Video & Transcript Research : 'mandatory reporting'
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 21st, 2025 at 12:30 pm
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm going to oppose the conference committee report.
- Excuse me, the question is on the adoption of the committee report.
- The conference committee has been reported. As many opposed, nay.
- The conference committee has been reported.
- The conference committee report has been adopted.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened and handled several House messages and conference committee appointments before taking up a series of bills. It appointed conference committees on Senate Bill 2265 and House Bills 1454, 1448, and 1524. The chamber also adopted a Senate amendment to House Bill 1216, delaying its effective date for the copay accumulator prescription drug bill to January 1, 2026, with later renewal timing for non-PERS plans.
House Bill 1216 then came up for final passage. Senators debated whether allowing copay accumulator programs to count manufacturer coupons toward deductibles would help patients with expensive drugs or unfairly shift costs to insurers and other policyholders. Supporters said it would help people afford life-saving medications and that the coupon payments go to pharmacies, not insurers; opponents argued it could raise premiums and create perverse incentives for drug pricing. The bill passed 29-18. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2160, which changes health insurance benefits under the Uniform Group Insurance Program to move from a grandfathered to a non-grandfathered plan, with supporters emphasizing added benefits and flexibility and opponents warning of higher costs and irreversible changes. That bill passed concurrence 33-14 and final passage 39-8.
The Senate next concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2339, the wildfire mitigation bill, which requires utility mitigation plans to be updated every two years, incorporate national electric standards, and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if the plan is followed. The bill then passed final passage 46-1. The chamber also adopted conference committee reports and passed House Bill 1460 on adult foster care and monitoring devices, House Bill 1440 on cigar lounge tobacco use, and Senate Bill 2374 on insurance-related provisions including property insurance arbitration, managed repair programs, and surplus lines issues; SB 2374 also added a study on towing and recovery coverage. The session ended with announcements of upcoming conference committee meetings and adjournment until April 22, 2025.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Education Policy Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> I would move to give the bill a favorable report as amended. >> We have a motion by Representative
- Baker to give the bill a favorable report and second by Representative Drummond.
- The bill is given a favorable report. Thank you very much. Um, next I'm going to ask the...
- So, California since 2016 mandated comprehensive sex ed across their entire state, mandatory for all
- So, California since 2016 mandated comprehensive sex ed across their entire state, mandatory for all
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Mandatory fee shifting is another mechanism.
- Mandatory<00:05:40.720>
fee <00:05:41.120>shifting <00:05:41.600>is <00:05:41.919 - >
another Mandatory fee shifting is another Mandatory fee shifting is another mechanism.<00:05 - <00:36:21.839>
that was designed to protect reporters that was designed to protect reporters - and sue the reporters for asking tough<00:36:28.800>
questions.
Keywords:
First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/15/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- programs uh mandatory at these facilities<00:22:06.200>
instead <00:22:06.440>of <00:22 - Other states, such as Massachusetts, have produced reports showing that, yes, while it does result in
- Other states, such as Massachusetts, have produced reports showing that, yes, while it does result in
- showing that yes have produced reports showing that yes while<01:24:28.480>
it <01:24:28.600>< - <01:53:22.800>
give <01:53:23.040>patients programs Financial report give patients
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-16 (2:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any reports of committees? Not on the desk, Mr. President.
- CS for Senate Bill 1374 strengthens reporting and accountability measures related to educator arrests
- It expands self-reporting requirements to include the offenses listed in Level 2 background screening
- An act relating to school district reporting requirements. The debate on the bill.
- Senate Bill 726, a bill to be entitled an act relating to false reporting.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then moved to the special order calendar. Early bills passed included measures on the Florida Trust Code (SB 806/HB 1173), school district reporting requirements and educator misconduct reporting (SB 1374), debt collection email communications (SB 232), service of process updates (SB 576/HB 157), public lodging and food service establishments (SB 606), lien waivers and releases (SB 658), Crime Stoppers public records exemptions (SB 710), health care licensure and foreign-country business interests (SB 768, amended), diabetes management in schools (SB 772/HB 597), platting procedures (SB 784), fentanyl testing in hospitals (SB 1346/HB 1195), third-party reservation platforms (SB 940), electronic landlord-tenant notices (SB 1164/HB 615), leaving the scene of a crash restitution (SB 1378/HB 479), background screening for athletic coaches (SB 1546), surrendered infants and infant safety devices (SB 1690/HB 791), and affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (SB 1730, amended). Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on trespass, higher education, transportation services, the UCC, altered sexual depictions, firearms during emergencies, Brownfields, false reporting, health care billing, motor vehicles, utility services, and others.
