Transcript Highlights:

• signatures to committee members that are not present, and if the bill receives enough signatures for release
• Madam Chair, not hearing any further comment, I move House Bill 386 be released from committee.
• It's been moved and seconded that House Bill 386, as substituted, be released from committee.
• for it to be released from committee.
• Motion to release. Thank you.

Summary: The House Revenue and Finance Committee met to consider two tax-related measures sponsored by Representative Holofsky. The first was House Substitute 1 for House Bill 386, the Tipped Worker Tax Relief Act of 2026, which would allow a temporary Delaware income tax deduction of up to $15,000 for qualified tips for tax years 2027 through 2029, with phaseouts at higher incomes and a refundable credit for lower-income workers. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill applied to residents and non-residents, whether credit-card tips were included, the need for an updated substitute, and the expected fiscal impact. The Office of the Comptroller General said the bill would likely reduce general revenue and that the fiscal note had not yet been fully reviewed, while Deputy Secretary Goldsmith said the Department of Finance could administer it and that implementation costs would be modest. After public comment, the committee voted on a motion to release the bill, but it did not receive enough votes, so the chair said she would walk it for additional signatures. The committee then heard Senate Bill 219, which would phase in an increase in the military pension income exemption from $12,500 to $25,000 by tax year 2029. Representative Holofsky argued the measure would help attract and retain military retirees, support the economy, and provide a strong return on investment through spending, taxes, and community participation. Members raised concerns about whether the benefit should be income-based, with one member arguing that higher-income retirees may not need the tax break, while supporters emphasized the multiplier effect and the value of veterans to the state. Public testimony from Veterans of Foreign Wars representatives strongly supported the bill and described how the exemption could influence retirement decisions and local economic activity. A motion to release the bill also failed to get enough votes, and the chair said she would walk it for signatures before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• State and federal law limits the release of blood results.
• Florida law requires a subpoena or court order with notice to the patient for release.
• HIPAA also prohibits release of blood results without legal authority.
• Florida law allows release with the consent of a personal representative, so a family member or someone
• So HIPAA mirrors state law, prohibiting release of protected health information without legal authority

Summary: The committee met with Senators Garcia and Simon excused and heard a presentation from FDLE Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard on homicide and violent-crime investigations, focusing on access to blood evidence, toxicology, medical records, mental health records, and the legal limits imposed by Florida law, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2. He explained that autopsy evidence collected by medical examiners is generally available to law enforcement, while hospital records and mental health/substance abuse records usually require subpoenas, court orders, or consent, which can delay investigations. He also discussed the difference between DNA testing and toxicology testing, the role of warrants and probable cause for living suspects, and the special rules that apply when a suspect is deceased. Members asked detailed questions about what toxicology panels include, whether medications can be tested for, how medical examiners review prior medical history, and whether FDLE tracks data linking violent crime to mental health issues or follow up with regulators after incidents. Pollard said the agency follows investigative leads where relevant, but regulatory follow-up depends on the circumstances. He also discussed behavioral threat assessment and management, and said risk protection orders have been used effectively to prevent violence and can lead to court-ordered evaluations and services. The committee then shifted to crime lab capacity and turnaround times. Pollard said the average DNA turnaround time was 208 days for some evidence, with anything over 30 days considered backlog, but that sexual assault kits are prioritized and generally handled much faster, with rush cases sometimes completed within 24 hours. Members expressed concern about delays in unsolved violent and sexual assault cases and asked what resources would help reduce backlog; Pollard said additional analysts would improve turnaround times. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenter and adjournment after Senator Bernard moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in legal considerations and framework for blood results, state and federal law limits the release
• Florida law requires a subpoena or court order with notice to the patient for release.
• HIPAA also prohibits release of blood results without legal authority.
• Florida law allows release with the consent of a personal representative, such as a family member or
• So HIPAA mirrors state law prohibiting release of protected health information without legal authority

