Transcript Highlights:

• Passing this bill would be a meaningful continuation of those efforts and would signify Hawaii's lasting
• Mahalo noa for your time, consideration, and continued support of our Hawaii veterans, and I look forward
• Passing this bill would be a meaningful continuation of those efforts and would signify Hawaii's lasting
• of those efforts and would continuation of those efforts and would signify<00:13:49.200> Hawaii's
• support uh, of our Hawaii continued support uh, of our Hawaii veterans,<00:14:14.399> and<00:

Bills: HB9, SB2723

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, law enforcement, State Sheriffs Day

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard testimony on HB 9 HD1, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart State, and SB 2723, relating to State Sheriff’s Day. On HB 9 HD1, Takumi Abby of Purple Heart Chapter 483 testified in strong support, saying the bill would recognize the service and sacrifice of combat-wounded veterans and honor Purple Heart recipients and their families. Additional support was noted from the Office of Veterans Services, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and CARES, whose representative Angela Melody Young described related veteran-honoring efforts in Honolulu and across Oahu and said the state designation would extend that recognition statewide. Members then moved to decision-making on HB 9 HD1. One member briefly commented on family military service and the importance of remembering Purple Heart recipients. The committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation to pass the measure as is, with all members present voting aye. For SB 2723, the chair indicated the committee would further defer the date, while also recommending passage with amendments. The committee voted on the amended version and adopted the chair’s recommendation with no objections or reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reconsideration file items 79 through 81, all items shall be continued.
• We have to continue to use our responsibilities as legislators to protect our children.
• And I will also say that the communities that are going through this continue to inspire me.
• As rebuilding continues, we will do so with intention, with safety, strength, and resilience built into
• As rebuilding continues, we will do so with intention, with safety, strength, and resilience built into

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, with the clerk calling the roll and a quorum eventually declared present. The day began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by routine procedural actions: the previous day’s journal was dispensed with, committee reports were deemed read, and several motions were approved, including unanimous consent to allow specified members to speak on adjournments in memory and to let Assemblymember Ortega have guests in the rear of the chamber. The body also gave one-day notice to remove SB 25 from the inactive file. On the daily file, Assembly Bill 673 was read with amendments and the amendments were deemed adopted. Concurrent items 2 and 3, Governor’s vetoes in items 4 through 77, reconsideration items 79 through 81, and third-reading items 82 through 84 were passed and retained or continued as noted. No substantive floor debate occurred on legislation during the session, which was described as a very short session. Most of the meeting was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Members honored Monica Lynn Martinez Hayes, a Capitol scheduler and artist; Edwin Silva Brazil, a dairyman and community leader; Grand Master Deng Huiduk, a martial arts instructor and mentor; victims of a Stockton shooting, including four young people; and the victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Several members spoke about the fire victims by name and emphasized recovery, resilience, and the need to support affected communities. A moment of silence was observed, the names were ordered printed in the journal, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuing the work of this grant program is vital to public library users across the state.
• Continuing the work of this grant program is vital to public library users across the state.
• Continuing the work of this grant program is vital to public library users across the state.
• Continuing the work of this grant program is vital to public library users across the state.
• Continuing the work of this grant program is vital to public library users across the state.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And God, we pray this morning that you would just guide our path, continue to order our steps.
• We'll continue to pay down debt.
• We'll continue to maintain robust reserves to be prepared for any emergency that may happen.
• I look forward to our continued work on these critical priorities.
• Like so many other areas of public policy, this is one where continuous improvement matters.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, presentation of the colors, and the national anthem. The chamber welcomed cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, former Senate presidents and colleagues, and other guests. Senators also observed moments of silence honoring former Senator Geraldine Thompson and former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and the Senate dedicated its 2024-2026 handbook to Thompson in recognition of her work in education and civics. The main action of the day was adoption of SCR 1294, which authorized the House and Senate to meet in joint session in the House chamber at 11 a.m. that day to receive a message from Governor Ron DeSantis. The resolution was adopted without objection, rules were waived, and it was immediately certified to the House. The Secretary was also directed to notify the House and Governor that the Senate was convened and ready to proceed with the 2025 regular session. In a lengthy opening-day address, the President outlined the session’s priorities, emphasizing rural Florida, citrus and agriculture, government efficiency, IT and cybersecurity reform, administrative rule review, affordability, insurance and property tax relief, autism services, veterans’ support, mental health and child welfare legislation, Everglades restoration, public school administrative efficiency, and food insecurity. No substantive debate or roll-call votes were taken beyond the unanimous adoption of the concurrent resolution. The Senate then adjourned until March 12, 2025, or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to pray for the victims of the devastating fires in Southern California, the families that
• Today our communities continue to strive to achieve the dream Dr.
• We continue to fight for social equality and justice.
• I would like to share a couple of his powerful words as we continue to remember him.
• King and we look forward to continuing to work together to make his dream a reality. And as Dr.