Most of the debate centered on a few controversial bills. Senators debated the fentanyl testing bill in support of faster detection and life-saving treatment, and the surrendered infants bill drew opposition over safety, anonymity, and liability concerns, though supporters argued baby boxes provide a monitored safe surrender option. The affordable housing bill received an amendment and broad support as a continuation of the Live Local Act, with changes to zoning, parking, height, and litigation procedures. The day’s most contentious measure was the agriculture/consumer services package (SB 700), where senators argued over the bill’s fluoride-related preemption; opponents criticized the policy and process, while the sponsor emphasized broader agriculture, consumer protection, and FFA-related provisions. That bill passed 27-9.
Votes on the other major bills were largely bipartisan and often unanimous or near-unanimous, with several bills passing 35-37 yeas and few or no nays. The Senate also adopted a motion to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House. The session concluded with announcements recognizing visitors, including Taiwan representatives, and remarks about a lantern-lighting observance tied to the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 18, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, by your vote, HB 1567 is reported favorably. Congratulations.
- By your vote, CS for HB 127 is reported favorably. Congratulations.
- By your vote, HB 989 is reported favorably. Congratulations.
- By your vote, PCS for HB 1091 is reported favorably. Congratulations.
- By your vote, HB 633 is reported favorably. Congratulations.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and heard six bills, all of which were reported favorably. HB 1567, relating to insulin administration by direct support professionals, was amended to clarify the type of insulin that may be administered and to allow supervision of self-administration of an insulin pen. Supporters described the bill as a way to keep people with developmental disabilities in group homes rather than forcing institutional placement; the amendment and bill both passed unanimously, 17-0.
PCS for HB 1103, on services for persons with disabilities, would expand the APD managed care pilot statewide in phases, require more transparency on waitlist data, create a statewide family care council, and address transition services for young adults leaving foster care. Testimony was mixed: supporters emphasized the long APD waitlist and the need for a voluntary option, while some witnesses and members raised concerns about the accelerated rollout, limited data, and preserving consumer-directed care. The committee adopted the bill 17-0. CS for HB 127, on exceptional student education, would create micro-credentials and coordinate with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA to support students with disabilities transitioning to work; it passed 17-0 after testimony from a parent and advocates.
HB 989, concerning licensure of family foster homes, was amended to streamline license transfers for foster parents moving within Florida while maintaining oversight and directing DCF rulemaking. A teacher and other supporters said the bill would reduce bureaucracy and help children remain in stable homes; it passed 17-0. PCS for HB 1091, on substance abuse and mental health care, updates processes related to the 988 crisis line, methadone treatment needs assessments, and forensic evaluators, and adds data/reporting requirements for DCF managing entities. After one amendment and testimony from supporters and one opponent, it passed 16-0. Finally, HB 633, on behavioral health managing entities, was amended and then approved 17-0; it requires more structured data and reporting from managing entities to increase accountability and transparency in the behavioral health system.
NH
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 02/10/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:37:01.280>
60% <00:37:01.880>of Suicide Prevention annual report 60% of Suicide - um and this is where nonprofit reported um and this is where nonprofit organizations<00:46:35.960>
- Well, I just want to be perfectly clear: this is not mandatory for veterans to go to a veteran cemetery
- Well, I just want to be perfectly clear: this is not mandatory for veterans to go to a veteran cemetery
- Well, I just want to be perfectly clear: this is not mandatory for veterans to go to a veteran cemetery
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- The next report is a report of reading.
- The next report is a report of the Committee on Health. It is report number 18.
- > report<01:18:45.640>
of <01:18:45.680>the next report is the report of the next report - House Bill 638, Judges Mandatory Retirement Age, favorable report as amended adopted.
- >
favor <01:51:08.280>report mandatory retirement age, favor report mandatory retirement
Summary:
The House met with 125 members present and began with the pledge, prayer, and opening formalities. Two House resolutions were presented and adopted by voice vote: one honoring the pioneering women of the Maryland State Police and State Fire Marshal’s Office during Women’s History Month, and another recognizing the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Infant and Childhood Loss on its 50th anniversary. Both resolutions highlighted the honorees’ service and contributions, and the clerk read each resolution into the record.
