Video & Transcript Research : 'litigation transparency'

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NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (04/23/2026)

New Hampshire Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, people who use litigation tactics to their advantage, I understand there can be frivolous filings
  • Uh, people who use litigation tactics to their advantage, I understand there can be frivolous filings
  • It's a simple transparency question.
  • It's a simple transparency expenses?
  • It's a simple transparency question.<01:43:24.600> I<01:43:24.720> ask<01:43:24.960>
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • accused of dropping it at the last minute the night before the oversight hearing to avoid having a transparent
  • We anticipate we have lots of litigation on this project.
  • We anticipate more litigation, and what we're really looking to do with this trailer bill language is
  • The Legislature should let them finish the public and transparent process in the water rights and legal
  • It's not a particularly transparent way for us to talk with the public about what we're trying to accomplish
Summary: The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review. The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections. The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Y'all have a funding transparency rider you require of us to publish; I want to say it's like Rider 59
  • So, with that caveat, if you go to page four of our rider transparency... Report.
  • And many times, that would lead to costly litigation. Uh, many times it would, yes.
  • We've been dealing with two years of this litigation, and quite frankly, they find a favorable judge
  • I'm not going to say be more transparent, but describe it better. On that issue right there, okay?
Bills: SB1, SB 1
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Commerce May 6th, 2026

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yet they are routinely pulled into litigation for conditions they didn't create and couldn't change.
  • Yet they are routinely pulled into litigation for conditions they didn't create and they couldn't change
  • People will say we're exposing MoDOT to more litigation. I totally, totally disagree.
  • I just want to make you aware of this as a new potential for dragging in more litigation.
  • I just want to make you aware of this as a new potential for dragging in more litigation.
Keywords: 959, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Jul 31st, 2025

Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Deputy Counsel for Impact Litigation, State Department of Justice, are you ready?
  • Anjana Samanth, and I serve as Deputy Counsel for the New Mexico Department of Justice's Impact Litigation
  • Since January of 2025, much of the Impact Litigation Division's work has focused on protecting the interests
  • New York versus Trump, our very first litigation filed on January 28th with 22 states.
  • on federal litigation.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

December 10, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that's what leads to litigation parties.
  • Members were subject to deposition, trial testimony, and discovery in that litigation.
  • or to await litigation.
  • Is someone—did someone through litigation or did a citizen, Broader?
  • Did someone through litigation or did a citizen through litigation bring that issue up that may have
Summary: The Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting met for an informational presentation from outside counsel Andy Bartos on the legal standards governing congressional redistricting. He reviewed federal Equal Protection principles, Florida’s non-diminishment provision, and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, explaining how race can be considered in redistricting but generally cannot be the predominant factor. He also discussed the Florida Constitution’s tiered standards, including the prohibition on intentional political favoritism, compactness, and the requirement to use existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible. Bartos focused on two recent or pending cases: the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision, which upheld the legislature’s 2022 congressional map and held that the non-diminishment clause does not justify making race predominant absent specific identifiable discrimination, and Louisiana v. Callais, pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, which may further clarify whether race may be used predominantly to comply with the Voting Rights Act or whether Section 2 remains constitutional as applied. He also explained how courts assess compactness and intent, and how data such as the 2020 census, voter registration, turnout, and election results are used for voting-rights analysis. Members asked about what triggers redistricting, whether the legislature must redraw maps now, what data is available in the mapping tool, how intent is measured, and whether public input opportunities will be provided. Bartos said redistricting timing is largely a legislative judgment unless a court requires changes, that the committee can consider whether BVM or the eventual Callais decision warrants revisions, and that the Callais ruling will bind Louisiana directly but serve as precedent for other courts. No votes or legislative actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • This legislation enhances municipal oversight and transparency in the pipe replacement process by requiring
  • “Sure, and obviously we know in the Commonwealth there's been a lot of litigation over the years around
  • I will also say, because my wife litigates in this area, that the prohibition against recording conversations
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused on several climate and utility-related bills, especially H. 3449/S. 2292 to expand the municipal fossil fuel-free building demonstration program from 10 to 20 communities and related home rule petitions for Somerville and other municipalities. Witnesses from Somerville, Salem, Worcester, Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, Wellesley, Watertown, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association argued that local governments should be allowed to opt into fossil fuel-free or net-zero building standards, citing climate goals, environmental justice concerns, housing production, and data showing all-electric construction can cost about the same as or less than mixed-fuel construction. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses for cost data and asked for written follow-up, while also discussing whether strong environmental standards affect housing supply; witnesses responded that the main housing constraints are financing and that they would provide more data from local projects and state studies. A second major topic was H. 3564, which would require gas companies to provide municipalities with detailed multi-year pipe replacement plans, allow local review and objections, and limit reimbursement for projects not previously disclosed except in emergencies. Municipal leaders and advocates said the bill would improve coordination of street work, reduce disruption and costs, and help cities plan for electrification, network geothermal, and non-pipeline alternatives. Testimony from Wellesley, Cambridge, Arlington, Newton, and others emphasized repeated problems with last-minute gas main work, the need for advance notice, and the value of municipal participation in planning gas system retirement and alternatives. The committee also heard testimony on the “tactical transition” bills, S. 2249/H. 3539, aimed at managing the gas-to-clean-energy transition. Supporters from Gas Transition Allies, Rewiring America, and 350 Mass said the bills would require joint gas-electric planning, create an advisory council, eliminate subsidies for new gas hookups, shift investment toward repairs and clean alternatives, protect workers through retraining, and make utility plans more transparent. They argued these changes would reduce ratepayer costs, avoid stranded gas assets, and support orderly decarbonization. In addition, HEET testified on H. 3541, which would update greenhouse gas accounting to better reflect methane’s short-term climate impact, and H. 3543, which would establish a framework for managing shared thermal resources and thermal energy networks; committee members asked several questions about the meaning, ownership, and consumer-cost implications of the proposed “thermal commons.” No votes were taken during the hearing.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