Summary: The committee convened with a quorum present and heard a presentation from FDLE Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard on homicide investigations, blood evidence, toxicology, medical records, and mental health records. Pollard explained that autopsy toxicology and medical examiner records are often critical in death investigations, but access to hospital blood tests, medical records, Baker Act records, and substance abuse treatment records is restricted by Florida law, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2, usually requiring subpoenas, court orders, or consent. He also noted that autopsy reports are generally public, while photographs are confidential, and that medical examiners can access relevant prior medical history of decedents. Members questioned Pollard about what toxicology panels include, whether medications can be tested for, and whether medical examiner reviews can help determine if a deceased person had stopped taking prescribed psychiatric medication. Pollard said toxicology can include alcohol, drugs, and specific medications when relevant, but routine access to living suspects’ medical information is limited. He also discussed FDLE’s behavioral threat assessment work and said investigators may follow leads involving mental health treatment or facility releases when relevant to a case, though he could not speak to regulatory follow-up. The committee also discussed risk protection orders, with Pollard saying FDLE has used them effectively and that they can help prevent violence and connect individuals to services. The discussion then shifted to FDLE laboratory turnaround times and public safety impacts. Pollard said the average DNA turnaround time was 208 days for some cases, while sex assault kits are prioritized and generally remain under 90 days, with rush cases sometimes completed within 24 hours. He said backlog is tied to staffing and analyst capacity, and that faster processing is especially important in unsolved violent and sexual assault cases because delays can leave offenders on the street. The committee also noted that increased toxicology demands would affect toxicology staffing and workload, though not DNA processing. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• while grieving and making funeral arrangements just to plead to the court that these men not be released
• Are currently being released oftentimes, but would not be able to be under this legislation.
• Senate Bill 9. the secretary read the caption committee substitute Senate bill 9 relating to the release
• we speak in Travis County where a A defendant who was alleged to have committed murder was just released
• If true, this practice raises serious public safety concerns as it allows defendants to be released from

Bills: SJR 1, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 36, SJR 1, SJR 5, SB 9, SB 40

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Allows the court to remove or release Allows the court to remove or release the<02:34:26.320>
• This happened days after he was released This happened days after he was released released<02:51
• offender um their abuser is released offender um their abuser is released from<02:53:29.560>
• There are release orders with uh no use, for example, as a condition of release, um, or release orders
• <02:59:18.640> on of release, um or release orders on of release, um or release orders on

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, They're produced in Panama and they're released in Mexico. Correct.
• They're being released.
• They're released, um, just north of the Isthmus of Tuhuapec, which you heard, and we're also releasing
• Sure, right now we're releasing about 110 per week, correct, um.
• the sterile males, but once those releases start, the trapping has to stop.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is a crime for a violation of pretrial release conditions generally speaking.
• sometimes it's given by the jail as bond release conditions.
• This is just a condition of pretrial release.
• I also think that we have a time when a pretrial release is incredibly over utilized.
• You know, I know in my county It's an 11 million dollar tab and pretrial release that.

Transcript Highlights:

• wanted to save money. won an injunction in federal court that directed the federal government to release
• million owed to us, we have received $4.2 million, and the remainder is in the process of being released
• The federal government announced that it would be releasing the funds voluntarily, including the estimated
• Budget, which also, again, does not. have the authority to decide whether or not money should be released
• We didn't know if it was going to be released.

Transcript Highlights:

