Transcript Highlights:

• We have a very small staff; we have two attorneys, and we absolutely need another attorney to handle
• We need, you know, an attorney, a dedicated trial attorney, and two dedicated trial attorneys to handle
• This is again a non-general fund.
• I would like to first off start by saying General Aguilar sends his regards.
• General Aguilar is working.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I don’t think we understand that the attorney general is being forced to do this measure for the
• Why is the attorney general being forced to pay for entities private sector to sue using our funding?
• Uh, I don’t think we understand that the attorney general is being forced to do this measure for the
• Why is the attorney general being forced to pay for entities private sector to sue using our funding?
• Why is the attorney general being forced to pay for entities private sector to sue using our funding?

Bills: SB2088, SB2925, SB3263, SB2047, SB2087, SB2100, SB2268, SB2353, SB2781, SB2902

Keywords: coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, agriculture, biosecurity, environment, coconut rhinoceros beetle, student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, pharmacy benefit managers, maximum allowable cost, drug pricing

Summary: The joint committee on Ways and Means and Consumer Protection met for decision-making only on two agendas and took action on a large number of Senate bills, with no oral testimony heard. On the 1016 agenda, the committee recommended passage of measures including SB 2088, SB 2925, SB 2781, and several others, and passed a number of bills with amendments. Notable amendments included SB 3263, which adopted AG amendments related to the name, image, and likeness endowment trust fund; SB 2047 on pharmacy benefit managers, which incorporated Hawaii Pharmacist Association changes; SB 2087 on health insurance, which added Insurance Division clarifications; SB 2100 on pesticides, which added a blank appropriation; SB 2353 on outdoor signage, which removed provisions related to the Wiki special district; and SB 2902 on renewable energy, which clarified certification standards for portable solar devices and exempted them from certain disclosure requirements. Most recommendations were adopted without objection, though a few members noted reservations on selected bills. The committee also deferred one bill on the agenda, SB 3327. The committee then moved to the 1015 agenda and acted on additional measures. SB 2003 was passed with amendments tied to Act 255, including a repeal trigger if deadlines are missed; SB 2497 on utility-related transparency drew the most discussion, with one member warning about litigation and costs while another argued it was simply about electricity-rate transparency, and it ultimately passed with PUC-related amendments and an exemption for utility cooperatives. Other measures were passed unamended or with technical or fiscal amendments, including bills affecting land planning, tax credits, conveyance tax language, shoreline maintenance, and community improvement projects. Several bills had appropriations blanked or effective dates deferred to 2050, and many were adopted with members noting reservations rather than opposition. On the 1017 agenda, the committee continued approving measures, including SB 709 on crisis intervention officers and assisted community treatment, SB 2153 on defining bona fide farmer/agriculture activity, SB 2694 on water rate adjustments, SB 3025 on income eligibility limits, and SB 3085 on the Hawaii film studio, which included a five-year repeal provision if the studio has not relocated. The committee also passed numerous other bills unamended or with technical amendments, often deferring effective dates or blanking appropriations. Across both agendas, the committee’s actions were largely consistent: bills were advanced with amendments tailored to agency requests, technical corrections, or fiscal adjustments, and votes were generally unanimous or near-unanimous with occasional reservations recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just had some general. General comments. Border security. Thank you for everything y'all do.
• Yeah, why that's in the governor's budget as opposed to, like, attorney general.
• General.
• Central SOP programs apply for specialized funding through the Office of the Attorney General, and we'll
• We respectfully request an additional 62 million in general revenue to the Office of the Attorney, I'm

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• District Attorney.
• Larry Freeman, Chief Deputy Attorney General.
• This was a bill that the Attorney General thought was important to try to increase the penalty on negligent
• Larry Freeman, Chief Deputy Attorney General, said the amendment was a collaboration between the district
• I am an assistant district attorney in the 16th JDC, and I am also the president of the ADA Board at

