Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, ALPR data is exempt from public records disclosure, except for bona fide research that
• Additionally, ALPR data is exempt from public records disclosure, except for bona fide research that
• And we also appreciate the bill sponsors including in here provisions to protect disclosure of this data
• a problem that needs to be clarified is that we have two lower court rulings about what public disclosure

Bills: HB2161 , HB2332 , HB2102

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: attorney general, legal authority, state powers, judiciary, civil rights, driver privacy, data protection, personal information, surveillance, consumer rights, legal obligations, financial responsibility, debt management, consumer protection, court systems

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, ALPR data is exempt from public records disclosure, except for bona fide research that
• We also appreciate the bill sponsors including provisions here to protect disclosure of this data through
• And we also appreciate the bill sponsors, including in here, provisions to protect disclosure of this
• a problem that needs to be clarified is that we have two lower court rulings about what public disclosure

Summary: On January 20, 2026, the committee held public hearings on House Bill 2102, House Bill 2161, and House Bill 2332. HB 2102 would sharply limit legal financial obligations by prohibiting courts from imposing costs unless specifically authorized by statute, repealing many fees and interest on restitution, and making eliminated debts unenforceable and satisfied. The sponsor and supporters argued that LFOs are harmful, inconsistently applied, and create uncollectable debt that burdens indigent defendants and hinders reentry. Opponents, including local government and collections representatives, warned the bill would shift costs to cities and counties, reduce accountability tools, and could cost local jurisdictions millions. No vote was taken. HB 2161 would expand the Attorney General’s authority to issue civil investigative demands for possible violations involving civil rights, labor standards, jail standards, immigration-related restrictions, and police use-of-force laws. Supporters from the Attorney General’s office, labor groups, and civil rights advocates said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases, while not changing substantive enforcement authority. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, and business groups argued the bill was overbroad, lacked sufficient standards, and could create due process, confidentiality, and separation-of-powers concerns. Members asked about safeguards, and staff and the AGO described court challenge procedures and internal review standards. No action was taken. HB 2332 would regulate automated license plate readers used by state and local agencies, generally limiting use to specified law enforcement, parking, toll, and transportation purposes, restricting sharing and retention, and prohibiting uses tied to immigration enforcement or protected health care. The sponsor and privacy, immigrant-rights, and reproductive-rights advocates said the bill was needed to prevent misuse of sensitive location data and to close loopholes that could allow out-of-state or federal access. Law enforcement, cities, vendors, and some business and campus representatives supported privacy guardrails but said the 72-hour retention limit, warrant requirements, and other restrictions were too strict and could hinder investigations, victim recovery, and parking enforcement. The hearing ended with testimony still underway and no vote or final action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• provisions relating to legislative committee members and staff regulated by the Nevada Lobbying and Disclosure
• and Regulation Act and the Nevada Financial Disclosure Act so that legislative committee staff members
• Certainly, I think the changes regarding legislative staff to the Financial Disclosure Act and lobbying
• disclosure, I do not believe, will lead to any less transparency.

Bills: AB534 , AB562 , AB595 , AB597 , AB600 , SB74 , SB226 , SB422 , SB488

Committee: Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Vague disclosures, delayed filings, and a lack of transparency leave no idea of who's pushing policies
• A potential violation that involves concealment of evidence or distortion of public disclosure, in other
• The definitions and disclosure requirements are designed to be more objective and fact-based, and less
• The required disclosures would also help prevent blind reliance on these recommendations by financial

Bills: SB312 , SB945 , SB946 , SB1367 , SB1861 , SB2044 , SB2337 , SB2403 , SB2819 , SJR54

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there are also three disclosure pieces added in under the bylaws, disclosure and resale regarding
• disclosure pieces added in under the bylaws,<00:04:18.079><c> disclosure</c><00:04:18.560><c> and</c>
• , disclosure and resale regarding master<00:04:20.079><c> insurance</c><00:04:20.560><c> policies.
• But I don't believe I like the disclosure pieces of the bill.
• I think the disclosure is a good idea, but price caps never work as intended.

Bills: SF1750 , HF4250 , HF3938 , HF3904 , HF3642

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We see this as a support for housing, the environmental review process as a disclosure process.
• If we limit the window when an opponent of a project disclosure process can file to 30 days, all of the
• was not properly uh disclosure was not properly uh conducted<01:12:08.640><c> and</c><01:12:08.960><
• </c><01:12:33.280><c> process</c> opponent of a project disclosure process opponent of a project disclosure
• disclosure stage rather than<01:19:05.679><c> waiting</c><01:19:06.239><c> until</c><01:19:07.040><c

Bills: HB1604 , HB1713 , HB1722 , HB2270 , HB2401 , HB2515 , HB1979 , HB1593 , HB1743 , HB2122 , HB1756 , HB1837 , HB1729

