Transcript Highlights:

• He would be a really good asset to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity.
• c><00:08:13.360> an has been and will continue to be an has been and will continue to be an asset
• to the Board of Agriculture and asset to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity.<00:08:16.080>
• Kekaha sugar, which has been kind of part of our DNA, was once considered the most valuable asset this
• <00:37:37.440> this considered the most valuable asset this considered the most valuable asset

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard gubernatorial nominations for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. For GM 615, Matthew Liam was nominated to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, CGAPS, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in strong support, citing his landscape industry leadership, pesticide training background, and prior service. Members asked about his experience in Australia and his approach to restricted-use pesticides; he said he avoided using restricted-use pesticides in his landscaping business but applied related safety and recordkeeping practices. Testimony was unanimous in support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 616, N. Young was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Support testimony from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council highlighted his experience with Lanai agriculture, Sensei, the Food Basket, Pacific Gateway Center, Kamehameha Schools, and institutional purchasing. In response to questions, he discussed balancing public and private funding, the need for adequate capitalization of agricultural projects, and using financial tools to help farmers and accelerate agricultural income streams. He also said the board should focus on making agricultural land productive and strengthening food security. The nomination drew strong support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 617, Jason Moniz was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported him, emphasizing his decades of veterinary and animal disease control experience, ranching background, and knowledge of biosecurity, leases, and livestock issues. Moniz said his priorities would be preserving agricultural land and water resources, improving biosecurity, supporting farmers and ranchers, and increasing food production in Hawaii. He also said he would be willing to speak up for agriculture and not let the department be sidelined. The nomination received 29 written and oral supports, with no opposition or comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would turn my business into an unmovable, unsalable asset. It's not a path forward.
• 26.800> unsalable business into an unmovable, unsalable business into an unmovable, unsalable asset
• <00:07:29.199> It's<00:07:29.360> a asset. It's not a path forward. It's a asset.
• And you know, imagine that happening to your most valuable asset in your portfolio.
• asset in your portfolio.<00:20:17.840> So<00:20:18.000> my<00:20:18.240> question

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• his background he's a very<00:23:49.240> uh<00:23:49.400> valuable<00:23:49.919> asset
• /c><00:23:50.559> in<00:23:50.799> guiding<00:23:51.159> our very uh valuable asset
• in guiding our very uh valuable asset in guiding our commission<00:23:52.159> so<00:23:52.360
• her with knowledge, cultural grounding, and dedication to protecting iwi kupuna, and makes her an asset
• her with knowledge, cultural grounding, and dedication to protecting iwi kupuna, and makes her an asset

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard Governor’s Message 590, the nomination of Archie Kappa Kappa Kappa to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and received extensive testimony in support from Department of Hawaiian Home Lands staff, labor representatives, and community members. Supporters emphasized his leadership during the Maui wildfire response, his cultural standing, his long community service, and his experience with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. In his own remarks, Kappa described his background as a lifelong Lahaina resident, former lifeguard supervisor, and community organizer, and said he would prioritize commission duties while balancing his voyaging commitments. Members questioned Kappa about attendance, his understanding of the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s responsibilities, and his views on commercialization and revenue generation. He said commission meetings would be his priority, acknowledged he could not guarantee attendance at every meeting, and explained that commercialization meant using commercial properties and leases to generate revenue for Hawaiian Homes communities. He also said he supported using land assets to reduce reliance on legislative appropriations. A senator raised Act 279 and the need to focus spending on reducing the waitlist; Kappa said the act was complex and that he did not yet know enough to speak confidently beyond what he had read. The committee did not vote on the nomination in the portion provided and said it would return to voting later. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 591, the nomination of Lawrence Luua to the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Testimony described his background in banking, military service, Maui County planning, and long involvement with Molokaʻi homestead matters. Luua told the committee he had lived the challenges of homestead life, including housing and road issues, and said he wanted to continue the work of Prince Kūhiō by helping Native Hawaiians return to and live on the land. In response to questions, he said he began attending DHHL meetings regularly in July 2024, discussed concerns about county road obligations versus homestead responsibilities, and said he had struggled with Act 279 because he was concerned about moving funds away from other projects even though he supported its goal of reducing the waitlist. The committee then moved on to the next governor’s message and testimony for another nominee, with a SHPD representative briefly introducing the background of that nominee, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• today but it is in every aspect<00:14:50.440> of<00:14:50.560> our<00:14:50.720> asset
• /c><00:14:51.000> and<00:14:51.160> resources<00:14:52.120> and aspect of our asset
• and resources and aspect of our asset and resources and the<00:14:52.480> and<00:14:52.600>
• <00:31:59.600> not<00:31:59.720> only Minnesota's ass assets not only Minnesota's ass
• assets not only financial<00:32:00.799> but<00:32:01.000> information<00:32:01.679>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So to clarify, the state's portion of the assets is about $5 billion.
• Total trust assets is $8.5 billion. We are fully staffed in our investment office of four.
• > assets<00:16:19.040> is<00:16:19.160> 8<00:16:19.519> A5<00:16:20.040><
• c> billion<00:16:21.040> uh<00:16:21.160> we total trust assets is 8 A5 billion uh
• we total trust assets is 8 A5 billion uh we are<00:16:21.480> fully<00:16:21.920> staffed

