vessels in state commercial harbors, testimony was split: the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Longline Association supported it, while Hol Holo Charters and one individual opposed it, saying the bill should be more specific about tourboat operators. For SB 1473 on central services assessments, SB 321 on privately owned roads, and SB 419 on insurance coverage for child passenger restraint systems, the committee heard brief testimony with no noted objections or actions beyond moving through the agenda. For SB 1009 SD2 on parking, the bill would create fines for misuse of disability and EV parking spaces and direct the revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund. Support came from Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Hawaii, the Disability Communication Access Board, and others, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported the bill’s intent but questioned using the fines for Safe Routes to School, and Hawaiian Electric suggested directing EV-related fines to the EV charging system subaccount instead. Hawaii Appleseed supported the measure but raised concerns about the size of the fines and possible impacts on low-income residents. The committee asked questions about enforcement when EV chargers are inoperable; DAGS indicated the stalls could be used and would not be enforced in that situation. For SB 1120 on a clean fuel standard, the Department of Transportation supported the measure but asked for the implementation date to be delayed by one year and requested an independent Hawaii-specific economic impact study due before the next session. Support also came from several transportation, airline, and industry groups, while Tim Rhymer and Frank Schultz opposed it. The committee then heard SB 21 on water carriers, which would authorize a PUC inflationary cost index adjustment mechanism and exemptions; DOT, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbors Users Group supported it, while Frank Schultz opposed. Finally, the committee heard SB 117 on electric mobility, which would expand and rename the rebate program, set age limits and operating rules for e-bikes and electric motorcycles, require insurance for electric motorcycle operators, and make conforming changes. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DOT, the Hawaii Bicycling League, the Queen’s pediatric trauma center, and Ulupono Initiative, though one testifier warned that the bill’s wattage definition could unintentionally capture some pedal-assist e-bikes. No votes were taken on the individual bills in the portions shown, and the transcript ended with the committee continuing its hearing agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> wec><00:15:26.160><c> wec><00:15:26.480><c> needc><00:15:26.639><c> ac><00:15:27.120><c>
• At the outset,<00:15:41.120><c> whatc><00:15:41.440><c> typec><00:15:41.920><c> ofc><00:15:42.800
• type of um personnel in the outset, what type of um personnel in the workforce<00:15:45.040><c> would
• <c> soc><00:21:27.120><c> ifc><00:21:27.280><c> youc><00:21:27.360><c> takec><00:21:27.520><c
• ><00:51:17.040><c> Ic><00:51:17.200><c> thinkc> type of areas which is I think type of areas which

Bills: HB1709, HB2195, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB1937, HB2586, HB2575, HB2038, HB2030

Keywords: water carriers, transportation, public utility, Department of Transportation, liability, agricultural rates, certificates of convenience, cruise ship, passenger head fee, harbor, capital improvement, funding, environmental impact, active intelligent speed assistance, intelligent speed assistance, speed limiter, speed limiting device, speed governor, vehicle telematics, traffic safety

Summary: The joint committees on Transportation, Labor and Technology, and later Transportation and Economic Development and Tourism, heard several bills. SB 2573 would allow administrative driver’s license revocation hearings to be held by interactive conference technology such as Zoom and permit electronic exchange of evidence. The chief adjudicator for the ADLRO supported it as a non-mandatory option that has worked well since 2021, improving attendance and saving time and money; DOT also supported it. The committees voted to pass SB 2573 with technical, non-substantive amendments. SB 3215 would make permanent the requirement that securing mooring lines at commercial docks be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining by repealing the sunset date in existing harbor safety law. DOT did not submit testimony, and the chair noted support from longshore labor. The committees voted to pass SB 3215 unamended. The committees also heard SB 2693, which authorizes $15 million in general obligation bonds for planning, design, and construction of a 50,000-square-foot aerospace hangar and related facilities at Hilo International Airport. A Phoenix Space executive testified in support, saying Hawaii and Hilo have geographic advantages and that the project could support aerospace investment and jobs; several other organizations and individuals submitted supportive testimony. Committee members questioned whether federal matching funds or airport capacity existed, and DOT said it had no assurance of federal participation and would need to check on capacity and potential users. The hearing then moved to SB 2698, which would create a cruise ship special fund and impose a per-passenger head fee on cruise ships docking in state commercial harbors while repealing the existing cruise ship TAT framework effective January 1, 2026. DOT supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the new fee is in addition to existing passenger, port entry, and dockage fees and to raise the fee from $6.50 to $10; DOT said the higher amount would better fund harbor improvements such as shore power. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings testified in support but said the added fee would significantly increase costs, while a local ship supply business supported the cruise industry and opposed the TAT approach, saying cruise activity benefits local farmers and jobs. No final vote on SB 2698 was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> wec><00:01:57.200><c> ranc><00:01:57.439><c> intoc><00:01:57.799><c> inc><00:01:58.000><
• c> uhc><00:02:00.520><c> ac><00:02:00.640><c> lotc><00:02:00.759><c> ofc><00:02:00.880><c> you
• c><00:03:32.840><c> ac><00:03:33.000><c> motionc><00:03:33.319><c> inc><00:03:33.480><c> ac
• ><c> Ic><00:04:20.519><c> havec><00:04:20.880><c> twoc><00:04:21.040><c> ofc><00:04:21.160><c
• of problems and they're have all types of problems and they're working<00:15:50.680><c> withc><00:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 669, sponsored by Representative Smith, which was presented as a response to a September shooting incident in his district that led to school closures and missed instructional days. Smith said the bill was intended to help school districts recover lost days caused by extraordinary emergencies and not to set a broad precedent. Members asked whether districts had adjusted calendars to make up time, and Smith said many had already extended days or moved calendars into June. The committee then voted to pass House Bill 669, with all members present voting yes. The committee next heard House Bill 621, as amended by a committee substitute that removed a homeschooling-related section and left only the school-threat provisions. The bill would allow courts to impose a fine on parents when a child is adjudicated for terroristic threatening if law enforcement incurred excessive costs, and it would require a mental health assessment for the child. Representative Duvall and Officer Steve Chappelle supported the measure, arguing that online school threats spread fear, disrupt attendance, pull law-enforcement resources from other schools, and should create more parental accountability. Representative Riley also supported the accountability goal, citing lost instructional time and a recent student suicide tied to online issues. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s scope and due process. Representative Josh Callaway questioned why this offense should be the starting point for parental fines and warned about a slippery slope in holding parents liable for children’s crimes. Representative Willner said the bill seemed more like a judiciary issue, questioned whether punishment can make parents better parents, and asked about diversion programs and the meaning of the detention language. Representative Tipton pointed to existing statutes on mental health assessments and terroristic threatening penalties, and said the committee substitute would alleviate many concerns. Scott West, speaking for Kentucky Policy and the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the mandatory detention language would remove judicial discretion and that the parental fine provision could conflict with existing due process protections requiring notice, a hearing, and a finding that lack of supervision was a substantial factor in the child’s delinquency. The transcript does not show a final vote on House Bill 621 in the portion provided.