Transcript Highlights:

• Second change is adding language banning political subdivision proposing a measure on the same ballot
• of pending business under Bill 2225, 2225 Senator Hancock's bill on creation of a spirit cooler certificate
• The committee sub deletes the language. from the central accumulator from section 127.333b clarifying
• Substitute incorporates language from the Department of Public Safety and eliminates the fiscal note.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh there are a the Senate language.
• Uh that includes a House language.
• have the same substantive language. have the same substantive language.
• language but in the House language language but in the House language that's<00:55:12.000> broken
• Section 102 is an certificates.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we changed the language to say the utility should show that they have considered alternatives.
• to establish a self-certification to establish a self-certification process<01:02:30.079> for
• So we do respectfully request that the committee revert the language to be an appropriation to the DOE
• back to the going to revert the language back to the original<02:28:41.080> s<02:28:41.319>
• to make one amendment to that language to make one amendment to that language in<02:28:51.080>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later. The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• of title and, in connection therewith, repealing the requirement for a paper certificate of title.
• of title and in for a certificate of title and in connection<01:20:30.400> there<01:20:30.640
• House Bill 1040 and the Health and Human Services report to the bill. >> We just actually did some language
• And there is an amendment at the desk. >> Um, we just actually did some language cleanup and a definition
• This amendment is just another language cleanup to change it to the absence of a person's informed consent

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This language permits an insurer to apply for a certificate of title for a vehicle if certain requirements
• This language sections 30 and 31.
• language contained a tiered fee system. language contained a tiered fee system.
• <00:15:08.240> The language. is found in section 8. The language. is found in section 8.
• several new sections of language. several new sections of language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, as we were just reverting language back to current law, the language itself does not appear
• member<00:47:07.720> from This language, as the member from This language, as the member
• property, we restored this language. property, we restored this language.
• , statutory language, statutory language, um,<01:13:36.560> of<01:13:36.760> our<01
• <01:26:03.560> of I emphasize here that the language of I emphasize here that the language

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading for St. Patrick’s Day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of a resignation letter from Representative Hooper of Burlington. The letter said the House environment had changed significantly and that he was resigning before the next cycle, while thanking colleagues and urging bold leadership to address major problems facing Vermonters. Members then received first readings and referrals for a large slate of bills. House bills introduced included measures on tax administration, hunting license fees, emergency management, oath and affirmation language in statutes, judiciary procedures, a Vermont homelessness response continuum, paperwork reduction, public utility subjects, municipal regulation of agriculture, miscellaneous agricultural subjects, and municipal permitting of ground-mounted solar arrays. Senate bills referred to House committees included vocational rehabilitation, home improvement and land improvement fraud, advanced metering infrastructure devices, water quality, and fair employment practices. Several other bills on the notice calendar were also referred to Ways and Means or Appropriations because they affected state revenue or carried appropriations. The House adopted two concurrent resolutions on the consent calendar: HCR 214, honoring Irish-American patriots and their role in American independence, and HCR 220, welcoming the USS Vermont’s namesake visit and designating April 18, 2026 as USS Vermont Day. Members also offered announcements recognizing guests from the USS Vermont and related veterans’ groups, remembering former Representative Ken Harvey, and noting upcoming events such as March Madness pools, the Legislative Cabaret, a Rural Caucus meeting, and a NAMI Walks team. On the floor calendar, H. 723 on posting of land was taken up, amended as recommended by the Committee on Environment, and ordered to third reading on a 10-0-1 committee vote. The House then began second reading of H. 757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives; committee members described manufactured housing as a key affordable housing option in Vermont and said the bill would clarify how these homes are purchased, titled, taxed, and financed, while reducing costs and improving consistency for homeowners, lenders, and municipalities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mollenbeck, will go over the specifics of the transfer, including the language details about that transfer
• I'll point out that there is no language within Agri that requires an up to a maximum.
• So the previous "up to" language is not included in this, and it remains as the language was introduced
• Paragraph B is for the cost share payments for the cost of organic certification.
• Notably, this is the department's language that doesn't have the same eligibility requirements as that

Transcript Highlights:

• My amendment is language that works for sports in Minnesota.
• And indeed, this was in the original language of the author's bill before it was removed by amendment
• It says in the report: produce the original birth certificate to verify the gender.
• could have just adopted the language could have just adopted the language that<01:41:54.040>
• We're asking the high school league to abide by the language of this bill should it...