• fact that in the spring the water is cold, fish are fairly shallow, hooking mortality with catch and release
• People are releasing more frequently. What do we know? Yeah.
• People are releasing more frequently. What do we know? Yeah.
• People are releasing more frequently. What do we know? Yeah.
• People are releasing more frequently. What do we know? Yeah.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our conference, news conference press release.
• We're about to release the 2025 Texas infrastructure report card.
• We're pleased to share a summary of the findings today, including grades, and we'll release the full
• After we release our state-focused report today.
• And that report card will get released on March 25th. And so they will do a release for it as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair is informed that House Bill 2313 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third Reading
• The chair has been informed that House Bill 3911 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The chair has been informed that House Bill 4276 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The chair has been informed that House Bill 4287 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third Reading. Third reading of the bill.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with routine business, including adoption of an order extending until December 3, 2025, the reporting deadline for the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition on legislation expanding access to the Family Self-Sufficiency Program to be sent to the Committee on Housing. In addition, the House accepted a Steering, Policy and Scheduling report placing House Bills 2940 and 4380 on the calendar and ordered both to a third reading. House Bill 2940 concerns police officers and firefighters under Chapter 41, Section 111F, and House Bill 4380 amends the Agawam charter to remove a reference to the Board of Appeals. The House then took up several bills released from the Committee on Bills in Third Reading and passed them to be engrossed: House Bill 2313, relative to the regional commissions on the status of women; House Bill 3911, amending the charter of the town of Millis; House Bill 4276, reauthorizing Swansea to issue additional on-premises alcohol licenses; and House Bill 4287, authorizing West Springfield to grant four additional off-premises alcohol licenses. A bill authorizing the town of Avon to appoint a town clerk was amended by substitution at the request of Representative Walsh and then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House also observed a moment of silent tribute requested by Representative Beal in memory of John Jack Lennahan, a South Boston native and Korean War veteran who worked for Boston Public Schools for nearly 40 years. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn to Monday at 11:00 a.m. and then adjourned in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 4476 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 4476 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 4477 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 4738 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The Chair has been informed that Senate Bill 1859 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions honoring William B. O’Leary on his 100th birthday, congratulating Ethan Ho on earning Eagle Scout rank, and celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Paul’s Church of Palmer. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolutions. It also concurred with a Senate referral of a petition concerning retirement benefits for Alec Simonello to the Committee on Public Service. The House then considered local bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures concerning an excise on parking space transfers in Salem, expanded senior property tax abatements in Auburn, a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Sudbury, and land acquisition/disposition in Falmouth. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave these bills second and third readings and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber also passed to enactment several engrossed bills, including firefighter and police age-exemption bills for Haverhill, a Williamsburg board-name change to select board, a Sandwich overpass memorial designation, and a Chicopee charter change to gender-neutral language. The House then acted on additional third-reading bills, passing to enactment a bill allowing Kenneth Navarro to take the Haverhill firefighter exam despite the maximum age requirement, and passing to engrossment bills for William Rob Cargill’s firefighter exam eligibility and special meetings of the Holyoke City Council. On Senate Bill 1859, concerning retirement for Walter L. Gerton, Representative Walsh offered and the House adopted an amendment substituting text from House Document 5331, after which the bill was passed to engrossment as amended. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in the process of getting FIN and WAM release. Is that correct, Senator? That's correct.
• Fin and WAM release. Is that correct, Senator? That's correct.
• Okay, so we would like to reconvene on this until we hopefully get FIN release, or this is placed in
• for that measure as well. ...on FIN and WAM release for that measure as well, unless it's joyfully in
• So we do need release on those.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also need Finn Wam releasing this measure.
• We also need Finn Wam releasing this measure.
• Wham release. So, are you okay if we Wham release.
• For this one, we're just waiting for final release.
• If you're okay, could we Wam release.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it was $6 million 3 million was released it was $6 million 3 million was released pre<01:23:07.960
• Did any of that money get released? We're still working with BNF on the release, so no.
• If the past practice is, if they do release, there is a 10% restriction. Yes, that's practice.
• Was any of that ever released? Not to my knowledge. Thank you. Sorry, DED, one more time.
• <01:28:49.760> now we're working with BF on the release now we're working with BF on the release