The chamber then received Senate bills introduced in the House, including Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 551, which were read the first time and referred to committee without objection. The House also took up multiple committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and ordering bills printed for third reading. Measures advanced included bills on residential real estate contract contingencies, Maryland data privacy, local alcoholic beverages licenses and fees in several counties, county salary study commission membership, sheriff and municipal enforcement matters, estates, health occupations background checks, school book fair tax exemptions, school board compensation and voting, and a Calvert County medical center bill.
Several bills were amended before advancing. House Bill 443 on Prince George’s County small event center alcohol licensing received a capacity-related amendment; House Bill 348 on Baltimore City alcohol license extension received a technical amendment and a change expanding coverage to transfers of ownership before July 1, 2029; House Bill 682 changed a license classification from Class C to Class GC; House Bill 405 on EV recharging equipment in condo/HOA documents was amended to clarify budget treatment; and House Bill 895 on dynamic pricing and predatory pricing received amendments clarifying definitions, disclosures, and enforcement. After extended discussion of HB 895, including questions about whether it bans dynamic pricing for food, how it treats discounts and loyalty programs, and whether supply-and-demand pricing changes are affected, the House agreed to special order the bill until later in the day.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 04/04/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- CO 19 report to 316 in the 2024 report.
- /c><00:48:00.480>
but reported in the 2021 report, but reported in the 2021 report, but institutions - And so, um, there is no current law any mandatory reporting to the DNR about that, and so we have no
- And so, um, there is no current law any mandatory reporting to the DNR about that, and so we have no
- >
about mandatory reporting to the DNR about mandatory reporting to the DNR about that<02:03:00.080
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 19 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on Rules reports recommending that the resolutions filed by Mr.
- The Committee on Rules and the Committee on Rules of the Two Branches Act concurrently report recommending
- The Committee on Steering Policy and Scheduling reports recommending that the matter be scheduled for
- The Committee on Steering Policy and Scheduling reports recommending that the matter be scheduled for
- Instead, this bill provides more reports, more divisions, and more socialized costs.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters, including adopting a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a number of petitions. The chamber also scheduled several bills for later consideration, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating work schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection namings, handicapped parking fines, public-way safety, excavation restoration, motor vehicle safety, and a Newton police age requirement. Two engrossed local bills were passed to be enacted: one authorizing retired police officers as special police in Plainville and another allowing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership.
The main policy debate centered on House No. 5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. Supporters described it as a broad affordability and clean-energy package that would cut costs for ratepayers, reform Mass Save, speed clean-energy procurement and interconnection, return a portion of alternative compliance payments to customers, and address biomass and other energy issues. Opponents argued the bill relied too heavily on long-term programs and new administrative structures while offering little immediate relief, and raised concerns about costs being shifted to consumers, impacts on natural gas, and the pace of implementation. Several amendments were debated and rejected, including proposals to shift public benefit charges away from peak hours, pause public benefit charges for a year, require greater utility disclosure before rate increases, and add a forest-clearing penalty for solar development.
One amendment to the energy bill was adopted: a consolidated amendment that included budget-billing consumer protections for gas customers, requiring notice and conservation recommendations when usage rises significantly. The House also adopted an amendment to a separate conservation-restriction bill for Hanson, changing a figure in the underlying law, and passed that bill to be engrossed as amended. The energy bill’s consolidated amendment passed by roll call, while several other amendments failed by roll call votes. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring Jaden Booker, Thomas Skip Karam, former Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former Representative and Senator William Q. “Biff” McLean, Jr.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 14, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- The parties participated in mandatory court-ordered mediation and were able to come to an agreement on
- Perkins, if you may give the court your report. Ms. Perkins: Thank you. Thank you, Your Honor.
- I provided a detailed report of these findings in my written report to the court. Judge: Thank you.
- Now that the parties have presented their cases, the Guardian ad litem has presented her report recommendation
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Nov 14th, 2025
Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- To give us our always somewhat complicated financial report of where we stand with the fund and the expenses
- However, I want to note that by their own report, about 263 high school youth are trained per year.
- In fiscal year 2026, they reported that the website was launched in July.
- There was a new committee hearing in which Constellation Consulting reported that they had two grant
- You mentioned the SINAR report, and this goes to no minor sale, as you can see.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Mar 4th, 2025
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And by your vote, SB 398 is reported favorably. Thank you, Senator Burgess.
- They have a duty to report. Yes. Yes.
