Video & Transcript : 'Chapter 251' :
Page 152 of 400
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill alters the behavioral health rate-setting study required under chapters 571 and 572 of 2017
- study behavioral health rate-setting study required<00:02:44.640><c> under</c><00:02:44.840><c> chapters
- 71</c><00:02:46.920><c> and</c><00:02:47.080><c> 572</c><00:02:47.800><c> of</c> required under chapters
- 5 71 and 572 of required under chapters 5 71 and 572 of 2017<00:02:48.720><c> by</c><00:02:48.840><c
- </c> established under Chapter 419 of 2022. established under Chapter 419 of 2022.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The study includes all Minnesota state and local taxes that are part of the state tax code, chapters
- <00:03:16.640><c> state</c><00:03:16.920><c> tax</c><00:03:17.200><c> code,</c><00:03:17.480><c> chapters
- </c><00:03:17.880><c> 270</c> of the the state tax code, chapters 270 of the the state tax code, chapters
- There is a projection year of 2028 in Chapter 3 where the PTR is moved into the income tax.
- So, in chapter four, we have an alternative way to look at the data.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
Keywords:
tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, electricity generation, property tax exemption, renewable energy, incentives, economic development, fuel delivery, tax exemption, retail transactions, diesel exhaust fluid, fuel lubricants, healthcare tax, gross receipts tax, hospitals, chiropractors, healthcare providers
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-05 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Disability Rights Florida, the Florida Chapter
- Chapter 163 tells us that the legislature The legislature further recognizes the substantial advantages
- Senate Bill 530 amends Chapter 24 of the Florida Statutes relating to the Department of Lottery.
- And so they could use Chapter 120 in order to do that as well. Senator Polsky. Thank you.
- And so they could use Chapter 120 in order to do that as well. Senator Polsky.
Summary:
The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several guest recognitions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up a series of claims and relief bills, including SB 6 for L.E. against DCF, SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, and later other measures such as child welfare, public records, and professional licensing bills. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as targeted fixes or relief measures, and several were substituted with identical House bills before final passage. Votes were overwhelmingly favorable on these items, including unanimous or near-unanimous approvals on the claims bills and education-related measures.
A major floor debate centered on CS/CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new framework for large-scale planned developments on at least 15,000 acres with substantial conservation set-asides. Supporters argued it would provide a structured path for long-term growth and development, while opponents from both parties warned it was too vague, could undermine local control, and lacked enough specificity on conservation, infrastructure, and land-use protections. After extensive debate, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 21 on land-use regulations tied to hurricane recovery, SB 530 on lottery operations, SB 556 on Special Olympics as a PE substitute for students with disabilities, SB 688 on naturopathic medicine, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission, SB 830 creating public-records exemptions for certain local officials and their families, SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 914 on dry needling by occupational therapists, and SB 1002 on child welfare and parental drug abuse.
Another lengthy and contentious discussion involved CS/CS/SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles, which included provisions on foreign law, domestic terrorist designations, and restrictions on public support for designated organizations. Senators debated an amendment to remove references to Sharia law; that amendment failed. A second amendment with broader revisions and notice procedures was then taken up, with questions focused on notice, appeal rights, and the designation process. The transcript ends during that amendment discussion, before final disposition is shown. Throughout the session, many bills were substituted with identical House companions and then passed by recorded vote, often with strong bipartisan support.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-05 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Disability Rights Florida, the Florida Chapter
- Senate Bill 530 amends Chapter 24 of the Florida Statutes relating to the Department of Lottery.
- And so they could use Chapter 120 in order to do that as well. Senator Polsky. Thank you.
- And so they could use Chapter 120 in order to do that as well. Senator Polsky. Thank you.
- Their willingness to relive such a painful chapter, knowing this bill will not change what happened to
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions before moving into a long special-order calendar. The chamber first considered two claims bills: SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents, and SB 26/HB 6509 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence. Both bills were substituted with their House companions and passed overwhelmingly.