SPEED Task Force (STF) - Wed May 27, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Maui, there is usually quite a large amount of litigation that goes on for years before permits finally
  • You're going to have a lot of interveners, a lot of lawsuits, and a lot of protracted litigation.
  • We are just as absolutely transparent as we can be.
Keywords: 910, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And that's not just sort of a burden on the developer, but it also creates avenues for litigation and
  • And that's not just sort of a burden on the developer, but it's also just it creates avenues for litigation
  • So that transparency and just diving into what are they actually getting and connecting those services
Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I would not be surprised if you will see litigation on this initiative because of the concerns as
  • I'm asking that this amendment be passed because it's about transparency, it's about accountability,
  • So thank you for the transparency and for the knowledge.
  • I just want to add that transparency is so important in this.
  • Transparency would require House members to vote unanimously in favor of this amendment.
Keywords: 998, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Oct 14th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also have more transparency included here.
  • We do have something called Open Books, which is a financial transparency tool currently available.
  • Is a financial transparency tool currently available?
  • With that comes transparency as well, in terms of what's happening.
  • There needs to be more transparency and accountability. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Apr 10th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's CS for SB 1650, vexatious litigants.
  • This would expand the Florida vexatious litigant law to encompass a wider range of vexatious litigants
  • . ...vexatious litigant law will better enable Florida courts to mitigate the impact of vexatious litigation
  • on top of litigation that they're already involved in.
  • We've seen harassing litigation like this in Texas and Arizona.
Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, victims’ rights, and related bills. SB 984 on aggravating factors in capital cases was reported favorably after debate over its focus on religious, school, and government gatherings; the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed expanding the death penalty, while supporters said it was about accountability rather than deterrence. CS for SB 1140 creating a Hillsborough County substance abuse pilot program for offenders, CS for SB 1180 broadening child sexual image protections, CS for SB 10 compensating Sidney Holmes for a wrongful conviction, CS for SB 500 creating a Spectrum Alert system for missing children with autism, and SB 1054 on tampering with electronic monitoring devices all passed favorably, with the substance abuse bill drawing supportive testimony about treatment and recovery and the Holmes bill receiving emotional support from Holmes himself. The committee also approved SB 1072 on expedited DNA testing grants, CS for SB 240 on domestic and dating violence victims, CS for SB 494 creating a statewide animal abuse database, and CS for SB 1422 on unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure and weaponized drones. SB 240 drew extensive testimony from advocates describing a feasibility study for a discreet emergency alert system and the need to align domestic and dating violence protections; SB 494 drew strong support from animal welfare groups and county officials who described local registries and the link between animal abuse and violence toward people, while members discussed whether the bill should also bar known abusers from adopting animals. SB 1422 passed after questions about “reasonable force” against drones and concerns about firearms use, with the sponsor saying the bill was meant to protect privacy and property rights. Additional measures reported favorably included SB 1268 updating Department of Law Enforcement statutes and increasing reimbursement for retired police dogs, CS for SB 1344 revising juvenile status-offender procedures, CS for SB 1252 creating a feasibility study for a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 1386 increasing penalties for assault and battery on utility workers, CS for SB 1084 strengthening sexual cyber harassment laws for intimate and digitally forged images, CS for SB 1654 revising sex offender/predator registration and reporting rules, CS for SB 1650 expanding the vexatious litigant law, and CS for SB 1652 creating a public records exemption for stricken court filings. The final and most heavily debated bill, CS for SB 1284 on wrongful death of an unborn child, drew extensive testimony from supporters who framed it as recognizing unborn life and opponents who warned it could be used to harass abortion patients, providers, and supporters and could increase malpractice exposure; the sponsor said the bill would allow parents to recover damages while protecting mothers and lawful medical care. The transcript ends before the roll call on SB 1284 is completed, but the committee had already reported the other measures favorably by recorded votes, generally along party lines with broad support from members present.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JDC Informational Briefing 08-14-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • 44.560> uh<01:11:44.719> this While the litigation continues, uh this While the litigation
  • July and uh litigation is ongoing. July and uh litigation is ongoing.
  • Litigation is ongoing.
  • Um I think that um in the OM litigation Um I think that um in the OM litigation we<01:39:49.360>
  • It's like, litigation point of view?
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety. Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA. The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Judiciary Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's very transparent: 48-month sentence, serve two-thirds.
  • If the judge picks this one thing, why not be transparent about it?
  • If the judge picks this one thing, why not be transparent about it?
  • If you don't have a transparent system, and this is in a law review article, if you don't have a transparent
  • My only goal in all of this is to try to increase transparency.
Keywords: 908, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Border Security Feb 27th, 2025