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:14.320> in to have the rest of that language in to have the rest of that language in
• offered some of the first training programs, including training and certification by state troopers.
• <00:57:39.200> our<00:57:39.520> association certification program. our association
• <00:57:46.880> So do the training and certification.
• So do the training and certification.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's the language that you see within juvenile community corrections is to leave the language of
• One of the bad things that have happened with the language only being for adjudicated youth, which is
• And actually, with the new language, Representative and Madam Chair, even kids coming into the foster
• It was trying to do that balance, as some of the other language in the totaling of time section.
• And I'll give you a couple examples while we looked at this language.

Transcript Highlights:

• been<01:21:05.440> enough certificate, but they've been enough certificate, but they've been
• That um amending language for the bill.
• <01:45:27.360> needed counties felt that that language needed counties felt that that language
• And so contain this clarifying language.
• <01:57:49.440> as consider um adopting the language as consider um adopting the language as

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The department is neutral on House Bill 575, but we do have some concerns with the language.
• Megan Stone continued: The department has no concerns regarding this section, and similar language is
• Megan Stone continued: The department has no concerns regarding this section, and similar language is
• <01:36:15.840> stating<01:36:16.199> that I suggest you add language stating that I
• <01:36:33.080> to second I'd encourage adding language to second I'd encourage adding language

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current state law, it's not specific language.
• Along with it, it proposes language in terms of patient services.
• It has to do with optometry scope of language.
• This is language that parallels language in our other child protection statutes.
• language coming from the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:08:50.799> that general you want some language that general you want some language that
• Then, when you go to the bill, they could say, 'I'm a residential customer; here's my certificate.'
• And then there's language in there now that says who are not customer generators.
• <04:09:27.000> in customers and then there's language in customers and then there's language
• <05:32:24.718> to is consistent with the language to is consistent with the language to protect

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure conditions the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped
• This measure conditions the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped
• Right now, the Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules already have things in place for not issuing certifications
• either be modified that uh that language either be modified or<00:24:42.399> uh<00:24:42.559>
• In our comments, testimony, and what we would recommend to this committee is that language be placed

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard several transportation and public safety measures on March 28, 2025. SB 1195 would prohibit parking within certain distances of crosswalks and intersections, direct parking fine revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund, and remove the need for signs or curb markings in some cases. The Department of Transportation, Department of Health, and Ulupono Initiative supported the bill, emphasizing improved visibility, pedestrian safety, and funding for school-route improvements; written testimony included both support and one opposition. No vote was taken during the hearing segment provided. The committee also heard SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit chief, which would set term-based appointment provisions for the airport division’s fire chief. DOT supported the measure, saying it would give the director flexibility to select leadership and adapt to changing needs, while a member asked about current removal procedures for underperforming employees. The bill was presented as a management and leadership measure, with no action taken in the excerpt. SB 1216, addressing noisy mufflers and safety inspection requirements, drew DOT support in principle but concern that existing rules already cover inspection standards and that enforcement after inspection remains difficult; DOT also described a planned noise-detection camera pilot on Oʻahu. Testimony included support from neighborhood and advocacy groups and opposition from three individuals. For SB 30, which would require helmets for moped riders under 21, DOT and HPD supported the bill, citing crash data and injury prevention; testimony was evenly split overall, with six in support and six in opposition. SB 344 would require helmets for skateboard users under 18; DOT supported it, and a DOT witness explained current helmet rules for other devices such as e-bikes, scooters, and motorcycles. SB 1095, increasing decal size limits for special number plates, drew DOT concerns that larger decals could interfere with plate readability and automated enforcement. SB 1522 would make proof of filing required vehicle-transfer notice forms a complete defense to actions arising from the vehicle’s later use or abandonment; the Judiciary said it had no position on the bill’s merits but objected to language requiring new court forms and raised access and legal-advice concerns, while Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services supported the measure. The committee then heard SB 597, extending the deadline for the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office to issue written review decisions. The Attorney General and DOT supported the extension, citing limited toxicology capacity and shipping delays for testing, and several law enforcement and public health entities also supported it. In contrast, the ADLRO hearing officer testified with serious concerns about due process, warning that eliminating or delaying the review process could create constitutional problems, disproportionately burden people without attorneys, and jeopardize thousands of cases. Finally, SB 1285 proposed a tiered revocation system for DUI arrests; ADLRO strongly opposed it on due process grounds, while DOT supported it as a safety measure and the Hawaii Public Health Institute commented that evidence is lacking for standalone mandatory revocation and suggested stronger impaired-driving standards instead. The committee had not yet taken final action in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under this proposal, the language in the Constitution would be: 'I do solemnly swear or affirm that I
• The language in this legislation would maintain all existing protections and much-needed clarification
• The proposed language in S-1046... orphanages, there's now the after morning pill and fewer and fewer
• The proposed language in S-10, 47. This adoption surrender valid.
• The proposed language in S-1047 would make it crystal clear that a birth parent in another state may

