Transcript Highlights:

• > second<00:35:08.800> uh<00:35:09.280> on<00:35:09.520> the<00:35:10.160
• <00:35:16.560> bills<00:35:17.119> on<00:35:17.680> the<00:35:18.000> consent
• House<00:35:21.520> Bill<00:35:22.640> House<00:35:22.880> Bill<00:35:23.119>
• > Kip<00:35:25.839> and<00:35:26.000> Rich<00:35:26.240> concerning<00:35
• recommendation<00:35:31.760> contained<00:35:32.079> in<00:35:32.240> the<00:35

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the March 6, 2026 journal, and laid over Senate Joint Resolution 16 on retirement readiness and financial well-being until March 18. On third reading, House Bill 115, concerning prepaid wireless telecommunications service charges, passed on the consent calendar, with Senators Baisley, Rich, Lynda Zamora Wilson, and Carson recorded in opposition. House Bill 1068, which authorizes the Legislative Council executive committee to set remote-participation policies for interchamber meetings and committees, also passed third reading by a vote of 31-3, with several senators listed as no votes and the President added as a co-sponsor. The Senate then resolved into Committee of the Whole for second reading of the consent calendar. House Bill 1040 was removed from consent at the sponsor’s request. The committee then considered and advanced House Bills 1182, 1067, 1041, 1025, and 1013, covering the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee sunset, livestock health funding, electronic vehicle titles, an auctioneer exemption under the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act, and landlord utility billing systems. The committee adopted the reports and bills, and the full Senate later adopted the committee report, placing those bills on the calendar for third reading and final passage. The Senate also laid over general order second-reading bills until March 10 and laid over Senate Resolution 004 until March 24. On the governor’s appointments consent calendar, members of the Building Decarbonization Enterprise Board, Colorado Water Conservation Board, and Groundwater Commission were read and then confirmed by a vote of 34-0 with one excused. The chamber then heard several personal privilege remarks recognizing Briggsdale Elementary School, the Democratic Women of Boulder County, the Colorado Civil Air Patrol, International Women’s Day, and House District 7 Day at the Capitol, before adjourning until March 10, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:05.920> They're<00:35:06.320> saying<00:35:06.720> come<00:35:06.960>
• So<00:35:08.880> but<00:35:09.040> in<00:35:09.640> you<00:35:09.840> going
• <00:35:18.240> one<00:35:18.360> of<00:35:18.440> the<00:35:18.520> benefits<
• <00:35:19.760> That<00:35:19.920> was<00:35:20.080> one<00:35:20.240> of<
• > if<00:35:27.040> you're<00:35:27.160> a<00:35:27.200> sex<00:35:27.480>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The meeting on SB 460 focused almost entirely on where the bill should be placed in statute and how it would be enforced. One side argued the proposal should be moved out of the loitering section and into the sex offender registration framework, saying loitering is already under constitutional challenge, is vague, and does not fit the conduct at issue. They said the bill is meant to create a clear, advance-notice restriction for registered sex offenders, especially around schools, day care facilities, and similar places, and that this would be easier for police to enforce. The opposing view was that the loitering placement is the better fit and that moving the bill would create broader drafting problems by opening the door to reorganizing many other sex-offender-related restrictions. There was also discussion of whether the bill’s references to schools should use the school-property statute, whether churches should be included, and whether the existing loitering statute’s alarm-based elements are too complicated and potentially unconstitutional. The committee also discussed a pending federal challenge to the loitering law, with one member saying there was no injunction yet but the case was being challenged. No agreement was reached. After a brief break and further debate, members concluded that the Senate and House positions remained unresolved, and the meeting ended without a compromise or vote on the substantive dispute.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:02.560> while<00:35:02.880> remaining<00:35:03.200> open<00:35:03.480
• <00:35:18.200> than<00:35:18.400> representative<00:35:18.920> Lisa<00:35:19.280
• Lisa dth her Vis<00:35:20.920> her<00:35:21.079> vision<00:35:21.400> and<00:35
• c><00:35:33.240> with<00:35:33.359> her<00:35:33.520> at<00:35:33.640> the
• :35:55.079> that<00:35:55.240> balance<00:35:55.520> to<00:35:55.640> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened for the opening of the 2025-2026 Minnesota legislative session. Secretary of State Steve Simon called the chamber to order, appointed a clerk pro tem, and Pastor Ben Mayatt delivered the prayer before the Pledge of Allegiance. The clerk then conducted the roll call, and after an initial dispute over quorum and authority, the House determined that 67 members were present, establishing a quorum. The main business was organizing the House. Members nominated and seconded Representative Lisa Demuth for Speaker, and she was elected on a 67-0 roll call vote. After taking the oath, Speaker Demuth delivered remarks emphasizing service, civility, bipartisan cooperation, accountability, and focusing on practical results for Minnesotans. The House also adopted a resolution accepting the findings in the District 40B election contest and declaring a vacancy there, and another resolution adopting temporary House rules for the session, including a committee structure and a fraud prevention/state government oversight committee. Members then adopted a resolution authorizing necessary House employees to continue working, and the Speaker announced appointments for Speaker pro tempore, Deputy Speaker pro tempore, and the House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration. The House also approved permanent desk assignments for the Republican and DFL caucuses. The session ended with announcements about a reception and a Rules Committee meeting, followed by adjournment until noon on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not none<00:35:03.520> none<00:35:03.680> of<00:35:03.839> the<00:35:04.000
• :35:07.760> putting<00:35:07.920> it<00:35:08.079> under<00:35:08.320> a<
• court<00:35:08.960> on<00:35:09.119> any<00:35:09.280> of<00:35:09.520> any<
• No,<00:35:11.200> I<00:35:11.440> think<00:35:11.599> the<00:35:12.320> I
• <00:35:12.640> don't<00:35:12.720> want<00:35:12.800> to<00:35:12.960> speak<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 400, the Judiciary’s biennium budget, and HB 727, a proposal to create a women’s court pilot program. On HB 400, Judiciary officials said the request includes operating funds of about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. Testifiers from the legal services community, including the Legal Clinic, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, supported the budget and emphasized the need for civil legal services and immigration-related legal help. Judge Kim also highlighted Big Island needs, including courthouse design funding and an additional district court judge. HB 727 drew extensive testimony in support from Judiciary officials, treatment court staff, legal and behavioral health organizations, prosecutors, and individuals with lived experience in drug court. Supporters said women in the justice system often face trauma, abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges that are not adequately addressed in existing programs, and argued that a women’s court could improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Judiciary witnesses explained that the proposed program would be a specialty court within the drug court framework, initially focused on the Kona division of the Third Circuit, with possible future expansion to Hilo. A probation officer and a former drug court participant described the benefits of treatment court and the need for women-specific services, including spiritual counseling options. After testimony, the committee recessed briefly for lack of quorum and later returned to vote. HB 400 was passed with amendments, including added amounts in the committee report for civil legal services and immigration-related legal services, and a revised defective date. HB 727 was also passed with amendments, including changes to the purpose section to make the First Circuit women’s court permanent, create a three-year Third Circuit Kona women’s court pilot, and remove the broader expansion language for the time being. The committee adopted both measures by vote, with Senator Chang excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:05.040> President,<00:35:05.520> I<00:35:05.760> just<00:35:06.000>
• > in<00:35:12.320> the<00:35:12.480> state<00:35:12.640> of<00:35:12.880>
• She has<00:35:15.839> a<00:35:16.000> Girl<00:35:16.240> Scout<00:35:16.560>
• > the<00:35:30.480> state<00:35:30.720> but<00:35:30.960> in<00:35:31.200>
• c> can<00:35:33.040> live<00:35:33.200> in<00:35:33.440> the<00:35:33.680>

