Transcript Highlights:

• Fund**, reconciling conflicting enactments of the same section of law by repealing Laws 2010-2011, Chapter
• exemption for certain types of advertisement signs, repealing section 74-12-2, NMSA 1978, and Laws 1999, Chapter

Transcript Highlights:

• also there there are 90 chapters also there there are 90 chapters throughout<02:51:13.680> the
• Chapter 2 is based out of Claremont, New Hampshire, and Chapter 3 is based out of Hinsdale, New Hampshire
• Hinsdale New Hampshire chapter 2 was Hinsdale New Hampshire chapter 2 was ched<02:51:32.359> December
• all the chapters are.
• are<02:52:11.040> you show you where all the chapters are you show you where all the chapters

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation modernizes Chapter 57 of Title 15, which governs how election results are canvassed and
• Title 18, Title 28, Title 29, Title 31 of the Delaware Code, and Chapter 237, Volume 83 of the Laws of
• Representative, and Act to amend Title 16, Title 18, Title 29, Title 31 of the Delaware Code, and Chapter
• Title 18, Title 28, Title 29, Title 31 of the Delaware Code, and Chapter 237, Volume 83 of the Laws
• or in any regulation adopted under this chapter might be construed to do any of the following: that

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you look to section two, this is in the obscenity control chapter.
• So if you look to section two, this is in the obscenity control chapter.
• So getting kind of to the meat of the bill, that is in section 8, and we're now moving into chapter 27.1
• update the language that no longer uses those terms, we would remove that term from the title of the chapter
• that we're using in that chapter, and we're not having to page through 13 different chapters in order

Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking at this chapter and and it's typical that we might not uh license the person or we might
• I'm looking at this chapter and and it's typical that we might not uh license the person or we might
• I'm looking at this chapter and and it's typical that we might not uh license the person or we might
• I'm looking at this chapter and and it's typical that we might not uh license the person or we might
• I'm looking at this chapter and and it's typical that we might not uh license the person or we might

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Galatians, that's chapter 3, verse 28. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free.
• I will also, for those judging me, I will offer Matthew chapter 7, verses one and two: Do not judge,
• Civil service cities, those that have adopted Chapter 143 of the Local Government Code, currently maintain
• Chapter 143 requires the following documents to be held in the personnel file. substantiated misconduct
• What we're doing is we're taking the portion of Chapter 143, which by the way, the original Chapter 143

Bills: SB 8, HB7, HB15, HB 265, HCR 13, SB 8, HB 7, HB 15, HB 265, HCR 13

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• license or your state IDs for individuals who are subject to the sex offender registration under Chapter
• So technically that could not have resulted in a Chapter 62 conviction.
• accomplish the officer's duty if the officer was justified in using force under Texas Penal Code Chapter
• Chapter 1702 was created in the 1950s, and it has plugged a lot of holes that many people have stumbled
• And because of Chapter 1702, it has certain requirements, including insurance requirements, that protect

