Transcript Highlights:

• These are human values.
• This bill will allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on their farms.
• Composting livestock carcasses is a method already allowed in 42 other states, and more are moving in
• This bill will allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on their farms.
• Composting livestock carcasses is a method already allowed in 42 other states, and more are moving in

Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition. Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency. The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calling the Joint Committee on Health, Human Services, and Agriculture and Environment, 1:00 p.m. calendar
• alternative technologies to address solid waste management of waste that cannot typically be recycled or composted
• waste that cannot typically be recycled waste that cannot typically be recycled or<00:20:40.880> composted
• with that, we the joint session is<00:22:46.159> um Calling the 101 calendar for Health and Human

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health, Human Services, and Agriculture and Environment heard testimony on SR 85, which requests the Department of Health to form a working group on solid waste management, and on SCR 19, which asks the Tax Review Commission to identify ways to implement Hawaii’s long-term care financing program. SR 85 drew broad support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, environmental groups, and numerous individuals, with one commenter asking that a military representative be added to address possible landfill use of military lands. For SCR 19, testimony came in support from the Executive Office on Aging and another supporter. For SR 85, the chair recommended passage with amendments. The amendments revised landfill-location language, removed certain lines, expanded the report’s scope to include materials management policies, environmental protections, and alternative technologies for waste that cannot be recycled or composted, and changed the working group membership language to include representatives from specified sectors. The committee also agreed to add invited participants such as Zero Waste USA, the reuse and deconstruction industries, a landfill leachate expert, a unit-based pricing expert, and a military representative, and to require the governor or designee to convene the initial meeting. The committee adopted the recommendation by vote, with members voting aye and one member excused. For SCR 19, the chair recommended passage with an amendment adding reference to findings in a 1991 report on financing long-term care. The committee approved the measure with amendments by vote, again with members voting aye and one member excused. The joint session then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this establishes goals for composting. First up to testify, we have the Department of Health.
• operation because of uh co- composting operation because of uh operational<00:33:54.480> things
• And after the definition of biodegradable, we will be adding the definition of compostable to read as
• to read as definition of compostable to read as follows<00:44:44.040> compostable<00:44:44.559
• <00:45:16.599> food food storage to compostable food food storage to compostable food packaging

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on a series of energy, transportation, climate, and waste bills. HB 977 would provide additional funding to the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for low-interest financing of rooftop solar and storage for underserved ratepayers; HB 1295 would require state and county agencies to use federal energy tax credits; HB 1051 concerns energy efficiency portfolio standards; HB 1019 addresses long-duration clean energy storage; HB 344 concerns EV charging infrastructure at state facilities; HB 733 would change EV parking requirements; HB 242 creates a working group on EV battery reuse and recycling; HB 1022 expands access to energy industry information reporting; HB 1017 repeals the greenhouse gas sequestration task force; HB 787 asks for a feasibility study on a Buy Clean program; and HB 751 sets composting goals. Testimony was largely supportive across the bills, with some agencies standing on written testimony or offering comments, and a few measures drawing opposition or concerns, including HB 751 from county agencies and HB 242 from Redwood Materials requesting inclusion of a specialized battery recycler on the working group. Members asked several questions, including about EV charging siting, whether bike parking and showers should be considered in EV facility planning, how often EV charging stalls are relocated to other sites, and whether Hawaiʻi has in-state capacity to prepare EV batteries for shipping and recycling. On HB 751, the committee discussed county diversion rates and Maui’s composting capacity, with the Department of Health noting Maui’s diversion decline was tied to closure of the EKO co-composting facility at Central Maui landfill and that reestablishment was planned. On HB 242, Redwood Materials explained it handles lithium-ion batteries, including work related to the Maui wildfire response, and said a full in-state recycling chain is unlikely, though local facilities can safely prepare batteries for shipment. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures with amendments. For HB 977, the committee noted a recommended appropriation of $50 million and made technical amendments. HB 1295, HB 1051, HB 1019, HB 344, HB 733, HB 242, HB 1022, HB 1017, and HB 787 were all advanced with technical or substantive amendments, including changes to dates, appropriations, and working group membership. For HB 344, the committee accepted DAGS’s suggestion to make HSEO the expending entity and adjusted the appropriation to one year. For HB 242, the committee added a battery storage industry member, included stationary storage as a consideration, and extended the reporting date to 2027. HB 787 was advanced with a request that the Climate Commission and State Procurement Office work together on more specific amendments if the bill continues moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• $231,000 in fiscal year 26 and $427,000 in fiscal year 27 and six positions for the Department of Human
• ; $1.8 million in fiscal year 26 for a classification and compensation study for the Department of Human
• $231,000 in fiscal year 26 and $427,000 in fiscal year 27 and six positions for the Department of Human
• ; $1.8 million in fiscal year 26 for a classification and compensation study for the Department of Human
• $231,000 in fiscal year 26 and $427,000 in fiscal year 27 and six positions for the Department of Human

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FOR FLORIDA COMPOSTING. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE LAST NAME IS. FLORIDA COMPOSTING COUNCIL.
• AND OUR INDUSTRY IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
• THAT THE DOG BE DESTROYED IN AN EXPEDITIOUS OR HUMANE MANNER, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS SURROUNDING
• YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A HUMAN WHO ESCALATES THE ISSUE? THAT IS SOMETHING WE DISCUSSED.
• , 2ND° MISDEMEANOR IF THE DOG HAS NOT BEEN DECLARED DANGEROUS CAUSES SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH OF ANY HUMAN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• None of them, no human being, oh God, is able to sit in these seats self-made.
• means if you want 36 by whole relating to the Medicaid Lactation consultation for the Committee on Human
• property for the abnormal tax purposes or for the subcommittee on property tax appraisals 1534 by compost
• Refer the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, HB 1593 by Compost relating to the Advisory Committees
• to the committee on public health HB 1686 by whole relating to victims of sex offenses, sex-based human

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 393, Connolly, State Health and Human Services, do pass out on an A roll call. physician contracts
• AB 1239, Dixon, human trafficking data, that's a do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1375, Hoover, Child Custody, Human Trafficking.
• AB 411 Papan livestock composting do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 436, Ransom, Composting Facilities, hold in committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 436 expedites the siting and permitting of composting facilities.
• I got a green composting bill.
• Siting and permitting composting facilities is a complex and slow process.
• In my day job, I permit and develop composting facilities.
• Part of is procuring that material from composting facilities once it's been recycled.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of natural resources and climate-related bills. AB 70 would codify a definition of pyrolysis and allow procurement credit for projects using organic waste to generate pipeline biomethane; supporters said it would help divert organic waste from landfills, reduce methane, and support energy reliability. AB 30 would authorize E15 fuel sales in California, with supporters arguing it could lower consumer fuel costs and emissions, while opponents from boating and marine groups raised concerns about engine damage and the need for clear labeling and continued E10 availability. AB 66 would create a CEQA exemption for emergency evacuation routes in high fire-risk areas; supporters emphasized wildfire evacuation safety, while some members worried the bill lacked sufficient guardrails and environmental review. AB 399 would let the Coastal Commission consider blue carbon sequestration in coastal permitting and authorize blue carbon demonstration projects; environmental groups supported it, while business groups objected to new costs and regulatory uncertainty. AB 491 would codify California’s nature-based solutions climate targets for lands and wetlands, with supporters citing climate and adaptation benefits and the Farm Bureau opposing statutory targets. AB 580 would extend Metropolitan Water District authority related to the Colorado River Aqueduct, and AB 43 would make permanent state authority to protect federally designated wild and scenic rivers if federal protections are weakened. The committee also considered AB 436 to streamline siting and permitting of composting facilities and AB 539 to streamline certain Coastal Act procedures and reporting. Most measures received due-pass recommendations and were reported out on roll calls, with several bills also moving on consent; AB 404 was pulled at the author’s request.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:44.360> services<00:02:45.520> system human services system human services system
• This allows um the Commissioner of Human This allows um the Commissioner of Human Services<00:13
• <00:14:07.680> to Commissioner of Human Services to Commissioner of Human Services to recover
• That is cost shifting and human harm.
• human services and transforming<01:05:34.680> our<01:05:34.760> human<01:05:35.040>

Bills: HF4207, HF4338

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health and Human Services.
• The previous and and Human Services.
• The Department of Human Services needs 65 FTEs in order to abide by this conformity.
• The Department of Human Services needs 65 FTEs in order to abide by this conformity.
• c> Services<01:25:38.960> needs The Department of Human Services needs The Department of Human

Bills: HF3901, HF962, HF4428, HF4478, HF1775

Keywords: foster care, ombudsperson, investigative powers, children's rights, complaint process, HF4428, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, community engagement, work requirement, work mandate, employment requirement, community service, 80 hours, half-time student, income threshold, federal minimum wage, eligibility verification, benefit suspension, benefit termination

Transcript Highlights:

• or human rights uh department.
• not a protected class in the human not a protected class in the human rights<00:03:34.159> amendment
• uh<00:03:36.879> uh rights amendment or human rights uh uh rights amendment or human rights
• veterans were not included in the Human veterans were not included in the Human Rights<00:15:18.560
• <00:15:28.480> Rights I told them to go to the Human Rights I told them to go to the Human

Bills: HF3540, HF3522, HF3544

Keywords: veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard

Transcript Highlights:

• launching Operation Lone Star in 2021, Texas has been able to combat illegal crossings, cartel activity, human
• The human smuggling, the smuggling of ammunition, it's a very big issue, especially down south.

Bills: HCR40, HB214, HB214

Keywords: HCR 40, House Concurrent Resolution, Operation Lone Star, border security, southern border, Texas border, reimbursement, federal reimbursement, Congress, immigration, migrant crossings, illegal immigration, Texas National Guard, Department of Public Safety, DPS, human smuggling, cartel, fentanyl, border enforcement, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We do need real humans who have experienced the difficulties of these regulations. is to look through

Bills: HB10, HB 12, HB675, HB10, HB12

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• They are not poor decision-making; they are things that are talking about actual human need, where the
• They are not poor decision-making; they are things that are talking about actual human need, where the
• They are not poor decision-making; they are things that are talking about actual human need, where the
• The biggest section is the exceptions within some of the departments, so Human Services.
• says we're not moving any corrections staff, and there's exceptions in the bill in regards to MDE and Human

Bills: HF1, HF1754, HF1809, HF1478

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• like<00:03:53.519> at<00:03:53.920> uh<00:03:54.159> at<00:03:54.360> Human
• <00:03:54.640> Services of an oig like at uh at Human Services of an oig like at uh at Human
• Services um uh representative Human Services um uh representative Anderson<00:21:50.440> is<00
• Services can be the Department of Human Services can be found<00:30:48.880> on<00:30:49.080><
• of Human Services the Department<00:48:52.839> of<00:48:53.000> Natural<00:48:53.359><

Bills: HF1, HF1384

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Department... ...from the President's Executive Order on foster care and directs the Department of Human
• Is the Department of Human Services anywhere in between that, or is that... ...in a setting where they're

Bills: HB3131, HB3380, HB3502, HB3552, HB3849, HB3886, HB3907, HB4201, HB4302, HB3448, HB3409, HB4095, HB3637

Keywords: homelessness, shelter standards, safety, accountability, state funding, local governance, regulation, Oklahoma Homeless Shelter Safety and Accountability Act, foster care, child welfare, Department of Human Services, educational opportunities, employment support, technology in child welfare, faith-based organizations, self-sufficiency, financial literacy, HB3502, Oklahoma, children's code

Transcript Highlights:

• passed out of this committee last session on passed in the 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 selling human
• is obviously very low. 195 196 197 Well, it increases the criminal penalty for purchase or selling human

Bills: SB127, SB456, SB482, SB659, SB739, SB816, SB1234, SB1666, SB1886, SB1980, SB2580, SB2611, SB2693, SB2776

Keywords: child abuse, reporting obligation, statute of limitations, negligence, legal professionals, human organs, criminal penalties, physician license, medical ethics, illegal trade, smuggling, human trafficking, felony offenses, law enforcement, authorized peace officer, peace officer definition, tracking equipment, communications access, electronic surveillance, cell phone records

Bills: HB109, HB136, HB 109, HB136, HB694, HB 1201, HB1716, HB2071, HB2216, HB2358, HB2807, HB2886, HCR78

Keywords: taxation, ballot propositions, public funding, voter information, transparency, training, public officials, candidates, requirements, political education, mental health, inpatient psychiatric facility, juvenile treatment, residential treatment facility, emotionally disturbed juveniles, Department of State Health Services, Health and Human Services Commission, state grant, facility construction, facility expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• safeguarding our taxpayer dollars by detecting and preventing fraud. and abuse in our state's health and human
• I am Raymond Winter, the Inspector General for Health and Human Services, and I'm here to testify on
• National studies show that up to 10% of any expenditures, and health and human services annually are
• So, in Texas, the annual spend on health and human services is about $50 billion. dollars as state and
• lifestyle change in order to be able to learn to eat healthy Yes, whenever you're dealing with the human

Bills: HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215, HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• This has issues for producers year over year, as the compost program, for example, has moved between
• program were compost reimbursement program were selected<00:18:34.960> based<00:18:35.240>
• program for example has the compost program for example has moved<00:18:58.240> between<00:18
• <00:19:24.480> reimbursement conceivably the compost reimbursement conceivably the compost
• Such as the compost reimbursement program, which invigorates the soil to be healthy in a way that there

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.