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received several House Joint Resolutions: HJR 2 and HJR 3 to notify the governor that the legislature is in session and to escort the governor to the joint session, HJR 4 mourning the death of Howard Sanderford, and HJR 5 mourning the death of Samuel Allen Harper. Each was taken up by suspension of the rules and adopted without objection. Committee reports followed, with multiple Senate bills receiving favorable reports and being advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day. Reported bills included SB 20, 30, 31, and 41 from Judiciary; SB 19 from Banking and Insurance; SB 12, 28, 35, 42, 93, and 134 from County and Municipal Government; a large group of fiscal and economic development bills including SB 54, 77, 78, 89, 100-103, 113, 122, 126, 127, 128, and 136; and SB 32, 33, 55, 70, 108, 114, and 118 from Veterans and Military Affairs. Several of these reports included amendments, and all were placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted SJR 6 honoring former Representative Brian Melton Jr., SJR 7 supporting federal voting rights legislation including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, SJR 8 naming the Lamar Harrison Memorial Bridge on U.S. Highway 98 in Wilmer, and SJR 9 honoring Samuel Allen Harper. The chamber then adopted SJR 10, a lengthy resolution celebrating the life of Claudette Colvin, with remarks from Senators Figures and Coleman emphasizing her civil rights legacy and the impact of her refusal to give up her bus seat at age 15. The session concluded with a motion to adjourn until 8:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:05.880> um<00:35:06.240> it<00:35:06.359> seems<00:35:06.599> to
• 35:09.200> just<00:35:09.480> because<00:35:09.599> I'm<00:35:09.720> new
• 35:23.400> voting<00:35:23.839> against<00:35:24.160> that<00:35:24.720> and<
• and that is<00:35:25.200> not<00:35:25.440> what<00:35:25.720> my<00:35:26.720>
• :35:35.880> cleaning<00:35:36.280> up<00:35:36.440> a<00:35:36.880> mistake