- They're a mandatory reporter, and they do report very frequently.
- So this is key that we are able to report through them. So thank you for this bill.
- By your vote, SB 106 is reported favorably. Thank you, Senator Martin.
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met with a quorum and first took up SB 398, which would create a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Senator Burgess said the campaign would focus on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. The committee heard supportive testimony from a caregiver, AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and others, with members discussing the need for culturally responsive outreach and continued funding. SB 398 was reported favorably by roll call vote.
The committee then heard SB 106, which would strengthen Florida’s exploitation injunction law for vulnerable adults by allowing service of an unascertainable exploiter through the same communication method used to contact the victim, such as text, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp. Senator Martin explained the bill as a way to close a loophole that lets scammers evade traditional service, and witnesses from the Florida Bankers Association and the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section supported it, describing how the bill could stop ongoing thefts more quickly while preserving due process. Members asked about gift card scams, clerk workload, and the definition of an unascertainable respondent. SB 106 was reported favorably.
The Department of Children and Families then presented an update on the Adoption Benefits for Qualifying Adoptive Employees Program, describing its expansion over time and the current one-time lump-sum benefit structure for eligible adoptive parents. The presentation covered eligibility rules, open enrollment, funding history, and the program’s impact on adoption placements, with members asking why tax collectors were included but other constitutional offices were not, and whether foster relatives could qualify. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7012, a committee bill addressing child welfare workforce shortages, treatment foster care for high-acuity children, and improved data collection on commercially sexually exploited children. The bill would direct DCF to recruit former public safety workers for CPI and case manager roles, create a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and require more detailed, analyzable data and capacity studies. The bill drew support from child welfare advocates, with some members urging DCF to return with a more developed framework; it was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (01/08/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- And so now that we look, is, you know, what other deputy position in state government has a mandatory
- And so now that we look, is, you know, what other deputy position in state government has a mandatory
- And so now that we look, is, you know, what other deputy position in state government has a mandatory
- And so now that we look, is, you know, what other deputy position in state government has a mandatory
- <01:28:51.600>
retirement government has a mandatory retirement government has a mandatory
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Data Practices 1/22/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- These are primarily leads reports.
- The Fusion Center report reveals trends based on the total numbers of these reported events.
- <00:34:06.799>
In is also tabulated in the report. In is also tabulated in the report. - reports. In 2024 there were 583. reports. In 2024 there were 583.
- So, who do you report when there's nobody to report to? Who do you report them to?
Summary:
The committee continued its hearing on enforcement and compliance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, first taking additional public testimony from Melissa Zimmerman and Matt Senot of the East Side Corridor residents in Owatonna. They described submitting roughly two dozen data requests across several government entities related to a proposed highway project, saying some agencies responded but others did not, and that even after they substantially prevailed in a data practices complaint and the court imposed a maximum civil penalty, they still did not receive meaningful access to the records. Zimmerman said the lack of access harmed their ability to comment on the project’s environmental review, and both witnesses argued that the law needs stronger enforcement, realistic timelines, better communication, and more accessible remedies for requesters who cannot afford repeated litigation. They also raised practical barriers such as inaccessible file formats, missing software on a county-provided laptop, and the need for electronic delivery options.
The committee then heard from Eric Johnson of Anoka County, who testified about Chapter 13 issues involving third-party polygraph data used in probation monitoring. He argued that when the state relies on third-party-generated summaries, the responsible authority’s obligations for access, retention, and correction are unclear, and there is no effective remedy when the third party does not respond. Johnson said the county directed him to seek raw data from the third party, which had not responded, and he warned that short retention periods can make data subject rights unenforceable if the records are destroyed before a request is resolved. Members asked about statutory citations and retention schedules, and several commented that the issue may warrant review of data-retention rules.
During member discussion, legislators broadly agreed that the Data Practices Act’s enforcement mechanisms are not working well enough and that many requesters cannot afford to pursue administrative or court remedies. Co-Chair Scott suggested staff compile the testimony into a report to identify possible legislative fixes, while Senator Lucero said there may be some “low-hanging fruit” that could be addressed quickly in the short session. The chair also floated the idea of involving the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution in a mediation role to improve communication and reduce gridlock, though members noted that any process would still need to produce results consistent with the law. The committee then moved on to its next agenda item, a discussion of the BCA Fusion Center and its annual reporting requirements.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- report right their reporting stuff like report right their reporting u<00:14:43.279>
their <00: - Report to HPD who's no help. Report to HPD who's no help.
