Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, DCCA offering comments. specific language provided that the specific language provided that the sponsored
• <00:30:23.360> language<00:30:23.760> that language that the provided language that
• language that the provided language that was<00:30:24.399> just<00:30:24.720> referenced
• comments and we're available providing comments and we're available for<00:36:10.560> questions.
• So when we provide employer groups.

Bills: SB2004, SB2039, SB2042, SB2043, SB2044, SB2132

Keywords: outdoor advertising, billboards, public safety, penalties, community pollution, elections, campaign finance, business entities, political activity, regulation, liability, non-natural persons, insurance, captives, examination, regulations, policyholders, dormant captive, tax exemption, Hawaii revised statutes

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee opened its first hearing of the year with remarks from Chair Jared Kohole outlining hearing procedures, a two-minute testimony limit, rules for remote testimony and decorum, and a revised testimony-publication pilot that keeps 96-hour notice but returns to a standard 24-hour testimony deadline. He then moved through the agenda, beginning with SB 2004 on outdoor advertising, which would increase penalties for violations of billboard and outdoor advertising laws. Testimony on that measure was limited; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land was first up, and written support was noted from Hawaiian Electric and the Outdoor Circle. The committee then heard SB 2039 on election campaign finance, which would prohibit certain business entities from engaging in campaign finance activities. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and did not take a formal position at the hearing. Several proponents testified in support, including Josh Frost, Tom Moore of the Center for American Progress, Hapa/Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and Common Cause Hawaiʻi, all arguing the bill would curb corporate and dark-money influence and return elections to the people. Moore distinguished between regulating corporate “rights” and limiting corporate “powers,” and said the state can redefine the powers it grants corporations. In questions, Senator McKelvey asked whether the bill could be expanded to include unions; the Attorney General said he would need to get back with legal analysis, while Moore said his preferred approach would include all entities and that leaving out nonprofits or unions would create problems. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect PACs, and Moore explained that the proposal would prohibit corporate and dark-money flows into PACs while leaving individual political giving and existing political committees in place. The committee then moved on to the next measure. SB 2042, relating to insurance, was heard next. The bill would reduce the unimpaired minimum capital and surplus required of class 4 sponsored captive insurance companies under certain circumstances. The DCCA Insurance Division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii Captive Insurance Council testified in support, describing the change as a narrow, risk-based adjustment that would not affect the commissioner’s authority where actual risk resides and would help keep Hawaii competitive. The committee noted additional written support and proceeded without a vote or final action in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Flexible is the heart of everything we're doing. Flexible is the heart of everything we're doing.
• And my concern is that, yes, you're going to hopefully be providing the providers, but then who's going
• They provide an opportunity to have individuals at NDSU providing... ...to have individuals at NDSU providing
• So I think we've already, I've provided... ...I've provided, for example, one of the things that I've
• done in providing and pulling the documents and the digital evidence is I provided legislative hearing

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Available to authorized repair service providers.
• To provide the parts, tools, and documentation available.
• Without these key elements, it fails to provide the necessary safeguards for consumers and repair providers
• Surrender forms must be provided as specified.
• It emphasizes proactive planning, accountability, and collaboration while providing flexibility in financial

Bills: HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• And my concern is that, yes, you're going to hopefully be providing the providers, but then who's going
• They provide for opportunity to have individuals at NDSU providing, But I think what I suspect is it'll
• They provide for opportunity to have individuals at NDSU providing support to a smaller community, a
• So I think we've already, I've provided, for example, one of the things that I've done in providing and
• So I think we've already, I've provided, ...provided, for example, one of the things that I've done in