Border Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, to your 30,000-foot question, most of that litigation is in a standstill at the moment.
  • Chairman, to your 30,000 ft question, most of that litigation is in a standstill at the moment.
  • When we Are looking at our litigation that is really a policy-based litigation.
  • Um, I'm just a humble litigator in a bow tie. OK. Um, that would be awesome. Hello.
  • Ryan Kercher, I'm chief of Special Litigation for the Office of the Attorney General.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security held its first hearing of the 89th legislative session, established a quorum, welcomed new and returning members, and adopted the committee rules without objection. The chair said the hearing would be limited to invited state agency witnesses and was intended as a status update for new members on current border operations, especially in light of the change in federal administration. Testimony came from the Office of the Attorney General, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Military Department. The Attorney General’s representative said border-related litigation is largely in a holding pattern while the new U.S. Department of Justice awaits additional leadership, and noted prior cases involving concertina wire, buoys, and the CBP One app. DPS described Operation Lone Star’s evolution from filling gaps when Border Patrol was overwhelmed to current operations focused on interdiction, criminal arrests, fentanyl and meth seizures, and national security concerns, while also noting improved morale and more voluntary deployments as border pressure has eased. The Texas Military Department reported more than 5,000 personnel on state active duty, extensive use of barriers, drones, boats, and rapid-response forces, and said Operation Lone Star has resulted in more than 531,000 apprehensions and a 90% reduction in illegal crossings. Members and witnesses discussed whether the state should maintain its current border-security footprint while federal policy settles, with the chair emphasizing preserving institutional knowledge and leaving tactical decisions to the governor. Questions also covered trooper fatigue, Border Patrol training under SB 602, and concerns about cartel-driven commercial trucking and fuel depots near the border. The committee heard that Border Patrol training with DPS has resumed, and the chair asked agencies to keep the Legislature informed as legal and operational circumstances change. No bills were heard and no votes were taken beyond adopting the committee rules.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • So these cases are already really heavily litigated about the accuracy of the laser, the radar, the pacing
  • , I want to acknowledge the good faith and intent of this measure, but I need to maintain full transparency
  • , I want to acknowledge the good faith and intent of this measure, but I need to maintain full transparency
  • , I want to acknowledge the good faith and intent of this measure, but I need to maintain full transparency
  • on the part that some to be transparent on the part that some of<01:19:59.560> the<01:19:59.679
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 667 would require DOT or county departments to scan deceased cats or dogs found on public roadways for microchips, record information, and report it to county animal services. DOT said it supported the bill, and the Hawaiʻi Humane Society and others strongly backed it, describing it as important for grieving pet owners. A private citizen also testified in support, saying the measure could help families learn what happened to missing pets. The chair noted there were nine supporters. The committee then heard HB 230 on sending a carbon copy of traffic citations to vehicle owners, followed by HB 77, which would make civil identification cards free to issue or renew. The Attorney General’s office said it had already submitted comments on HB 77, DOT opposed it, and a private citizen supported it as a way to reduce barriers to basic services. HB 668, which would make license suspension mandatory for operating a vehicle without insurance, drew opposition from the Office of the Public Defender and DOT. The Public Defender argued current law already allows suspension and that a mandatory rule would discourage people from obtaining insurance, increase court burdens, and disproportionately affect indigent drivers; the chair emphasized that driving is a privilege and raised concerns about uninsured driving in rural