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can be released in any medium, digital or physical, and make...
• They can be released in any medium, digital or physical, and may include full courses, course modules
• At the same time, students are being forced to purchase digital access codes that are required for completing
• At the same time, students are being forced to purchase digital access codes that are required for completing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes. The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further. Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• continued to be thoughtful about how we put this together because, frankly, protecting kids online in digital
• <00:40:01.839> on<00:40:02.240> online<00:40:02.720> in<00:40:02.960> digital
• protecting kids on online in digital protecting kids on online in digital spaces,<00:40:04.320><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media features for children and requiring social media companies to report potential mass-shooting threats to the BCA. Members first reconsidered and then adopted the Smith amendment (A13), while a proposed amendment to that amendment (A18) failed on a 67-67 tie. Representative Bonner then introduced a technical amendment (A14) but withdrew it after explaining it needed further work to avoid liability and legal problems. The bill was then read for third reading as amended. Debate centered on the bill’s approach to child safety online. Supporters, including Representatives Scott, Eng, Feist, Greenman, and Gilman, argued that social media is addictive, harmful to children’s mental health, and too often exploits kids, and they said the bill is an important bipartisan first step. Several members also emphasized that parents should be involved, though some questioned whether parents can realistically understand the technology and legal terms well enough to make informed decisions. Representative Leeing raised concerns about location privacy, parental consent, possible liability waivers, and whether the bill should instead restrict addictive features for all children rather than only those whose parents consent. The discussion also broadened to related public-safety issues. Representative Greenman contrasted the difficulty of advancing this bill with the Legislature’s inability to move gun-related provisions, arguing that organized interests like the gun lobby and big tech are blocking stronger protections for children. Representative Bonner later described specific cases of children harmed through social media, including sextortion and fentanyl-related deaths, to argue that the bill does not yet cover all vulnerable youth and should be strengthened. No final vote on passage is included in the transcript excerpt, but the amended bill advanced to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't have a digital copy of hers, so I printed out the one that Representative DeRoy and I co-sponsored
• /c><00:59:32.280> didn't<00:59:32.600> have<00:59:32.760> a<00:59:32.800> digital
• Um I didn't have a digital copy of hers. Um I didn't have a digital copy of hers.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• without sufficient knowledge of English, drivers struggle with on-road inspections by law enforcement, digital
• by law with on-road inspections by law enforcement. enforcement. enforcement. um<00:48:13.359> digital
• signage<00:48:14.400> where<00:48:14.640> you're<00:48:14.800> driving um digital
• signage where you're driving um digital signage where you're driving it<00:48:15.359> says<00

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• conversation that we had that this is just a starting point, and it's the intention to look at all sort of digital
• it's the intention to look at all sort it's the intention to look at all sort of<00:46:52.840> digital
• :53.800> that<00:46:54.040> tend<00:46:54.280> to<00:46:55.240> uh of digital
• services that tend to uh of digital services that tend to uh deploy<00:46:56.040> the<00:46:56.160