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a definition in the aviation language?
• House Bill 2072, lactation care provider certification, allows a person to apply to the director for
• One of them was that in the language it said that you had to be 18 years old in order to take down your
• content. ...that in the language, it said that you had to be 18 years old in order to take down your
• In committee, I raised a concern, asking the sponsor whether they would be willing to include language

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with members frequently asking to pull measures from consent and noting party-line or unanimous votes. Topics included medical and vaccination restrictions (HB 2248, HB 2086), state investment and conflict-of-interest rules for the treasurer (HB 2303), budget and reporting requirements (HB 2688, HB 2015), procurement limits involving China-linked companies (HB 2170, HB 2134), homelessness administration (HB 2533), traffic and transportation measures (HB 2109, HB 2574, HB 2210), school testing and education policy (HB 2032, HB 2033, HB 2075, HB 2266, HB 2395, HCR 2003), and several health-care bills involving lactation services, gender-transition care for minors, abortion-related restrictions, and hospital immigration-status reporting (HB 2072, HB 2085, HB 2364, HB 2689, HB 2796). Members also discussed water policy, including desalination, groundwater transport, and water-use limits (HB 2052, HB 2056, HB 2098, HB 2758, HB 2328), as well as food and agriculture measures such as SNAP restrictions, cultivated-cell food labeling and bans, and the Beef Council extension (HB 2396, HB 2762, HB 2791, HB 2155). Several members criticized bills as unconstitutional, costly, or harmful to affordability, while sponsors described them as clarifications, consumer protections, or administrative fixes. The caucus also considered a number of bills affecting labor, property, and consumer issues, including unemployment eligibility changes, mobile home park submetering fees, appraisal management company rules, digital goods seller requirements, property tax clarifications, and protections for minors in online content creation (HB 2690, HB 2459, HB 2501, HB 2010, HB 2120, HB 2192, HB 2261, HB 2279). Other measures addressed sexual extortion penalties, name-change procedures for sex offenders, and restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs and gender-transition procedures for minors (HB 2666, HB 2223, HB 2364, HB 2085). Members repeatedly raised concerns about federal preemption, constitutional issues, implementation costs, and unintended consequences, and several sponsors or members indicated they were working on amendments or stakeholder discussions. At the end of the meeting, the caucus also heard memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers and precinct voting, and memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and defunding the IMF (HCR 2016, HM 2001, HM 2004). The meeting concluded with caucus announcements, including an affordability-themed award recognizing Rep. Betty Villegas, a Black History Month sign-up request, and reminders about upcoming affordability and Latino Caucus events. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but multiple bills were pulled from consent or noted for opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Language was included that also gave place.
• Language was included that also gave political subdivisions the option of forming their own networks
• Stokes addressed the 'reasonably reflected in the medical records' language.
• Many re-enrolled in education, earned industry certifications, and entered the workforce.
• Today, just one year later, Isabella is completing her certification as a physician's assistant.