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Much of that can't be gained at a higher level if these kids have a little flexibility and the school
• Give them the flexibility. We know that CTE is important.
• ><01:26:59.120> CTE<01:26:59.679> is flexibility.
• We know that CTE is flexibility.
• choice that we are trying to provide choice that we are trying to provide more<01:31:53.920>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking at a situation where we need the family to provide that help.
• to provide support, and at the same time being mindful.
• And some insurance companies will not provide you full insurance.
• Because of the emotional support that the pets provide to the family.
• Was able to provide more for your house.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that are especially seeking flexible that are especially seeking flexible personalized<00:18:34.559
• After the public hearing, a report is then provided to the superintendent to then provide an updated
• to the superintendent to then provided to the superintendent to then provide<00:41:58.560> an
• hearing from our all our FCIL providers hearing from our all our FCIL providers on<01:15:31.760>
• , prescription from their provider, prescription from their provider, qualified<01:32:13.520>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS BILL PROVIDES REINFORCEMENTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES STATEWIDE.
• IT'S PROVIDING CONDO OWNERS A SMOOTH MORE FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL PATH FORWARD. NOT COMPROMISING SAFETY.
• IT PROVIDES -- IS THIS THE STRIKE ALL?
• THE BILL PROVIDES GUARDRAILS FOR THE BILL PROVIDES GUARDRAILS FOR ASSOCIATIONS TO INVEST THE RESERVES
• PROVIDING A DIRECT LINE OF COMMUNICATION TO THE OFFICE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:19.640> free the legislator's effort to provide free the legislator's effort to provide
• Orit and and provide credit enhancements Orit and and provide credit enhancements to<00:44:15.720
• SB 744 provides us the ability to do financing.
• <00:47:11.000> that government would have to provide that government would have to provide
• Department be in a position to provide Department be in a position to provide some<01:28:18.119>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the largest nonprofit housing service provider and developer in our region.
• S-967 provides the tools and local flexibility we need to build and preserve housing that fits our unique
• The authority this bill provides will help us to address these problems.
• We provide canine care, including training and in-home services.
• We deliver training and technical assistance to other providers.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing heard testimony on several housing bills, with much of the discussion focused on seasonal communities and funding for year-round housing in places like Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod, and the Berkshires. Speakers supported bills including H. 4410/S. 966 and related seasonal communities legislation, which would allow local option real estate transfer fees and expand tools for towns to preserve and create affordable housing. Testimony emphasized severe housing shortages, high home prices, workforce displacement, and impacts on public safety, schools, health care, and local businesses. Many witnesses said the transfer fee would provide a sustainable local revenue stream, citing prior land bank models on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as proof the approach can work. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3989 regarding seasonal community designation, with supporters arguing that towns should be included automatically or through a simpler opt-in process, and on H. 4568 to expand the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which would broaden access to a federal voucher-based savings and self-sufficiency model. Senator Edwards testified in support of a bill to create training for municipal board members, describing it as a toolkit to improve informed local decision-making. Senator O’Connor testified for a bed bug bill, saying it would create clearer landlord and tenant notification and treatment requirements and provide needed legal guidance after his family’s experience with an infestation. Senator Lovely also testified for the Homeworks program, which provides transportation so homeless children in motels and shelters can attend after-school activities. The committee further heard testimony on a bill to fund housing in seasonal communities through a transfer fee and on a companion measure to expand the seasonal communities toolkit, with repeated calls for favorable reports. Witnesses from public safety, health care, housing nonprofits, schools, and local government described staffing shortages and housing insecurity as urgent problems. Later, the committee took testimony on H. 1559/S. 102 to maintain stable housing for families with pets, with animal welfare groups supporting protections against eviction, breed discrimination, and excessive pet rent. They said housing-related pet surrenders are a major driver of shelter intake. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1498 to limit criminalization of homelessness, which would restrict citations, fines, and related consequences for outdoor camping tied solely to homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is very important because, you know, we need clear definitions to provide that certainty for
• Enterprise Fund by expanding its purpose to better recruit and support scaling companies, allow more flexibility
• the legislative process works, people can be two really hard efforts to come up with a solution to provide
• the legislative process works, people can be two really hard efforts to come up with a solution to provide
• I know we've had some Two really hard efforts to come up with a solution to provide jobs in rural Kentucky

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:21 HB 480 Discussion: 01:40 HB 480 Voting: 02:36 HB 577 Discussion: 05:14 HB 577 Voting: 08:38 HB 692 Discussion: 09:23 HB 692 Voting: 14:00 HB 869 Discussion: 15:21 HB 869 Voting: 18:56, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They provide a place where seniors and people on fixed incomes can gather together and enjoy some time
• As batteries become essential to reliability and clean energy, this bill provides consistency, clarity
• So from RISET, predictability, fairness, and local flexibility are key.
• This program will provide the stimulus to develop this area and turn it into a thriving economic hub.
• This program will provide the stimulus to develop this area and turn it into a thriving economic hub.

Bills: HB248, HB309, HB332, SB48

Keywords: general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools

Transcript Highlights:

• engagement-type activity, but also provides workforce training.
• Some support was provided to create a graduate profile and ensure that their programs are aligned with
• We set to provide a 3% salary increase to all public school personnel.
• I think the assumption here is that school districts are going to need some flexibility in how they use
• We've had the discussion about the flexibility needed, and that's why the word average is in there.

Transcript Highlights:

• As heard in testimony, very few people participate in these tournaments, but that still provides revenue
• c><00:33:36.399> makes<00:33:36.559> it<00:33:36.640> more<00:33:36.880> flexible
• <00:33:37.519> and statute, it makes it more flexible and statute, it makes it more flexible
• now open the executive session on CACR15, relating to the right to hunt, fish, and harvest game, providing
• <00:59:42.960> that<00:59:43.200> citizens game and fish, providing that citizens game

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the private company that is providing the officer to the school district or the individual person
• It just provides us some physical transparency on how money that we appropriate to school districts are
• Now, in this bill, I put in some flexibility without just hammering school districts One, it starts at
• Current Oklahoma law provides tuition and mandatory fee waivers at public colleges and career tech for
• Again, parents, the whole purpose of charter schools is to provide innovative educational Environments

Bills: HB3674, HB4326, HB4331, HB3029, HB2963, HB3551, HB2973, HB3019, HB3461, HB2961, HB3261, HB3759, HB3429, HB3069, HB3372, HB3705

Keywords: school resource officer, sexual assault training, law enforcement training, CLEET, school safety, mental health, continuing education, HB4326, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, Oklahoma's Promise, scholarship, tuition assistance, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, eligibility expansion, adopted students, foster care, DHS custody, child-placing agency, tribal custody

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an important issue and while we are not implementing any direct changes this study will provide
• And so it provides them with more flexibility so that they can design their own health benefit plan.
• See by the map that's been provided by Representative Schaffner. that it looks as if a lot of this is
• Is there any way you can provide us resources?
• So is there any way you can provide some board of resources for where you were stating all of the ones

Bills: HB173, HB184, HB484, HB678, HB 1211, HB1507, HB1705, HB1868, HB2290, HB2851, HB2856, HB3041, HB3204, HB173, HB184

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mission statement is reflective of that: to provide a safe, economical, and effective transportation
• Rural transit is providing some rides that are extremely critical, medical rides, sometimes even just
• Sometimes that can be, you know, moving somebody from one transit provider area into another area.
• We think coordination with the service providers is well worth the investment.
• The legislature provided $200 million in 2024 and $200 million in 2025 in one-time money.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the oversight is provided by a board appointed by the governor and the mayor.
• This is truly a community-wide project, with land provided by the City of Duluth, development support
• To provide additional information, welcome, Director. Please identify yourself and proceed.
• They provide affordable access to our lakes, prairies, hills, and rivers.
• This bill provides funding for that to happen and gives the DNR the flexibility needed to acquire critical

Bills: HF474, HF218, HF210, HF441, HF691, HF720, HF1068, HF1314, HF1465, HF1860, HF2046, HF1389, HF2404, HF2854, HF2985, HF3128, HF3103, HF778, HF3125

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• By providing first and last mile connections, shortline railroads enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce
• project cost or if used as matching funds, at least 10% of the amount used as matching funds be provided
• The state when it provided in 1981 for rural rail districts to be formed, was a terrific idea because
• This would be similar to the veteran discount program provided on toll roads all across Texas.
• This will provide much needed financial relief to first responders in Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:12:54.640> by Um, especially when it's not provided by Um, especially when it's not provided
• health savings account or flexible health savings account or flexible spending<01:44:29.840>
• and I would role to provide daycare?
• <02:05:33.440> that answer and I'll be glad to provide that answer and I'll be glad to provide
• need child care to be provided for them. need child care to be provided for them.

Keywords: 1189, house, all