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So getting the units up to 5 million and digital filing would make much more sense from the small business
• /c><00:10:00.480> 5<00:10:00.720> million<00:10:01.120> and<00:10:01.440> digital
• the units up to 5 million and digital the units up to 5 million and digital filing<00:10:02.320>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard several health-related measures. SB 3132 on syndromic surveillance drew support from the Department of Health, healthcare organizations, and others, with DOH explaining the bill would formalize a surveillance program that has helped with real-time flu tracking and response to events like the Maui fires. A member raised privacy concerns from opponents, and DOH responded that the data are deidentified and do not include Social Security numbers or dates of birth. No votes were taken on the bill in the portion provided. SB 3134 on emergency medical systems of care received broad support from SHIPA, DOH, military and EMS representatives, and others, who said it would modernize the EMS system. SB 3136 on lead materials and water infrastructure was also supported by DOH and SHIPA; members asked whether the bill would allow Hawaii to keep stronger standards if federal drinking water rules were weakened, and DOH said the state would not have to follow weaker federal standards as long as Hawaii remained as stringent or more stringent. SB 3138 on independent audits of deposit beverage distribution drew support from DOH and several industry groups, but with amendments to reduce burdens on small businesses, raise the audit threshold, and modernize reporting; opponents also testified. DOH later clarified that the measure would affect a limited number of distributors and said it is working on an electronic submission system, though not yet for audit filings. SB 3139 concerning SHIPA was supported by SHIPA and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, while HMSA suggested one provision should remain under the insurance commissioner’s purview. SHIPA said the bill is about collaboration and a broader health vision, not regulation, and members indicated they were comfortable with removing the disputed portion. SB 3207 on background checks drew support from healthcare providers but opposition from the Attorney General and DOH. Supporters argued the FBI fingerprinting requirement is costly, duplicative, and difficult to schedule, while opponents said the bill would improperly shift fingerprint collection authority to hospitals and other facilities and could conflict with federal law. The committee engaged in extended questioning about costs, federal requirements, and whether the mandate would be passed on to patients; no final action is reflected in the excerpt. The committee then began SB 2271 on hospital licensing, with support from SHIPA, the Developmental Disabilities council, healthcare groups, Kaiser Permanente, and DOH, and commenters said the bill would allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance through CMS-recognized accreditation, with a suggested wording change to “approved” accrediting organization.

Transcript Highlights:

• , um, so the sentence for the public service announcement instructions for radio, television, and digital
• um instructions for radio, television, um instructions for radio, television, and<00:54:15.040> digital
• 16.160> I<00:54:16.400> think<00:54:16.559> that's<00:54:16.800> a and digital
• I think that's a and digital platforms.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2145, which would establish a statutory right for the public to record law enforcement activities in public. Supporters, including the Libertarian Party of Hawaii and the ACLU of Hawaii, said the bill would clarify First Amendment protections, reduce confusion, and provide a private right of action if the right is violated. Most written testimony was in support, while the Maui Police Department and Honolulu Police Department submitted opposition. A senator asked about existing court cases, and the ACLU witness said courts have consistently recognized a right to record officers in public so long as recording does not obstruct police activity. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2151 on emergency management. Testimony from the Office of Information Practices and HEMA focused on proposed changes to Chapter 127A, including limits on emergency powers and a two-thirds legislative override. Earthjustice and other supporters argued the bill was needed after the Hawaii Supreme Court’s Nakoa decision, which they said read emergency powers too broadly and could allow suspension of laws for long-term policy issues rather than true emergencies. HEMA opposed the restrictions, saying emergency managers need flexibility to respond to unknown, statewide crises such as tsunamis, hurricanes, war-related threats, and large disasters, and objected especially to limits on the governor’s ability to suspend public records requirements during emergencies. Several witnesses, including the Public First Law Center, said the bill was a step in the right direction but suggested amendments to better define emergencies and make clear the changes respond to the Nakoa decision. Committee members questioned whether the proposed limits would hinder disaster response and whether the legislature already has tools to override emergency proclamations. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• direct requirements of our DL examiners on things that they just don't have to do anymore with the digital
• direct requirements of our DL examiners on things that they just don't have to do anymore with the digital
• direct requirements of our DL examiners on things that they just don't have to do anymore with the digital
• I mean, I think, again, utilizing maybe digital notices, and maybe they have to do both if they send