areas. The Public Defender also said it would look into whether state insurance options could help people who cannot get traditional coverage. The committee also took up HB 12, which would bar inspection certificates for mopeds or vehicles modified to increase NOx emissions. DOT offered comments, Citizens Against Noise supported it, and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it; the chair noted six additional supporters and ten opponents. HB 169 would raise the minimum age for moped operators from 15 to 16 and increase the helmet requirement age from 18 to 21; DOT supported it, while Moped Doctors, Moped’s Direct, and seven individuals opposed it. HB 220 would require moped operators to carry insurance under motorcycle/motor scooter insurance laws; DCCA offered comments, DOT supported it, and Moped Doctors and ten individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard HB 277, which would establish a statewide vehicle pursuit policy for law enforcement agencies. The Policing Project at NYU and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi supported the bill, citing national data on deaths and injuries from pursuits and arguing for a baseline limit on pursuits for minor offenses; the Hawaii Police Department and Maui Police Department opposed it. The committee also heard HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture. DOT supported it, while the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill was overly harsh, internally inconsistent, and likely to strain courts, law enforcement, and probation systems by turning a traffic offense into a felony with prison exposure and jury-trial rights. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (04/15/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh so when the chairman asked litigants.
  • The clerk explains what happens when litigants, particularly self-represented litigants, first file a
  • <01:49:01.040> or little bit more on the litigants or little bit more on the litigants or
  • Um, I will say if more on the litigants.
  • with litigants u particularly self-represented<01:56:35.199> litigants<01:56:36.159> uh
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee met on April 15, 2025, and opened a hearing on Senate Bill 269, which would remove references to “bride and groom” and replace them with “applicants” in the Vital Records Act. The bill was described by the sponsor’s designee as a housekeeping update requested by the Secretary of State to modernize and standardize the language in light of same-sex marriage and to make the statute gender-neutral. Members asked whether the change would affect the substance of marriage law, marriage ceremonies, age and residence requirements, or open the door to polygamy; the response was that it would not change the law, would still apply to two adults, and would not supersede New Hampshire’s ban on polygamy. Some members noted the bill had passed the Senate unanimously and 18-0, while others questioned whether the change was necessary given existing forms and statutes, and whether it could create confusion with other laws such as alimony or divorce paperwork. The discussion became lengthy and somewhat informal, with members debating whether the terminology update was merely clerical or whether it should be postponed for more information from the Secretary of State’s office. Several members expressed frustration that no representative from that office was present. One member, speaking as a family law attorney, argued the bill was redundant because similar information already appears on vital statistics forms and could potentially create unintended issues; others countered that the Legislature should keep statutes consistent with current law and modern terminology. The committee also briefly discussed how marriage certificates and licenses are labeled and how same-sex couples are designated under current law. After a Republican caucus break, the chair called for a nonbinding thumb vote on whether to postpone the bill. The committee voted to come back to the bill later, and the hearing on SB 269 was closed and postponed to a later executive session date. The chair then shifted to other committee business, including preparations for a later discussion with Chief Administrative Justice Ellen Kristo and a family court subcommittee exercise, but no further action was taken on SB 269 during this segment.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Fri Feb 20, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 19

Hawaii House Floor Meeting