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill alters the behavioral health rate-setting study required under Chapters 571 and 572 of 2017
• The bill alters the behavioral health rate-setting study required under Chapters 571 and 572 of 2017
• The bill alters the behavioral health rate-setting study required under Chapters 571 and 572 of 2017
• <00:51:30.319> Uh the chapters of 769 and 770 of 2024.
• Uh the chapters of 769 and 770 of 2024.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and handled several ceremonial and introductory matters before moving into committee reports. The chamber welcomed the doctor of the day, recognized an intern and a guest in the gallery, extended birthday wishes to Senator Chris West, and received remarks from the Romanian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Andre Moraru, who emphasized Romania’s strategic partnership with the United States, NATO cooperation, investment ties, energy projects, and support for Ukraine. Senators also briefly noted Maryland’s military and diplomatic ties to Romania. The ambassador’s remarks were journalized, and members were given time to meet with him off the floor. The Senate then took up a series of second-reading bills, mostly from the Finance Committee, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection. Among the measures advanced were Senate Bill 39 on behavioral health reimbursement rate methodology and a work group for certified community behavioral health clinics and outpatient mental health centers; Senate Bill 605 directing the Public Service Commission to study broadband and VoIP oversight; Senate Bill 721, Ralph’s Act, providing expedited DDA/Medicaid eligibility for certain recently relocated individuals; and Senate Bill 891 on perinatal mental health screening, coverage, training, and reporting. Each was amended in committee and ordered printed for third reading. The Senate also advanced several House bills, including House Bill 427 extending the task force on responsible use of natural psychedelic substances and adding an HBCU representative; House Bill 480 requiring transportation network companies to maintain written deactivation policies; House Bill 532 requiring overtime pay for firefighters employed by governmental units after 168 hours in a 28-day period; House Bill 816 reducing the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund assessment cap from 3% to 1% and authorizing an affordability program; House Bill 829 requiring human trafficking awareness training for certain for-hire and rideshare drivers; House Bill 862 requiring a two-person crew for certain freight rail operations in shared corridors, contingent on similar action in neighboring states; and House Bill 999 revising Class 9 limited distillery license rules and production limits. Most of these bills were reported favorably, with no objections, and were ordered to third reading or passed for third reading as applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• a cannabis event organizer license are a 21 plus event, a no alcohol event, a no tobacco event in chapter
• a cannabis event organizer license are a 21 plus event, a no alcohol event, a no tobacco event in chapter
• a cannabis event organizer license are a 21 plus event, a no alcohol event, a no tobacco event in chapter
• 342 right now there's lots of chapter 342 right now there's lots of restrictions<00:31:42.720> on
• 342 uh the labeling and and chapter 342 uh the labeling requirements<00:42:17.240> don't<00:42

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cornerstone already made the recommendation to use chapter 3, 132 as the definition of abortion.
• We would also suggest including ectopic pregnancies, just as a public health thing, because that chapter
• <02:29:59.680> 3 chapter 3 chapter 3 329<02:30:01.720> ideally<02:30:02.160> inserting
• 3 132 as recommendation to use chapter 3 132 as the<02:31:00.840> definition<02:31:01.200>
• <02:31:08.359> currently thing um that that chapter currently thing um that that chapter currently

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I also look at chapter 287, video lottery terminals, which has similar language but different
• It certainly applies to historic horse racing, but it doesn't reflect the terms of Chapter 287, VLTs.
• 287 VLTS. reflect the terms of chapter 287 VLTS.
• I think the chapter of the upper chapter is called the State Art Fund, and the actual name of the fund
• of law that created the grant chapter of law that created the grant this<02:15:11.440> this<02

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Hampshire chapter 354 prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
• New Hampshire chapter 354 prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
• New Hampshire chapter 354 prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
• New Hampshire chapter 354 prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
• New Hampshire chapter 354 prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 141, which would create a narrow exception to New Hampshire’s three-year deadline for motions for a new trial when a petitioner has newly discovered evidence, new forensic testing, or new scientific understanding. The prime sponsor’s representative and advocates from the Innocence Project and New England Innocence Project argued the bill is needed to help wrongfully convicted people access the courts, noting that exonerations often take many years and that outdated forensic science has contributed to wrongful convictions. The chair also said he had drafted a proposed amendment for committee review, but it had not yet been formally submitted. Witnesses supporting the bill emphasized that the measure would not guarantee relief, only allow a petition to be filed and reviewed under existing standards. They discussed examples such as arson science, explaining that some convictions were based on forensic methods later shown to be unreliable. Committee members asked about the scope of habeas corpus, whether the bill would create a new cause of action, and whether additional screening or pleading requirements should be added. The supporters said they would be open to requiring a petitioner to plead innocence, but opposed adding more burdensome preliminary procedures or counsel requirements at the filing stage. Thomas Farardi, from the Attorney General’s Office, testified in opposition or with caution, saying the bill was a “solution looking for a problem” because existing habeas corpus and coram nobis procedures already provide avenues for relief, and prosecutors can act when credible new evidence arises. He argued the current draft could invite additional litigation and create a new cause of action, and said he favored more screening before cases proceed. The discussion also touched on whether the statute applies in criminal cases, the current three-year limitation in RSA 526:4, and questions about posthumous petitions and petitions by deported individuals. No vote or executive action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• there is a continuous backlog of chapter there is a continuous backlog of chapter 104<01:31:13.159
• prevailing wage of chapter 104 prevailing wage cases<01:31:41.040> uh<01:31:41.199> the
• We’ve had a continuous backlog on this chapter 104. about 76 uh you know about 76 uh you know backlog
• <01:41:21.880> uh<01:41:22.880> these<01:41:23.480> chapter<01:41:23.800> 104
• backlog uh these chapter 104 backlog uh these chapter 104 cases<01:41:26.040> and<01:41:26.520