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1604, which would create an agricultural workforce housing group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address shortages of farmworker housing. The department said it supported the bill’s intent but emphasized that the group’s early work should focus on gathering data and surveying farm operators to assess actual demand, to avoid “mission creep.” Testimony from the City and County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce was in support, with one witness suggesting a housing advocacy nonprofit be added to the working group for balance. The committee then discussed HB 1713 on school impact fees, which would clarify exemptions for certain affordable housing projects and exempt new residential developments of fewer than 100 units. The Attorney General’s office said the bill should define “low to moderate income households” because that term is not defined in chapter 302A. HHFDC, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and others supported the measure, arguing it would reduce administrative burden and remove barriers to housing. Members questioned whether the bill should instead repeal the school impact fee entirely; supporters said they also favored full repeal but viewed this bill as a more feasible step. The School Facilities Authority also explained that about $28 million in school impact fees had been collected across four districts and none had yet been spent, and discussed how recent nexus requirements limit how the funds can be used. HB 1722, relating to residential condominiums, drew extensive testimony and questioning. HCDA supported the bill and explained that it amends the 99-year leasehold pilot program created by Act 97 of 2023 by reducing owner-occupancy restrictions from 100% of units to 60%, allowing some rental or subleasing flexibility for the owner-occupied units, and permitting up to 40% of units to be sold to qualified residents after being on the market for more than 60 days. HCDA said the original restrictions, combined with rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and competition from nearby projects, made the pilot project difficult to market and finance; it said the changes are needed to make the project feasible and competitive. Supporters including AP Hawaii, Kila LLC, and project representatives said the amendments would help make the demonstration project in Kakaʻako viable. Some members raised concerns that the changes could weaken long-term affordability and questioned why certain ownership language was being deleted if rentals would still be restricted. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of our disclosures are there. Uh, fees fully displayed.
• All of our disclosures are there. Uh, fees fully displayed.
• All of our disclosures are there. Uh, fees fully displayed.
• Uh fees fully our disclosures are there.
• ,</c> have not provided certain disclosures, have not provided certain disclosures, you're<01:49:02.000

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on fraud in the community, with presenters from ARP, CoinFlip, HPD, the Hawaii Bankers Association, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, and the Department of Law Enforcement. The chair described widespread scams targeting kupuna and other residents, including impersonation of grandchildren, lottery/inheritance schemes, romance scams, online shopping fraud, investment scams, and tech-support scams. Members emphasized the emotional manipulation used by scammers, the difficulty of getting victims to report losses, and the need to educate the public on warning signs and available resources. ARP said scams are an epidemic and highlighted national data showing major losses among older adults, including $4.8 billion lost by people age 60 and over in 2024. ARP focused especially on cryptocurrency kiosks as a growing scam channel in Hawaii, citing 64 complaints totaling $922,000 in 2024 and noting that complaints nearly doubled from the prior year. ARP urged stronger safeguards such as limits on transactions, refunds, live customer support, and a law-enforcement contact for operators, and said its Fraud Watch Network can help victims freeze credit, identify next steps, and track current scams. The chair said he intends to introduce legislation to lower and ultimately eliminate the amount of Bitcoin that can be purchased through ATMs. CoinFlip said it supports consumer-protection regulation and described its compliance practices, including scam warning screens, anti-money-laundering controls, blockchain analytics, wallet pinning, transaction monitoring, and cooperation with law enforcement. The company said it is registered as a money services business, files suspicious activity and currency transaction reports, and holds money transmitter licenses in many jurisdictions. It also pointed to Illinois-style refund protections for new users and said it refunds fees to scam victims, though not the underlying funds. In response to committee questions, members and the company discussed whether crypto kiosks are necessary, how scams can be traced, and whether banks and kiosks can better intervene when suspicious activity is detected.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Senator Papus, with Commissioner Senator Papus, with Commissioner Blissenbach<03:11:18.479><c> from
• </c><03:12:45.439><c> of</c> Senator Papus, with the commissioner of Senator Papus, with the commissioner
• and the enforcement of the commissioner and the enforcement of the department<03:27:32.000><c> of</c
• may assess a that the commissioner may assess a penalty<03:28:41.600><c> of</c><03:28:42.080><c> up<
• Thank you, Madam President. beginning in 2024, the commissioner beginning in 2024, the commissioner sells

Transcript Highlights:

• of information to be made on disclosure of information to be made on a<00:38:44.000><c> case-by-case
• </c><00:40:14.440><c> uh,</c><00:40:14.560><c> conflict</c> protections from disclosure uh, conflict
• protections from disclosure uh, conflict and<00:40:15.480><c> could</c><00:40:15.680><c> create</c><00
• It is not broader than that, and the disclosure obligation is only triggered in a criminal proceeding
• </c> broader than that and the disclosure broader than that and the disclosure obligation<00:49:03.920

Bills: HF3951 , HF4005 , HF962 , HF4585 , HF3870 , HF4542 , HF3893 , HF4293 , HF4075 , HF4057 , HF3809

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• I have City Commissioner Angela Eadie, City Commissioner Jeanette Martinez, City Commissioner Angela
• County Commissioner Cheryl Greve. Can they all stand up, please?
• This is the annual disclosure of gifts and honorarium-related expenses.
• Nadine Gavinon, Commissioner, my Commissioner, Jacqueline Guzman, on.
• Gavin and Commissioner, my Commissioner, Jacqueline Guzman, and I also have Christine Fraser.

