Transcript Highlights:

• would be to expand the responsibilities of the IT council to review some very specific points about AI
• um review some very specific<00:59:28.960><c> points</c><00:59:29.440><c> about</c><00:59:30.319><c> AI
• about AI and its effects,<00:59:32.799><c> you</c><00:59:32.960><c> know,</c><00:59:33.119><c> on</c
• </c> a technical advisory commission to a technical advisory commission to include<00:59:44.720><c> AI
• Um this is include AI related impacts.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we’ve got two AI-ready programs.
• We’ve got two AI-ready programs.
• Uh we've got two AI<00:50:34.960><c> ready</c><00:50:35.440><c> AI</c><00:50:36.000><c> programs.
• </c><00:50:36.800><c> One</c><00:50:37.119><c> is</c><00:50:37.359><c> directed</c> AI ready AI programs
• One is directed AI ready AI programs.

Bills: HB235 , HB236 , HB565 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242 , HB235 , HB236 , HB565 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, HB236, Baldwin County, Board of Equalization, per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have—will AI assist your department in any way, shape, or form as that continues to be perfected
• Chair, Representative Duncan: We do leverage AI in a number of ways.
• We have AI at hospitals. You can add a newborn to a case through an AI tool. So we do leverage AI.
• There are rules about who cannot use AI to make eligibility decisions today that kind of govern the public
• So we can't use AI for final decisions or determinations, but we are leveraging it to try and make our

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, um, that was actually just being used by kids and by adults to create an AI mapping system.
• sends a message to the engineers and the venture capitalists that are shaping the future of work of AI
• adults<00:46:09.280><c> to</c><00:46:09.599><c> create</c><00:46:09.920><c> an</c><00:46:10.160><c> AI
• </c> adults to create an AI mapping system. adults to create an AI mapping system.
• </c><00:46:52.960><c> that's</c><00:46:53.280><c> disrupting</c> future of work of AI that's disrupting

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3117, which would impose an excise tax on social media companies based on Minnesota monthly users and data-mining activity, and adopted an A1 amendment that added clarifying language identifying social media platforms. Chair Gomez described the bill as a way to tax companies profiting from data mining and social media use, citing concerns about child bullying, misinformation, and wealth concentration. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Supporters testified that the measure would help raise revenue from a highly profitable industry and better align the tax code with the social costs of data collection and social media use. Pastor Julie Thompson, MAPE representative Tanner Fritzinger, Council Member Sue Bud, and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota all backed the bill, arguing that social media companies extract value from users’ data, contribute to mental health and social harms, and should pay more toward public needs. Bernstein also framed the tax as a way to broaden the tax base and fund schools and other services. Opponents warned that the bill could sweep in local broadcasters, newspapers, and other businesses that use digital platforms and collect some user data, and that costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Wendy Pollson of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association said the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally include local media. Deb Peters, speaking for Americans for Digital Opportunity, argued the tax would raise costs for small businesses and consumers, create legal risks, and amount to double taxation. Several members echoed concerns about regressivity, administration, and whether the bill actually addresses online bullying or data privacy, while supporters said it is a first step toward taxing a new, lightly taxed industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• unfilled are things like special cloud specialists in the cloud, software developers, and folks in AI
• , as we're on the precipice of literally an AI revolution.
• :13:37.519><c> in</c> cloud software developers and folks in cloud software developers and folks in AI
• as we're on the precipice of AI as we're on the precipice of literally<00:13:40.480><c> an</c><00:13
• :13:43.040><c> I</c> literally an AI Revolution and so I literally an AI Revolution and so I guess<00

Bills: HF1 , HF1754 , HF1809 , HF1478

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• De-identified Data Expert; Founder and Principal Agility Lab Consulting; Library Technologist; Director of AI
• 54.600><c> Technologist,</c><00:23:55.640><c> Director</c><00:23:56.000><c> of</c><00:23:56.160><c> AI
• </c><00:23:56.400><c> and</c> Library Technologist, Director of AI and Library Technologist, Director
• of AI and Privacy<00:23:57.040><c> for</c><00:23:57.160><c> the</c><00:23:57.240><c> Consumer</c><00