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That follows Chapter 54, which is a definition of gender identity.
• That's when it was decided to put it up into Chapter 55 of Chapter 21, she said.
• Representative Plog continued: "I see chapter 12 and I don't see a chapter Q.
• I see chapter 12 new chapter, so this is a new chapter.
• well wouldn't a so this is a new chapter well wouldn't a new<04:14:16.520> chapter<04:14:16.920

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to start complying with section 5A of chapter 132B, a law from the year 2000, that calls for
• My name is Luke Van Horn, and I'm the vice chair of the UMass Lowell chapter of the Massachusetts Public
• and Fungicide Act and, here in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act, Section 1 of Chapter
• and Fungicide Act, and here in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act, Section 1 of Chapter
• It's time to close this chapter and move on to smart rodent control. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would make very much needed reforms to Chapter 258, our Tort Claims Act, enabling people harmed
• Chapter 140, Section 174E cruelty laws. The bill H. 1938 would add all animals in M.G.L.
• Chapter 140, Section 174E cruelty laws.
• Chapter 140, Section 137 all the way up to 174E, along with local city ordinances, and it is our responsibility
• For example, you can assign debts in an asset under Section 34, Chapter 208 of the probate and family

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil actions, labor, consumer protection, and animal welfare bills. Chair Lydia Edwards and Representative Michael Day opened with strict testimony rules and time limits, then heard from legislators and advocates on measures including animal-abuser pet ownership bans (S. 1207/H. 1914), a name-change privacy bill (S. 1045/H. 1973), tort claims reform (H. 1724), law enforcement council coverage under the Tort Claims Act (S. 1199), civil rights and qualified immunity-related proposals (H. 1641), employee free speech/captive audience restrictions (S. 1078/H. 1653), consumer protection and civil rights jurisdiction expansion (S. 1041), private right of action for wage theft (H. 1916), gun-owner liability insurance (H. 1836), pseudoephedrine sales tracking (S. 1243/H. 1581), prepaid legal services plans (H. 1612), structured settlement protections (H. 1863), third-party litigation financing disclosure (H. 1861), antitrust reform for small businesses and workers (S. 1038/H. 1982), legal notices in online-only newspapers (S. 1279/H. 1632), and several animal cruelty and protection bills including H. 1938, H. 1949, S. 1277/H. 1934, and H. 1764. Testimony was largely supportive from bill sponsors and advocacy groups, with repeated themes of protecting vulnerable people and animals, improving access to justice, and updating outdated laws. Supporters of the animal bills argued for stronger possession bans, broader cruelty citations, and civil removal tools to prevent repeat abuse; opponents or conditional supporters raised due process and enforcement concerns, especially around warrantless seizures and requiring retail or shelter staff to check registries. On the labor and consumer side, supporters said the antitrust bill would curb monopoly power and help small businesses and workers, while opponents warned it could destabilize competition and burden successful firms. The employee free speech bill was backed as a response to captive audience meetings, and the wage-theft bill was presented as a way to let workers or organizations pursue claims when individual employees are afraid to come forward. Several public officials and association representatives testified on the law enforcement and civil rights bills. Chiefs of police supported adding law enforcement councils to the Tort Claims Act, saying it would close a liability gap for regional mutual-aid collaborations. But police representatives opposed changes to the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act and qualified immunity-related provisions, arguing the federal system already provides a workable forum and that expanding liability could increase costs, reduce morale, and worsen recruitment and retention. On the consumer/civil rights bill, Senator Collins and a veteran described an out-of-state assault case that they said showed the need for Massachusetts to let residents seek redress at home when rights are violated elsewhere. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing itself; the committee mainly received testimony and questions. Several witnesses indicated they had submitted written testimony or proposed amendments, and some bills drew requests for favorable reports while others were explicitly opposed unless amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Back in 2012, with the passage of Chapter 224, we really were at the forefront with some of the guardrails
• I'm here representing the Massachusetts chapter of the American College of Physicians, which represents
• I'm here representing the Massachusetts chapter of the American College of Physicians, which represents
• I'm here representing the Massachusetts chapter of the American College of Physicians, which represents
• chairs, and the committee to lead the nation again in health reform with health equity as its next chapter

