Transcript Highlights:

• One of these teachers has five tested math preps.
• He's taken three STAR tests this spring, and they were very stressful for him.
• If I do well on this test... and I assumed that had to be inaccurate.
• Hayden, you did you test? We had you downlisted as for the bill; was that accurate?
• Why are we looking at, frankly, sunsetting that test, that certification?

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would just be an audit to where it would test the machines in the process.
• Now, at the will test the machine again.
• This is to test the mechanisms of our elections use standards alone.
• This is just to test our processes and make sure they're in place correctly. Okay.
• This is just to test our contested.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the only kind of removal process, yes. the test or uh write the bill uh for the test or uh write
• every time they take the test.
• The test is about $900-something dollars. It's not cheap, and the test is very hard.
• the test every time they take the test the test every time they take the test the<03:03:17.880><
• > something<03:03:19.800> dollars the test is about $900 something dollars the test is

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure. House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt. The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but that's tested within six months, with a window on either side.
• We have two methods of testing. We do our testing generally during the daytime.
• I know the bill indicated nighttime testing.
• You talk about testing.
• Have you looked You talk about testing.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association on the importance of general aviation airports in Kentucky and their economic and public-safety role. Witnesses said the state has more than 50 general aviation airports that support jobs, agriculture, tourism, medical transport, disaster response, and law enforcement, and they urged continued support for aviation infrastructure and workforce development. They asked the legislature to again provide $200,000 per general aviation airport for operating and basic infrastructure costs, to route the money through the Kentucky Department of Aviation for accountability, to revisit a special-purpose governmental entity audit requirement they said is too costly for small airports, to create a long-term appropriations process for the roughly $100 million in unmet capital needs, and to fund the Arrow Act for aviation education and scholarships. Members asked about a dedicated aviation fuel tax and about local training partnerships, simulators, and school or community college programs; the witnesses said they preferred an appropriations-based solution and offered to help connect interested communities with aviation education resources. The committee then took up “Troy’s Law,” sponsored by Representatives White and Flannery, which would allow tow trucks to use blue lights while stationary and actively removing vehicles or debris from highways. Sponsors and tow operators said the bill is intended to improve worker safety after the deaths of tow operators Troy Cwell and Hubert Mosley in highway hit-and-run incidents, and they emphasized that tow operators often work in dangerous conditions at night, in bad weather, and near fast-moving traffic. They said the proposal would not apply while driving or towing and noted that other states have adopted similar measures. Witnesses from the towing industry, including Bubba Johnson and Barbara Maguire, supported the bill as an added layer of protection and described tow operators as first responders who help motorists in emergencies. Representative Flannery and other members expressed support for the safety goal and invited further discussion, but no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :04:27.080> government<00:04:28.080> the<00:04:28.240> moral<00:04:28.639> test
• moral test of government the moral test moral test of government the moral test of<00:04:29.039>
• But this is not just about test scores.
• But this is not just about test scores.
• assessments many standardized tests assessments many standardized tests including<00:18:54.000><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One lady, the DNA tests, the dogs, and they have a monthly fee for the dogs, and they still, if you leave
• and it catch you one lady the DNA tests and it catch you one lady the DNA tests the<00:54:47.319
• said<01:29:58.560> that<01:29:58.679> the<01:29:58.760> moral<01:29:59.080> test
• <01:29:59.320> of<01:29:59.520> government said that the moral test of government said
• that the moral test of government is<01:30:00.639> how<01:30:00.880> that<01:30:01.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are frequently bringing our new vehicles to new cities for testing purposes, including Boston, where
• I encourage you to require data to be collected and shared not only during any testing phases, but also
• It seems like the only ones who benefit are the companies who want to test their technologies on our
• TechNet supports a framework for testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles, similar to what we see
• Currently, our framework here in the Commonwealth allows companies to test autonomous vehicles via a