Members then approved several policy bills focused on child welfare, education, and professional regulation. CS/CS/SB 42/HB 47 required child protective investigators to consider certain medical diagnoses before proceeding in abuse cases; CS/SB 206/HB 851 expanded autism-related training and incentives for teacher preparation programs; SB 556/HB 453 allowed Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements for students with disabilities and clarified marching band credit; SB 688 reestablished licensure and regulation for naturopathic doctors; SB 878/HB 1347 addressed clinical laboratory personnel shortages by aligning more closely with federal CLIA standards; and SB 914/HB 867 clarified that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling. Each of these measures passed, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
The chamber also approved bills on court administration, public records, financial disclosure, and child welfare. SB 326/HB 131 modernized rules for curators of estates; SB 758/HB 625 updated the composition of the Justice Administrative Commission, with an amendment broadening the judicial member to a judge or senior judge; SB 830 created a public records exemption for certain local government executives and their families; SB 964/HB 6011 revised how gifts and honoraria are reported and, via amendment, restored a percentage-based reporting option for financial disclosures; and SB 1002 clarified that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow courts to order assessment and services. These bills all passed, with SB 830 drawing the most opposition among them.
The most contentious debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a framework for very large planned communities with substantial conservation set-asides. Supporters argued it would provide a new growth-management tool and economic opportunity, while opponents warned it was too broad, lacked specificity, weakened local control, and could be exploited by large developers. After extensive debate and an amendment limiting data centers in commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 530 on lottery operations, SB 1632/HB 1471 on foreign law and domestic terrorist designations after a lengthy and divisive amendment debate over references to Sharia law, and SB 21/HB 218 on land-use regulations tied to hurricane recovery, which preserves SB 180 restrictions in storm-affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 3/4/26
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's currently various sections in chapter 196 that can be interpreted to allow for these types
- </c> currently various sections in chapter currently various sections in chapter 196<00:58:10.720><c>
- We have 32 chapters that are made up across all the state of Minnesota, over 19,000 members taking care
- We have 32 chapters designated area.
- We have 32 chapters that<01:04:29.280><c> are</c><01:04:29.520><c> made</c><01:04:29.680><c> up</c><01
Committee:
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/04/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- legislation has the support of major social work organizations in Minnesota, including the state chapter
- In Minnesota, social work is a licensed profession governed by chapter 148E.
- and I chair our national chapter and I chair our national licensure<00:25:17.280><c> task</c><00:25:
- </c><00:25:40.560><c> We</c> profession governed by chapter 148E.
- We profession governed by chapter 148E.
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (05/06/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And what we do in the new one is repeal the old chapter law and then change the date. Okay.
- And what we do in the new one is repeal the old chapter law and then change the date. Okay.
- And what we do in the new one is repeal the old chapter law and then change the date. Okay.
- And what we do in the new one is repeal the old chapter law and then change the date. 1598, it's exactly
- And what we do in the new one is repeal the old chapter law and then change the date. Okay.
Committee:
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Clean Water fund recipients are to follow statute mandates in chapter 144D.50, subdivision 4, expenditures
- Clean Water fund recipients are to follow statute mandates in chapter 144D.50, subdivision 4, expenditures
- Clean Water fund recipients are to follow statute mandates in chapter 144D.50, subdivision 4, expenditures
- Clean Water fund recipients are to follow statute mandates in chapter 144D.50, subdivision 4, expenditures
- Clean Water fund recipients are to follow statute mandates in chapter 144D.50, subdivision 4, expenditures
Committee:
House Taxes
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- They are asking for more robust protection, so spelling out in this chapter waste, fraud, and abuse,
- which are definitions from other chapters, I think, is built-in suspenders that gives employees more
- They are asking for more robust protection, so spelling out in this chapter waste, fraud, and abuse,
- which are definitions from other chapters, I think, is built-in suspenders that gives employees more
- whole different topic, they can tell me general things, but I cannot receive protected data under chapter
Keywords:
whistleblower, whistleblower protections, public employees, state employees, retaliation, reporting fraud, misuse of authority, personal gain, state government, state services, state programs, legislative auditor, constitutional officer, public corruption, fraud reporting, government accountability, employee rights, labor law, Minnesota Statutes 181.931, Minnesota Statutes 181.932
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/17/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- little bit more specifically about the types of nonprofits that might contribute to a committee under Chapter
- little bit more specifically about the types of nonprofits that might contribute to a committee under Chapter
- little bit more specifically about the types of nonprofits that might contribute to a committee under Chapter
- little bit more specifically about the types of nonprofits that might contribute to a committee under Chapter
- little bit more specifically about the types of nonprofits that might contribute to a committee under Chapter
Keywords:
campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JDC, JDC, JDC Public Hearings 02-11-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- changes suggested by the Attorney General, making corresponding changes to the Hawaii probate code chapter
- > to</c><01:21:20.800><c> reflect</c><01:21:21.159><c> the</c><01:21:21.280><c> existing</c> code chapter
- 650 to reflect the existing code chapter 650 to reflect the existing requirement<01:21:22.159><c> that
- 55.440><c> this</c> of the ability to file a claim of this of the ability to file a claim of this chapter
- add that the notice provide the chapter add that the notice provide the filing<01:25:58.440><c> deadline
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard SB 1231, which would repeal the Parentage Uniform Act of 1973 and update Hawaii’s parentage laws, including parts of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. Supporters said the current statutes are outdated and do not adequately address assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and modern family formation. The Attorney General’s office supported the bill with technical amendments, including conforming changes to the Probate Code and child support provisions, and several testifiers urged passage as a needed modernization of the law.