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 19, 2025, and first heard SB 137 SD2 HD1 relating to electric utilities. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the Public Utilities Commission said they stood on their written comments, IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill, and Ulupono Initiative also supported it. Hawaiian Electric supported the intent but asked for an amendment, saying the bill’s definition of “acquiring entity” was too broad and could unintentionally cover purely local utility transactions. A later witness from Life of the Land supported the bill only if the merger/acquisition language were removed, arguing the PUC would not have a workable mechanism to let a cooperative intervene in a utility sale process. Committee members questioned whether the bill could still work without that section, and Ulupono said it was open to clarifying language but did not seek to remove the provision; the discussion ended without a vote in the excerpt provided. The committee then took up SB 1220 SD2 relating to a renewable gas tariff. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC again stood on written comments. HGas strongly supported the measure, saying it would create a faster, more cost-effective path for a voluntary renewable gas tariff without requiring a full rate case, while preserving PUC oversight and consumer protections. The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas also supported the bill, emphasizing that it would expand consumer choice and help Hawaii’s clean energy goals while keeping the program voluntary and shielding non-participating customers from costs. Henry Curtis of Life of the Land opposed the bill, arguing that HGas already had an active rate case and could have raised the issue there, and that the proposal did not increase renewable gas supply or speed up acquisition; he called it a gimmick. In response, HGas said the bill was mainly a mechanism to speed filing and that the details would be worked out in a PUC docket. Committee members pressed HGas on whether the measure would actually add renewable gas, what source would be used, and whether customers would simply be paying more for the same gas; HGas said it had two projects in development, including banagrass and hydrogen-related work, and that the tariff would be a voluntary opt-in rate for customers seeking renewable natural gas to meet sustainability goals. No vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to now report on the letter that was sent to the governor and the press release that came out
• copies to the Speaker's office as well as the Senate President's office, and we then had a press release
• <00:31:38.240> that the governor and the press release that the governor and the press release
• <00:32:28.880> issued we uh then had a press release issued we uh then had a press release
• . releases. releases.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review its mission and to discuss recent work on a letter sent to the governor and legislative leaders regarding COVID vaccine safety and related scientific references. Members said the letter, which included 31 cited sources, had been delivered to the governor’s office, the Speaker’s office, and the Senate President’s office, and a press release had been issued. Several members defended the letter’s sourcing and urged the public to read the materials and evaluate the evidence themselves, while also acknowledging questions about the trustworthiness of some cited articles. A major portion of the meeting focused on a research assistant’s effort to use AI tools to help reconstruct and verify the committee’s 2024 COVID report with citations. She reported mixed results from Copilot and Gemini, noting that the tools often produced broad or incomplete outputs and that she would need to break the report into smaller sections and ask for more specific source types. Members advised using more precise prompts and emphasized that any AI output would still need human verification. The committee said it hoped to produce a revised, fully footnoted 2024 report by early September. The chair then outlined the committee’s fall agenda, saying it would examine long COVID treatment, the patient bill of rights as it relates to COVID vaccinations and death reporting, standards of care and professional judgment by New Hampshire health care providers, and oversight of federal COVID-related funding such as CARES Act education relief dollars. He also referenced a recent fraud case involving misuse of COVID funds and suggested the committee may ask the DOJ for information. The committee will not meet in July or August and plans to resume in September and October, with a final report targeted for the end of October. The chair also introduced a recent DNI/Tulsi Gabbard press release about U.S.-funded biolabs overseas, which members discussed as a possible transparency issue relevant to future pandemic policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair has been informed that House No. 4093 has been released by the Committee on Bills in the Third
• Chair has been informed that House No. 4318 has been released by the Committee on Bills in the Third
• Chair has been informed that House 4093 has been released by the Committee on Bills on third reading,
• Chair has been informed that House 4318 has been released by the committee and bills on third reading
• Chair has been informed that House No. 4378 has been released by the Committee on Bills in the Third

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions, including recognition of the Melanoma Action Coalition, 411 directory assistance workers, the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day observance, and Frank and Alice Susky’s 80th wedding anniversary. Members also adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on House No. 2424 to June 12, 2026. The chamber then took up House No. 5316, a bill promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment. The House voted not to concur with the Senate’s amended version and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference, naming Representatives Cahill of Lynn, Vargas of Haverhill, and Vaughan of Wrentham. The House also suspended rules to advance local bills, including a Somerset bill allowing the town to prohibit water fluoridation and a Petersham bill authorizing continued employment of two police department members, both of which were ordered to a third reading. Later, the House passed several local bills on final action, including measures for Dartmouth liquor licenses and the Westwood charter. It also engrossed bills raising the Boston Police Academy entrance age, creating an attainable housing trust in Harwich, establishing an affordable housing trust fund in West H... (West H...bury), and regulating vacancy filling on the Marlboro City Council. The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m., with a formal session and roll calls at 1 p.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• out at three in the morning, I think everybody should have to come out at three in the morning to release
• , so that people like myself, because it is going to be the office workers that go out to have to release
• then somebody else calls, that way I don't have to go to the yard four or five times that day to release
• , so that people like myself, because it is going to be the office workers that go out to have to release
• then somebody else calls, that way I don't have to go to the yard four or five times that day to release