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you leave this chapter, please know your service mattered, your voices mattered, and the people you
• As you leave this chapter, please know your service mattered, your voices mattered, and the people you
• And I know that you will keep bringing joy and laughter in your next chapter.
• In closing, I want to quote from the last verse of the last chapter of the greatest book ever written
• me forever. >> Thank you To my sons Patrick and David, who have been my foundation through every chapter

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In our testimony, we first recommend placing the authority in a separate new section within HRS chapter
• But it probably violates the provision in chapter 37 governing the use of revolving funds.
• violates the uh But it probably violates the uh provision<00:03:15.120> in<00:03:15.200> chapter
• <00:03:15.519> 37 provision in chapter 37 provision in chapter 37 uh<00:03:17.400> governing

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors. During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, your testimony indicates that you would prefer the terms that are in chapter 9 H.
• Uh, we're going to comport the definitions in section two with existing definitions and terms in chapter
• definitions<01:23:49.280> and<01:23:49.440> terms<01:23:49.840> in<01:23:50.159> chapter
• <01:23:50.719> 19<01:23:51.120> of definitions and terms in chapter 19 of definitions
• and terms in chapter 19 of the<01:23:51.840> admin<01:23:52.239> rules.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2185, which would add protections for sports officials. The Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, HSTA, HGA, school administrators, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, the Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association, and several individuals testified in support. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and recommended amendments, especially on the bill’s civil-action provisions and criminal language, saying the measure should be made more consistent and narrowed to clarify who is covered. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the increased criminal penalties but said its concerns were limited to that portion of the bill. The chair repeatedly noted the committee’s education-policy focus and limited discussion of legal issues. The committee then took up HB 2621 on student misconduct. The Department of Education testified and answered questions about its student discipline data, explaining that much of the information is kept in the department’s internal Infinite Campus system and is not public, but that some additional information could be added to the annual report while still protecting student privacy. Members discussed whether the department tracks incidents consistently across schools and whether more public reporting would help identify where violence or discipline issues are occurring. The department said it was not seeing an increase in suspensions in the data it had, though it acknowledged internal data showed more detail than the annual report. HB 2179, concerning DOE and e-pipes, drew comments from the Department of Education, support from the Department of Health, the Hawaii Bicycling League, and other individuals. The committee then heard HB 2534, which would recognize robotics in schools as an interscholastic sport. The Department of Education offered comments, the State Public Charter School Commission supported the bill, and multiple students and robotics participants testified in strong support, arguing that robotics provides STEM opportunities, competition, and career pathways, and that formal recognition and funding would help sustain teams and compensate mentors. No votes or final actions were taken on the bills in the portion of the meeting provided.