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on House Bill 637, which was described as a measure to make whole certain New Hampshire Retirement System retirees who were not included when Senate Bill 57 was incorporated into the 2023 budget. The chair and several members reviewed the bill’s legislative history and fiscal impact, citing estimates that the broader change would cost about $1.4 million to the state and $5.74 million to municipalities, with an actuarial liability increase of about $45 million. The chair argued that the omission of already-retired members was not an oversight but a policy choice made in the Senate, based on the bill’s prospective language and the budget process used in 2023. Testimony and discussion focused on whether the bill should be treated as a fairness correction or as an expensive policy expansion. Supporters, including retirees and representatives of employee groups, said the language was unclear, the fiscal note did not match the bill’s effect, and the change would unfairly leave out actual retirees who had expected the same treatment as active members. They also argued that the retirement system historically linked benefits to Social Security and that the bill would restore equity for those affected. Opponents emphasized the cost, the prospective nature of the original language, and the view that the Senate knowingly chose not to extend the change retroactively. After discussion, the chair moved to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, and the motion was seconded. Members then heard brief public comments after the motion was withdrawn and reintroduced because of the weather and the public’s travel. At the final vote, the subcommittee recommended inexpedient to legislate on a 3-2 vote, with the chair noting that the full committee would take up other bills at a later subcommittee hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:05.040> is<00:35:05.200> far<00:35:05.440> better<00:35:05.599> to
• payments<00:35:09.760> than<00:35:10.079> having<00:35:10.240> the<00:35:10.480
• <00:35:12.079> This<00:35:12.320> bill<00:35:12.560> ensures<00:35:12.960>
• Three<00:35:17.520> circumstances<00:35:18.240> have<00:35:18.400> arisen<00:35:
• <00:35:22.480> The<00:35:22.720> first<00:35:22.960> is<00:35:23.280> in<

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The body then moved through routine business including committee reports, second readings, first readings of a large batch of House files, and receipt of Senate File 3958 for comparison with a House companion. Several noncontroversial motions were adopted without objection, including referral and re-referral motions later in the day. The chamber then took up a series of bills, many of them veterans, commerce, mortgage, liquor, elections, and financial institutions measures. House File 3544, a veterans housekeeping bill updating state law to conform with federal standards and clarifying benefit forfeiture language, passed 133-0. House File 3467, authorizing MDVA to use nonmonetary support to collaborate on veteran services such as food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention, also passed 133-0. House File 3437, clarifying that certain mortgage lending protections apply to consumer home loans rather than commercial loans, passed 133-0. House File 3479, clarifying homeowners’ rights to postpone foreclosure sales in several edge cases, passed 128-5. The annual liquor bill, Senate File 2511, drew the most discussion. Members described provisions addressing the so-called “Granny Happy Hour” in senior facilities, University of Minnesota liquor-related flexibility, and other local liquor-law changes. An author’s amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 129-1. House File 4118, allowing state-chartered credit unions to use private deposit share insurance subject to state oversight, passed 131-2. House File 4241, a local government/elections omnibus addressing disclosure rules, Hennepin County medical examiner appointment procedures, and Rochester School Board election structure, passed 124-9. House File 3699, changing a license plate contest to feature the Lake Superior agate and requiring a Minnesota artist, passed 110-22. Later, the House adopted motions to send House File 4668, an Explore Minnesota film tax credit bill, and House File 4319, a Lake City port authority bill affecting local taxing authority, to the Taxes Committee. The chamber also approved a motion to recall House File 1234, the payment transparency bill, from Ways and Means and place it on the General Register after a zero-cost fiscal note was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:33.440> spending<00:35:33.839> cap<00:35:34.240> and<00:35:34.480> a
• <00:35:36.160> Would<00:35:36.320> that<00:35:36.640> include<00:35:37.040><
• >> I<00:35:39.920> a<00:35:40.240> tax<00:35:40.480> cap<00:35:41.119>
• :52.720> I<00:35:52.880> think<00:35:53.040> I<00:35:53.200> think<00:35:
• :35:57.920> or<00:35:58.160> not<00:35:58.400> a<00:35:58.720> charter<00