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, in Maryland, an AI system misidentified an empty bag of Doritos as a firearm.
• President, AI technology thought a clarinet was a firearm, leading to an hours-long school lockdown.
• This bill prohibits the most harmful uses of AI and surveillance, and it protects student data while
• I think as we start dealing with more AI legislation, we'll find out more and more how we understand

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate began by advancing to the Eighth Order of Business and adopted Senate Resolution 8683 honoring the Seattle Seahawks for their 2025 championship season. The resolution and floor remarks celebrated the team’s 14-3 regular season, NFC West title, playoff run, Super Bowl 60 victory, and community involvement. Senators from both parties offered supportive remarks about the team’s leadership, teamwork, and impact across Washington, and the resolution was adopted unanimously. The chamber then welcomed Seahawks representatives and former player/play-by-play announcer Steve Rable to the rostrum for recognition and photographs. The Senate then considered and passed several bills, including SB 6084 clarifying that a person may not vote more than once in the same election across states; SB 5977 requiring publication of child near-fatality reviews; SB 5985 on endometriosis awareness and research; SB 6046 placing the Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department; SB 6291 extending septic inspector training supervision from two to four years; SB 6707 directing a WSIPP study of DCYF screening tools; SB 6183 ensuring rapid coverage for HIV antiviral drugs; SB 5956 restricting harmful uses of AI, surveillance, and automated discipline in public schools; SB 5820 concerning freight rail-dependent use overlays in Clark County; SB 5936 strengthening remedies and protections for human trafficking survivors; SB 6269 modernizing the motor fuel definition to include gaseous fuels such as hydrogen; SB 6226 protecting audiologists’ clinical autonomy; SB 6025 updating fetal death gestational-age calculations to use more accurate methods; SB 6058 giving Labor and Industries discretion in wage enforcement and adopting a transparency amendment; and SB 6136 requiring publication of actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates. Most bills passed with broad support, though SB 5956 on AI in schools drew the most debate and passed 35-13. SB 5820 also drew a split vote, with supporters arguing it would restore environmental protections in Clark County and opponents warning it would undermine rail-related economic development and existing investments. SB 6084 passed 47-1, and the remaining measures passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The Senate then recessed for caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• It uses AI.
• It uses AI to connect students' questions with a curated knowledge base that we have created and then
• So, AI as an example: how are both students leaning into this current form of technology and utilizing
• solve problems, but also how are systems, teachers, and other administrators combating some of the AI

Bills: SB6325 , SGA9302 , SGA9286 , SGA9289 , SGA9290 , SGA9292 , SGA9293 , SGA9309 , SGA9310 , SGA9311 , SGA9312

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: higher education, student procedures, academic policies, enrollment processes, educational standards, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, data analytics and AI very high, 19.5%.
• ensuring that those new competencies in those emergent technologies are embedded in there because there's AI
• said, when it comes to mental health, registration, financial aid, changing classes, we can build an AI
• bring that technology in, those are some ways that I am looking at to try to upgrade, because I do know AI

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first session of the year, took roll, welcomed new member Senator Bracey Davis, and had members briefly describe their backgrounds and interest in higher education. Chair Harrell framed the committee’s focus on maintaining Florida’s top national ranking in higher education and workforce development, with an emphasis on funding decisions tied to student success, workforce needs, and the state college system. Senior Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell presented the Department of Education’s workforce and Florida College System budget requests and data. He described requested increases for adult education, Florida College System program funding, workforce development, and several grant programs, including workforce capitalization, apprenticeship/teacher apprenticeship, Open Door, and CAPE industry certifications. He highlighted record enrollment and completion growth across Florida’s colleges and technical centers, major gains in career dual enrollment, and expansion in programs such as nursing, AI, cybersecurity, welding, HVAC, and manufacturing. Members asked about labor-market demand, the impact of artificial intelligence on future job training, teacher apprenticeship details, mission creep and duplication in CTE programs, student placement and wages after graduation, and articulation between technical college clock hours and college credit. South Florida State College President Fred Hawkins testified about challenges facing a rural college, including low local college-going rates, long travel distances, limited faculty recruitment due to salaries, and the need for more operational funding to expand capacity. He cited strong job placement and licensure outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography, and said the college is exploring AI tools to improve student services and reduce staffing pressure. Pinellas Technical College Executive Director Mark Hunter described strong dual enrollment, high job placement, employer partnerships, and a reported 400% return on investment, while also warning that many programs have waiting lists because of staffing and equipment constraints. He explained how technical college coursework is aligned with state college credit through content-based articulation agreements. The committee then opened the floor for public comment, but no additional business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• While AI can improve efficiency and accuracy in certain cases, the bill seeks to mitigate risks related
• So the bill says with the AI, you want to check to make sure that things are done properly.
• But what the AI bill should also say is that if the claim is for illegal work, like drying out two months
• And so if the AI is parsing the claim to deny, have it parse the claim to see if the claim is for illegal