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and considered a series of juvenile justice, criminal procedure, public corruption, domestic violence, sentencing, and victim-notification measures. Early in the meeting, SB 396 was amended and reported favorably to allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference, with OJJ staff also participating virtually. SB 181 was amended and reported favorably to create a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations within a single health system. SB 81, a bill requiring prosecutorial consent before a defendant may waive a jury trial in a non-capital felony case, drew extensive debate; supporters said it would align Louisiana with federal practice and other states, while opponents argued it would give the state more power and reduce defendants’ control over their own trial rights. After testimony from district attorneys, defense lawyers, and advocacy groups, the committee reported SB 81 favorably by a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 207, which extends the prescriptive period for prosecuting certain corruption offenses committed by elected officials and public employees to 10 years after they leave office. Supporters said it would help prevent officials from using their influence to avoid prosecution; opponents raised concerns about optics and scope. The bill was reported favorably by an 8-3 vote. SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system, was also reported favorably without objection. SB 156, which increases the maximum penalty for negligent homicide and includes special treatment for cases involving children under 13, was reported favorably after sponsors said they would make a technical fix before floor debate. SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer and dedicating fine revenue to pursuit training and technology, was reported favorably after supporters cited fatal high-speed pursuits and law enforcement backing. Later, the committee approved SB 97, the constitutional amendment companion to SB 81, after similar testimony for and against the proposal; it was reported favorably by a 7-3 vote. SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board’s functions to the Louisiana Supreme Court, was reported favorably without objection. SB 410, increasing penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses, was also reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 251, which requires notice to victims or their families in resentencing proceedings; after amendments and testimony about post-conviction procedure and possible unintended consequences, it was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HCR 50, a resolution calling for reports on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and guidance on available funding; the sponsor described it as a study effort to improve access to treatment and recovery, and the resolution was moved favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• General under the subsection.
• alien is not lawfully present in the United States, or otherwise to cooperate with the Attorney General
• It stops generational poverty.
• general.
• As an assistant state attorney, I would have to charge a different crime in order to get what 97.6% of

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then read an amended joint proclamation expanding the special session call to include financial penalties for government officials, criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. No committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk before the chamber moved to the special order calendar. The main item was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill, along with a late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Gruters. Gruters said the amendment aligned terminology with federal law, increased penalties for crimes by unauthorized aliens, added transnational crime organizations to gang definitions, required stronger participation in the federal 287(g) program, created financial penalties for noncompliance, offered a $1,000 bonus for officers assisting ICE in large operations, directed more information-sharing with federal agencies, and barred DHSMV from issuing licenses or IDs to unauthorized aliens. He framed the bill as supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda and focusing on criminal illegal aliens rather than street-level enforcement. A long question-and-answer period followed, with Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Roscoe, Berman, and others pressing the sponsor on scope, legality, costs, and implementation. Questions focused on whether the bill would require participation beyond jails and detention centers, whether schools or churches could be affected, liability and immunity for local agencies, the size and purpose of the proposed appropriations, and the impact on undocumented students receiving in-state tuition waivers. Gruters and Senator Fine said the 287(g) provisions were intended to apply to jails and detention facilities, that green-card holders and lawful residents would not be affected, and that the tuition waiver repeal would end discounted tuition for students in the country illegally while not affecting their ability to attend. Fine also defended the mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses committed by illegal immigrants, acknowledging it would likely be challenged in court but arguing the bill was designed to test and advance the policy. No final vote or other action on the bill is reflected in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• BE GENEROUS WITH THIS AMENDMENT BARCODE 496196.
• I AM AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY OUT OF ORLANDO FLORIDA.
• WE WILL BE GENEROUS IN ASKING QUESTIONS AFTER THE BILL AS AMENDED.
• WE WILL BE GENEROUS AGAIN WITH THE QUESTIONS FOLLOWING THAT.
• TORS OF OVERSIGHT DISTRICT AND REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:56.080> also Department of Prosecuting Attorney also Department of Prosecuting Attorney
• So in person, we had Brigadier General Walter Ross. General Ross, please join us.
• So in person, we had Brigadier General Walter Ross. General Ross, please join us.
• Uh in General Ross' deployments go.
• They are attorney general's office.

Bills: SB2363, SB2054, SB2057, SB2377, SB3322

Keywords: public lands, county authority, public health, safety regulations, cultural preservation, public safety, Hawaii National Guard, military deployment, governor authority, federal assistance, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2033 on renewable energy, focused on rooftop solar and grid-ready homes. Members discussed amendments intended to clarify retrofit provisions for new homes, cost-sharing requirements for interconnecting customers, compliance with relevant safety standards or certifications, and a date change. The chair recommended passage with amendments, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The joint committees then heard Senate Bill 2363 on county authority over access to encumbered properties such as streams. The City and County of Honolulu, along with the Department of Transportation and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, testified in support, saying the bill would help protect public safety, reduce flood risk, and prevent illicit activity. A Libertarian Party representative opposed the measure, arguing the problem stemmed from mismanagement and that the bill granted overly broad new powers. No action was taken during the hearing. The committees also heard Senate Bill 2054 and Senate Bill 2057, both relating to public safety and immigration-related state authority. Testimony on SB 2054 largely supported limiting state resources for federal or out-of-state deployments when the governor objects, with the Hawaii National Guard raising concerns about unclear obligations for service members and the distinction between Title 10 and Title 32 authority. On SB 2057, supporters including ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Legal Clinic said the bill would curb cooperation with ICE, protect constitutional rights, and preserve trust in immigrant communities; one witness also noted the rapid growth of 287(g) agreements nationwide. The committee then moved on to SB 2377 on property damage to critical infrastructure, where Charter Communications and Hawaiian Telecom supported the bill and asked for clarification to include broadband and telecommunications, while the Public Defender questioned whether the higher penalty was justified. Finally, the committee began SB 3322 on law enforcement, with testimony emphasizing clearer separation between local police and federal agents, limits on immigration enforcement cooperation, and protections for community trust; the hearing continued with additional testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• before the VA under CalVet power of attorney.
• No general fund dollars are used, and that is not sustainable.
• We have a report due to the Legislature and the Attorney General at the end of this year and another
• They have the policy oversight on our local assistance budget.
• For every $1 granted, approximately $6 to $8 is re-granted or generated.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held an informational hearing on budget issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Arts Council. The chair noted there would be no votes. CalVet gave an overview of its programs serving veterans and families, including transition assistance, county veterans service officers, education approvals, housing and homelessness programs, home loans, long-term care homes, and state veterans cemeteries. Members asked about future long-term care needs for aging veterans, staffing and recruitment challenges at veterans homes, and the Yountville steam infrastructure replacement project, for which CalVet sought a $38.8 million reappropriation and said federal reimbursement was expected. CalVet also discussed the role of county veterans service officers in helping veterans file claims and avoid predatory unaccredited representatives. The Department of Cannabis Control described its regulatory role from seed to sale and requested one position to implement SB 1064’s combined activities license. Members and public witnesses focused heavily on the illicit cannabis market, enforcement staffing, and the impact of taxes and fees on the legal market. DCC said it had roughly 87 enforcement positions with about a 15% vacancy rate and more than 200 compliance staff. Its economist presented the 2024 cannabis market report, which found licensed production and retail quantity were up, but retail value and prices were down, with an estimated 11.4 million pounds of illicit production and about 60% of California consumption still coming from the illicit market. Industry witnesses argued the legal market is in crisis, urged repeal of the scheduled excise tax increase, stronger enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicants, and expanded retail access. The Department of Consumer Affairs briefly presented nine budget proposals, including a $2.6 million ongoing request to maintain a business modernization system for several boards and bureaus. The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls described its work on economic and educational equity, health care, violence prevention, student rights, and archival and outreach projects, and said its budget request would convert limited-term positions to permanent. A member urged the commission to narrow its priorities toward current issues such as affordability, child care, and women’s health. The California Arts Council outlined its role as the state’s only statewide arts funder and requested restoration of $5 million in local assistance; supporters testified that the funding would leverage additional local investment and help sustain arts access, especially in rural communities. The hearing ended after the non-presentation items were noted and no further public comment was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4049, Attorney General; Legislative Council exemption.
• HB 4049, Attorney General; Legislative Council exemption.
• Senate Bill 1317, an act relating to the Attorney General.
• It could be medical assistants, nursing assistants, radiology technicians, and respiratory therapists
• So the attorneys do this already, and...

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Nash: I have discussed this bill with the Attorney General.
• General's office would get. without knowing from the Attorney without knowing from the Attorney General's
• <00:03:08.000> uh<00:03:08.440> they attorney general uh this bill uh they attorney
• Express their uh belief generally did uh Express their uh belief generally about<00:03:12.480> data
• practice requests that the Attorney practice requests that the Attorney General's<00:03:27.920><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our attorney found the evidence to sustain our client’s story and sent that to the HOA’s attorney.
• We organized and fought these discriminatory foreclosures and filed an attorney general complaint.
• We organized and fought these discriminatory foreclosures and filed an attorney general complaint.
• We organized and fought these discriminatory foreclosures and filed an attorney general complaint.
• foreclosures and filed an attorney foreclosures and filed an attorney general<00:43:05.599> complaint

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 1750, an HOA/common interest community reform bill, and first adopted the DE9 amendment after the chair moved it to put the bill in the form the author wanted. The bill was described by supporters as a consumer and homeowner protection measure intended to add transparency, dispute-resolution rights, conflict-of-interest rules, and limits on fees and late charges in Minnesota HOAs, which supporters said have grown rapidly and are not adequately covered by current law. Supporters, including legal aid, the Minnesota Home Ownership Center, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, said the bill responds to longstanding complaints about HOA abuse, lack of transparency, escalating attorney fees, foreclosure-related problems, and management-company conflicts of interest. They argued the revised bill reflects extensive stakeholder work and would help homeowners resolve disputes without costly escalation while improving fairness and accountability. Opponents, including attorneys and representatives of HOA management interests, argued the bill is too rigid and one-size-fits-all, would raise costs for all homeowners, and could make associations harder to govern. They said fee caps, contract restrictions, procurement mandates, and dispute procedures would increase assessments, reduce flexibility, discourage board service, and create more legal and administrative burden, especially for smaller or financially strained communities. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• > on Attorney General with comments on Attorney General with comments on Zoom<01:34:19.239> oh
• <01:35:17.280> General the testimony of the Attorney General the testimony of the Attorney
• for the Department of the Attorney General.
• the<05:20:24.798> work attorney general mentioned um the work attorney general mentioned
• <05:20:47.440> General one the Office of the Attorney General one the Office of the Attorney

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My office. was informed that such districts without broadband access send physical mail to the Attorney
• So I've got my attorney, legal assistant, bookkeeper, engineer...
• But the two-year window, I think that's kind of It's still within our general memory.
• So, um, anyway, I just generally by my, my own. person.
• So to do that, generally they try to avoid it, which means they put it on their own website.

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• Elisa Diehl, who is also our attorney for the Yazzie plaintiffs and is the senior education attorney
• During that time, we also met with the Attorney General. who wanted to collaborate with the plaintiffs
• Opposed by the Attorney General, it was also opposed by the PED and the Executive.
• We'll have a total disservice to our future generations.
• The funding is particularly designed to help, designed to assist, to train, and assist in the search

Transcript Highlights:

• Moni's attorney. I've Colleen McAllister: been her attorney now for 13 years.
• The defense attorneys then have to try to slow that acceleration.
• It was referenced that the Florida Attorney General has brought a lawsuit against the company for sending
• It specifies that the attorney must not be employed by the government and requires the attorney to have
• Bruce Bartlett: State Attorney for the 6th Circuit. Been State Attorney...

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, attorney general. Good afternoon.
• The Department of the Attorney General recommends identifying the bill as a law of statewide concern.
• Up next, attorney<00:20:16.480> general. attorney general. attorney general.
• The department of the attorney<00:20:20.799> general<00:20:21.200> recommends<00:20:21.919
• > identifying attorney general recommends identifying attorney general recommends identifying

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 18, 2026, and heard four bills. HB 2519 would shift University of Hawaii funding toward block appropriations, a stabilization fund, limited procurement and fiscal exemptions, performance-based metrics, and annual reporting. UH supported the bill, saying line-item budgeting hampers systemwide efficiency across its 10 campuses; the State Procurement Office commented on the procurement exemption. The chair proposed amendments to address concerns from Budget and Finance and procurement, including capping UH’s retained funds at 10%, requiring lapse after three fiscal years, removing CIP-to-operating transfers, narrowing procurement exemptions while keeping Chapter 103B principles, shifting performance metric-setting to the Board of Regents, and requiring annual reporting. The committee then voted to pass HB 2519 with amendments. HB 2409 would establish the Hawaii Geological Survey in Hilo and designate its director as the state geologist. UH Hilo supported the concept but said it would need sufficient general-fund support, estimating roughly $200,000 to start. DLNR and the Attorney General offered comments, with the AG calling it a matter of statewide concern. The chair said the DNR testimony raised public safety concerns and that UH Hilo had not identified a firm funding amount, so the committee voted to defer the bill. HB 2141 HD1 concerned state enterprise zones and would expand eligible business activities and allow DBED to designate up to two areas as enterprise zones with gubernatorial approval. DBED, the Tax Foundation, and other organizations submitted support or comments. After discussion, the chair said the current version no longer fit the higher education committee’s focus and recommended reverting to the original bill, which would limit the zone to Kakaʻako Makai for a biomedical health innovation hub near JABSOM and the Queen’s Cancer Center, with a defective date. The committee voted to pass HB 2141 HD1 with amendments. HB 2233 HD1 would appropriate funds to continue the SNAP-Ed program through UH and the Department of Health. DOH supported the bill and said it had been working on nutrition education and environmental changes; it estimated about $600,000 each for DOH and SEAR, or $1.2 million total. Testimony in support also came from several organizations and individuals, including a senior advocate who described the program’s practical benefits. The chair said the committee would reflect the $600,000-per-entity estimate in its report, and the committee voted to pass HB 2233 HD1 as is before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And statute, but primarily Attorney General rulings to provide for that process.
• So there actually is an Attorney General opinion. I believe it's KP.0463 that actually was...
• So we have an Attorney General opinion that we can rely on to help us, and it makes it very clear to
• Dallas County referred us to the Attorney General, arguing that Ballots forms at all.
• Dallas County referred us to the Attorney General, arguing that standard ballot accountability forms

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Shortly thereafter, the Attorney General—and I believe that was the state; I think it was the state Attorney
• General, I think that was under Kelley.
• Attorney Administration. Moving on, Puaqui Pueblo and the Mescalero.
• General.
• My wife is an attorney for disability rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering or testifying, please get with the committee staff and they
• will assist you.
• Against the child and does not assist the child and are immediately reported to law enforcement.
• Um, we definitely have had, uh, assistance from the district attorneys, uh, multiple district attorneys
• I'm a policy attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project here in opposition to the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your word says in James that if we have any lack of wisdom, that we should ask God who gives generously
• General.
• House Bill 1924, Appropriations, Attorney General.
• This matter concerns the opioid appropriations in the Attorney General's budget, and my motion would
• Senator Simmons: I have two attorney members, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. President.

Bills: SB3408, HB4171, SB3403, SB3404, SB2210

Keywords: economic development, industrial authority, Yazoo County, trustees, grants and loans, local government, taxation, tourism, parks and recreation, Ackerman, restaurant sales tax, local funding, suffrage, voting rights, restoration of rights, felony conviction, Mississippi legislation, restoration, criminal record, legislation