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment. Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Current aflatoxin testing has several problems.
• Number one, it's destructive, so you have to pull a sample and you destroy the sample in the testing.
• Uh, do you, uh, when did you guys stop doing soil testing and why? Uh, Mr.
• So we learned a lot and there was, we were always testing him out a little bit.
• You develop something that's going to test for something, you know what, how it's going to work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have to test that in some manner.
• I didn't do the test.
• that it's working I didn't do the test that it's working I didn't do the test and<04:57:29.080><
• question but I don't do the test question but I don't do the test personally<04:57:38.718> as
• <04:58:12.920> the<04:58:13.080> parent their test the parent their test the parent

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:54.720> for examiner to conduct testing for examiner to conduct testing for commercial
• The Minnesota Trucking Association supports the testing and deployment of level 1 through 5 automated
• Because for us, fundamentally, tested.
• Daley is, you know, you've been testing in these snowy areas in inclement weather.
• Daley is you know, you've been testing Daley is you know, you've been testing in<01:56:13.240>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program there has there is a testing program there has been<01:08:10.160> a<01:08:10.279>
• testing<01:08:10.640> program<01:08:11.400> um<01:08:11.640> at<01:08:12.000
• > uh<01:08:13.000> uh<01:08:13.200> to been a testing program um at uh uh to been
• the new ones um and the the the testing the new ones um and the the the testing pilot<01:08:23.960
• and it's at a same protocol of testing and it's at a much<01:09:41.960> reduced<01:09:42.560>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several energy and environmental bills. On HB 974, which would authorize state step-in agreements for certain power purchase agreements and create a trust fund/reserve mechanism, the Attorney General’s office raised concern that the state should not incur liability beyond the trust fund. The Division of Consumer Advocacy said it had comments but did not take a position, while the Public Utilities Commission, Ameresco, Hawaiian Electric, and other industry groups supported the measure, saying it would help developers secure financing for renewable projects and improve reliability. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would not use state funds and that its proposed reserve account would be held in trust and returned to customers if unused. Committee members questioned whether the reserve would raise customer costs; Hawaiian Electric said the amount would be small and would be offset by avoiding higher financing costs, while Consumer Advocacy suggested the language should be strengthened to ensure unused funds are fully returned. The committee then heard HB 338, which would clarify that premium interest-rate adjustments for non-fossil fuel generation are just and reasonable and allow the PUC to include them in rates. DCCA and the State Energy Office supported the bill, and the PUC also supported it. Hawaiian Electric opposed unless amended, arguing the PUC already has discretion and warning the bill could weaken competitive procurement by encouraging higher bids tied to the utility’s credit rating. DCCA said the concern was that developers might not seek the best financing if premium rates are recoverable, but said Hawaiian Electric’s suggested amendment requiring clear and convincing evidence of unavoidable financing-cost increases would help. Members also asked about refinancing and whether developers could later lower debt costs after locking in a premium rate; DCCA said that ability exists and suggested a time limit or review mechanism. For HB 337, which would direct the PUC to establish standards requiring utilities to remove certain fossil-fuel costs from the rate base when adding renewable resources, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, and the State Energy Office supported the measure. Hawaiian Electric opposed it, saying it misunderstood utility cost recovery and could threaten grid reliability because fossil plants provide ancillary services such as voltage regulation and balancing, not just energy. Hawaiian Electric pointed to its integrated grid plan and recent fossil-unit retirements as evidence of ongoing transition, and asked the committee to defer the bill and leave oversight to the PUC. The committee also heard HB 879 on cesspool conversions, which would raise the maximum grant from $20,000 to $30,000 and add DOH positions; DHHL, DOH, environmental groups, Hawaii Realtors, and others supported it, while DOH discussed staffing needs and the practical effect of the higher grant cap. The committee also began HB 379 on requiring denitrification capacity for certain wastewater systems near shorelines or groundwater, with DLNR testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 422, Senator Kramer, research facilities and testing facilities that use animals, adoption
• Senator Kramer, research<00:01:43.759> facilities<00:01:44.159> and<00:01:44.400> testing
• research facilities and testing research facilities and testing facilities<00:01:45.119> that