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Inā aole malamalama e pau na na mea a pau ai na lila pili ke ana koko.
• c> na</c><00:20:46.720><c> mea</c><00:20:47.040><c> a</c><00:20:47.120><c> pau</c><00:20:47.680><c> ai
• </c><00:20:48.200><c> na</c> malamalama e pau na na mea a pau ai na malamalama e pau na na mea a pau
• ai na lila<00:20:48.640><c> pili</c><00:20:48.920><c> ke</c><00:20:49.040><c> ana</c><00:20:49.160><c

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The AEN hearing on March 14, 2025 reviewed several agriculture, biosecurity, animal, and climate-related measures, but the chair announced at the outset that the committee would not have decision-making that day because quorum was not expected. Decision-making for the full agenda was rescheduled to Monday, March 17, 2025 at 1:02 p.m. in room 224. Testimony was limited to one minute per speaker. Measures heard included HB 48 HD2 on coffee labeling and regional origin, HB 782 HD1 creating a Department of Agriculture working group to review obsolete agricultural laws, HB 980 HD1 on mongoose and feral chicken control, and HB 1237 HD1 appropriating funds for agricultural biosecurity and invasive species work in Maui County. The Department of Agriculture supported HB 48, HB 782, and HB 1237, and several industry and conservation groups testified in support of the first two. HB 980 drew strong opposition from Pono Advocacy and the Hawaiian Humane Society, who argued it raised animal cruelty and public health concerns, especially during H5N1 risks; the measure also had support from agriculture-related groups. HB 1237 received broad support, with witnesses asking for language changes to broaden coverage to additional invasive species and to better support Maui Invasive Species Committee work on little fire ants and other pests. The committee also heard SCR 88/SR 71 on a microbial algae soil products pilot program, SCR 91/SR 74 on self-defense law changes for agricultural communities, SCR 93/SR 76 on integrating indigenous knowledge into climate policy, SCR 94/SR 77 on Maui axis deer control and venison, and SCR 103/SR 84 on a PFAS working group. Testimony on SCR 91/SR 74 came largely from ranching and agricultural interests in support, citing trespass, poaching, and safety concerns. SCR 93/SR 76 drew support from a Native Hawaiian testifier and others who emphasized stewardship, intergenerational planning, and climate resilience. SCR 94/SR 77 and SCR 103/SR 84 also received support, including from the Department of Agriculture and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply on the PFAS measure. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Manhattan Project to cutting-edge AI research.
• universities, need to understand that they could be involved in the areas of high-performance computing, AI
• It's also the AI and many of the other areas.
• It's AI, it's biotech, it's the new materials in manufacturing.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security

Summary: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in this particular situation, I think that we are in a situation where we have what they call AI,
• Call it AI, and we have a situation where we have the internet and all these other places to communicate
• Imagine that, but of course, now as Senator Smitherman said, with AI they can put it out there anyway
• A professional person and it was AI-generated stuff, and they were in fear of losing their job and losing

Bills: SB76 , SB35 , SB116 , SB119 , SB118 , SB129 , SB32 , SB31 , SB115 , SB75 , HB27 , HB40

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: jury duty, nursing mothers, exemption, legal rights, parental responsibilities, sexual extortion, criminal law, felony, threat, blackmail, SB116, machine gun conversion devices, switches, pistol conversion device, auto sear, firearm accessories, machine gun, automatic weapon, semiautomatic pistol, gun control

Transcript Highlights:

• That AI is getting better, and it will get better if they get more data.
• the Chair and the other committees to also make sure that as it's used in the training setting for AI
• people don't want their medical information shared or used for marketing purposes or training... ...AI
• Second, the director would require and ensure human review of machine and AI-generated interpretation
• and translation services. ...of machine- and AI-generated interpretation and translation services.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• heard today that we are facing the need to be good stewards of tax and tuition dollars when bots and AI
• heard today that we are facing the need to be good stewards of tax and tuition dollars when bots and AI
• heard today that we are facing the need to be good stewards of tax and tuition dollars when bots and AI
• I'd like to note that we also leverage AI in our detection systems.
• /c><00:25:24.159><c> our</c><00:25:24.320><c> in</c><00:25:24.640><c> our</c> that we also leverage AI

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> or</c><00:23:49.600><c> is</c><00:23:49.720><c> it</c><00:23:50.279><c> a</c><00:23:51.279><c> AI
• So is any of the peer counseling or counseling done by AI? No, it is not.
• But that is not AI generated or administered by AI. chat and help provide additional support chat and
• </c><00:25:44.600><c> generated</c><00:25:45.240><c> or</c> but that is not AI generated or but that
• is not AI generated or administered<00:25:46.000><c> by</c><00:25:46.240><c> AI</c><00:25:46.880><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there was an adjustment to the House version of this companion bill that proposed it be put under
• <00:58:44.720><c> version</c><00:58:45.040><c> of</c><00:58:45.280><c> this</c><00:58:45.680><c> companion
• </c><00:58:46.319><c> bill</c> the house version of this companion bill the house version of this companion

Bills: SB2094

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: toxic chemicals, environmental action levels, public notice, environmental safety, pollution control, Hawaii State Constitution, public participation, government transparency, environmental health, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2094, which would require state agencies monitoring environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels and limit changes to those levels without meeting procedural requirements. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including inserting estimated costs for a secure portal website and webinars into the committee report and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among those voting, with excused members noted. The committee then considered several other measures and adopted recommendations to pass them with amendments, generally adding technical and clarifying changes and setting a defective date of 2525. SB 2862 was amended to broaden the preamble, make additional appointees confirmable, clarify reporting requirements for gubernatorial appointees, and was held for further discussion. SB 2781 on lei production created a working group to review existing studies and conduct a statewide study of Hawaii’s floriculture industry. SB 3015 adopted California’s definition of PII, applied it to government agencies and political subdivisions, created a private cause of action, and required a compliance report. SB 3230 removed a categorical prohibition on certain third-party project management procurements while preserving state oversight responsibility, in line with procurement office requests. The joint GVO Health and Human Services agenda then focused on two related bills requiring universal changing accommodations in public restrooms. SB 2932 would apply to new state building construction beginning July 1, 2026, and testimony from disability advocates, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others supported the measure while asking for language clarifying that the requirement applies only where technically feasible and, in some cases, only to state-managed buildings. SB 2268 was described as broader, extending beyond government buildings into the private sector and including a private right of action; witnesses supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, especially for smaller businesses, and requested the same technically infeasible language and other clarifications. Both bills were advanced with amendments, and the committee noted adoption of the recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't realize that this bill got modified to be more of a companion to House Bill 504, and that bill
• never done before, so apologies. got modified to be more of a CO a got modified to be more of a CO a companion
• <00:17:33.120><c> to</c><00:17:33.520><c> House</c><00:17:33.799><c> Bill</c> companion to House Bill
• companion to House Bill 504<00:17:36.080><c> and</c><00:17:36.679><c> um</c><00:17:37.400><c> that</