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 431 by Senator Foil. As amended, the bill requires tow companies handling non-consensual private-property tows to have someone available to release vehicles within 90 minutes on weekends if they want to charge storage fees for Saturday and Sunday. Senator Foil and Louisiana State Police explained the bill was narrowed to address weekend access to towed vehicles while not mandating businesses stay open; if a company does not provide weekend access, it cannot charge weekend storage fees. Committee members asked about how the process would work, and a representative from Riverside Towing opposed the bill, citing safety concerns, the burden on office staff, and the bill’s limited application to private-property tows rather than police-initiated tows. Despite the opposition, the committee adopted a motion to report SB 431 favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 96 by Representative Adams, which urges the Office of Motor Vehicles to provide educational materials on proper roundabout use. Representative Adams said the resolution was intended to help drivers in smaller parishes and growing areas where roundabouts are common but confusing to many motorists. Representative Spell supported the measure, noting similar issues in his district, and Representative Phelps asked whether roundabout instruction is included in driver education. The committee reported HCR 96 favorably without objection. At the end of the meeting, members made brief personal remarks recognizing a new DOTD staff member and a visitor from the Florida Women’s Republican group. The committee then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we release people, even if they're released back to general population, they're damaged.
• And then we release people, even if they're released back to general population, they're damaged.
• And then we release people, even if they're released back to general population, they're damaged.
• And then we release people, even if they're released back to general population, they're damaged.
• And then we release people, even if they're released back to general population, they're damaged.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: At the joint hearing on SB 951 SD2, the committees heard testimony on a child protection measure requiring mandatory child abuse and neglect reports to include military status and to improve communication between DHS and the Department of Defense. The U.S. Department of Defense testified in support and described its coordinated community response process for abuse reports, saying the bill would help ensure child safety and better coordination with DHS. DHS was initially absent, later appeared, and said it supported the measure but was still working with DOD on implementation details and staff training. Members asked about how DHS becomes involved and whether there were gaps in the current process. The chair recommended passage with technical amendments, including changing the effective date to 7/1/25 and conforming related language, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The Public Safety committee then heard SB 1377 SD2, which would create a Veterans Cemeteries Board within the Office of Veterans Services in the Department of Defense to provide guidance, education, and technical assistance to state veteran cemeteries. DOD supported the bill and explained that county-run cemeteries must meet National Cemetery Administration standards to remain eligible for federal reimbursements and grants; witnesses described past compliance problems at several cemeteries, including one still not compliant in Hilo, and said the board would help counties prepare for future site visits and improve oversight without taking over operations. Members asked about costs, reimbursement amounts, and whether the state would assume cemetery operations; DOD said the current reimbursement process runs through the state to the counties and that direct takeover would be costly. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The committee also heard SB 1382, which would make intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a National Guard member performing duty a class C felony. The Hawaii National Guard and HPD supported the bill, citing incidents during the Maui response where Guard members encountered noncompliant and sometimes physically confrontational individuals while assisting police and protecting impacted areas. Testimony emphasized that Guard members are often unarmed and should receive protections similar to first responders. One witness opposed the bill, but the committee moved forward and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments. Finally, the committee took up SB 1379 SD2 on emergency preparedness and Community Readiness Centers. Hawaii Emergency Management supported the bill, and supporters said it would create a statewide framework for resilience hubs that can provide supplies, action plans, and refuge during disasters. Testimony highlighted recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other hazards, and argued the measure would complement existing county efforts rather than replace them. County of Hawaii testimony opposed the bill, raising concerns about overlap and cost, while members asked about estimated expenses and implementation. The discussion ended with questions about planning and whether the bill would enhance existing programs; no final vote was captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department shall not release the name or address of the physician involved in the abortion.
• But it then states the department shall not release the name or address of the physician involved in
• In other words, it says the department shall not release the name or address of the physician involved
• for release.
• And, yeah, so the focus is on readiness for release. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement