Transcript Highlights:

• Is that an accurate statement, Mr. Fuller? >> Mr.
• I statement I do have some questions.
• Uh, statement as well as his thoughts.
• , statement, statement, >> Mr.<04:01:57.840> Chairman?
• Um is that an accurate statement funded.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a correct statement, or is... Thank you for the question.
• I totally didn't ask a question; I just made a straight-up statement.
• Is that a fair statement? It's kind of all over the place.
• Is that a fair statement? It's kind of all over the place.
• Is that a fair statement? It's kind of all over the place.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if if if you've got prepared<00:48:01.359> statements<00:48:01.760> that<00:48:01.920
• > you're<00:48:02.079> just prepared statements that you're just prepared statements that
• That was a statement. I get the opportunity to do that.
• I I get the opportunity to do statement.
• And then I have a question about the hearings, or more of a statement.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just a statement or a couple statements. So, I mean, you're right.
• It's just a statement or a couple statements. So, I mean, you're right.
• :57.360> statements.
• <02:15:58.079> So,<02:15:58.400> I statement or a couple statements.
• So, I statement or a couple statements. So, I mean, mean, mean, you're<02:16:00.960> right.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House and Senate tourism briefing focused on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract oversight, destination management action plans (DMAPs), and the impact of recent legislation and audit findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson said she accepted the temporary role to help address agency challenges, emphasized rebuilding trust, and said HTA is reviewing the state auditor’s concerns and posting its response publicly. She also described HTA’s mission and organizational structure under SB 1571, including reporting lines to the governor, the director, and the board, and outlined staff additions in finance, brand marketing, destination stewardship, and planning. A major topic was the permanent CEO search. HTA board chair Tata Po said the goal is to select a CEO within about four months, with the search firm still engaged, the position description being revised to reflect the new law and compensation changes, and approvals still needed before the job can be reposted. Members expressed frustration that the recruitment had been paused and questioned whether HTA has sufficient qualified leadership and staff during the interim period. Board leadership said the current staff is limited by vacancies but that they have confidence in the team and will add resources if needed. Members also pressed HTA on the role of the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana contract, asking how staff oversight works and whether staff members were effectively wearing multiple hats. HTA explained that the stewardship team provides direction to contractors and that the work is divided among specialists overseeing projects such as tour guide certification, technical assistance, community tourism collaboratives, and a destination app. The committee also discussed whether the board can still vote on budgets under the new structure; the Attorney General’s office was cited as confirming that the board may advise, but the department director retains budget authority. HTA said it is working with CNHA and HVCB on contract and budget timing, with a goal of shifting to a calendar-year process so recipients know funding earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I really get down to the basics of financial statements.
• I want people to understand how to read their financial statements.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard several governor’s nominations for advisory and regulatory boards. The first group included William Smith, Michelle Ige, and Kayana Neman for the Community-Based Economic Development Advisory Council; Leland Park and Cynthia Hobson for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board; and Nicole Kacal for the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation board. DBEDT and related witnesses testified in support of all nominees, and each nominee described experience in small business, finance, community engagement, or technology. Much of the discussion focused on strengthening Hawaiʻi’s economy through small business support, financial literacy, and better access to capital and grants. Committee members questioned nominees about priorities for Hawaiʻi Island and the state more broadly. Topics included agricultural infrastructure, value-added food production, shared processing facilities and commercial kitchens, workforce housing, and ways government and nonprofits can partner to help small businesses navigate permitting, licensing, and grant processes. Several nominees emphasized community impact, measurable outcomes, and practical regulatory reform. Nicole Kacal also discussed diversifying the economy beyond tourism, expanding technology and AI opportunities, and creating locally governed training and research pathways so workers can adapt to changing jobs. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted to recommend advice and consent for all nominees. The nominations for GM 608, GM 609, GM 612, and GM 613 were adopted by voice vote, with Senators Kim and Fevella excused. The committee then voted separately on GM 794 for Nicole Kacal, and that recommendation was also adopted. The hearing concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• made necessary by the ...passage of Act 235 of 2025 concerning the types and level of financial statements
• On item five, it's to clarify the level of financial statements required to obtain an unrestricted license

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed several agency rules and most were approved without objection. The Department of Agriculture repealed rules tied to the now-repealed Arkansas Catfish Processors Fair Practice Act. The Department of Human Services updated Medicaid policy to clarify child support enforcement treatment for pregnant women, remove the word “forcible” from rape/incest good-cause language, and eliminate a 90-day waiting period for ARKids B after loss of group coverage; members highlighted the significance of the language change and asked for a quick-reference eligibility chart. DHS Medical Services also received approval for a CMS cell and gene therapy model rule for sickle cell drugs and a technical Medicaid-assisted medication-assisted treatment update that was described as cost-neutral and non-substantive. The Department of Labor and Licensing presented several rules implementing recent acts and internal cleanup changes. These included procedures for local construction plan disputes under Act 591, Contractors Licensing Board amendments raising the restricted commercial license threshold from $750,000 to $1.5 million and allowing deferral of owner-complaint investigations during civil litigation, and a similar residential contractors change. The HVACR Licensing Board presented broader revisions under Act 746, including grammar and cleanup changes, elimination of the Class C license with transfer of existing holders to Class B, expansion of allowable work limits, a change to continuing education from four hours annually to eight hours per three-year code cycle, and clarification on training, child labor, and licensing issues. Several members questioned the practical impact of the HVAC changes, but the rule was approved. The committee also granted the Department of Inspector General’s request for exclusion from rulemaking reporting under Act 473, concluding that no rule was necessary because the act already defines the key terms and review process for foreign-adversary cultural exchange agreements. In addition, the Arkansas State Library’s report recommending continuation of its existing rules was accepted. During the status updates on outstanding 2023-session rulemaking, Education explained delays were due to overlapping 2025 amendments and the large volume of rules, while members expressed concern about the length of time since enactment; staff noted only a small number of 2023 rules remain outstanding. The meeting ended after written 2025-session updates were received with no further questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've heard me talk about the King Can Do No Wrong is the most un-American statement I've ever heard
• But I heard the statement that all politics is local, and I kind of disagree with that.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee considered HB 145, by Rep. McFarland, which would raise Florida’s sovereign immunity caps from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $500,000 and $1 million, with a future inflation-based increase, extend the time to bring claims, and allow local governments to settle claims above the cap without a claims bill. McFarland argued the bill modernizes an outdated system and helps injured people obtain compensation more fairly and efficiently, while preserving sovereign immunity. Several members spoke in support during debate, saying the bill better balances government accountability and victims’ rights and that current caps have not kept pace with inflation and damages. Public testimony was largely in opposition. Local governments, counties, cities, insurance groups, and school-related organizations warned the bill would significantly increase liability exposure, insurance premiums, and taxpayer costs, especially for small and rural governments and school districts. Opponents also objected to the provision allowing settlements above the cap without legislative action, saying it would weaken the cap and increase litigation and costs. Supporters countered that injured people often wait years for claims bills and that governments should be able to resolve meritorious claims directly. After debate, the committee voted 16-1 to report HB 145 favorably, with Rep. Lopez voting no. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This information can confirm or refute witness statements, for example, trajectory, analysis or wind
• And obviously anything that's done under statements in custody requires Miranda to be read procedures

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, are there any comments or statements you all would like to make? That's good.
• each of the candidates, uh, before we make our final decision, do the, do you have any comments or statements

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Smith says this is probably more of a statement than a question because they've had discussions
• Um, this is probably more of a statement than a question on this because, uh, I know we've had discussions

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not this committee's intention to impugn any company with the comments and statements that were
• With all questions, I agree that most people are focused on the statement that's in there and the price

Bills: HF2601, HF2607, HF2027, HF2608

Keywords: financial institutions, insurance regulation, insurance holding company, group capital calculation, liquidity stress test, NAIC, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, insurer solvency, affiliate transactions, groupwide supervision, internationally active insurance group, lead state commissioner, policyholder protection, hazardous financial condition, deposit or bond, contract for deed, conventional loan, cooperative apartment loan, mortgage interest rate cap, average prime offer rate

Transcript Highlights:

• Lang, take your word for that statement. But take your word for that statement.
• <00:43:45.640> We<00:43:45.760> also Well, that's a true statement.
• We also Well, that's a true statement.
• Is that a fair statement? Yes, definitely.
• And I heard prior some statements about our constitution. One member mentioned democracy.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and read that statement.
• Chair, I think a statement that counties are in charge of the subcontractors just as a statement.
• Chair, I think a statement that counties are in charge of the subcontractors just as a statement.
• Chair, I think a statement that counties are in charge of the subcontractors just as a statement.
• Um I can't imagine as a statement.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I will echo my colleague's statements.
• Um, so I will echo my colleague's statements.
• Um and say echo my colleague statements.
• . statement. statement.
• that this program had no statement that this program had no identifiable<04:40:16.480> outside

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• statement in their legislative session. statement in their legislative session.
• It's whether working families feel relief when they open their utility statements.
• They experience it through monthly statements.
• It's all about protecting ratepayers with enforceable policy rather than with empty statements because
• because the American empty statements because the American people<03:06:38.960> deserve<03:06