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism and Water and Land was held on March 20, 2025, on SB 1396 SD3 HD1, which would raise transient accommodations tax revenues beginning in 2027, impose a $20 per-night tax on stays booked through loyalty or rewards points, and dedicate funds to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. The Office of the Governor, DLNR, DBEDT, the Hawaii State Energy Office, Tax Department, Hawaiian Home Lands, HI-EMA, the Climate Advisory Team, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HCDA, the Hawaii Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resource Legacy Fund, KUA, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority all testified in support or with comments, generally emphasizing the need for dedicated funding for environmental stewardship, resilience, wildfire and climate preparedness, and community-based projects. Several supporters cited polling showing broad visitor willingness to pay additional fees to protect Hawaiʻi’s resources, and DLNR and the Attorney General noted the bill aligns with broader state land-management and fire-safety priorities. Opposition came from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and the Maui Chamber of Commerce, which argued the bill unnecessarily raises the TAT, places more burden on visitors and visitor-dependent businesses, and could harm Maui’s still-recovering economy. The Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaiʻi initially marked opposition but then said it had misunderstood the bill’s relationship to another measure and asked to resend testimony. Expedia Group did not oppose the TAT increase itself but raised operational concerns about the new tax on loyalty-point redemptions, calling it novel and difficult to administer. The American Hotel Lodging Association and Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance were listed as having no comments present. Testifiers also suggested amendments, including dedicating the revenues to a special fund, ensuring community grants, and clarifying administrative provisions. One testifier urged the bill be used to fund hurricane shelters and stronger building standards, while another emphasized that the measure should support people and disaster resilience as well as environmental protection. During questions, members asked for the polling methodology and for a breakdown of current TAT allocations; staff indicated they could share the survey memo and began identifying existing statutory remittances. No vote or final committee action was taken during the excerpted portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• AI surveillance is a weapon still and just as dangerous as firearms.
• AI surveillance is a weapon cameras.
• Ring came AI technology has either.
• This is an AI data center complaints.
• request to use AI for mass surveillance<01:36:02.080><c> of</c><01:36:02.320><c> Americans.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• concerns regarding the proliferation of autonomous enforcement mechanisms paired with the expansion of AI
• Enforcement mechanisms paired with the expansion of AI capabilities, which offers an increasingly alarming
• protect ordinary ratepayers from having to pay for the energy infrastructure costs associated with the AI
• significant cost increases as a result of hyperscale data centers designed to support the big tech AI
• The rise of AI requires a corresponding build-out of data centers.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved prior journals, and moved through confirmations and floor items. Doreen DiAmico was confirmed to the State Water Resources Control Board by a 34-1 vote, Dr. Anne Maria de Mars was confirmed to the State Athletic Commission by 36-0, and Ronald Fiore was confirmed to the State Athletic Commission by 36-0. The body then took up SB 73 on election security, with supporters arguing it would protect ballot chain of custody and prevent intimidation or unauthorized access to voting materials, while opponents raised concerns about transparency, federal preemption, and the bill’s impact on investigations. SB 73 passed on concurrence and urgency with 29 ayes and 8 noes on both the urgency clause and the measure. The Senate also approved SB 929 on annual Energy Commission oversight (37-0), SB 1370 on wildfire-related testimony/oversight (28-5), SB 983 authorizing Port of San Diego job order contracting (28-8), SB 1367 restricting local approval of new or converted private detention facilities (28-8), SB 1257 requiring annual reporting on immigration enforcement incidents (28-8), and SB 1103 requiring large home improvement retailers to report immigration enforcement activity and related records (23-8). SB 1399, which removes the sunset on DOJ reviews of immigration detention facilities, passed 28-7, and SB 873, “ICE Out of Courts,” passed 28-7 to limit arrests near courthouses without a judicial warrant. Later, the Senate passed SB 1292 creating a pilot for camera- or sensor-based curb management with human review and privacy safeguards, despite opposition over privacy and automation concerns, by 28-7. SB 878 strengthened prompt-payment insurance penalties for delayed claims after disasters and passed 29-6. SB 958, a CEQA clarification related to housing and building height impacts, passed unanimously 37-0. SB 924 modernized low-income energy assistance services and passed 35-1. SB 1057 on certification for nurse assistants and home health aides passed, as did SB 1092 giving mobile home residents a chance to bid on park sales (29-7), SB 1123 requiring agencies to consider consumer and other benefits in rulemaking (26-8), SB 1233 increasing utility rate transparency (29-8), SB 1237 strengthening pay data reporting enforcement (28-6), SB 886 shifting data center infrastructure costs away from existing ratepayers (28-6), SB 905 reforming utility incentives and performance metrics (28-8), and SB 909 strengthening public works wage enforcement (28-7). The final item shown, SB 925 on fusion energy roadmap development, passed unanimously 37-0, while SB 954 on CEQA and advanced manufacturing drew extensive debate over environmental guardrails versus economic competitiveness; the transcript cuts off during closing remarks before the vote is shown.