Transcript Highlights:

• By requiring a written disclosure of the intended use of funds, anticipated expenditures, and project
• The bill also adds a disclosure requirement.
• The bill also adds a disclosure requirement.
• The bill also adds a disclosure requirement.
• The bill also adds a disclosure requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• the bill, in the substitute, the key provisions say it mandates that no school enter into a non-disclosure
• As for non-disclosure agreements, again, I probably would not be as critical of the education department
• As<01:56:41.720><c> for</c><01:56:41.880><c> non-disclosure</c><01:56:42.680><c> agreements,</c><01:56
• :43.160><c> again,</c> As for non-disclosure agreements, again, As for non-disclosure agreements, again

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to be treated equally, fairly, and we have no issue with regards to disclosure.
• And so disclosure is not an issue because I disclose everything.
• And so disclosure is not an issue because I disclose everything.
• We've seen that the public overwhelmingly supports increased transparency and disclosures for lobbyists
• , and our current rules for disclosure for lobbyists and their employers are just lacking substance.

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as my background, I served two terms as a county commissioner, and when I'm not here serving as
• As far as my background, I served two terms as a county commissioner, and when I'm not here serving as
• This bill requires that there is greater public disclosure of who pays the bail of someone out on jail
• This bill requires that there is greater public disclosure of who pays the bail of someone out on jail
• Thank you, Chair. greater public disclosure of who pays greater public disclosure of who pays bills<00

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:40:00.120><c> required</c> payment usage disclosure required payment usage disclosure required
• required pursuant to this disclosure required pursuant to this section<04:40:49.400><c> may</c><04:40
• For a specific contractor, shall provide the customer with written disclosure that covers the intended
• So, say that individual does not get all this disclosure, does not get all this contract language from
• , does not get all this this disclosure, does not get all this all<04:41:52.200><c> this</c><04:41:52.440

Transcript Highlights:

• Including the requirement to submit financial disclosures, the requirement to not accept improper gifts
• The requirement to submit financial disclosures, the requirement to not accept improper gifts.
• Warotz served on the Queen Anne's County Board of Commissioners, actually, and was instrumental in the
• 20.080><c> of</c> served on the Queen Ans County Board of served on the Queen Ans County Board of Commissioner
• PME actually and was Commissioner PME actually and was instrumental<01:55:23.280><c> in</c><01:55:23.440

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it was noted that the Mountain<01:37:33.199><c> West</c><01:37:33.440><c> commissioner</c><01:37:
• 34.159><c> u</c><01:37:34.239><c> made</c><01:37:34.400><c> a</c> Mountain West commissioner u made a
• Mountain West commissioner u made a statement<01:37:34.880><c> about</c><01:37:35.119><c> the</c><01
• What about disclosure of how state funding is being allocated to this NIL students?
• of how state funding is being disclosure of how state funding is being allocated<01:40:10.080><c> to

Summary: The joint House-Senate higher education briefing focused on how the University of Hawaii athletics department plans to remain competitive in the NIL era, especially as the House settlement and related changes allow new forms of athlete compensation. Chair and Senator Kim opened by framing the issue as balancing competitiveness, sustainability, compliance, and UH’s educational mission. Coaches Laura Beeman and Timmy Chang described how NIL and the transfer portal are already affecting recruiting and retention, with Beeman saying women’s basketball has lost six to 10 recruits because UH cannot yet match offers, and Chang citing examples of players being courted with large sums and the need to retain proven local and out-of-state athletes. Both emphasized that student-athletes should still prioritize education, culture, and team values, while also receiving support that helps them stay at UH. Athletic Director Matt Elliott then outlined UH’s broader strategy. He said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the highest level of the Mountain West, and strengthen the bond with the community. He described NIL as having moved from a largely unregulated period to a new phase in which institutions can directly control some NIL payments, while outside deals still must be reviewed for fair market value. Elliott said UH wants to use NIL to help athletes cover basic needs and build financial stability, while also keeping them academically on track. He noted the department is pursuing fundraising, including a “Boost the Bose” account, corporate sponsorships, and licensing deals, to support NIL opportunities. In response to questions from Senator Kim, Elliott clarified that UH’s approach involves both institution-controlled payments and outside NIL deals: internal payments can be structured at the department’s discretion within the cap, while external sponsor deals must go through NIL Go and meet market-value standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also ensures that appropriate protections for confidentiality and limits the scope of disclosure
• It creates a notification process so the Attorney General can intervene before improper disclosures occur
• It creates a notification process so that the Attorney General can intervene and stop improper disclosures
• In my role as a commissioner and a criminal justice reform advocate, I've written policies for SFPD and
• advise law enforcement... ...commissioner and a criminal justice reform advocate.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• marketing practices and e-bike tampering; whether e-bike manufacturers and vendors should provide disclosure
• marketing practices and e-bike tampering; whether e-bike manufacturers and vendors should provide disclosure
• adjournment, and if you would like, Sandy could speak to the fiscal note. ...and vendors should provide disclosure