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, it's a statement.
• It's a statement of who we are, a statement of what we believe as a state, what we want, what we desire
• statement over this concept. statement over this concept.
• Would that be an accurate statement? >> Uh, Mr.
• Would that be an accurate<03:13:03.279> statement? accurate statement? accurate statement?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are two points that I want to make about your opening statement.
• So those are two points that I want to make about your opening statement.
• statement, which in no way conflicts with the first.
• remarkable just a remarkable statements remarkable just a remarkable statements and<03:02:45.520
• It doesn't really—it still has the same purpose, the same statement of intent.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, which would allow classification by biological sex in limited circumstances such as multi-use bathrooms, certain athletic events, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters argued the bill was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for women and girls, and said it was consistent with recent federal actions and prior legislation. Opponents said the bill lacked a clear definition of biological sex, could create confusion and discrimination, and was unnecessary because existing law and sports rules already address the issues raised. After debate, the committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass on HB 148. The chair asked for a majority report and noted that a minority report would likely be filed. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill related to end-of-life medical decision-making. Supporters framed it as a matter of liberty and relief from suffering for terminally ill patients, while opponents raised moral objections, concerns about suicide being normalized, and worries about deceptive wording and death-certificate reporting. HB 254 was approved on an 11-7 vote for ought to pass, with the chair indicating he would write the majority report and Representative Perez the minority report. The committee then moved to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment restoring prior law on recoupment of appointed-counsel costs from indigent criminal defendants and juveniles. The chair explained the amendment as reversing 2020 changes that had limited cost recovery, and the discussion focused on financial affidavits and the Office of Cost Containment’s ability to review indigency claims. The transcript cuts off before the committee vote on HB 611.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are two points that I want to make about your opening statement.
• So those are two points that I want to make about your opening statement.
• The first sentence is a broad statement as to the right, and the second statement is a slightly narrower
• statement, which in no way conflicts with the first.
• remarkable just a remarkable statements remarkable just a remarkable statements and<03:02:45.520

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But she said there was no data provided by those testifying to support that statement, and there were
• But she said there was no data provided by those testifying to support that statement, and there were
• But she said there was no data provided by those testifying to support that statement, and there were
• Her review statement to me is advice; it is not a ruling.
• If you make a broad statement saying it's unconstitutional, you will convince no one.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened its February 4, 2025 hearing with a business item on House Bill 553, appointing a subcommittee chaired by Representative Greg and including several named members. The committee then took up House Bill 486, which would revise New Hampshire’s grandparents’ visitation law. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to address gaps in current law, especially in situations involving divorce, separation, kinship care, and parental substance use, so that children can maintain important relationships with grandparents or other kin caregivers. He emphasized that the proposal was meant to supplement existing law rather than replace it, and said the language was modeled on statutes from other states. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 486, describing painful family separations and arguing that current law can be interpreted too narrowly. One grandmother said the existing statute had been used to dismiss her visitation case because she was restricted while the parents were separated, and she asked for language changes so courts could still order visitation in similar circumstances. Another witness, testifying online, urged passage of the bill as being in the best interest of children. A third witness described a family living arrangement in which grandparents had been a consistent presence in their grandchildren’s lives but were later cut off during a contentious separation, and said the bill would help repair those relationships. Committee members asked about the six-month timeframe in the bill, whether the proposed language would affect cases where a grandparent does not live with the child but is still a regular caregiver, and whether the sponsor had written amendment language; the sponsor said the six-month language was taken from other states’ statutes and that the new language would not change existing visitation rights but would add to them. After hearing the testimony, the chair said the committee would hold HB 486 aside for a week or two while awaiting additional information before voting. The hearing then moved to House Bill 320, an act relative to enforcement of marital property settlements. The sponsor explained that the bill would require courts to enforce final property decrees and would clarify the difference between enforcement and contempt, arguing that courts should have clear authority to fashion remedies and that litigants, especially self-represented parties, need clearer statutory guidance. Committee members questioned the legal distinctions the sponsor drew, including whether the bill was aimed at enforcement rather than contempt and how the proposed language would operate in practice. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 320.

Transcript Highlights:

• The association should not become a billboard for policy statements when it has no policy-making or policy-influencing
• The association should not become a billboard for policy statements when it has no policy-making or policy-influencing
• The Economist statement describes the policy that we are proposing to the federal government.
• The Economist statement describes the policy that we are proposing to the federal government.
• The Economist statement describes the policy that we are proposing to the federal government.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.