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 21104, a Gaming Commission criminal penalties bill presented by Commissioner Jay McDaniel. He said the measure is essentially the same as a bill passed by the Senate last year and would keep penalties low for people merely playing gaming, but make it a felony for operators of illegal online gaming platforms, with a $100,000 fine per conviction and forfeiture authority for funds tied to the crime. The committee substitute was described as clarifying that the penalties target the operator rather than the platform being used. After no questions, the committee moved and adopted the bill. The committee then heard three Department of Public Safety bills from Commissioner Tindle. Senate Bill 2232 would raise seat belt fines from $25 to $100 and direct the additional revenue into existing driver education-related funds, with the stated goal of supporting driver education programs and improving teen road safety. Members asked about the revenue impact and whether the money would be appropriated back to the department and schools; Tindle said the funds would still be subject to legislative appropriation. The bill was moved and adopted, though some members raised concerns about redirecting local fine revenue. Senate Bill 2314 was described as a cleanup bill for driver’s license statutes, updating outdated references, removing obsolete paperwork requirements, allowing first-class mail and optional digital notice through mobile ID, and reflecting the department’s move from Jackson to Pearl. Members questioned whether first-class mail could shorten response time for suspension notices and how mobile ID notices would work; Tindle said the change was intended to save money and allow electronic notice if users opt in. The committee also adopted this bill. Senate Bill 2817 would reorganize DPS by consolidating several divisions into a new Mississippi State Bureau of Investigations, combine equipment and software purchases, raise autopsy fees from $1,000 to $1,200, increase salvage title inspection fees from $75 to $125, and open a broader discussion about the Highway Patrol’s future role. It was also moved and adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2230 from Senator Hill, which would extend electronic warrants to misdemeanors; members discussed efficiency, warrant databases, and Fourth Amendment concerns, but no final action on that bill was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• are one friendly, two have a regulatory environment that encourages development, whether that's a digital
• <00:14:20.079> whether<00:14:20.320> that's<00:14:20.560> a<00:14:20.800> digital
• development, whether that's a digital development, whether that's a digital economy,<00:14:22.639

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It talks about the ... design shall record such verification of a person's age in print or digital log
• age<00:33:58.480> in<00:33:58.760> print<00:33:59.039> or<00:33:59.240> digital
• <00:33:59.559> log person's age in print or digital log person's age in print or digital log

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The asset, these properties, is publicly owned with an estimated market value of hundred million.
• The asset, these properties portfolio.
• <00:43:44.480> is preserving these units and assets is preserving these units and assets is
• Um, the other thing that we're doing is asset repositioning, which would change the HUD funding stream
• thing that we're doing is asset thing that we're doing is asset repositioning,<00:45:47.680>

Bills: HF4207, HF3639, HF3981, HF3064, HF2123

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, landlord regulations, tenant rights, minor children, lease agreements, eviction, privacy protection, housing, lease termination, medical care, death, infirmity, landlord obligations, St. Paul, public housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• The corporate partner tooling will provide assets and case study references and ecosystem contacts that
• to be able to better represent their abilities, so we've talked about how do we curate and bring assets
• forward and and provide tons of assets forward and and provide tons of volunteers<00:53:04.240> and
• providing assets providing assets howto<00:53:25.280> things<00:53:25.799> you<00:
• <00:53:37.280> and corporations with a bunch of assets and corporations with a bunch of assets

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That means that the state of Minnesota is making the best possible use it can of its existing assets.
• NG is leasing 282 acres of land to house our operational solar assets, all of which are co-planted with
• all of which are co- solar assets all of which are co- planted<00:51:11.520> with<00:51:11.640
• <01:40:56.280> within<01:40:56.520> the deployment of assets within the deployment
• of assets within the state<01:40:58.560> folks<01:40:58.840> we've<01:40:59.000> got

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They're a tremendous asset to our communities.
• They're a tremendous asset to our communities.
• They're a tremendous asset to our communities.
• They're a tremendous asset to our communities.
• They're a tremendous asset to our communities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• voters who are equipped to engage with the world's most pressing challenges—from climate change to digital
• Two million people come to us to watch, listen, and read stories on digital and broadcast platforms.
• KVPR produces KVPR Classical, a 24-7 classical music service on broadcast and digital platforms.

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media, with Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Akilah Weber Pierson framing public media as essential civic infrastructure for education, local news, arts, emergency alerts, and underserved communities. Local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voiced support, emphasizing public media’s role in trusted information, children’s programming, and community arts access. Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, Rebuild Local News, NPR, KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR described significant budget losses, layoffs, reduced programming, and threats to rural and specialized services. They highlighted impacts on children’s educational content, local journalism, arts coverage, science and documentary production, and emergency alert systems. Several speakers noted that smaller stations in rural or low-broadband areas are especially vulnerable, while larger stations are also cutting staff and delaying projects. They also discussed possible responses such as shared services, cost reductions, philanthropy, and state support, while warning that one-time bridge funding is not a long-term fix. Committee members asked about operational changes, alternative revenue sources, the role of state programs, and whether public pressure could restore federal funding. Witnesses said the loss is already being felt, that restoration appears unlikely in the near term, and that any state support should be structured to protect editorial independence and provide stable, timely funding. The hearing concluded with a shift to labor and production testimony and then to station-specific testimony from KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR, followed by public comment.