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to do that.
• How do they continue? Who's bearing the cost of providing those services? So there's another...
• And the impact—how do they pick up their lives and continue to move on?
• Year program as far as continuing education or acquiring workforce careers?
• I would hope that they are continuing their education, and we would love for them to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tribal leaders, especially here in Taos, have continued.
• We will continue to pay higher rates of insurance and we will continue to burn people's houses down.
• We want to, uh, continue to be an energy community.
• So, we will continue to contribute NMSU expertise to support this project.
• Chair, and, um, and then, uh, continue. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• And here's the problem, this is just one, I could continue if you'd like.
• of additional points. points that would continue to improve the bill.
• And so, I just really appreciate your... continued willingness to engage with us.
• So we've submitted the proposed language and look forward to continuing to work with you.
• Last year alone, TRAC served over 1,200 young adults and that number continues to rise.

Bills: SB604, SB843, SB1636, SB2395, SB571, SB1224, SB1832, SB2392, SB747, SB2623, SB2624, SB2185

Keywords: bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• DJ plans to continue his mission and hopes to set a Guinness World Record by being sworn in by 1,000
• And so, as the conversation continues, because I feel that this bill not only is going to fly out of
• It is a Class A misdemeanor, but we want to make sure that they cannot continue to operate and continue
• We have two bills to continue after this voting up here, down in extension E1.028.
• We have two bills to continue after this voting up here, down in extension E1.028.

