Transcript Highlights:

• In Texas, for election integrity to really be the number two priority in our legislative priorities.
• That's this legislature's priority. But I think this bill is way too broad to address that.
• With busy lives and competing priorities, it's understandable that updating one's voter registration
• Members, the integrity of our electoral system has been and continues to be a priority.

Bills: HB304, HB401, HB556, HB1475, HB1489, HB2259, HB2424, HB2773, HB2811, HB3323, HB304

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Adjutant General's number one priority to continue to support our service members by allowing
• 40.959> one this is the agent general's number one this is the agent general's number one priority
• 42.560> continue<00:13:42.880> to<00:13:43.120> support<00:13:43.360> our priority
• uh to continue to support our priority uh to continue to support our service<00:13:43.920> members
• Cracking down on predatory claim companies is the number one priority of the Veterans of Foreign Wars

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• students do not have access to a robust climate education as implementation varies depending on school priorities
• students do not have access to a robust climate education as implementation varies depending on school priorities
• implementation varies depending<00:31:54.960> on<00:31:55.679> school<00:31:56.000> priorities
• ,<00:31:56.559> teacher depending on school priorities, teacher depending on school priorities

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Education and Higher Education first heard HCR 75 and HR 67, which ask the Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to assess criteria for building an educational pipeline and curriculum for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The Department of Education said it would stand on its written testimony, and UH supported the measure, noting existing community college and four-year programs related to the topic. Members asked how DOE promotes cybersecurity opportunities and whether it provides funding; DOE said schools usually connect with partners and its office works with them, but it does not have separate funding for such efforts. UH also explained that some advanced manufacturing concepts may overlap with 3D printing, material sciences, and entrepreneurship, and described P20 as a forum for aligning K-12 and higher education pathways. The committees then recessed the joint hearing and moved to the Education Committee agenda. The committee next heard HCR 46 and HR 39, which would make DOE recreational facilities available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. DOE said it already uses facilities agreements with insurance, liability waivers, indemnification, and certificates of insurance to protect schools. The Attorney General opposed the resolutions, warning that unrestricted public use without safeguards could create substantial liability and cost risks for the state. The measure’s introducer said the goal was to help underserved communities that lack access to public recreation spaces, and DOE said it would be open to joint-use arrangements with larger organizations but remained concerned about vandalism and liability. The committee also heard HCR 86 and HR 80 on creating an Aloha Civics working group, with DOE offering comments and Common Cause Hawaiʻi strongly supporting the idea. DOE described a civic learning and engagement task force that met with stakeholders, including UH and the PACE Commission, and produced recommendations such as building partnership inventories, integrating civic learning across grade levels, and aligning the work with DOE’s HA framework and learner outcomes. Common Cause said civic education can be implemented effectively and affordably, citing existing school projects such as ranked-choice voting and classroom constitutions. Later, the committee took up HCR 87 and HR 81, urging an annual Climate Week in public schools. DOE again stood on written comments, while the Climate Change and Health Working Group, Climate Future Forum, a student from Kaimuki High School, and other supporters argued that a dedicated week would ensure consistent climate education, build resilience, and connect climate issues to health, food security, and disaster preparedness. Supporters said existing climate-related opportunities are uneven across schools and that a formal Climate Week would create a more equitable approach. The committee then heard HCR 95 and HR 91 on informing students about changes to gun safety and storage laws; DOE asked for clarification on the measure’s intended outcome, and one individual testified in support. Finally, the committee heard HCR 104 and HR 100 on strengthening farm-to-school initiatives. DOE said it is already working to improve menus, emphasize local products, and meet with distributors to increase local procurement, while the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience offered food science, nutrition, and extension support. Climate Future Forum, the Hawaii Youth Food Council, and other supporters said farm-to-school efforts are important for student health, local farmers, and food sovereignty, noting that local food procurement in schools remains far below the state’s 30% by 2030 goal. DOE explained it is trying to provide distributors and farmers with more predictable demand and is meeting with distributors to set up next year’s supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meline Sarillo said that effective disposal of wind and solar infrastructure remains a top priority for
• the state to the other, and there's a lot of also special interests that come to the capital with priorities
• come to the special interests that come to the capital<00:53:44.240> with<00:53:44.440> priorities
• as<00:53:45.640> well<00:53:46.640> and<00:53:47.359> it's capital with priorities
• as well and it's capital with priorities as well and it's sometimes<00:53:48.040> challenging