A major point of disagreement was Part 10, which concerns donor anonymity. Some supporters, including members of the task force, the Uniform Law Commission, fertility and family law practitioners, and LGBTQ+ advocates, backed the bill as written or said it should move forward even if Part 10 is removed. Others, including donor-conceived adults, parents, and advocacy groups, opposed Part 10 and urged the committee to adopt the 2024 version of Article 9 or delete Part 10 entirely, arguing that anonymous donation harms donor-conceived people’s access to genetic, medical, and identity information and that anonymity is not realistic in the DNA-testing era. One task force member and attorney said she supported the bill but preferred removing Part 10 if necessary to pass the rest.
The hearing included extensive public testimony both in support and opposition, with many individuals describing personal experiences with adoption, IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception. No committee vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She has demonstrated years of commitment to the FFA chapter in Paynesville.
- officer for the has been a great chapter officer for the past<01:06:59.119><c> two</c><01:06:59.440>
- </c> years of commitment to the FFA chapter years of commitment to the FFA chapter in<01:07:03.920><c
- chapter of his life.<01:08:46.080><c> Mr.
- </c> congressional disapproval under chapter congressional disapproval under chapter 8<07:05:05.680><
Keywords:
SJR13, S.J.Res. 13, joint resolution, Congressional Review Act, CRA, OCC, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the Treasury, bank merger, bank mergers, Bank Merger Act, business combinations, merger review, financial regulation, banking regulation, bank consolidation, regulatory disapproval, federal banking rule, rule repeal, Public Law 119-19
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So, Madam Chair, members, very quickly, a short time ago, a couple few years ago, we established chapter
- The bill is written directly to chapter 428B.
- taxes, and so it's thought maybe just to approach the change that's requested directly in the TID chapter
- </c> chapter 428B. chapter 428B.
- That's how the TID chapter is set up.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
Keywords:
day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, HF4321, dependent care assistance programs, gross income exclusion, federal conformity, Internal Revenue Code, individual income tax, Minnesota tax law, tax conformity, child care assistance, employer-provided dependent care, taxable income, state income tax, retroactive tax change, family care benefits, housing tax credit
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Wed Feb 4, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, it does reference primarily chapter 165-2, or farm-to-farm law, when we think that it's more properly
- wrong statute. uh it does reference wrong statute. uh it does reference primarily<00:19:08.240><c> chapter
- 165-2 or farm to a primarily chapter 165-2 or farm to a right<00:19:11.039><c> to</c><00:19:11.280><
- Because, you know, going to somebody else's chapter, from a sister agency going to another sister agency's
- We're going to move the amendments from chapter 165 to chapter 183C.
Keywords:
agriculture, sugarcane, permitting process, land use, conservation district, diversified agriculture, economic impact, invasive species, plant sales, weed risk assessment, consumer protection, environmental impact, workforce development, biosecurity, training program, partnerships, tax credit, Hawaiian home lands, investment costs, nonrefundable
Summary:
The committee heard opening remarks and then took testimony on several agriculture-related bills. HB 2425 would exempt agricultural enterprises on former commercial sugarcane lands in conservation use districts from certain permitting and site plan requirements. The Department of Agriculture supported the measure and stood on written comments. The Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent but said the bill appeared to cite the wrong statute and suggested amending the conservation district law instead. Other testimony was generally supportive, while some witnesses raised concerns about using the right statutory vehicle. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be redirected through a different chapter.
The committee then heard HB 596, which would require retail sellers of plants to disclose invasiveness risk, direct the Invasive Species Council to create a labeling system and weed risk assessments, and establish fines. The Department of Land and Natural Resources strongly supported the bill, saying point-of-sale labels would help consumers make informed choices. Supporters from the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species said the state’s noxious weed and restricted plant lists are outdated or incomplete and that the bill would help prevent harmful species from being purchased and planted. Opponents, including the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, argued the measure was too broad, could stigmatize plants and producers, and might be better implemented through voluntary education or narrower definitions. Committee discussion focused on possible amendments, including using printable labels from a website and limiting the bill to larger commercial retailers.
HB 2573 would create a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program involving the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Leeward Community College, and the Department of Human Resources Development. DHRD said it supported the intent but wanted clearer responsibilities; the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, and others supported the proposal. DAB said the program would help build needed biosecurity staffing and training, and that law-enforcement-related curriculum could be incorporated. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 207, which would expand the important agricultural land qualified agricultural tax credit to include certain Hawaiian homelands and additional agricultural costs such as orchards, fruit crops, and clearing former sugar and pineapple lands. The Department of Taxation and DAB stood on written comments, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands strongly supported the bill, calling it a potential game-changer for developing agricultural lands and offsetting infrastructure costs; the department also asked that the credit be broadened beyond agriculture alone.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 21, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:07:39.520><c> Broen</c><00:07:40.080><c> was</c> and begins her next chapter.
- Broen was and begins her next chapter.
- I rise today for chapter of her life.
- </c><03:27:49.520><c> Which</c><03:27:49.760><c> is</c> every chapter of that story.
- Which is every chapter of that story.
Keywords:
veterans, disability compensation, dependency compensation, housing loans, benefits expansion, Sharri Briley, Eric Edmundson, government assistance, Scouting, youth development, Eagle Scouts, civic leadership, community service, American heritage, mental health, mental health awareness month, May 2026, suicide prevention, behavioral health, depression
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Higher Education Jul 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So this side of the dais is new to me, as you mentioned, and what an incredible new chapter this has
- That is Chapter 130A. You all did a lot more, by the way, with HB 8.
- That is Chapter 130A. You all did a lot more, by the way, with HB 8.
- No, putting everything, the good stuff into chapter, article 11.
- No, putting everything, the good stuff into chapter, article 11.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum, adopted its interim rules on a 6-0 vote, and heard opening remarks from members and staff introductions. The chair emphasized higher education’s role in workforce development and noted a Legislative Budget Board survey issue that was resolved after a community college initially did not respond because the survey was marked optional. The committee then focused on monitoring implementation of Senate Bill 37, which governs public higher education boards, curriculum review, faculty senates/councils, training for regents, and the ombudsman office.
Testimony from Chancellor Brandon Creighton of Texas Tech, Commissioner Wynn Rosser, UNT Chancellor Michael Williams, and Ombudsman Brandon Simmons described how SB 37 is being implemented. They said boards now have stronger authority, faculty senates are advisory, and institutions are reviewing general education curricula and other programs for rigor, relevance, and workforce value. Rosser said the statewide advisory committee is reviewing the core curriculum and board training requirements are being administered, while Simmons reported the ombudsman office has received 73 complaints, opened two investigations, and expects a third, with many complaints outside its jurisdiction or harassing in nature.
Members questioned witnesses about transfer credits, board training content, auditing, conflicts of interest, curriculum decisions, and whether any institutions were missing deadlines. Rosser said non-transferable credits have declined since reporting began under earlier law, and that the most common reason is courses outside degree requirements. Witnesses said they were not aware of institutions missing the SB 37 review deadlines. Senators also raised concerns about an appearance of impropriety in a Texas Tech-related matter and about whether a Dred Scott case should be taught in law school, with Creighton saying the curriculum review process did not prohibit teaching Supreme Court cases and that he would follow up. Later testimony from University of Houston, Texas State, UT, and Texas A&M system officials said their systems had updated policies, abolished prior faculty senates, created compliant advisory councils, and completed or were completing core curriculum reviews and related governance changes.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And, as you begin this next chapter, I leave you with the spirit of Burkut Haderich, the Jewish prayer
- So a pharmacist license under this chapter exercising independent prescriptive authority of this title
- or a prescriber when prescribing drugs or laboratory tests in accordance with this chapter.”
- the results back, it’s complicated interpretation. ...or laboratory tests in accordance with this chapter
- We had to do some rearranging in this chapter, so this is actually current law right now.
Summary:
The House convened with Girl State participants presiding for part of the session, including introductions of the student leadership and a unanimous voice vote passing House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the young women participating in Delaware Girl State. The chamber also welcomed congressional interns and other guests, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and observed a moment of silence for Nathan Cynix and Kara Feeley before prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes for Representative Ron Gray, who was recognized for his 14 years of service and his work on issues such as bond bills, dredging, bike paths, small business, constituent service, and agriculture-related funding. Multiple members from both parties praised his humor, honesty, mentorship, and dedication to the House and his district. Gray responded with extended remarks reflecting on his family legacy, legislative service, and appreciation for colleagues and staff, and the chamber later sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at his request.
The House then received communications, including Senate messages returning several bills and informing the chamber of Senate passage of additional measures. Members were also told that the FY27 bond bill, House Bill 500, had been placed on desks as a gift for review. The House read in Consent Agenda S, which included House Bill 476, House Joint Resolution 13, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 168, Senate Bill 297, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, and Senate Joint Resolution 21, and began a roll call vote on the consent agenda.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- So section one adjusts the purpose of this chapter to reflect that we're about to delete the full delegation
- So section one adjusts the purpose of this chapter to reflect that we're about to delete the full delegation
- the<00:41:39.839><c> purpose</c><00:41:40.079><c> of</c><00:41:40.240><c> this</c><00:41:40.400><c> chapter
- </c><00:41:40.800><c> to</c><00:41:41.040><c> reflect</c> the purpose of this chapter to reflect the
- purpose of this chapter to reflect that<00:41:41.599><c> we're</c><00:41:41.839><c> about</c><00:41:42.000
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 11th, 2026 at 11:30 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- natural disaster or a state of martial law, conforming Section 6-4-2.2 NMSA 1978, being Laws 1987, Chapter
- 264, Section 3, and Laws 1988, Chapter 347, Section 3, as amended.
- natural disaster or a state of martial law, conforming Section 6-4-2.2 NMSA 1978, being Laws 1987, Chapter
- 264, Section 3, and Laws 1988, Chapter 347, Section 3, as amended.
- Being Laws 1987, Chapter 264, Section 3, and Laws 1988, Chapter 347, Section 3, as amended.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 3215 relates to harbor safety and repeals the sunset provisions of part three of chapter 266, HRS,
- SB 3215 relates to harbor safety and repeals the sunset provisions of part three of chapter 266, HRS,
- provisions of part repeals the sunset provisions of part three<00:04:52.160><c> of</c><00:04:52.479><c> chapter
- 266</c><00:04:54.479><c> HRS</c><00:04:55.199><c> thereby</c><00:04:55.759><c> making</c> three of chapter
- 266 HRS thereby making three of chapter 266 HRS thereby making permanent<00:04:57.040><c> the</c><00
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The joint committees on Transportation, Labor and Technology, and later Transportation and Economic Development and Tourism, heard several bills. SB 2573 would allow administrative driver’s license revocation hearings to be held by interactive conference technology such as Zoom and permit electronic exchange of evidence. The chief adjudicator for the ADLRO supported it as a non-mandatory option that has worked well since 2021, improving attendance and saving time and money; DOT also supported it. The committees voted to pass SB 2573 with technical, non-substantive amendments.
SB 3215 would make permanent the requirement that securing mooring lines at commercial docks be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining by repealing the sunset date in existing harbor safety law. DOT did not submit testimony, and the chair noted support from longshore labor. The committees voted to pass SB 3215 unamended.
The committees also heard SB 2693, which authorizes $15 million in general obligation bonds for planning, design, and construction of a 50,000-square-foot aerospace hangar and related facilities at Hilo International Airport. A Phoenix Space executive testified in support, saying Hawaii and Hilo have geographic advantages and that the project could support aerospace investment and jobs; several other organizations and individuals submitted supportive testimony. Committee members questioned whether federal matching funds or airport capacity existed, and DOT said it had no assurance of federal participation and would need to check on capacity and potential users. The hearing then moved to SB 2698, which would create a cruise ship special fund and impose a per-passenger head fee on cruise ships docking in state commercial harbors while repealing the existing cruise ship TAT framework effective January 1, 2026. DOT supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the new fee is in addition to existing passenger, port entry, and dockage fees and to raise the fee from $6.50 to $10; DOT said the higher amount would better fund harbor improvements such as shore power. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings testified in support but said the added fee would significantly increase costs, while a local ship supply business supported the cruise industry and opposed the TAT approach, saying cruise activity benefits local farmers and jobs. No final vote on SB 2698 was taken in the excerpt provided.