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation bills. ESSB 6262 would raise the maximum vehicle weight subject to transportation benefit district vehicle fees from 6,000 to 9,000 pounds for vehicles subject to gross weight license fees; the sponsor and city representatives said it would close a loophole, make fees more equitable, and help fund road maintenance, while the fiscal note was described as indeterminate. SB 5824 would clarify how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured, aligning Washington with other states and supporting RV dealers; the bill drew support from the RV industry. SB 6110 would exclude certain faster electric vehicles from the e-bike definition and create a Department of Licensing work group to recommend a framework for electric motorcycles; testimony generally supported the effort but urged clearer e-motorcycle definitions and earlier work-group action, with some concern about youth safety and local enforcement. SB 5833 would allow a person to leave a vehicle running for up to 30 minutes to heat or cool a pet inside, with locking and brake requirements; the sponsor and a sheriffs’ association witness discussed balancing pet safety with auto-theft concerns, and the committee heard no fiscal impact. The committee also heard ESSB 6066, which would establish crash prevention zones in areas with unusually high serious-injury or fatal-crash rates, initially for a specific stretch of U.S. 395 and later more broadly beginning in 2029. The bill would allow local governments and WSDOT to designate zones, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, use speed cameras in the zones, and dedicate related revenues to safety improvements; supporters from Pasco and county risk pools backed the approach, while the sponsor asked for broader geographic coverage. ESSB 6311 would require continuous, accessible pedestrian passage during construction near hospitals, parks, and school routes, with temporary routes, safety plans, inspections, and enforcement tools such as stop-work orders and penalties; the sponsor said it was modeled on local practices and aimed at protecting pedestrians during construction, and contractors and transportation advocates supported it with a requested amendment clarifying design responsibility in design-bid-build projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed each public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• What conversation is allowed or disclosure is allowed that there are two?
• What conversation is allowed or disclosure is allowed that there are two contemplated for the generally
• All right, we have one bill remaining, and that is on tab 5, SB 1050, on veterinary prescription disclosure

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered several bills and took final action on each. SB 986, by Senator Gruters and presented by Senator Rodriguez, would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and in certain indoor spaces; restaurant and lodging representatives supported adding marijuana and vaping to clean indoor air rules but asked to preserve designated smoking areas on private property, while cannabis advocates warned the bill was overly broad and could affect patients and property rights. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, would restore statutory authority for DBPR to continue allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 800, also by Senator Mayfield, increases penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts; after adopting an amendment clarifying eligibility, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 408, by Senator Grall, which would create a Florida cause of action against vaccine manufacturers that advertise in the state, allowing injured individuals to sue in Florida courts. Supporters argued the bill would rebuild public trust and hold manufacturers accountable, while opponents from the Florida Justice Reform Institute, American Tort Reform Association, BIO, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, and several medical and business groups argued the field is largely preempted by federal law, that existing federal compensation programs already address vaccine injuries, and that the bill raises First Amendment and policy concerns. After debate focused on vaccine injury data, compensation rates, and liability, the committee voted SB 408 favorably. The committee also considered SB 484 and SB 1118, both by Senator Avila, dealing with data centers. SB 484 would preserve local planning authority, bar nondisclosure agreements that prevent disclosure of potential data center development, require the PSC to set large-load tariff requirements so data centers pay their own costs, and limit consumptive use permits for large-scale data centers absent no harm to water resources and compliance with local zoning; supporters emphasized ratepayer protection and economic development, while some witnesses urged flexibility for behind-the-meter projects and confidentiality in negotiations. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1118 would create a time-limited public records exemption for county or municipal information about data center siting and protect proprietary business information; Senator Pizzo raised concerns about how the exemption would affect disclosure of competing projects and local officials’ ability to speak, but the sponsor said he would work on clarifying the language. The committee also passed SB 1050, by Senator Calatayud, which requires veterinarians to provide pet owners with written prescriptions and information about pharmacy choice while preserving veterinary judgment and emergency dispensing authority. The meeting concluded after all bills were reported favorably and members recorded additional votes on prior items.