Bills: SJR12, SJR81, SCR39, SB22, SB32, SB241, SB393, SB414, SB458, SB464, SB568, SB583, SB609, SB660, SB693, SB731, SB732, SB746, SB783, SB785, SB897, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1029, SB1035, SB1036, SB1120, SB1122, SB1147, SB1163, SB1188, SB1197, SB1209, SB1227, SB1245, SB1267, SB1307, SB1321, SB1332, SB1386, SB1394, SB1396, SB1470, SB1494, SB1537, SB1596, SB1598, SB1610, SB1664, SB1814, SB1822, SB1841, SB1948, SB2065, SB2155, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, tax exemption, ad valorem, tangible personal property, income production, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, approval of routine motions, and the reading of gubernatorial nominations and several honorary resolutions. The chamber adopted resolutions recognizing Jack and Jill of America Day and DJ Daniel Day at the Capitol, with multiple senators offering remarks praising youth leadership, perseverance, and public service. The Senate also introduced the Doctor of the Day and then proceeded to a long series of floor actions on bills. A major focus was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 568, which overhauls special education funding and services in public schools by moving from a placement-based model to an intensity-based system tied to student needs and IEPs. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Menendez emphasized transparency, parent input, evaluation funding, dyslexia services, and better alignment of funding with actual services; Senator Hinojosa shared a personal story about dyslexia and the importance of early intervention. The bill was advanced on second and third reading and finally passed 30-0. The Senate also passed SB 1396 to prohibit national sex education standards in public schools, SB 2065 on the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, SB 1664 requiring clearer public disclosure of transmission and distribution utility rate changes, SB 1029 on advertising certain used motor vehicles, SB 1120 expanding rights for family violence victims, SB 1036 regulating residential solar retail transactions, SB 464 creating school-proximity restrictions and penalties for tobacco and vaping sales, SB 1035 giving farmers and ranchers equitable relief from certain local agricultural regulations, SB 1610 addressing civil commitment facility safety and prosecution issues, SB 1197 extending drone restrictions to spaceports, and SB 1386 changing legislative witness immunity from transactional to testimonial immunity. Another major bill was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1188, which updates electronic health record requirements. Senator Kolkhorst said the bill builds on Texas medical privacy law by requiring U.S.-based storage of EMR data, prohibiting recording of voter registration status and credit score information, requiring provider verification and disclosure for AI-assisted diagnosis or treatment recommendations, preserving parental access to minors’ records until age 18, and ensuring EMRs can capture metabolic health and biological sex information. A floor amendment clarified the bill’s scope and enforcement, and the bill passed 23-7. Several measures drew debate, especially SB 414 on bond ballot transparency, where Senators Eckhardt and Menendez questioned whether requiring estimated interest and total debt cost on ballots could be misleading or difficult to implement because interest rates and financing terms can change before issuance or over time. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final action shown on SB 414.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE MUST BE CONTINUALLY WILLING TO REFRAIN AND IMPROVE GREAT POLICY.
• ENTERING THE ANTENNA LIVE LOCAL IS FULLY REALIZED AND SUCCESS CONTINUES TO GROW.
• THANK YOU AGAIN TO PRESIDENT PASSIDOMO FOR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP AND I ASK FOR YOUR FAVORABLE SUPPORT.
• THE DEMAND FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE CONTINUES TO GROW YET CITIES AND COUNTIES OR IMPLEMENT A LOCAL ZONING
• Martin: IN CONTINUOUS, ABSOLUTELY. >> Sen.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their hope is that with 2025 and continued support of this money, in addition to some other resources
• Their hope is that with 2025 and continued support of this money, in addition to some other resources
• > this<00:14:44.399> money<00:14:44.959> in continued support of this money in continued
• But the construction costs, as you know, continue to rise and every dollar counts.
• Thank you. continue to rise and every dollar continue to rise and every dollar counts.<00:23:23.280><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um in particular um you know continue um in particular um you know portions<00:29:47.440> of<
• to grow so you know for these continues to grow so you know for these reasons<00:30:12.159> we
• We realized that the measure was amended to continue the pilot program.
• the pilot program we would continue the pilot program we would respectfully<00:32:02.120> ask
• <00:57:16.839> to brackets would not only continue to brackets would not only continue to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures. SB 38 SD2 drew mixed testimony on changes to 21H projects, with HHFDC supporting and county and community groups split between support and opposition. In discussion, members focused on how county legislative bodies can alter projects in ways that increase costs, including changes to AMI mixes and fee waivers. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, limiting county changes that would impose stricter conditions than HHFDC, stricter AMI requirements, or reduced fee waivers; the motion passed with one member voting with reservations and two members excused. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 71 SD2, which would revise the rental housing revolving fund. Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi YIMBY, and NAAP Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken support for deeply affordable units, eliminate the 5% set-aside for households at or below 30% AMI, and create a funding gap for households between 60% and 120% AMI. Supporters of the bill, including public housing and some development interests, emphasized the need to redirect funding and make the program more flexible. In decision-making, the committee described the bill as making comprehensive changes that would narrow Tier 2 toward higher-income projects and favor shorter loan terms, then moved it out with amendments. The committee also heard and advanced several other measures with little or no opposition: SB 40 SD2 on state finances, SB 378 on HHFDC, SB 572 SD1 on housing, SB 1229 ST2 on the dwelling unit revolving fund, and SB 602 on the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority all received support testimony and were moved forward. For SB 65 SD2, HPHA and other agencies supported the measure, and HPHA testified it sought roughly $8 million to $10 million for repair and maintenance of units not covered by CIP funds. The committee also took up SB 826 SD1 on the low-income housing tax credit, where HHFDC, the Tax Foundation, and DHHL expressed confusion over the bill’s intent and whether it would bar state agencies from using LIHTC financing; no action was taken on that item in the excerpt. SB 944 SD2 on LIHTC transferability drew support and a suggestion to keep clarifying language that notifies the tax department, and the committee indicated it would keep the provision in.

Transcript Highlights:

• How will you continue to hold big tech accountable when it comes to antitrust law?
• I just wanna make sure that you continue to have that commitment to carry through on that.
• We were very concerned about the continuity of one of those entities, specifically.
• Is cleaning house going to continue?
• Unfortunately, the Biden administration did not continue that.

Keywords: nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to continue to do that, following the intent of...
• Can I get your commitment to continue that good relationship?
• So those are all issues that we are going to need to continue to address.
• The only way I can push them is to not allow those who do not perform to continue.
• That's going to continue. This new freeze, the new hire freeze, is not there.

Transcript Highlights:

• to continue spending $265,000 a year on bad results and demand public testimony to the legislature's
• Joint Performance Committee if Joe Perfuri is to continue as a state employee.
• What I can say is Secretary Wallace is the Secretary, and she will continue to be the Secretary until
• But in the interim, he continues to do his job as an advisor to the Governor. I understand that.
• She's not asking anything of you other than to continue to approve that which you approved before.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll let you continue. Thank you.
• And then continuing...
• And then continuing, and I stress the word continuing, but continuing to align the legislative amendments
• Okay, I'll let you continue.
• Please continue. Yes, sir.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held an informational hearing on the state capital outlay process, with Roger Husser and Matt Baker of the Division of Administration’s Office of Facilities Planning and Control (FPNC) presenting a detailed review of House Bill 2 and proposed improvements. They said FPNC administers about 54% of the bill, while other agencies administer the rest, and emphasized that the capital outlay program has improved significantly over the last few years, with project expenditures more than doubling due to better cash-flow management, staffing changes, and more efficient project administration. They also explained how the bill is structured by priorities, how the priority-one cash line of credit is capped and adjusted for construction inflation, and how the bill has grown into a much larger, longer-range plan than a true five-year program, especially on the non-state side. A major theme was that the bill contains too many dormant, legacy, and low-priority projects, which creates false expectations and ties up funding. Committee members pressed the presenters on culture change, third-party project management, staffing shortages, and the use of technology and statutory interpretation to speed projects without sacrificing compliance. Husser and Baker said they had reduced internal bureaucracy, used staff augmentation because of hiring difficulties, delegated smaller projects to agencies when appropriate, and improved cash-flow analysis so projects can move forward with less money up front. They also discussed overappropriations, dormant projects, and the need to reappropriate unused funds to projects that can actually spend them. The presenters offered several recommendations and considerations: limit the number and size of new projects, reduce scope creep, require more regular endorsement of long-running projects, consider caps on priority-five funding, impose time limits and reporting requirements on non-state grant projects, and possibly require non-state entities to escrow or otherwise demonstrate their match earlier. They also suggested bundling related projects together, expanding that approach beyond the current pilot, and improving transparency by showing full project funding history and the first year each project appeared in the bill. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational, with members generally supportive of the efficiency reforms while also raising concerns about false hope, dormant projects, and the need for clearer expectations and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Speaker continues] “That’s the current verification process. Yes.
• [Speaker continues] “Section 4 that’s there talks about records.
• [Speaker continues] “Look at lines 37 and 38, though.
• [Speaker continues] “I don’t know why.
• So that circuit judge will continue having jurisdiction.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 4198, which would require employers to use E-Verify to confirm new hires’ work authorization and impose escalating penalties for violations, including warnings, debarment from state contracts, loss of business licenses, and other sanctions. Counsel and senators raised extensive drafting concerns, including circular language, conflicts with existing record-retention provisions, unclear references to “seeks to employ,” possible application to babysitters, lawn care, and other casual or household arrangements, and uncertainty about how the bill would work for employers who never actually complete a hire. The bill sponsor defended the measure as a way to strengthen compliance with existing law, protect employers who use E-Verify in good faith, and deter illegal hiring. After debate, a motion to table the bill failed on a roll call vote, 6 in favor and 10 opposed, and the chair then announced the bill would be sent to a subcommittee to be cleaned up, with instructions to resolve the drafting conflicts and other ambiguities. The committee then turned to House Bill 4710, with an amendment, which would require a person to be registered with a political party or as an independent 210 days before filing a certificate of candidacy. Counsel explained that the change would lengthen the current 60-day requirement and would affect both party-switching and independent candidacies, making it harder for candidates to change affiliation shortly before an election. Senators asked about how the 210-day period would work relative to the primary and general election filing deadlines, and counsel clarified that it would be measured backward from the relevant filing dates. The discussion focused on the practical effect of the bill as a “sore loser” measure and on the timing rules for candidacy filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• infrastructure that continues. infrastructure that continues. It<00:16:22.880> connects.
• department shows improvement continued department shows improvement continued efforts<00:26:20.720
• Montgomery and their efforts to continue Montgomery and their efforts to continue to<00:28:02.000
• . continue. continue.
• <00:45:20.160> this I look forward to continuing this I look forward to continuing this conversation