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• since we're already in a state of emergency for the immigration, which state of emergency would take priority
• Would it be the state of emergency for the natural disaster, or would this take priority?
• since we're already in a state of emergency for the immigration, which state of emergency would take priority
• Would it be the state of emergency for the natural disaster or would this take priority?
• Representative McClure. ...or would this take priority? Representative McClure: Thank you, Mr.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and adoption of the special order calendar for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1B on immigration, along with discussion of anticipated Senate changes. The sponsor described the bill as creating a chief immigration officer housed in the Department of Agriculture, establishing an Office of State Immigration Enforcement, expanding cooperation with federal immigration authorities, increasing criminal penalties for certain offenses by unauthorized aliens, ending undocumented-student fee waivers, and providing substantial appropriations for enforcement and related programs. Members also questioned the Senate version’s proposed mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses involving unauthorized aliens, as well as pretrial detention, 287(g) participation, DMV reporting requirements, and the bill’s effects on schools, teachers, social workers, and local agencies. The sponsor and supporting members repeatedly said the bill required broad cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and that existing federal law would control where conflicts arose. A major portion of the debate focused on whether the bill would allow or require immigration enforcement in schools and other sensitive settings, and whether teachers, school resource officers, and social workers could be placed in conflict with federal privacy or professional obligations. Members also raised concerns about detention based on suspected status, the standard of proof for immigration-status determinations, prison and jail impacts, workforce shortages, and the fiscal effects on counties and state agencies. The sponsor said the bill did not provide DMV funding, that the state would need to study some implementation questions, and that the appropriations included $25 million for a local law enforcement participation incentive program and up to $350 million for broader implementation and coordination. Several amendments were offered and failed. Representative Chambliss proposed protecting schools, churches, and places of worship from enforcement activity; Representative Escamani offered amendments to preserve in-state tuition for Dreamers and to grandfather currently eligible students; Representative Woodson offered a similar Dreamer-related amendment; and Representative Bartleman proposed barring local law enforcement from entering schools during school hours to detain children solely for immigration status. Supporters of these amendments argued they would protect children, preserve educational access, and prevent trauma in schools and houses of worship. The House rejected each amendment by voice vote, and the transcript ends during debate on the Bartleman school-safety amendment before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our priority is to make sure that those resources go to the places where they are most needed.
• I appreciate their earlier comment about having to juggle priorities in the budget.
• So it is a priority to us, but we had to make some difficult decisions.
• In terms of the numbers that we have, both in the to make that a priority in the court system.
• They have an ability to make, determine some priority about the needs that exist in their communities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that's something that we take as a priority, and I don't know how many times, if somebody was going
• we take<00:01:55.840> uh<00:01:56.159> as<00:01:56.399> a<00:01:56.640> priority
• and<00:01:57.360> and<00:01:57.759> I<00:01:57.920> don't take uh as a priority
• and and I don't take uh as a priority and and I don't know<00:01:58.159> how<00:01:58.320>
• <00:03:54.159> for Medicaid services is a high priority for Medicaid services is a high priority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, of course, adopting the chamber's 2026 legislative priorities would improve the state's business
• <00:34:13.040> would 2026 legislative priorities would 2026 legislative priorities would improve
• So on the legislative priorities here, um, you talk about taxes and the conforming to the pro-growth
• So on the the legislative<00:54:31.119> priorities<00:54:31.680> here,<00:54:33.040>
• priorities here, um you talk about<00:54:34.559> taxes<00:54:35.119> and<00:54:35.440>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:55.199> that<00:04:55.520> are<00:04:56.000> drastically priorities that
• are drastically priorities that are drastically misaligned. misaligned. misaligned.
• Child safety should always be the priority.
• safety should always be the priority. safety should always be the priority.
• Ensuring the safety of children in our care is our highest priority.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• have specific amendments to address that and also to clear up the process of procuring the lien and priority