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:35:09.440> everyone<00:35:09.839> is<00:35:10.000> and<00:35:10.240> how
• An idea that I'm<00:35:12.960> taking<00:35:13.200> back<00:35:13.359> to<00:35:
• to<00:35:14.480> hold<00:35:14.640> a<00:35:14.880> public<00:35:15.119>
• of<00:35:20.000> our<00:35:20.320> community<00:35:21.119> um<00:35:21.280><
• to testify<00:35:23.200> in<00:35:23.359> the<00:35:23.440> ways<00:35:23.599><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a multi-state press event and hearing focused on alleged federal immigration enforcement abuses in Minnesota and other states. Minnesota lawmakers and invited legislators from Montana, Illinois, North Dakota, Tennessee, and elsewhere described ICE and Border Patrol activity as warrantless, masked, and violent, citing detentions of residents and U.S. citizens, school lockdowns, hospital disruptions, chemical munitions, and the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Brady. Speakers said the actions were terrorizing immigrant communities, communities of color, Native Americans, and families, and argued that the federal government was using Minnesota as a testing ground for broader authoritarian overreach. Several lawmakers tied the situation to constitutional and civil-rights concerns, saying the conduct violated protections related to due process, free speech, and equal treatment. They urged state and federal officials to resist cooperation with ICE, protect schools, hospitals, churches, and courthouses as safe spaces, and support sanctuary policies. One speaker said Minnesota had never before needed a select committee on federal impacts, but that the current situation justified it; another said a coalition of 27 states was coordinating 85 bills to require coordination with local law enforcement, increase transparency, protect against warrantless arrests and racial profiling, and impose consequences for federal misconduct. During the press question period, lawmakers from North Dakota and Tennessee said similar enforcement activity was spreading beyond Minnesota, including reported abductions in Fargo and a large federal presence in Memphis that had led to deportations and business closures. Illinois lawmakers said their state had already passed sanctuary laws and would continue pushing back. The event ended with calls for continued organizing, state-level legislation, and collective resistance to federal immigration enforcement practices described by speakers as unlawful and abusive.

Transcript Highlights:

• The<00:35:11.520> men<00:35:11.680> and<00:35:11.839> women<00:35:12.079> of<
• > job<00:35:13.520> they<00:35:13.760> were<00:35:13.839> lawfully<00:35:
• :35:23.280> out<00:35:23.440> laws<00:35:23.920> that<00:35:24.160> were
• :35:28.400> said<00:35:28.640> during<00:35:28.960> my<00:35:29.119> opening<
• > speech,<00:35:30.560> I<00:35:30.800> want<00:35:30.960> to<00:35:31.119><

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 55 members present and 10 excused, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Monday, January 26, 2026, as corrected. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 5, designating Colorado 4-H Day. Representatives Johnson and McCormick spoke in support, noting the visit from 4-H members and reciting the 4-H pledge. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 59-0, with six excused. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements and recognitions. Members highlighted upcoming legislative receptions for the Colorado Airport Operators Association and livestock groups, committee meetings including SMART Act hearings, Judiciary Committee items, Transportation/Housing/Local Government business, and a House Finance Committee meeting. Several members also recognized visiting groups and constituents, including behavioral health providers, Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, Heritage Heights Academy students, and House District 6 community leaders. A significant portion of the floor time was devoted to a personal privilege statement by Minority Leader Caldwell, who responded to concerns about immigration enforcement, emphasized the rule of law and due process, and criticized rhetoric he said endangered law enforcement and others. The House then moved into recess later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• :35:03.640> some<00:35:03.840> of<00:35:03.960> you<00:35:04.080> are<00:
• Chair.<00:35:08.800> I<00:35:08.840> didn't<00:35:09.120> catch,<00:35:09.360>
• <00:35:12.640> Uh<00:35:12.920> they<00:35:13.280> come<00:35:13.720> up<
• Yeah,<00:35:32.920> your<00:35:33.080> hats<00:35:33.320> might<00:35:33.480>
• > of<00:35:45.520> those,<00:35:45.800> it's<00:35:46.040> a<00:35:46.200