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, January 30, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened for a brief pro forma session, with the clerk calling the roll and the presiding officer noting that three critical members were present and Maryland was back in session. There were a few light announcements, including a senator bringing his son to the chamber and a remark about the unusual week of multiple pro forma sessions. The presiding officer also welcomed the Senate pages and noted the historic nature of the week’s schedule. The chamber then processed calendar items without debate: Senate Bill 422, by Senator Kramer, concerning research and testing facilities that use animals and related adoption/reporting requirements, was read and ordered to its standing committee. A bond initiative sponsored by Senator King for Community Services for Adults and Children/Community School of Maryland was also read and sent to the capital budget subcommittee. The Senate received an executive message from Governor Wes Moore submitting a recess appointment for Senate confirmation under the Maryland Constitution. The message was read, journalized, and referred to the Executive Nominations Committee; the presiding officer identified it as a superintendent-related recess appointment. After a final quorum call, the Senate adjourned by unanimous consent until Monday evening at 8:00 p.m. for a regular session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, just wanted to put out on the public record that having initial license requirements for testing
• requirements for testing to earn an<00:44:20.640> initial<00:44:21.040> license<00:44:
• <00:44:56.560> is more time to pass those tests is more time to pass those tests is appreciated
• It may be passing that K-Perry test that was mentioned earlier, and so with the Cox Campus training,
• It may be passing that K-Perry test that was mentioned earlier, and so with the Cox Campus training,

Bills: HB0023, HB0024, HB0025

Keywords: extracurricular activities, public school participation, enrollment, Wyoming, student access, charter schools, application process, authorizers, public hearing, community support, scholarship, education, eligibility, continuous enrollment, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, internal testing—you see that there's about 67,000 internal tests that are done.
• In fact, internal testing—you see that there's about 67,000 internal tests that are done.
• In fact, internal testing—you see that there's about 67,000 internal tests that are done.
• In fact, internal testing—you see that there's about 67,000 internal tests that are done.
• And that actually took about 67,000 individual little tests, another 2,500 tests making sure things are

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• educational material costs college educational material costs college application<00:32:57.080> test
• test costs educational therapies<00:32:59.440> for<00:32:59.679> students<00:33:00.080
• <00:43:50.040> prep connectivity or or uh uh SAT test prep connectivity or or uh uh SAT test
• When it's, when they're from, uh, wealthier families, they have high test scores.
• show um results in schools you know test show um results in schools you know test scores<03:58:25.479

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on HB 402, a bill dealing with whether Education Freedom Account (EFA) payments should be described in state law as not constituting taxable income. The bill sponsor argued that the current statute is misleading because New Hampshire should not imply a federal tax result, and said the bill would remove that language and could also be amended to clarify that families should consult tax advisors. He emphasized that the measure was not intended to impose a state tax on EFAs, but to avoid giving inaccurate advice about possible federal tax liability. Testimony was divided. A retired representative and a tax preparer both opposed the bill, saying EFA payments are already treated consistently with IRS rules and that the bill would create confusion, administrative burden, and possible tax consequences for low- and moderate-income families. They argued the bill is a solution in search of a problem and warned that requiring 1099s could add costs for the scholarship organization and recipients. A tax attorney supported the bill’s repeal of the state language, saying New Hampshire should not put tax advice into statute and that the current wording is inaccurate because federal law, not state law, controls taxability. He cited IRS Section 117 and Publication 970, explaining that only some scholarship-like payments are tax-free and that many EFA-eligible expenses may not qualify for federal exemption. Members asked questions about what would be misleading, whether the bill was trying to tax EFAs, and the cost of issuing 1099s. The sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the bill was not a state tax on voucher payments, but a clarification about federal tax treatment. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they take their tech... ...that track record without a government willing to test their product.
• What this allows us to do is to test this out and to validate the technology before, and then we can
• They got to do their scientific test, your hypothesis, your test, and the proof.
• part of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code regarding the frequency of inspections and testing
• So our plumbing code does require the annual testing.

Bills: HB1163, HB1168, HR252, HR253, HCR103, HCR108, SB80, SB131, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB384, SB414, SB468, SB469, SB496

Keywords: fireworks, retail sales, fire safety, legislation, holiday celebrations, construction standards, precast concrete, DOTD, building regulations, minimum requirements, public projects, private projects, consumer protection, credit card fees, cash transactions, rounding practices, transparency, low-income, economic impact, residential construction

Transcript Highlights:

• or not the various components of that package were directly connected to one another, which is the test
• So the Voting Rights Act Senator, the question comes down to so on the totality of circumstance test,
• if we are looking at an African-American So, on the totality-of-circumstances test, if we are looking
• So that goes into the totality-of-circumstances test.
• That's the first test.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard a Governor’s Office presentation on a proposed congressional reapportionment map. The governor’s counsel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be considered at all in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection law and should be treated as non-severable. The presentation also discussed the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Callais and the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision as part of the legal rationale for the map. Jason Parada, who said he drew the map alone, described the map as based on 2020 census block data, with county-level population estimates used only as a guide to identify faster-growing areas. He said the plan keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores similar to the current benchmark map, and uses traditional geographic and political boundaries such as roads, railways, county lines, and municipal lines. He walked through regional changes, emphasizing a race-neutral redesign that significantly altered South Florida, including changes to districts in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Everglades, while leaving several northern districts largely unchanged. Members questioned the witnesses extensively about the legal theory, the use of partisan data, the role of race, population growth, and the timing and review of the map. The witnesses said partisan data was considered along with other traditional redistricting criteria, but race was not used. They also said they could not speak to who else reviewed the map beyond EOG staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns about the map’s compactness, county and city splits, the apparent partisan effects, and the fact that the map was released shortly before the special session. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• or not the various components of that package were directly connected to one another, which is the test
• So the Voting Rights Act Senator, the question comes down to so on the totality of circumstance test,
• So that goes into the totality-of-circumstances test.
• That's the first test.
• The person of their choice in a primary that they control, that's the first test.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Governor’s office on proposed congressional reapportionment. Executive Office of the Governor counsel Mo Jazeel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be used in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection principles and, in the executive branch’s view, are inseverable. Jason Parada then presented the proposed map, explaining that it was drawn using 2020 census block data, with county growth estimates used only as a guide, and that the plan was designed to be race-neutral while also considering compactness, county and municipal boundaries, and other traditional redistricting criteria. He said the map keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores comparable to the current map, and makes the largest changes in South Florida, with some districts remaining unchanged and others reconfigured around population shifts and geographic boundaries. Members questioned both presenters extensively about the legal basis for disregarding the Fair Districts Amendment, the use of partisan data, the absence of racial analysis, and whether the map truly reflects population growth. Jazeel said the executive branch’s position is that race-based provisions in the state constitution cannot be used if they conflict with the U.S. Constitution, and that the forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Calais could further clarify the law. Parada said he did not use race in drawing the map, did use partisan information as one of several traditional criteria, and relied on 2020 census data for population equality. Senators also pressed him on who reviewed the map, why the public and legislators had limited time to review it, and whether the plan was intended to favor Republicans; Parada denied partisan intent and said he was the only person who moved lines on the map, though he consulted with other Executive Office of the Governor staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns that the map did not clearly reflect Florida’s recent population growth, that some districts remained highly irregular, and that the plan appeared to be based on a legal theory contingent on future court rulings. The presenters responded that congressional districts must be equal to the person, that growth estimates can only guide orientation rather than replace census data, and that the map was designed to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible while making the largest adjustments in South Florida. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting, and the committee continued with questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just that their blight test is more land-use oriented.
• land use their blight test is more land use oriented.<00:04:50.560> Um oriented.
• Nord. test. test.
• <00:34:31.720> And how meaningful the but for test is.
• And how meaningful the but for test is.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of whether or not to devolve the authority to review or change that test back to the Public Utilities
• back to the public change that test back to the public utilities<00:22:11.520> commission<00:
• , which the department agrees with, where there is in that test it's a dollar-for-dollar—you have for
• But, um, so yes, on the Grant C test, that's the dollar-for-dollar requirement.
• But, um, so yes, on the Granite State test, that's the dollar-for-dollar requirement.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all