Bills: HB268, SB279, SB304, SB303, SB298

Keywords: lottery winnings, lottery prize, state lottery, income tax exemption, tax exemption, gambling, games of chance, prize proceeds, Alabama Department of Revenue, state income tax, tax relief, winnings, jackpot, lotto, Alabama State House, Montgomery, Legislative Council, demolition, state capitol, state capitol building

Transcript Highlights:

• So I have those concerns, but I vote I... continually seeing expansion continually seeing expansion of
• hear, the cost of doing business continues to rise.
• hear, the cost of doing business continues to rise.
• We were we've had and it continues.
• <00:54:43.920> I continue the conversation offline. I continue the conversation offline.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services heard Senate Bill 18, a bill described by the sponsor and podiatry witnesses as a modernization of Kentucky’s podiatry laws. The bill would recognize and regulate podiatric assistants, podiatric residents, and supervising podiatrists; allow podiatrists to supervise physician assistants in podiatry practices with approval from the relevant licensing boards; require new podiatrists licensed after January 1, 2027 to complete at least two years of residency; and extend disciplinary authority to the new categories. Witnesses said the measure would improve access to foot and ankle care, especially in rural areas, without expanding scope of practice. The Kentucky Medical Association was said to be neutral after working on the language with the sponsors. Committee members raised concerns about the meaning of “supervision,” whether it required direct or indirect oversight, and whether the bill could broaden billing or coding privileges. Dr. Roberts said supervision could mean direct supervision or indirect supervision, including being available by telephone, and noted the bill mirrors language used in allopathic PA supervision. He also said the bill would not change office staff billing roles and that podiatric assistants would not bill separately. Several senators said they supported moving the bill forward but remained concerned about workforce, cost, and scope creep. The committee adopted a committee substitute, then voted on the bill. The motion passed unanimously with favorable expression. After the vote, the committee moved on to a presentation on outpatient pediatric therapies, where providers described Medicaid reimbursement pressures, workforce turnover, and long waiting lists for children’s therapy services, but no action was taken on that presentation in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:20.320> to earlier, I would be happy to continue to earlier, I would be happy to continue
• with the word incumbent next continuence with the word incumbent next to<00:46:20.079> their<
• As spending by wealthy and corporate interests continues to rise in our elections, this bill expands
• I look forward to having continued discussion as we lay this bill over for Thursday, I believe, where
• I look forward to uh having continued I look forward to uh having continued discussion<01:00:50.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all