Bills: HF4615, HF3532, HF4492, HF4171

Keywords: military, pay, officers, enlisted members, state active service, Minnesota Statutes, veterans, burial eligibility, honor guard, state cemeteries, military service, burial fees, veterans affairs, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, advisory task force, commanders task force, veterans service organizations, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW

Transcript Highlights:

• c> uh<00:35:11.640> of<00:35:11.880> the<00:35:12.079> director<00:35:12.839
• :35:25.640> is<00:35:25.760> there<00:35:26.000> anybody<00:35:26.320> else
• would<00:35:26.760> like<00:35:26.880> to<00:35:27.000> testify<00:35:27.720>
• 68<00:35:30.680> all<00:35:30.839> right<00:35:31.040> seeing<00:35:31.359>
• ><00:35:33.000> a<00:35:33.119> motion<00:35:33.480> when<00:35:33.680> to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So do<00:35:22.280> you<00:35:22.440> have<00:35:22.680> empirical<00:35:23.280>
• <00:35:28.760> We<00:35:28.880> say<00:35:29.040> a<00:35:29.120> lot
• > I<00:35:29.840> and<00:35:29.960> I'm<00:35:30.040> not<00:35:30.680>
• theory.<00:35:40.600> Um<00:35:40.920> in<00:35:41.080> addition<00:35:41.520><
• The<00:35:45.680> way<00:35:45.960> this<00:35:46.320> bill<00:35:47.400> has

Bills: HB475

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we<00:35:03.440> say<00:35:03.680> and<00:35:03.839> and<00:35:04.240><
• c> how<00:35:04.400> we<00:35:04.560> say<00:35:04.720> it<00:35:04.880>
• <00:35:07.839> in<00:35:08.079> terms<00:35:08.400> of<00:35:08.720> saying
• <00:35:23.520> a<00:35:23.680> court<00:35:23.839> of<00:35:24.000> law
• and<00:35:26.079> plead<00:35:26.320> the<00:35:26.560> guilty<00:35:27.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :35:02.000> we<00:35:02.080> could<00:35:02.200> help<00:35:02.920> kind<
• in those situations.<00:35:07.920> Um<00:35:08.520> it<00:35:08.760> it's<00:35
• 35:13.000> the<00:35:13.080> seat<00:35:13.320> of<00:35:13.400> driving<
• We<00:35:27.720> don't<00:35:27.960> regulate<00:35:28.480> all<00:35:28.640>
• c><00:35:54.000> us<00:35:54.120> to<00:35:54.240> step<00:35:54.520> beyond<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:10.720> to<00:35:11.040> lay<00:35:11.119> the<00:35:11.359> bill
• > lot<00:35:15.200> at<00:35:15.440> stake<00:35:15.680> and<00:35:15.920
• :35:17.520> to<00:35:17.839> be<00:35:18.079> able<00:35:18.320> to don't
• <00:35:19.280> is<00:35:19.440> the<00:35:19.680> solution<00:35:20.079>
• It's uh it's difficult<00:35:24.880> for<00:35:25.119> us<00:35:25.280> to<00:35

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 35:16.240> work<00:35:16.480> around<00:35:16.800> that<00:35:17.040> and
• > how<00:35:17.440> they<00:35:17.680> set<00:35:17.839> their<00:35:18.000>
• 35:23.920> all<00:35:24.160> of<00:35:24.240> a<00:35:24.320> sudden<00:35
• :35:25.120> and<03:35:25.439> she<03:35:26.080> was<03:35:26.239> a<03:35
• 35:37.040> going<03:35:37.120> to<03:35:37.200> get<03:35:37.359> as<03:35

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause. A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action. The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > that<00:35:02.840> it<00:35:02.920> be<00:35:03.000> placed<00:35:03.240
• amended<00:35:11.480> to<00:35:11.520> be<00:35:11.600> referred<00:35:11.840
• > that<00:35:14.760> it<00:35:14.840> be<00:35:14.880> placed<00:35:15.120
• The<00:35:48.920> eyes<00:35:49.160> have<00:35:49.440> it<00:35:49.680> and<
• With<01:35:02.360> a<01:35:02.960> vote<01:35:03.400> of<01:35:04.120> 35