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on a broad agenda of workforce, labor, and workers’ compensation bills. HB 4676 would require political subdivision workers’ compensation networks to follow the same notice, access, and complaint rules as certified TDI networks; supporters said public employees and first responders deserve equal access to care, while municipal risk pool representatives opposed added regulation and said existing 504 networks already perform well. HB 4479 would create a rural workforce development grant program at TWC to support college-and-career readiness and local workforce alignment, and HB 3844 would define “opportunity youth” in state law to improve data, coordination, and access to services for disconnected young Texans; both drew strong support from rural, education, and chamber witnesses. HB 5545 would clarify federal tax treatment for wage-replacement benefits in non-subscriber injury benefit plans, with proponents calling it a win for employers and injured workers. HB 5118 would direct TWC and DIR to study AI and automated employment decision tools in hiring, including bias and oversight concerns. HB 1667 would move existing PTSD workers’ compensation language into a broader Labor Code chapter so more first responders, including state and campus officers, could qualify for benefits; supporters called it a technical fix to extend coverage more evenly across agencies. The committee also heard several first-responder and workers’ compensation bills. HB 2369 would speed up claims handling for injured first responders by allowing a single medical evaluation, giving carriers 60 days to accept or deny a claim, and letting workers seek treatment while disputes proceed; law enforcement supporters said it would help injured officers return to work faster, while opponents warned it would revive extent-of-injury waiver problems and increase litigation. HB 4483 would reclassify certain workers’ compensation maintenance taxes as surcharges to reduce retaliatory taxes imposed by other states on Texas-domiciled carriers, and HB 875, as revised by committee substitute, would create a small-project exception to municipal workers’ compensation and bonding requirements for certain low-value construction contracts in small cities; both were presented as cost-saving measures for Texas employers and local governments. HB 4415 would extend anti-retaliation protections for workers’ compensation claimants from first responders to all public employees and expressly waive sovereign immunity for those claims, with supporters describing it as closing a loophole that leaves public workers without the same remedy available in the private sector. The committee also took testimony on HB 5400, which would expand remedies for sexual harassment victims by removing the requirement to first file an administrative charge, extending the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, clarifying retaliation, and eliminating current damages caps. Supporters, including employment lawyers and a parent of a victim, said the current deadlines and caps prevent many survivors from obtaining counsel or full relief, especially younger workers and those in small workplaces or franchises. Across the agenda, witnesses repeatedly emphasized access to care, fair treatment for injured workers, rural workforce development, and stronger protections for vulnerable employees. After each bill was laid out and testimony heard, the chair generally closed the public hearing and left the bill pending; no final votes were taken, and the subcommittee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The aspiration is that students who have very low performance in either language arts or math will get
• I'd be very comfortable, Vice Chair Pizzo, to work with you on language that focused both, and I think
• this also may... ...language that focused both, and I think this also may be something that President
• But just listen to your language as you come out here to make these cases for whatever you believe in
• Chair, that language was shared with me, Senator. Chair, that language was shared with me, Senator.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills. SB 1150, by Senator Calatayud, was presented as a measure to help school districts retain school social workers by removing an exam requirement unrelated to the profession. With no questions or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then moved to SB 1514, by Senator Smith, on anaphylaxis response in public schools. After adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment clarifying FDA-approved epinephrine devices and weight-based dosing, the committee heard support from Orange County Public Schools and reported the bill favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1708, also by Senator Calatayud, which would expand Schools of Hope by broadening the definition of low-performing schools from those in the bottom 10% in both math and reading to those in the bottom 10% in either subject, and would authorize co-location of Schools of Hope in underused public school facilities. Senators questioned how co-location would work, who could enroll, how liability and contracts would be handled, and whether the bill would help the specific students most in need. Many public speakers opposed the bill, arguing it would strain already underfunded public schools, reduce space and resources, and unfairly favor charter operators. The sponsor said the bill would not reduce classroom space in use, would require contracts to address safety and liability, and would provide a net positive to districts through a $600-per-student facility payment plus associated funding. After debate from both supporters and skeptics, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered CS for SB 822, by Senator Rodriguez, which would give charter schools more autonomy over governance and operations, including deadlines, enrollment caps, student conduct policies, and data sharing. The Florida Charter School Alliance supported the bill, arguing it would create parity and reduce burdens on charter schools, while committee members pressed the witness on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for those concerns. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on prior tabs, thanked staff, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I just think that maybe we need to clean up the language a little to make sure that it does what
• I look forward to adding some DNA language in our law, giving some constraints to the Department.
• It didn't change the language in the bill.
• I like this discovery language in here because in many counties, they will limit your discovery.
• So the registry certificate takes longer, but what takes 10 days is when you have a case.

Bills: HB557, HB732, HB1892, HB1954, HB2301, HB3180, HB3405, HB3650, HB3758, HB4035, HB4621, HB4795, HB4870, HB5069, HB5137, HB5149

Keywords: child support, arrears, court enforcement, contempt, legal protections, healthcare, insurance, cost reduction, accessibility, regulations, impotency, marriage annulment, Family Code, Texas law, family law, Texas legislation, dissolution of marriage, annulment, marriage, child custody