• have specific amendments to address that and also to clear up the process of procuring the lien and priority
• It is one of our priorities.
• Uh, this is one of<01:15:55.880> our<01:15:56.000> priorities.
• <01:15:57.320> Uh, of our priorities. Uh, of our priorities.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing either support or comments rather than opposition. HB 2395, relating to taking marine deposits for research, education, management, or propagation, received support from the University of Hawaii and DLNR. HB 2585, relating to agricultural tourism, drew broad support for its intent to keep agritourism secondary to farming, but agencies and farm groups raised concerns about enforcement, county authority, and the rebuttable presumption language. Testifiers included OPSD, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, a small farm operator, and others, with some urging clearer definitions, simpler registration, and protections for bona fide farms and hosted farm stays. HB 1728, on rainwater catchment systems, was supported in principle by DLNR, which cited drought conditions and said it deferred to counties and the Department of Health on safety and regulation. HB 1881, which would prohibit passenger ropeways on mountain lands, drew strong support from community testifiers who said it would help prevent development disguised as agritourism and protect forests and country lands. HB 1990, establishing penalties and possible foreclosure for unresolved zoning violations, received comments from the Attorney General recommending removal of AG references and more county-centered enforcement, while the Hawaii Association of Realtors warned the 30-day timeline could create problems for absent or unaware homeowners. The committee also heard HB 1712, which would expand and make permanent certain seats on the State Building Code Council. The Plumbers and Fitters union supported the bill, but BIA Hawaii requested amendments to add “licensed contractor” language, and architects and other professionals opposed the measure, arguing that increasing the council from 12 to 15 voting members would make it less efficient and harder to reach quorum. Finally, HB 2151, relating to hempcrete, was supported by a Kauai workforce development advocate and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, who said hempcrete could support agriculture, manufacturing, and affordable housing while reducing carbon and reliance on imported materials. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• members in my district, as I'm sure you all do, across the whole state, that I expect us, this is priority
• Members and people in the public that are watching my district, this is a top priority.
• <01:25:05.840> us,<01:25:06.960> this<01:25:07.199> is<01:25:07.360> priority
• that I expect us, this is priority that I expect us, this is priority number<01:25:08.080> one
• this is a top priority. I'm voting yes. this is a top priority. I'm voting yes.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 856, a bill to create a statewide Office of Inspector General to combat fraud. Representative Norris presented a delete-everything amendment that would keep most of the Senate bill but add more emphasis on fraud prevention, fully fund the office, avoid duplicating work already done by the BCA’s financial crimes division, and preserve subject-matter expertise by keeping some existing inspectors general in their agencies. He said the amendment would retain strong investigative powers, including subpoenas, while using the BCA for arrests, and he acknowledged his original version was likely too broad, so he planned to offer smaller amendments if needed. Chair Nash and other members challenged the DE on both process and substance. Nash said the amendment had not been shared with key stakeholders, noted that the Senate author had publicly distanced herself from it, and pointed to a governor’s office document saying the administration wanted a different approach than the Senate bill. He argued the Senate bill was a bipartisan, bicameral product and said the committee should be careful about accuracy and process. Representative Davis questioned Norris about the claim that the Senate bill was underfunded and about the governor’s role in selecting the inspector general, arguing that the governor should not have broad control over the office. Norris responded that the Senate bill’s fiscal note estimated roughly $12 million for the biennium, but the bill appropriated less than that amount, and he said the Constitution requires the governor to appoint the inspector general if the office is in the executive branch. He said the DE tried to preserve independence through a bipartisan advisory commission, Senate confirmation, a five-year term, restrictions on partisan activity, and removal only for cause with a public hearing. After debate from several members, the committee held a roll call and the DE failed on a 7-7 tie, so it was not adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that’s for this committee to decide, you know, what’s the priority?
• <01:14:38.159> Is<01:14:38.400> the<01:14:38.640> priority<01:14:39.120>
• that the priority?
• Is the priority that the priority?
• Is the priority that you're<01:14:39.840> of<01:14:40.080> a<01:14:40.320> certain

Bills: HB0045

Keywords: property tax, exemption, homeowners, long-term, aged, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, they said that because of the administration's priorities, they said that they would either have
• <01:20:32.480> said administration's priorities, they said administration's priorities, they
• Yeah, I think with the priority of immigration enforcement and to make, as we talked about, the quotas
• Yeah, I I think with the with<01:24:50.960> the<01:24:51.199> priority<01:24:51.520>
• of<01:24:51.760> immigration with the priority of immigration with the priority of immigration

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented. Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families. Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record. Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we'll take it back to our committee of four and see what our priority is.
• As you have been in my position many years past, you know, it's not easy, but we do take priorities.
• This makes sense what our priority is.
• <00:21:06.159> This<00:21:06.320> is easy, but we do take priorities.
• This is easy, but we do take priorities.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health listed 17 phthalates on the chemicals of high concern list and three on the priority
• ><00:04:39.919> the high concern list and three on the high concern list and three on the priority
• 41.000> list<00:04:42.000> if<00:04:42.120> a<00:04:42.320> developing priority
• chemical list if a developing priority chemical list if a developing fetus<00:04:43.280> is<00
• But, of course, recognizing the many priorities you all have to balance, I can't say an exact number.

Bills: HF44, HF2102, HF2279, HF2280, HF2281

Keywords: HF44, Casey Jones State Trail, Pipestone Trailhead, Currie Loop, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, trail rehabilitation, trail reconstruction, recreational trail, bike trail, hiking trail, infrastructure, state trail, Pipestone, Currie, bonding authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• “We do hope to be back and expand to all of the other islands, but this is probably the priority.”
• 02.559> the other Islands but this is probably the other Islands but this is probably the priority
• understand<00:29:04.720> thank<00:29:04.880> you<00:29:05.320> okay priority
• sure understand thank you okay priority sure understand thank you okay thank<00:29:05.799> you
• permits um if for the lowest priority permits um if necessary<00:35:00.240> if<00:35:00.520><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, with whatever funds are available this year, it is one of my top priorities in this budget cycle.
• available this year it is one of my are available this year it is one of my top<01:37:47.159> priorities
• um in this uh budget top priorities um in this uh budget cycle<01:37:50.800> so<01:37:51.440>
• This was my bill last year also, a top priority for me too.
• <01:38:13.520> for bill last year also a top priority for bill last year also a top priority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, Minnesota handled 5,224 cyber incidents; 285 of those were high-priority incidents. 2.96% of
• In 2024, Minnesota handled 5,224 cyber incidents; 285 of those were high-priority incidents. 2.96% of
• <00:44:52.520> incidents high priority incidents high priority incidents 2.96%<00:44:55.960
• I'm honestly kind of surprised that relitigating the COVID pandemic is a priority for the House GOP.
• I'm honestly kind of surprised that relitigating the COVID pandemic is a priority for the House GOP.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• While poultry disease is kind of high on our priority list right now, it's not the only priority for
• the Board of Animal Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture needs to continue to be a priority
• to continue to Department of egg needs to continue to be<00:08:41.479> a<00:08:41.680> priority
• during<00:08:42.680> this<00:08:42.959> session<00:08:43.959> thank be a priority
• during this session thank be a priority during this session thank you<00:08:44.240> for<00:08

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• went and looked at their website, and for the first time since I've been here, this isn't on their priority
• You know what's on their priority list?
• You know what's on their priority list?
• You know what's on their priority list?
• He called it a very sad commentary on our system and our priorities, and said that if you ask homeless

Keywords: 1183, house