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received a series of committee reports and appointments. Reports included favorable action on several bills from Finance, State Veterans and Military Affairs, and Business, Labor, and Technology, along with a recommendation to place some measures on the consent calendar. The chamber also moved through a long set of personal-privilege tributes and April Fools’ Day remarks recognizing Senate President James Coleman, the House, and various guests and organizations, with a few lighthearted fines announced for members participating in the joke tributes. On third reading, the Senate considered three consent-calendar House bills. House Bill 1024, concerning voluntary relinquishment of a child and extending the age from 72 hours to 30 days, passed 35-0. House Bill 1002, dealing with access to behavioral health providers and related licensing and network participation changes, passed 30-5 after several senators recorded no votes. House Bill 1023, clarifying a political party’s liability for certain accessibility requirements related to ballot access for persons with disabilities, passed 35-0. The Senate then took up House Bill 1259, an early childhood services measure affecting licensing exemptions, reimbursement, universal preschool funding, eligibility, reporting, and advisory bodies. A substantive third-reading amendment was adopted 35-0 after discussion about the bill’s treatment of 3-year-olds, and the bill then passed 32-3. House Bill 1058, providing protections for minors featured in digital content, passed 33-2. The chamber also granted, then withdrew, leave for the Joint Budget Committee to meet while the Senate was in session, and later moved into Committee of the Whole for second reading of House Bill 1120, a mobile-home taxation and delinquent property tax measure, where the Finance Committee report was adopted and an amendment was discussed to align legal-disability language and redemption-period provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

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• <00:35:08.960> argument,<00:35:09.560> but<00:35:09.920> if<00:35:10.040>
• > at<00:35:11.040> least<00:35:11.400> it<00:35:11.560> is<00:35:11.800><
• <00:35:23.400> I<00:35:23.440> mean,<00:35:23.600> if<00:35:23.880> we
• 00:35:31.080> I<00:35:31.120> was<00:35:31.280> going<00:35:31.400> to<00

Bills: SB2607, SB2031, SB2043, SB2623, SB2876, SB2396, SB2964, SB2089

Keywords: landscape architecture, licensure, educational requirements, examination, professional standards, consumer protection, junk fees, live-event tickets, short-term lodging, transparency, pricing disclosure, deceptive practices, insurance, captives, regulations, policyholders, SB2623, Hawaii pharmacy law, Board of Pharmacy, registered pharmacy technician

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 168 and HR 158, which would create a temporary working group to study utility capacity, coastline infrastructure lifespan, and the costs of needed expansions. Public Utilities Commission staff said the commission was not the right entity to direct all of the work because it lacks authority over many affected agencies. Members discussed whether the study should be limited to a coastal area or broadened to the whole island, and in decision-making the committee amended the measure to focus on the County of Honolulu, correct references to the Public Utilities Commission, and revise the working group membership to include the PUC chair, legislative designees, and directors or designees from DLNR, DOT, HIEMA, and DCCA Consumer Advocacy. The committee then passed both resolutions with amendments; the vote was adopted unanimously, with some members excused. The committee next considered HCR 145 and HR 137, which would convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division stood on its written comments, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission supported the intent, and the Attorney General opposed the measure, warning that a working group could create discoverable materials that might complicate the state’s climate litigation and noting a technical ambiguity in the reference to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund administrator. After questions about discovery and the lawsuit, the committee amended the resolutions to replace the administrator reference with the chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors, remove the Attorney General as convener while keeping the office as a member, and have the working group share findings and recommendations with the House CPC and Senate CPN committees instead of issuing a report. The committee passed the measures with amendments, with Rep. Martin voting with reservations. In the later agenda, the committee heard SB 2607, SD 1 on landscape architect licensure. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects supported the bill, explaining it modernizes licensure requirements to align with national standards and clarifies the profession’s design-focused role. The bill was discussed as distinguishing landscape architecture from groundskeeping and from civil engineering drainage work. No opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 2031, SD 2 on consumer protection and price transparency for live ticket events and short-term lodging. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill, saying it largely mirrors an FTC rule requiring all-in pricing and would give the state enforcement authority and remedies. The Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill as drafted and sought a limited exemption for credit card issuers relying on third-party hotel information, while the Hawaii Hotel Alliance supported the measure but asked for language deeming compliance with the federal rule sufficient for short-term lodging. Committee members questioned whether those proposed exemptions would conflict with federal law or weaken state enforcement, and the discussion focused on preemption, liability, and the value of state remedies such as restitution.

Transcript Highlights:

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• 35:45.839> lift<00:35:46.079> up<00:35:46.320> both<00:35:46.560> of<00:35

Keywords: 1187, senate, all