- We respond to the reports that reports.
- reporter. But we still need a reporter. reporter. But we still need a reporter.
- . reporting. reporting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:25.040>
on legislative auditor report on legislative auditor report on misclassification - office of legislative audit aitor report office of legislative audit aitor report um<00:13:30.279
- um and they estimated in that report um and they estimated in that report that<00:14:32.880>
- out we'll be we um also are reporting out we'll be reporting<00:20:32.600>
out <00:20:32.799>< - and safe time violations uh mandatory and safe time violations uh mandatory coverage<00:24:56.640
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 01/30/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- you're just a recipient of those reports you're just a recipient of those reports but<00:37:10.000
- care um so for context uh the report care um so for context uh the report focused<00:59:04.440><
- information available in the report information available in the report including<01:09:37.080><
- Brown's letter accompanying the report Brown's letter accompanying the report uh<01:15:54.239>
- <01:41:58.320>
um <01:41:58.480>Miss reporting report work in general um Miss reporting - <01:41:58.320>
Summary:
The Health and Human Services committee heard a presentation from Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tiki Brown on the department’s 2025 budget and transition plans. Brown said the governor’s budget pairs targeted reductions with modest investments, resulting in net general fund savings, while preserving core safety-net programs. Major proposals included funding for program integrity, modernization of the child welfare SSIS system, compliance changes for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), operating adjustments, and a transition account reallocation as the new department continues moving programs from other agencies through July 1, 2025.
A large portion of the discussion focused on CCAP fraud prevention and oversight. Brown and Assistant Commissioner Diane Hy explained that the proposed statewide electronic attendance recordkeeping system would replace retroactive paper-based attendance reporting with more timely data, making it harder to falsify attendance and claim payments improperly. Brown also said the department is working with the Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General and other partners on compliance and fraud controls. Senators pressed for more detail on current enforcement, whether payments can be withheld for violations, and whether recent media reports showed gaps in oversight; Brown said payments can be stopped for false attendance records, suspended or revoked licenses, or fraud allegations, but not for health and safety violations alone.
The committee also reviewed other budget-neutral policy changes, including expanding permanency support services for relative foster care and tribal equivalents, strengthening tribal child welfare grants, updating TEACH scholarship rules for early childhood educators, and adjusting the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program to create a special revenue fund and extend a 10% payment increase to tribally licensed programs and programs on tribal reservation land. Brown also described a $1.5 million annual reduction to restorative practices grants, leaving a smaller ongoing base. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 19, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Department to publish its annual report Department to publish its annual report uh<00:49:21.680>
- <00:49:46.720>
it <00:49:46.880>to <00:49:47.119>us report their report and - submit it to us report their report and submit it to us um<00:49:48.280>
it <00:49:48.559>really - <00:50:02.799>
that deadline and getting you a report that deadline and getting you a report - this would be their second report.
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on February 19, 2025, and first heard House Bill 150, which would prohibit lending a firearm to someone who does not have a firearm permit or a registered firearm. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, though HPD said enforcing any time limit on a loaned firearm would be difficult. Several members of the public opposed the measure, arguing it would interfere with lawful lending for hunting, competitions, training, military-related use, and family situations, and could create unintended criminal liability. One supporter said the bill would strengthen gun safety and encourage more responsible ownership. No vote was taken during the testimony portion described.
The committee then heard House Bill 186, which would make harassment by stalking a class C felony. The Office of the Public Defender requested deferral, arguing the bill would remove a misdemeanor option that can help deter escalation and could be unnecessarily severe and burdensome. Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying stalking can be a precursor to more serious violence. The Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney raised concerns about how the new felony would fit within the existing grading scheme, noting that aggravated harassment by stalking and first-degree terroristic threatening are already class C felonies. April Bautista testified in strong support, describing her own experience with domestic violence and stalking and urging passage of the bill. Committee members discussed whether other penalty structures might be possible, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.
The committee also heard House Bill 991, which would delete the term “agent of the contractor” from criminal history record check provisions to comply with FBI requirements. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center supported the bill with comments, explaining that the FBI had found the term too broad for fingerprint-based background checks tied to access to federal tax information. In addition, House Bill 995 was introduced, changing deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting; the Department of the Attorney General supported it, saying the revised deadlines would allow a more complete report, and HPD was also heard on the measure. The transcript ends before any votes or final committee actions on these bills.